Luxury Train Travel in Switzerland
Published on: November 16th, 2018
Last modified: November 14th, 2023
The incredibly scenic country of Switzerland offers some of the best luxury train travel in Europe – and perhaps the world. Its most iconic railways pass through soaring mountains, steep valleys and lovely villages, from Gstaad and Ticino to Zermatt and St. Moritz.
Along the way you can visit iconic spots like Jungfraujoch – home to Europe’s highest railway station – and enjoy outdoor adventures and local cuisine. With so many luxury train journeys to choose from, it is easy to become overwhelmed by choice. To help you narrow down the choices, we’ve put together this expert guide on luxury train travel in Switzerland.
1. The GoldenPass & Gstaad
Gstaad is a quintessentially Swiss village, located near Alpine passes in one of the country’s most beautiful regions. In winter the village is blanketed in snow, whilst summer brings lush meadows and constant sunshine. Fresh mountain air, sky-high peaks and verdant landscapes have attracted many high-profile guests to Gstaad over the years, and it’s easy to see why.
Visitors can explore 300 kilometres of hiking trails, relax in winding cable cars, learn the traditional art of Swiss cheese-making or peruse boutiques, art galleries and shops. Intrepid travellers can also take a cable car up to hike the impressive Jungfraujoch glacier. After an adventure-filled day, stop for coffee or aperitifs at a chalet-style gourmet restaurant.
From Gstaad, board the GoldenPass train towards Montreux for a journey through breathtaking Alpine scenery. Leaving the German-speaking part of the country behind, the train winds its way down through narrow valleys and past the romantic Lake Geneva. Its panoramic windows offer sweeping views across verdant hills and snow-capped mountains.
2. Gornergrat Railway & Zermatt
With the dramatic peak of the Matterhorn towering over it, Zermatt is a fairytale village in every sense of the word. Wooden shutters adorn the windows of picturesque pine lodges that stretch up the side of the valley, making the town feel lost in time. Combustion engines are banned here, so horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the default forms of transport.
For some of the finest views in Switzerland, board the Gornergrat railway. Gornergrat is the highest open-air railway in Europe, offering sweeping views over scenic Zermatt. At the Riffelberg stop, passengers are rewarded with a spectacular view of the Matterhorn, as well as the lesser-known Monte Rosa massif and its glaciers.
Add to this unforgettable train journey by taking two successive cable cars up to Hohtälli and Stockhorn for breathtaking panoramas over the Alpine countryside. Travellers who don’t suffer from vertigo can find even more thrilling views on a narrow mountain path between Gornergrat and Hohtälli.
3. The Glacier Express & St. Moritz
The Glacier Express is affectionately known as ‘the slowest express train in the world’ – which is probably for the best, considering the stunning views, luxurious comfort and gourmet meals that you’ll enjoy while on board.
On the first half of the journey from Zermatt to Andermatt, you’ll cross hundreds of bridges and pass through dozens of tunnels in just under four hours. In Andermatt, you’ll find narrow streets lined with traditional chalets, as well as the Devil’s Bridge, an architectural wonder that spans the vertiginous Schöllenen Gorge.
As you travel east from Andermatt towards St. Moritz, the Glacier Express’ route becomes increasingly scenic. The five-hour journey will take you through rolling hills and across the awe-inspiring Landwasser Viaduct.
A stay in the lakeside town of St. Moritz is a fitting end to this picturesque journey. Here, breathtaking forests are blanketed in snow and dramatic peaks pierce cobalt blue skies. Attracting royalty and esteemed guests for over 150 years, St. Moritz knows how to please holidaymakers looking for luxury.
4. The Bernina Express & Ticino
One of the most popular ways to see the Alps is by taking the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this route crosses 196 bridges and traverses 55 tunnels. It also links regions with different languages and cultures, allowing travellers to discover multiple sides of Switzerland.
From Tirano you can cross back into Switzerland to explore the Italian-speaking region of Ticino: the only place in the country where Italian is the sole official language. Forested mountains surround two transfrontier lakes and the Ticino river, whose deep blue waters are fringed by colourful towns and snow-capped peaks.
Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to do here, whether hiking over 4,000 kilometres of trails, wild swimming in the Valle Verzasca, boating or mountain biking through rustic villages.
5. The GoldenPass Express
The GoldenPass Express took its first journey in December 2022, connecting Interlaken, Gstaad and Montreux. Although it follows a similar path to the original Golden Pass, it’s a much faster and more convenient journey, lasting just 3 hours and 15 minutes. The train itself is outfitted with the latest technology and incredible luxury, plus panoramic windows for immersive views.
The best way to experience the GoldenPass Express is undoubtedly in its Prestige class. This exclusive section of the train features heated seats that are 40 centimetres higher to further enhance the views. They’re also designed to rotate so that each passenger is always facing the same direction that the train is travelling.
6. Jungfraujoch Railway
Near Interlaken, you’ll find Jungfraujoch: a glacial pass that boasts Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 metres above sea level. The historic route starts in Kleine Scheidegg and tunnels through the Eiger and Mönch mountains, offering unforgettable views through windows carved out of the rock.
It only takes 35 minutes to reach the summit, where you’ll find an astronomical observatory, historical exhibits, an ice palace, a snow park and a heavenly chocolate shop. But no attraction can compare to the jaw-dropping views of snowy peaks, glaciers and – on a clear day – Germany’s Black Forest and France far in the distance.
Although the journey up the mountain is relatively short, it takes a couple of hours to reach the starting point by train from Interlaken. You can shorten the trip by taking a 15-minute ride on the Eiger Express cable car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher, where you’ll board the train.
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