Traveling to Switzerland is a memorable adventure. Have you ever thought about exploring the country by train? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about traveling to Switzerland by train to make your journey even more exciting!
We can assist you in navigating the Alps country by providing a guide on traveling by train through Switzerland, which is considered one of the most efficient transportation options in the region.
The trains in Switzerland are a convenient and efficient way to explore the beautiful landscapes of mountains, waterfalls, valleys, and forests. The transportation is punctual and well-equipped, and the Swiss Travel Pass provides comprehensive access to trains, buses, boats, and urban public transportation.
Switzerland’s public transportation system is renowned for its punctuality and variety of route options, making it ideal for different travel preferences. Learn more about traveling by train in Switzerland by reading this helpful guide.
In this article you will find:
- Swiss Travel Pass – A pass for traveling in Switzerland
- Train tickets in Switzerland are available for purchase.
- Swiss Railway Map
- Swiss train routes
- Switzerland’s Grand Tour
- GoldenPass Rail is a railway service.
- Glacier Express is the name of the text.
- Bernina Express – Bernina Express
- Pre-Alpine Express railway
- Willhelm Tell Express – a train service.
- Types of trains found in Switzerland
- Tours in Switzerland
- Where to find accommodation in Switzerland
- Explore additional suggestions in Switzerland.
- FAQs
Swiss Travel Pass – a pass for traveling in Switzerland.
A useful suggestion for travelers planning to spend multiple days in Switzerland is to consider using the Swiss Travel Pass. This pass enables unlimited travel for a certain number of days and grants access to all public transportation options in the country, simplifying getting around. Additionally, it includes free admission to museums as an added benefit.
This service is available for 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 days and comes in two types: Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Travel Pass FLEX. The Swiss Travel Pass provides consecutive days of travel, while the FLEX option allows travelers to choose the number of days and use the pass within 30 days.
The Swiss Travel Pass includes complimentary entry to over 500 museums and provides a 50% discount on cable cars and trains to mountain peaks or scenic routes. Children under 6 years old traveling with a valid Swiss Travel Pass holder can travel for free.
- Swiss Travel Pass – Pass for Traveling in Switzerland
- Unlimited train, bus, and boat journeys with the Swiss Travel Pass.
- Swiss Travel Pass: Comprehensive pass for train, bus, and boat travel in Switzerland.
- Swiss Travel Pass Flex combines train, bus, and boat travel in one convenient pass.
Swiss train tickets
When planning a train journey to Switzerland, it’s important to consider the variety of ticket options available for different passengers and travel needs. Ticket costs typically vary depending on the distance and type of train selected, so your itinerary will determine the most suitable ticket for you.
One-way tickets
Standard train tickets in Switzerland have different durations of validity. One-way tickets are valid for one day, while round trip tickets over 115 km bought online are valid for 10 days. Tickets bought in person are valid for one day for each direction.
City tickets are tickets for urban areas.
This ticket is perfect for visiting different cities, providing a public transport pass for one day that can be purchased online, at stations, or from electronic machines. For using public transportation at both departure and arrival points, you need to purchase a City-City ticket.
Multi-project tickets refer to tickets that cover multiple projects.
This economic ticket permits six separate journeys along a designated route and can be shared by multiple passengers. However, it must be validated prior to use. Once validated, it remains valid for four hours for public transportation. Online or train station purchases are possible.
Supersaver tickets are available.
Discounted tickets are offered for different routes and can be up to 50% cheaper than regular prices. These tickets can be purchased online 30 days before the departure date and have a limited availability per trip, so booking in advance is necessary. It’s important to remember that these tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
Swiss train tickets for visitors
Travelers are advised to choose the Swiss Travel Pass, which enables transportation via trains, buses, or boats in Switzerland for 3 to 15 consecutive days. The pass provides access to the Glacier Express, free entry to over 500 museums, and discounts of up to 50% on selected mountain railways, cable cars, and e-Bikes.
Swiss Railway Map
Traveling around Switzerland using the train system is convenient and efficient. The main railway company, SBB, provides routes that enable you to have breakfast in Zurich and lunch in Geneva without worrying about traffic. Furthermore, a train journey across Switzerland provides stunning views of the Swiss Alps, especially when traveling on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
When traveling from Switzerland to other European countries, there are various international routes available to reach well-known destinations in Italy, France, Germany, and Austria, serviced by companies like Trenitalia, TGV Lyria, Deutsche Bahn, and ÖBB.
Swiss train itineraries
Switzerland offers various tourist routes, with the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland being the most well-known. This route connects the country’s major and most scenic locations, allowing visitors to explore stunning landscapes and significant attractions, including UNESCO museums and heritage sites.
