Train travel in Switzerland is an excellent way to explore the country. Trains reach many popular destinations and are very well connected with buses. In Switzerland, there are a lot of tourist trains, including heritage railways. Railways in Switzerland are famous for their reliability, punctuality and scenic routes. The country has a dense railway network with more than 5,300 km length. Almost all railway network in Switzerland is electrified – except for the few tracks on which steam locomotives operate for tourism purposes only.
Last updated: 18.09.2026
Train travel in Switzerland – table of contest
- Domestic trains
- Swiss Travel System
- Rhaetian Railway
- Integrated Tariff Systems
- International trains
- Mountain railways
- Heritage railways
- Montreux Oberland bernois (MOB)
- Most popular interregional trains
- Important regional operators
- Swiss Transport Museums
- What to see
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1. Train travel in Switzerland – domestic trains
Trains in Switzerland are comfortable and connect all major cities and many popular tourist resorts. Noteworthy is its integration with other modes of transport – transfers from trains to buses, ferries and funiculars are very easy. Most of the trains is operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), but there are many regional operators.
Tickets are very expensive. Fortunately, you can save a lot of money thanks to Interrail offers, and Swiss Travel System tickets for public transport throughout Switzerland and regional network passes.
Useful websites:
Swiss Federal Railways – official website. Timetable, tickets, prices.
Most popular domestic routes:
Zurich – St Gallen
Zurich – Geneva
Zurich – Basel
Zurich – Luzern
2. Train travel in Switzerland – Swiss Travel System
Swiss Travel System is an integrated public transportation network. Almost all Swiss carriers participate in the project, and schedules are arranged so that all connections are coordinated, meaning a train arrives at the station, and a bus is waiting at the station to transport passengers to their destination where the train does not reach. Single journey tickets are very expensive. Following network tickets were introduced allowing travel by all means of transportation based on one ticket.
Swiss Pass – the Swiss Pass is the best offer for train travel in Switzerland. It is a network ticket allowing the use of almost all means of transport – trains, buses, including urban transport, trams, ferries. Unlike the Interrail ticket, it is accepted by carriers operating panoramic trains (a mandatory reservation must be purchased).
There are several ticket options available on the market. It can be purchased online or through travel agencies and specialized portals (sometimes you will pay a high commission).
Most popular are tickets allowing to travel through Switzerland for 4, 8, 15, or 22 consecutive days within a month. The ticket allows to travel on all trains, buses, ferries, and urban transport in 41 Swiss cities. In addition, the ticket holder has free admission to over 480 Swiss museums and a 50% discount on cogwheel and cable railways leading to the highest peaks. Furthermore, the holder can use attractive discounts from program partners.
Swiss Saver Pass – for groups of two or more people traveling together. Each traveler receives a 15% discount on the ticket purchase, while retaining all the benefits of the Swiss Pass offer.
Swiss Youth Pass – a Swiss Pass for young people up to the age of 26. It provides the same rights as the Swiss Pass but cannot be purchased in the Saver option.
Swiss Flexi Pass – equivalent to the Swiss Pass offer, allowing travel on 3, 4, 5, or 6 selected days within a month. Apart from the days of validity chosen by the traveler, the ticket holder can travel on the remaining days with a 50% discount. Not available for individuals up to the age of 26.
3. Rhaetian Railway
The Rhaetian Railway (Rhätische Bahn) is formally a local railway carrier in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The company runs world-famous scenic trains Glacier Express and Bernina Express, which run on picturesque narrow-gauge mountain lines. The Rhaetian Railway is the longest metre-gauge railway in Switzerland, linking Arosa, Disentis, Davos, St. Moritz in the high Alps, and Tirano in Italy with Chur, a rail junction with the SBB. It passes through the upper Rhine Valley and several side valleys, as well as the Engadine, the upper valley of the river Inn. The Bernina Pass is the highest point on this line, at 2253 m. It is also the highest rail crossing in Europe. Total length of the route 366 kilometres.
Glacier Express
The Glacier Express is the slowest express train in the world. It runs daily between St. Moritz and Zermatt. Train covers the route of approximately 270 kilometers in 7 and half hours. The slow journey is rewarded with stunning views and a changing landscape outside the windows. During each trip, the train passes through 91 tunnels and 291 bridges. Tickets are not cheap, but it remains popular with travelers from around the world throughout the year. The Glacier Express is comprisef of air-conditioned, panoramic cars with very large windows and glass roofs. There is a dining car on each train. The highest station on the train route is Oberalppass at 2033 meters above sea level. Seat reservation is mandatory
The train is usually composed of a locomotive, two first-class cars, a dining car, and three second-class cars. The first-class car has 36 seats, one toilet, luggage racks, and seats arranged in a 2+1 configuration. Similarly, in the first-class car adapted for passengers with disabilities, there are only 30 seats. The second-class panoramic car is also equipped with one toilet and luggage racks. It can accommodate 48 passengers, with seats arranged in a 2+2 configuration.
A significant downside of the Glacier Express is the seating arrangement. Passengers sit facing each other. While the beautiful views compensate for this, those sitting by the aisle are not as close to the window to take photos. Moreover, the windows cannot be opened, and anyone who has tried taking photos through the glass knows how it ends. Therefore, many people recommend traveling the route by regular regional trains. The views are the same, the prices are much lower, and there are often fewer people in the carriages.
