Why Switzerland is Perfect for Scenic Train Journeys

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Switzerland’s diverse topography offers a wealth of stunning scenery, making train travel an unforgettable experience. The mountainous terrain, particularly the Swiss Alps, provides dramatic vistas, with trains traversing bridges at different elevations and cutting through valleys and along lakeshores.

Iconic Scenic Spots

• • Matterhorn: One of the most iconic mountains, visible on the Glacier Express.
  • Lake Geneva: Seen from the GoldenPass Line, offering beautiful lakeside views.
  • Landwasser Viaduct: An architectural marvel on the Bernina Express, where the train crosses a spectacular bridge.

Marvels of Engineering and Technology

Switzerland’s train lines are a testament to human ingenuity, featuring some of the most remarkable engineering feats. The trains themselves range from vintage carriages to modern, panoramic cars designed to maximize the viewing experience.

Iconic Train Cars and Lines

• • Glacier Express: Known as the slowest express train in the world, it connects Zermatt and St. Moritz, offering panoramic views through its large windows.
  • Bernina Express: A UNESCO World Heritage route that climbs the Alps from Chur to Tirano, Italy, using spiral viaducts and tunnels.
  • GoldenPass Line: Links Montreux to Lucerne, passing through lush vineyards, pristine lakes, and charming villages.

Accessibility and Seamless Travel

Swiss trains make even the most remote areas accessible. The Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 meters (11,332 feet), is the highest train station in Europe. This engineering marvel allows tourists to easily incorporate a visit to the “Top of Europe” into their travel plans.

Planning a journey in Switzerland by train is straightforward, thanks to the well-developed rail system. The connectivity between cities and scenic routes makes it easy to design an itinerary that flows seamlessly, with scenic train journeys interspersed throughout.

Superior Service and Amenities

The maturity of Switzerland’s scenic train journeys is reflected in the excellent customer service, audio guides, dining options, and seamless connections.

Tourists can hop on a train and traverse the country without complications. The large, clear windows of the panoramic cars ensure that you won’t miss any of the stunning views outside, while the onboard services enhance the overall travel experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, Switzerland’s scenic trains offer a unique and delightful way to explore the country’s natural beauty and engineering marvels.

So, hop on a train, soak in the views, and enjoy the journey!

Embarking on a scenic train journey in Switzerland is a magical experience that combines breathtaking landscapes with the efficiency of Swiss engineering. This guide will help you plan your travels, ensuring you make the most of your scenic train adventures while seamlessly exploring the country.

Starting with the Switzerland Travel Pass

The Switzerland Travel Pass is an excellent starting point for your journey. This pass offers unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System network, including trains, buses, and boats, for the duration of your pass.

It’s an economical way to explore Switzerland’s cities and countryside within a specified number of days.

For more information and to purchase the Switzerland Travel Pass.

Important Notes:

• • Scenic train journeys require an additional fee even with the Travel Pass.
  • Prior reservations are mandatory for scenic trains; walk-ins are not accepted.
  • Be sure to reserve your seat and plan your journey ahead of time.

Planning Your Route

Map Out Your Visit:

• • Plot your route in advance to know how to get from one place to another.
  • Determine if your desired destinations are accessible via scenic trains.
  • Scenic train routes have several stations, so you don’t need to stay on for the entire journey.

Identify Scenic Spots:

• • Research scenic spots along your chosen train route.
  • For example, the Bernina Express has iconic spots that you wouldn’t want to miss. Make sure you’ll pass these spots, even if you’re not traveling the entire route.

Making Reservations

Once you’ve decided which scenic train to take, making a reservation is straightforward:

• • Visit the specific scenic train’s website (links provided below).
  • Follow the steps to book your ticket.
  • Select your seats.
  • Enter your Travel Pass number; the amount will be adjusted accordingly.

Scenic Train Routes and Connections

The scenic trains are not only an experience but also a means of transportation. Here’s how to incorporate them into your travel plans:

Example Route: Bernina Express and Glacier Express

• • The Bernina Express connects with the Glacier Express in Chur, allowing you to travel from Italy to Zermatt in a single day.
  • This journey covers approximately 400 kilometers, providing ample opportunities to enjoy the stunning scenery outside your window.

For route information and train schedules, visit Bernina Express and Glacier Express timetables.

Major Cities and Tourist Hotspots

Switzerland boasts several major cities worth visiting, many of which are connected by scenic train lines:

• • Zurich: A global financial hub with a vibrant arts scene.
  • Lucerne: Known for its preserved medieval architecture and stunning lake views.
  • Chur: A historic town connecting Bernina Express and Glacier Express
  • Interlaken: A gateway to the Jungfrau region, offering adventure sports and beautiful landscapes.