Among the various routes available, there are well-known scenic journeys like the Golden Pass Line, which I had the opportunity to experience. It is renowned as one of the most stunning trips globally, alongside other routes such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Pre-Alpine Express, and Wilhelm Tell Express. These routes offer breathtaking views that consistently draw tourists from across the globe.
Switzerland’s Grand Tour
The Grand Tour of Switzerland includes eight routes throughout the country, totaling 1280 kilometers. Travelers can begin the tour from any location and are not required to follow a specific route, although Zurich is a popular starting point due to its size and accessibility.
We suggest spending 4 to 8 days for a train trip in Switzerland, with various recommendations to enhance your visit. Opting for the 8-day itinerary is advised for a comprehensive and appealing experience.
8-day journey to Switzerland
The journey to Switzerland begins in Zurich and includes stops in St. Gallen, known for its largest waterfall in Schaffhausen, and Lucerne, where you can see the highest bridge in the country.
Take the GoldenPass Line train from Lucerne to Montreux, where you can then catch a train to Zermatt and finally travel on the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, passing through various landscapes and languages along the way.
Upon reaching St. Moritz, travel to Lugano through Tirano using the Bernina Express (5 hours and 50 minutes) or the Palm Express (4 hours). From Lugano, take the Wilhelm Tell Express to Lucerne (5 hours and 20 minutes). Lastly, board the train from Lucerne to Zurich for a quick 46-minute journey.
During this eight-day journey, you can explore the museums listed below:
- Swiss National Museum located in Zurich.
- Glacier Garden located in Lucerne.
- The Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum is located in Brienz.
- The Maison du Gruyère in Pringy-Gruyères.
- Chillon Castle is located in Montreux.
- Zermatlantis in Zermatt is the Matherhorn Museum.
And in addition at these UNESCO heritage locations:
- Prehistoric dwellings near Zurich and Lucerne in the Alps.
- St. Gallen monastery.
- Lavaux Vineyard Terraces are located close to Montreux.
- The landscape of Albula/Bernina at the Rhaetian Railway.
- Monte San Giorgio in Meride houses fossil remains of international significance.
- Bellinzona has three castles.
4-day itinerary for Switzerland
The country’s four-day itinerary starts with its departure from Lucerne in the morning, traveling via Interlaken Ost to Montreux by early afternoon. The following day, the train departs from Montreux to Zermatt through Martigny.
The train departs from Zermatt on the third day, stopping at Chur and St. Moritz in an approximately eight-hour journey. On the final day, it travels from St. Moritz through Lugano before reaching Lucerne, which can take either 11 hours in summer or 7 hours in winter based on the departure schedule.
At the conclusion of your journey, you will receive a customized certificate from the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. Simply visit their website to claim your certificate, regardless of the route you took.
GoldenPass Rail is the name of the railway service.
GoldenPass Rail is one of the top train journeys in Switzerland, starting in Lucerne and passing through various scenic locations before reaching Montreux.
Lucerne – Interlaken – Zweisimmen – Montreux route.
Highlights of this train journey in Switzerland include:
- It spans a distance of 191 kilometers and takes 5 hours and 8 minutes to complete.
- Explore Lucerne and the surrounding areas through a boat excursion.
- Visit Jungfraujoch, the peak of Europe, to admire the Sphinx Observatory.
- Visit Schilthorn, the preferred mountain of 007, Bond World, and the Piz Gloria restaurant.
- Visit Montreux to see Chillon Castle.
Visit the GoldenPass website for additional details.
Glacier Express – a train service in Switzerland
It is the world’s least speedy express train, offering plenty to appreciate along the way, which is why it travels at a leisurely pace! The journey lasts 8 hours on a scenic train route to the Swiss Alps, passing through 91 tunnels and 291 bridges.
Start your journey in Zermatt, travel through the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters, then pass through the Rhine Gorge and Landwasser Viaduct on the Albula Line, a UNESCO heritage site. Continue on to the Domleschg Valley, where you’ll discover Ortenstein Castle. The train offers panoramic windows, perfect for landscape enthusiasts.
Zermatt to St. Moritz Route:
Highlights of this train journey in Switzerland include:
- It spans a distance of 291 kilometers and takes 8 hours and 3 minutes to complete.
- Peak views approaching 4,000 meters can be observed at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
- The Gornergrat offers a panoramic vista of the Matterhorn, measuring 3,311 meters, as well as 28 additional peaks.
- Rhine Gorge is known as the Swiss Grand Canyon.
- The Sils Lake is the highest boat tour in Europe, situated at an altitude of 1800 meters.
