Why Switzerland Has the World's Best Scenic Rail
Switzerland began serious railway construction in the 1840s and has never stopped. Today, 5,317 km of rail cover a country the size of the Netherlands — with 50% of that network in Alpine terrain that required engineering solutions so creative they have become tourist attractions themselves. The Landwasser Viaduct, the Brusio spiral, the Oberalp Pass crossing — these are the moments that justify choosing train over plane.
The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) runs with a precision that travelers from other countries find remarkable until they experience it: trains run to the second. Connections of 4 minutes between platforms work reliably. The system assumes you will make the train.
The scenic routes below represent Switzerland's finest rail experiences — each one a complete journey rather than mere transport.
The Essential Scenic Routes
Glacier Express
The World's Most Famous Scenic Train
Bernina Express
UNESCO World Heritage Railway
GoldenPass Express
Lakes to Mountains to Riviera
Wilhelm Tell Express
Lake Steamer Meets Mountain Railway
Centovalli Railway
The Hundred Valleys Line
The Swiss Travel Pass: Is It Worth It for Scenic Trains?
What It Covers
- All SBB trains (unlimited 2nd class or 1st class)
- PostBus national network
- Lake steamers (most routes)
- City trams and urban transport
- 50% reduction on most mountain railways
- Free entry to 500+ museums
- Scenic train fares (reservation surcharges extra)
2026 Prices (2nd class adult)
| Duration | Price | Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 244 CHF | 81 CHF |
| 4 days | 302 CHF | 75 CHF |
| 6 days | 381 CHF | 64 CHF |
| 8 days | 431 CHF | 54 CHF |
| 15 days | 573 CHF | 38 CHF |
Youth (16–25): 25% discount. Children under 16 travel free with an adult.
When to Buy
Buy the Swiss Travel Pass if: You're traveling between 3+ cities AND doing at least one scenic train route. A Zurich–Lucerne–Interlaken–Geneva circuit with the Glacier Express makes the math strongly favor the pass.
Buy point-to-point if: You're based in one city and only doing day trips, or only traveling between two cities.
Half-Fare Card (130 CHF/month): If staying in Switzerland for 2+ weeks, the Half-Fare Card provides 50% off all transport — often better value than the Travel Pass for stays this long.
Booking Strategy: Getting the Best Seats
Book Panoramic Cars Specifically
On the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, request panoramic 1st class cars when booking. These have taller windows and table service. Worth the upgrade cost (approximately 40–60 CHF) on 8-hour journeys.
Know Which Side to Sit
Glacier Express (Zermatt → St. Moritz): Right side for Matterhorn views first hour; left side for Rhine Gorge. Bernina Express (St. Moritz → Tirano): Left side southbound for glacier views approaching the pass; right side on descent for Poschiavo valley.
Travel Morning Hours
Morning light provides better photography conditions on mountain routes. The Alps are typically cloud-free in the morning and develop afternoon clouds. The Glacier Express departs Zermatt at 8:55am — the classic departure time.
Consider Partial Routes
The full 8-hour Glacier Express can be fatiguing. Many travelers find that splitting into sections — Zermatt to Andermatt (3h), then Andermatt to St. Moritz (5h) — provides a better experience. Individual sections are equally scenic and more digestible.
Book Directly with Operators
glacierexpress.ch, rhb.ch (Bernina Express), and goldenpass.ch all allow direct online booking. SBB.ch handles all routes. Third-party booking platforms are convenient but add fees unnecessarily.
Scenic Rail: Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The Swiss Travel Pass covers the base fare for most scenic trains (Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass, Wilhelm Tell Express) and requires only the seat reservation surcharge on top (typically 13–39 CHF). For travelers making 3+ intercity train journeys, the pass almost always saves money while also covering city trams, lake steamers, and museum entry.
Book 6–8 weeks in advance for July–August and December–January travel. For other months, 3–4 weeks is usually sufficient. Panoramic first-class cars sell out first. Book at glacierexpress.ch directly or through SBB (Swiss Federal Railways).
The Bernina Express is widely considered the most spectacular — the Bernina Pass crossing at 2,253 meters, the Brusio spiral viaduct, and the descent into Italian Ticino offer extraordinary variety. The Glacier Express wins on length and drama of the Rhine Gorge section.
Yes — your Swiss Travel Pass (or point-to-point ticket) allows stops at intermediate stations. Andermatt is the most popular midpoint stop, with accommodation and the Andermatt ski area nearby. You can break the journey and continue the next day at no extra fare cost (reservation fee applies for each train segment).
Panoramic 1st class is significantly better on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express — the dedicated panoramic cars have taller windows and more viewing angle. On the GoldenPass Panoramic, the "Prestige" front seats behind the driver are a unique 1st class experience. For other routes, 2nd class offers nearly the same views at lower cost.
Yes — all major Swiss scenic trains run year-round. Winter travel on the Glacier Express with snow-covered Alps is particularly spectacular. The Bernina Express runs year-round through the high-altitude Bernina Pass — check for reduced winter timetables on some routes.