Switzerland: The Alps by Rail

Switzerland is the kind of country that makes you wonder if someone designed it on purpose. The mountains are impossibly tall and perfectly shaped. The lakes are so clear you can count the stones on the bottom. The trains arrive on time — not roughly on time, but exactly on time. And around every bend in the track, there is another view that looks like it belongs on a postcard. For travelers who love the journey as much as the destination, Switzerland by rail is one of the finest experiences in the world.

What makes Switzerland special is not just its beauty — it is how easy the country makes it to enjoy that beauty. The Swiss rail system is one of the most efficient and scenic on Earth, connecting cities, villages, and mountaintops with a network that feels almost effortless to navigate. You can wake up in Zurich, have lunch overlooking the Matterhorn, and be soaking in an alpine spa by evening — all without renting a car or worrying about directions.

In Switzerland, the scenery does the talking. You just need to find a window seat and let the country unfold before you.

The Great Train Journeys

The Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is often called the slowest express train in the world, and that is exactly the point. This eight-hour journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz crosses 291 bridges, passes through 91 tunnels, and climbs to over 6,700 feet at the Oberalp Pass. The panoramic cars have floor-to-ceiling windows, so you never miss a moment of the scenery — alpine meadows carpeted in wildflowers, deep river gorges, tiny villages that look like they have not changed in centuries. A three-course lunch is served at your seat, and a glass of wine comes in a specially designed tilted glass so it does not spill on the steep grades.

The Bernina Express

If the Glacier Express is a leisurely all-day affair, the Bernina Express is a more concentrated dose of wonder. This four-hour route from Chur to Tirano, Italy, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason. The train climbs to over 7,300 feet at the Bernina Pass, winding past glaciers, frozen lakes, and mountain peaks before descending through spiral tunnels into the palm trees of the Italian-speaking Poschiavo Valley. The contrast between the icy peaks at the top and the Mediterranean warmth at the bottom is remarkable.

Switzerland’s rail network turns the journey itself into the destination

The Mountain Destinations

Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region

Interlaken sits between two stunning lakes, Thun and Brienz, with the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau region rising dramatically behind them. This is the adventure capital of Switzerland — paragliding, canyoning, hiking, and skiing are all within easy reach. But the real showstopper is the train to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 11,332 feet. From the top, you can walk through an ice palace carved inside the glacier, step onto an observation terrace with views stretching to the Black Forest in Germany, and feel like you are standing on the roof of Europe.

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Zermatt is a car-free village at the foot of the Matterhorn, one of the most recognizable mountains on the planet. The town itself is charming — wooden chalets, cobblestone streets, and an energy that is equal parts sporty and sophisticated. In winter, the skiing here is world-class, with runs that cross into Italy. In summer, the hiking trails offer jaw-dropping views around every corner. The Gornergrat Railway takes you up to a viewing platform at 10,135 feet, where you can see 29 peaks over 13,000 feet — including the Matterhorn itself, so close it feels like you could reach out and touch it.

The Cities

Three Languages, One Country

One of the most fascinating things about Switzerland is its cultural variety. The country has three main language regions — French in the west, German in the center and east, and Italian in the south. Each region has its own personality. The French-speaking areas around Geneva and Lausanne feel cosmopolitan and refined. The German-speaking heartland, including Zurich and Bern, is efficient and orderly. The Italian-speaking Ticino region, with its lakeside villages and slower pace, feels like a slice of Italy tucked into the Alps. Traveling across all three regions in a single trip is one of the great pleasures of visiting Switzerland.

Where to Stay

The Alpina Gstaad

The Alpina Gstaad — traditional alpine warmth meets modern luxury in Switzerland’s most exclusive village

Gstaad has long been a playground for the well-traveled, and The Alpina is its crown jewel. The hotel blends traditional alpine warmth with modern luxury, and its six-floor spa is one of the most impressive in Europe. Think heated indoor and outdoor pools, a Japanese onsen, a salt grotto, and treatment rooms with views of the surrounding peaks. The rooms are finished in natural wood and stone, and the service is the kind of quiet excellence Switzerland does so well.

We can arrange suite upgrades when available, private spa bookings, and curated alpine excursions from the hotel.

Pricing

High season (Dec–Mar & Jul–Aug): CHF 800–CHF 2,500/night

Low season (Apr–May & Oct–Nov): CHF 500–CHF 1,500/night

Badrutt’s Palace — St. Moritz

Badrutt’s Palace — old-world grandeur on the shores of Lake St. Moritz since 1896

Sitting on the shores of Lake St. Moritz, Badrutt’s Palace is one of the most legendary grand hotels in the world. It has been welcoming guests since 1896, and its combination of old-world elegance and modern comfort is hard to match. The rooms overlook the lake and the Engadin Valley, the restaurants are superb, and the hotel’s private ski lift takes you directly to the slopes in winter. This is the kind of hotel that turns a vacation into a story you tell for years.

We can arrange VIP welcome amenities, lake-view suite upgrades, and private ski instructor bookings.

Pricing

High season (Dec–Mar & Jul–Aug): CHF 900–CHF 3,000/night

Low season (Apr–May & Oct–Nov): CHF 550–CHF 1,800/night

The Chedi Andermatt

The Chedi Andermatt — a masterpiece of modern alpine design in the heart of the Gotthard region

In the quiet mountain village of Andermatt, The Chedi is a masterpiece of modern alpine design. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the surrounding peaks, the interiors blend Asian minimalism with Swiss materials like reclaimed wood and local stone, and the spa features both a traditional hammam and a grotto pool. It is a newer property that has quickly become one of the most talked-about hotels in Switzerland, and its location in the heart of the Gotthard region makes it a perfect base for exploring by rail.

We can arrange spa packages, first-class rail connections, and private guided mountain excursions.

Pricing

High season (Dec–Mar & Jul–Aug): CHF 600–CHF 2,000/night

Low season (Apr–May & Oct–Nov): CHF 400–CHF 1,200/night

What to Do

Three Restaurants You Cannot Miss

Fondue, Chocolate, and Alpine Spas

The Swiss Travel Pass

Why Work With a Travel Advisor

Switzerland is a year-round destination, but the experience changes dramatically by season, and the logistics of a multi-stop rail trip require careful planning. Which train routes should you prioritize? Where should you reserve seats in advance? Which mountain hotels offer the best views from your room? A travel advisor takes the complexity out of the planning and adds the kind of details that elevate the trip.