Exploring Switzerland by Train: An Iconic Railroad Journey

Exploring Switzerland by train is an unparalleled travel experience that combines the joy of unhurried journeying with the breathtaking beauty of the Swiss landscape. Here’s a deeper dive into why choosing the rail over other modes of transport can transform your Swiss adventure, along with a detailed guide on how to plan your trip, must-visit destinations and tips to enhance your journey.

* Why Travel by Train in Switzerland?

Efficiency and Convenience

Swiss trains are a byword for punctuality and reliability, reflecting the country's ethos of precision. The Swiss Travel System is a marvel of engineering and planning, linking not just major cities but also remote corners of the country with small towns and alpine villages. This extensive network includes not only trains but also busses and boats, ensuring seamless travel experiences. Additionally, many train stations are equipped with a range of traveler-friendly amenities, from restaurants and shops to currency exchange offices and tourist information centers, making them effective travel hubs.

Scenic Views

Switzerland's geography offers a dramatic backdrop that changes from the rolling Jura mountains in the northwest to the majestic Alps in the south. Train travel in Switzerland is designed to showcase these stunning vistas through large panoramic windows that offer sweeping views of the countryside. Routes like the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express are specifically intended to be slow so that passengers can savor every moment of the scenic journey through pristine landscapes, snow-capped peaks and lush valleys.

Environmental Friendliness

Switzerland's commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in its promotion of public transport. Trains are a far greener alternative to cars, reducing the carbon footprint and helping preserve Switzerland's natural beauty. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) also invests in eco-friendly technologies and practices, further minimizing environmental impact.

* Planning Your Trip

Swiss Travel Pass

For those planning extensive travel around Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass is an indispensable resource. This pass offers unlimited travel on consecutive days across the network’s trains, busses and boats. It also grants free or discounted entry to over 500 museums along with numerous mountain excursions, making it a cost-effective way to explore the country's cultural and natural landmarks.

Timetable

The SBB’s comprehensive online timetable is the best tool for planning your travels. It not only provides train times but also integrates other modes of public transport to give you a full picture of how to get from point A to B efficiently. It’s available as a mobile app, which means you can adjust your plans on the go.

Reservations

While Swiss trains typically do not require reservations, securing a seat on popular routes like the panoramic trains mentioned earlier is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons. These trains offer special services such as audio guides and on-board catering, enhancing the travel experience.

Luggage

Traveling light is advisable as trains generally have limited luggage space. However, the SBB offers a convenient luggage service that can transfer your suitcases from one hotel to another or even from the airport directly to your hotel. This service can be particularly useful for those planning extended stays or carrying ski equipment.

* Must-Visit Destinations by Train

Zurich

Zurich is not only the financial hub of Switzerland but also a cultural one, filled with museums, art galleries, and an opera house. The city’s well-preserved old town is a maze of delightful streets that beckon for exploration.

Lucerne

Lucerne serves as a portal to central Switzerland and is quintessentially Swiss with its covered wooden bridge and pristine lake. Its close proximity to Mount Pilatus and Rigi makes it a perfect base for mountain excursions.

Interlaken

This resort town is a favorite base camp for outdoor enthusiasts. From here, trains like the Jungfraujoch offer journeys to the 'Top of Europe,' while scenic boat rides on the turquoise lakes are calming counters to adrenaline-packed activities like skydiving and paragliding.

Zermatt

The car-free village of Zermatt is another jewel, this one at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn. It's a world-renowned destination for skiing, hiking and mountain biking, accessible by picturesque train routes.

Montreux

This lovely town on Lake Geneva is renowned for its mild climate and the Montreux Jazz Festival. The romantic Chillon Castle, located on a rock on the lakeshore, is just minutes away by train and is one of the most visited historic buildings in Switzerland.

* Scenic train routes:

Glacier Express

Often referred to as the "world’s slowest express train," the Glacier Express offers a full-day, eight-hour journey that traverses from Zermatt at the base of the iconic Matterhorn to the luxurious alpine resort of St. Moritz. This panoramic journey is a showcase of Switzerland’s most breathtaking mountain landscapes, with a route that winds through 91 tunnels and crosses 291 bridges.

