5 Most Scenic Train Rides in Switzerland (With Prices)
Switzerland's scenic trains aren't just transportation — they're destinations in themselves. Gliding through alpine passes, over ancient viaducts, and along glacier-carved valleys, these routes showcase the best of Swiss engineering and natural beauty. Here are the **5 most spectacular journeys**.
1. Glacier Express (Zermatt — St. Moritz)
**Route:** Zermatt to St. Moritz (or reverse)
**Duration:** 8 hours
**Distance:** 291km
**Price:** CHF 153 (2nd class) + CHF 49 seat reservation (mandatory)
**Discount:** 50% with Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass (reservation still required)
**Season:** Year-round
The world's most famous slow train crosses **291 bridges** and passes through **91 tunnels** between two of Switzerland's most glamorous resorts. Highlights include the Oberalp Pass (2,033m — the highest point), the Rhine Gorge ("Swiss Grand Canyon"), and the Landwasser Viaduct.
**Best seats:** Right side (south-facing) from Zermatt to St. Moritz for the best views. Panoramic windows in both 1st and 2nd class make every seat excellent.
**Worth it?** Yes, but you can ride the same route on regular trains for just the ticket price (no reservation fee). You lose the panoramic cars and onboard dining, but the views are identical and you can hop off at villages along the way.
2. Bernina Express (Chur — Tirano, Italy)
**Route:** Chur (or St. Moritz) to Tirano, Italy
**Duration:** 4 hours (from Chur) or 2.5 hours (from St. Moritz)
**Distance:** 144km
**Price:** CHF 64 (2nd class, Chur–Tirano) + CHF 16 reservation
**Discount:** 50% with Half-Fare Card, free with Swiss Travel Pass (reservation required)
**Season:** Year-round (some sections may use buses in winter)
A **UNESCO World Heritage** railway crossing the Alps from north to south. The route climbs to 2,253m at the Bernina Pass — the highest rail crossing in the Alps without a tunnel — then descends dramatically into the palm-tree-lined Italian town of Tirano.
**Key highlights:** The iconic Landwasser Viaduct (65m high curved bridge), the Morteratsch Glacier, Lago Bianco's two-toned waters at the summit, and the spiraling descent through the Brusio circular viaduct.
**Best seats:** Left side from Chur to Tirano for the Landwasser Viaduct; right side for the Morteratsch Glacier and Lago Bianco.
**Worth it?** Absolutely. Many consider this the single most beautiful train ride in the world. The UNESCO designation is well deserved.
3. GoldenPass Line (Lucerne — Montreux)
**Route:** Lucerne to Montreux (with one change at Interlaken or Zweisimmen)
**Duration:** 5.5 hours total
**Distance:** 191km
**Price:** Regular train fare (no supplement). Lucerne–Montreux approx. CHF 72 (2nd class)
**Discount:** 50% with Half-Fare Card, free with Swiss Travel Pass
**Season:** Year-round
The GoldenPass connects German-speaking central Switzerland with the French-speaking Lake Geneva region through some of the most varied scenery in the country. The **GoldenPass Express** (launched 2022) now runs direct from Interlaken to Montreux on gauge-changing technology, eliminating one transfer.
**Key highlights:** The descent from Brünig Pass to the Haslital valley, the shores of Lake Brienz, the Simmental valley with traditional chalets, and the dramatic final descent through vineyards to Lake Geneva.
**Best seats:** Right side from Lucerne to Montreux. The front panoramic seats on the GoldenPass Express offer unobstructed forward views.
**Worth it?** Yes — and since there's no reservation supplement, it's the best value scenic route in Switzerland. You can also break the journey at Interlaken, Gstaad, or Zweisimmen.
4. Gotthard Panorama Express (Lucerne — Lugano)
**Route:** Lucerne (by boat) to Flüelen, then train to Lugano
**Duration:** 5.5 hours (including 2.5-hour boat ride)
**Distance:** 140km
**Price:** CHF 79 (2nd class, includes boat + train) + CHF 10 reservation
**Discount:** Swiss Travel Pass covers the journey, reservation still required
**Season:** April to October
This journey combines a **paddle steamer cruise** across Lake Lucerne with a train ride through the historic Gotthard route. The boat portion passes the legendary Rütli meadow (where Switzerland was founded) and the lakeside Tell Chapel. The train then climbs through spiraling tunnels and the dramatic Wattinger curve before descending into the Mediterranean-feeling Ticino.
**Key highlights:** The Lake Lucerne boat ride itself is extraordinary, the Rütli meadow, the engineering marvel of the spiral tunnels, and the sudden climate shift as you emerge into Italian-speaking Ticino.
**Best seats:** Sit on the upper deck of the boat for the best views. On the train, left side for the valley views.
**Worth it?** The combination of boat and train makes this unique. The climate shift from German-speaking alpine Switzerland to Italian-speaking palm-tree Ticino in a single journey is remarkable.
5. Centovalli Railway (Locarno — Domodossola, Italy)
**Route:** Locarno to Domodossola, Italy
**Duration:** 2 hours
**Distance:** 52km
**Price:** CHF 38 (2nd class)
**Discount:** 50% with Half-Fare Card, free with Swiss Travel Pass
**Season:** Year-round
The "Valley of 100 Valleys" route crosses **83 bridges** and passes through **34 tunnels** on a narrow-gauge line through wild, forested gorges. This is the least touristy of Switzerland's scenic routes, which means fewer crowds and a more authentic experience.
**Key highlights:** The Intragna bridge (70m high, the tallest in Ticino), deep chestnut forests, tiny stone villages clinging to hillsides, and waterfalls visible only from the train.
**Best seats:** Both sides offer excellent views — the scenery switches constantly.
**Worth it?** Underrated and excellent value. Combine it with the Gotthard route for a circular journey: Zurich → Lugano → Locarno → Centovalli → Domodossola → Simplon → Brig → Zurich.
Booking Tips for All Scenic Trains
Book reservations early — Glacier Express and Bernina Express sell out in summer, especially window seats
Use regular trains — The Glacier Express and Bernina Express routes can be traveled on regular regional trains for less money with the same views
Travel off-season — October and early November offer autumn colours and empty trains
Sit on the correct side — This genuinely matters. Check the route direction before choosing your seat
Bring snacks — Onboard dining exists but is expensive (CHF 15-40 for meals)
**Pro tip:** You can ride the entire Bernina Express route on regular regional trains with a Swiss Travel Pass at no extra cost (no reservation needed). You lose the panoramic windows but gain the freedom to hop on and off at tiny villages like Alp Grüm, where a terrace restaurant serves lunch with a view of the Palü Glacier that will make your jaw drop.