The Most Scenic Train Journeys in Switzerland You Should Experience Once

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I still remember the first clear morning I rode past a jagged peak and felt my chest widen. That moment framed why I made this curated, once-in-a-lifetime list for U.S. travelers planning a first or dream trip. My picks focus on routes that stop time and spark wonder.

What I mean by “scenic”: big glass windows, sharp elevation changes, peak-to-lake contrast, and views that make phones feel irrelevant. Trains here are efficient, punctual, and often the easiest way to see alpine landscapes without driving mountain roads.

Later in this post I present express panoramics (Golden Pass, Glacier Express, Bernina Express), short mountain climbs (Gornergrat, Pilatus), underrated lake routes, and low-crowd local favorites. I’ll include a table comparing routes, a base-town table, and a booking toolkit for tickets, seat reservations, hotels, and flights from the U.S.

I’ll also show the exact photo plan I’d use: station signs, window-seat landscapes, viaduct angles, lakefront panoramas, and onboard dining shots to help your planning.

I plan routes so a single day can move me from a vineyard slope to an alpine mirror lake. That rapid change is why I call rail the fastest way to soak in swiss travel variety. A short leg can pack mountains, lakes, and villages into hours while I sit back and watch the landscape unfold.

Panoramic train cars and wide windows turn a transfer into a view-driven moment. Swiss punctuality, clean stations, and tight connections mean less waiting and more scenery. Express often means fewer stops, not higher speed—expect long uninterrupted looks.

• Iconic scenery: mountains plus lakes and engineering landmarks.
• Memorability per hour: big views without long detours or fragile weather bets.
• Local energy: a mix of flagship panoramics and quieter train rides switzerland locals love.

I start with a simple checklist: views per hour, cost, and how a route fits my day plan. That helps me balance an iconic train ride with flexible, local segments so travel time stays fun, not frantic.

Panoramic express vs. regional services:

Express services feel like an event — curated windows, fewer stops, guide-style pacing. Regional trains follow similar lines, often cheaper, quieter, and sometimes allow open windows for better shots.

“Express” usually means limited stops and better sightlines, not higher speed. That matters for connections and planning buffer time at stations.

Reservation reality: some routes add a paid reservation or seat fee on top of a base ticket or travel pass. I check the SBB app early and book one splurge ride, then use regionals to stretch the budget.

Winter gives snow-globe peaks, summer bright meadows, and shoulder-season fewer crowds and dramatic color. For photos, early departures reduce reflections; late afternoon delivers warm lakeside light.

When I count how many full travel days I need, my budget decisions get simple. I decide by tallying long-distance legs, boat rides, and museum stops before buying any ticket.

When a swiss travel pass pays off:

• I pick a swiss travel pass for multi-day, multi-city plans that include boats, buses, and museum entries.
• Free access to 500+ museums and unlimited public transport often offsets the sticker price fast.
• Many mountain lines offer discounts with the pass, though some cogways are discounted, not free.

When Half Fare Travelcard wins:

• Short stays, mostly point-to-point tickets, or few long transfers make this card smarter and cheaper.
• It gives flexibility without full pass cost.

Eurail/Interrail tactic: I use it to cut base fares, then budget for mandatory reservation fees on premium panoramic services. Glacier Express and Bernina Express base fares sit covered by many passes, but a reservation and seat fee still apply.

I pick routes that mix lakefront glamour with alpine charm, and the golden pass line is my old-world pick for a daylight ride.

How I break the route:

• Montreux to Zweisimmen

  Early on you get lake geneva panoramas and vineyard slopes. This segment often runs the MOB Belle Époque carriages or the modern panoramic train — check when booking.

• Zweisimmen to Spiez / Interlaken

  Chalet villages give way to turquoise stretches of Lake Thun. I plan a short stop in Gstaad or Spiez for shoreline photos.

• Interlaken to Lucerne

  The final leg delivers Lake Brienz color and storybook pastures before you reach Lucerne.

Booking tips: I compare MOB Belle Époque for classic interiors versus modern panoramic cars for uninterrupted windows and brighter views. Reservations aren’t always mandatory, but I reserve in peak months to secure a good seat.

Best stops: Gstaad for a quick wander, Spiez for lakeside photos, and short platform breaks where the water looks unreal.

