Why Switzerland's Train System Is Considered One Of The Greatest In Europe

In 2018, online train booking service Loco2 carried out Europe's first-ever train comparison report on behalf of Rail Europe, exploring "which European rail operators best address the needs of different travelers." Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) came out top overall, topping the rankings for families, disabled passengers, cyclists, and winter sports, with strong performances in categories like safety and sustainability. Seven years later, the European rail landscape has changed significantly, but Switzerland's rail network continues to shine.

While less comprehensive, a survey carried out by the campaign group Transport and Environment (T&E) in 2024 still had SBB ranked second overall, with Trenitalia taking the top spot. However, word of mouth and general opinion on review websites and social media still laud Swiss trains as the greatest in Europe and some of the best in the world, particularly when it comes to punctuality.

But it isn't just the trains arriving on time that makes Switzerland's train system such a fabulous example of European public transit. Switzerland has the most scenic train rides in Europe, as well as an amazing scheduling system, great customer service, and rail connections even in the smallest villages. There are plenty of reasons why the Swiss rail network is considered to be outstanding.

Part of the reason why the Swiss train network is such a success is that it's woven into the fabric of life in Switzerland. Despite its rugged, mountainous landscape, the Swiss railway system is extraordinarily extensive, and almost every corner of the country, from mountain-top villages to long, deep valleys, can be accessed by train. A remarkable variety of technological innovations and engineering marvels, from cog railways and funiculars to cable cars and tunnels, ensures that nowhere in Switzerland is isolated.

The numbers highlight the impressive nature of train travel in Switzerland. Swiss people travel over 1,240 miles a year by train on average. The network is the densest in the world (hardly surprising in such a small country), and with about 3,300 miles of track, it's one of the most extensive. Switzerland boasts the world's longest railway tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which stretches 35.5 miles, as well as Europe's highest railway station, Jungfraujoch, known as Top of Europe, which sits at 11,332 feet above sea level.

Of course, you can't really talk about Swiss trains without mentioning punctuality. Swiss trains run on time, period. Delays are unheard of, largely due to the regular-interval or clock-face timetable, where trains arrive and depart each station at the same minute after every hour or half hour throughout the day, and at least one train per hour leaves every station in at least one direction. Time on the train network is extremely special, partly due to the iconic Swiss railway clock. Every clock is cleverly designed so that a minute actually lasts for 58.5 seconds, then waits for a signal from Zurich's central station before continuing, ensuring complete synchronicity.

One of the main reasons people travel to Switzerland is its extraordinary mountain landscapes. The drop-dead views of the Swiss Alps are arguably the most beautiful and spectacular mountain vistas in the world, and whether you're a skier, a hiker, or just a lover of natural beauty, there's nothing quite like a Swiss vacation to immerse yourself in nature's glorious majesty. One of the best ways to do that in Switzerland is by train!

The wonderful Glacier Express route is one of the world's best rail journeys, gliding its way from Zermatt to St. Moritz on a scenic train ride of bridges, tunnels, and endless Alps. The panoramic windows of the train offer unrivaled views, including the iconic Matterhorn mountain. The Golden Pass route might be a little less dramatic, but it's equally as beautiful, taking passengers from Lucerne to Montreux through exquisite wildflower meadows and past glittering alpine lakes.

A Swiss rail adventure also lets you explore the innovative and remarkable custom-built solutions that Swiss engineers used to connect the mountains and valleys of the Alps to the main rail network. Cog railways are a huge part of Switzerland's railway network, with routes like Vitznau to the Rigi, Europe's first mountain railway, and the Mount Pilatus Cogwheel Railway, the steepest railway line in the world! The train from Lake Brienz to the Giessbach Waterfalls is powered entirely by water gravity, and is the world's oldest funicular railway, while the stunning Niesenbahn, made famous by the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," is one of the longest cable cars in the world.