Switzerland is one of the world’s best countries for train travel. Public transportation is frequent, punctual and reaches even the smallest mountain villages. Scenic routes and famous panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express make traveling by train an experience in itself.

Train travel in Switzerland is relaxed, comfortable and surprisingly enjoyable. It’s ideal for hikers, families and travelers who want to experience the country without a car. Switzerland is also known for outstanding hotels and hospitality — personal, high-quality and carefully maintained. A rail journey that includes one of Switzerland’s famous panoramic trains is pure indulgence.

Booking train travel in Switzerland
You can book train travel in Switzerland in two ways:

• Individual train tickets to and within Switzerland
• Fully organized rail tours with hotels and panoramic trains

One booking platform for all train tickets in Switzerland
With HappyRail, you can book train tickets to and within Switzerland online — at official railway prices and without booking fees. Since 2002, HappyRail has been a specialist platform for international train travel, working directly with more than 60 European railway companies, including SBB (Swiss Federal Railways), Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB and the Rhätische Bahn.

Train tickets in Switzerland via HappyRail
• All major Swiss railway companies in one planner (including SBB, RhB, BLS, MOB)
• International train tickets to Switzerland bookable online (including Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB Nightjet)
• Official railway prices, no booking fees
• Seat selection via seat maps on daytime trains where available
• Reservations for panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express
• One booking for your entire journey, including international and domestic Swiss trains

Fully organized rail tours in Switzerland
HappyRail also offers fully organized rail tours in Switzerland, with train tickets, seat reservations and small-scale hotels arranged in advance. These tours are designed for travelers who want a relaxed journey with a clear itinerary and no planning stress.

What’s included in organized rail tours in Switzerland
• Multi-day rail itineraries through Switzerland, planned end-to-end
• Famous panoramic trains and mountain railways included on many routes
• Small-scale hotels within walking distance of the station
• Special rail fares, often not available when booking separately
• Daily travel documents in the HappyRail app (also available offline)
• Clear itinerary and support during your journey
• Financial protection on package tours via the SGR guarantee fund

Panoramic trains in Switzerland
Below is an overview of famous panoramic trains and mountain railways, often included in rail tours or booked as individual day trips.

Glacier Express
Known as the “slowest express train in the world,” the Glacier Express travels from St. Moritz or Davos to Zermatt, crossing 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and the 2,033-meter-high Oberalp Pass.

Bernina Express
One of the most scenic rail routes in the world, climbing from 421 meters to 2,253 meters. The Bernina Line runs from Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano in Italy.

Jungfrau Railways
A network of mountain trains in the Jungfrau region, connecting Interlaken with Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Wengen. From Kleine Scheidegg, the iconic mountain railway continues to the Jungfrau summit — one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world.

GoldenPass Line
A panoramic route from Montreux to Zweisimmen and onward to Interlaken.

Gornergrat Railway
A steep mountain railway near Zermatt, with continuous views of the Matterhorn.

Rigi Railway
Historic cogwheel railway from Vitznau to Mount Rigi, a beautiful car-free mountain village.

Pilatus Railway
One of the steepest cogwheel railways in the world, offering a dramatic ascent above Lake Lucerne.

Gotthard Panorama Express
Panoramic intercity train running along the historic Gotthard route, combining classic rail travel with lake and mountain scenery.

Reaching Switzerland by train
Switzerland is easily reached by rail from neighboring countries, with frequent connections via major hubs such as Basel, Zurich, Geneva and Milan:

• From Germany: High-speed ICE connections via Basel and Zurich
• From France: Direct TGV services to Geneva and Lausanne
• From Italy: EuroCity trains via Milan to Zurich, Lucerne and Basel
• From Austria: Railjet and EuroCity services to Zurich and eastern Switzerland

Swiss railway companies
Major railway companies in Switzerland include SBB (Swiss Federal Railways), BLS, RhB (Rhätische Bahn), MOB, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and Zentralbahn.

Night trains to Switzerland
ÖBB Nightjet connects Switzerland with several European cities, offering a comfortable overnight option with seats, couchettes or private sleeper cabins.

Travel times within Switzerland (approximate)
• Zurich – Geneva: 2.5 hours
• Zurich – Lucerne: 1 hour
• Bern – Zurich: 1 hour
• Lucerne – Interlaken: 2 hours
• Geneva – Lausanne: 30 minutes
• Chur – Tirano (Bernina Express): 4 hours
• St. Moritz – Zermatt (Glacier Express): 8 hours

Explore more train journeys
• Train travel in Germany
• Train travel in France
• Train travel in Italy
• Train travel across Europe – overview