Travelers Recommend These Train Rides In Switzerland For Scenic Mountain Adventures

When it comes to cultural icons, the tiny, landlocked country of Switzerland punches well above its weight. This mountainous state is known around the world for its chocolate, its cuckoo clocks, its cheese, and its dramatic alpine landscapes. And, as you might expect in a country renowned for its punctuality and the accuracy of its timekeeping, it is also known for its trains. Switzerland's train system is widely considered to be one of the greatest in Europe, thanks to its combination of incredible scheduling and glorious views. So while taking a train in Europe is always a great idea, it is a particular joy when vacationing in Switzerland.

Thanks to the stunning scenery peppered with deep valleys, jagged snow-covered peaks, glittering lakes, and picturesque wildflower meadows, Switzerland's rail network is well-served with exquisite views. Swiss ingenuity and engineering prowess have also ensured that almost every corner of the country can be reached by train, with remarkable cog railways, funiculars, cable cars, and endless bridges and tunnels ensuring scenic train rides everywhere you go.

But, according to travelers, there are a few routes that are truly unmissable. The breathtaking panoramas of the Bernina Express and the stunning mountain scenery of the Glacier Express are world-famous. But regular visitors to Switzerland and train aficionados also recommend gliding through exquisite vineyards on the Train des Vignes, enjoying views of picturesque lakes and alpine meadows on the GoldenPass Express, and journeying through the clouds on the Jungfrau Railway, the highest railway in Europe. We've put together a list of the most recommended train routes for exploring Switzerland's stunning mountain scenery, according to travelers.

The Bernina Pass might be the most breathtaking road trip in Europe, so it is hardly surprising that the train that follows this route is something special. Winding its way from Chur in eastern Switzerland to the small town of Tirano in northern Italy, via the glitzy resort of St. Moritz, it traverses 55 tunnels and nearly 200 bridges, as well as soaring over the 7,638-foot-high Bernina Pass itself.

Almost every moment of this extraordinary, UNESCO World Heritage-listed journey is worth celebrating. Chur is the oldest town in Switzerland and offers a charming start to the trip. You'll pass glistening glaciers, wild mountain gorges and valleys, and cross the breathtaking Landwasser Aqueduct before arriving in the elegant surroundings of Tirano. Responding to a query about whether the Bernina Express was worth doing, one traveler on r/askswitzerland on Reddit said, "It is fantastic. Any season," while another said, "The railway is fantastic and really something to do."

The Bernina Express is part of the wider Rhätische Bahn network, and many travelers say exploring the rest of this line is a great option, with similarly beautiful views and a less touristy vibe, as well as being significantly cheaper.

The gorgeous terraced vineyards that surround Lake Leman have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the best ways to appreciate this stunning region is by train. The Train des Vignes (Train of the Vines) operates the short journey from Vevey on the northeast shore to Palézieux every hour, offering travelers the opportunity to enjoy views of the delightful, steep terraces of Lavaux, as well as the impressive Lake Leman. Alighting at one of the small stops along the way, like Chexbres-Village, offers passengers the opportunity to wander through the vineyards on foot and learn a little more about the history of wine-making in the area.

Travelers on r/askswitzerland on Reddit describe this route as one of Switzerland's "hidden gems" and call the Lavaux vineyards "the most beautiful place in Switzerland." The train is a standard regional passenger train, so if you want a slightly more touristy experience, you might want to explore the Lavaux Express. This "train" runs on tires rather than rails but takes visitors on a winding loop right the way through the middle of some of the best vineyards in the area and gives passengers the chance to stop and taste the wines along the way.

Along with the Bernina Express, the Glacier Express is Switzerland's other most famous train route, defined by its iconic images of retro-style red trains chugging their way up mountains against a stark white backdrop of snow and ice. As it happens, the Glacier Express is also part of the Rhätische Bahn network, and connects with the Bernina Express at St. Moritz, meaning you can double up for a truly outstanding Swiss train experience!

Standing on its own merits, the Glacier Express is one of the world's most impressive train rides. Linking two of Switzerland's most famous winter sports resorts, St. Moritz and Zermatt, it is a truly unique journey through some of the country's most amazing scenery. Passengers are treated to mind-blowing views of the Alps over the course of the 181-mile journey, which takes 8 hours and has led to the route being described as the slowest express train in the world. First-class passengers get even better views thanks to the innovative panorama viewing cars.

The Glacier Express is a marvel of engineering, traversing some of the most challenging terrain in the world. Chugging across extraordinary bridges, through stunning passes such as the Oberalp Pass, and across deep gorges like the Mattertal makes this a genuine bucket list journey. Tripadvisor user walker62 said, "6 plus hours but never got boring and just the right pace for taking 'out the window' photos."

If there were an award for the MVP of scenic Swiss train routes, the GoldenPass Express would be a strong contender. While the breathtaking summits and canyons of Bernina and the Glacier Express might hit the high notes, for sheer, all-round natural beauty and a roll call of the country's best spots, it is hard to beat. One traveler on Reddit's r/askswitzerland said, "You get lakes, mountains, green valleys, the whole package," and it boasts one of the most luxurious trains, gorgeous, varied vistas, and incredible activities and attractions at either end and along the route.

The GoldenPass Express connects Montreux to Interlaken, something that for years was considered impossible due to the different types of train tracks used at various points along the route. But in an astonishing demonstration of Swiss inventiveness, the GoldenPass train uses an adjustable undercarriage to switch between gauges, making this fabulous trip possible. In just over three hours, the trip encompasses picturesque Interlaken, gorgeous views of Eiger and Jungfrau, the elegance and sophistication of Gstaad, and the hot air balloons of Château-d'Oex, ending up at the suave, cultural hotspot of Montreux. 

The entire train is a luxurious experience, but an upgrade to Prestige Class, described as "splurgeworthy" by YouTubers Aplins in the Alps, offers a taste of true decadence. Not only are the carriages specially designed to offer even more impressive views of the landscape as it whizzes by, but the on-board catering is exceptional, offering champagne, charcuterie, and even an entire menu dedicated to caviar!

While views of the Swiss Alps from your train seat might be impressive, there's an even more exciting way to experience them: from inside the mountains themselves. The Jungfrau Line is the highest railway in Europe, going from Kleine Scheidegg to the unbelievable Jungfraujoch Station, known as "Top of Europe," the highest railway station in Europe. This remarkable cog railway offers the dramatic panoramas of snow-covered peaks and icy glaciers that Switzerland is famous for, with the unbelievable bonus of taking travelers right through the heart of the Eiger and Mönch mountains.

At the summit, you will feel like you are on top of the world. It is a unique spot, perched right on the edge of a saddle between the two primary peaks of the Jungfraujoch, above the snow line. One traveler on r/askswitzerland on Reddit said, "The Jungfraujoch offers an easily accessible ice cave and a huge glacial high-altitude environment that you can't really find anywhere else in Central Europe."

To compile this list, we looked at the most recommended train routes in Switzerland according to trusted travel guides and websites. Then, we cross-referenced them with opinions from actual travelers and Swiss residents on social media and review websites.