Best Train Rides In Switzerland
Switzerland is a paradise for train lovers and sustainable travel. You can travel almost anywhere by train or bus, even to the most remote places with a so-called “Postbus”.
Switzerland has one of the best train systems in the world – it is almost always on time, the trains are clean and the views are incredible. We have compiled a list of the best train rides in Switzerland after travelling every weekend for a whole year, testing different routes.
If you need more information of the train system, check out our article Switzerland For First Timers. If you need som money-saving tips check out Switzerland On A Budget.
The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
Switzerland has two very famous routes for rail and road travel. “The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland and the “Grand Tour of Switzerland”. Of course, they have already put together the best train rides in Switzerland and you could follow with the complete route for your trip. It would be amazing! If you only want to do 1 or 2 train rides and are not sure which one to take, we would like to introduce you to our favourites of the Grand Train Tour and also mention some smaller rides.
The Best Train ride in Switzerland: Bernina Express
Let’s start with our all-time favorite: The Bernina Express. The Glacier Express is probably the most famous as it takes you to Zermatt. But for us, the Glacier Express was a bit too slow and the views from the Bernina Express are a bit better.
The Bernina Express is one of the panoramic trains with large windows to enjoy the scenery.
We did the trip twice. The first time in summer and the second time in winter. Both times were very special but I would always recommend the summer months as you have a better chance of getting a clearer view and in winter it is possible to see nothing because of the heavy snow.
We recommend taking the regular train one way and the panoramic train the other way. The route is exactly the same, but you can open the windows on the regular train and enjoy the views. Of course, the Panorama Train is very special, but it is also a way to save some money if you combine it.
As a nice bonus, you will receive a small train-shaped box of Swiss chocolate (by Lindt).
Combine the Trip with Gotthard Express
We started in Chur and went all the way to Tirano, Italy. We slept in Tirano and the next day we drove all the way back to Chur.
If you want to combine something, you could take the Gotthard bus from Tirano to Lugano and then take the Gotthard panorama train from Lugano to Flüelen and end the trip with a boat trip on the Vierwaldstätter Lake till you are in Lucerne.
This is only possible in summer.
Highlights of Bernina Express
There are many highlights on the Bernina Express, but for us it was the trip over the Landwasser Viaduct, the Morteratsch Glacier, the three lakes of Lej Pitschen, Lej Nair and Lago Bianco, and the circular viaduct at Brusio.
During our winter ride we did not see the Morteratsch glacier or the three lakes, which was a bit disappointing. Of course, a winter wonderland is also a beautiful landscape, but I still had those highlights from the last ride in my head and if I had to choose, I would go for a summer ride. So, one of the best train rides in Switzerland? Definitely this one!
Details of Bernina Express
Prices and timetables can be found on the official website of the Rhaetian Railway.
Half-Fare travelcard, GA travelcard, 1-day-travelpass, municipal 1-day-travelpass, Junior travelcard, Swiss travelpasses, Eurrail and Interrail passes are valid.
A seat reservation on the Bernina Express is mandatory and must be paid in full.
Discounted tickets are available during the winter season. For example, you can get a return ticket and lunch in Tirano for a very reasonable price. We did this for our winter trip and it was really good. You can choose to do it in one day or two separate days (e.g. Saturday & Sunday). We preferred to stay one night in Tirano.
You can find more information on the official website of the Rhaetian Railway.
Glacier Express
Some people say the Glacier Express is the best train ride in Switzerland. It is definitely one of the best! It is again a panoramic train with huge windows.
You start the journey in St. Moritz and all the way to Chur you have the same views as the Bernina Express, which is why you ride over the Landwasser viaduct. After Chur, the route is different. You will travel at a very slow pace through Andermatt to Zermatt. The Glacier Express is affectionately called “the slowest express train in the world”.
We even had a meal on the train, which was a special experience with the stunning views and good Swiss food.
Highlights of Glacier Express
The section between St. Moritz and Chur, including the Landwasser Viaduct, is a highlight in itself. Also the Rhine Gorge with its beautiful turquoise water and, at the end of your journey, the famous Matterhorn.
Details of Glacier Express
Prices and timetables can be found on the official website of the Glacier Express.
- Half-price travel with the Half-Fare travel card or Swiss Half-Fare Card.
- GA travel card, Swiss Travel Pass and day passes are valid. Eurail pass and Interrail passes from 1 January 2017
- Children under 6 years: free
- From 6 to 16 years: 50% discount.
- With the Junior Card, children under the age of 16 accompanied by a parent travel for free.
- A surcharge is payable for the Glacier Express
- The seat reservation is obligatory and must be payed full.
You can travel in the Excellence Class – the Glacier Express’ premium service. It is above First Class and probably the most expensive train journey you can take in Switzerland.
We have never done it, so we cannot say anything about it.
Gotthard Express
The Gotthard Express is another beautiful panoramic train with huge windows.
This one is special because it includes a long boat ride. You start in one of Switzerland’s most beautiful cities, Lucerne, and take a boat. This cruise will take you across Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) for around 3 hours! This lake is one of the most beautiful to take a boat trip on because it is surrounded by mountains and is really big.
After the boat you take the train: Gotthard Express
Once you arrive in Flüelen, the train journey begins. The train ride itself is not as good for us as the others because you are in tunnels a lot. You will be in the famous “Gotthard Tunnel” where they explain a lot about the history and importance of this tunnel. If you are into that sort of thing, you should love it. If you want to see more of the landscape it might be a bit boring.
