Switzerland's Top Scenic Trains

Looking for scenic trains passing through charming Swiss villages and beautiful hidden paths? Switzerland is renowned for its outstanding scenic railways, which offer a journey through a diverse array of spectacular natural and artistic attractions for those willing to discover the essence of Switzerland's heart.

The Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, the GoldenPass Express and more train routes reveal the beauty of Swiss mountains, crystal-clear water lakes, and charming villages. Whether it is done while crossing the magnificent Alps using high-speed trains or traveling on the slower ones such as the Voralpen-Express, you will have unique and exciting experiences in discovering Switzerland.

1. The Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is recognized as the world’s slowest express train. For eight hours, the train travels through the Swiss Alps, during which time travelers pass by 91 tunnels and 291 bridges. From St. Moritz to Zermatt, it is a royal standard and spectacular train with glass windows that offer unparalleled views of the surrounding terrain. Excellence Class guests will also enjoy reserved window seats, a dedicated bar area, onboard entertainment, and a guaranteed five-course dinner accompanied by wine and champagne.

Some must-see places to visit while traveling include Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Gornergrat, the Rhine Gorge, and Lake Sils. Lunch is served at the seat for the 1st and 2nd classes, but the number of courses available for the Excellence Class has increased. Kindly note that dogs are not permitted.

2. Bernina Express

The Bernina Express is a spectacular journey through Switzerland, from Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano in Italy, over the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Bernina Express takes you on an unforgettable 2.5-hour journey to see some wonderful sights, including the impressive Landwasser Viaduct, Alp Grüm, Ospizio Bernina, Valposchiavo and unique Brusio Circular Viaduct.

Travelers can also view the Oorteratsch glacier or the amazing lakes in 144 km and 4-4.5 hours, passing through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges. This journey exhibits the visually stunning Alps of Switzerland throughout the year.

3. GoldenPass Express

GoldenPass Express transforms the journey from Interlaken to Montreux into a memorable experience. With a new, wide panoramic train, it is possible to travel up to four times a day without stopping and take in all the picturesque views of Switzerland. The train's greatest attraction is the “Prestige” level, which is equipped with heated, leather reclining seats that adjust to the optimal viewing position and are an excellent choice for enjoying European cuisine. Such features allow people to order local and exotic foods, such as champagne and caviar, before their trip.

Beginning from beautiful Interlaken and going through places like Gstaad and Château-d’Oex, the tour finally halts at Montreux, the place of the jazz festival. The journey time is 3 hours 15 minutes, so reservations are required for ‘Prestige’ and advised for 1st and 2nd class. On this route, you can enjoy both Swiss luxury and scenic beauty in a single journey without needing to change trains. You can choose to go one way and come back with a private transfer to enjoy the route from a different and comfortable setting.

4. Gotthard Panorama Express

Travel in time with the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano/Bellinzona to Lucerne. The fascinating journey crosses the legendary Gotthard tunnel, built in 1882. Considering the train's route, it offers spectacular views of attractions like the church at Wassen from various angles.

Passengers then move from the train by steamboat across the Lake of the Four Forests to Rütliwiese and the Chapel of Tell. The trip is 182 kilometers long and takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. The restaurant car offers delicious meals and snacks while traveling on the water. This would require signing up ahead of time for a tour that is sure to be unforgettable, taking you right through the heart of the country.

5. Luzern-Interlaken Express

The Luzern–Interlaken Express will take you from Lucerne to Interlaken, a journey of approximately two hours through breathtaking scenery. Five mountain lakes with transparent water are guaranteed to appeal to photographers; awe-inspiring rock formations and gorgeous vegetation surround each lake.

When the train approaches Brünig Pass, it switches to cogwheel technology to overcome the steep gradients. This journey measures 98 km and will take approximately 11 hours and 500 minutes. It falls under the Golden Pass Line, making it a very scenic route. On this journey, one can visit two of Switzerland's most famous locations.

6. Gornergrat Bahn

Gornergrat is a significant attraction for visitors to Zermatt, offering a panoramic view of the Matterhorn and 29 other 4,000-meter peaks. The journey on the Gornergrat Railway is fascinating in its own, as it covers 1500 to 1469 meters through rocky chasms, young woods, and mountain lakes. It only takes 33 minutes to cover the uphill distance, and as you can guess, the scenic view is fantastic.

At the summit, the park stands at 3,089 meters above sea level, and tourists can participate in various activities throughout the year. Summer activities include hiking through the area leading to Alpingarten and Riffelsee. In winter, you can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, or sledding. “Zoom the Matterhorn” is a fun-packed multimedia show. Don’t forget the food and the restaurants on site, which serve delicious food while offering impressive glimpses of the Monte Rosa mountain range.

7. Arosa Line

Learn about the Arosa Line, a train trip from Chur. Although the railway's length is only 26 km, the train ascends to 1000 meters and arrives at Arosa, 1675 meters above sea level.

Famous sites pass through Chur, and the untouched beauty of the Schanfigg mountain region is entered. One feature that makes the journey and probably the train extraordinary is the spectacular ride across the Langwieser viaduct. The trip takes about one hour and thirty-three minutes. Accessible seating is available, and all meals are chargeable.

8. Voralpen-Express

Discover Switzerland's serenity aboard the Voralpen-Express, which offers a panoramic ride between Eastern and Central Switzerland. Departing from St. Gallen, this railroad passes picturesque hills, beautiful orchards, and charming villages. They are the Sitter viaduct and the view of the upland moor around Rothenthurm.

The distance is 125 km, and the journey takes approximately two hours and fifteen minutes. I went through a scenic area. The tour concludes in the charming city of Lucerne, situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Every train features a bistro coach, which serves food and beverages to enhance the journey. There will be no pre-booking allowance on the seat, and it is accessible seating.

These scenic train tours highlight the beauty of Switzerland, from the Bernina Express, which enables passengers to capture the high mountain ranges of Switzerland, up to the calm and serene Arosa Line. Everyone gets transported from one place to another, but in a magical way. These train rides are not just transportation; they are an integral part of the Swiss experience. So don’t hesitate and let Switzerland-Tour organize the trip of your dreams.