Switzerland’s scenic trains range from famous panoramic expresses to ordinary regional services that cross spectacular Alpine landscapes. For most first-time visitors, the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express are the headline journeys, while routes such as the Voralpen-Express and Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway are easier to fit into shorter itineraries. The best choice depends on whether you want glaciers, lakes, historic railway engineering, a full-day journey, or a simpler regional ride.
Quick Answer
For dramatic high-Alpine scenery, choose the Bernina Express; for a full-day Alpine crossing, choose the Glacier Express; and for an easy panoramic link between Interlaken and Montreux, choose the GoldenPass Express. The Gotthard Panorama Express stands out if you want to combine a Lake Lucerne boat journey with scenic rail travel.
Last checked: October 1, 2026. Dates and figures were verified against official sources.
Key Takeaways
- The Bernina Express combines UNESCO-listed railway engineering, glaciers, high passes, and the descent into Tirano, Italy.
- The Glacier Express takes about eight hours between Zermatt and St. Moritz and is better suited to travelers who want a full-day panoramic experience.
- GoldenPass Express runs directly between Interlaken and Montreux; reaching Lucerne requires a separate Lucerne–Interlaken service.
- The Voralpen-Express and Centovalli Railway offer scenic journeys without committing an entire day.
- The Palm Express is a scenic PostBus route, while William Tell Express is an old name rather than a separate current train.
Best Scenic Trains in Switzerland at a Glance
The main scenic routes differ more than their names suggest. Some are premium panoramic trains with special reservations, while others are ordinary public-transport services running through exceptional scenery.
| Route | Main journey | Best reason to ride |
|---|---|---|
| Bernina Express | Chur or St. Moritz–Tirano | Glaciers, UNESCO railway, Bernina Pass and Brusio Circular Viaduct |
| Glacier Express | Zermatt–St. Moritz | A full-day journey across the Swiss Alps |
| GoldenPass Express | Interlaken–Montreux | Lakes, resorts and an easy link between central and western Switzerland |
| Gotthard Panorama Express | Lucerne–Flüelen–Bellinzona–Lugano | Lake Lucerne boat trip plus the historic Gotthard railway |
| Voralpen-Express | Lucerne–St. Gallen | Pre-Alpine countryside and an easy no-reservation ride |
| Vigezzina-Centovalli | Locarno–Domodossola | Gorges, valleys, bridges and a short cross-border journey |
Bernina Express: Glaciers, Viaducts and the Bernina Pass
The Bernina Express is one of the most varied scenic trains in Switzerland. It runs from Chur or St. Moritz toward Tirano in northern Italy, crossing high Alpine terrain before descending toward a much milder landscape.
The Rhaetian Railway’s Bernina Express route passes over 196 bridges and through 55 tunnels when traveling from Chur. The route includes the Landwasser Viaduct, the Albula and Bernina railway lines, the Palü Glacier, Lago Bianco, and the famous Brusio Circular Viaduct.
The Albula and Bernina lines have been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. From Chur to Tirano, the Bernina Express takes approximately four hours according to RhB’s current route information; from St. Moritz to Tirano, the journey is about two hours and 15 minutes.
One reason this route feels so dramatic is its change in elevation and landscape. You move from Alpine valleys toward Ospizio Bernina and the high Bernina area, then descend through Poschiavo and across the Italian border to Tirano.
Pro Tip: For travel from October 29 through November 13, 2026, RhB says Bernina Express trains 951 and 952 will be diverted via the Vereina route because of engineering work. Check your exact train before relying on the normal Chur–Albula routing.
The Glacier Express: A Full-Day Alpine Journey
The Glacier Express is designed for travelers who want the journey itself to fill most of a day. It connects Zermatt and St. Moritz through Valais, central Switzerland, and Graubünden in approximately eight hours.
What You See Along the Route
Large panoramic windows frame deep valleys, mountain villages, the Rhine Gorge, and high Alpine terrain. Unlike a fast intercity connection, this train is intentionally slow enough for passengers to spend the day watching Switzerland change outside the window.
The official Glacier Express route reaches its highest point at the Oberalp Pass, 2,033 meters above sea level. Switzerland Tourism also lists 291 bridges and 91 tunnels on the complete journey.
Onboard Experience
The Glacier Express offers panoramic coaches and onboard food options, but the exact service depends on the class and booking. It is better to treat the train as a reserved panoramic experience rather than as an ordinary hop-on, hop-off regional service.
