Switzerland’s rail network is one of the world’s great travel experiences—not just transportation but destinations in themselves. The Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz through 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. The Bernina Express crosses the Alps to Tirano in Italy. This guide covers the iconic routes and how to save money doing them.
Why Switzerland’s Rails Are Legendary
Switzerland built railways into every corner of the Alps when it seemed impossible. The engineering is staggering—loops, spirals, switchbacks that climb impossible gradients. The views are consistently spectacular because the Swiss have been running tourist trains since the 19th century and know exactly which side of the train you want to sit on.
The Iconic Routes
Glacier Express (Zermatt ↔ St. Moritz / Chur) The “slowest express train in the world” covers 291km in about 8 hours. No, it’s not actually slow—it stops at scenic highlights where passengers get off for photo opportunities. The route crosses the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters, the highest point of any Swiss narrow-gauge railway.
Key features:
- Panoramic windows (first introduced in the 1930s, now iconic)
- 291 bridges (including the famous Landwasser Viaduct)
- 91 tunnels (including the 15.4km Vereina Tunnel)
- Commentary in multiple languages via individual audio guides
Bernina Express (Chur ↔ Tirano) UNESCO World Heritage section between Thusis and Tirano—the highest railway crossing in the Alps at 2,253 meters. Unlike the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express runs year-round (Glacier Express runs May-October only). The southern portion crosses into Italy, making it one of the most dramatic cross-border rail journeys anywhere.
GoldenPass (Lucerne ↔ Montreux via Interlaken) Two sections: Lucerne-Interlaken (scenic lakes and pre-Alps) and Interlaken-Montreux (past the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, along Lake Geneva). Not a panoramic train but offers classic Swiss scenery. The Belle Époque carriages on the Montreux-Zweisimmen section are gorgeous.
Lötschberger Base Tunnel (Bern ↔ Brig) Not a named tourist route but one of the most spectacular when connecting to the Glacier Express network. The new base tunnel bypasses much of the scenic old route, so verify your routing if you want the full experience.
The Swiss Half Fare Card: Your Best Value
Switzerland is expensive—unless you plan your transport strategically. The Swiss Half Fare Card gives you 50% off virtually all rail, bus, boat, and most mountain cable cars. Cost: CHF 120 ($130 USD) for 30 days.
When it pays off:
- If you take 3+ scenic train rides or cable cars, you recover the cost quickly
- A single trip on the Glacier Express (Zermatt-Chur) in panoramic car costs CHF 152—one round trip of that and you’ve more than covered the Half Fare Card
- Most mountain excursion railways (Zermatt Gornergrat, Grindelwald First, Pilatus) are included at 50% off
Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card:
- Swiss Travel Pass (8 days: CHF 420): Unlimited travel on all Swiss public transport + free museum entry. Better if you’re doing a lot of different transport AND visiting museums
- Swiss Half Fare Card (CHF 120): Unlimited 50% off everything. Better for most visitors doing mainly scenic railways and cable cars
For most first-time visitors doing the Glacier Express + major mountain railways, the Half Fare Card is the better value.
Zermatt and the Matterhorn
Zermatt is Europe’s most iconic mountain resort—car-free (electric taxis only), surrounded by peaks, and home to the Matterhorn’s most photographed pyramid shape. Most visitors arrive via the scenic rail route from Visp.
Gornergrat Railway: The highest open-air railway in Europe, climbing from Zermatt (1,605m) to Gornergrat (3,089m) in 33 minutes. Views of the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat observation platform are extraordinary. Even on cloudy days, the summit often clears while the valley is socked in.
Klein Matterhorn (Glacier Paradise): Cable car from Zermatt to 3,883m—the highest cable car station in Europe. Year-round skiing on the glacier. The plateau offers 360-degree alpine views that even the Gornergrat can’t match.
Book Zermatt cable cars and mountain railway tickets on Tiqets in advance for peak season.
Planning Your Swiss Rail Trip
Minimum viable Swiss itinerary for rail enthusiasts:
- Day 1-2: Lucerne (Lake boat, Mount Pilatus or Rigi)
- Day 3: Lucerne-Interlaken Express to Interlaken
- Day 4: Jungfrau region (Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen base)
- Day 5: Interlaken-GoldenPass to Montreux (Lake Geneva)
- Day 6: Montreux to Zermatt via Glacier Express (full day)
- Day 7: Zermatt (Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn)
- Day 8: Depart via Visp to Milan or Geneva
Couchette option: Swiss scenic trains have couchette cars (budget sleeping) on overnight routes, which can save a night’s accommodation cost.
Practical Rail Information
Seat Reservations: Panoramic trains (Glacier Express, Bernina Express) require seat reservations in addition to your pass (CHF 30-45 per person). These sell out in peak season (July-August, Christmas). Book at least 2-3 weeks in advance through the Swiss Federal Railways website or rail passes.
Class differences: First class vs second class on panoramic trains is significant—first class has larger panoramic windows. On regular trains, the difference is mainly seat width.
Luggage: Swiss railways have generous luggage allowances. You can send bags ahead via Swiss FedEx luggage service so you travel hands-free.
Weather: Check the webcam network (webcams.mountainview.ch) before heading up. Weather in the Alps changes fast—even in summer, storms can close mountain railways for hours.
NordVPN recommended if booking Swiss rail tickets online from outside Switzerland—sometimes foreign IP addresses get routed to slower booking servers.
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