Travelling by train in Switzerland – the most beautiful lines to discover
Turn a journey into a show
Photo Credit: Kavalenkava
Have you ever thought about travelling by train in Switzerland?
Did you know that this is an incredible country in which to experience one of the most memorable rail adventures?
When we think of legendary train routes, we often think of the Orient Express or the Trans-Siberian Railway. Lines that combine a hint of adventure, incredible scenery and an experience in their own right.
But do you really need an exceptional context to enjoy a unique train experience?
Switzerland will prove you wrong. There’s no need to break the bank to enjoy an experience you’ll remember for years to come. We give you all our tips and recommendations for travelling by train in Switzerland, on the country’s most beautiful lines.
Switzerland, an essential slow travel destination
Green, fresh air and trains. Are you there? You’re in Switzerland!
Switzerland has a number of exceptional assets that make it the perfect destination for those who love ‘slow tourism’. Here we list some of the advantages of travelling at your own pace and minimising your impact.
A top-class train network
Photo Credit: @michelangeloop
With an average of 159 trains a day on each line (including freight), it’s the densest rail network in the world!
With more than 5,000 km of track, it has a dense, decentralised and largely electrified network. Major lines criss-cross the country. These provide north-south links between the main cities (Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, Zurich and Lucerne) and a number of east-west routes serving the more ‘rural’ regions in the south and east of the country.
You can reach every corner of the country by train. You can then complete your journey by bus to secondary destinations.
Punctuality….is not a myth !
In the land of watchmakers, people expect trains to be perfectly punctual. Well, it’s no myth! The punctuality of Swiss trains is well above the average for European operators.
Photo Credit: Pexels
With 92.5% of trains on time , the performance of Swiss federalrailways (SBB-CFF-FFS) is enough to make some EU players dream, as they are well below these levels.
And it’s all down to a very special railway clock: designed in 1944 by engineer Hans Hilfiker. At the time, clocks in railway stations did not indicate the same time. Its operation is unique. The second hand runs through one minute in 58.5 seconds, then stops and starts again when the minute hand advances to the next minute.
Equipped with an electric motor, an impulse is sent to change the minute… And today, this impulse is still sent to all station clocks in Switzerland, for perfect synchronization since 1944!
You can take your time: travel by train in Switzerland and arrive on time ????
Outstanding infrastructure quality
How can we judge infrastructure quality? Clearly, for us, the usage rate is a good indicator. And here, we can only admire the record held by the Swiss. They hold the world record for the number of kilometers travelled by train. Each inhabitant travels more than 2,000 kilometers a year by train!
And this record is due to the quality of the equipment. You’ll love Switzerland’s trains for their comfort and on-board services. But it’s also due to the remarkable technological prowess of the infrastructure. After all, Switzerland is also the country where some people took the crazy gamble of laying tracks several thousand meters above sea level, right in the middle of the mountains!
The Jungfrau line, inaugurated in 1912 at an altitude of 3,500 metres, is still Europe’s highest railway station today….a feat of engineering and hard work that took 16 years to build.
Photo Credit: july7th
But thanks to this kind of prowess, Switzerland offers us magnificent landscapes to admire, simply from the window of a train.
Proximity and diversity
What makes Switzerland so special? Its proximity!
It’s a neighboring country to France, and also centrally located for our Belgian friends. This makes it an easily accessible destination compatible with short trips. And despite its proximity, Switzerland offers a diversity of experiences and environments that make it a rich and exciting place to discover.
Whether it’s the cultural and architectural wealth of its historic towns and castles, or the diversity of its landscapes. Not forgetting its terroir and gastronomy, with its cheeses, wine regions and sweet delicacies. Or, of course, its exceptional natural beauty for lovers of wide open spaces, hiking and outdoor activities.
Whatever your interests, Switzerland has something to surprise and delight you!
So why still hesitate to travel by train in Switzerland?
Scenic train lines not to be missed
Making an experience out of train a journey takes on a whole new dimension on these train lines : Switzerland is the land of panoramic and themed trains.
Landscapes and discoveries along the way make train travel unique and memorable!
