Switzerland Train Travel Guide 2026: Glacier Express, Jungfrau, and Swiss Pass

Switzerland has the most dense and efficient rail network in the world — and the most scenic. The Glacier Express takes 8 hours to cross the Alps between Zermatt and St. Moritz; the Bernina Express climbs to 2,253m on the highest railway pass in Europe; the Jungfrau Railway ascends to Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454m. Switzerland is proof that the journey is the destination.

The Swiss Travel Pass: Is It Worth It?

Before anything else — the Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited travel on the entire Swiss rail network (including boats), plus free entry to 500+ museums and 50% discount on mountain railways.

Cost comparison (sample 8-day trip):

• Individual tickets for your route: $400-600 per person
• Swiss Travel Pass 8-day consecutive: $452 per person (second-class)
• Verdict: If you are doing more than 2 long mountain train journeys, the pass pays for itself

Note: The Jungfrau Railway (to Jungfraujoch) is NOT fully covered by the Swiss Pass — it offers 25% discount only. Budget separately for this.

Glacier Express: Zermatt to St. Moritz

The Glacier Express is the slowest “express” train in the world — deliberately so, to maximize the scenery. Eight hours, 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, through the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Route highlights:

• Alpine Rhine Gorge: 400m deep, carved by the Anterior Rhine
• Oberalp Pass: 2,033m, the high point of the route
• Landwasser Viaduct: The iconic curved viaduct that appears in every Glacier Express photo

Dining: A 3-course lunch is included in first class. Second class passengers can order from the bistro car.

Book via Klook’s Glacier Express ticket platform — compare seat options and book panoramic cars in advance.

Bernina Express: Chur to Tirano

The Bernina Express climbs from the Swiss lowlands to the highest railway pass in Europe (2,253m at Ospizio Bernina), then descends into Italy’s Valtellina. It is a UNESCO World Heritage route — the entire Albula/Bernina line is recognized for its engineering audacity.

Key difference from Glacier Express: The Bernina uses its own dedicated carriages with larger panoramic windows. The train is not as tourist-oriented — more locals use it for daily transport.

Pro tip: The ride from Poschiavo to Tirano (in Italy) has the most dramatic descent — sitting on the right side (looking forward) gives the best views.

Jungfrau Railway: Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch

The Jungfrau Railway is the most dramatic vertical journey in Europe — a rack railway that climbs from Kleine Scheidegg (2,061m) through a granite mountain to Jungfraujoch (3,454m), the “Top of Europe.”

What you get at the top:

• Sphinx Observatory viewing platform
• Alpine Sensation (multimedia experience)
• Glacier walks on the Aletsch Glacier — Europe’s longest glacier

When to go: Early morning for clearest views. Afternoon clouds often obscure the panorama. Summer months (June-September) for the best weather windows.

Book: Tiqets Jungfraujoch tickets include the train fare from Interlaken or Grindelwald.

City Guide: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken

Zurich: Switzerland’s largest city — walk the Altstadt (old town) and Bahnhofstrasse shopping street. Great dining scene. Lake Zurich is walkable from the train station.

Lucerne: The most quintessentially Swiss city — Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), Lion Monument, and lake cruises. Best base for day trips to Mount Pilatus or Rigi.

Interlaken: Adventure sports hub — paragliding, skydiving, bungee jumping. The backpacker center of Switzerland. Good base for Jungfrau, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald.

Practical Information

• Language: German (Swiss German dialect), French (Romandy), Italian (Ticino), Romansh (minority)
• Money: Swiss Franc (CHF) — not in the Eurozone. CHF is strong, Switzerland is expensive
• Tipping: Service charge is included in restaurant bills — round up for exceptional service
• Best season: June-September for mountain scenery, December-March for skiing

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