Switzerland’s scenic landscapes are best explored by train, and the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is the ultimate experience for travelers seeking panoramic views and iconic routes. In this post am sharing with you my insider guide for discovering Switzerland by train with the Swiss Travel Pass. It took me days to research everything and plan our travel route, so I am sure the tips will be very helpful, in case you are planning a train trip through Switzerland.
Ready to embark on a seamless Swiss rail adventure? Let’s dive into the best routes and tips for your journey!
What you should know if you want to travel Switzerland by train
- First of all, make sure to download the SBB app. You will need it all the time – to check the timetable, find the best route, get information about changes, the mountain railways, check the prices, discounts, buy tickets, everything really.
- Swiss trains are very punctual. Literally like a Swiss clock. 😀 So if it says your train leaves at 10:22 it really means that and you should arrive earlier than that not to miss your connection.
- Everything is perfectly organized. The train stations are position right where you need to be to explore your desired destination in the most comfortable way. The trains are very comfortable and clean, on most trains there are restaurants, even play areas for kids. Actually all the information about the trains you are taking are also available in the SBB app, so you can know in advance in which section to board your class and what are the services offered in your train.
- Kids up to 6 years old are welcome to ride with all means of transport in Switzerland FOR FREE! So if you travel with kids, and want to save a few CHF… Don’t miss this unique opportunity! 😀
Needless to say the train routes are truly unforgettable. The views, the nature… I didn’t even take a single nap during the ride, not to miss the views! But I will get to that later in the guide.
What is the Swiss Travel Pass and do you really need it?
The Swiss Travel Pass is all in one ticket, ideal for travelers, since it covers:
- Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat
- Premium panoramic trains
- Public transportation in more than 90 towns and cities
- 50% discount on most mountain railways
- Free admission to more than 500 museums
With the Swiss Travel Pass in hand, you can hop on and off the train across the entire country, making it easy to fully experience Switzerland’s charming towns, majestic lakes, and awe-inspiring alpine vistas. Depending on how many days you plan to stay, there are several options – passes for 3-6-8 days and more. For information about the prices and options check the official website here.
Now do you really need the Swiss Travel Pass? For me it was a 100% yes, because it gave us maximum freedom, comfort, flexibility and it was by far the best value for money. Especially if you want to move around a lot, explore different locations – not stay in one city for the entire time, getting a Swiss Travel Pass is the best choice. It will save you money and time, since you don’t need to think about purchasing tickets, you also get discounts on mountain railways, free entrance to the museums, etc.
Insider tip: don’t forget to take the Grand Train Tour booklet and collect the stamps of the locations you visit! I loved this so much, it is a perfect travel memory. And And also I need to get back to Switzerland to collect the rest of the stamps. 😀 You can also download the Grand Train Tour app. It contains lots of information about the places you pass by during the route you choose, fun facts and more. You can also collect a digital stamp through the app, but honestly I preferred the booklet. It is free and you can take it at the official tourist offices with the train stamp.
The Grand Train Tour – Top 5 Best Train Rides in Switzerland
The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland takes you to the most scenic places of the country by public transport. There are many routes to choose, depending on the duration of your trip and your interests. You can explore different recommended routes on the official SBB website here, as well as on My Switzerland official tourist info website.
Here is a list of top 5 best train rides, that my family and I took during our trip. Please mind that there is no ranking here, I sorted the rides in a chronological way, as we took them:
1.Zermatt-Visp-Montreux
This journey begins in Zermatt, mountain village known for its stunning views of the Matterhorn, and car-free atmosphere. Yes, you read that right – no private cars are allowed in Zermatt! It such a sustainable village.
Traveling from Zermatt through Visp and on to Montreux, the route traverses the Rhône Valley and lush landscapes with glimpses of quaint villages and terraced vineyards. The journey to Montreux offers a smooth transition from alpine grandeur to the sunlit shores of Lake Leman (also known as Lake Geneva). The ride ends in Montreux, which is the perfect base for exploring the gorgeous Swiss Riviera, Gruyere National Park, but also for taking other scenic routes of the Grand Train Tour.
2.The Belle Époque Train
You must have seen the snippets of the Belle Époque train going viral on Instagram. Many travel bloggers said it was the most gorgeous train in Europe. I admit I fell for the vintage-style carriage, that transports you back in time with its elegant 1930s-inspired decor. It evokes a nostalgic, luxury train experience and really is a one of a kind experience! This train runs between Montreux and Zweisimmen, passing through the Simmental Valley with breathtaking views of alpine meadows, chalets, and grazing cattle.