The route has operated since 1930, although today’s all-year railway connection became possible after the Furka Base Tunnel opened in 1982. For travelers who enjoy long rail journeys, this is one of the most complete ways to cross the Swiss Alps without changing scenery every hour.
The GoldenPass Express: Interlaken to Montreux
The modern GoldenPass Express links Interlaken and Montreux directly. The broader GoldenPass journey can continue between Interlaken and Lucerne, but that Lucerne section uses the separate Lucerne–Interlaken Express rather than one through GoldenPass Express train.
The western part of the route passes through the Bernese Oberland and resort towns before descending toward Lake Geneva. Montreux provides a particularly memorable finish, with the lake, steep hillsides, and vineyards creating a very different setting from Interlaken.
The national tourism board lists the GoldenPass Express among Switzerland’s premium panoramic trains. It distinguishes the direct Interlaken–Montreux GoldenPass Express from the Lucerne–Interlaken Express and the GoldenPass Panoramic service between Zweisimmen and Montreux.
This distinction matters when planning a Lucerne-to-Montreux day. You can make the full scenic journey, but it involves more than one train service. If your itinerary already includes Interlaken, the direct GoldenPass Express to Montreux is the simplest version.
The Gotthard Panorama Express: Boat and Historic Railway
The Gotthard Panorama Express combines two classic Swiss travel experiences: a boat journey on Lake Lucerne and a train journey over the historic Gotthard route into Ticino. It connects Lucerne with Flüelen, Bellinzona, and Lugano.
| Metrics | Data |
|---|---|
| Route | Lucerne–Flüelen–Bellinzona–Lugano |
| 2026 season | April 18 to October 18 |
| Transport | Boat and panoramic train |
| Reservation | Required for the panoramic service |
| Highlights | Lake Lucerne, historic Gotthard railway, Bellinzona and Ticino |
According to SBB’s 2026 Gotthard Panorama Express information, the service runs daily, including public holidays, from April 18 through October 18, 2026. Seat reservations for the panoramic service are obligatory.
The railway section follows the historic Gotthard route. That is an important distinction from the modern Gotthard Base Tunnel, which was designed for faster north-south travel rather than panoramic sightseeing.
As the journey continues south, Alpine scenery gives way to the milder atmosphere of Ticino. Travelers who want scenery plus a boat experience may find this route more varied than an all-rail itinerary.
The Voralpen-Express: Lucerne to St. Gallen
The Voralpen-Express connects Lucerne with St. Gallen, not Lucerne with Zurich. It is a practical regional train as well as a scenic ride, making it useful for travelers who want attractive countryside without committing to a premium panoramic excursion.
The official SOB Voralpen-Express runs hourly. The route crosses the Pre-Alpine landscape through Arth-Goldau, Rapperswil, Toggenburg, and on to St. Gallen.
Switzerland Tourism gives the route as 125 kilometers with a journey time of about two hours and 16 minutes. Highlights include views toward Rigi and the Mythen, the upland moor near Rothenthurm, the Rapperswil lake dam, and the 99-meter-high Sitter Viaduct near St. Gallen.
Another advantage is simplicity: seat reservations are not offered, so passengers use free seating. This makes the Voralpen-Express easy to include in a regular Swiss rail itinerary.
The Centovalli Railway: Locarno to Domodossola
The Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway is a compact cross-border scenic journey between Locarno in Switzerland and Domodossola in Italy. It works especially well for travelers who want mountain scenery but do not have a full day available for the Glacier Express.
What Makes the Centovalli Route Special?
Centovalli means “hundred valleys,” and the line passes through a landscape of forested slopes, rivers, gorges, villages, and waterfalls. The official railway describes a 52-kilometer route across two countries.
The Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway says the journey crosses 83 bridges and passes through 31 galleries in just under two hours. That concentration of railway structures is a large part of its appeal.
Villages and Landscapes Along the Way
On the Swiss side, the line serves communities in the Centovalli before reaching Locarno near Lake Maggiore. On the Italian side, it crosses the Vigezzo Valley toward Domodossola.
Unlike a sealed panoramic excursion, this route can also work as part of a wider itinerary. Travelers can continue from Domodossola toward other Italian destinations or combine the railway with time around Locarno and Lake Maggiore.
