Experience the Heart of Switzerland
Whether you’re a seasoned rail enthusiast or a curious explorer, these legendary routes promise comfort, breathtaking views, and a true taste of Swiss culture—no transfers, just pure travel bliss.
Glacier Express
Bernina Express
GoldenPass Line
Gotthard Panorama Express
Combine a scenic boat cruise with a nostalgic train ride through the historic Gotthard route, linking Central Switzerland to the Mediterranean South.
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Switzerland’s Most Scenic Railways
Train lines of the Grand Train Tour
Discover Switzerland’s breathtaking landscapes through its most scenic train routes. The Grand Train Tour combines iconic rail journeys—like the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and GoldenPass Line—into one unforgettable experience. Each line offers panoramic views, charming stops, and seamless connections across the country’s most picturesque regions.
Bernina Express
This expansive train links the north and south of Europe, travelling directly via the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and past glaciers before arriving at palm trees.
Taking the Bernina Express is certainly one of the most breathtaking ways to traverse the Alps. The 65-meter-tall Landwasser Viaduct, a UNESCO World Heritage monument and the iconic building of the Rhaetian Railway, which is traversed by the Bernina Express throughout its journey. The train travels from Chur to Tirano via over 196 bridges and 55 tunnels in total. Wonderful sites to behold on the voyage include the Alp Grüm, the Brusio Circular Viaduct, the three lakes Lej Pitschen, Lej Nair, and Lago Bianco, the Morteratsch glacier, and the Montebello curve with its perspective of the Bernina mountain.
Route
Chur/St. Moritz – Tirano (Italy) or vice versa
Duration
Distance
Excursion Tips
Arosa Railway – from Chur to Arosa within one hour. On just 26 km, the train negotiates an amazing 1000 m in altitude
Railway Museum Albula – over 600 exhibits from more than 100 years of railway history, e.g. one of the last «Crocodile»-Locomotives
Gandria – a picturesque little town at the foot of Monte Bré
Monte San Salvatore – one of the most beautiful scenic outposts along Lake Lugano
Palm Express – rich-in-contrast, roughly four-hour postbus drive from Lugano to St. Moritz
General Information
- Time required | 4 to 8 hours (full day)
- Suitable for children aged | 0 to 5 years, 6 to 9 years, 10 to 13 years, 14+ years
- Suitable for | Children, Families, Groups, Individuals and Couples
- Action / Fun factor | High
- Accessible | Partially wheelchair accessible
- Weather | Indoor
Food & Beverage
- The Bernina Express minibar offers delicious snacks and refreshing beverages
- The train does not feature a dining car. The guests spend their lunchtime in the Italian town of Tirano
Glacier Express
Travellers may traverse the Alps in about eight hours on what has been nicknamed the world’s slowest express train, which crosses over 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. The Glacier Express offers a journey for the senses – from Engadine right to the Matterhorn. On its relaxing drive from dazzling St. Moritz to equally sophisticated Zermatt, the Glacier Express delights travellers with scenic attractions and technical state-of-the-art achievements. With its overnight panoramic windows, the Glacier Express opens up unobstructed views of unique landscapes.
New: Excellence Class
Never before has a train ride through the Swiss Alps been so luxurious. The Glacier Express Excellence Class is raising the bar with features like personal tour guides, onboard entertainment, a concierge, and guaranteed window seats. The drive from St. Moritz to Zermatt is a sensory extravaganza: guests are welcomed with champagne and passed canapés as they drive past breathtaking scenery, and then they are treated to a fine five-course dinner paired with wine.
The Glacier Express now provides one of Switzerland’s most upscale rolling tourist attractions with this new service.
Information About Glacier Express
Route
Duration
Distance
Excursion Tips
Gornergrat – a view onto the Matterhorn and 28 other four-thousand-meter-peaks from a vantage point of 3131 m
Rhine Gorge – Exploring the «Grand Canyon» of Switzerland between Ilanz and Reichenau on foot, by bike or by rafting boat
Lake Sils – at 1800 m, Europe’s highest altitude regular scheduled passenger boat service
Corvatsch – the eastern Alpine region’s highest altitude summit station at 3303 m. A paradise for skiers and hikers
Food & Beverage
- Food served at the passenger’s seat
- Dish of the day CHF 30 or 3-course menu CHF 43 (09 Dec 2018 – 01 March 2019)
- Dish of the day CHF 32 or 3-course menu CHF 45 (02 March – 13 Oct 2019)
- Catering is available on the panorama trains and can be booked together with seat reservation
GoldenPass Panoramic
Route
Duration
Distance
Facilities available on the train
GoldenPass Panoramic
- Panorama carriages in both 1st and 2nd class
- All trains have low-floor entrances and wheelchair-accessible toilets. It is not possible to reserve a wheelchair space in advance. Trips must be registered via the SBB Rail Centre in Brig.
