The Most Scenic Train Routes in Switzerland

Switzerland's rail network is a work of engineering art. Routes cling to cliff faces, spiral through mountain tunnels, and traverse viaducts with drops that will make your heart skip. The Swiss take pride in running trains that are not just punctual to the minute but genuinely among the most beautiful journeys on earth.

The Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz is the world's most famous panoramic train. Eight hours across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels, past the Rhine Gorge and over the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres. Book a seat in the panoramic dining car for the full experience.

The Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano in Italy is arguably even more dramatic. It's a UNESCO World Heritage route that crosses the Alps at over 2,250 metres without a single rack-and-pinion section — pure adhesion all the way. The Brusio spiral viaduct, where the train circles a full 360 degrees to lose altitude, is one of the great engineering spectacles of the rail world.

For something more accessible, the Golden Pass Line from Montreux to Lucerne offers lakeside scenery, rolling pastures, and traditional wooden chalets without the altitude drama. The Wilhelm Tell Express combines a lake steamer from Lucerne with a train over the St. Gotthard route — one of the original Alpine crossings.