Top 6 Switzerland Scenic Train Rides

More than just a train, the Glacier Express is a luxurious rail experience that makes you feel as if you are gliding through a nature documentary in slow motion. Famously known as the slowest express train in the world, this eight-hour journey between the iconic alpine towns of Zermatt and St. Moritz is designed for total immersion in the dramatic landscapes of the Swiss Alps.

What to Expect

Prepare for a journey of luxurious comfort and breathtaking, slow-moving panoramas.

• Ultimate Comfort: Settle into a plush leather seat with guaranteed window views in the train’s ultra-premium carriage, all while enjoying outstanding concierge services.
• Elegant Cuisine: Dine on a seasonal five-course menu paired with crisp white or elegant red wines from Switzerland’s Vaud or Valais regions.
• Cinematic Scenery: Capture views of deep gorges, charming alpine villages, and the dramatic Landwasser Viaduct through oversized panoramic windows.
• Chic Ambiance: Enjoy a drink in the Glacier Bar, where a rotating gold-plated compass dome crowns a sleek bar, presenting the perfect spot to watch the Alps roll by.
• Insightful Narration: Listen to audio commentary describing the cultural shifts, engineering marvels, and unique landmarks like the symbolic lighthouse at the Oberalp Pass.

For more information on the regions the train visits, see our Beautiful Switzerland: 16-Day Family Tour.

The GoldenPass Express presents a brilliant fusion of Swiss engineering and alpine elegance as it travels seamlessly between Montreux and Interlaken. This journey is defined by world-first technology that allows it to navigate different track gauges without requiring a single change of train. This ensures an uninterrupted experience as you glide past picturesque Lake Geneva, the Gruyere Region, and the towering peaks of the Bernese Alps.

What to Expect

Experience cutting-edge technology paired with five-star service and ever-changing alpine vistas.

• Seamless Travel: Admire the world-first adjustable bogie system, an engineering marvel that allows you to travel on one continuous train journey.
• Personalized Views: Relax in heated leather armchairs that rotate 180 degrees, ensuring you capture every inch of the dramatic landscape, visible through floor-to-ceiling glass.
• Gourmet Treats: Savor the refreshing flavors of French champagne and the rich, smooth taste of Swiss Frutigen caviar in an elegant dining car.
• Changing Landscapes: Gaze upon diverse scenery, from the serene shores of Lake Geneva to the chic, car-free chalet village of Gstaad.
• Whimsical Moments: Look up at a polka-dotted sky as hot-air balloons float wistfully above the rugged mountains and green valleys of the Gruyere region.

Interlaken is among the destinations visited on Zicasso’s Romantic Getaway to Switzerland, so the GoldenPass Express could be incorporated into the itinerary.

Step aboard the Bernina Express to travel the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, a heritage route that winds spectacularly from the Swiss towns of Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy. This journey is a masterclass in contrasts, as your luxury train climbs past glaciers before descending to meet the palm trees of Italy. Its slow-paced schedule and lack of tunnels offer hours of pure, unfiltered alpine drama.

What to Expect

Witness a masterpiece of railway engineering as you travel through dramatic, contrasting landscapes.

• Heritage Journey: Travel on the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, a route celebrated for its harmonious integration of engineering and nature.
• Stunning Viaducts: Cross 196 bridges, including the stunning six-arch Landwasser Viaduct and the ingenious spiral masterpiece, the Brusio Circular Viaduct.
• Unobstructed Views: Look out through unique oversized windows that curve into the ceiling, offering jaw-dropping visuals of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
• Glaciers to Palms: Experience the incredible transition from the dazzling, milky turquoise waters of Lago Bianco at the glacier’s edge down to the warm, Mediterranean climate of Italy.
• Refined Ambiance: Sink into your plush armchair and enjoy the minimalist Swiss design of the carriage, where clean lines and subtle wood finishes create a cozy yet elegant atmosphere.

Take a look at our Italy and Switzerland tours, then incorporate the Bernina Express into the one that most appeals to you.

