If there’s one thing Switzerland does unbelievably well, it’s train travel.
Some journeys feel like attractions in their own right, not just a way of getting from A to B. One minute you’re passing turquoise lakes, the next you’re winding through snowy mountain passes or gliding past waterfalls and tiny alpine villages that look straight out of a postcard.
Even after multiple trips to Switzerland, the scenery still doesn’t feel real sometimes.
We’ve now travelled on several scenic train routes across Switzerland, including the Bernina Express and GoldenPass trains, and these are the journeys we think are genuinely worth adding to your itinerary.
Whether you’re planning a full Switzerland rail trip or just want to include one unforgettable scenic route, these train journeys combine some of the best landscapes in Europe with experiences that feel completely different from everyday travel.
Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend routes, trains and services we genuinely believe are worth including in your Switzerland itinerary.
A few things we wish we’d known before our first Switzerland train trip.
Even if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail or Interrail pass, many of the famous panoramic trains still require a paid seat reservation.
This is one of the biggest Switzerland train hacks.
For routes like the Bernina Express, regional trains follow the same railway line and scenery, often with:
We chose to travel on the Bernina panoramic train because we wanted to experience the famous panoramic carriages, but next time we’d probably look at taking the regional train back for a bit more flexibility and easier photography.
You can read more about the differences in our Bernina Express vs Red Train guide.
If you’re planning multiple train journeys, the Swiss Travel Pass can quickly pay for itself.
However, for shorter trips or just one scenic journey, point-to-point tickets can sometimes work out cheaper.
If you’re unsure whether it’s worth the cost, check out our full guide on whether purchasing a Swiss Pass is worth it.
Switzerland definitely isn’t a budget destination, but these train journeys feel like experiences rather than transport.
Compared to UK rail prices, some of the journeys surprised us value-wise considering the scenery and overall experience.
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From vintage Belle Époque carriages to panoramic trains winding through glaciers and mountain passes, these are the Switzerland train journeys we think are most worth adding to your itinerary.
Some are luxurious, some are dramatic, and some are simply the easiest way to experience the Swiss Alps without hiring a car, but all of them offer unforgettable scenery along the way.
Route: Montreux – Zweisimmen
Out of all the trains we’ve researched and travelled on in Switzerland, this is probably the one that feels the most unique.
The GoldenPass Belle Époque isn’t about speed or dramatic engineering. It’s all about the atmosphere.
Think velvet seats, old-fashioned carriage interiors, huge windows and a journey that feels like stepping back into the golden age of train travel.
The route climbs from the shores of Lake Geneva up into the Swiss Alps, passing vineyards, mountain villages and rolling countryside along the way.
This is the train for people who love the experience just as much as the scenery.
The Belle Époque is included with the Swiss Travel Pass, but seat reservations still need to be paid separately.
If you want the full vintage experience, double check you’re booking the Belle Époque service specifically and not the standard GoldenPass trains.
We’ve covered the full booking process, seat reservations, route details and what the journey is actually like in our full GoldenPass Belle Époque guide.
Route: Chur – Tirano
If we had to recommend just one scenic train journey in Switzerland for first-time visitors, it would probably be the Bernina Express.
The scenery changes constantly.
One minute you’re passing glaciers and frozen lakes, the next you’re winding through mountain passes before eventually descending into palm trees and Italian landscapes in Tirano.
It almost feels like multiple countries packed into one train ride.
The route crosses the famous Landwasser Viaduct, climbs to over 2,200 metres above sea level and travels through some of the most impressive mountain scenery we’ve ever seen.
We spent most of the journey glued to the windows.
If you’re travelling in peak season, reservations can sell out surprisingly early.
Also, don’t overlook the regional trains on this route. They follow the exact same scenery and can actually feel less touristy and more relaxed.
If you’re planning the route yourself, our Bernina itinerary guide covers exactly how we travelled from Italy into Switzerland using the Bernina line.
Route: Zermatt – St. Moritz
The Glacier Express is probably Switzerland’s most famous train journey.
Known as the “slowest express train in the world”, this panoramic train takes around eight hours to cross the Swiss Alps between Zermatt and St. Moritz.
This isn’t a fast-paced experience.
It’s a full day of mountain views, deep valleys, bridges, tiny alpine villages and panoramic windows designed to make the most of the scenery.
Unlike the Bernina Express, which feels dramatic and constantly changing, the Glacier Express feels slower, calmer and more luxurious.
This really depends on your travel style.
If you love:
…you’ll probably love it.
If you prefer shorter, more dramatic journeys, the Bernina Express may impress you more.
The Swiss Travel Pass covers the base ticket, but reservations are still mandatory and can become expensive during peak season.
Route: Montreux – Interlaken
The GoldenPass Express is one of Switzerland’s newer panoramic trains and links Montreux directly with Interlaken without requiring passengers to change trains at Zweisimmen.
This route is incredibly scenic but also very practical.
You get lakes, vineyards, mountains, alpine villages and some stunning views across the Bernese Oberland, all while travelling between two hugely popular Switzerland destinations.
It’s one of the easiest scenic train journeys to fit into a standard Switzerland itinerary.
While the Belle Époque focuses on vintage luxury, the GoldenPass Express is more modern and panoramic.
Think:
Both are beautiful, just very different experiences.
If you’re deciding between the two GoldenPass trains, our full GoldenPass Express guide compares the modern panoramic experience with the more vintage Belle Époque journey.
This is less about the train itself and more about where it takes you.
The Jungfrau Railway climbs through tunnels carved directly into the mountains before reaching Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.
At the top, you’ll find glaciers, snow-covered peaks, viewing platforms and panoramic mountain scenery that feels surreal.
It’s one of Switzerland’s biggest bucket list experiences for a reason.
Yes. Very.
This is easily one of the most expensive train experiences in Switzerland, especially for families.
But if the weather is clear, the views are incredible.
The Swiss Travel Pass only partially covers the Jungfrau journey, so you’ll still need to pay extra for the final section.
Check the weather carefully before booking.
A blue-sky day completely transforms the experience, while poor visibility can make the cost much harder to justify.
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Yes.
Even if you only choose one or two, scenic train journeys are a huge part of what makes travelling around Switzerland feel so special.
You’re not just travelling between destinations. The journey itself becomes one of the highlights of the trip.
And while Switzerland definitely isn’t the cheapest country to explore, these are the kinds of experiences that stay with you long after you come home.
You may also find these Switzerland guides useful:
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