The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland merges the most scenic train rides into one breathtaking route. Year-round, this train journey of 1,280 kilometres leads from the most charming Swiss cities to Alpine hotspots, through UNESCO World Heritage Sites and past word-famous sights and landmarks.
1) Zürich – Luzern – Interlaken (Approx – 3 Hrs , 131 Km)
From lake to lake, from city to city.
On the ride from the urban centre of Switzerland to Lucerne, a gentler mountain- and hillscape dominates the scenery, with sparkling lakes in between. In Lucerne, you can conveniently transfer to the Luzern–Interlaken-Express. The ride on this premium panoramic train connects two world-famous destinations. Time flies faster than one would wish – due to mountain scenery, turquoise lakes and numerous waterfalls.
Highlights:
- Scenic ride: Luzern–Interlaken Express
- Top sight: Jungfrau Region
- Mountain excursions: Brienzer Rothorn, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte, Grindelwald First
- Zurich: The cosmopolitan city at the shores of Lake Zurich – creative urban life combined with nature in all its glory.
- Interlaken: Starting point for many activities and adventures – surrounded by a gorgeous mountain scenery.
Check Train Schedule: Zürich–Luzern / Luzern–Interlaken
Hotels to Stay:
- Zurich: B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa, Hotel Glockenhof, Hotel City Zürich
- Lucerne: Hotel Schlüssel seit 1545, Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, Hotel Anker
- Interlaken: Carlton-Europe Hotel Vintage Adults Hotel, TCS Camping, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
2) Interlaken – Montreux (Approx – 3hr : 30m, 120 Km)
A panoramic ride between two worlds.
Starting from Interlaken, guests onboard the new GoldenPass Express first glide along Lake Thun and then through the Simmen Valley to Zweisimmen. The exclusive travel class “Prestige” sets new standards, and the travel experience rivals the breattaking views that can be enjoyed through the large windows. The panoramic train runs past magnificent castles as well as peacefully grazing cattle and finally passes the German-French language border. On the last leg, it winds down through the hills – and with the arrival at Montreux visitors become engrossed in the Mediterranean flair of the region.
Highlights:
- Scenic ride: GoldenPass Express
- Top sights: Jungfrau Region, UNESCO Lavaux Vineyards, Chillon Castle
- Mountain excursions: Brienzer Rothorn, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte, Grindelwald First, Glacier 3000, Rochers-de-Naye
- Interlaken: Starting point for many activities and adventures – surrounded by a gorgeous mountain scenery.
- Montreux: Lake Geneva, majestic mountains, lovely vineyards – the picture-perfect scenery of Montreux
Check Train Schedule: Interlaken–Zweisimmen / Zweisimmen–Montreux
Hotels to Stay:
- Zweisimmen: Rinderberg Swiss Alpine Lodge
- Montreux: Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Tralala Hotel, Hôtel Masson
3) Montreux – Visp – Zermatt (Approx – 02hr : 30m, 120 Km)
Up the valley to the Matterhorn.
It is only a stone’s throw from fashionable Montreux to Visp. From here, the journey continues through the Nikolai Valley, the deepest-incised valley of Switzerland, to Zermatt. Before the “mountain of mountains” – the Matterhorn – comes into view, the train has to overcome more than 900 metres in altitude, partly with the help of cogwheel technology.
Highlights:
- Montreux: Vineyards of Lavaux, Chillon Castle, Chaplin’s World, mountain excursion to Rochers-de-Naye
- Zermatt: world famous car-free village with a view to Matterhorn, mountain excursions to Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
4) Zermatt – St. Moritz (Approx 8hr – 291 Km)
The slowest express train in the world.
The Glacier Express travels across the Alps and connects fashionable Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn with the equally sophisticated St. Moritz. On its eight-hour ride through the mountainous Cantons of Valais, Uri and Grisons, the train dives through 91 tunnels and balances over 291 bridges. Unobstructed views of an imposing mountainscape, deep ravines and picturesque valleys – all from the comfort of the coach.
Highlights:
- Scenic ride: Glacier Express
- Top sights: Matterhorn, Rhine Gorge, Landwasser Viaduct
- Mountain excursions: Gornergrat, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Rothorn, Diavolezza, Muottas Muragl, Piz Nair, Corvatsch
- Zermatt: Car-free resort at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn: almost unlimited excursion possibilities – year-round.
- Chur: Switzerland’s oldest city of many charms: twisting alleys, historic buildings, a spectacular backdrop.
- St. Moritz: The bustling and chic birthplace of Alpine winter tourism amidst a splendid lake and mountain scenery.
Check Train Schedule: Zermatt–St. Moritz
Hotels to Stay:
- St. Moritz: Carlton Hotel St. Moritz, Art Boutique Hotel Monopol, Randolins Familienresort
5) St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano (Approx – 7Hrs, 154 Km)
From glaciers to palm trees.
The Bernina Express inspires a sense of delight and bridges language regions as well as cultures. One highlight follows hot on the heels of the next: the sparkling Morteratsch glacier and, at 2,253 metres altitude, the Lago Bianco. Embedded in the Alpine landscape, the vibrant turquoise of the lake stands out beautifully. From the UNESCO World Heritage route of Rhaetian Railways, the train winds its way over the Bernina Pass and down through the scenic Val Poschiavo towards Tirano in Italy. The journey continues on the Bernina Express Bus through the Valtellina Valley via Lake Como to Lugano.