Affiliate ideas: Hotels in Montreux, Interlaken, and Lucerne (Booking.com), golden pass tickets/reservations (SBB), lake cruises (GetYourGuide), and a Switzerland eSIM or plug adapter (Amazon Associates) are items I add to my booking toolkit after this ride.

I book Glacier Express when I want a slow, all-day alpine experience that rewards patience. This route runs roughly eight hours between Zermatt and St. Moritz, covering about 291–300 km and some of my favorite high-pass views.

Route snapshot:

• Highlights I watch for: dramatic Rhine Gorge, the Landwasser Viaduct, and Oberalppass at 2,033 m.
• Expect long, steady climbs and wide alpine plates rather than speed; plenty of window time for sharp peaks and valleys.

Practical expectations:

• The ride is an all-day commitment—plan an early start and minimal connections.
• Pack snacks even if you book onboard dining; I still reserve a backup snack for gray weather.

Reservations and cost clarity:

• A compulsory reservation and seat are required even with a swiss travel pass or Eurail/Interrail.
• Typical reservation fees run about €40 in low season and €50 in high season; book early for peak months.
• Note seasonal pause: service usually stops for about six weeks from late October—check timetables.

Comfort and dining: panoramic train cars serve hot meals and table service. I upgrade to first class when I want more space and a treat; otherwise standard panoramic seating still delivers excellent views.

Mini booking block: book hotels in Zermatt or St. Moritz, Glacier Express seat reservations on the official site, swiss travel pass purchase links, and private transfers/taxis for smooth arrivals.

I favor a four-hour run that flips alpine glaciers into warm valley light. This Chur–Tirano route covers about 122 km and feels like a highlight reel of landscapes and engineering.

I chase camera-ready moments: Landwasser Viaduct and the Brusio Spiral Viaduct are must-see engineering icons. For top views I sit on the right when heading Chur → Tirano.

• Pause points: Alp Grüm for a short walk, lunch, and wide-plate views.
• Reservation note: passes often cover base fare but a reservation fee (around 26 CHF peak) may apply.
• Photographer tip: regional services on the same railway let me open windows, skip crowds, and grab cleaner shots.

Affiliate picks: hotels in Chur and Tirano, Bernina reservations (Rhaetian Railway), Milan–Tirano day trips (GetYourGuide), and travel insurance for rail-heavy travel.

I often save Gornergrat Bahn for half-days when I want big mountain drama on a small schedule. The oldest electrified cog railway climbs from Zermatt to Gornergrat in about 33 minutes. Departures run roughly every 25 minutes year-round, so this ride fits tight plans.

What makes the ascent special is how the peaks assemble as you climb. Each curve gives a new angle on the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains. I use the four intermediate stops to hop off, stretch, and turn a short train ride into a mini hike.

For my signature shot I take the train to Rotenboden, walk past Riffelsee, and frame the classic reflection on a calm morning. Early departures reduce crowds and calm water for better reflections.

Swiss Travel Pass often gives a discount rather than full free access for mountain railways. I check the pass terms and budget for a separate ticket or reduced fare and reserve a good seat if I need one.

• Quick plan: Zermatt station → summit in ~33 minutes.
• Easy hike: Gornergrat → Rotenboden → Riffelberg for relaxed walking and photos.
• Booking tips: pre-book tickets, Zermatt hotels, and guided photo walks for busy months.

Affiliate picks: Zermatt hotels (Booking.com), Gornergrat ticket pre-booking, guided Matterhorn photo walks (GetYourGuide), and local transfer options are my typical add-ons.

I plan a Pilatus day when I want a compact summit loop that mixes lakeside calm and high-alpine drama.

Why it feels wild: the cog railway climbs at gradients up to 48% and reaches Pilatus Kulm in about 30 minutes from Alpnachstad. That steep ascent makes this ride feel thrilling while the mountains unfold outside each window.

• Lucerne → boat or train to Alpnachstad.
• Cogwheel up to Pilatus Kulm for summit views.
• Cableway or gondola down toward Kriens, then bus back to town.

Cog operations usually run mid-May to mid-November. In winter I swap the rack railway for cable car options.

To beat long lines I take an early departure for better light and fewer crowds. I also check whether my swiss travel pass offers a discount; budget for a separate mountain ticket if needed.