The Glacier Express, the star of panoramic trains
If there’s one scenic train on every list, it’s the Glacier Express. It runs from Zermatt to St. Moritz via Chur, and holds the record for the world’s “slowest express train”!
It’s an exceptional route: almost 100 tunnels, 300 bridges, and all via remarkable environments (rock faces, mountain villages, the Rhine Gorge, the “Swiss Grand Canyon”…), up to an altitude of over 2,000m at the Oberalp Pass.
Photo Credit: Vogel SP
Here, everything is done to make the most of the show you’ll see along the way: panoramic window carriages, attentive service and top-quality on-board catering (including local, seasonal Swiss produce). You’ll need a little time to cover the 300 kms. At an average speed of 40 km/h, the trip takes around 8 hours. But we bet you won’t miss a beat!
This train requires a reservation and specific tickets, which you can book via the Glacier Express website.
You can also take the regular trains that run along these same stretches (minus the panoramic windows and cheese platter). For the full itinerary, you’ll have to make several changes, giving you the opportunity to take a trip with stops along the way, just as we like them.
You will need to search for two specific routes on the Swiss Railways website to avoid the fast option that would take you through Zürich :
- Zermatt to Andermatt via Brig
- Andermatt to St Moritz via Disentis
Whether you take the Glacier Express or the regional trains, the views will be similar. It’s up to you to decide how much time and what type experience you want on your trip!
(Please note that the Glacier Express does not run from late October to early December).
Bernina Express: crossing into Italy via UNESCO-listed rail infrastructure
Like the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express passes through an impressive number of tunnels and bridges (almost 60 tunnels and 200 bridges).
But what makes the Bernina express so special is that many of these structures are part of the Rhaetian Railway and its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A UNESCO listing that attests to the exceptional nature of these railroad lines. They are veritable technical feats, having opened up the central Alps at the beginning of the 20th century.
But mere technique is not enough to obtain this UNESCO recognition: it is above all their remarkable architecture, and their harmonious aesthetic harmony with the environment, that makes them incomparable.
The landmark of the Bernina express is the 65-metre-high Landwasser viaduct. It’s an ideal postcard for promoting the train in Switzerland. But the route also allows you to admire many exceptional natural sites, such as the Morteratsch glacier and a multitude of lakes along the way.
The route runs from Chur and St. Moritz to Tirano in Italy, covering around 150 km in less than 5 hours. Seat reservations are also compulsory, and can be made directly on the Bernina Express website.
There’s no on-board restaurant here, but snacks and drinks are available, or you can plan your selection of local products before boarding. But above all, enjoy!
It should be noted that the entire route goes to Lugano, but the last part of the journey between Tirano and Lugano is by bus.
Photo Credit: Patrick Hutter
Golden Pass Express: a train like no other
A panoramic line that’s a natural fit for exploring Switzerland? If you’re planning to visit Montreux, Interlaken or Lucerne, the GoldenPass is probably the line for you.
The GoldenPass Express takes you to Montreux (on the shores of Lake Geneva) and Interlaken (in the Jungfrau region), then on to charming Lucerne. Allow 3h15 for the journey.
This line was recently launched (in 2022) and is a small feat of technology. You may not realize it, but this train adapts to a different track gauge throughout the journey! The secret? Its bogies (wheels) adjust their gauge between standard gauge (Interlaken to Zweisimmen) and metric gauge (Zweisimmen to Montreux). The advantage is that it is no longer necessary to change trains, as was previously the case.
Another special feature of the Golden Pass is that it is available in two versions, a modern panoramic version and a “Belle Epoque” version for an experience that also takes you back in time. In addition to the scenery, you’ll have a unique and memorable experience – the choice is yours.
Beautiful scenery awaits you on this route. Enjoy views of Lake Geneva and mountain scenery as you pass through Gstaad and the Jungfrau region. Reservations are not compulsory, as the line follows a “classic” itinerary, but we strongly recommend it to ensure you have a seat (to be made on the MOB website).
Lucerne – Interlaken Express: the Lakes Route via the Brünig Pass
Here, in just two hours, you can take in the sights on this panoramic train between Lucerne and Interlaken. It’s also part of the GoldenPass Express between Lucerne and Montreux. Interlaken and Lucerne are very easy destinations to include in a tour of Switzerland, so why miss out on a show on the way?
