Switzerland, almost 16,000 miles of land nestled amongst the Alps. But how can one explore this snowy wonderland in a limited amount of time while incorporating cultural immersion and breathtaking sights into the experience? The solution resides with the SBB, the Swiss Federal Railway, and its connections by rail around the entirety of Helvetia. With budget-friendly panoramic trains at one’s disposal, exploration of Switzerland is easy, especially with the ALLMYNE app by your side.
There are plenty of ways to save money and make your Swiss trip on the tracks affordable, but we will dive deeper into those once we’ve talked a bit about the best railway experiences Switzerland has to offer. However, we will share some overall tips regarding Swiss train rides. Firstly, it is important to download the SBB app in order for accessing any route or platform changes, following the train’s timetable—when stops will be made and where they’ll be—and purchasing tickets for your trip. It is also important to note that Swiss trains are very punctual, always on time, so make sure you’re early to your platform so that you don’t miss it. Finally, kids that are six years of age and under ride Swiss transport for free, making these train adventures one for families of all ages.
Our first stop is the Golden Pass Express. A three-segment line from Interlaken to Montreux, this train has two ways to travel: the MOB Belle Époque and the MOB Panoramique. For the Belle Époque, passengers will find themselves in luxury train cars, decked out in a 1930s Orient Express style. But that in no way takes away from the beauty of the modern cars in the Panoramique. The best tip is to go during Switzerland’s fall season; there are fewer crowds and the autumnal sights are sure to make their way into your ALLMYNE journal. Also, the best views are on the right hand side of the train in its driving direction, so make sure to grab a window seat if you can!
Next, we have the Glacier Express. More expensive than the Golden Pass Express, this train is touted as the slowest express train in the world. However, despite its higher cost, the 8-hour trip is still worth taking. From Zermatt to Saint Moritz, this relaxing adventure passes through the Rhine Gorge, over the Oberalp Pass, and past the Landwasser Viaduct, a piece of the Rhaetian Railway, an UNESCO World Heritage route. With a luxury three-course Swiss meal included in your journey, the slow pace of this train allows for easy snapshots of the scenery around you. If 8 hours seems too long for you, you can always take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, which is a segment of the Glacier Express. This train goes from Visp to Zermatt and is usually less crowded with no reservation fees required.
If you’re wanting to travel from snowy Switzerland to the warmer parts of Italy, then the Bernina Express is for you. From Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, to Tirano, this 4-hour train ride takes you right through the Rhaetian Railway. You’ll travel past the highest mountain peak of the route, the Ospizio Bernina, and the beautiful alpine lakes of Lago Bianco and Lej Nair. The panoramic views are enjoyed to the maximum for all Swiss train excursions, but especially for this one, where you’ll spot the Graubünden villages going by.
Before we go over some ways to save on your next panoramic train journey through Switzerland, there are three smaller express trains to consider, the first being the Gotthard Panorama Express. Combining a steamboat journey across Lake Lucerne with a route from Lucerne to Lugano, this ride is most attractive for any history buffs in your group. Throughout the experience, you will get to learn about the history of the Gotthard Railway, pass historic locations of Switzerland—like the Rütlie Meadow, where Switzerland was founded—and take in the extravagant sight of the Wassen Church, a Baroque Catholic church, from three different angles.
The next two train rides to look into are the Jungraujoch and the Voralpen-Express. Jungfraujoch, or “the top of Europe,” is a UNESCO World Heritage site all on its own. The Jungfrau Railway takes you to the highest railroad station in all of Euruope, hence its name. You can start in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen to begin this journey on the cog railroad that transports you to Kleine Scheidegg. From there, before you board the Jungfrau Railway, you will experience panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau itself. You’ll also be privy to a tour of the Ice Palace and get the opportunity to set your eyes on the largest glacier in the Alps, the Aletsch Glacier.
Last but certainly not least, we have the Voralpen-Express. Unlike the snowy appeal of the previously mentioned train routes, the Voralpen-Express brings the coziness of Switzerland directly to the train’s passengers. Through hills, villages, and orchards, this is hands down the best way to get from Eastern to Central Switzerland. The train takes you from St. Gallen, the site of the Abbey district which is a UNESCO World Heritage location, to Lucerne and the shores of its lake. You will cross the Seedamm at the narrowest point of Lake Zurich, giving you a breathtaking view of the mountains and water unlike any other.
If tourist crowds aren’t really your thing, consider using the regional trains. These trains have stops along the way, allowing you to get on and off at locations worth exploring. You’ll save money on pesky reservation fees, and there’s a greater possibility to capture the best photos. As for money-saving tips, there are three avenues to look into: the Swiss Travel Pass, the Half Fare Travelcard, and the Eurail Pass. For those who want to go the regional train route of experiencing Switzerland, these passes will be crucial to keeping your trip affordable.
To start, the Swiss Travel Pass is the best option for international tourists. Albeit the most expensive of the three, it covers consecutive days, allows for unlimited travel throughout Switzerland—and that’s including the busses and boats—and children age 6 to 16 travel for free. These passes can be purchased ahead of time on the SBB website or on site with staff at the station itself.
The Half Fare Travelcard is perfect for those who have a middle-of-the-road sort of budget. This package allows for most, if not all, ticket prices to be halved or greatly reduced. Covering both 1st and 2nd class tickets, the card is valid for a whole year. This means that your loyalty discount will be active for the entirety of your trip and then some in the case you decide to stay for longer or want to return. This card also has perks of its own, like discounts at Europcar, Rent a Bike, and day trips with RailAway. Finally, there is the Eurail Global Pass—as the One Country Pass does not include Switzerland. This pass is ideal for people who want to bounce all around Europe, stopping in places anywhere from Great Britain, Denmark, and Norway to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
No matter if you’re traveling by plane, bus, or train, Switzerland is a location that should be on everyone’s bucket list. The friendliness of strangers, good food, and local transport alone are enough to make you want to book a flight right away. And your journey will be the most stress-free with the ALLMYNE AI+ on the journey with you, helping you decide the best way to get the most out of your vacation while tailoring it to whatever you may want or need.
