Sections of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Train, Zentralbahn/ZB, Winter, Zentralschweiz, Lake

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Intro

On the following sections, 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.

2¾ h / 131 km Zürich – Luzern – Interlaken

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:

Timetable: Zürich–Luzern / Luzern–Interlaken

Hotels:

3¼ h / 120 km Interlaken – Montreux

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:

Timetable: Interlaken–Zweisimmen / Zweisimmen–Montreux (for GoldenPass Express or Belle Epoque, click „Advanced search“ and select only „IR/PE“ under transport type)

Hotels:

Train, MOB, Automn, Lake Geneva Region, Lac Leman – Genfersee – Lake Geneva

2½ h / 148 km Montreux – Visp – Zermatt

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:

Train, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn/MGB, Automn, Valais, River

7¾ h / 291 km Zermatt – St. Moritz

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:

Timetable: Zermatt–St. Moritz (for Glacier Express, click „Advanced search“ and select „Direct connections“)

Hotels: 

Train, Glacier Express/GEX, Winter, Graubuenden

6 ¾ h / 154 km St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano

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:

Timetable:

Hotels: 

GTToS Winter Key Visual - Bernina Express at Lago Bianco, Graubünden

5½ h / 182 km Lugano – Bellinzona – Flüelen – Luzern

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:

Timetable: Gotthard Panorama Express Lugano - Flüelen (train) and Flüelen - Luzern (boat), Treno Gottardo Lugano - Luzern (train)

Hotels:

Treno Gottardo in Amsteg, Central Switzerland / Treno Gottardo in Amsteg, Zentralschweiz

2¼ h / 125 km Luzern – St. Gallen

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:

Timetable: Luzern–St. Gallen

Hotels:

Eastern Switzerland, Pre-Alpine Express

2½ h / 133 km St. Gallen – Schaffhausen – Zürich

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.

Timetable:

Hotels: 

 

Train, Thurbo, Automn, Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein, River

Alternative sections

Sometimes, there is not enough time to see it all – the following three shortcuts help you to shorten the trip if needed.

Chur – Zürich (1¼ h)

Taking the direct connection from Chur back to Zurich rewards travellers with magnificent views of the Bündner Herrschaft (dominion of the Grisons), the Churfirsten, and Lake Walensee as well as Lake Zurich.

Train, SBB, Summer/Spring, Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein, Walensee

Spiez – Domodossola (IT) – Locarno (4¾ h)

An alternative leg that is worth taking: the RegioExpress Lötschberger and the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway take travellers to fabulous views. While the Kander Viaduct and the view of the Rhone Valley amaze passengers on the Lötschberg mountain route, the Centovalli (“100 valleys”) offers stunning vistas of deep ravines and rugged mountain ranges.

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Train, FART, Automn, Ticino

St. Moritz – Lugano (4 h)

The Palm Express is an alternative connection from the Engadin to the Ticino. In contrast to the Bernina Express Bus, this connection operates year-round. On the stretch from St. Moritz to Lugano, the famous yellow PostBus tackles the Maloja Pass and then winds its way down through the Bregaglia Valley to Italy. It’s a journey that includes glaciers as well as palm trees.

Bus, PostAuto, Summer/Spring, Graubuenden, Mountain Lake