SWITZERLAND · SCENIC TRAINS
The Most Beautiful Train Routes in Switzerland
From panoramic mountain railways to legendary Alpine journeys – discover Switzerland’s most spectacular train routes and the views worth travelling for.
Scenic train routes in Switzerland offer some of the most spectacular railway journeys in Europe. From panoramic routes winding through snow-capped Alpine peaks to historic railways crossing dramatic valleys, some of the country’s most unforgettable landscapes are best experienced from a train window.
In this guide, we’ve selected the most beautiful train routes in Switzerland – journeys worth taking not simply to get from one destination to another, but for the experience itself.
01 · GLACIER EXPRESS
Glacier Express: The Classic Alpine Journey
The Glacier Express is one of Switzerland’s most iconic railway journeys, connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz through the heart of the Swiss Alps. Often called the “slowest express train in the world,” the journey is less about speed and more about the extraordinary landscapes unfolding beyond its panoramic windows.
ROUTE
Zermatt →
St. Moritz
JOURNEY TIME
Around
8 hours
BEST FOR
Alpine panoramas & iconic viaducts
BEST SEASON
May-October / December-March
TRAVEL TIP
Reserve your seat in advance during peak summer and winter periods. For the best views, choose a window seat and keep your camera ready for the Rhine Gorge and Landwasser Viaduct.
Along the way, the Glacier Express crosses dramatic mountain passes, deep gorges and some of Switzerland’s most recognizable railway engineering. Highlights include the Rhine Gorge, often called the Swiss Grand Canyon, and the Landwasser Viaduct, where the train curves across a soaring stone bridge before disappearing into the mountainside.
02 · BERNINA EXPRESS
Bernina Express: Across the Alps to Italy
The Bernina Express is one of Switzerland’s most spectacular railway journeys, crossing the Alps from the historic town of Chur toward the Italian border and Tirano. Along the way, the train climbs through dramatic mountain landscapes, passes glaciers and turquoise lakes, and crosses some of the most remarkable railway engineering in Europe.
ROUTE
St. Moritz →
Tirano
JOURNEY TIME
Around
2.5 hours
BEST FOR
Glaciers, lakes & dramatic Alpine scenery
BEST SEASON
May-
October
TRAVEL TIP
For the most dramatic views, sit by the window and keep your camera ready between Alp Grüm and Poschiavo. Seat reservations are required on the Bernina Express panoramic trains, especially during the busy summer season.
The journey reaches its highest point at Ospizio Bernina, more than 2,200 metres above sea level, before descending toward the palm-lined landscapes of northern Italy. Highlights include the Morteratsch Glacier, Lago Bianco and the famous Brusio Circular Viaduct, where the railway loops gracefully through the landscape.
03 · GOLDENPASS EXPRESS
GoldenPass Express: From the Alps to Lake Geneva
The GoldenPass Express offers one of Switzerland’s most varied scenic journeys, travelling from Interlaken to Montreux through the heart of the Bernese Oberland and French-speaking Switzerland. Along the way, Alpine peaks and traditional villages gradually give way to vineyards and the shores of Lake Geneva.
ROUTE
Montreux →
Interlaken
JOURNEY TIME
Around
3 hours 15 min
BEST FOR
Lakes, vineyards &
Alpine panoramas
BEST SEASON
May-
October
TRAVEL TIP
For the best panoramic views, choose a window seat and keep your camera ready as the train descends toward Lake Geneva and the vineyards above Montreux. Seat reservations are recommended during the busy summer season.
The GoldenPass Express travels through some of Switzerland’s most diverse landscapes, connecting the mountains of the Bernese Oberland with the shores of Lake Geneva. Along the way, the route passes traditional Alpine villages, green valleys and sweeping mountain scenery before descending toward Montreux and the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards.
04 · GOTTHART PANORAMA EXPRESS
Gotthard Panorama Express: From Lake Lucerne to the Italian-Speaking South
The Gotthard Panorama Express combines one of Switzerland’s most scenic railway journeys with spectacular views of lakes, mountains and historic landscapes. Travelling between Lucerne and Lugano, the route crosses the legendary Gotthard region and connects central Switzerland with the Mediterranean atmosphere of Ticino.
