Embark on a thrilling Swiss rail adventure, conquering 4 scenic express routes in one day. Perfect for train enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable journey.
Embark on a thrilling Swiss rail adventure, conquering 4 scenic express routes in one day. Perfect for train enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable journey.
-
Voralpen-Express - Discover the serene side of Switzerland: Beyond the towering 4000-meter peaks and deep gorges, the Voralpen-Express reveals a different Switzerland – with its rolling hills, charming villages, and beautiful orchards.
The Voralpen-Express offers the most delightful way to travel between Eastern and Central Switzerland. Departing…
- Voralpen-Express - Discover the serene side of Switzerland: Beyond the towering 4000-meter peaks and deep gorges, the Voralpen-Express reveals a different Switzerland – with its rolling hills, charming villages, and beautiful orchards.
The Voralpen-Express offers the most delightful way to travel between Eastern and Central Switzerland. Departing from St. Gallen, the urban hub of Eastern Switzerland and home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, the train crosses the 99-meter-high Sitter viaduct and the scenic “Toggenburg” landscape. Passing through Rapperswil and the stunning upland moor near Rothenthurm, the journey concludes in just over two hours in the historic city of Lucerne, nestled by Lake Lucerne.
- Lucerne - Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Lucerne’s enchanting Old Town. Cross the iconic Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), admire the vibrant frescoed buildings, or simply relax along the lively lakeside promenade before continuing the journey.
- Die Zentralbahn. Reisezentrum Meiringen - The Luzern–Interlaken Express transforms the trip between these cities into a memorable experience. During a two-hour cogwheel train ride, passengers are captivated by five crystal-clear mountain lakes that collect waters from various rivers and waterfalls. Steep rock faces of surrounding mountains rise protectively at the lakeshore, offering unique photo opportunities. Just before the steep, winding ascent to Brünig Pass, the train switches to cogwheel drivetrain technology to tackle the gradient. The Luzern–Interlaken Express is rightly part of the scenic GoldenPass Line leading to Interlaken and on to Montreux.
- Interlaken - Nestled between two sparkling lakes and crowned by the snowy peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s most stunning destinations. Its name, meaning “between the lakes,” highlights the town’s unique blend of alpine and aquatic beauty. Stroll through Hohematte Park and watch paragliders land against a mountain backdrop, or follow the emerald Aare River as it connects Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Elegant Belle-Époque hotels evoke the golden age of travel, while adventure-seekers flock for rafting, skydiving, and hiking in the surrounding valleys.
- Spiez - Spiez is situated in what is arguably the most beautiful Swiss bay on the deep blue Lake Thun. Enjoy views of the castle, vineyards, the local mountain Niesen, as well as the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
-
Golden Pass Railway - The GoldenPass Express is a panoramic train connecting Interlaken and Montreux through one of Switzerland’s most picturesque regions. Large windows offer uninterrupted views and a smooth, comfortable ride on this iconic route.
A world-first and Swiss masterpiece, it finally realizes a century-old dream of traveling the entire way without changing trains. Previously, different track gauges hindered the plan; now, ingenious adjustable bogies solve it. With sweeping vistas and plush comfort, the journey is as spectacular as the destination.
The trip feels like a journey across Switzerland: starting in scenic Interlaken, then through Gstaad, Château-d’Oex, and Montbovon to lakeside Montreux. Gstaad enchants with luxury chalets and a star-studded winter scene. Château-d’Oex is renowned for hot-air balloons—you might spot one aloft. Montreux hosts the famous Montreux Jazz Festival. Along the way, pastures, peaks, and classic villages glide by—every seat offers a front-row view to Switzerland’s alpine heart. -
Montreux - Located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Montreux is a popular excursion destination, thanks to its position on Lake Geneva, its mild climate, and the Montreux Jazz Festival.
This town on the shores of Lake Geneva boasts a stunning Alpine backdrop, the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival, and attractions such as Chillon Castle. These are just a few reasons why it is often called the “Pearl of Lake Geneva.” - Brig - Brig is located in southern Switzerland in sunny Valais, nestled between the Bernese and Valais Alps. The city on the River Rhône is a popular destination due to its car-free old town, the Stockalper Castle, the Simplon Pass, and its thermal baths.
- Simplon Tunnel - The Simplon Tunnel is one of Switzerland’s most remarkable engineering feats and a highlight on the route between the north and south of the Alps. Opened in 1906, it was the world’s longest railway tunnel for nearly 75 years, stretching almost 20 kilometers through solid Alpine rock. The tunnel connects Brig in the canton of Valais with Domodossola in northern Italy, providing a vital year-round link across the Alps. Traveling through the Simplon Tunnel feels like a journey between two worlds: from the crisp mountain air of the Swiss Alps to the milder, Mediterranean climate of northern Italy in just a few minutes. The tunnel’s construction required immense skill and courage from thousands of workers who faced extreme heat, water, and pressure deep underground — a true masterpiece of early 20th-century engineering.