You will arrive in Lugano, a beautiful city in the canton of Ticino. It is the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland and you will get a lot of Italian vibes. The city is great for a short break.
Overall we really enjoyed the experience, but in comparison the Bernina and Glacier Express offers better views.
But the boat trip was really special and we recommend it 100%.
Highlights of Gotthard Express
Lucerne, the boat trip on Lake Lucerne, the church of Wassen, Lugano and anyone else who is interested: The history of the Gotthard tunnel and train.
As described in the “Bernina Express” section, it is possible to combine the two journeys. You can take a bus from Lugano to Tirano and continue your journey from there. So you will have at least two of the best train rides in Switzerland.
Details of Gotthard Express
All information can be found on the official website of the Gotthard Express.
- Half-price travel with the Half-Fare travel card or Swiss Half-Fare Card.
- GA travel card, Swiss Travel Pass and day passes are valid.
Eurail pass and Interrail for the train, but not the boat valid. - From 6 to 16 years: 50% discount.
- A surcharge is payable for the Gotthard Express
- The seat reservation is obligatory and must be payed full.
Golden Pass Line – Feeling of the Orient Express
The Golden Pass Line may not be able to compete with the Panorama trains in terms of views, but the first-class train is unrivalled.
The route between Lucerne and Lungern offers beautiful scenery, and the Lungernsee in particular is an absolute highlight. The colour of the lake never ceases to amaze me and we must have seen it 30 times already.
The actual route of the Golden Pass lies between Zweisimmen and Montreux. Here you can choose between the panoramic train and the Belle Epoque. You should definitely take the second one, and definitely first class. The train is modelled on the Orient Express and is truly one of the most beautiful trains we have been on.
Highlights of Golden Pass Line
The highlight, of course, is the train itself. Make sure you book first class of the Belle Epoque! The second is not so nice. Another highlight is Lake Geneva and Montreux – one of our favorite towns in western Switzerland.
So maybe one of the best train rides in Switzerland? Definitely one of the most beautiful trains.
Details of Golden Pass Line – Belle Epoque
All information can be found on the official website MOB.
The GoldenPass Belle Epoque runs every day 2 times from Montruex or Zweisimmen without extra charge. Seat Reservation is not mandatory, but recommended.
This route is fully included in the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) / GA travelcard.
Montreux – Lausanne
You may have travelled to Montreux on the Golden Pass Line, or you may have visited Montreux for another reason.
If you have time, take the train to Lausanne, another great city on Lake Geneva. You will have the lake on one side and vineyards on the other. This is not a special train at all, but we really like this route and want to mention it.
You can buy your ticket on the SBB app or from a ticket machine.
Don’t forget to visit the Château de Chillon in Montreux!
Brienz Rothorn Railway
In Brienz in the Bernese Oberland, the Brienz Rothorn Railway has been running up the mountain of the same name since 1892. It’s a special experience to travel on such an old steam train in one of the most beautiful parts of Switzerland: Lake Brienz.
On a clear day, you can see the surrounding mountains and experience Switzerland from its picture-book side.
Daily steam services from June to October.
50% discount with Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) / GA / Half-Fare Card. Tickets for regular and extra journeys can be purchased online or on site.
All information can be found on the official website of Brienz Rothorn Bahn.
Voralpen Express: Rapperswil – Lucerne
Also part of the Grand Train Tour, but not as well known, is the Voralpen Express. Is is also on of the best train rides in Switzerland. It connects St. Gallen with Lucerne – two amazing cities. If you do not travel to St. Gallen, you should at least visit Rapperswil. It is a lovely little town with a castle and a rose garden on Lake Zurich. I worked here for a year and we lived very close for 4 years, so Rapperswil has a special place in my heart.
A big highlight is the view of the Rigi and the Schwyzer Mythen.
You can buy a regular ticket on your SBB app or the ticket machine. No special ticket is for this route required.
You can find more information on the official website of Voralpen-Express (only in German or Italian).
Lauterbrunnen – Wengen
When you visit Switzerland, chances are you will visit Lauterbrunnen. Be sure to take the train to the small village of Wengen. It can only be reached by train. It is a short train ride of about 10 minutes but you will enjoy some views of Lauterbrunnen at the beginning and from Wengen you will have a spectacular view of the whole valley.
This is not a special offer and is a regular SBB train service, so you can buy your ticket via the SBB App or at a ticket office or machine.
One of the best regular train rides: Gornergrat Bahn
If you are in Zermatt, there is one thing you cannot miss: the Gornergrat Bahn. The rack-railway takes you up to 3100 metres where you can take in breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, 28 other four-thousand-metre peaks and the Gorner Glacier. Not only is it a great place to hike, but the train ride is also spectacular with views of the Matterhorn.
Its a special railway, but you can buy tickets easily online or at the ticket machine.
You will find more information about it on the official website of Gornergrat Bahn.
Conclusion – What are the best train rides in Switzerland?
Having dedicated a year to travelling exclusively by train, with a train journey every weekend (additional to our regular travels in Switzerland the past year), we think we have a good overview of great routes.
We hope you have enjoyed our selection of different trains. Of course, the famous panoramic trains are not to be missed. But we didn’t want to leave out some of the more “normal” routes. Many of the routes can be easily combined and if you want to travel through Switzerland by train only, it’s definitely doable.