Train Journey through Switzerland:
Train Journey Through Switzerland: Our Complete Route
From the Netherlands to Interlaken
The first day was mainly a travel day. We left the Netherlands early with the ICE train. Since July 2024, there is no longer a direct connection to Switzerland, so we changed trains in Frankfurt and continued via Basel to Interlaken. The last part of the journey, along the beautiful Lake Thun, already gave us a taste of what was to come.
Interlaken lies between two bright blue lakes and is the perfect place for anyone who loves mountains. You can see paragliders in the sky everywhere – very exciting to watch (but not for our mother, who is afraid of heights). Instead, we chose a cable car ride to Harder Kulm, where you get an amazing view of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, and the snow-covered peaks in the distance.
GoldenPass Line & Gotthard Panorama Express
In Lucerne, we changed to the Gotthard Panorama Express heading south. You can immediately notice the change in landscape – from classic Alpine scenery to an almost Mediterranean atmosphere. We arrived in Lugano, where we took an evening walk through the old town, over the beautiful Piazza della Riforma, and along Lake Lugano in Parco Ciani. A completely different atmosphere than Interlaken, but just as lovely.
Bernina Express: A Train ride to remember
After breakfast, we took the Bernina Bus to the Italian town of Tirano. Along the way, we enjoyed views of Lake Como and the surrounding scenery.
From Tirano, perhaps the most beautiful part of the trip began: the Bernina Express. You travel over viaducts, through mountain passes, and past glaciers – each view more impressive than the last. We ended in Chur, the oldest town in Switzerland. In the evening, we walked through the old town, exploring cosy squares and small churches. It was a peaceful end to such a full day.
Glacier Express to Zermatt
As if it couldn’t get more impressive, the next day we continued on the famous Glacier Express. This train travels slowly so you can fully enjoy the views. We passed the Landwasser Viaduct, the Rhine Gorge, and the Oberalp Pass.
In the late afternoon, we arrived in Zermatt, a charming, car-free mountain village at the foot of the Matterhorn. Since it was still snowy and quite cold in May, we decided not to take the cogwheel railway up the mountain. The peak was covered in mist anyway, so we’ll save that for another time. Instead, we explored the village, visiting the parish church and the statue of the alphorn player. Keep in mind: Zermatt is beautiful, but also expensive – so be prepared for that.
Heading home with wonderful memories
Time to say goodbye! We started our journey back to the Netherlands. This time, we also travelled partly on a panoramic train, with the stretch between Koblenz and Cologne offering beautiful views of the Rhine. After that, we changed to the ICE heading home.
Our experience with a train trip through Switzerland? Normally, we plan our trips ourselves, but this time we chose an organised tour – and it was actually very relaxing. Especially because Tessa has a lot of travel experience, but her mother isn’t used to long train journeys. Everything was well arranged, and we didn’t have to worry about a thing.
May turned out to be a perfect time to travel: fresh green landscapes, sunny weather, and still some snow on the mountain peaks. That contrast made the views even more beautiful.
Switzerland by train? Definitely!
This train journey was truly an experience we will never forget. Each day had its own atmosphere and highlights, and it was wonderful to enjoy all that beauty from a comfortable seat.
Do you also plan to explore Switzerland by train? Let us know in the comments or ask your questions – we’re happy to help you get started!