ROUTE
Lucerne →
Lugano
JOURNEY TIME
Around
5.5 hours
BEST FOR
Lake views, historic
Gotthard route & Alps
BEST SEASON
April-
October
TRAVEL TIP
For the full Gotthard Panorama Express experience, combine the scenic boat journey across Lake Lucerne with the panoramic train south to Lugano. Reserve your seat in advance during the busy summer season.
The journey combines some of Switzerland’s most beautiful lake and mountain scenery with the historic Gotthard railway. After crossing Lake Lucerne by boat, the route climbs through the Swiss Alps before continuing south toward Ticino, where dramatic mountain landscapes gradually give way to a warmer Mediterranean atmosphere.
05 · LUZERN-INTERLAKEN EXPRESS
Luzern-Interlaken Express: Lakes, Mountains & Alpine Views
The Luzern-Interlaken Express is one of Switzerland’s most scenic regional train journeys, connecting two iconic destinations through a landscape of turquoise lakes, mountain passes and traditional Alpine villages. The panoramic windows make the journey itself one of the highlights of travelling through Central Switzerland.
ROUTE
Lucerne →
Interlaken
JOURNEY TIME
Around
2 hours
BEST FOR
Turquoise lakes,
mountain & villages
BEST SEASON
May-
October
TRAVEL TIP
For the best views, choose a window seat and keep your camera ready as the train passes Lake Lungern and Lake Brienz. Sit on the right side when travelling from Luzern to Interlaken for particularly beautiful lake views.
The Luzern-Interlaken Express travels through the heart of Central Switzerland, passing five crystal-clear lakes, picturesque Alpine villages and dramatic mountain scenery. Highlights include the turquoise waters of Lake Lungern and Lake Brienz, the Brünig Pass and sweeping views of the surrounding Swiss Alps.
06 · JUNGFRAU RAILWAY
Jungfrau Railway: Journey to the Top of Europe
The Jungfrau Railway is one of Switzerland’s most extraordinary mountain train journeys, climbing through the Bernese Alps to Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres above sea level. The route combines dramatic Alpine scenery, tunnels carved through the mountains and spectacular views of glaciers and snow-covered peaks.
ROUTE
Kleine Scheidegg →
Jungfraujoch
JOURNEY TIME
Around
35 minutes
BEST FOR
Glaciers, peaks &
high-Alpine views
BEST SEASON
Year-
round
TRAVEL TIP
Reserve your seat during busy periods and check the mountain weather before travelling. For the clearest views from Jungfraujoch, an early morning departure is often the best choice.
The Jungfrau Railway climbs from Kleine Scheidegg through the heart of the Eiger and Mönch to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 metres above sea level. At the top, spectacular views stretch across the Aletsch Glacier and the snow-covered peaks of the Bernese Alps.
WHICH SCENIC TRAIN SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
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Practical Information for Scenic Train Travel in Switzerland
Switzerland’s scenic trains are easy to use, but a little planning can make the journey much smoother. Here are the key things to know about tickets, reservations, rail passes and the best time to travel.
01 · TICKETS & PASSES
Most scenic routes are covered fully or partly by the Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail and Interrail passes. Always check whether a supplement or seat reservation is required before travelling.
02 · SEAT RESERVATIONS
Reservations are required on some panoramic trains, including the Glacier Express and Bernina Express. Book early during summer, winter holidays and other busy travel periods.
03 · BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
May to October offers long days, green landscapes and excellent visibility. Winter brings snowy Alpine scenery, while spring and autumn are generally much quieter overall.
04 · CHECK BEFORE YOU GO
Timetables, routes and seasonal services can change throughout the year. Check current schedules, ticket conditions and reservation requirements before your journey.
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY
Ready to Explore Switzerland by Train?
Switzerland’s scenic trains turn the journey itself into part of the adventure. Whether you choose legendary Alpine routes, turquoise lakes or dramatic mountain railways, each journey offers a completely different view of the country.
Start planning your Swiss adventure and discover our travel guides with curated itineraries, hidden gems, local recommendations and practical tips.
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