Trains take you where you want to go, but also where you can’t go. Travel to the edge of glaciers and clear lakes, up and through mountains, across gorges and canyons, through vineyards and by quaint villages. No where in the world do trains deliver the maximum scenic punch from the cushy comfort of a train car with panoramic views like in Switzerland. The country holds the world record for annual train travel kilometers per capita – 1,242 miles. Long trips, short trips, scenic trips, one-of-a-kind mountain trips — Switzerland has it all going on and GetAway Travel can help with your rail adventure. “Life is a journey, enjoy the ride” — it might as well be on a fabulous train!

They really do run like clockwork

 Switzerland is known for its iconic train journeys that offer stunning views of the Alps and comfortable travel through diverse scenery that can’t be seen on a car or bus trip. Swiss trains are punctual, some say even a minute late is too late. You need not worry about missing a connection or encountering a long delay. You can pick the “class” of car you want to travel on, pay extra for exclusive bar access and get five course meals with wine. There’s an herb train, chocolate train, wine train, long rides, short sightseeing trips, luxury upgrade options, sleeper options, trains combined with boat or gondola rides, trips that take you through several countries and a train ride that takes you to the top of Europe. Take several trips, or, consider the 800-mile Grand Train Tour of Switzerland that takes you past 11 lakes, five UNESCO World Heritage sites and through four of the country’s cultural regions.

Let’s go through some options…

 The Glacier Express — It connects Zermatt, a city at the foot of the Matterhorn, to St. Moritz. What is sometimes called the slowest express train in Europe, takes you on an eight-hour journey. It gives you spectacular views of the Matterhorn and Rhine Gorge and takes you over 291 bridges and through 92 tunnels.

It does make stops to allow you to explore the castles of Brig and you can take a cable car ride up to the Aletsch Glacier. The train goes over the Furka, Oberalp and Bernina passes. You get a great look at the famed six-arched Landwasser Viaduct.

You can pick the “wine tour” while aboard the train. And, upgrading to Excellence Class gets a five-course meal, wine and access to the private Glacier Bar.

Described as one of the most scenic train trips in Europe, the Bernina Express travels from Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy. The Bernina includes a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rail lines of Albula and Bernina of the Rhaetian Railway are recognized for their engineering and unique landscape integration. Called the “red train of the peaks” the route climbs past the glaciers of the Alps reaching an altitude of 1.4 miles and passes over the iconic Brusio Spiral Viaduct as well as the arched Landwasser Viaduct.

It covers some of the most diverse and dramatic terrain crossing 196 bridges and through 55 tunnels. The engineering marvels of the UNESCO site rail lines allow the train to navigate steep gradients and as it moves up the Bernina Range, you go through forests, valleys and past crystal-clear lakes. At its highest point, you are 7,392 feet above sea level.

The express has two specialty options. You can take the “Herb Express” with a stop in Valproschiavo to check out the herbs and have an herb-forward lunch with wine. Or, try the “Wine Express” where you sample wines with an expert, explore the LaGatta Vineyard and lunch in Valtellina.

The Golden Pass Line connects Montreux to Interlaken and it gives travelers breathtaking views of lakes, mountains and charming towns. It starts out on the shores of Lake Geneva and travels through Gstaad, a city with upscale charm, then deeper into the mountains. It passes the impressive Bernese Overland Mountains and ends up in Interlaken.

An option on the Golden Pass is to do the route on the Belle Époque, a specific train modeled after the 1930s Orient Express. The other option is the Panoramique, which is an excellent option for scenic views.

The Belle Époque travels on the golden Pass line. Travel in style in opulent vintage style carriage cars with 1930s decor. You travel through Montreux and Zweisimmen. A variation on that trip is taking the Chocolate Train. The first leg is on the Belle Époque from Montreux to Montbovon and at Montbovon you switch to a bus. On to Gruyère! At the Maison du Gruyère, also known as the Gruyère Cheese Dairy, you learn all about cheese making and aging. Next, you go to Broc and visit Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory. Cailler, as it is known, is Switzerland’s oldest and most renowned chocolate brand. Learn all about the chocolate making process and, yes, there is tastings!

Some other train options

 The Luzern-Interlaken Express links two of Switzerland’s most scenic areas with the help of some remarkable engineering. You’ll be cravings through the Brünig Pass, past Lake Lungern and Lake Brienz on a cog train. A cog railway uses toothed rack rail so the train can climb steep gradients. It’s like two gears meshing to move the train.

Journey to the Matterhorn on the Gornergrat Bahn, Switzerland’s first fully electric cog railway. It makes for a memorable journey through some of Europe’s most striking mountain scenery. It takes you to the Matterhorn, the most photographed mountain peak in the world and the symbol of Switzerland. Enjoy 360° views of the Matterhorn, glaciers, alpine forests and at the very top — views of 29 mountain peaks.

The Gotthard Panorama Express combines train and boat travel. The route goes fro Lugano to Lucerne. Enjoy the stunning mountain and lake views.

Jungfrau Railway uses a cogwheel train to take travelers to Jungfraujoch — the top of Europe, 11,332 feet above sea level.

Start the trip in Grindelwald a lovely alpine village at the foot of the Eiger and Wetterhorn mountains. The rail line passes through the Eiger North Face, one of the most challenging mountain faces. Clint Eastwood climbed the Eiger while filming the movie, “Eiger Sanction.” Eastwood performed all of his stunts in that moving, including the dangerous climb.

This unique trip includes panoramic views of some of the highest peaks of the Bernese Alps as well as the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in Europe. Tour the Ice Palace and the Spinx Observatory when you get to Jungfraujoch.

This is a taste of what awaits travelers who want a train experience. Stay tuned for more train travel options in an upcoming blog. Interested in a Swiss train adventure? GetAway Travel can keep your trip plans on track. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140,  or e-mail, sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel