Photos from @ Glacier Express
Although there are a small number of impressive train trips on offer in New Zealand, the public transport system shadows in comparison to Switzerland. This is especially obvious in the countryside and farming communities, so to find a country with such an extensive, well-run public transport network is a huge bonus for me.
I do, of course, understand that Switzerland’s transport system is world-class with historically significant engineering accomplishments which are a result of the need to tackle incredibly challenging mountainous terrain.
For me, however, it was all about exploration and learning about my new home. I would take off all over the country, changing from trains to buses; trams to boats; cog railways to funiculars and was always amazed at how the connections were seamless and everything ran like clockwork.
My husband and I have now been living here for over 16 years and have both managed to travel the width and breadth of the country to many stunning destinations. However, there are some trips that are made just for the train journey rather than getting from A to B. They are the 6 premium panoramic train journeys. We have managed to get onto part of the routes here and there but I feel that the whole experience of the journey is what makes these trips so special.
Another unique route worth mentioning is the Palm Post Bus Express. This is not your average bus route. Starting in St Moritz, it winds its way over the border into Italy, down the side of Lake Como then back into Switzerland, via Lake Lugano in the Italian canton of Ticino.
These journeys are on my list of must-dos and we will definitely go one day soon… but until then, it was lots of fun researching them.
You can click on the coloured lines to find the routes or click on the little door at the top right to expand and view more details about each of the stops or thoroughfares en route.
Golden Pass Panoramic – Monteux to Zweisimmen: From Lake Geneva straight into the mountains. This route has mountain and valley views with picturesque villages full of chalets such as Gstaad. This is not an express train journey. It is one of three different routes, using three different rail lines (MOB, Zentralbahn, BLS), run by Goldenpass. You can find more information on the Goldenpass Line website here.
BLS RegioExpress ( A Goldenpass Line) – Zweisimmen to Interlaken Ost: Through the Simmental Valley and alongside Lake Thun where you will see typical wooden chalets in traditional villages. For more information either go to the Goldenpass website or BLS RegioExpress (website not yet available English 08/21).
Luzern-Interlaken Express (A Goldenpass Line) – Luzern to Interlaken Ost: (Or vice versa) You will pass four lakes on this trip, see waterfalls and go over the Brünig Pass. This journey takes 2 hours. You can find out more information here.
Glacier Express – Zermatt to St. Moritz: (You are able to go in either direction). This route takes you through Valais, Uri and Graubünden Cantons with the alpine village of Zermatt at one end; offering breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, and the elegant resort of St. Moritz at the other. In between is the UNESCO World site – Albula Railway with the Solis and Landwassser Viaducts and spiral tunnels and The Rhine Gorge which is known as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. This full journey takes approx. 7 1/2 hours. You can depart from Davos and change trains at Filisur. For more information, see the website here.
Gotthard Panorama Express – Lugano (or Bellinzona) to Luzern: (or vice versa). This route takes you right through Switzerland, including a trip on a steamboat across Lake Luzern in the north. The journey is full of significant historical sights and stories including various well-known Swiss myths and legends. It takes approximately 5 hours. More about this trip can be found here.
Bernina Express – Chur to Tirano, Italy: This route has been thoughtfully built so as to blend in with the alpine landscapes around the Albula and Bernina Passes. The train negotiates the 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and inclines of up to 70 per mile with ease. At the highest point on the RhB, 2,253 metres above sea level, you will find the Ospizio Bernina. Here you can enjoy the Alps at their most impressive. The railway line from Thusis – Valposchiavo – Tirano has UNESCO World Heritage status. You can find more information here.
The Palm Express: passes through the Engadin & Bregaglia valleys of Graubünden, down into Italy then finishing in Ticino
Starting in St. Moritz, the scenic Palm Express journey takes you on a 4-hour trip from snowy rugged peaks and forested valleys to the palm trees & deep blue waters of Lake Como and Lake Lugano via Chiavenna in Italy. (An identity card or passport is needed for the border crossing).
St. Moritz –Menaggio–Lugano
Firstly the trip takes you past the large Silvaplaner and Silser Lakes on the way to the Maloja Pass.
The post bus then negotiates 14 hairpin bends down to Val Bregaglia which has a distinct Mediterranean influence. After crossing the Castasegna municipality border, the bus enters Italy, where the bus stops at Chiavenna Stazione for just over and hour giving the passengers time to stroll through the Chiavenna market stands and enjoy refreshments under the first palm trees.
The Palm Express now carries you past the blue waters of the Mezzola and Como lakes onto the Sorico, Gera Lario, Domaso, Gravedona, Dongo and Menaggio villages. Then alongside Lake Lugano were the post bus once again crosses the Italien Swiss border. The Swiss lakeside town of Gandria is a lovely little town to stop for some food then perhaps, to take a boat or walk the 5 km Sentiero di Gandria trail back to Lugano.
For more information go to the Post Auto website here: https://www.postauto.ch/en/excursion-tips/palm-express search by entering From: St. Moritz to: Lugano then “search connections“. The journey takes just under 4 hours, including the 1 hour stop in Italy.
Fensterplatz AB – Your personal train tour in the Appenzell region.
What Fensterplatz AB is…
The Fensterplatz AB App is a digital Appenzeller Railway audio guide of stories and various topics relating to the Appenzell region. The app is designed to be used in conjunction with your train journey to tell you a bit about the landscape and villages that are outside your window.
How it works
First, you download the app and choose if you want to register –
Then either download a tour if no internet connection or choose the online option.
Choose the departure and arrival stations and put your headphones in to listen to the commentary. The App works with GPS points and so you will need to allow location access and use headphones for listening to the commentary.
Start the tour when the train departs.
You simply purchase a normal ticket – either a day pass for a return journey, or a single ticket for a point-to-point trip. Then use your app once entering the train.
There are two options for purchasing tickets: The public transport that services Schaffhausen, Thurgau, Appenzell and St. Gallen regions is called OSTWIND but tickets can also be purchased and timetables viewed on the Swiss National Transport website – sbb.ch.
Another ticketing option is to use fairtiq.com which is mentioned on the Fensterplatz AB website. This is also new technology for train travel. Fairtiq is an app that can be used to purchase the ticket as you enter the train or bus and stop the purchase when you leave. (I am yet to try this out but will add more information when I do).
For more information go to the Fensterplatz website. (Go into the menu/tours for suggested trips).
A possible trip would include:
Hopping on at St. Gallen …
Photo by @Schweiz Tourismus, André Meier
Then travelling through the Appenzell countryside and villages, learning about the views out the train window …
Photo: Appenzellerland Tourismus AR Archives @ René Niederer Artwiese
When arriving in Appenzell village, hop off the train and walk past the colourful houses, then try some local produce …
before getting back on the train to learn more about farming traditions, village life, leisure possibilities or local products.
Photo: Appenzellerland Tourismus AR Archives René Niederer Artwiese
Then arrive back in St. Gallen’s central station.
St. Gallen Roter Platz Photo by Giglio Pasqua, St. Gallen Tourismus
