Small country with many facets: rail enthusiasts will find happiness in Switzerland. Spectacular trips lead over high bridges, such as the Landwasser Viaduct, with an unrestricted view of the mountains. With spiral tunnels, the trains climb the mountains and offer their fellow passengers new views again and again after the passage.

Some routes lead along the many lakes in Switzerland. They cross the Alps from north to south and from west to east. The routes connect small mountain villages with the metropolises of Zurich or Geneva, while travelers enjoy Italian flair in Ticino. From the panoramic cars, guests admire the glaciers, look at the alpine meadows and take in the mountain peaks.

A spectacular journey on the highest railway line in Europe

One of the highlights in Switzerland as a railway country is the Bernina Express of the Rhaetian Railway. The highest railway line in Europe offers numerous natural highlights along the route. On the journey from Chur to Tirano in northern Italy, the panoramic cars drive through a total of 55 tunnels and cross 196 bridges. The steepest gradient reaches a value of 70 per thousand. There is only one bridge like the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct in the world, since 2008 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the descent in St. Moritz, it goes to Lago Bianco, the highest point is the Ospizio Bernina at 2.253 meters above sea level. The next architectural masterpiece is the circular viaduct at Brusio shortly before arriving at the destination of Tirano.

To the Easter Bunny in St. Moritz

Train enthusiasts also have the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular route between Chur and St. Moritz on trains that run on a regular schedule. The Rhaetian Railway has a wide range of special trips that cross the Alps under different headings. On Easter Monday, April 18, 2022, a three-course meal awaits guests on their way to St. Moritz. The route highlights include the Landwasser Viaduct and the Albula Line through the wild Albula Valley. The trip including the three-course menu with aperitif and coffee costs from CHF 131,00 per person for adults. Departure is in Chur at 11.58 a.m., after the stop at 14.00 p.m. in St. Moritz, the return trip starts there at 15.02 p.m. Finally, we arrive back in Chur at 17.04:XNUMX p.m.

With the cogwheel on the Gornergrat

A trip from fashionable Zermatt to the Gornergrat above promises a special experience in Swiss rail transport. The Gornergratbahn climbs a total of 1.500 meters on the rack railway. It offers passengers a view of the Matterhorn, one of the world's most famous sights and a Swiss trademark. The Gornergratbahn never takes a break, traffic runs 365 days a year. In winter, it's off to the skiing paradise of the region, in summer, hikers can explore the mountains from there on foot. Excursions to the ridge also promise culinary adventures. With the "gourmet ticket" you can enjoy an aperitif at the mountain station and a three-course meal in the Hotel Riffelhaus. The dessert is waiting on the Riffelalp. An "igloo lunch ticket" includes eating and drinking at the bar with fondue on the sun terrace. Nocturnal vacationers look forward to "Dining with the Stars". This special dinner under the stars includes a fondue chinoise with a star tour and observatory tour.

From Montreux to Lake Thun

On the journey with the GoldenPass Panoramic or the GoldenPass Belle Epoque train of the Montreux-Oberland Bahn, scenic highlights line up between Montreux and Zweisimmen. The tour connects the southwestern French part of Switzerland with the high mountains of the Bernese Oberland. The train journey starts in Montreux, one of the country's cultural capitals with its annual Jazz Festival. After take-off, the panorama car of the Golden Pass offers a view of the shimmering Lake Geneva. Intermediate stations are Les Avants, Montobovon, the sophisticated ski resort of Gstaad and finally Zweisimmen. A trip on the nostalgic train on the line that went into operation in 1901 promises a special experience. Guests take their seats in restored Belle Epoque carriages. Here, too, there are special trips in the timetable, such as the "chocolate trip". She takes the day trippers in first class to a cheese factory and a chocolate factory. The special offer of regional wines awaits you in the "wine cellar wagon". The Goldenpass Express will celebrate its premiere in December 2022. In the future, the new panorama train with a lane-changing system that is unique worldwide will connect Montreux and Interlaken with one another without having to change trains.

By train and ship through Central Switzerland

Switzerland is unique in terms of landscape, and not just because of the imposing mountains. The lakes throughout the country also reinforce the special flair. One of the largest, which also plays an important role in the history of the country, is Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland. The main town on the shores of the lake and the starting point for many tours is Lucerne. Visitors leave the city at the foot of Mount Pilatus by ship and cruise on the lake in the direction of Flüelen. There, you change to the Gotthard Panorama Express, which then reaches Ticino in the south of the country on the historic Gotthard route. During the journey, passengers get a glimpse of the historical sites of Urschweiz. Some of them play a central role in Friedrich Schiller's "William Tell". Switzerland was founded on the Rütli meadow in 1291. You can also see the Tell chapel and the Schiller stone. As in all Swiss trains and ships, the culinary offer with regional specialties, beers and wines is first class.