- Certain trains have cars with front-view VIP seats, although these can no longer be reserved in advance. A fee can be paid to staff on the train on the day of travel if such a carriage is available on the train used.
GoldenPass Belle Epoque
- Belle Epoque coaches in 1st and 2nd class
- Wooden chalet coach in 2nd class
- Low-floor access for travellers with reduced mobility is only available in the standard passenger coaches in 2nd class. The Belle Epoque and the wooden chalet coaches are not wheelchair-accessible.
Food & Beverage
For individual travellers, there isn’t currently any onboard service available. Meals can be served at your seat for groups of ten or more individuals with advance reservations.
Excursion Tips
Chillon Castle
Rochers-de-Naye (2,042m a.s.l.)
Gotthard Panorama Express
The trip begins in Lugano or Bellinzona and travels northward over the Alps from the Mediterranean South through the centre of Switzerland, passing through the Gotthard tunnel constructed in 1882. Along the way, the Wassen church is seen from three distinct viewpoints; it has gained international recognition as a result of the inventive railway design that features numerous loop tunnels.
Passengers effortlessly continue across Lake Lucerne in a riverboat to Flüelen. Numerous historically significant sites, such as the Rütliwiese, the Schillerstein, and the Tell Chapel, welcome visitors with their authentic Swiss charm. The travellers are greeted in the evening at Lucerne Harbour, which is situated just next to the well-known Chapel Bridge. Additionally, it is quite easy to travel the other way on this voyage.
Aside from the numerous vistas, guests on this historic voyage through time receive unique presentations about the history, mythology, and stories surrounding Gotthard. Not to mention, the food component won’t be overlooked: Visitors can savour hot meals on the steamboat or munch on snacks and drinks while riding the train.
An amazing historical experience brought to life: The path takes one to Lucerne via the historic Gotthard panorama road, starting in Ticino. Greetings from the real Switzerland!
Route
Flüelen to Lucerne by steamboat or modern motor vessel “Diamant”.
The journey can also be travelled in the opposite direction.
Duration
Distance
Excursion Tips
- Castles of Bellinzona – UNESCO World Heritage site
- San Salvatore – local mountain und “Sugarloaf” of Lugano
- Lake Lugano Cruises
- Pilatus – Lucerne’s legendary local mountain
- Rigi – the queen of the mountains
Food & Beverage
- Aboard the boat, delicious meals as well as snacks and beverages are available
- On the panoramic train, snacks and beverages can be purchased as well and service at the passenger’s seat is available
- Souvenirs can be obtained on the boat as well as the panoramic train
Luzern–Interlaken Express
Travelling from one city to another is made into an amazing experience with the Luzern–Interlaken Express. Travellers marvel at five glistening mountain lakes that collect water from several rivers and waterfalls during the two-hour train ride. The neighbouring mountains’ sheer rock cliffs, which surge up protectively at the lakeside, make for striking photographic subjects.
The train switches to a cogwheel drivetrain shortly before beginning its steep and twisting climb to the Brünig Pass, which allows it to overcome the gradient. Part of the picturesque GoldenPass Line that leads from Luzern to Interlaken and ultimately to Montreux, the Luzern–Interlaken Express makes sense.
Luzern–Interlaken Express Information
Interlaken and Lucerne. Two of the most visited places in Switzerland. But what’s the greatest way to travel between cities? Easy and convenient: the cosy Luzern-Interlaken Express.
Route
Duration
1 h 50 min
Distance
Food & Beverage
- Bistro from Luzern
- Bistro from Interlaken
General Information
Time required | 1-2 hours
Suitable for | Children, Families, Groups, Individuals and Couples
Excursion Tips
Rigi (1,797 m a.s.l.)
Stanserhorn (1,851 m a.s.l.)
Interlaken and surrounding area
Schilthorn (2,970 m a.s.l.)
Ballenberg open-air museum
Thurbo Seelinie (lake line)
The “Thurbo” takes you through the Cantons of St. Gallen, Thurgau, and Schaffhausen as it sails around Lake Constance and the Rhine. Visitors are welcome to take exploratory trips of the numerous charming ancient old towns and villages along the route. Do you have a fascination with culture? Take a tour of one of the many museums located along the “lake line.” People who value life’s little pleasures sit down at a cosy restaurant and enjoy the cuisine of the area.
