I have decided Switzerland needs a voice! Italy and France get a lot of attention from me, but their very close neighbour Switzerland is truly gorgeous and if you like beautiful alpine scenery and trains, like I do, it is a perfect holiday destination.
There are actually about 7 Scenic Train Routes in Switzerland along with some 20,000 kms of train routes – the Swiss do like their trains.
The Glacier Express links the West to the East and connects 2 famous resorts – Zermatt in the West and St Moritz in the East. Nicknamed the world’s slowest express train – it has 291 bridges to cross during its scenic 8 hour journey.
The Bernina Express is spectacular as it crosses the Swiss Alps – from Chur and St Moritz you go South to Tirano in Italy. The journey is only about 5 hours but every minute is stunning. This route is actually a UNESCO World Heritage route and it has viaducts, tunnels, glaciers, lakes and the spectacular 2253metre high Bernina Pass. Train buffs will marvel at the alpine railway engineering feats that allow climb gradients of 70% – I was most impressed with the very tight spiral bridge at the end. I did this trip in summer and continued on to beautiful Lake Lugano (less than an hour by bus) and from here dropped into the Italian Lakes – a perfect way to combine Switzerland and Italy.
The Wilhelm Tell Express is an incredibly scenic boat and train ride. You travel from central Switzerland all the way south to Locarno by the Italian border. The first 2 and a half hours are by paddlewheel steamer across Lake Lucerne and then this is followed by another couple of hours by scenic train. The train travels the famous Gotthard route climbing to 1100 metres and includes the 15km Gotthard tunnel.
There is also the incredibly scenic Golden Pass Line – from Montreux through to Interlaken and on to Lucerne. I would definitely stop off in Interlaken for a few days as it is home to the incredibly stunning Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe which at 3454 metres is the highest railway station in the world. Part of the journey includes a 7.3km long cog railway tunnel – it is truly stunning and you don’t need to be a train buff to be impressed by the journey. Along the way like most of these train journeys you are looking out over absolute ‘chocolate box’ Swiss scenes – log houses smothered in colourful flowering window boxes, lovely green meadows with the odd cow sporting a great big bell, all surrounded by beautiful high mountains.
You can buy a Swiss Rail pass, they come in all sizes and are great value. Typically they include entry to all the gondolas and cable cars as well as museums.
But never be late – the Swiss are renowned for their timekeeping and their trains are always perfectly on time – to the minute!, The trains are very clean and tidy and everyone speaks great English – so it is very easy travelling for us Kiwis.
Related experiences
The Territory Complete
DEPARTING SUNDAY from AUD$5,369 per person, twin-share. 13 nights/14 days If your dream is to see the best of the Australian outback and immerse yourself in the heart of it with hands-on experiences, this is your ultimate holiday. It doesn’t … Continue reading →
Taste of the Top End Expedition
DEPARTING SATURDAY from AUD$3,699 per person, twin-share 7 nights/8 days Explore spectacular Litchfield National Park, see the famous jumping crocodiles along with a host of other popular Top End attractions before stepping aboard The Ghan Expedition in Darwin and experiencing … Continue reading →
The Ghan Expedition
DEPARTS WEDNESDAYS (APR – OCT) from AUD$2,829 per person, twin-share 4 days/3 night aboard The Ghan All-inclusive meals, fine wines, and beverages A regionally-inspired menu paired with a selection of local wines Off train experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs, and … Continue reading →
Heartland Voyager
See the best of the Australian outback and immerse yourself in the heart of it with hands-on experiences. It doesn’t come any better than travelling on The Ghan, exploring Uluṟu and Kata Tjuta, cruising Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and touring Darwin, … Continue reading →
Margaret River Indulgence
8 nights/9 days As the perfect primer for the luxurious and culinary adventure ahead on the Indian Pacific, touring Western Australia’s beautiful Margaret River is ideal. An internationally acclaimed producer of premium wines, regional food specialties and artisan providores, Margaret … Continue reading →
The Legendary Indian Pacific and Western Australia
5-14 Oct, 19-28 Oct, 16-25 Nov 2021 9 nights/10 days, Small Group Discovery There are few train journeys that are as magical as the Indian Pacific. Starting in Adelaide and traversing across Australia’s Outback (in style, we might add), this … Continue reading →
Tranzalpine, Vines and Whales
5 nights /6 days Christchurch return Departures from Oct 2020 to Mar 2021 (Saturday–Wednesday) Dep 16 Dec 2020 – Mar 2021 From NZ$1969 pp twin/double Sole occupancy surcharge NZ$820 per person Day 1 Christchurch Overnight at Sudima Hotel Day 2 … Continue reading →
