Switzerland, THE country of trains

The best option to travel in Switzerland is probably by train. Traveling by car can also be done but the train offers you the pleasure to admire incredible landscapes without the stress of keeping your eyes on the road.

Traveling by train in Switzerland is very pleasant. On the one hand, because Swiss punctuality is no legend: it is really rare for trains to be late. On the other hand, because everything is very well connected. It is very impressive to see these trains go up to an altitude of 3400 m, cross wild landscapes made accessible to all.

You just need to look at a map of Switzerland to understand: here dominate the big mountains, tumultuous rivers, glaciers, snow,... . The landscapes are sublime, but in return, the roads are often very winding.

Crossing Switzerland by train saves a lot of time: 5,124 km of railway lines provide access to all regions of the country. No mountain prevents the Swiss from passing a train: they have just completed the new Gotthard rail tunnel, which is the longest in the world at 57 km.

Swiss Travel Pass: travel in Switzerland by train, bus, and boat

Travel in Switzerland aboard panoramic trains which cross sumptuous regions and which offer unique points of view.

If you want to travel by train for several days and over long distances, it may be worth purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass. This all-in-one ticket allows unlimited journeys by train, bus, or boat throughout Switzerland for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days with prices starting at CHF 225 (2nd class) - i.e. 193 € - and 358 CHF (1st class) - or 300 €.

It also includes access to panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, the GoldenPass Line, or the Gotthard Panorama Express (except the mandatory supplement for a seat reservation).

The same goes for museums and cultural sites: more than 500 sites are included in the Swiss Travel Pass, including the most famous museums in the country. Finally, some of the most beautiful cable cars are also included in the pass. The rise of Rigi, Brunni, Schilthorn, Stanserhorn is free for Swiss Travel Pass holders. And it also gives you access to 50% discounts on most other cable cars.

The best panoramic trains in Switzerland

The Swiss don't just have some of the most beautiful railways in the world: they've also decided to build the most beautiful trains to run on them. To enjoy the landscapes in the XXL version, they invented the concept of the panoramic train with giant windows that overflow onto the roof.

Switzerland has beautiful mountain landscapes and nothing beats the train to admire them at ease. This is why the country has panoramic trains specially designed for tourists, equipped with large windows, audio guides, and, for some, a catering service: the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, the Gotthard Panoramic Express, the Lucerne Interlaken, and the Golden Pass Panoramic.

Also worth noting: scenic routes and themed trains (cheese, chocolate, etc.).

Picture by thetalesofatraveler.com

Grand train tour of Switzerland

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is a railway circuit of over 1,200 km which links several major sites in Switzerland. It brings together eight distinct journeys, including the most beautiful panoramic sections. It takes four or eight days to complete this Grand Train Tour on which the Swiss Travel Pass is valid. Even better than a road trip, a train trip!