Why Scenic Swiss Train Journeys Are the World’s Best. Switzerland has long been regarded as the crown jewel of scenic train travel. This is not just because of its majestic landscapes, but because the Swiss have perfected the art of rail travel. Here, every train ride is an experience. Glass-roofed panoramic carriages glide past lakes so clear they mirror the mountains above. Cogwheel trains climb impossibly steep slopes to breathtaking viewpoints. Funicular railways carry you to the edge of the clouds in minutes.

At Europe Travel Bureau, we believe Scenic Swiss Train Journeys are the perfect way to experience the country. No traffic, no stress—just sit back, relax, and enjoy nature’s masterpiece through a wide train window.

This guide takes you through 17 spectacular routes, from world-famous icons to hidden gems. Each section includes route details, highlights, best seasons, photography tips, and insider travel advice to help you plan the perfect trip.

1. Grindelwald by Train – Gateway to Alpine Adventure

Route: Interlaken Ost → Grindelwald
Duration: 33 minutes

Grindelwald is a classic alpine village framed by the Eiger, Wetterhorn, and Schreckhorn peaks. The train ride from Interlaken Ost with the Bernese Oberland Railway is an experience in itself. Rolling meadows, traditional chalets, and snowy peaks slowly fill your view.

Highlights:

Direct cable car connections to First and Männlichen.

Stunning Eiger north face views.

Year-round activities: hiking in summer, skiing in winter.

Best Season:

Summer (June–September): Ideal for wildflower hiking and clear mountain views.

Winter (December–March): Skiing, snowboarding, and sledging paradise.

Photography Tip: Sit on the right side when leaving Interlaken for the most photogenic valley shots.

2. Lauterbrunnen by Train – Valley of 72 Waterfalls

Route: Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen
Duration: 20 minutes

Known as one of the most beautiful valleys in the world, Lauterbrunnen is a fairytale setting of vertical cliffs and cascading waterfalls. The short train ride offers glimpses of Lake Thun before entering the heart of the valley.

Highlights:

Staubbach Falls visible from the station.

Quick connections to Mürren and Wengen.

Base for iconic hikes like Lauterbrunnen–Stechelberg.

Best Season:

Late spring/early summer for peak waterfall flow.

Insider Tip: If time allows, combine with a cable car to Mürren for car-free alpine charm.

3. Gornergrat by Cogwheel Train – Matterhorn Majesty

Route: Zermatt → Gornergrat
Duration: 33 minutes

The Gornergrat Bahn climbs to 3,089 meters, offering one of the most spectacular alpine panoramas in Switzerland. You’ll see the Matterhorn in all its glory, plus 29 other peaks over 4,000 meters.

Highlights:

Year-round panoramic platform.

Walking trails in summer.

Ski and snowboard access in winter.

Best Season:

Any clear day year-round.

Mornings often have the clearest skies.

4. Brienz Rothorn Bahn – Steam into the Alps

Route: Brienz → Brienzer Rothorn
Duration: 1 hour

This nostalgic steam-powered cogwheel railway is like stepping back in time. The climb from Lake Brienz to the summit rewards you with turquoise lake views and sweeping alpine vistas.

Highlights:

Authentic steam locomotive experience.

Great pairing with a Lake Brienz boat cruise.

Season: June–October only.

5. Landwasser Viaduct – UNESCO-listed Marvel

Route: Filisur → Tiefencastel (Albula Line)
Duration: 25 minutes for the section

This six-arch curved bridge is one of the most photographed spots in Switzerland. Part of the Albula Railway, it leads directly into a cliff tunnel—a masterpiece of engineering and elegance.

Photography Tip: Best shots from the viewing point near Filisur.

6. Täsch to Zermatt – The Car-Free Gateway

Route: Täsch → Zermatt
Duration: 12 minutes

Since Zermatt is car-free, this short shuttle is your final step into the world of the Matterhorn. Efficient, frequent, and scenic, it’s a fitting prelude to your stay.

7. Harder Kulm Funicular – Balcony Over Interlaken

Route: Interlaken → Harder Kulm
Duration: 10 minutes

The Harderbahn Funicular gives you instant altitude, rising to a platform that overlooks both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, framed by the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Tip: Go at sunset for unforgettable light.

8. Gotthard Panorama Express – Lake & Mountain Drama

Route: Lucerne → Lugano (via Flüelen)
Duration: 5 hours (boat + panoramic train)

This journey blends two Swiss icons: a steamboat cruise on Lake Lucerne and a scenic train ride through the Gotthard route with its spiral tunnels and alpine landscapes.

Best Season: Spring and autumn for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

9. RegioExpress Lötschberger – Relaxed Alpine Ride

Route: Bern → Brig via Kandersteg
Duration: 2 hours

Following the old Lötschberg mountain line, this train offers a laid-back, less touristy way to soak up alpine scenery, including Lake Thun and Kandersteg.

10. Voralpen Express – Gentle Landscapes

Route: St. Gallen → Lucerne
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

Passing lakes, rolling hills, and quaint villages, this cross-country route connects eastern and central Switzerland in comfort.

Best Season: Spring bloom or autumn colors.

11. Rhine Gorge Line – Switzerland’s Grand Canyon

Route: Disentis/Mustér → Chur
Duration: 1 hour

This deep limestone gorge with turquoise waters is best seen from the train’s large panoramic windows.

Best Season: Summer for vivid colors; winter for frosted cliff edges.

12. Arosa Line – From City Streets to Alpine Peaks

Route: Chur → Arosa
Duration: 1 hour

An incredible climb of 1,000 meters in 26 km, crossing viaducts and winding past lakes before arriving in the alpine resort of Arosa.

13. Emmental Train – Cheese Country Charm

Route: Burgdorf → Langnau
Duration: 30 minutes

Quintessential Swiss countryside—rolling hills, farmhouses, and green pastures where Emmental cheese originates.

14. Appenzell Railway – Pastoral Beauty

Route: St. Gallen → Appenzell
Duration: 1 hour

Scenic fields, pastel-colored houses, and mountain backdrops create a postcard-perfect ride.

15. Mont-Blanc Express – Cross-Border Spectacle

Route: Martigny → Chamonix (France)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

This route offers breathtaking views of deep gorges and Mont Blanc itself.

16. Lausanne–Puidoux Line – Vineyard Views

Route: Lausanne → Puidoux
Duration: 20 minutes

Travel through the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces with Lake Geneva shimmering below.

17. MOB Belle Époque – Vintage Swiss Elegance

Route: Montreux → Zweisimmen
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

Luxury 1930s-style carriages combined with mountain vistas make this one of the most stylish train journeys in Switzerland.

Planning Your Scenic Swiss Train Journey

Swiss Travel Pass: Highly recommended—it covers almost all these routes.

Seat Reservations: Needed for Gotthard Panorama Express, MOB Belle Époque, and some panoramic trains.

Packing Tip: Bring layers—mountain weather can change fast.

Photography: Early morning and late afternoon give the best light.

Contact US For – Switzerland by Rail with Europe Travel Bureau

From ten-minute funicular ascents to multi-hour panoramic adventures, Scenic Swiss Train Journeys offer an unmatched way to explore Switzerland. Every mile reveals a new scene: vineyard terraces, glacier-fed lakes, iconic peaks, or charming villages.

With Europe Travel Bureau, you don’t just ride the trains—you experience the essence of Switzerland, planned to perfection. All aboard!