Glacier Express – official website
Bernina Express
Very popular express train comprised of panoramic cars. It connects the Swiss town of Chur with the Italian town of Tirano, where a special bus can take passengers to Lugano (additional fee required).
The train crosses the Alps, accompanied by changing kaleidoscope-like landscapes. Mountains, glaciers, lakes – everything can be seen during the journey on this train. Passengers can listen to information about the places they pass through via headphones. The highest point – Ospizio Bernina – is located at an altitude of 2253 meters above sea level. During the four-hour journey the train passes through 196 bridges and 55 tunnels. Total length of the route is 145 kilometers. Seat reservation is mandatory.
The Bernina Express runs several times a day. Traveling by this train is an interesting option for those who have chosen Milan for a weekend trip by budget airline. From Bergamo airport, it is easy to reach Milan, and from Milan, regional trains often run to Tirano. These trains are operated by Italian regional carrier Trenord.
Rhaetian Railway – official website
4. Train travel in Switzerland – integrated tariff systems
In many cantons of Switzerland, integrated tariff systems have been in operation for a long time, allowing travelers to use trains and other public transportation with a single ticket within the canton. In addition to single journey tickets, tourists can purchase daily and group tickets. The general conditions for these tickets and zone divisions are complex and difficult to understand for someone who does not live or often travel in Switzerland, so I will provide only brief descriptions of the most important integrated tariff systems along with links to official websites, where they are described in detail, often only in German, French, or Italian. Tickets can be purchased at ticket counters, ticket machines, online, through smartphone apps, and as a last resort, from drivers.
Typically, tariff conditions are as follows: children under the age of 6 travel for free; children aged 6 to 16 pay half the ticket price. Holders of Swiss railway discount cards are entitled to a 50% discount. In many cases, it is possible to purchase additional tickets for transporting bicycles or animals. Travel class – first or second – can also be chosen.
NOTE: It is impossible to follow up-to-date information about these offers. Terms of the offers may change in the future – always check official websites before your trip.
Arcobaleno – an integrated tariff system of the Ticino canton and the Moesa district in Graubünden for various modes of public transportation: trains, buses, mountain railways, and selected ferries. There is a complex zone division – different for single journey and period tickets. For holders of single journey tickets, as many as 49 three-digit zones have been designated, while for holders of period tickets, only 16 (two-digit designation) have been allocated. Regarding railway carriers, the ticket is valid on Swiss railway trains, Treni Regionali Ticino Lombardia (only within Swiss territory – a separate ticket must be purchased for the Italian section; a special cross-border tariff also applies), and Ferrovie Luganesi (Lugano – Ponte Tresa line; the train reaches the Swiss part of the divided city).
A daily ticket “Carta giornaliera” is available, but only for a few validity zones – from one to eight. It is also possible to purchase a six-day ticket at the price of five daily tickets (Multi carta giornaliera). Six days of travel can be used within 3 years.
Arcobaleno – official website. Prices and maps.
Libero – an integrated tariff system of the Bern, Solothurn, and Biel cantons. The offer is similar to the previously described ones, with a complex zone division and many downloadable maps, making it very difficult to understand for people unfamiliar with the realities of integrated tariff systems in Switzerland. Daily tickets are available for selected zones (from 1 to 15 zones) or for more than 15 zones, theoretically covering all zones except green zones (marked on the map). A six-day ticket costs the same as six daily tickets.
Libero – official website. Prices and maps.
Mobilis – an integrated tariff system of the Vaud canton, covering Lausanne and its surroundings. There are many zones, and daily tickets available, valid from 00:00 on the indicated day of ticket validity until 05:00 the next day – it is possible to purchase a daily ticket for a specific zone or for all zones. In addition to the integrated tariff system, tourists in some accommodation facilities receive or can purchase cards entitling them to free travel in designated zones around the most popular cities and resorts (Lausanne Transport Card, Montreux Riviera Card, Lavaux Transport Card, Valpass).
Mobilis – official website
Onde – an integrated tariff system of the Neuchâtel canton and individual districts in the Bern and Jura cantons. A 24-hour ticket (Carte 24 heures) is also available, but only for up to 10 zones, i.e., not for the entire tariff system area.
Onde – official website
Ostwind – an integrated tariff system accepted by 31 carriers in northeastern Switzerland (railways, buses, mountain railways, mountain railways, and ferries) and in Liechtenstein (only buses). The area of the participating cantons in the Ostwind system is theoretically divided into 13 zones (there are many more zones on the zone map), and offers include daily tickets (Tageskarte) valid from 00:00 on the indicated day of validity until 05:00 the next day. These tickets can be purchased for a specific zone.
Ostwind – official website
Passepartout – an integrated tariff system of the Lucerne, Obwalden, and Nidwalden cantons, with 12 carriers participating, including four railway carriers: Swiss Railways (SBB CFF FSS), BLS, Passepartout, and Zentralbahn. Similarly to other regional integrated tariff systems, the division into zones is difficult to understand for tourists. Daily tickets are available for selected zones (from 1 to 10 validity zones) or for all zones. The daily ticket is valid from 00:00 on the indicated day of validity until 05:00 the next day, with an additional fee required for night trains operated by SBB. A Multi-Tageskarte six-day ticket can also be purchased.