- Corvatsch is a ski resort that stands at an elevation of 3,030 meters and is known as a skiing haven.
For additional details on Glacier Express or to make a booking, please visit the website.
Bernina Express – Text
The Bernina Express is a peaceful route that links the chilly north with the sunny south, providing a remarkable journey with picturesque views such as Montebello, Bernina, Morteratsch Glacier, and the trio of lakes Lej Pitschen, Lej Nair, and Lake Bianco. During the summer, travelers can also continue their journey from Tirano to Lugano using the Bernina Express bus.
Chur – Tirano Route (Italy):
Some notable aspects of this railway journey in Switzerland include:
- The distance between Tirano and Lugano is 90 kilometers and takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes to travel.
- The Arosa Bahn covers a distance of 26 kilometers and ascends over a thousand meters.
- Albula Railway Museum showcases over 600 exhibits representing a century of railway history.
- Gandria is a compact film town situated at the base of Mount Brè.
- Monte San Salvatore offers one of the most stunning panoramas of Lake Lugano.
Visit the Bernina Express website to find additional details.
Pre-Alpine Express
Pre-Alpine Express is not designed for quick travel between points. Traveling from St. Gallen to Lucerne on this route requires ample time due to the numerous sights along the way.
The journey begins at the renowned Abbey Library in St. Gallen, which is among the oldest and most remarkable bookshops globally. The route also goes through the Appenzell Canton, offering breathtaking views of the Alpstein Massif. Another notable feature is the charming villages and hills along the way as the train travels through Toggenburg and the peaks of Churfirsten.
Already in Rapperswil, known as the city of roses, you will traverse the picturesque Seedamm region, followed by Rothenthurm and Mythen Cliffs, leading to Arth-Goldau and Lake Zug. The journey concludes upon reaching Lucerne.
Route from St. Gallen to Lucerne:
Highlights of this train journey in Switzerland include:
- It goes on for 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Abbey Precinct and Library.
- One of the most stunning panoramic views in the country is Mount Säntis, which is located 2502 meters above sea level.
- Appenzell can be easily explored by foot or using public transportation, stretching from Lake Constance to Säntis.
- Rapperswil Castle is a historical fortress.
- Lake Zurich boat excursion.
- Boat excursion on Lake Lucerne.
- The Lion Monument honors the Swiss mercenary soldiers who died in 1792 during the French Revolution.
- Goldau Wildlife Park is a wildlife park.
Visit the Pre-Alpine Express website for further details.
Willhelm Tell Express – Wilhelm Tell Express
It is difficult to determine the most stunning aspect of the Wilhelm Tell Express. The train travels along the renowned Gotthard Line, going through numerous tunnels ranging from 200 to 1100 meters before reaching the Gotthard Tunnel, which spans 15 kilometers and was inaugurated in 1882.
Route from Lugano to Lucerne passing through Bellinzona and Flüelen.
Highlights of this train journey in Switzerland include:
- It is located 182 kilometers away and takes 5 hours and 21 minutes to reach.
- Swissminiatur offers a scaled-down version of Switzerland, allowing visitors to admire model houses, landscapes, trains, and boats in a miniature setting.
- Monte Brè is the sunniest mountain in Switzerland, offering stunning views of Monte Rosa, the Bernese Alps, and the Valais Alps.
- Brissago Islands.
- The three ancient castles in Bellinzona.
- Titlis is known as the first rotating cable car in the world.
Types of trains found in Switzerland
Several high-speed and regional train choices are available in Switzerland or neighboring countries. Details on each train category can be found below.
Swiss local trains
The SBB offers regional and intercity services nationwide.
- Trains known as RegioExpress link small towns with larger cities in Switzerland.
- Trains connecting small towns are known as regional trains.
- InterCity trains link prominent cities like Basel and Geneva.
- InterRegio trains stop more frequently than InterCity trains and link Zurich and Geneva with multiple cities in Switzerland.
- Suburban trains called S-Bahn operate within major cities.
Switzerland’s high-speed trains
International high-speed trains originating from Switzerland cover various routes.
- ICE trains run at speeds of 300 km/h, connecting Switzerland to Germany and the Netherlands.
- Eurocity trains link Zurich, Basel, and Geneva with Milan and Venice.
- TGV Lyria trains link Zurich, Basel, and Geneva to Paris.
- Railjet trains link Zurich and Vienna in Austria.
Panoramic railway journeys in Switzerland
Switzerland is renowned for its stunning scenery and provides unforgettable panoramic train journeys on the following railway lines:
- The Glacier Express runs on the route from St. Moritz to Zermatt.
- The Bernina Express travels from Chur to Lugano via Tirano.
- The Centovalli Railway runs between Locarno and Domodossola.
