We Swiss are proud of our country’s train infrastructure – and rightly so. Public transport is not only practical, but also often nicely located for Switzerland to show its best side on a train journey. That’s why BLICK presents the seven most beautiful train routes below.
Furka steam railway
You can enjoy a truly romantic journey with the Furka steam train. Originally restored steam locomotives run across the Rhone and Mutt glaciers and over the Furka Pass. The route takes about two hours, starts at Brig VS and ends at Realp UR and vice versa. The return journey can be made via Göschenen UR or Chur GR.
Vigezzina-Centovalli railway
The southern route passes through Ticino and northern Italy during the approximately two-hour journey. On the 52-kilometer route, you can admire the magnificent panorama between Centovalli TI and Vigezzo (I) and cross 83 bridges and viaducts. If you want to examine certain areas more closely, you can also take breaks along the way. So you can spare a little more time for the Ticino cable cars Intragna-Pila-Costa, Verdasio-Rasa, Monte Comino, the church tower and regional museum at Intragna TI or the traditional Saturday market Domodossola (I).
Bernina Express
The classic route of the Bernina Express, St. Moritz GR to Tirano (I). However, the experience is from Chur GR to St. Moritz by Rhaetian Railway and from Tirano to Lugano TI by Bernina Express. On the same trip, you can cross the Unesco World Heritage Site of the Albula Line or look out the window at beautiful Valtellina in southern Italy. During the impressive and relaxing train journey, you can admire the glaciers of the Bernina Group, the Bernina Pass, Lago Bianco and Poschiavo GR.
Jurassic baseline
The Jura pedestrian line is a railway line from Olten SO to Lausanne VD via Solothurn, Grenchen SO, Biel BE, Neuchâtel, Yverdon-les-Bains VD and Morges VD. The train passes through lakes, vineyards and picturesque villages that offer stunning scenery. The route on Lake Neuchâtel is very winding, so it is used by incline trains.
Around Lake Thun
This route is suitable for anyone who likes to cycle past water bodies. In half an hour, you can take a train from one end of Lake Thun to the other. During your trip along the water, you often have direct views of the lake and the mountains behind it. Intercity train 61 is recommended to travel the route without changing trains.
through the original cantons
From Erstfeld UR you drive through the heart of Switzerland to Zurich or vice versa. While passing through the original cantons, you can admire not only historical sites such as Rütli, but also the fascinating scenery. The windows offer stunning views of the famous Swiss mountains and lush greenery. During the train journey, you pass four lakes. The entire journey takes about an hour and a half and can be taken with Interregio train 46 without the need to change trains.
Glacier Express
Glacier Express’s St. The entire route from Moritz GR to Zermatt VS or vice versa takes about eight hours. You can experience Switzerland’s great diversity along the entire route, while all sections promise unique views. On the journey from Eastern Switzerland via Central Switzerland to Western Switzerland, you pass through various language areas, Swiss cultural heritage and different types of vegetation. In total, you pass through 91 tunnels, crossing 291 bridges, and also climb the 2,033-meter-high Oberalp Pass through deep valleys.