Switzerland is one of the few countries where the train journey can feel just as beautiful as the place you are travelling to.

For me, Swiss train travel is not just about getting from one hotel to another. It is part of the romance of the country. The slow movement from city to lake to mountain village, the comfort of sitting by a window, the scenery changing outside, the snow, the lakes, the quiet stations and the feeling that everything has been planned with precision — this is what made Switzerland feel so special.

On our Switzerland trip, my husband planned the broader logistics and booked our individual train tickets through Omio. We did not use a Swiss Travel Pass. Because he planned everything well in advance, we were able to book first-class tickets, and that made the journeys feel calmer, less crowded and much more comfortable than second class, especially while travelling in winter with luggage.

So when I look at the best scenic train routes in Switzerland, I do not look at them only as pretty train rides. I look at them as part of the itinerary, part of the cost calculation and part of the overall travel experience. Some routes are iconic but expensive. Some are shorter and more practical. Some are fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, while others still require mandatory reservation fees or only offer discounts.

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Quick Guide: Best Scenic Train Routes in Switzerland With Approximate Costs

Prices below are approximate adult one-way fares unless I mention return fares. Switzerland train prices can change by season, route, seat reservation and booking timing, so I would always re-check the final price before booking.

Route	Approx. Cost Without Pass	Swiss Travel Pass Coverage	My Take
Lucerne to Interlaken Ost	CHF 34 2nd class / CHF 58 1st class	Base fare covered. Optional seat reservations may cost extra.	The most useful scenic route if you are doing Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Grindelwald.
Interlaken Ost to Montreux	Approx. CHF 56 2nd class / CHF 96–112 1st class	Base fare covered. Seat reservation recommended in 1st/2nd class and mandatory in Prestige class.	Perfect if you want to extend from Interlaken towards Montreux and Lake Geneva.
Zermatt to St. Moritz	CHF 213 2nd class / CHF 326 1st class including mandatory CHF 54 reservation	Base fare covered, but mandatory reservation still payable.	Iconic and dramatic, but it is a full-day luxury-style train experience.
Chur to Tirano	Approx. CHF 98–110 2nd class / CHF 145–157 1st class including reservation estimate	Base fare covered, but reservation still payable.	One of the most dramatic alpine-to-Italy routes.
Lucerne to Lugano	Approx. CHF 188 including CHF 24 reservation	Route covered, but reservation surcharge applies. 2nd class pass holders need a class upgrade for the train section.	Beautiful if travelling from Lucerne towards Lugano or Ticino.
Lucerne to St. Gallen	Approx. CHF 51 2nd class	Covered by Swiss Travel Pass.	A softer, underrated route if you want something beyond the obvious first-time itinerary.
Zermatt to Gornergrat return	Approx. CHF 96 winter return; higher in some seasons	50% discount with Swiss Travel Pass.	A short mountain railway with huge Matterhorn views.
Interlaken or Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch return	Approx. CHF 201–261 return depending route and season	Discounted, not fully covered. Swiss Travel Pass discounts vary by route.	Expensive, weather-dependent and unforgettable on a clear day.

The Luzern–Interlaken Express adult fares are listed at CHF 34 in 2nd class and CHF 58 in 1st class, while GoldenPass Line fare summaries list the Interlaken–Montreux sector from around CHF 56 in 2nd class and around CHF 96 in 1st class, with seat reservations extra where applicable. The Glacier Express fare page lists the Zermatt–St. Moritz ticket at CHF 159 in 2nd class and CHF 272 in 1st class, plus a mandatory CHF 54 reservation, making the total CHF 213 or CHF 326 respectively.

For the Bernina Express, a full Chur–Tirano fare is commonly listed around CHF 66 in 2nd class and CHF 113 in 1st class, with mandatory panoramic seat reservations extra; Swiss Travel Pass holders usually still pay the reservation even when the base fare is covered.

The Gotthard Panorama Express route is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, but the panoramic train section charges a reservation surcharge, and the train section between Flüelen and Lugano is 1st class only, so 2nd class ticket or pass holders need an upgrade.

For Gornergrat, the railway gives a 50% discount with a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card, and Jungfraujoch is best treated as a separate mountain excursion because it is discounted rather than fully included.

How I Would Choose a Scenic Train in Switzerland

I would not choose a scenic train in Switzerland just because it is famous. I would choose it based on the route I am actually taking.

This is where I think many travellers overcomplicate Switzerland. The Glacier Express and Bernina Express are iconic, but they may not fit every first-time itinerary. If your route is Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Grindelwald, then the Luzern–Interlaken Express may be the most practical scenic route for you. If you are heading towards Zermatt or St. Moritz, then the Glacier Express starts making more sense. If you are travelling towards Italy or Graubünden, the Bernina Express becomes stronger.