The Lötschberg Scenic Route: The Historic Mountain Line
The Lötschberg mountain route is a strong choice for travelers who prefer a regular railway journey with dramatic scenery. It links the Bernese Oberland with Valais via the historic line through Kandersteg and Goppenstein toward Brig.
This is not the same experience as taking the faster Lötschberg Base Tunnel. The scenic mountain route climbs through valleys, crosses viaducts, passes through older tunnels, and offers broad views toward the Bernese Alps and Rhone Valley.
Kandersteg is one of the most useful stops if you want to combine rail travel with hiking or mountain excursions. Farther south, Goppenstein provides access toward the Lötschental before the railway continues along the mountain slopes toward Brig.
Switzerland Tourism includes the Lötschberg Scenic Route among its notable panoramic rail journeys and describes the historic line as running from Bern toward Brig and Domodossola. Because it is part of the regular network, it can be easier to work into an itinerary than a premium panorama train.
The William Tell Express: The Former Name of the Gotthard Panorama Express
The William Tell Express should not be treated as a separate current scenic train. It was the former name associated with the boat-and-rail journey that is now marketed as the Gotthard Panorama Express.
The concept remains recognizable: travel across Lake Lucerne and then continue south by rail toward Ticino. If you find “William Tell Express” in an older guidebook or itinerary, look for the current Gotthard Panorama Express instead.
This also avoids booking the same experience twice under two different names. The current route and 2026 operating information should be taken from SBB’s Gotthard Panorama Express timetable rather than from old William Tell Express descriptions.
The Chocolate Train: A Full-Day Cheese and Chocolate Excursion
The Chocolate Train is a themed excursion from Montreux, but it is no longer simply a direct train journey from Montreux to Broc. The current experience combines a scenic train ride with coach transfers to Gruyères and the Cailler chocolate factory in Broc.
According to the official MOB Chocolate Train program, the rail section runs from Montreux to Montbovon. A bus then continues to Gruyères, where the itinerary includes the cheese-making tradition and medieval town, before traveling onward to Maison Cailler in Broc.
For 2026, the Chocolate Train operates from May 1 through September 29. In May and June it runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays; in July and August it adds Saturdays; and in September it runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
This journey is best viewed as a food-and-culture day trip rather than as one of Switzerland’s long panoramic railway crossings. The scenery is part of the experience, but the scheduled stops in Gruyères and Broc are equally important.
The Palm Express: A Scenic PostBus from St. Moritz to Lugano
Despite its name, the Palm Express is not a train. It is a scenic PostBus route connecting St. Moritz and Lugano through the Engadin, Maloja Pass, northern Italy, and the lakes around Como and Lugano.
The official PostBus Palm Express takes about three and a half hours. The route passes through Val Bregaglia and Chiavenna before continuing alongside Lake Como and Lake Lugano.
As of October 2026, PostBus lists a daily departure from St. Moritz station at 10:05 a.m. and a daily departure from Lugano Stazione Nord at 2:40 p.m. A seat reservation is required and can be made up to one hour before departure.
This route is useful if you want the contrast between high Engadin landscapes and Ticino without taking another long train. It can also pair naturally with a Bernina-area itinerary because St. Moritz is one endpoint.
The Jura and Three-Lakes Region: Scenic Regular Trains Rather Than One Named Express
The Jura and Three-Lakes area is scenic, but there is no single major panoramic train called the “Jura Three Lakes Region” comparable with the Bernina or Glacier Express. Instead, regular rail routes connect lakeside towns and the Jura foothills.
Neuchâtel, La Neuveville, Estavayer-le-Lac, Yverdon-les-Bains, and Biel/Bienne can all form part of a rail-based trip through this part of western Switzerland. The scenery is gentler than the high Alps, with vineyards, lake views, historic towns, and lower mountain landscapes.
A practical approach is to use normal regional and intercity trains and stop where your itinerary allows. Neuchâtel works particularly well as a base because rail lines extend both along Lake Neuchâtel and north toward the Jura towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle.
How to Choose the Right Swiss Scenic Train
The right route depends more on your itinerary than on which train is most famous. Start with where you will already be staying, then decide how much of the day you want to devote to the journey.
- Choose the Bernina Express if glaciers, high passes, viaducts, and a dramatic descent into Italy are your priorities.
- Choose the Glacier Express if you want an approximately eight-hour panoramic journey linking Zermatt and St. Moritz.