The ride begins in the car-free village of Zermatt, offering spectacular views of the Matterhorn before ascending to the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of the trip at 2,033 meters. As the train descends, passengers are treated to the dramatic vistas of the Rhine Gorge, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. The Glacier Express features expansive windows that extend into the ceiling of the carriages, ensuring that travelers can fully immerse themselves in the mountainous world outside.

Dining on the Glacier Express is an experience in itself, with a three-course meal served at your seat as you enjoy the passing scenery.

Bernina Express

The Bernina Express offers a unique Alpine experience as it travels from Chur, the oldest town in Switzerland, to Tirano in Italy, passing through the picturesque Engadin valley. This route is remarkable not only for its stunning landscapes but also because it features one of the steepest train routes in the world, all without the use of a cog wheel mechanism.

Crossing the iconic Bernina Pass at an altitude of over 2,253 meters, the train offers panoramic views of massive glaciers and frozen lakes. One of the highlights is the Landwasser Viaduct—a spectacular six-arched curved structure plunging into a tunnel cut straight through the mountain. The entire journey is a scenic marvel, especially in winter, when the snow-covered Alps provide a fairy-tale backdrop.

This train also boasts large windows for unobstructed views of the dramatic peaks and deep valleys.

GoldenPass Line

Connecting Central Switzerland with Lake Geneva, the GoldenPass Line is a celebration of Switzerland’s diverse landscapes. From Lucerne, this train takes passengers through the heart of the Swiss Alps and then into the more Mediterranean ambiance of the Lake Geneva region.

The journey begins in Lucerne, taking you through the iconic Brünig Pass into the Bernese Oberland, where you pass idyllic villages and lakes with crystal-clear waters. As the train moves towards Montreux, the language and cuisine shift from German to French and so does the landscape—from Alpine severity to the gentle vineyards and terraced gardens of the Swiss Riviera.

The GoldenPass Line offers different types of carriages, including classic Belle Époque cars and ultra-modern panoramic cars, ensuring that every traveler can experience this scenic route in a style they find most comfortable. The transition through varied cultures and climates, coupled with the dramatic changes in scenery, make this route a microcosm of Switzerland itself.

Dining aboard Switzerland’s scenic trains is a delight that complements the visual feast provided by the landscapes outside. Each of these trains offers a unique culinary experience tailored to enhance your journey through the Swiss Alps.

Glacier Express

On the Glacier Express, the dining experience is designed to match the elegance and leisurely pace of the train. A three-course meal, crafted to reflect Swiss culinary traditions, is served directly at your seat, allowing you to dine with uninterrupted views of the valleys, mountains and picturesque landscapes rolling by. The menu typically features local ingredients and seasonal specialties, providing a taste of the regions the train passes through. Additionally, the train offers a full-service bar where passengers can order Swiss wines, beers and other beverages to enhance their meal.

Bernina Express

The Bernina Express enhances its offering with a focus on simplicity and convenience, providing a dining car where travelers can purchase snacks, light meals and drinks throughout the journey. While it doesn't offer the same full-service dining as the Glacier Express, the quality of food aligns well with Swiss standards, featuring local pastries, sandwiches and small dishes that are perfect for eating at your seat. The emphasis is on providing good, satisfying fare that complements the stunning views—from the dramatic ice-clad landscapes of the Bernina Pass to the lush valleys below.

GoldenPass Line

The GoldenPass Line offers perhaps the most varied culinary experience, reflecting the cultural diversity along its route from Lucerne to Montreux. Depending on the class and type of service you choose, dining options can range from snacks and drinks to full gourmet meals. The classic Belle Époque cars and modern panoramic cars each provide a different dining atmosphere. In the Belle Époque cars, you might enjoy a more refined dining experience, featuring dishes that are as meticulously prepared as they are delicious, harking back to an earlier era of luxury train travel. In contrast, the modern cars offer contemporary Swiss cuisine with a focus on freshness and regional flavor profiles, ideal for enjoying as the scenic diversity of Switzerland unfolds outside.