Top 5 Scenic Swiss Rail Journeys
If there's one country in the world that boasts the most scenic rail journeys, it has to be Switzerland! We love the variety - shimmering white peaks, green pastures, sparkling lakes, towering viaducts - Switzerland has it all! With so many different journeys to take, we often get asked which we recommend, so here's our shortlist for those that our customers love time and time again.
Glacier Express
Connecting Zermatt with resort-town-extraordinaire St Moritz, the Glacier Express is a leisurely amble over impressive viaducts, through verdant meadows and glacial rivers. Proud of its fond epithet 'Europe's slowest express train', the journey glides past the foot of the Matterhorn and through pristine landscapes at an average of 24 miles per hour - perfect sightseeing speed! The elegant interiors, impressive menus (all served on real china at your seat) and large panoramic windows all add to the customer experience, making this the trip of a lifetime!
The Glacier Express competes with the Bernina Express for the title of the most scenic train in Switzerland. Which is better? Decide for yourself! It's easy to do both journeys in one great holiday - click here for details.
Bernina Express
The gleaming red carriages of the famed Bernina Express escort passengers through a stunning wonderland from the icy peaks of Switzerland to the unmistakable flair and sunshine of Italy. Along the way you'll roll through over 50 tunnels and skirt over almost 200 bridges, all on a UNESCO-listed narrow gauge railway. Watch lake Poschiavo sparkle, gaze up at mountain peaks galore and cross the famous Landwasser Viaduct if you travel from Chur, all from your comfortable seat! We love the Bernina Express' panoramic windows that curve elegantly to the ceiling for optimum sightseeing and photography opportunities. We also love its Italian endpoint - the perfect way to reach cities such as Venice, Florence and Rome by rail in the most beautiful way imaginable. Intrigued? Click here for details!
Golden Pass
The golden one train doesn't just treat you to one journey - it treats you to three! You'll take to the rails from Montreux to Zweisimmen, Zweisimmen to Interlaken and Interlaken to Lucerne if you follow the whole route, much of it over narrow gauge railway. Views of the Swiss Riviera, mountain tunnels, famous ski resort Gstaad and a winding route through the Simmental Valley (home of the famous Swiss Simmental cows!) are all part of the fun.
With the option of travelling by either traditional Pullman-style or chic panoramic carriages, and the opportunity to stop off en route to experience life in different Swiss cities, the Golden Pass line an unmissable route. We think it deserves a spot on any Swiss itinerary - discover it for yourself!
Jungfraujoch
Towering over the continent, the Jungfraujoch is the tallest peak in Europe and is sure to be a real high point (sorry) of any holiday to Switzerland. If your experiences of scenic Switzerland have all included looking up at the snow-dusted peaks, imagine how it feels to travel up to one and look down! Starting in Interlaken, travel to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, before travelling on to Kleine Scheidegg, enjoying marvellous scenery the whole way.
From here, board the Jungfraubahn, the attractive red and yellow carriages contrasting beautifully with the white snow on the ground. Climb higher and higher from Kleine Scheidegg, stopping in a tunnel carved from the North Face of the Eiger and at the Eismeer viewing point for photo opportunities. You'll end up at the Jungfraujoch, the highest railways station in Europe at 11,333 feet above sea level (yes - really!).
The views from the 'Top of Europe' are as spectacular as you'd expect, snow-capped peaks and pristine white plains stretching for miles and miles beneath your feet.
Gornergrat
Gornergratbahn is the Matterhorn railway! Even the name itself instantly evokes images of the craggy peak, sprinkled with snow and towering high over its siblings against a blue Alpine sky. Winter transforms the landscapes to an icy winter paradise, summer treats to stark contrasts of deep green and sparkling white and autumn sees foliage redden in the mountain's long shadow. We couldn't tell you which season to visit in, all are magnificent! Want to add this mountain adventure to your holiday? We don't blame you - we can truly vouch for its magnificence. So much so, we've recommended it in our Switzerland 'Must Sees' holiday, which also includes other routes on this list! It's one of our customers' favourites. Click here for details.
