Swiss train travel may be the absolute best in all of Europe.
Not to knock wondrous railways through Italy, Germany, Austria, and France, but there’s just a sense of marvel on Swiss Alps train rides that is incomparable. With over 3,000 miles of railway to explore, Swiss train travel is impeccably clean, punctual, and very generous with the views.
No matter if you’re taking a quick connection from Zurich to a ski resort or a day trip from Interlaken into another canton, you’ll forever remember your time riding the Swiss rails. And with the Swiss Train Pass, you can enjoy extensive train travel across the country on a single, cost-effective ticket.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld. Image Location: Graubunden Canton, Switzerland.
The best train rides in Switzerland
Naming the best train rides in Switzerland is seldom a hard task. There’s a reason you’ll see similar routes on top five lists around the world: it’s because they’re absolutely amazing and never run the risk of being cliche no matter how many tourists line the train cars.
- Jungfrau Railway, it’s world-famous and the Sphinx Observatory is an out-of-this-world sight.
- Bernina Express, the best way to travel through the Swiss Alps — no offense to our hiking and mountaineering friends.
- Mont Blanc Express, short, sweet, and doesn’t skimp on the views.
- Glacier Express, the near-eight hour picturesque ride will make you a believer in the slow travel trend.
- Brienz Rothorn Railway, a traditional cogwheel railway and over a century old.
Other scenic train rides in Switzerland
Here are a few lesser-highlighted routes that deliver highly addictive views:
- Gotthard Panorama Express, the most beautiful way to reach the Italianate Ticino from central Switzerland.
- Schynige Platte Railway, a relaxed, hour-long jaunt through alpine forests and pastures.
- Gornergrat Railway, the world’s first fully electric cog railway ideal for eco-conscious travelers.
- Berner Oberland-Bahn, a cheap yet charming way to get to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.
- Vitznau-Rigi Kulm, Europe’s first mountain railway that starts on Lake Lucerne’s serene shores.
Image Credit: Getty Images, AscentXmedia. Image Location: Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.
Movies filmed in Switzerland
From Bond to Bollywood, see it on the screen then live it on-location with a Swiss Travel Pass.
Cinephiles headed to Switzerland will have plenty of pre-flight homework as a number of Hollywood hits were filmed within Swiss borders. Matt Damon popped by twice for The Bourne Identity and then Syriana. Tom Hanks hung out in Geneva for Angels and Demons while both the Pointe Break and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo remakes featured Swiss set pieces.
And that Yash Chopra Statue you spotted in Interlaken’s Kurssaal Garden? An homage to the Indian director who filmed Chandni, Jab Tak Hai Jan, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in Switzerland.
Switzerland even made its impact on a galaxy far, far away with bows in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
Where was James Bond filmed in Switzerland?
Which one? 007 spied, shot, and slept his way through Switzerland multiple times:
- Goldeneye, in the Contra dam of Ticino (though the movie set it in Russia)
- The Spy Who Loved Me, the slopes of St. Mortiz (though the movie set it in Austria)
- Goldfinger, driving to the Furka pass and passed Hotel Belvedere
- On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, in Blofeld’s lair atop the Schilthorn (where you can have James Bond Brunch in a 360-degree revolving restaurant)
Best Swiss train app
Winging it on the rails when you arrive? That plan could end up like Swiss cheese: full of holes (but still delicious). Day-of train tickets can be pricier than the finest fondue. Getting around Switzerland by train is remarkably easy, which means it’s remarkably easy to empty your wallet for multiple spur-of-the-moment tickets each day.
Haven’t hammered down your schedule yet? No worries; that’s what the Swiss Travel Pass is for.
Or why not check out our 7-day Switzerland itinerary for inspiration?
This single pass includes unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat throughout Switzerland, which includes premium panoramic train routes and public transport in over 90 towns and cities. Pass holders also receive:
- Free admission to over 500 museums in Switzerland
- Free mountain excursions on Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Stoos
- Up to a 50% discount on other select mountain excursions
- Up to a 50% discount on SBB RailAway offers
Children under 6 years old travel free of charge. Bringing bigger kids? The complimentary Swiss Family Card allows kids 6-16 accompanied by one Swiss Travel Pass parent to travel free of charge. Just select the complimentary Swiss Family Card option when booking your Swiss Travel Pass on Trainline.
Did you know that Swiss Travel Passes on Trainline are 100% refundable? Purchase one with total confidence even if your European itinerary isn’t set in stone. Download the Trainline app to plan your European train adventure travel with Trainline where you can and compare single-destination tickets against travel passes to determine which option is more cost-effective for your journey.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Aaron Chen PS2. Image Location: Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.