Trains are one of the last bastions of luxury travel, and we’re not just talking about going from Jurong West to Changi Airport via the MRT. From scenic vistas around every bend to comfortable seats with actual legroom, there are many more reasons why travelling by train has remained a preferred mode of travel for many wanderlusting folks. One of those other reasons is Switzerland.
One of the best places to see on a train is Switzerland. The European country is renowned for its gorgeous landscapes; think snow-capped peaks like Jungfrau and Matterhorn to crystal-clear lakes like Lake Lucerne and Lake Geneva. It also happens that railway travel, like the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, is one of the greenest ways to explore all the sights you’ve bookmarked on Instagram. If you’re planning a trip to the Alps sometime soon and to experience all of its grandeur in a spectacular fashion, here’s what you need to know about the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.
As the name suggests, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland will take you on a grand tour of Switzerland on one of their iconic trains. And you have the flexibility to curate your itinerary according to your travel wishlists since there are a total of 8 train lines covering all the hotspots of Switzerland from Zermatt to St. Moritz. That’s a total of 1,280 kilometres worth of train tracks.
If you’re an anxious traveller who worries about delays and cancellations, fret not. All the lines of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland operate with esteemed Swiss efficiency, so you can expect the trains will depart and arrive at their destinations on time.
One of those said trains is the iconic Glacier Express. Dubbed the “World’s Slowest Express Train”, the journey will take you and your fellow travellers through the Swiss Alps from St. Moritz to Zermatt over 8 hours.
For those who want to climb aboard the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, it’s easier than you think. All you have to do is get the Swiss Travel Pass, an all-in-one ticket from the Swiss Travel System that covers all your public transport needs whether it’s by train, bus, or boat. However, the panoramic trains require seat reservations which will also incur a small charge. But you get to have peace of mind knowing that the seat you picked out will be waiting for you.
The duration of the Swiss Travel Pass ranges from 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 days, so you don’t have to pay for extra days when you won’t be there and feel like you’re wasting money. It also means unlimited rides across all Swiss public transport, admission to more than 500 museums, and plenty of mountain excursions for those who want an adventure. Prices for the Swiss Travel Pass start from CHF 232 (S$355) for a 3-day pass.
You can also use the official app of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland to plot out your desired route around the country, collect digital stamps and awards along your journey, and get access to coupons and discounts when the shopping itch needs to be scratched.
There’s something tranquil about sitting on a train as it crosses from fields of grass to snow-capped glaciers, from crystal-clear lakes to valleys nestled between the rocky mountains of the Alps. If there’s one way to see all the sights of Switzerland without breaking the bank, taking the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland might just be it.
Find out more about the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland here.