- Choose the GoldenPass Express if your trip already includes Interlaken, Montreux, or Lake Geneva.
- Choose the Gotthard Panorama Express if the combination of boat and train appeals to you.
- Choose the Voralpen-Express if you want a flexible regional journey between Lucerne and St. Gallen.
- Choose the Centovalli Railway if you want a shorter international scenic route between Switzerland and Italy.
- Choose the Chocolate Train if cheese, chocolate, and Gruyères are as important as the train ride.
- Choose the Palm Express if you are comfortable taking a scenic bus rather than a train.
Reservations and Planning Tips
Reservation rules differ significantly among Switzerland’s scenic services. Do not assume every panoramic train works like an ordinary Swiss regional train.
The Gotthard Panorama Express requires a reservation for its panoramic service. The Palm Express also requires a seat reservation. By contrast, the Voralpen-Express does not accept seat reservations and operates with free seating.
For the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass Express, and other branded tourist services, use the operator’s current booking system for your exact travel date. This matters most during busy travel periods because a transport pass and a seat reservation are not always the same thing.
Note: You can often see much of the same scenery on regular trains that use the same railway lines. Premium panoramic services mainly add features such as reserved panoramic coaches, direct tourist-oriented schedules, commentary, or onboard service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best scenic trains in Switzerland?
The main panoramic choices are the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express. Other worthwhile routes include the Voralpen-Express, Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway, and Lötschberg mountain line. The best route depends on your starting point, available time, and whether you prefer high mountains, lakes, or historic railway engineering.
What makes Swiss scenic trains special?
Swiss scenic trains combine mountain landscapes with unusually ambitious railway engineering. Depending on the route, you may see glaciers, high passes, lakes, deep gorges, spiral tunnels, and historic viaducts. Premium trains add panoramic windows and tourist-oriented services, while regional trains can provide similar scenery with greater flexibility.
How long are the scenic train journeys?
Journey times vary widely. The Glacier Express takes about eight hours between Zermatt and St. Moritz, while the Bernina Express takes approximately four hours from Chur to Tirano or about two hours and 15 minutes from St. Moritz. The Voralpen-Express takes about two hours and 16 minutes, and Centovalli takes just under two hours.
Can I get off along the way?
You can get off along many scenic railway routes, but your ticket and reservation determine whether you can continue on the same premium service. Regional trains are normally more flexible for stopovers. On reserved panoramic trains, leaving your booked service may mean using another train or obtaining another reservation.
Should I book Swiss scenic trains in advance?
Book ahead whenever your chosen service requires or recommends a seat reservation, especially for premium panoramic trains. The Gotthard Panorama Express requires a reservation, and the Palm Express requires one as well. The Voralpen-Express is different because seat reservations are not offered and passengers use free seating.
What amenities are available on Swiss scenic trains?
Amenities depend on the train rather than following one standard. Premium services such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express use panoramic coaches and offer onboard food options, while the Voralpen-Express has bistro areas with vending and coffee machines. Regional trains may provide simpler seating and fewer tourist-oriented services.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid on scenic trains?
The Swiss Travel Pass covers travel on many scenic routes, but reservation and supplement rules vary by service. The Voralpen-Express is fully covered, while the Palm Express is also covered but still requires a seat reservation. Premium panoramic trains may require a separate reservation even when the underlying journey is covered by a pass.
What is the difference between the GoldenPass Line and GoldenPass Express?
The GoldenPass Express is the direct panoramic train between Interlaken and Montreux. The broader GoldenPass journey can extend to Lucerne, but the Lucerne-to-Interlaken section uses the separate Lucerne–Interlaken Express. Older references may therefore describe Lucerne–Montreux as one GoldenPass route even though it is not one through train.
Sources
- Rhaetian Railway: Bernina Express route, journey times, landmarks, UNESCO status, and 2026 diversion.
- Glacier Express: Zermatt–St. Moritz route, approximate journey time, and Oberalp Pass elevation.
- Switzerland Tourism: official overview of premium and other panoramic railway routes.
- SBB: Gotthard Panorama Express route, 2026 season, transport format, and reservation requirement.
- Schweizerische Südostbahn: Voralpen-Express route, frequency, and scenery.
- Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway: route length, bridges, galleries, and journey duration.
- Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway: Chocolate Train itinerary and 2026 operating dates.
- PostBus: Palm Express route, timetable, duration, and reservation rules.