Incorporate scenic train journeys when traveling between these cities to save time and enhance your experience. Often, train journeys are faster than driving and offer a more relaxing travel experience.

Practical Tips

• • Luggage Storage: Scenic trains, like other Swiss trains, have space for luggage, allowing you to travel comfortably.
  • Comfort and Convenience: Enjoy the comfort and ease of traveling from one place to another while soaking in the beauty of the Swiss landscapes.

Booking Links

Here are the links to book tickets and make reservations for the most popular scenic trains:

• • Glacier Express: Glacier Express Official Website
  • Bernina Express: Bernina Express Official Website
  • GoldenPass Line: GoldenPass Line Official Website

With this guide, you’re ready to embark on an unforgettable scenic train journey through Switzerland. Plan ahead, reserve your seats, and enjoy the majestic views that only Switzerland can offer!

Bernina Express

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The Bernina Express is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque train routes, offering a breathtaking journey from the town of Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy. This scenic ride is renowned for its stunning landscapes, remarkable engineering, and cultural highlights, making it a must-experience for any traveler.

Route Overview

• Route: Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy.
• Distance and Duration: Approximately 144 kilometers with the journey lasting around 4 hours.
• Stations and Stops: The Bernina Express has 25 stations and stops along the route.
• Daily Trains: There are several trains running daily, with the earliest train departing from Chur at 8:32 AM.
• Classes: The Bernina Express offers First Class and Second Class compartments. First Class provides more spacious seating and larger windows for better viewing, while Second Class offers a comfortable and affordable alternative.
• Train Type: The route is serviced by modern panoramic trains with large windows designed to provide unobstructed views of the scenic landscapes.

Why the Bernina Express is Special

The Bernina Express is not just a mode of transportation; it’s an unforgettable experience that showcases some of the most spectacular scenery in the Swiss Alps. From majestic mountains and serene lakes to historic viaducts and lush valleys, every moment on this journey is a feast for the eyes.

Highlights of the Bernina Express Route

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  Brusio Circular Viaduct: The Brusio Circular Viaduct is an engineering marvel, designed to overcome the steep terrain by spiraling in a 360-degree curve over nine arches. This iconic structure is a favorite among photographers and a highlight of the Bernina Express.

• Valposchiavo: Valposchiavo is the southernmost valley in Graubünden and the heart of the Italian-speaking region. It offers a peaceful retreat with its charming villages and serene landscapes.
• Alp Grüm: Alp Grüm offers an unforgettable view of the Palü Glacier, the Bernina Range, and the Bergamasque Alps. This station is a linguistic border, transitioning from German-speaking to Italian-speaking Switzerland. The train will stop at the station briefly for passengers to stretch their legs, and of course, take some pictures.

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  Ospizio Bernina: At an altitude of 2,253 meters, Ospizio Bernina is the highest point on the route, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.

• Morteratsch: This stop provides a gateway to the Morteratsch Glacier, offering breathtaking views and hiking opportunities.
• St. Moritz: A world-famous resort town known for its luxury, skiing, and beautiful lake, St. Moritz is a highlight of the Bernina Express route.
• Albulaviadukte und-kehrtunnels: This section includes impressive viaducts and spiral tunnels that exemplify the engineering prowess of the Bernina Express line.
• Landwasser Viaduct: The 142-meter-long Landwasser Viaduct is a landmark of the Rhaetian Railway. It carries the train across the Landwasser Valley in a sweeping curve into a cliff-face tunnel, supported by six 65-meter-high pillars.
• Solis Viaduct: Another architectural gem, the Solis Viaduct spans the Solis Gorge and offers spectacular views of the landscape below.
• Burgenland Domleschg: This region is known for its numerous castles and ruins, providing a glimpse into the area’s rich history.
• Helical Tunnels and Loops: On the Albula line, the train climbs 416 meters in altitude through a series of helical tunnels and loops, culminating in the 5.9-kilometer Albula Tunnel that connects Preda and Spinas.

The Bernina Express is a hidden gem, often less crowded due to its start in Italy. Iconic spots like the Kreisviadukt Brusio and Landwasser Viaduct are frequently featured in travel magazines. While the view of the train on these bridges is challenging to capture from the window, the experience is still awe-inspiring. Consider starting your journey from Milan, staying in Tirano overnight, and then embarking on the train into Switzerland. In the low season, ticket prices can be surprisingly affordable.