Embark on a journey that blends history and luxury when traveling on the Gotthard Panorama Express. Its iconic route connects Lucerne in the German-speaking heartland to Lugano in the Italian-speaking south via an unforgettable combination of historic steamboat and modern, panoramic train, taking you through the very heart of Switzerland’s foundation.

What to Expect

Embark on a historic and sensory voyage that combines the serenity of a lake cruise with the thrill of a panoramic train.

• Dual Experience: Begin your journey with a steamboat cruise across Lake Lucerne, gliding across shimmering waters framed by Mount Rigi and Pilatus.
• Iconic Landmarks: Witness the famous Wassen Church from three angles, thanks to the train’s spiral loops, and see the UNESCO-listed Bellinzona castles rise from the valley floor.
• Lakeside Serenity: Take in the crisp, pine-scented mountain air from the boat’s deck and listen for the occasional chime of distant cowbells.
• Local Delicacies: Savor the salty and slightly sweet flavors of regional Ticino prosciutto, accompanied by the nutty, alpine scent of Piora cheese.
• Engaging Legends: Listen to multilingual guided commentary that brings history to life as it shares tales of Swiss legends such as Wilhelm Tell.

If you are a lover of literature, incorporate this train journey into our Swiss Literature Tour: From Hesse to Mann.

Embark on a two-hour alpine dreamscape aboard the Luzern-Interlaken Express, an experience that seamlessly combines modern charm and adventure. As a key part of the GoldenPass Line and the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, this ultra-modern panoramic train is beloved for its accessibility, elegance, and constantly evolving scenery as it connects two of the country's most iconic destinations.

What to Expect

Enjoy a modern and accessible rail adventure that showcases pristine lakes and innovative engineering.

• Pristine Lakes: Glide past the shores of five alpine lakes, including the vast Lake Lucerne and the turquoise jewel, Lake Brienz.
• Steep Ascents: Feel the rumble of cogwheel technology as it engages to help the train climb the steep gradients of the Brünig Pass.
• Sleek Design: Enjoy the comfort of air-conditioned cabins with spacious seating, wood accents, and panoramic windows that turn the landscape into a living mural.
• Onboard Dining: Savor seasonal menus, flaky croissants, and rich coffee in the stylish Bistro car as waterfalls and alpine meadows pass by.
• Unique Views: Inquire about optional footplate rides, a special feature that allows you to view the spectacular journey from the driver’s perspective.

Your Art and Music Tour of Switzerland could include a trip on the Luzern-Interlaken Express.

Celebrated as one of Switzerland’s premier luxury scenic train experiences, the Grand Alpine Explorer is a curated, multi-day journey that transports you across the breathtaking landscapes of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. This grand rail adventure weaves together three legendary railways, enriching your travel with local guides, exclusive cultural events, and stays in luxurious alpine towns.

What to Expect

Embark on a grand tour that combines legendary train routes with exclusive cultural highlights and luxury accommodations.

• Legendary Routes: Travel on segments of three of the world’s most famous railways: the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and the Jungfrau Railway.
• Three Countries: Embrace a cross-border adventure as your itinerary takes you through the distinct alpine regions of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
• Exclusive Events: Admire the fairy-tale fortress in Bavaria that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle and enjoy the rich sounds of a live chamber music concert in Salzburg.
• Top of Europe: Take the historic Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest train station, for 360-degree views of snow-covered peaks.
• Curated Itinerary: Relax as every detail is handled, from first-class panoramic carriages to local guides and stays in luxury hotels in towns like St. Moritz and Interlaken.

For exceptional inspiration, see our Majestic Alpine Tour: Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and France.

Capturing dramatic scenes of towering mountains, lush alpine valleys, and the glistening waters of pristine lakes from an observation deck or the comfort of a plush viewing-cart seat is a thrilling adventure that Switzerland’s scenic train rides offer. Discover charming villages in Switzerland and Italy, traverse invisible borders nestled within mountain passes and beneath viaducts and bridges, and spend time in top cities like Salzburg, all carefully planned by your Zicasso travel experts.

Find out more about the wonders to be experienced in Switzerland by taking a look at our Switzerland travel guide. For more inspiration, see our sample Switzerland tours, which can be customized to include these experiences.