Highlights:
- Scenic ride: Bernina Express
- Top sight: Brusio Circular Viaduct
- Mountain excursions: Diavolezza, Muottas Muragl, Piz Nair, Corvatsch, Monte San Salvatore, Monte Brè
- St. Moritz: The bustling and chic birthplace of Alpine winter tourism amidst a splendid lake and mountain scenery.
- Lugano: Small town charms combined with modern city perks – all sprinkled with Mediterranean flair.
Check Train Schedule:
- St. Moritz – Tirano
- Tirano–Lugano (Bernina Express Bus)
Hotels to Stay:
- Lugano: Hotel Colorado, International au Lac Historic Lakeside Hotel, Villa Principe Leopoldo
6) Lugano – Bellinzona – Flüelen – Luzern (Approx – 5hr : 30m, 182 Km)
The panoramic journey by train and boat.
From April through October, guests can board the Gotthard Panorama Express from the Mediterranean-style Ticino along the world-famous Gotthard panorama route. In Flüelen, travellers change from the panoramic train, with personal travel guidance, to a boat. In a leisurely fashion, the boat then glides over Lake Lucerne through the traditional Swiss heartland surrounded by imposing mountains to Lucerne. Alternatively, the Treno Gottardo along the scenic Gotthard route operates all year, taking guests to Lucerne.
Highlights:
- Scenic ride: Gotthard Panorama Express (combination of train and boat, operates April – October) or Treno Gottardo (operates all year)
- Top sights: Bellinzona Castles, Chapel Bridge
- Mountain excursions: Monte San Salvatore, Monte Brè, Pilatus, Rigi, Stanserhorn, Titlis
- Lugano: Small town charms combined with modern city perks – all sprinkled with Mediterranean flair.
- Lucerne: The gateway to Central Switzerland with its delightful lake and impressive Alpine panorama.
Check Train Schedule: Gotthard Panorama Express Lugano – Flüelen (train) and Flüelen – Luzern (boat), Treno Gottardo Lugano – Luzern (train)
Hotels to Stay:
- Bellinzona: Youth hostel Bellinzona
- Flüelen: Hotels in Flüelen
- Lucerne: Hotel Wilden Mann, Hotel Rebstock, Hotel des Alpes
7) Luzern – St. Gallen (Approx – 2hr : 30m, 125 km)
Over gentle hills with a view of the Alps.
The green hillscape and mountain scenery that spread out before the high-Alpine mountain chain are full of charms. Here’s where the Voralpen-Express runs between Lucerne and St. Gallen. It starts at Lake Lucerne against the backdrop of the prominent Alpine panorama of Central Switzerland. The Voralpen-Express crosses Lake Zurich and passes Rapperswil, the city of roses. Shortly before arriving at St. Gallen, another highlight awaits: the Sitter Viaduct, with 99 metres Switzerland’s highest railway bridge.
Highlights:
- Scenic ride: Voralpen-Express
- Top sights: Chapel Bridge, UNESCO Abbey District
- Mountain excursions: Pilatus, Rigi, Stanserhorn, Titlis, Säntis
- Lucerne: The gateway to Central Switzerland with its delightful lake and impressive Alpine panorama.
- St. Gallen: Between Lake Constance and the Appenzellerland: picturesque St. Gallen with its UNESCO Abbey District.
Check Train Schedule: Luzern–St. Gallen
Hotels To Stay:
- St. Gallen: Einstein St. Gallen, Sorell Hotel City Weissenstein
8) St. Gallen – Schaffhausen – Zürich (Approx – 2hr : 30m, 133 km)
The “maritime” side of Switzerland.
From the history-steeped city of St. Gallen, the train winds through a pastoral hillscape towards Lake Constance and then rolls along its shoreline for 40 kilometres. Afterwards, it follows the Rhine downstream to Schaffhausen, where the Munot Fortress towers as the town’s landmark. Schaffhausen is also famous for harbouring Europe’s largest waterfalls: the Rhine Falls. After crossing the imposing railway bridge of Eglisau, the train soon arrives at Zurich, financial metropolis of Switzerland.
Highlights:
- Scenic ride: Thurbo lake line along Lake Constance and the river Rhine, optional river boat ride between Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen
- Top sights: UNESCO Abbey District, Rhine Falls
- Mountain excursion: Säntis
- St. Gallen: Between Lake Constance and the Appenzellerland: picturesque St. Gallen with its UNESCO Abbey District.
- Schaffhausen: A quaint medieval town surrounded by vineyards – just a stone’s throw from the famous Rhine Falls.
- Zurich: The cosmopolitan city at the shores of Lake Zurich – creative urban life combined with nature in all its glory.
Check Train Schedule:
- St. Gallen–Schaffhausen or St. Gallen–Stein am Rhein
- Stein am Rhein–Schaffhausen
- Schaffhausen–Zürich
Hotels to Stay:
- Schaffhausen: Sorell Hotel Rüden, Youth hostel Schaffhausen
- Zurich: Design Hotel Plattenhof, Marktgasse Hotel, Signau House and Garden
