Glacier Express train runs through the Alps
Switzerland is dotted with many scenic railway routes, but if you had to choose just one, we would definitely recommend the Glacier Express.
From Zermatt, a resort town located at the foot of the Matterhorn in southwestern Switzerland, to St. Moritz, a luxury alpine resort in southeastern Switzerland. The approximately eight-hour train journey through the beautiful mountains of the Alps offers a series of beautiful panoramas that will make you say, "This is the European Alps!" During the route across the Swiss Alps, you will never get bored, as you will see seven valleys, 291 bridges, tranquil meadows, forests, mountain lakes, and rustic villages one after another.
Another big attraction of the Glacier Express is its comfortable carriages with large panoramic windows. There are various facilities for enjoying your train journey, such as spacious seating layouts and headphones for listening to the guide in Japanese. As you are leisurely rocked on the Glacier Express, also known as the "world's slowest express train," enjoy the many spectacular views that pass by the windows, including the Aletsch Glacier, Devil's Bridge, and Lake Oberalp.
Enjoy the varied panoramas on the Bernina Express
The Bernina Express runs from Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, through St. Moritz to Tirano in Italy. The section between Thusissus-St. Moritz is also shared with the Glacier Express, but this section is a historic line built in 1904. It is known for its beautiful scenery, which is registered as a World Heritage Site as the "Rhaetian Railway Albula Line, Bernina Line and Surrounding Landscape", with numerous viaducts and loop tunnels that coexist with the mountain scenery.
Another attraction of the Bernina Express is that it crosses the border from St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, allowing you to enjoy a journey across two countries. This section, which covers an elevation difference of about 1,800m in just 2 hours and 20 minutes, features beautiful mountain scenery with peaks and valleys that appear one after another. In addition to famous spots such as the Bernina Alps, with its 4,000m-class mountains, and Lake Poschiavo, with its impressive clear lake surface, the differences in the atmosphere of the villages on the Swiss and Italian sides are also worth noting.
Discover the diverse charms of Switzerland with the "GoldenPass Line"
The mountain route that runs through the Alps is attractive, but it's not the only scenic train trip to enjoy in Switzerland. The "Golden Pass Line" that runs from the ancient city of Lucerne, located on the shores of Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland, to the beautiful resort town of Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva is the perfect train route to experience the multifaceted charms of Switzerland.
The six-hour train route offers a panoramic view of various landscapes, including several lakes, the majestic Alps, tranquil pastures, and the Lavaux vineyards, a designated World Heritage Site. Along the way, you'll also pass by the city of Interlaken, which has developed as a tourist hub in the Alps, so it's also recommended to get off the train and enjoy trekking there. From Lucerne in German to Montreux in French. A trip on the "Golden Pass Line" will give you a sense of the diversity and depth of Switzerland.
In addition to the routes introduced here, there are many other attractive railway routes scattered throughout Switzerland. Why not plan a relaxing and scenic train trip through Switzerland in the summer on your next trip to Europe?
Comment
Summer is a particularly good time to enjoy the vivid contrast between the blue sky and the bright trees that are typical of the Swiss Alps. It doesn't get too cold even in the high-altitude Alps, so it's one of the best seasons for sightseeing. However, don't forget to take precautions against sudden changes in weather and strong sunlight!
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