Passepartout – official website
TNW – an integrated tariff system of northwestern Switzerland, covers the cantons of Basel-City, Basel-Landschaft, Fricktal, and several other municipalities. Five carriers is participating in the off. Available tickets for one, two, and seven days cover the area of the so-called Greater Basel or the entire TNW network. Tickets are valid only within the territory of Switzerland.
TNW – official website
Unireso – an integrated tariff system of the Geneva canton. Unlike other offers, there is no need to worry about zone division – the Geneva canton is zone 10, and after the other Swiss and French zones marked on the maps, you can travel with a Leman Pass ticket described in the above section. One-day ticket is available, valid from 00:00 or 09:00 until 05:00 the next day. On Saturdays and Sundays, two people can travel on a one-day ticket valid from 00:00 in second class (this may change – please check the official website).
Unireso – official website
ZVV – an integrated tariff system in Zurich and its region – divided into zones. For tourists, the 9 O’Clock offer is available – a ticket entitling to unlimited travel within the ticket’s validity area from 09:00 on the day specified as the validity date until 05:00 the next day. This restriction applies from Monday to Friday; on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the ticket is valid all day. The 9 O’Clock ticket is valid in all zones of the ZVV system; however, those wishing to travel on night lines must pay an additional fee. A six-day version is also available for purchase.
ZVV – official website
5. Train travel in Switzerland – international trains
Switzerland has many international train connections and many regional cross-border network passes. In the future, I will write extensive articles about trains between Switzerland and other countries.
Austria
There are Railjet trains from Vienna to Zurich and an overnight train between the capitals of Austria and Switzerland.
Tickets can be purchased on shop.oebbtickets.at website.
Croatia, Slovenia
There is an overnight train from Zurich to Zagreb with stop in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
France
Numerous long-distance and regional trains. There are TGV Lyria trains, for which you can buy tickets at a promotional rate, but based ticket prices are very expensive, as well as local trains from Geneva, on which you can travel under the cross-border integrated fare system, including Lemon Pass one-day ticket.
Germany
Numerous long-distance connections from various parts of the country, such as Hamburg – Basel, Munich – Zurich. Regional connections include Schaffhausen – Singen, Basel – Zell.
Italy
There are direct high-speed trains between Milan, Zurich and Basel. Some connections are served by the modern Giruno trains of the Swiss railways, while others are operated by Italian trains designed for Frecciabianca, Frecciarossa, and Frecciargenta trains.
From Milan, you can also reach Geneva by Eurocity train.
Some trains from Zurich also continue to Bologna, Genoa, and Venice.
Trenitalia – search engine, online shop, additional information
The narrow-gauge railway, 52 kilometers long, connects the Italian Domodossola with the Swiss Locarno. One of the most beautiful European railway lines is partially located in Italy and partially in Switzerland.
Domodossola – Locarno trains – official website
The famous Bernina Express trains of the Rhaetian Railway start their journey from the Italian town of Tirano. To reach Tirano from the heart of Italy, you need to take Trenord trains.
There also direct trains or carriages from Zurich to Prague, Amsterdam and Budapest.
6. Mountain railways
There are many scenic mountain railways and funiculars in Switzerland. I wrote a short list of the most important and most popular of them. The railways run all year round.
Brienz Rothorn Bahn (BRB) – a heritage mountain railways and one of the few remaining steam-powered rack railways in regular operation. It starts from the lakeside village of Brienz on Lake Brienz (Brienzersee) to the summit of Brienzer Rothorn at 2,244 metres above sea level. The railway is famous for its historic steam locomotives, spectacular Alpine scenery and panoramic views of the Bernese Alps. For railway enthusiasts, it is one of the most important preserved mountain railways in Europe. Unlike many Swiss mountain railways, the BRB retained steam operation. The length between Brienz and Brienzer Rothorn stations is about 7.6 km. Journey time is about 1 hour. The train with slow speed pass through forests above Brienz, alpine pastures, mountain tunnels and open slopes with views over Lake Brienz. The railway station in Brienz is located close to the main railway line connecting Interlaken Ost and Meiringen. The upper station, Rothorn Kulm, is located just below the summit of Brienzer Rothorn.
Gornergrat Bahn – a spectacular railway line in the Alps. It connects the village of Zermatt with Gornergrat, a mountain ridge offering one of the best views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding Alpine peaks. The railway is especially famous because it provides direct access to a high-altitude viewpoint without requiring cable cars or long hikes. The journey combines historic railway engineering, glaciers, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Europe. The railway opened in 1898 and was the first fully electrified rack railway in Switzerland. It was built to bring visitors from Zermatt to the Gornergrat viewpoint during the early development of Alpine tourism. The railway climbs from the valley village of Zermatt through forests, alpine meadows and rocky mountain landscapes before reaching the high Alpine plateau of Gornergrat. The line is 9.3 km long and journey between stations lasts 33-40 minutes. The destination station is located at 3,089 metres, making Gornergrat one of the highest railway stations in Europe.