The programme of discoveries along the way is quite exceptional. You’ll see six lakes along the way: Lake Brienz, then after the Brünig Pass, Lake Lungern, Lake Sarnern, Lake Wichelsee and Lake Alpnach, which is an arm of Lake Lucerne that you reach on arriving in Lucerne.
So keep your eyes peeled! And with so many lakes and the Brünig Pass to cross, you’ll also have breathtaking views of the Alpine mountains, waterfalls and rivers.
And to climb the 1,008 metre-high Brünig Pass, the train uses rack-and-pinion traction on the steepest section of the route.
Reserving seats is not compulsory, but here again we strongly advise you to do so if you want to enjoy the view in the best possible conditions (bookings via the Zentralbahn website).
Classic’ lines that are well worth a detour
These lines may not be identified as scenic lines, but the views more than deserve to be included in the list.
The Mont-Blanc express, crossing the border in style
The special feature of this line is that it crosses the border. The line links Saint Gervais to Martigny in Switzerland via Chamonix. This section is the result of collaboration between Transports Martigny (the Swiss railway company) and SNCF. It is a link between our two countries that has existed for over a century and was electrified as soon as it was built. It’s a pioneering line! It includes sections with steep gradients, particularly in Switzerland, where one of the sections is rack-and-pinion.
Here we are on a ‘classic’ regional line, so seat reservations are neither necessary nor possible. But who’s going to complain? Given that you can enjoy a show for the price of a TER journey!
The route covers 55 kilometres and around thirty stations, allowing you to admire the scenery of the Chamonix valley, with plenty to discover along the way. The whole journey from St Gervais to Martigny takes 2,5 hours, which is almost too short. You can find more information and details on how to buy tickets on the official website or that of TER Auvergne Rhône Alpes.
Photo Credit : Mont-Blanc Express
Interlaken – Thun: admire a lake along the way
We also recommend that you add the ‘classic’ Interlaken-Thun line to your itinerary, as the views there are well worth the detour. These two towns are worth a stopover in Switzerland, thanks to their natural surroundings and the activities on offer.
What’s the special thing about this line? It runs alongside Lake Thun for most of the way. You’ll be treated to a magnificent panorama, with the lake and mountains in the background: a real postcard.
The line passes through Spiez, where you can make a stopover (including a castle to discover) or go directly to Thun. Either way, we really recommend that you include Thun in your travel itinerary: it’s a charming town to discover, and one that’s less frequented than its neighbour Interlaken.
You can take the direct fast train (30 min) or the regional train with a change at Spiez. We invite you to consult the details and timetable on the Swiss Railways website to finalise your programme.
From or to Lausanne: discover the terraced vineyards of Lavaux
The setting is unique, with magnificent views over these UNESCO World Heritage vineyards.
You can see them on the Lausanne-Berne line, but only for a short stretch at the start of the journey before the route branches off towards the Swiss capital. To take full advantage of these landscapes, we recommend the Lausanne – Villeneuve line, which passes through Vevey and Montreux. You’ll have some very fine views of the lake from Montreux and the vineyards of this exceptional Swiss region.
This route is a great way to discover Switzerland, as you can plan a stopover in the magnificent Vevey and Montreux region from Lausanne. The whole journey from Lausanne to Villeneuve takes just 30 minutes, so it’s also easy to make a day trip from Lausanne or Montreux… for the price of a regional train ticket! Visit the Swiss Railways website to plan your itinerary.
Photo Credit : michalludwiczak
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Ready to travel by train in Switzerland?
After all these presentations, you may be faced with a dilemma: which line to choose? How best to incorporate them into a slow-travel discovery of Switzerland?
To help you, we invite you to discover our itinerary centred on the discovery of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes:
- lines in the Montreux region (Lavaux vineyards)
- the Interlaken-Thun line
- the Golden Pass Express
A great introduction to the exceptional train journeys that Switzerland has to offer. And it’s just a suggestion, as we can recommend and customise many other itineraries. Contact us for an unforgettable rail odyssey on some of Europe’s most beautiful train lines!
