Switzerland by Train: The Complete Guide

SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) operates the national network, complemented by dozens of private mountain railways, cog railways, and lake steamers — all integrated into one ticket system. The main intercity routes are fast and frequent:

• - Zurich → Geneva: 3h, trains every 30 min
• - Zurich → Bern: 1h, trains every 30 min
• - Zurich → Lucerne: 1h, trains every 30 min
• - Zurich → Basel: 55 min, trains every 15 min
• - Bern → Interlaken: 55 min
• - Geneva → Lausanne: 40 min

All intercity trains are clean, punctual, and comfortable with panoramic windows.

• 🏔 Glacier Express (Zermatt → St. Moritz, 8h) — The world's most famous slow train crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels through the Swiss Alps. Panoramic windows, a dining car, and scenery that makes it hard to look at your phone. Runs daily; book well in advance in summer.

• 🏔 Bernina Express (Chur → Tirano, 4h) — The highest transalpine railway in the world, crossing the Bernina Pass at 2,253m. A UNESCO World Heritage route that drops from Alpine snow to Italian palms in a single journey.

• 🏔 Golden Pass (Montreux → Interlaken → Lucerne) — Through the Bernese Oberland with Lake Thun and Lake Brienz below. The Panoramic Express section has rotating seats that always face the view.

🚂 Jungfrau Railway (Grindelwald → Jungfraujoch, 2h) — Cog railway to the highest railway station in Europe (3,454m). Not covered by most passes — expect to pay CHF 100–150 for the round trip, but it's genuinely extraordinary.

Swiss Travel Pass: Covers all SBB trains, most private railways, lake steamers, and city public transport. Also gives free entry to 500+ museums. For 4+ days in Switzerland, it almost always pays for itself.

Eurail Global Pass: Covers SBB intercity trains but not most scenic railways (Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Jungfrau Railway) — you'll need to pay supplements.

Point-to-point tickets: If you're only making 1–2 journeys, advance booking on the SBB app can be very cheap — Zurich to Geneva for CHF 29 if booked early.

For a dedicated Switzerland trip of 5+ days, the Swiss Travel Pass is the best value. For a broader Europe trip with a few Swiss stops, the Eurail pass with supplements works fine.

Zurich — Switzerland's largest city and main rail hub. The Altstadt (old town) and lakefront are walkable from the station. 2 nights minimum.

Lucerne — The most photogenic Swiss city: covered wooden bridge (Kapellbrücke), medieval walls, and the Alps reflected in the lake. 1–2 nights, easy day trip from Zurich.

Interlaken — Between two lakes at the foot of the Bernese Oberland. Base for hikes and cable cars; not much in the town itself but an excellent 2-night adventure base.

Bern — Switzerland's quiet capital with 6km of medieval arcades, Einstein's former apartment, and excellent museums. Often skipped — worth a night.

Lugano — Italian Switzerland, south of the Alps. Palm trees, lakeside promenades, and excellent food. Take the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lucerne (boat + train).

Trains are expensive: Switzerland is one of Europe's priciest destinations. Budget CHF 150–200/day for accommodation, food, and activities outside your pass.

Connections are tight but reliable: Swiss trains connect with 2–3 minute transfer windows that would be impossible anywhere else — they genuinely hold to the second.

Mountain transport is separate: Cable cars, cog railways, and gondolas are usually not covered by standard passes. Budget CHF 30–80 per major excursion.

Half-Fare Card: If you're visiting for more than a few days and not getting a Travel Pass, the Half-Fare Card (CHF 120 for 1 month) halves the price of every ticket.