Jungfraubahn – one of the most famous mountain railways in the world and one of Switzerland’s greatest railway attractions. It climbs from Kleine Scheidegg through the heart of the Eiger mountain to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres above sea level. The journey offers spectacular views of the Bernese Alps and is one of the most popular excursions in Switzerland. The line was officially opened in 1912 after 16 years of construction. Building the railway required enormous engineering efforts, including the excavation of a long tunnel inside the Eiger and Mönch mountains. The Jungfraubahn is a 9.3-kilometre rack railway. It starts at Kleine Scheidegg, where it connects with the Wengernalp Railway from Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. The route climbs through the Eiger and Mönch mountains. The final station, Jungfraujoch, is located between the Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. It is known as the “Top of Europe” and is the highest railway station in Europe. Close to the station are located popular attractions at Jungfraujoch: Sphinx Observation Deck, Ice Palace, Fun Snow Park and the Alpine Sensation exhibition which presents the history of the Jungfrau Railway.
Mont-Blanc Express – a cross-boder railway. It is considered one of the most spectacular mountain trains in the Alps. It connects Martigny in the Swiss canton of Valais with Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France, crossing the dramatic Trient Valley and offering views of forests, deep gorges, waterfalls and Alpine peaks. The train is popular among railway enthusiasts because it combines a scenic route, difficult mountain engineering and a unique combination of adhesion railway and rack railway sections. The classic journey between Martigny and Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in France lasts about 90 minutes. Swiss section has about 18 km, French section about 20 km. The trains are operated by TMR (Transports de Martigny et Régions) on the Swiss section and SNCF on the French section. The Swiss section includes 12 tunnels, 5 viaducts, 6 bridges, numerous galleries protecting the railway from Alpine conditions. The railway climbs through difficult terrain above the Trient Gorge, where engineers had to create a route on steep mountain slopes. The rack railway section has about 2.5 km.
Pilatus Railway (Pilatusbahn) – a technically impressive mountain railway. It climbs from Alpnachstad on the shore of Lake Lucerne to Pilatus Kulm at 2,132 metres above sea level, providing access to the summit of Mount Pilatus. The railway is famous for having the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, with a maximum gradient of 48%. The journey offers spectacular views of Lake Lucerne, the Swiss Plateau and the Alps, making it one of Switzerland’s most popular railway excursions. The railway was inaugurated in 1889. The trains cover the distance of about 4.6 km with maximum gradient 48%. Alpnachstad is located near Lucerne. You can travel, for example, by boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad and ride Pilatus Railway.
Rigi Railways (Rigi Bahnen) – a network of mountain railways in Switzerland. They provide access to Mount Rigi, known as the “Queen of the Mountains”, rising between Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) and Lake Zug (Zugersee). The railway network combines historic cogwheel railways and modern mountain transport, offering spectacular views of the Alps, Swiss Plateau and surrounding lakes. Thanks to its accessibility from Lucerne and Zürich, Rigi is one of the most popular mountain excursions in Switzerland. The Rigi Bahnen network consists mainly of two cogwheel railway routes: Vitznau – Rigi Kulm (7 km) – the historic route and the most famous section and Arth-Goldau – Rigi Kulm with connection to SBB trains from Zürich, Lucerne and other cities.
Schynige Platte Bahn – a popular mountain 800 mm gauge railway. It climbs from Wilderswil, near Interlaken, to the mountain plateau of Schynige Platte at 1,967 metres above sea level. The railway is famous for its historic electric locomotives, traditional carriages and spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountain range. The railway is valued for the journey itself. It is often considered one of the best scenic railway experiences in the Bernese Oberland. The line climbs through forests and alpine meadows, with increasingly impressive views as the train gains altitude. The length of the route is 7.3 km. The journey lasts almost an hour. During the ride, passengers can see some of Switzerland’s most famous peaks. One of the main attractions at Schynige Platte is the Alpine Garden, established in 1928. The railway is operated by Jungfraubahnen, the same transport group responsible for several important railways in the Jungfrau Region.
Wengernalpbahn (WAB) – an interesting mountain railways and an essential part of the transport network in the Jungfrau Region. It connects Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald with Kleine Scheidegg, passing through some of the most spectacular Alpine scenery in Switzerland. The railway is famous for being the longest continuously operating rack railway in the world. It combines historic engineering, steep gradients, dramatic landscapes and important transport functions for local communities. The line was constructed to connect the mountain villages of the Bernese Oberland and allow tourists to reach the famous viewpoints around Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger. The 19 km long line was opened in 1893. The railway’s main destination is Kleine Scheidegg, located at 2,061 metres between the valleys of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. The station is an important transport hub where passengers can change to: Jungfraubahn trains to Jungfraujoch; hiking routes around the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau; winter ski routes. The Wengernalpbahn serves Wengen, a unique mountain village accessible mainly by railway.
7. Heritage railways
Switzerland has dozens of heritage railways. The list includes only most popular. Heritage railways usually operate seasonally or on designated days.
Blonay–Chamby Railway Museum (Chemin de fer-musée Blonay–Chamby) – the country’s first living railway museum. Located above the Vaud Riviera near Lake Geneva, it combines a working heritage railway with a large collection of historic narrow-gauge railway vehicles. The museum operates historic steam trains and electric railcars on the scenic Blonay–Chamby line, offering visitors a nostalgic journey through the golden age of Swiss mountain and regional railways. The line is short (about 3 km) but the section it has many features of a real Alpine railway: steep gradients, a viaduct, a tunnel, sections running along mountain slopes with views over the region.
