New scenic train routes and rail updates in Switzerland for 2026
Switzerland’s trains: always improving
Switzerland’s railway network is already the finest in the world by most measures — the highest density of track per square kilometre, the most punctual trains, the most comprehensive coverage, and some of the most scenically spectacular routes anywhere on earth. Yet SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) and the network of private and cantonal railways that complement it never stop investing.
2026 brings a meaningful cluster of updates, route improvements, and new experiences worth knowing about before you plan a trip built around Switzerland’s extraordinary train infrastructure. Whether you’re riding the famous panoramic routes or exploring the quieter regional lines, here’s what’s changed.
The Glacier Express: updates and enhanced experience
The Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz remains Switzerland’s most celebrated panoramic train, and 2026 sees continued investment in the on-board experience. The route covers 291km and 91 tunnels over around 8 hours — it’s not fast travel, it’s slow travel at its most intentional.
New for 2026, the Excellence Class on the Glacier Express has expanded its seasonal availability, making the premium open-roof observation car and gourmet dining experience accessible over a longer period of the year. The Excellence Class offers a genuinely extraordinary experience — limited to small groups, with multi-course meals served as the mountains scroll past.
For standard travellers, the panoramic carriages remain among the most impressive in European rail travel. The floor-to-ceiling windows, the curved glass ceiling sections, and the careful positioning of the route to maximise views of the Mattertal, the Goms Valley, and the Rhine Gorge make this a legitimately memorable 8-hour journey.
You can book the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz in 2nd class in advance. The mandatory seat reservation (separate from the pass) costs CHF 39-49 depending on season and is required even if you hold a Swiss Travel Pass.
The best seats are those on the right side of the train travelling from Zermatt to St. Moritz (left side in the reverse direction) for the most dramatic valley and mountain views. Travelling the full route in one day is the classic approach, but considering an overnight stop at Andermatt or Chur in the middle allows you to explore both ends of the route without rushing.
GoldenPass Express: full operation and new connections
The GoldenPass Express — which achieved a long-awaited milestone when it began running without train changes between Montreux and Interlaken in 2022 — has continued to refine its operation in the years since. By 2026, the full service between Montreux on Lake Geneva and Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland operates smoothly, having solved the technical challenge of connecting two rail gauges without passengers changing trains.
The route through the Pays-d’Enhaut alpine region, past Château-d’Oex (famous for its hot air balloon festival), and down through the Simmental valley to Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s best-kept rail secrets. It connects two of Switzerland’s most visited destinations via scenery that almost no international visitors see.
The Belle Époque carriages in the Montreux section give the train a distinctly retro atmosphere — wood panelling, vintage-style fittings, and a pace that suits leisurely watching the Lavaux wine terraces drop toward Lake Geneva.
Connecting to Lucerne via the Brünig Pass
The GoldenPass connects at Interlaken to the Brünig Line — a narrow-gauge railway climbing over the Brünig Pass to Lucerne. This creates a Montreux-to-Lucerne scenic route with one train change at Interlaken that passes through an extraordinary variety of Swiss landscapes in a single day. It’s not heavily promoted but is one of the best full-day rail experiences in the country.
The Bernina Express: high-altitude precision
The Bernina Express between Chur (or Davos) and Tirano in Italy crosses the Bernina Pass at 2,253 metres — the highest railway crossing of the Alps — on a route entirely inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Albula Line.
2026 sees continued service excellence on this route, with the famous red carriages operating through some of the most jaw-dropping mountain scenery in Switzerland. The Landwasser Viaduct (a six-arch limestone bridge that curves as it crosses a gorge), the Morteratsch Glacier panorama, and the spiral ascent at Brusio are the three great set pieces — all visible from the train.
The journey from Chur to Tirano takes around 4 hours. A combined day trip from Zurich is possible (early departure required) or the route pairs well with a base in Pontresina, St. Moritz, or Davos. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the Swiss portion of the route — you’ll need a supplement or separate ticket for the Italian section beyond the border.
Combining Glacier Express and Bernina Express
The classic Graubünden rail circuit combines both routes: ride the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz, spend a night or two in St. Moritz or Pontresina, then take the Bernina Express north to Chur and continue to Zurich. This covers two UNESCO World Heritage rail routes, two dramatically different landscapes (the high Alpine valleys of Valais and the Engadine), and connects the major resort destinations of the Valais and Graubünden.
