Switzerland has elevated passenger rail into an art form. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and Rhaetian Railway (RhB) navigate steep alpine gorges, spiral tunnels, and soaring viaducts with clockwork precision.
1. The Glacier Express: The Slowest Express in the World
Connecting Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn to St. Moritz across an 8-hour journey, the Glacier Express crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, culminating at the 2,033-meter Oberalp Pass.
2. The Bernina Express: From Glaciers to Palm Trees
Climbing up to 2,253 meters without cogwheel rack assistance, the Bernina Express spirals around the circular Brusio Viaduct before descending directly into the Italian border town of Tirano.
3. Car-Free Alpine Villages
Settlements like Zermatt, Wengen, Mürren, and Bettmeralp ban combustion engine cars entirely, accessible exclusively via mountain cable cars, funiculars, and electric cogwheel trains.
4. The Swiss Travel Pass and Seamless Integrated Transit
A single universal ticket grants unlimited access to national trains, lakeside steamers, postal buses, and hundreds of cultural museums, exemplifying world-class public transportation.
5. Alpine Gastronomy Along the Tracks
Enjoying fresh Swiss raclette cheese, Bündnerfleisch cured beef, and regional Pinot Noir while watching alpine waterfalls cascade past panoramic glass windows.
Train Travel Tip
Book seat reservations in advance for the panoramic observation cars during peak summer and winter ski seasons.