Brünig Dampfbahn (BDB) – a Swiss heritage railway association operating historic steam trains on parts of the former Brünig Railway line in central Switzerland. It preserves the memory of traditional mountain railway operations on the route between Interlaken, Meiringen, the Brünig Pass and Lucerne. The railway was originally operated by the Jura–Bern–Luzern Railway, later becoming part of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) network. In 2005, the line was transferred to Zentralbahn, which today operates regular passenger services. The Brünig Dampfbahn operates special heritage services, usually on selected dates during the year. Typical operating areas include sections around: Interlaken Ost, Brienz, Meiringen, Lungern, Brünig-Hasliberg and Giswil. The exact routes vary depending on the event and railway conditions. It operated generally on weekends from spring to autumn.
Dampfbahn-Verein Zürcher Oberland (DVZO) – a railway preservation organisation based in Bauma in the canton of Zürich. It operates historic steam and electric trains on a preserved section of the former Uerikon–Bauma railway line in the Zürcher Oberland (Zürich Highlands). The DVZO offers a classic nostalgic railway experience: steam locomotives, historic passenger coaches, railway workshops and scenic journeys through the green hills of eastern Switzerland. It is particularly attractive for railway enthusiasts because it is not only a museum collection but a working heritage railway. The DVZO operates mainly on the former Uerikon–Bauma-Bahn (UeBB) route Hinwil – Bäretswil – Bauma (11 km). The route passes through the typical landscape of the Zürich Highlands, with rolling hills rather than high Alpine scenery. The railway is easily accessible from Zürich.
Furka Steam Railway (Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke, DFB) – one of Switzerland’s most famous heritage railways and one of the most impressive preserved mountain railways in Europe. It operates on the historic mountain section of the former Furka line, which was replaced by the modern Furka Base Tunnel in 1982. It crosses the spectacular Furka Pass between Realp and Oberwald, offering views of glaciers, mountain valleys and high Alpine landscapes. The trains run between Realp – Furka – Gletsch – Oberwald (18 km) with maximum gradient about about 12.5%. The most spectacular part of the journey is the climb over the Furka Pass. Furka station lies around 2,160 m above sea level. The railway operates usually during summer and early autumn.
Sursee–Triengen-Bahn – a small Swiss railway company in the canton of Lucerne known today mainly for its heritage steam trains and historic railway atmosphere. The line connects Sursee with Triengen through the rural Surental valley and is one of the few standard-gauge railway lines in Switzerland that was never electrified. Although regular passenger services ended in the 1970s, the railway remains active for freight transport and special nostalgic trains operated by the Sursee–Triengen-Bahn Historic association. The trains run between Sursee and Triengen (8.9 km) through the agricultural landscape of the Surental valley. It is a quiet rural railway.
Vapeur Val-de-Travers (VVT) – a steam heritage railway organisation. It is based in Saint-Sulpice (canton of Neuchâtel) and operates historic steam trains through the scenic Val-de-Travers, a region famous for the Areuse Gorge, absinthe production and Jura mountain landscapes. VVT mainly operates on the historic railway lines around Saint-Sulpice, Fleurier, Môtiers, Couvet and Travers. One of the best-known VVT excursions is “Au fil de l’Areuse” through the valley of the Areuse River between Saint-Sulpice and Travers. VVT operates special excursion trains on selected dates.
8. Montreux Oberland bernois (MOB)
Montreux Oberland bernois (MOB) is a popular railway operator in Switzerland famous for its panoramic trains, luxury tourist services and historic Belle Époque carriages. It operates the spectacular Montreux–Zweisimmen–Lenk im Simmental metre-gauge railway in western Switzerland, connecting Lake Geneva, the Pays-d’Enhaut, and the Bernese Oberland. The company was founded in 1899. Main line operated by MOB, Montreux – Les Avants – Montbovon – Château-d’Œx – Gstaad – Zweisimmen, has length 62 km and 1000mm gauge.
Most famous trains operated by MOB:
GoldenPass Express – a famous modern train and one of Switzerland’s most innovative railway projects. It connects popular cities Montreux – Zweisimmen – Spiez – Interlaken Ost without changing trains. The service started in December 2022 after more than a century of plans for a direct Montreux–Interlaken connection. The most remarkable feature is the ability of the train to change gauge at Zweisimmen: Montreux–Zweisimmen uses 1,000 mm MOB metre gauge, Zweisimmen–Interlaken uses 1,435 mm standard gauge (BLS). Special bogies developed for the train allow the coaches to adapt automatically. The train has 2nd class, 1st class, Prestige class carriages with rotating seats and panoramic windows. The journey takes around 3 hours 15 minutes and is considered one of Switzerland’s great scenic railway experiences.
GoldenPass Panoramic – one of the classic Swiss scenic trains. The train runs on the Montreux – Zweisimmen route. It is equipped with comfortable modern coaches and large panoramic windows. Passengers can admire wide views over the Alps, Alpine villages, Lake Geneva vineyards and the Intyamon valley.
GoldenPass Belle Époque – a vintage train that recreates the atmosphere of luxury railway travel from the early 20th century. The stylish coaches with wooden interiors, elegant upholstery, classic design and large windows are inspired by the Orient Express era. It provides a nostalgic alternative to modern panoramic trains and is especially popular among railway enthusiasts and photographers.