Quieter scenic routes worth discovering
Switzerland’s rail network is dense enough that less-famous routes deliver scenery comparable to the headline panoramic trains — sometimes better, almost always quieter.
The Centovalli Railway (Locarno to Domodossola)
The Centovalli — meaning “hundred valleys” — railway runs from Locarno in Ticino through deep gorges and remote villages to the Italian town of Domodossola, where connections to the Domodossola-Brig line bring you back into Switzerland via the Simplon tunnel. The route operates narrow-gauge trains across a spectacular landscape of vine-terraced hillsides, deep river gorges, and stone-built mountain villages.
The full Centovalli journey takes about 2 hours in each direction. A day trip from Locarno — riding to Domodossola for lunch, then returning — is one of the most pleasant rail excursions in Switzerland and sees almost no international visitors despite being extraordinary.
The Waldenburgerbahn
The Waldenburgerbahn in Basel-Landschaft canton completed a conversion from narrow gauge to metre gauge in 2023, integrating more fully into the regional network. The route through the Jura foothills north of Liestal is quietly lovely — not alpine drama, but the gentle Swiss lowland scenery of orchards, farmland, and small villages at its most pastoral.
The Appenzell Railways
The network of narrow-gauge railways connecting St. Gallen, Appenzell, Wasserauen, Herisau, and Urnäsch gives access to one of Switzerland’s most distinctive cultural regions. The Säntis massif looms above the rolling green Appenzell hills, and the trains pass through a landscape that feels unchanged from historical photographs. Excellent for combining with hiking between stations.
The Lötschberg Mountain Railway
The historic Lötschberg mountain route (not the modern base tunnel) between Spiez and Brig climbs through the Lötschtal valley via a series of spiral tunnels and viaducts, emerging at the Lötschberg summit before descending to the Rhône Valley. Most intercity trains use the modern base tunnel, making the mountain route quieter — a genuinely good choice if you’re not in a rush.
Practical rail travel tips for 2026
Booking panoramic train reservations: The Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and GoldenPass Express all require advance seat reservations — separate from your Swiss Travel Pass or point-to-point ticket. These reservations fill up quickly in summer (July-August) and holiday periods. Book at least 2-3 months ahead for peak summer travel.
The SBB app: Switzerland’s railway app is excellent and covers all national and most private railways. It provides real-time tracking, platform information, connection alerts, and digital ticket display. Download it before arriving in Switzerland.
Day passes vs Swiss Travel Pass: For visitors focusing primarily on scenic railways, the Swiss Travel Pass typically provides better value than individual route tickets across a week of travel. However, if you’re only riding one or two routes, calculate individually — the Glacier Express reservation and Bernina Express point-to-point tickets may come out cheaper for short visits.
Best seats on popular routes:
- Glacier Express (Zermatt to St. Moritz direction): right side of the train
- Bernina Express (Chur to Tirano direction): both sides have excellent views; left side for Landwasser Viaduct
- GoldenPass (Montreux to Interlaken direction): right side for Lake Geneva views leaving Montreux, both sides equally good through the mountain section
First vs second class: Swiss second class is comfortable and well-equipped. First class offers wider seats and slightly more space. On panoramic routes the views are identical — both classes use the same panoramic windows. For most travellers, second class is the right choice.
Shoulder season rail travel: September and early October offer the best combination of good visibility, manageable crowds on popular trains, and full service availability. The mountain scenery in early autumn — with the first snow on high peaks and the valley trees beginning to turn — is among the finest the country offers.
For connecting rail travel to major destinations, the Lucerne to Interlaken corridor on the Brünig Line, and the Zurich to Zermatt connection via Bern or Visp, are the backbone of most Swiss rail itineraries. The 7-day itinerary shows how to string these together effectively.
Switzerland’s rail network in 2026 remains what it has been for decades: the gold standard of integrated public transport. The new additions and improvements build on an already outstanding foundation. Whether you’re crossing the Bernina Pass on the red Bernina Express or quietly winding through the Appenzell hills on a regional train with nobody else in the carriage, Swiss rail travel is among the most reliably excellent experiences the country offers.