- Domodossola - Domodossola is the charming Italian town waiting just beyond the southern portal of the Simplon Tunnel. Nestled at the foot of the Italian Alps, it marks the meeting point between Alpine grandeur and Mediterranean warmth. The old town center, with its cobbled lanes and arcaded piazza, reveals centuries of history as a trading hub between Switzerland and Italy. Colorful façades, small cafés, and bustling Saturday markets give Domodossola a relaxed, authentic atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the cool order of the Swiss side. From here, scenic routes branch out toward Lake Maggiore and the Ossola valleys, where vineyards and chestnut forests cover the hillsides. The blend of mountain culture, Italian style, and friendly local life makes Domodossola a delightful stop — a perfect gateway to Italy and a taste of the south just minutes after emerging from the Alps.
- Centovalli Express - Station Domodossola - The Centovalli Express is one of Switzerland’s most scenic narrow-gauge rail journeys, linking Domodossola in Italy with Locarno in Switzerland. Its name means “Hundred Valleys,” and the route truly lives up to it — winding for 52 kilometers through deep gorges, chestnut forests, and countless bridges and waterfalls. Small villages cling to steep slopes, and every curve opens a new panorama of the Italian and Swiss Alps. The train itself is comfortable and intimate, with large windows that bring the landscape close enough to touch. In less than two hours, passengers travel from Italian charm to Ticino’s sunny palm-lined lakeside, crossing an extraordinary variety of landscapes and cultures. The Centovalli Express is not just a means of transport, but a journey through contrasts — from rugged mountains to subtropical gardens, from quiet valleys to the vibrant streets of Locarno on Lake Maggiore.
-
Bellinzona - The capital of the canton of Ticino is situated in the Magadino plain on the River Ticino, not far from Lago Maggiore. On a tour of Bellinzona’s authentic old town, you’ll come across inviting squares, restored palazzi, and cozy courtyards. The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with its large Renaissance fresco, is well worth a visit.
And last but definitely not least: Bellinzona hosts its own prestigious UNESCO World Heritage: The fortifications of Bellinzona are an extraordinary example of a late-medieval defensive structure located at a key strategic point on the Alpine pass. The castles of Bellinzona are among the most marvelous examples of medieval fortified architecture in the Alps. -
Gotthard Base Tunnel - The return journey brings us back north in record time, carried through the Gotthard Base Tunnel — at 57 kilometers, the world’s longest railway and deepest traffic tunnel. Opened in 2016 after nearly two decades of construction, it represents one of the greatest engineering achievements of our time.
In less than 20 minutes, the train glides silently up to 2,300 meters beneath the Alps, with more than two kilometers of solid rock towering above. The contrast is striking: where the historic mountain route revealed the Alps curve by curve, the base tunnel cuts straight through them with speed and precision. It is a reminder of how Switzerland continues to shape the dialogue between nature, history, and progress.
As we emerge back into central Switzerland, we look back on a day that offered a glimpse of southern Switzerland’s charm together with the adventure of crossing the Alps both over and under them — an experience that lingers long after the journey ends.

- Personal guide Dave: Swiss local, qualified geographer & teacher
- Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)
- Personal guide Dave: Swiss local, qualified geographer & teacher
- Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)
- Meals
- Meals
Embark on this truly unique and ambitious tour to experience four of Switzerland’s most breathtaking panoramic express routes—all in one unforgettable day. Begin in Zurich and travel east to St. Gallen, then hop on the Voralpen-Express for a scenic journey to Luzern through rolling hills, lakes, and charming countryside. Continue on the…
Embark on this truly unique and ambitious tour to experience four of Switzerland’s most breathtaking panoramic express routes—all in one unforgettable day. Begin in Zurich and travel east to St. Gallen, then hop on the Voralpen-Express for a scenic journey to Luzern through rolling hills, lakes, and charming countryside. Continue on the Luzern–Interlaken Express, passing by waterfalls, meadows, and snowy peaks. From Interlaken, take the GoldenPass Express via Gstaad to Montreux, traversing high passes and terraced vineyards. Head south through the Simplon region to Domodossola and board the Centovalli Express to Locarno—a narrow-gauge marvel through deep gorges and stone villages. Turn north via Bellinzona and speed through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s longest, before returning to Zurich. Covering nearly 900 km in one day, this adventure is truly for dedicated rail enthusiasts. A thrilling, fast-paced full-circle rail journey across the Alps. An exhilarating experience guaranteed!
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.