Bavarian Beer Trail Cycle
Beer brewing traditions are an art form in Bavaria and the region of Franconia in the north of the state is home to a third of Germany’s breweries. Following the Beer Cycle Route in the Aisch Valley – which has … Continue reading →
Berlin to Copenhagen by Bike
The contrasts between northern Germany and Denmark don’t begin right at the border, but you’ll certainly notice them on this cross border cycling trip. From Germany’s vibrant, culturally rich and exciting capital of Berlin, you’ll cycle north to the coast … Continue reading →
Cycle Prague to Vienna
The Greenways cycle trails are a collection of routes linking Prague and Vienna. This specially designed trip follows the section south of Prague, from the hills of Cesky Krumlov to the east along the Austrian border. Passing numerous medieval towns … Continue reading →
Blue Danube Cycle
Follow the winding route of the Danube and discover the lively history of one of Europe’s most important rivers. Cycle past Austrian castles, Benedictine monasteries and ancestral vineyards en route to Vienna. From Germany, follow the Danube eastward into Austria, … Continue reading →
The Blue Train
Follow in the footsteps of Kings and Presidents who have travelled on this magnificent, moving five-star “hotel-on-wheels”. On board The Blue Train, luxury assumes a new dimension, and becomes the working definition of everything your heart desires. You will feel … Continue reading →
A Traditional Alsace Christmas
When it comes to quaint medieval villages, atmospheric Christmas markets and traditional crafts and cuisine, there’s nowhere quite like Alsace. On this tour of the region’s most magical Christmas sights, we’ll stay in charming Eguisheim – the perfect base from … Continue reading →
Trans Mongolian with Naadam Festival
Walk along the Great Wall, celebrate Mongolia’s greatest and most colourful festival, traverse the mighty Siberian landscape and explore Russia’s most exciting cities on this grand adventure. Itinerary Our … Continue reading →
Grand Trans Siberian Railway
Experience traditional Japan and remote Mongolia, and ride the grand Trans Siberian Railway from Vladivostok to the old Tartar capital of Kazan, en route to Moscow. Graceful imperial St. Petersburg is the perfect climax to this historic journey. Itinerary Day … Continue reading →
The Trans-Siberian Express
Undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest train journeys, the Trans-Siberian Railway runs like a steel ribbon across mysterious Russia connecting east and west from Moscow over the Urals, across the magnificent and endless steppe and alongside the shore of the … Continue reading →
Amazon, Andes & Altiplano
Lima • Peruvian Amazon • Sacred Valley • Machu Picchu • Cuzco • Lake Titicaca Explore the mighty Amazon on foot and on the river. In Cuzco, stay in a 16th century mansion once occupied by the first conquistadors from … Continue reading →
The Blue Train
Follow in the footsteps of Kings and Presidents who have travelled on this magnificent, moving five-star “hotel-on-wheels”. On board The Blue Train, luxury assumes a new dimension, and becomes the working definition of everything your heart desires. You will feel … Continue reading →
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Step aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and you step back into a more gracious, elegant age. Your personal steward, instantly available to attend your every comfort, will show you to your compartment of gleaming wood, polished brass, soft towels and crisp … Continue reading →
Alpine Railway Journey
All aboard for a picturesque journey taking in Milan, Lucerne and Zurich Embrace the romance of the railway on this splendid alpine tour through Italy, Switzerland and Germany. Begin in Milan and enjoy picturesque lakeside towns before rolling on to … Continue reading →
Belmond Royal Scotsman
A journey on Belmond Royal Scotsman takes you straight to the heart of the Highlands, through landscapes of towering, pine-clad mountains reflected in mirror-still lochs. Just 40 guests travel through Scotland’s finest countryside in private cabins, with an open-deck observation … Continue reading →
Rocky Mountaineer – Journey through the Clouds
A sensational two day journey onboard the Rocky Mountaineer with a night in Vancouver, Kamloops and the peaceful town of Jasper. Vacation Highlights •2 day Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf or SilverLeaf Service •2 breakfasts, 2 lunches •3 nights hotel accommodation •Vancouver … Continue reading →
Rocky Mountaineer Train Journeys
The Rocky Mountaineer Train Journeys are rated as some of the best train journeys in the world – so you can expect truly spectacular scenery, food and service. There are three great 2-day journeys: First Passage to the West – Vancouver … Continue reading →