Switzerland, Zurich and Lucerne Mark 10 Years of the Grand Train Tour

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There will be a celebration in 2026 after ten years of operation of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, which is considered to be the unique tour of the scenic trains of Switzerland. It has been ten years since the creation of the Grand Train Tour, and it covers approximately 1,280 kilometres in eight stages. Grand Train Tour has been presented as an efficient means of visiting Switzerland without changing modes of transport.

Key Stats

• Anniversary: 10 years in 2026
• Total route: Approximately 1,280 kilometres
• Main sections: 8
• Large lakes: 11
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 5
• Official Swiss languages encountered: 4
• Mountain excursions: 21 options
• Major panoramic services: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Express and Gotthard Panorama Express
• Travel format: Train, bus and boat connections
• Operating season: Year-round, with some individual services seasonal

One Rail Journey, Eight Very Different Swiss Experiences

The Grand Train Tour is designed less like a single train ride and more like a giant sightseeing circuit. Travellers can start from different points, travel in either direction and choose how long they want to remain in each destination.

The eight sections connect cities and landscapes including Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St Moritz, Lugano and St Gallen. Along the way, the route passes 11 major lakes and five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

And this is where the itinerary becomes particularly useful for tourism: visitors can build a holiday around destinations rather than simply watching them pass through a train window.

Glacier Express Brings The Alpine Drama

The Glacier Express remains one of the headline experiences. The route connects Zermatt and St Moritz, taking passengers through dramatic mountain landscapes, valleys and gorges.

Zermatt places travellers beneath the Matterhorn, while St Moritz adds an upscale Alpine resort experience. The journey between them provides one of the most recognisable scenic rail experiences in Switzerland.

For visitors, the combination allows a single itinerary to cover two very different mountain destinations without relying on a car.

Bernina Express Takes The Route Across The Alps

The Bernina Express connects St Moritz with Tirano, crossing the Bernina landscape before continuing towards Lugano by bus. The route includes dramatic mountain scenery and the famous Brusio Circular Viaduct.

The railway section also passes through the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes, a UNESCO World Heritage property.

For international travellers, this section creates a natural bridge between Switzerland’s Alpine resort culture and the Italian-speaking Ticino region.

GoldenPass Express Connects Mountains With Lake Geneva

The GoldenPass Express adds another visual shift, connecting Interlaken and Montreux through the Simmen Valley.

Interlaken provides access to the Jungfrau region and major mountain excursions, while Montreux introduces vineyards, Lake Geneva and French-speaking Switzerland.

The journey therefore doubles as a cultural transition, moving visitors between different language regions, landscapes and tourism styles.

Lakes Become Part Of The Journey

The Grand Train Tour is not exclusively about trains. Some sections incorporate buses and boats, including the route between Lugano, Flüelen and Lucerne.

The Gotthard Panorama Express combines rail travel with a boat journey across Lake Lucerne during its operating season. The alternative Treno Gottardo provides a year-round option outside the seasonal panorama service.

This multimodal structure gives travellers access to Switzerland’s lakes as well as its mountains.

Five UNESCO Sites Add Cultural Weight

The route connects visitors with five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, adding cultural and historical depth to the scenic experience.

The itinerary can include the Rhaetian Railway landscapes, the Old City of Bern, Lavaux Vineyard Terraces and other internationally recognised heritage areas depending on the chosen sections and excursions.

That makes the Grand Train Tour relevant not only to rail enthusiasts but also to travellers interested in architecture, history, landscapes and regional culture.

A More Flexible Way To See Switzerland

The tour does not require visitors to complete every section in one continuous journey. Travellers can stop in cities, stay overnight, take mountain excursions and continue later.

Switzerland Tourism promotes the route with flexible itineraries, while the Swiss Travel Pass can be used across the Grand Train Tour network and also provides public transport access, museum benefits and discounts on selected mountain railways.

For longer holidays, this makes it possible to combine rail travel with hiking, lake cruises, museum visits, food experiences and Alpine excursions.

Travel Details For International Visitors

Zurich Airport is Switzerland’s major international gateway and provides easy access to the national rail network. Major Grand Train Tour destinations include Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St Moritz and Lugano.

Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF). Travellers should check individual train schedules and reservation requirements, particularly for panoramic services such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express.

Some sections involve seasonal buses or boat services, so itineraries should be planned according to travel dates.

FAQ

1. How long is the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland?
The full route covers approximately 1,280 kilometres across eight main sections.

2. Which famous trains are included?
Major panoramic services include the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Express and Gotthard Panorama Express.

3. Can travellers customise the Grand Train Tour?
Yes. The itinerary can be adapted with different starting points, overnight stays, partial routes and additional mountain excursions.

Timeline And Events

• 2016: The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland was launched as a unified scenic rail itinerary.
• 2026: The Grand Train Tour celebrates its 10th anniversary.
• 2026: Four new themed routes — Lakes & Peaks, East-West, Vineyards & Valleys, and Alpine Rivers — are being promoted alongside the anniversary.
• 2026: The route continues to operate year-round, with certain rail, bus and boat sections following seasonal schedules.

Conclusion

It is now ten years since the Swiss Grand Train Tour took off, with a travel proposition that has stood the test of time because it was always simple: hop aboard a train and watch the country unravel. Over 1,280 kilometres and through eight legs, eleven lakes, and five UNESCO World Heritage sites, you can link Alpine resorts, towns and cities, wine regions, and lakeside retreats into one itinerary. By 2026, it will have become another good reason for Switzerland’s railways to be in the multi-destination spotlight.