My own rule is simple: build the itinerary first, then choose the train route that enhances it. Do not force a famous train into the trip if it creates unnecessary travel time, extra hotel changes or stress.

Luzern–Interlaken Express

The Luzern–Interlaken Express is one of my favourite scenic routes for a first Switzerland itinerary because it is both beautiful and practical.

This is the train that connects Lucerne with Interlaken Ost, and it fits perfectly if you are travelling from Zurich to Lucerne, then into the Bernese Oberland and onwards towards Grindelwald. It is exactly the kind of route that makes Switzerland by train feel effortless: lake views, mountain scenery, changing landscapes and a journey that feels like part of the holiday.

The journey takes about 1 hour 50 minutes, and a normal train ticket is enough. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, the base journey is covered. Seat reservations are not something I would automatically pay for as an individual traveller unless I were travelling in peak season or really wanted certainty, but for groups they can become more relevant.

Approximate cost without pass: CHF 34 in 2nd class or CHF 58 in 1st class.
With Swiss Travel Pass: covered, with seat reservation fees extra if applicable.
My take: This is the first scenic train I would recommend for a classic Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Grindelwald route.

GoldenPass Express

The GoldenPass Express is one of the most elegant scenic train routes in Switzerland, especially if you want to connect Interlaken with Montreux and the Lake Geneva region.

This route is perfect if your Switzerland itinerary moves from the Bernese Oberland towards Montreux, Lausanne or Geneva. It has a softer, more romantic feel than some of the high alpine routes because it links mountain scenery with lake landscapes and the charm of French-speaking Switzerland.

The GoldenPass Express runs between Interlaken Ost and Montreux, with a journey time of around 3 hours 15 minutes. Seat reservations are recommended in 1st and 2nd class and required if you choose Prestige class.

Approximate cost without pass: around CHF 56 in 2nd class and roughly CHF 96–112 in 1st class, depending on fare table and booking display.
Seat reservation: around CHF 20 in 1st or 2nd class; Prestige class reservation is higher and mandatory.
With Swiss Travel Pass: base fare covered, reservation extra where applicable.
My take: This is the route I would add if I wanted a romantic extension from Interlaken to Montreux.

Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is probably Switzerland’s most famous scenic train, and it is the one many travellers picture when they think of panoramic Swiss rail journeys.

It runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz, and it is not meant to be fast. It is a slow, cinematic, full-day alpine experience. The full-route ticket is listed at CHF 159 in 2nd class and CHF 272 in 1st class, plus a mandatory CHF 54 seat reservation in 1st or 2nd class. That makes the full-route cost approximately CHF 213 in 2nd class or CHF 326 in 1st class before any rail pass reductions.

Approximate cost without pass: CHF 213 in 2nd class or CHF 326 in 1st class including mandatory reservation.
With Swiss Travel Pass: base fare covered, but mandatory seat reservation still payable.
My take: I would not squeeze this into a short Zurich–Lucerne–Interlaken–Grindelwald trip. I would build a proper Zermatt and St. Moritz itinerary around it.

Bernina Express

The Bernina Express is one of the most dramatic scenic train routes in Switzerland because it crosses from the Swiss Alps into Italy, moving through high mountain landscapes, viaducts, glaciers and very different scenery along the way.

The classic route is Chur to Tirano, which takes around 4 hours, while St. Moritz to Tirano is shorter at around 2 hours 15 minutes. The Chur–Tirano fare is commonly listed at about CHF 66 in 2nd class or CHF 113 in 1st class, before the required panoramic seat reservation. Seat reservations vary by route and season, so I would treat the total as roughly CHF 98–110 in 2nd class or CHF 145–157 in 1st class for the Chur–Tirano route.

Approximate cost without pass: around CHF 98–110 in 2nd class or CHF 145–157 in 1st class including reservation estimate.
With Swiss Travel Pass: base fare covered, but seat reservation still payable.
My take: I would choose this for a Switzerland-plus-Italy style itinerary or a deeper Graubünden trip.

Gotthard Panorama Express

The Gotthard Panorama Express is a beautiful option if your Switzerland itinerary connects Lucerne with Lugano or the Ticino region.

This route is different because it combines Lake Lucerne by boat with a panoramic train journey towards southern Switzerland. It feels slower, historic and elegant, especially if you want to move from the classic central Switzerland feeling into the warmer, Italian-influenced side of the country.

The route is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, but the panoramic train between Flüelen and Lugano has a reservation surcharge. The Gotthard route train section is 1st class only, so travellers with a 2nd class ticket or pass need to pay for an upgrade.

