On the train
From first and second class coaches to catering options, this is your resource for various services on board Switzerland’s trains.
The following services are available:
First and Second Class Train Travel
First class coaches offer a higher level of convenience such as more spacious seats, more legroom and power outlets. Additionally, travellers in first class benefit from quiet and business zones. Passengers can choose to travel first class aboard Swiss boats as well. The first class is usually located on the upper deck, offering a great view of the passing landscape.
On-board services for more comfort
Documents and Downloads
Onboard Gastronomy
Travel broadens the horizon – that is also true when it comes to culinary experiences: Whether on board a historical paddle steamer, along the country’s most beautiful train routes, or during a shopping stop-over at a RailCity station: A large choice of culinary highlights is available en route through Switzerland.
Culinary experiences extraordinaire
Dining on cloud nine! Rigi Railways make it possible: On mild summer nights, a panoramic cabin of the Weggis-Rigi cableway is transformed into the world’s one and only “Restaurant in the Sky”. Passengers dine high above Lake Lucerne against the breathtaking backdrop of the “Queen of the Mountains”, as mount Rigi is also called.
Coming back down to earth can be a tempting experience, too: In Zurich, the VBZ public transport company calls when dinner is served. While the old-timer tram of the VBZ “Genuss-Linie” cruises through the inner city, passengers enjoy seasonal menus ranging from fondue and Mediterranean specialities from Canton Ticino to Spanish-style pintxos and sushi.
Gastronomy on the boat
On Switzerland’s lakes, great importance is attached to culinary attractions. From Lake Constance to Lake Geneva, most boats plying scheduled routes have an on-board restaurant. Menus include a wide range of fish from local waters as well as other delicacies.
Fondue and Raclette Cruises are firmly established as absolute favourites among guests, as are regular Brunch and Lunch Cruises. Across the country, numerous different culinary theme cruises are on offer – especially during the end-of-year festive season and on 01 August (Swiss National Day). On that special day, it is the “national sausage of Switzerland”, the Cervelat, that oftentimes takes pride of place.
Onboard catering
Enjoy beverages, meals and snacks in a relaxed setting – in on-board SBB restaurants and bistros.
In most InterCity trains operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), freshly prepared dishes are served in on-board bistros or restaurants. Popular Swiss specialities include classics such as Zurich-style sliced veal, Alpine macaroni and St. Gallen veal sausage as well as menu combinations varying according to season. The high-quality ingredients are mostly of Swiss origin. A selection of Swiss wines, beers and juices is also on offer.
Delicious dishes along panoramic routes.
In selected panoramic and Belle Epoque coaches guests enjoy a 3-course menu made of local products.
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The Glacier Express – premium panoramic train of world renown – links the two fashionable mountain resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt. It takes the unique train some eight hours to cover a journey across the entire Swiss Alpine world. Exquisite 3-course menus accompany this train experience extraordinaire. Freshly prepared in the on-board kitchen, the courses are served in style at the passengers’ seats. Additionally, the menu card of the Glacier Express includes selected specialities of Cantons Valais and Grisons as well as wine, beer and spirits.
Rhaetian Railway regularly adds a nostalgic dining car from the 1930s to the trains on their famous Albula Line, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Local delicacies form the basis for an exclusive three-course menu served between Chur and St. Moritz in the pleasant ambiance of the “Gourmino”.
In the historic heartland of Switzerland, the Luzern–Interlaken Express serves passengers the popular “Zentralbahn-Plättli” – a delicious cold platter with regional specialities such as the Parmino cheese from Alpnach and dried sausages from Meiringen.
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Theme trains from sweet to spicy
Taking a train ride and exploring real Swiss traditions at the same time – that’s what the theme routes are all about.
For the spontaneous at heart, a ride in the luxurious GoldenPass Belle Epoque coaches offers many culinary highlights: Between Zweisimmen and Montreux, selected wines and, on request, also a choice of local cheese and sausage specialities from the Lake Geneva region are served at the passengers’ seats.
More information about the cheese train
Delicious, tenderly melting cocoa mass – Swiss chocolate is that good! On the day trip with the chocolate train, this cultural asset is the real star. Everything is included in the fare: coffee and chocolate roll on the train, admission to the show dairy “La Maison du Gruyère” with cheese sampling, and of course admission to the chocolate factory “La Maison Cailler”.
More information about the chocolate train
A sweet temptation awaits the guests of the Cookie Train heading for the lovely Emmental Valley from either Berne or Lucerne. For more than 100 years, the family-owned Kambly company has been cherishing the fine art of biscuit making. They produce over 100 sorts of biscuits such as the famous Bretzeli based on a century-old traditional recipe.
More information about the cookie train
Travelling with a Dog
Of course, many people would not want to miss their four-legged friend during their holidays. What a good thing that in Switzerland dogs may simply travel by train, bus and boat!
Travelling with the dog
With a 1-day-travelpass for dogs your faithful companion enjoys unlimited travel by public transport – never mind the destination or distance. Small dogs of up to 30 centimetres shoulder height in a suitable carrier such as a cage, basket or bag even travel free of charge as hand luggage. The 1-day-travelpass for dogs is class independent and can be used in 1st as well as 2nd class.
By the way: In case the stay in Switzerland is quite extended, there is a dog GA travelcard available for the four-legged companion.
Documents and Downloads
Onboard WiFi
With the SBB “FreeSurf” app, SBB offers a free, fast and secure internet connection on all national long-distance trains. Travellers from abroad surf free-of-charge with the SIM card of a participating provider.
Onboard WiFi
SBB trains
PostBus
PostBus has been equipping a big part of its fleet of vehicles with free Internet for passengers since 2012 – and more and more vehicles are being equipped every year. To be able to use the free service passengers need only to register once with their smartphone, laptop or tablet.
Family Coaches
Family Coaches
Time flies while travelling in the SBB family coaches offering fanciful playgrounds and toys.
Exploring the moon as an astronaut, diving into a jungle wilderness or experiencing the world of dinosaurs – there is no boredom during a train ride in Switzerland. All InterCity double-deck trains are equipped with a jungle-style or dragon-themed family coach marked “FA”. Located on the mid-upper deck, these zones offer a playground for children to frolic around as much as they please. Also, all tables in family coaches are equipped with entertaining board games such as “Jungle Hunt” and “Snake Game.” The required playing pieces can be obtained from SBB restaurant/bistro.
Changing tables in the restrooms as well as pushchair parking bays are available on the lower deck.
More information about family coaches
Documents and Downloads
All Media and Trade information, as well as images regarding family coaches, are available below.
Documents and Downloads
All Media and Trade information as well as images regarding onboard gastronomy services are available here.