Affiliate picks: Lucerne hotels (Booking.com), Pilatus Golden Round Trip tours (GetYourGuide), Lake Lucerne cruise bookings, and local transfer planning links for smooth arrivals.

Some of my favorite rail moments come from short hops that open wide, unexpected panoramas.

Why these short routes belong on a bucket list: they add big views without extra logistics. They fit between hotel check-ins and still feel like a proper day out. No reservations, low fuss, high payoff.

This route runs along Lavaux terraces and offers postcard lake views. I use it as a relaxed midday ride, then stop for a wine tasting or lakeside stroll.

Lake Thun’s blues look unreal through a window. Short, frequent services let me hop off for a quick shoreline walk without losing a travel day.

The valley reveal is the whole reason I take this ride. Staubbach and nearby falls frame the station arrival, perfect for a quick photo walk.

This lesser-known route shows Walensee reflections before it swings toward urban lake scenes. I pick late-afternoon departures for richer light.

• Itinerary plug-ins: use these on move days between Montreux, Interlaken, and Zurich to add scenery without extra travel time.
• Image plan: window wide-angles, platform signs for proof, vineyard frames, and the Lauterbrunnen valley entrance.

Mini affiliate picks: Hotels in Montreux, Interlaken, Thun, and Zurich (Booking.com); point-to-point tickets (SBB); quick local tours like Lavaux wine tastings and Lauterbrunnen valley excursions (GetYourGuide).

I chase quieter lines that deliver big landscapes without the usual crowds. These insider routes fit flexible, DIY days and often work well with swiss travel passes or half-fare options.

My sleeper hit. One daily panoramic car gives a movie-like Walensee at sunset. Snag a window seat for golden reflections and plan a seat reservation when that car runs.

Use short Visp–Andermatt legs for a mini Glacier Express vibe. Panoramic windows, alpine peaks, and fewer tourists. Swiss travel pass often discounts these tickets.

This route feels Italianate: gorges, waterfalls, and tiny villages. Start at Domodossola and expect a small surcharge. Bring a camera for platform shots and village frames.

About 25 minutes through Zügen Gorge and over the Wiesen Viaduct. It packs engineering drama into a short hour and suits tight itineraries.

Steam, cowbells, and a summit view over Lake Brienz. Main service runs June–October, with partial May dates. It’s an old-school climb that feels like a full-day reward.

Mini affiliate picks: hotels in Zurich, Locarno, Davos, and Brienz (Booking.com); regional tickets via SBB; Centovalli rail tickets and niche tours (GetYourGuide) for local guides and day trips.

Booking early saved my best window views and kept connections calm. Below I share my SBB app workflow, a quick reservation check, and realistic packing tips for rail days.

I search point-to-point routes, then add a “via” to force scenic segments. I compare supersaver fares versus flexible tickets and lock a seat when a panorama car runs.

• Is reservation mandatory? (Glacier Express: compulsory, ~€40–€50; Bernina: up to ~26 CHF peak)
• Price changes by season and per person/per segment
• Does my swiss travel pass or Eurail cover base fare? If yes, budget for paid seat reservations

Small luggage, offline maps/screenshots, and a 25–40 minute buffer at major stations keep transfers smooth.

Affiliate booking blocks: near each ride I add hotels, flights from the US, train tickets, buses, taxis, and local activities to my planning toolkit. This saves time and keeps my itinerary realistic.

I map routes so each travel day balances a headline panoramic with relaxed regional legs. For a 5–7 day classic I link Montreux → Interlaken → Lucerne → Zermatt to cut backtracking and keep travel time useful for views.

Winter version focuses on shorter, high-contrast days: one premium mountaintop ride plus lake and valley hops. A low-crowd option swaps expresses for local rides and hidden lines to favor calm villages over packed panoramics.

My final checklist: download SBB, confirm reservation rules, check seasonal closures (Pilatus mid‑May–mid‑Nov; Glacier pause late Oct), and build buffers for photos and weather. Compare a swiss travel pass vs Half Fare vs Eurail, book hotels near stations, and reserve one must-do mountain day.

For route notes and an essential reference, see my Bernina Express guide. Pick two or three top rides, then personalize the journey to match season, budget, and how much time you want off-train.