Train du Chocolat (Chocolate Train) – an excursion train operated by MOB. It combines a scenic railway journey with visits to two symbols of Swiss culture: Gruyère cheese and Swiss chocolate. The excursion starts in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva and leads into the countryside of the Fribourg Pre-Alps, ending at the famous Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc. The journey uses the historic image of the MOB railway, especially its elegant Belle Époque carriages, recalling the golden age of luxury Alpine tourism. It is not a regular passenger train but a special excursion service operating mainly during the tourist season. The train run from Montreux to Montbovon, then passenger travel by comfortable buses to Gruyères and Broc. The complete excursion takes around 7.5 hours and is designed as a full-day experience.
Montreux Oberland bernois (MOB) – official website
9. Most popular interregional trains in Switzerland
Switzerland has hundreds of trains connections. There are a few regular trains exceptionally popular among tourists. These trains usually connects beautiful cities and best-known mountain resorts.
Gotthard Panorama Express – a popular combined journey (a historic lake steamer journey on Lake Lucerne with a panoramic train ride over the legendary Gotthard mountain railway line). It connects Central Switzerland with the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, offering a journey from Alpine landscapes to Mediterranean scenery. The Gotthard Panorama Express is not only a railway journey: it combines boat and train travel, making it a unique full-day excursion. The route follows the historic Gotthard Railway, one of the most important engineering achievements in European railway history. The Gotthard Panorama Express was introduced as a successor to the former William Tell Express, keeping the idea of combining Lake Lucerne navigation with the historic Gotthard railway route. The service focuses on the history, engineering and landscapes of the old Gotthard route rather than the faster modern Gotthard Base Tunnel route used by most long-distance trains today. The train is operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) together with Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV) – which is responsible for steamers. The trip is available usually from spring to autumn (not a winter service).
Luzern–Interlaken Express – a panoramic InterRegio train operated by Zentralbahn (zb), it connects two of the country’s most popular tourist destinations — Luzern (Lucerne) and Interlaken Ost — via the spectacular Brünig Pass. The journey combines Alpine scenery, lakes, waterfalls, mountain villages and impressive railway engineering. It is considered one of Switzerland’s premium scenic railway experiences and forms part of the famous GoldenPass Line between Lucerne and Montreux. The route follows the historic Brünig Railway (Brünigbahn), which was originally built to connect Central Switzerland with the Bernese Oberland. The length of the route is approximately 74 km and journey time about 2 hours.
Voralpen-Express (VAE) – an attractive scenic interregional trains, connecting Luzern (Lucerne) with St. Gallen through the green foothills of the Alps. It is operated by the Schweizerische Südostbahn (SOB) and is famous for combining comfortable modern trains with varied landscapes: lakes, historic towns, rolling hills, Alpine foothills and impressive railway engineering. The name Voralpen-Express was introduced in 1992 for the direct connection between eastern and central Switzerland. Since 2013, the service has been operated by SOB. The route St. Gallen – Herisau – Wattwil – Rapperswil – Pfäffikon SZ – Biberbrugg – Arth-Goldau – Luzern has 125 km in length. Journey time is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. The train runs hourly. The train is served usually by Stadler Traverso electric multiple units. At the Arth-Goldau station passengers can change trains and continue their journey by Rigi mountain railway.
10. Important regional operators
BLS AG – the second-largest railway company in Switzerland after Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). It operates regional and InterRegio passenger trains, manages important railway infrastructure, runs freight services through its subsidiary BLS Cargo, and operates tourist transport services including boats on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. BLS is especially famous among railway enthusiasts because of the historic Lötschberg mountain railway, one of Switzerland’s most spectacular Alpine railway routes. BLS operates a large standard-gauge railway network mainly in western and central Switzerland. Its infrastructure network is around 424 km long and includes important routes in the Bernese region. The operator is responsible for many important regional connections around: Bern, Thun, Interlaken, Lucerne, Neuchâtel and Valais.
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) – one of Switzerland’s most famous mountain railway operators. It runs through the heart of the Alps, connecting Zermatt, Brig, Andermatt and Disentis/Mustér, with an additional branch from Andermatt to Göschenen. The railway is famous for spectacular scenery, rack railway sections, Alpine engineering and its role in operating the legendary Glacier Express together with the Rhätische Bahn (RhB). Most famous route is Brig – Visp – Stalden – Täsch – Zermatt (44 km), steep Alpine railway with rack sections.
RegionAlps SA – a regional railway company operating passenger trains in the canton of Valais (Wallis) in southwestern Switzerland. It specialises in regional transport in the Rhône Valley and mountain valleys around Martigny, Sion, Visp and Brig, connecting local communities with the national Swiss railway network. The company is especially interesting for railway enthusiasts because its trains operate in one of Switzerland’s most scenic regions, surrounded by vineyards, Alpine peaks and famous destinations such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee, the Simplon Pass and Mont Blanc area. RegionAlps was founded in 2003 as a partnership between: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS), Transports de Martigny et Régions (TMR) and Canton of Valais. The most important route is the railway connection St-Gingolph – Monthey – Saint-Maurice – Martigny – Sion – Sierre – Leuk – Visp – Brig. RegionAlps also operates services from Martigny towards the Entremont Valley.
