The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
Discover Swiss sights and landscapes on beautiful scenic routes.
Everything you need to know at a glance
The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland rail journey connects Switzerland’s most beautiful scenic routes over more than 1,280 kilometers in a circular route. Along the way, trains such as the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, and the Gotthard Panorama Express take you past Alpine panoramas, lakes, charming towns, and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The tour can be completed in about eight days, but can also be customized with partial routes, stops, and individual accommodations. Thanks to comfortable panoramic trains with large windows, mostly glass roofs, and high-quality service, the train journey itself is a highlight.
Take your time—and enjoy panoramic views of all of Switzerland
Hardly any other region in Europe combines such scenic diversity within a small area as Switzerland does: high peaks, deep valleys, numerous glaciers, rolling hills, and forested mountain ranges. The many clear lakes and rivers that stretch across the entire country are also particularly distinctive.
With the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, you can enjoy these landscapes on a spectacular train journey that connects Switzerland’s most beautiful scenic routes into a grand circular itinerary. The tour takes you through various regions of the country, past landmarks, UNESCO World Heritage sites, charming towns, and famous vacation resorts.
And it’s not just the views that make this journey special: the trains are extremely comfortable, and there’s hardly a more sustainable way to travel a distance of over 1,280 kilometers. All of this without having to constantly focus on traffic.
You can complete the entire route in eight daily stages, limit yourself to specific sections, plan overnight stays or hikes, or have the trip customized entirely to your preferences. On the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, the journey is the destination; the trains travel mostly at a leisurely pace, sometimes winding their way up and down serpentine roads, taking you to places where the landscapes remain largely untouched.
The most famous stages: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express
All eight stages of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland have their own charm and unique character. Among the most famous—and longest—train routes are the Glacier Express across the Alps from Zermatt to St. Moritz, the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Lugano, and the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Lucerne.
The Glacier Express takes just under eight hours to cover the nearly 300 kilometers between the two glamorous Swiss ski resorts, crossing 291 bridges that offer unobstructed views of imposing mountain landscapes, deep gorges, and picturesque valleys. It passes through the towns of Brig, Andermatt, and Chur.
The Bernina Express follows on from the Glacier Express, but at an even more leisurely pace: the slow train takes just under seven hours to cover the 154 kilometers from St. Moritz to Lugano. Along the way, you’ll pass the Morteratsch Glacier and, at an altitude of 2,253 meters, Lago Bianco. In Tirano, Italy, you’ll transfer to the Bernina Express bus for the final kilometers.
The Gotthard Panorama Express runs only from April to October; the train takes about five and a half hours to cover the 182 kilometers. This is partly due to the transfer in Flüelen to a boat, which then leisurely covers the final kilometers on Lake Lucerne through traditional Swiss heartland to Lucerne.
The remaining stages of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
The remaining stages of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland are much shorter, lasting between two and just over three hours, and are completed on various scenic trains.
Lucerne-Interlaken Express
Lucerne is the official starting point of the tour, but you can also travel from Zurich to Lucerne via the shuttle service. The first leg takes you on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express through the mountains and past several lakes in just under three hours; then, thanks to its cogwheel drive, the train climbs rapidly, offering you a view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Golden Pass Express
The journey continues on the Golden Pass Express from Interlaken to Montreux. During the roughly three-hour ride, a stop in the glamorous ski resort of Gstaad is well worth it; another highlight is the slow, winding descent down to Lake Geneva.
Montreux – Visp – Zermatt
This panoramic train covers the route from the glamorous Montreux on Lake Geneva through the fertile Rhône Valley to Visp and then on to Zermatt in two and a half hours. The final stretch of this leg of the journey takes place on the narrow-gauge network of the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway through the Nikolai Valley, before the Matterhorn comes into view.
Voralpen-Express
From Lucerne, you can also travel in the opposite direction: The Voralpen-Express takes you all the way to St. Gallen. During the journey, which lasts a good two hours, the panoramic train passes, among other sights, the Sitter Viaduct, Switzerland’s highest railway bridge at 99 meters.
St. Gallen – Schaffhausen – Zurich
If you prefer lakes and rivers to mountains, the section between St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, and Zurich is the perfect choice for you. Lake Constance, the Rhine, and the impressive Rhine Falls are all along the 133-kilometer route, which this train takes about two and a half hours to complete.
The Panorama Trains: Skylights, reclining seats, and the highest level of comfort
Although the various Swiss panoramic trains differ in detail, they are all designed to offer travelers the best possible views. To this end, the cars are not only equipped with wide glass panels on the sides but often also feature glass roofs.
The panoramic trains offer a high level of comfort with spacious seats, some of which are adjustable to ensure the best possible view. This is complemented by excellent dining service. In the “Excellence Class” on the Golden Pass Express, for example, you’ll be seated in heated, individually adjustable leather seats that can be rotated 180 degrees upon request.
A concierge ensures your personal comfort and serves you champagne, an appetizer platter, and an exquisite 5-course menu with wine pairings during the eight-hour journey. The infotainment system provides information in many languages about all the highlights along the legendary train route.
Which American Express credit card will accompany you on your travels?
Grand Train Tour: A Week-Long Journey Across Switzerland
Majestic Alps, picturesque mountain lakes, charming mountain villages, and fascinating cities—experience all this and much more on the eight-day Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. You’ll pass by numerous Swiss landmarks and peaks. You can focus entirely on the views and indulge in culinary delights aboard the panoramic trains.
And at the upscale hotels that are part of Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection by American Express, you’ll also receive special perks with your Platinum Card. Plus, with your Gold Card or Platinum Card, you’ll enjoy attractive travel benefits while on the go. These include comprehensive insurance coverage, special car rental rates, and dining benefits.
Frequently asked questions and answers
The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is a round-trip journey of more than 1,280 kilometers on panoramic trains, connecting Switzerland’s most beautiful railway routes, sights, and landscapes.
That’s a matter of personal taste. However, the Glacier Express and the Gotthard Panorama Express are particularly popular and are considered truly fascinating.
The entire route across all eight stages can be completed in eight days, but can also be shortened or extended to suit individual preferences.