Approximate cost without pass: around CHF 188 including an estimated CHF 164 fare plus CHF 24 mandatory reservation surcharge.
With Swiss Travel Pass: route covered, but reservation surcharge still applies; 2nd class pass holders need a class upgrade.
My take: I would consider this for a spring, summer or autumn itinerary from Lucerne to Lugano, not for a short winter Bernese Oberland trip.

Voralpen-Express

The Voralpen-Express is not always the first scenic train tourists think of, but that is part of why I like it as an option for travellers who want something beyond the obvious first-time route.

It runs between Lucerne and St. Gallen, passing through softer pre-Alpine scenery, lakes, countryside and cultural towns. A single Lucerne–St. Gallen journey is listed at around CHF 51 in 2nd class, and the journey is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.

Approximate cost without pass: CHF 51 in 2nd class.
With Swiss Travel Pass: covered.
My take: This is more of a second-trip Switzerland route for me, especially if I wanted something quieter and less obvious.

Gornergrat Railway

The Gornergrat Railway is a shorter mountain train, but it deserves a place in this guide because of the Matterhorn views.

This is the railway to take if you are staying in Zermatt and want one of the most iconic mountain viewpoints in Switzerland. The normal winter return fare is commonly listed around CHF 96, with a reduced fare around CHF 48 for Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card holders. The railway also states that Swiss Travel Pass holders receive a 50% discount.

Approximate cost without pass: around CHF 96 return in winter, with seasonal variation.
With Swiss Travel Pass: 50% discount, not fully covered.
My take: If I were staying in Zermatt, this would be almost essential on a clear day.

Jungfraujoch Railway and the Eiger Route

The Jungfraujoch journey is not just a train ride; it is a full high-altitude mountain experience.

Jungfraujoch sits at approximately 3,454 metres above sea level, and the journey reaches one of the most famous high-altitude railway stations in Europe. This is especially relevant if you are staying in Interlaken, Grindelwald, Wengen or Lauterbrunnen.

This is also one of the more expensive Swiss mountain experiences. For 2026, return fares are commonly listed around CHF 224.40 to CHF 261.20 from Interlaken Ost, depending on season, and around CHF 201.20 to CHF 239.20 from Grindelwald or Wengen. A Swiss Half Fare Card gives a stronger 50% reduction, while the Swiss Travel Pass gives a discount but does not make Jungfraujoch free.

Approximate cost without pass: around CHF 201–261 return, depending on route and season.
With Swiss Travel Pass: discounted, not fully covered.
My take: I would only do this on a clear day because the cost is high and the view is the whole point.

Scenic Train Routes for a First-Time Switzerland Itinerary: Approximate Total Costs

These totals are approximate adult point-to-point costs and are mainly useful for comparing itinerary styles. They do not include hotels, meals, local transport, optional seat reservations unless stated, or mountain extras unless they are part of the route.

Option 1: Classic First Switzerland Route

Route: Zurich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Grindelwald
Best scenic train: Luzern–Interlaken Express
Approximate cost: CHF 72+ in 2nd class or CHF 123–125+ in 1st class estimate

This is closest to what we did, and I think it is one of the most practical and beautiful first Switzerland routes. It gives you Zurich’s city polish, Lucerne’s lake romance, Interlaken’s gateway location and Grindelwald’s alpine beauty.

The rough calculation is CHF 27 from Zurich to Lucerne, CHF 34 from Lucerne to Interlaken, and around CHF 11+ from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald Terminal or slightly more into Grindelwald village.

Option 2: Romantic Lakes and Alps Route

Route: Zurich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Montreux
Best scenic trains: Luzern–Interlaken Express + GoldenPass Express
Approximate cost: CHF 117 in 2nd class or roughly CHF 200–216 in 1st class estimate, before optional seat reservations

This route is beautiful if you want Switzerland to move from city to lake to mountains and then towards Lake Geneva. If you reserve seats on both scenic sectors, I would allow extra for reservation fees, especially on the GoldenPass Express. The main fare calculation is approximately CHF 27 from Zurich to Lucerne, CHF 34 from Lucerne to Interlaken and CHF 56 from Interlaken to Montreux.

Option 3: Luxury Alps Route

Route: Zermatt → St. Moritz
Best scenic train: Glacier Express
Approximate cost: CHF 213 in 2nd class or CHF 326 in 1st class, including mandatory seat reservation

This is more of a dedicated panoramic train experience than a simple transfer. I would choose it if the trip is built around Zermatt, St. Moritz and luxury Swiss Alps scenery. With a Swiss Travel Pass, the base fare is covered but the mandatory CHF 54 reservation is still payable.