Schweizerische Südostbahn AG (SOB) – private railway company usually known as Südostbahn or SOB. It operates regional and InterRegio passenger services in eastern and central Switzerland, including the famous Voralpen-Express and Treno Gottardo scenic routes. The modern SOB was created in 2001 through the merger of two historic railway companies: Schweizerische Südostbahn (old SOB) and Bodensee-Toggenburg-Bahn (BT). The headquarters of SOB are located in St. Gallen. Most famous train operated by SOB is the Voralpen Express.
Thurbo AG – a Swiss regional railway company specialising in regional passenger transport in eastern Switzerland. It operates a large network of S-Bahn and regional services mainly in the cantons of Thurgau, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, Zürich, Aargau and Graubünden, with several cross-border connections to Germany and Austria. The railway operator is particularly associated with the Lake Constance region (Bodensee), the St. Gallen S-Bahn, and scenic regional routes through the rolling landscapes of northeastern Switzerland. Thurbo was founded in 2001 by: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and Mittelthurgaubahn (MThB), the former regional railway company of Thurgau. The company began regular operations in December 2002, taking over many regional services previously operated by the former Mittelthurgaubahn. Most important route is the S1 Seelinie: Schaffhausen – Kreuzlingen – Romanshorn – Rorschach.
TILO (Treni Regionali Ticino Lombardia) – a Swiss-Italian regional railway operator connecting the canton of Ticino in Switzerland with Lombardy in Italy. It is one of the most important examples of cross-border regional railway cooperation in Europe, providing frequent commuter and regional services between Swiss and Italian cities. The company is especially important for travellers exploring southern Switzerland because TILO trains connect destinations such as Lugano, Bellinzona, Locarno and Mendrisio with Italian cities including Como, Varese and Milan. TILO was founded in June 2004 as a joint venture between: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB / FFS) and Trenord (regional railway company of Lombardy). Most important route operated by TILO are S10 Biasca – Bellinzona – Lugano – Chiasso – Como and RE80 Locarno – Lugano – Milan.
Zentralbahn (zb) – a Swiss railway company operating metre-gauge mountain railways in Central Switzerland and the Bernese Oberland. It is one of Switzerland’s most important scenic railway operators, famous for the Luzern–Interlaken Express, the Luzern–Engelberg Express, and routes through the spectacular Brünig Pass. The company combines everyday regional transport with some of Switzerland’s most popular tourist railway journeys, connecting destinations such as Luzern (Lucerne), Engelberg, Brienz and Interlaken. It was founded in 2005. The company operates a railway network including: The company operates a railway network including: Luzern – Interlaken Ost; Luzern – Engelberg andMeiringen – Innertkirchen. Main owner of the company is SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) with participation from Swiss authorities.
11. Swiss Museum of Transport
The Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz) in Luzern (Lucerne) is the largest and most visited museum in Switzerland and one of Europe’s most important museums dedicated to transport and mobility. It presents the history, present and future of transport through railways, roads, aviation, space travel, shipping, cable cars and communication technology. For railway enthusiasts, it is one of the most important places in Switzerland to discover the history of Swiss railways, with historic locomotives, coaches, railway equipment and interactive exhibitions.
The Museum was opened on 1 July 1959 in Lucerne. Over the decades, the museum expanded with new exhibition halls and attractions. Today it covers around 20,000 square metres of exhibition space and contains thousands of historical objects, vehicles and documents. One of the museum’s best-known railway exhibits is the historic SBB C 5/6 steam locomotive No. 2978, nicknamed “Elefant” built in 1915.
The museum receives around one million visitors per year, making it the most visited museum in Switzerland.
The museum is accessible by train from Lucerne railway station (stop: Luzern Verkehrshaus)
Swiss Museum of Transport – official website
12. Train travel in Switzerland – what to see
Basel – Switzerland’s third-largest city. It is located in the north-western corner of Switzerland, where the Rhine River flows through the city and the borders of Switzerland, Germany and France meet. Basel has a unique international character and is often considered the gateway between Switzerland and the Upper Rhine region. The city combines a beautifully preserved medieval old town, world-class museums, modern architecture, industrial heritage and a strong railway tradition. For railway travellers, Basel is one of Switzerland’s most important transport hubs, with direct connections to Zürich, Bern, Lucerne, Geneva, Germany and France. Basel’s historic centre is one of the most attractive in Switzerland. The most interesting areas include the streets around Marktplatz, Barfüsserplatz and the hill around Basel Minster. The compact centre is ideal for walking and exploring without public transport. It is a perfect place for one-day trip and starting point for train trips to Switzerland, Germany and France.
Bern – the capital of Switzerland and one of the country’s most beautiful historic cities. It is located in western Switzerland on a peninsula formed by the Aare River, surrounded by green hills with views towards the Alps. Although it is the seat of the Swiss government, Bern has a smaller and more relaxed atmosphere than Zürich or Geneva. The city is famous for its exceptionally preserved medieval old town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. It is an important railway junction with pleasant city centre The medieval street plan has remained largely unchanged since the Middle Ages, with covered arcades, sandstone buildings, fountains and historic squares. The old town is compact and easy to explore on foot. The Aare surrounds the old town on three sides and is an important part of Bern’s character. In summer, locals often swim in the river, using the current to float downstream. Walking paths along the river provide attractive views of the old city walls, bridges and surrounding countryside. The Bern Minster is the largest cathedral in Switzerland and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Bern is a perfect place for day trip.
