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. The train follows the shorelines of Lakes Zug and Rotsee towards Central Switzerland. At Lucerne, guest change 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:

• Zürich: Switzerland’s metropolis
• Train line: Luzern–Interlaken Express
• Interlaken: Mountains, lakes & adventure; mountain excursions to Brienzer Rothorn, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte

A panoramic ride between two worlds.

The journey starts in Interlaken onboard the GoldenPass Express, whose travel class “Prestige” sets new standards. The global novelty first takes guests along Lake Thun and then through the Simmen Valley to Zweisimmen. Guests can remain in their comfortable seats as the train prepares for the second stretch of the journey that runs on narrower tracks. The transformation only takes a few seconds but is nothing short of a magic trick. The Premium panoramic train continues from Zweisimmen in the Bernese Oberland towards Montreux, the fashionable city at the shores of Lake Geneva. It 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:

• Interlaken: Mountains, lakes & adventure; mountain excursions to Brienzer Rothorn, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Harder Kulm, Schynige Platte
• Train line: GoldenPass Express / Belle Epoque
• Montreux: Vineyards of Lavaux, Chillon Castle, Chaplin’s World, mountain excursion to Rochers-de-Naye

Up the valley to the “mountain of mountains”.

Through the fertile Rhone Valley, it is only a stone’s throw from fashionable Montreux to Visp. From here, the journey continues on the narrow-gauge railway network of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway 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:

• Montreux: Vineyards of Lavaux, Chillon Castle, Chaplin’s World, mountain excursion to Rochers-de-Naye
• Train line: Ride with Matterhorn Gotthard Railways through the Nikolai valley
• Zermatt: world famous car-free village with a view to Matterhorn, mountain excursions to Gornergrat and Matterhorn glacier paradise

The slowest express train in the world.

The luxurious paragon of panoramic trains 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, it dives through 91 tunnels and balances over 291 bridges. From the comfort of the coach, ceiling-high panoramic windows offer unobstructed views of an imposing mountainscape, tradition-rich health resorts, deep ravines and picturesque valleys – scenic splendour at its finest.

Highlights:

• Zermatt: world famous car-free village with a view to Matterhorn, mountain excursions to Gornergrat and Matterhorn glacier paradise
• Train line: Glacier Express
• St. Moritz: chic destination on 1.822 m a.s.l., surrounded by mountains and lakes, mountain excursions to Diavolezza and Muottas Muragl

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. In winter, the journey leads alternatively from St. Moritz on the Palm Express over the spectacular, serpentine road of the Maloja Pass down the Val Bregaglia and finally – also along Lake Como – to Lugano.

Highlights:

• St. Moritz: chic destination on 1.822 m a.s.l., surrounded by mountains and lakes, mountain excursions to Diavolezza and Muottas Muragl
• Train and bus line: Bernina Express
• Lugano: mediterranean town at the lake, mountain excursions to Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè

The panoramic journey by train and boat.

The Gotthard Panorama Express presents Switzerland from its most diverse side: The 1st class panoramic train takes guests from the Mediterranean-style Ticino along the world-famous Gotthard panorama route and through the mighty Reuss Valley of the Canton of Uri to Flüelen. During the train ride, passengers hear fascinating tales and background information about the unique Gotthard region. Flüelen is the point where travellers change from the panoramic train, with personal travel guidance, to a steam boat or a motor vessel. In a leisurely fashion, the boat then glides over Lake Lucerne through the traditional Swiss heartland surrounded by imposing mountains to Lucerne.

Highlights:

• Lugano: mediterranean town at the lake, mountain excursions to Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè
• Train and boat line: Gotthard Panorama Express
• Luzern: the town at Lake Lucerne, Chapel Bridge, mountain excursions to Pilatus, Rigi, Stanserhorn and Titlis

Over gentle hills with a view of the Alps.

Matterhorn, Titlis or Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – these high peaks are certainly the stars of the Swiss Alps. However, the green hillscape and gentler mountain scenery that spread out before the high-Alpine mountain chain are full of charms as well. 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, among which are Pilatus, Bürgenstock and Rigi, to name a few. The Voralpen-Express rides along the Rothenthurmer upland moor and crosses Lake Zurich. Shortly before arriving at St. Gallen, another highlight awaits: the Sitter Viaduct, with 99 metres Switzerland’s highest railway bridge.

Highlights:

• Luzern: the town at Lake Lucerne, Chapel Bridge, mountain excursions to Pilatus, Rigi, Stanserhorn and Titlis
• Train line: Voralpen-Express
• St. Gallen: Abbey District and Abbey Library (UNESCO World Heritage)

The “maritime” side of Switzerland.

Despite being landlocked, Switzerland is by all means able to radiate true maritime flair. Lake Constance is a case in point: Between the Rhine and the “Swabian Sea”, the leading role during the ride from St. Gallen to Zurich is nicely divided up. From the history-steeped city of St. Gallen, the train winds through a pastoral hillscape towards the lake 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:

• St. Gallen: Abbey District and Abbey Library (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Train line: ride along Lake Constance and the Rhine Falls
• Schaffhausen: medieval town at the Rhine Falls
• Zürich: Switzerland’s metropolis