Important to know: The Belle Epoque Train departs only twice in a day from Montreux, so make sure to check the timetable. I highly recommend you to ride on the first class (if you want to be on the carriage you see on Insta) and make a reservation in advance. This ride is free with the Swiss Travel Pass. Also don’t worry if your pass is for the 2nd class – you simply pay for the upgrade and that’s it. You can do all that online, on the GoldenPass Line website.
Insider tip: For the best view of the Lac Leman, take a seat on the left side of the train, driving direction from Montreux. The ride to Zweisimmen takes around 2 hours. But we had to hop off earlier, since we had other plans. You will be able to read about that in my 8 day Switzerland travel itinerary – stay tuned. 🙂
3.The GoldenPass Express – from Montreux to Interlaken
Connecting the shores of Lake Geneva to the heart of the Bernese Oberland, the GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken is a celebrated panoramic route. The 3h 15min journey takes you through charming villages, pastures, and dense forests, and over the Simmen Valley. This route includes majestic lakeside views and glimpses of snow-capped peaks as you head towards Interlaken, famous for its position between Lakes Thun and Brienz and its backdrop of the Jungfrau Region’s mountains.
Insider tip: This was probably my favorite ride, the views were unreal! Also loved the panoramic train itself, with huge windows and lots of light. If you depart from Montreux, for the best views, try to grab a seat on the right hand side of the train, in the driving direction.
Also I would say that a reservation is not essential for this ride. Just make sure to board the train at least 20 min before departure. Especially if you are traveling in a group and have larger suitcases.
4.Luzern-Interlaken Express
The Luzern-Interlaken Express links two of Switzerland’s most scenic destinations, with a route that includes alpine vistas, crystal-clear lakes, and remarkable engineering as the train ascends through the Brünig Pass. Traveling past Lake Lungern and Lake Brienz, the journey is a visual treat, highlighted by shimmering lakes, charming Swiss villages, and dramatic mountain scenery.
We actually took this train departing from Interlaken – an adventure-rich, picturesque small town. It is a must visit! We took off the train in Luzern, but only to change to our connecting train, as it was the last day of our trip. Luzern is however another must visit city in Switzerland, that I already had the chance to visit, quite some years ago. 🙂
Insider tip: The panoramic train ride between Zurich and Luzern is also part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland! Keep that in mind, if you are starting or ending your trip in Zurich.
Vienna Insider Tip: For our readers living in Vienna or Austria in general – there is a very affordable night train connecting Vienna and Zurich! For around 30 euros (one way) you can board the train in Vienna, wake up in Zurich and embark on your Swiss adventure!
5.Gornergrat Bahn: A Journey to the Matterhorn
The Gornergrat Bahn, Switzerland’s first fully electrified cog railway, offers one of the country’s most spectacular mountain journeys. During the whole ride you get to enjoy the unmatched views of pyramid shaped Matterhorn. Which also happens to be the most photographed mountain peak in the world! And a symbol of Switzerland.
The Gornergrat Bahn is actually not a part of the Grand Train Tour, because it is a mountain railway. But with the Swiss Travel Pass you will get 50% off your ride. I had to include this route to the guide, because it takes you to the one of the most memorable mountain sceneries in the whole Europe.
Starting from Zermatt, this train ascends to the Gornergrat summit station at 3,089 meters. Along the way, you are treated with the panoramic vistas of Matterhorn, glaciers, alpine forests… At the top, a 360-degree viewpoint awaits, showcasing a landscape of over 29 peaks above 4,000 meters.
Insider tips: There are several stops on which you can take off, but I advise you to first go all the way to the top, and then take a short ride to Rotenboden station. From there you can take a 10 minute hike to the Riffelsee, where you can take stunning pictures of Matterhorn. Be mindful of the weather – for best views and pictures you will need a clear sky. Otherwise you will end up with pictures like mine, with Matterhorn hidden behind the clouds. 😀 Check the live cams before heading up, and hope for the best! 😀
I guess this would be it for now! I hope my guide and tips will be help you plan your perfect train tour through Switzerland!
You will find more of my tips and impressions on our Instagram profile. I will also let you know when my 8-day Swiss travel itinerary is out.
Until then, bon voyage and thank you for reading!
Una
PS: This post was done in collaboration with Travel Switzerland.
