The Most Scenic Train Journeys You Can Experience in Switzerland

The Glacier Express is perhaps Switzerland’s most scenic, and most famous, train ride. Travelling between the ski resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz, both worth visiting by their own right, you’ll cross through 300km of the Swiss Alps at a glacial pace so you’ll be sure that you can enjoy the views along the way. On this eight hour trip, the best of the Alps opens up before you, and if you travel on the Glacier Express (rather than a normal regional train which also follows the route) you’ll be able to take advantage of huge, panoramic windows.

Taking you from the city of Lugano to Lucerne, the Gotthard Pass is not only beautiful but is also a route that’s steeped in history. After crossing through the Alps, you arrive at the town of Flüelen on Lake Lucerne. From here you can continue your journey by steamboat, crossing the lake and ending up in Lucerne, right by the famous Chapel Bridge, the city’s main highlight. The route can also be reversed.

The Bernina Express covers part of the Rhaetian Railway and traverses the Alps, passing by majestic glaciers until you reach the shores of Lake Lugano, Switzerland’s Mediterranean-esque city, with palm trees and all. One of the highlights of this trip is the Landwasser Viaduct, a curving bridge that’s also a UNESCO world heritage site. Catch this trip from the city of Chur, ending in Tirano in Italy. In summer you can head to the city of Lugano by bus.

Take in the best of Switzerland, from dramatic mountain peaks to crystalline lakes, as you travel from Zweisimmen to the beautiful town of Montreux, which sits on the edge of Lac Léman. Along the way you pass through small towns, cross high bridges and take in some of the best, classic views of the Swiss countryside. You can travel in either direction on this trip.