Chur – the oldest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Graubünden (Grisons). Located in the Rhine Valley at the foot of the Alps, it is an important gateway to some of Switzerland’s most spectacular mountain landscapes and railway routes. The city combines a charming historic centre, Roman heritage, Alpine scenery and world-famous scenic railways. In the town the standard-gauge Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) network meets the metre-gauge network of the Rhätische Bahn (RhB). Chur has a pleasant Old Town. The pedestrianised centre contains narrow medieval streets, historic houses, small squares and traditional restaurants. Unlike many larger Swiss cities, Chur’s old town has a quiet, local atmosphere. Visitors can explore the area around Arcas Square, Hof Street and the cathedral hill. The most important historic building in the city is the Chur Cathedral located on a hill above the old town. The Bishop’s Palace and surrounding buildings create a historic quarter with views over the old town and Rhine Valley. A very interesting The Rhaetian Museum presents the history and culture of Graubünden. Its exhibitions cover archaeology, Roman history, Alpine traditions and the development of local communities.
Fribourg – one of Switzerland’s most picturesque historic cities, located in the western part of the country on a rocky plateau above the Sarine (Saane) River. It is the capital of the canton of Fribourg and a unique bilingual city where French and German cultures meet. The city is famous for its exceptionally preserved medieval old town, Gothic architecture, bridges, fountains and dramatic views over the river valley. The Old town has two parts – upper was nuilt on a steep hillside above the Sarine River. It contains narrow cobbled streets, Gothic buildings, old defensive walls, fountains and traditional houses. The lower part of the old town around the river is especially attractive, with bridges and views of the medieval skyline. The city’s unusual topography, with the upper town and lower town connected by steep streets and stairways, gives Fribourg a distinctive atmosphere. The most famous landmark of Fribourg is the The St. Nicholas Cathedral is the most famous landmark of Fribourg. The tower is available for the tourists. One of the city’s most unusual attractions is the historic Fribourg Funicular, opened in 1899. It is powered by a unique system using wastewater from the city and is one of the few water-balance funiculars still operating in Europe. The short ride is both a practical transport link and a popular tourist attraction.
Luzern (Lucerne) – a very popular tourist city in central Switzerland on the shores of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee), surrounded by mountains including Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. The city is famous for its medieval old town, historic wooden bridges, lake scenery and excellent access to the Alps. The main railway station lies within short distance from the Old Town famous for features colourful historic houses, narrow streets, painted façades and lively squares. he Kapellbrücke is Luzern’s most famous landmark and one of Switzerland’s most recognisable sights. Built in the 14th century, it is the oldest surviving wooden covered bridge in Europe. Next to the bridge stands Water Tower built around 1300. You must visit Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus der Schweiz) with rich collection of the railway vehicles, automobiles, buses, ships and aircrafts
Murten – a small town in western Switzerland, located on the shores of Lake Murten (Murtensee) in the canton of Fribourg. It is famous for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval old town, city walls and picturesque lakeside setting. Murten is a bilingual town where both German and French are spoken and is one of the most attractive destinations for a day trip from Bern, Fribourg or Neuchâtel. The main attraction of Murten is its compact medieval centre. The old town has retained much of its original character, with cobbled streets, arcaded houses, colourful façades and historic buildings dating from the Middle Ages. The town is located on a small hill above Lake Murten, creating attractive views from many streets and viewpoints. Visitors can walk through the old gates and explore the quiet lanes around the main street, Hauptgasse. The city walls of Murten are among the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Switzerland. Worth visit is also Murten Castle. The castle stands at the highest point of the old town.
Sankt Gallen – an interesting city in north-eastern Switzerland and the capital of the canton of St. Gallen. Located between Lake Constance (Bodensee) and the Alps, the city is famous for its UNESCO-listed abbey complex, textile tradition, charming old town and excellent views of the surrounding landscape. For railway travellers, St. Gallen is an excellent base for exploring north-eastern Switzerland. The city has frequent trains to Zürich, Winterthur, Rapperswil, Chur, Romanshorn and Lake Constance towns. It is also the starting point for scenic journeys through the Appenzell region. The main attraction of St. Gallen is the Abbey of St. Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. The present Baroque complex was built in the 18th century and includes the magnificent Cathedral of St. Gall and the famous Abbey Library. The old town of St. Gallen is known for its colourful historic houses, many decorated with elaborate oriel windows (projecting bay windows).
Zürich – the largest city in Switzerland and the country’s main financial and economic centre. It is located in the north of Switzerland, at the northern end of Lake Zürich (Zürichsee), where the Limmat River flows through the historic centre. Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Zürich HB) is one of the busiest railway stations in Europe and offers frequent connections to almost every important Swiss city, including Bern, Basel, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Chur and Interlaken. It is also a good starting point for day trips to the Rhine Falls, Rapperswil, Winterthur, Baden and many Alpine destinations. The historic centre of Zürich lies on both sides of the Limmat River. The most interesting areas include Niederdorf, known for cafés, restaurants and small shops, and the streets around Lindenhof and Münsterbrücke. There ary many interesting monuments and museums within walking distance from the main railway station.
Related articles:
Trenopedia – main site; railways of the world
Railways in Europe – a list of the countries
