There’s a romance to train travel that no other form of transport offers. Pick the right route and instead of just being about getting from A to B, your journey becomes an intrinsic, enjoyable part of the greater holiday experience – sitting back, relishing the views, sipping a drink, allowing someone else to handle the practicalities.
And nowhere does spectacular rail routes better than Switzerland, a small country with an efficient transport system and scenery set to enchant. Here’s our selection of some of the best train trips you can take and some highlights along the way, particularly concentrated in the country’s south where the stunning scenery is especially breathtaking.
The Bernina Express: A Linguistic Adventure
The Bernina Express, named after the 2328m-high mountain pass it crosses, is a classic train ride within Switzerland’s southeastern linguistic melting pot. A scenic day trip can easily be made from the swanky German-speaking St Moritz through Alpine peaks to the Italian-speaking town of Poschiavo. Stop for a stroll in Poschiavo and enjoy delicious pasta or pizza (you’re just 13 km from the Italian border, so you know it’s going to be good) at the Hotel Albrici restaurant located in the town’s central square.
As you return to the train, simply sit back, enjoy the scenery, and listen to the onboard commentary detailing the route’s history and highlights. For a unique experience on your Bernina day trip, choose a station at random and press the Stop On Request button, allowing you to explore more on your own – most stations have informational panels and suggestions for hikes.
The Glacier Express: Excellence All the Way
Since its opening in 1930, the Glacier Express has been the gem of Switzerland’s train journeys and holds the title of one of the world’s great rail rides. Running from St Moritz (perfectly complementing a Bernina Express journey) to Zermatt, one of the nation’s premier winter sports centers, this journey offers unrivaled views of the Swiss Alps with engineering feats exemplified by the Landwasser Viaduct, a six-arched bridge between Tiefencastel and Filisur. Nature’s marvels also include the Oberalp Pass (2033m), where the train often stops to allow passengers to alight and take in the views, and the Mattertal, Switzerland’s deepest canyon.
Regardless of the class of carriage you choose, this journey is a remarkable experience, but to make it extraordinary, consider upgrading to Excellence Class. Upon boarding, you will feel the special treatment begin with a red carpet welcome. Huge windows enhance your viewing experience, while the seven-course meal and a tablet providing route details and background information make every moment special.
Zermatt, Toblerone, and the Gornergrat Railway
Picturesque Zermatt is another of Switzerland’s glamorous ski resorts. Its advantage lies in the imposing, captivating shape of the Matterhorn, which commanding the skyline. Many know this mountain from its prominent role on the Toblerone box, and unexpectedly catching sight of this iconic peak never loses its charm.
For an even more breathtaking view, hop aboard the Gornergrat Railway and ascend to the mountain of the same name. The narrow-gauge train, which opened in 1898, still ascends a daunting 20% gradient in sections, depositing you at an altitude of 3089 meters above sea level. While this is considered a minor mountain in the region, it offers a remarkable 360-degree panorama that includes 29 peaks exceeding 4000m. These peaks include the striking Matterhorn and Switzerland’s highest, Monte Rossa, at 4634 meters. You can even stay overnight at the Gornergrat hotel, enjoying star-gazing under pristine skies or dine on the terrace while soaking in the stunning views around you.
The Schilthorn: Licence to Thrill
The journey to the Schilthorn and its views are among the country’s most thrilling. This area enchants visitors with its beauty, having captured the attention of the James Bond team during the filming of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1968. Featured prominently in the film, many scenes were captured in the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, which remains largely unchanged. Regardless of spy folklore, visitors are drawn to the summit’s breathtaking views at 2970m, showcasing a magnificent display of Alpine peaks, including the infamous Eiger (though its notoriously challenging north face is obscured from this view).
To reach the summit, you will need to take a series of cable cars that connect seamlessly at various stations. At one of these stops, Birg, it’s worthwhile to embrace the cliff-clinging Thrill Walk, featuring glass floors and a rope bridge suspended over a steep drop (there’s a net for safety, so no worries).
A Lakeside Loiter
Switzerland isn’t solely about mountains; nestled in the valleys are sparkling lakes, with turquoise waters mirroring the landscapes around them. The most famous is Lake Geneva (also known as Lac Leman), boasting the eponymous city at its western shore along with charming towns and vineyards dotting the northern shores (the southern side lies in France). As the train travels close to the water’s edge, many passengers often disembark at the eastern end to visit Switzerland’s most beloved attraction, Chillon Castle. This medieval chateau is a maze of grand rooms and desolate dungeons, highlights include the subterranean prison where Lord Byron once found inspiration (and left his name scrawled on a column) and the rickety wooden platform leading to the keep.
After your visit, consider purchasing the castle’s locally produced wine, made from grapes grown in the area, a treasure available solely here and in select locations nearby in Montreux. The castle has its own train station, allowing for easy connectivity or you may opt to walk along the lake from Montreux.
Making It Happen
Train travel in Switzerland can be costly, and purchasing individual tickets for routes can lead to expenses as high as the Alps. Your best option is to obtain a Swiss Travel Pass, which provides almost unlimited access to all forms of land and water transport in the country, as well as entry to hundreds of museums, making it a worthwhile investment. Prices begin at CHF 418 for an eight-day, second-class pass. If you prefer a hassle-free experience, several companies offer tailor-made packages for travelers, including Vacations by Rail.