During this trip, tranquillity, quietness, and leisure are very vital. The next train is seldom more than thirty minutes distant from where the guests get off, so they’re not in a rush. f or everyone, the lake line is a pleasure for the senses. Insider tip: Select the side of the train where the windows face the lake and river to get the finest view of the surroundings from your seat!
Route
St. Gallen – Stein am Rhein – Schaffhausen and vice-versa
Duration
Distance
Excursion Tips
- Historic old towns of Schaffhausen, Diessenhofen, Stein am Rhein, Steckborn, Berlingen, Ermatingen, Gottlieben, Arbon and Rorschach.
- Diverse offer of museums, e.g. Museum zu Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen, Napoleon Museum in Salenstein, Museum of History and Oldtimer Museum in Arbon.
- Historic town of St. Gallen with the Abbey Library (part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site) with more than 170,000 books and scripts.
- Part of the lake line can be travelled on a lake boat in both directions – e.g. between Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen.
Food & Beverage
There is no catering on the train.
Treno Gottardo
Route
Zürich/Basel/Luzern – Bellinzona – Locarno
Duration
Basel – Locarno: 4 h 21 min
Luzern – Locarno: 3 h 6 min
Excursion Tips
- Lucerne with its numerous sights such as the chapel bridge or the lion’s monument
- Lake Lucerne with its impressive fleet of steamboats
- Altdorf, the main town of the canton of Uri, with the world-famous Tell monument
- Gotthard Panorama Route opened in 1882. During the journey, visitors can see the Wassen Church from three distinct perspectives.
- The Leventina with its breathtaking environs, including the cableway that leads to Lake Tremorgio and the steep funicular railway that leads to Lake Ritom and the Strada Alta
- The castles of Bellinzona, part of UNESCO World Heritage since the year 2000
- Locarno with its bustling Piazza Grande, Lake Maggiore and the famous pilgrimage church Madonna del Sasso
Food & Beverage
- Two bistro zones with snack and beverage vending machines as well as a coffee maker on every Treno Gottardo
General Information
- Time required | 2 to 4 hours (half day)
- Suitable for children aged | 0 to 5 years, 6 to 9 years, 10 to 13 years and 14+ years
- Suitable for | Families, Groups, Individuals and Couples
Vigezzina – Centovalli Railway
The Vigezzina – Centovalli Railway transcends national boundaries both literally and metaphorically. From Switzerland’s Locarno to Italy’s Domodossola. The railroad tracks that connect Gotthard and Simplon can be reached most directly by this path. The narrow-gauge railway also travels through wild chestnut trees and slopes covered with vines, starting from the shores of Lago Maggiore.
There is a lot to see and take in along this roughly 50-kilometer path that passes through the Valle Vigezzo and the Centovalli. Along the Melezza river are several isolated side valleys become accessible. They were created over millions of years along the tectonic plate boundary between the African and European continents, and are thickly forested with rocky cliffs scattered throughout.
Route
Locarno – Domodossola (Italy) and vice versa
Duration
Distance
52 km
Excursion Tips
- Intragna – the largest municipality in Centovalli – impresses with its 80-metre-high railway viaduct and Ticino’s highest church tower.
- Domodossola – a charming old town with various churches and a lively Saturday market – is the perfect place to relax for a while.
General Information
- Time required | 4 to 8 hours (full day)
- Suitable for children aged | 0 to 5 years, 6 to 9 years, 10 to 13 years, 14+ years
- Weather | Indoor and outdoor
- Category | Nature, Relax
Food & Beverage
No catering services.
Voralpen-Express
Switzerland has a softer aspect to it than only steep mountains and valleys rising to 4,000 meters. Travellers experience a distinct side of Switzerland on the Voralpen-Express, with its rolling hills, quaint towns, and gorgeous orchards.
Route
St. Gallen – Wattwil – Rapperswil – Arth Goldau – Luzern
Duration
Distance
125 km
Excursion Tips
St. Gallen and surrounding area
- Abbey district and Abbey library
- Säntis – one of the most breathtaking panoramas of Switzerland at 2505 m a.s.l.
- Appenzell region – tradition is important between Bodensee and Säntis
Rapperswil and surrounding area
- Rapperswil castle
- Lake Zurich Navigation – 2 steamboats and 12 motorboats regularly navigate Lake Zurich
Lucerne
- Lion’s Monument – in memorial of Swiss citizens who died in 1792 during the French Revolution
- Lake Lucerne boat tours
- Landscape and Animal Park Goldau – a refuge for stags, wolves, lynxes and other wild animals
Food & Beverage
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