Option 4: Switzerland and Italy Route

Route: Chur or St. Moritz → Tirano
Best scenic train: Bernina Express
Approximate cost: CHF 98–110 in 2nd class or CHF 145–157 in 1st class from Chur to Tirano including reservation estimate

This is ideal if you want dramatic alpine scenery and an Italy connection. The shorter St. Moritz to Tirano route is cheaper, with the base fare commonly listed around CHF 33 in 2nd class and CHF 57 in 1st class before reservation. With a Swiss Travel Pass, the base fare is covered but the seat reservation still needs to be paid.

Option 5: Lucerne to Southern Switzerland Route

Route: Lucerne → Lugano
Best scenic train: Gotthard Panorama Express
Approximate cost: around CHF 188 without a pass, including the mandatory reservation surcharge estimate

This option makes sense if you want to move from Lucerne into Ticino and experience Switzerland’s Italian-influenced south. With a Swiss Travel Pass, the route itself is covered, but the panoramic reservation surcharge still applies, and 2nd class pass holders need a class upgrade because the train section is 1st class only.

Swiss Travel Pass or Individual Tickets for Scenic Trains?

This is where I would be careful. Some scenic routes are fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, but that does not always mean the journey is completely free. Panoramic trains can still require seat reservations, supplements or class upgrades.

For example, the Luzern–Interlaken Express can be done with a normal train ticket, and the Swiss Travel Pass covers the base fare. The Glacier Express and Bernina Express base fares can also be covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, but their seat reservations are still payable. The Gotthard Panorama Express is covered too, but a reservation surcharge applies and the train section is 1st class only.

For our trip, we did not use a Swiss Travel Pass. My husband booked individual train tickets through Omio, and because the route was fixed and planned early, this worked beautifully for us. We also travelled first class, which made the journeys feel calmer and more comfortable.

My advice is the same as before: do not buy the Swiss Travel Pass automatically. Price your actual route first. Then compare whether the pass makes sense based on the trains, boats, museums, city transport and mountain excursions you actually plan to use.

For a simple Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Grindelwald route, individual tickets may be better. For a transport-heavy trip with multiple scenic routes and flexible day trips, the Swiss Travel Pass may be worth it.

First Class vs Second Class on Scenic Trains

For scenic train travel in Switzerland, I would always compare first class and second class.

First class made a real difference for us. It felt quieter, less crowded and more comfortable, especially with luggage in winter. I do not think every traveller needs first class, but if you are planning a romantic or luxury-leaning Switzerland trip, it is worth checking the price difference. The value is not only in the seat. It is in how the journey feels. If the train itself is part of the experience, I want to enjoy it properly.

For short regional journeys, second class may be absolutely fine. For longer scenic routes, panoramic journeys or travel days with luggage, I would seriously consider first class if the price is reasonable.

My Honest Ranking

If I were ranking the best scenic train routes in Switzerland for different travel styles, this would be my honest list:

Best For	Scenic Route
Best for first-time visitors	Luzern–Interlaken Express
Best for romance and lakes	GoldenPass Express
Best for luxury bucket-list travel	Glacier Express
Best for dramatic alpine scenery	Bernina Express
Best for Lucerne to southern Switzerland	Gotthard Panorama Express
Best underrated route	Voralpen-Express
Best short mountain train	Gornergrat Railway
Best high-altitude snow experience	Jungfraujoch Railway

The right choice depends on your itinerary. For our Switzerland route, the Luzern–Interlaken Express was the most natural and useful. For a future trip, I would love to build a slower itinerary around the Glacier Express, Bernina Express or GoldenPass Express.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake is choosing a scenic train route before planning the actual itinerary. Switzerland looks small, but train routes can still take time, and forcing a famous route into the wrong itinerary can make the trip feel rushed. Another mistake is assuming the Swiss Travel Pass includes everything without extra costs. Some panoramic trains and mountain routes may still require seat reservations, supplements or separate mountain tickets.

I would also avoid booking mountain-based scenic journeys without checking the weather. For routes like Jungfraujoch, Gornergrat or any major viewpoint, visibility matters.

And finally, do not treat train days as wasted days. In Switzerland, the journey is often one of the most beautiful parts of the trip.

Final Thoughts

The best scenic train routes in Switzerland are not just about famous names. They are about how the journey fits into your trip.

For our route, the beauty was in the progression: Zurich to Lucerne, Lucerne to Interlaken, Interlaken to Grindelwald. It was not the longest or most famous rail itinerary in Switzerland, but it was beautifully planned and deeply memorable.

My husband booked our individual train tickets in advance through Omio, we travelled first class where it made sense, and we did not use a Swiss Travel Pass because our route was clear. That decision made the journey feel calm, comfortable and personal to the way we travel.

For me, that is the magic of Switzerland by train. It is not only the destination waiting at the end. It is the quiet, cinematic feeling of watching the country unfold from the window.

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