- The Montreux–Oberland Bernois Railway runs along the Golden Pass route, linking Lucerne, Interlaken, and Montreux.
- The Gotthard Panorama Express travels from Lucerne to Domodossola along the route.
Conclusion
Traveling by train in Switzerland is a highly pleasant journey with exceptional service that enhances the travel experience and connections, providing access to scenic routes across the country.
Switzerland’s commitment to offering top-notch service has elevated train travel to a popular attraction in the country. Have you considered embarking on a train journey in Switzerland? It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
Swiss Tours
Plan your tours in Switzerland in advance to avoid waiting in ticket lines and take advantage of the option to pay in installments without extra fees. Explore tour prices or browse through our list of recommended options.
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Simplify your journey by reserving your tours through a trustworthy and affordable online platform.
Where to find accommodations in Switzerland
If you’re in a rush to leave Switzerland, we’ve compiled top-rated accommodations from different categories to help you find the perfect one.
| Cheaper:Hotel Blume Interlaken, in Interlaken | Note: 8.0 | € 215/day |
| All inclusive: Hotel Alpen Resort & Spa, in Zermatt | Note: 9.0 | € 393/day |
| Honeymoon:Matterhorn Focus Design Hotel, in Zermatt | Note: 9.3 | € 312/day |
| Families:Hôtel de la Cigogne, in Geneva | Note: 8.5 | € 422/day |
| Swiss Alps:Hotel Silberhorn, in Lauterbrunnen | Note: 8.9 | € 254/day |
Discover the most affordable lodging options in Switzerland.
Explore additional suggestions in Switzerland.
The tips continue! Here is a list of detailed posts to help you plan your trip.
- Hotel Alpha Palmiers located in Lausanne
- Activities in Switzerland
- Activities in Montreux
- Hotels in Zurich
- Activities to experience in Zurich, Switzerland
- B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa located in Zurich
- Activities in Lausanne
- Activities in Basel
- Activities in Bern
- How to journey by train in Switzerland.
- Hotels in Lauterbrunnen
- Hotels in Interlaken
- Zermatt accommodations
- Tours available in Switzerland
- Accommodation options in Zermatt
- Geneva accommodations
- Hotel Alpenblick
- Hotel Schweizerhof – Swiss hotel
Have a secure journey to Switzerland.
A safe journey to Switzerland is necessary for entry and requires medical insurance coverage of €30,000 at minimum. Insurance is mandatory and also helps ensure a more hassle-free trip.
Chip for mobile devices in Switzerland
Purchase a Swiss mobile chip or eSim for Switzerland to stay connected at a great price. Explore the offers from America Chip to enjoy unlimited internet with their discount coupon. – VIEW PRICES
Switzerland sightseeing tours and ticket options.
Plan your tours in Switzerland with Civitatis to avoid waiting in ticket queues and book everything from the comfort of your home. Secure your spot on the best tours and pay in installments up to 12 times without IOF.
Flights heading to Switzerland
Would you like to secure a flight to Switzerland at highly competitive rates? We utilize the Promo Go platform to discover the most reliable flights available. Take a look at the daily promotions and be vigilant to save money on your booking! – VIEW PRICES
Car hire services in Switzerland
You can rent a car online for Switzerland and pick it up at your destination to continue your trip. Take advantage of RentCars’ offers to find the best option for you through their platform. Check out the prices.
Frequently Asked Queries
If you haven’t found the information you require, refer to the brief Q&A section addressing our readers’ common queries.
To take a train journey through Switzerland, it is recommended to make a reservation on the Civitatis or GetYourGuide website before your trip.
The cost of taking a train in Switzerland varies based on the type of train, ticket, and whether you have a Swiss Travel Pass, with prices typically around 209 Swiss francs.
The Glacier Express provides the most stunning train ride in Switzerland, passing through the Swiss Alps, villages, valleys, and mountains.
Most Swiss trains allow passengers to bring their bags on board without any restrictions or extra charges, unlike airplanes where bags need to be checked in.
Children under 6 years old can travel for free on trains in Switzerland and internationally, but they do not have a designated seat. Children aged 6 to 16 receive a 50% discount on their tickets.
Not all Swiss trains offer seat reservations, but they can be booked for a fee on certain long-distance trains. Seat reservations are mandatory only for panoramic trains like the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, or the Golden Pass.
Many long-distance trains feature a snack and beverage cart, with some offering restaurant services, typically available in First Class.
The Swiss Travel Pass provides various advantages, including unlimited use of public transportation (trains, metro, buses, and boats), free entry to over 500 museums and exhibitions, and a 50% discount on cable cars and mountain trains.