Travel Tips

• Connecting with the Glacier Express: You can travel from Italy to Zermatt in one day by connecting the Bernina Express with the Glacier Express in Chur. With a 2-hour layover in Chur, enjoy lunch and explore the town before continuing your scenic journey.
• Seat Selection: When booking seats, you won’t know the train’s orientation, which helps distribute passengers evenly. If traveling south to north, sitting on the left side provides the best views.
• Using the Travel Pass: The Swiss Travel Pass reduces the Bernina Express fare to CHF 26-49. Enter your Travel Pass number during booking to apply the discount.

For more details and to book your journey, visit the Bernina Express Official Website.

Glacier Express

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The Glacier Express is famous worldwide and is one of Switzerland’s most popular train journeys. Connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz, two destinations known for their beauty and Winter Olympics history, the route spans about 300 kilometers, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels. The landscapes seen from the train are simply breathtaking, with remote valleys, sheer rock faces, and the Rhine Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. The train reaches its highest point at the Oberalp Pass, 2,033 meters above sea level, with ease.

The journey lasts about eight hours, though it feels shorter due to the train’s leisurely pace of 37 kilometers per hour, earning it the nickname “the slowest express train in the world.” The panoramic trip through the Swiss Alps leaves a lasting impression, offering highlights from start to finish, whether traveling from St. Moritz or Davos to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, or vice versa.

Route Overview

• Route: The Glacier Express travels from Zermatt to St. Moritz (or vice versa), passing through scenic spots like Andermatt, Chur, and Davos.
• Length: Approximately 300 kilometers.
• Stations and Stops: The train stops at several key stations, including Zermatt, Brig, Andermatt, Disentis, Chur, Davos, and St. Moritz.
• Trains per Day: There are multiple Glacier Express trains running daily.
• Earliest Train: The earliest train typically departs around 8:00 AM, but it is advisable to check the latest schedule for specific times.
• Train Type: The Glacier Express uses modern panoramic trains designed for comfort and optimal viewing of the stunning landscapes along the route.

Train Classes

• First Class: Offers larger, more comfortable seats with more legroom, gourmet meals, and panoramic windows.
• Second Class: Provides comfortable seating and panoramic windows but with fewer amenities compared to first class.
• Excellence Class: Features premium services, including a dedicated concierge, gourmet meals, and spacious seating with panoramic windows.

Highlights of the Glacier Express Route

• St. Moritz: Known for its mineral springs and as the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism, this destination features a 33-meter-high leaning tower dating back to 1139.
• Albula Line: A marvel of railway engineering with six towering viaducts, three spiral tunnels, and two helical tunnels, part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes.”
• Davos: Europe’s highest-altitude resort, offering both bustling activity and serene natural beauty.
• Landwasser Viaduct: An emblem of the Glacier Express, this 65-meter-high, 142-meter-long viaduct leads directly into the Landwasser Tunnel.
• Zermatt: A modern town with excellent tourism infrastructure, located at the base of the Matterhorn.
• Chur: Switzerland’s oldest town, with a 5,000-year history and a charming historical quarter ideal for strolling. The world-famous novel figure, Heidi, created by author Johanna Spyri is at home very close to Chur on am alp above Maienfeld.
• Rhine Gorge: Known as the “Swiss Grand Canyon,” formed by massive landslides after the last ice age.
• Disentis: Dominated by the monastery and church dating back to 1683-1695, the largest Romansh-speaking community in Switzerland.
• Oberalp Pass: The highest point of the journey at 2,033 meters above sea level, requiring a cogwheel for the climb.
• Andermatt: Founded in the 12th century, featuring the Columbian church and the Baroque Church of St. Peter and Paul.
• Brig: Founded in 1250, this town became a trade metropolis and is the center of German-speaking Valais.
• Visp-Zermatt Section: Opened in 1891, this section brought prosperity to the valley communities, thanks to the foresight of the railway engineers.

The Glacier Express journey captivates with its out-of-this-world natural scenery and the marvel of Swiss engineering on challenging terrain, Oberalp Pass is simply the most impressive.

Dining on the train, while a bit pricey, is a culinary highlight with regional and classic fare. For budget travelers, simple meal options and bringing your own snacks can keep you satisfied throughout the journey.

All panoramic cars in first and second class were refurbished in 2021 and now feature an infotainment system that connects to your smartphone or tablet, providing information on scenic spots and a playlist of traditional and modern Swiss music.

The Glacier Express shares the Albula line with the Bernina Express, allowing tourists to travel from Tirano to Zermatt in a single day on these scenic trains.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Especially for peak seasons.
• Choose Your Class: Based on your budget and comfort preferences.
• Pack Snacks: To save money and stay nourished during the eight-hour journey.
• Stay Charged: Bring a portable charger for your devices to use the infotainment system.
• Enjoy the Scenery: Make sure to bring a camera or use your phone to capture the stunning landscapes.