It was 175 years ago — in August 1847 — that Switzerland's first railroad line opened. The Spanisch-Broetli-Bahn ran from Zurich to Baden, and was so-named for a specialty pastry (the flaky Spanish bun) from Baden.
Today, Switzerland’s rail network is well-integrated and easy to use, with more than 3,000 miles of tracks. Trains run frequently and are so punctual that it’s almost frightening. The Swiss rail system also has connections directly from city center to city center, eliminating the hassle of airport queues and check-in procedures.
But Swiss public transport is not just about taking passengers from point A to point B. Riders are encouraged to enjoy the sights, sip a coffee and chat with friends — whether they’re commuting to work or on vacation.
Train travel is a relaxing way to explore the history, culture and stunning scenery of Switzerland — which is about half the size of Maine — as well as a perfect way for clients to see the country through the eyes of locals. And thanks to comfy seating and large windows that stretch into the roof of the passenger car, Switzerland's panorama trains offer the ultimate way to take it all in.
Here are our top five picks for the best panoramic train experience in Switzerland.
Glacier Express
From the moment the Glacier Express' doors close to when the train arrives 180 miles and eight hours later, clients never lose sight of Alpine peaks along the journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz (or, in reverse). Glacier Express travels across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels while it passes the source of the Rhine in wild country, skirts immense limestone cliffs, crosses the Landwasser Viaduct and climbs to the Albula Tunnel.
Glacier Express
Credit: 2022 Glacier Express/ Stefan Schlumpf
Clients seated in Excellence Class enjoy a seven-course lunch and concierge service as the train wends through deep river gorges and scales hillsides. The eastern end of the trip — the Rhaetian Railway’s Albula and Bernina lines — is so epic, in fact, that it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to the brilliant engineering and scenery.
Bernina Express
Climb through Alpine glaciers before descending to swaying palms in Italy on Bernina Express. Part of the Rhaetian Railway, Bernina Express is the highest railway across the Alps, connecting northern and southern Europe. The 4.5-hour journey begin in Chur, the oldest town in Switzerland, then passes through the Schin Gorge and over the Solis Viaduct into the wild Albula Valley. After reaching its highest point, at 7,391 feet, Bernina Express meanders down through the sun-drenched Poschiavo valley and continues to Tirano, Italy — the journey’s end. In non-winter months, clients can extend their exploration on the Bernina Express Bus, which heads from Tirano to Lugano along Lake Como.
Note: Glacier Express and Bernina Express share parts of the same railway network, so it is advisable to only book one or the other.
GoldenPass Panoramic
One picturesque view follows the next on this two-hour train ride from Montreux to Zweisimmen: cows grazing on lush meadows, traditional wooden chalets and the tall peaks of the Alps in the background. But the best is saved for last: Shortly before reaching Montreux, clients are rewarded with fantastic views of glittering Lake Geneva and its Mediterranean flair.
Note: GoldenPass Panoramic is part of the GoldenPass Line, and therefore part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.
Gotthard Panorama Express
Until the 2016 opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel — the world’s longest rail tunnel — the mountain route was the only way to reach the canton of Ticino by train. Today, Gotthard Panorama Express takes clients through the many helical tunnels along the 5.5-hour route from Lugano/Bellinzona to Lucerne (or vice versa), as well as the Gotthard tunnel, inaugurated in 1882. The trip is a combination of a steamboat trip on Lake Lucerne and a ride on the panoramic train along the old Gotthard route.
Luzern-Interlaken Express
See two of Switzerland’s most popular tourist destinations — Lucerne and Interlaken — from an immersive perspective onboard Luzern-Interlaken Express. Clients travel along the shores of icy-blue Lake Brienz, Lake Sarnen and Lake Lucerne; through postcard-perfect valleys and pastures; and along the base of idyllic mountain slopes, to arrive in the alpine Jungfrau region thoroughly awed by the scenic splendor — all in under two hours.
Fun fact: Shortly before starting its steep, winding ascent to Bruenig Pass, the train changes to cogwheel drivetrain technology to conquer the steep climb.
