The Art of Slow Travel: Unravelling History & Beauty on the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Switzerland often outshines its small size as one of the most culturally diverse and rich places on earth amid unparalleled alpine scenery. Ski resorts, chocolate, cheese, and spectacular lakes draw millions of tourists to Switzerland each year, but the concentration of hidden gems, medieval towns, and gastronomy delights are equally captivating yet often overlooked.

Uncovering all of Switzerland's unique wonder and charm can be difficult despite its size, but the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland allows you to do just that with utmost convenience. Switzerland boasts one of Europe's most extensive and efficient railway networks, with roughly 3,290 mi (5,300 km) of rail lines servicing the Swiss population who travel by rail over 1,243 mi (2,000 km) per capita annually.

The development of Switzerland's world-renowned railway system began over 200 years ago, giving the country plenty of time to perfect the art of slow travel. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland truly showcases the ease and comfort of modern rail travel, winding through Switzerland's extraordinary alpine scenery, past shimmering lakes, historic cities and villages, and even ancient glaciers.

Tracks Through History

Railway infrastructure plans were already underway in the 1820s, but the country's political institutions needed more will to move forward. Switzerland's neighbours, the UK, France, and Germany, were already developing advanced rail networks at the time, but Switzerland remained reliant on road traffic and waterways until the Swiss Northern Railway from Zurich to Baden opened in 1847. It was the country's only rail line for five years until the 1852 Federal Railway Act spurred the construction of new railway stations and connections across the country, drastically improving the cost and efficiency of transporting goods. Traffic hubs like Zurich emerged with smaller towns reaping unimaged economic benefits, and in only eight years after the Swiss Parliament's landmark decision, Switzerland boasted Europe's densest rail networks.

The Gotthard Railway and Jungfrau Railway highlight Switzerland's most historic railway projects. The Gotthard Railway was born from the desire to connect North and South Switzerland, and under Alfred Esche's leadership, an ambitious decade-long project began. Extreme working conditions inside the alpine tunnel included temperatures up to 40°C, inadequate ventilation, and dynamite fumes, costing over 300 workers their lives. The Gotthard Railway eventually opened in 1882, with the Gotthard Tunnel being the world's longest railway tunnel for over 130 years, only to be outdone by the 2016 Gotthard Base Tunnel.

The perpetually ice and snow-covered Jungfrau summit was deemed impassable until the ground-breaking first ascent in 1811, opening the possibility of another ambitious railway 82 years later. Adolf Gueyer-Zeller began planning his idea of a railway from Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfrau in 1893, and on July 27, 1896, the ground-breaking ceremony kicked off the project. Workers began to carve out the railway with only shovels and pickaxes, resulting in a 16-year-long challenge. Gueyer-Zeller would unfortunately die 13 years before the inaugural journey, but in 1912, the Jungfrau railway would become the world's highest railway station for 94 years.

Elevating The Grand Tour by Train

Switzerland voted for the renationalization of its railways in 1898, and in 1902, the Swiss Federal Railway (SBB) nationalized four of the five main railways, with the Gotthard Railway following in 1909. Switzerland's railway enthusiasm continues today, with more ambitious rail projects designed to connect passengers to the country's main stations much faster, frequently, and comfortably.

Switzerland, in a nod to the 18th- and 19th-century tradition of young noble British men journeying to Italy and Greece, and later Switzerland as a rite of passage, created the Grand Tour of Switzerland in 2015. This modern-day version of the timeless journey showcases 1,021 mi (1,643 km) of the country's most spectacular scenery and storied cities. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, also launched in 2015, offers an even more scenic and relaxing option for slow travel enthusiasts.

This world-renowned rail journey includes eight unique sections, covering over 795 mi (1,280 km) and five different UNESCO World Heritage Sites, highlighted by The Glacier Express section. Undoubtedly Switzerland's most iconic and luxurious slow travel option, this section of the Grand Train Tour slowly winds across the Alps on an unparalleled eight-hour journey. The journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt ventures through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges, offering one-of-a-kind views of the imposing Swiss Alps, the incredibly picturesque Matterhorn Mountain, the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the secluded Lake Sils, and more. The luxurious coaches guarantee window seats for all passengers, and the onboard bar, concierge service, and entertainment guarantee a relaxing and unforgettable Swiss adventure.

Another highlight includes combining the Luzern-Interlaken Express with the GoldenPass Express. Passengers can connect to Luzern from Zurich before boarding the Luzern-Interlaken Express, showcasing incredible alpine lakes and serene mountain scenery en route to the GoldenPass Express. Embark on a scenic adventure from Interlaken to Montreux, immersed in luxury, redefining rail travel. Enjoy the extraordinary viewing experience from the panoramic viewing train and upgrade to the new Prestige travel class for immersive privacy and comfort, complimented with improved onboard culinary experiences. Whether you’re interested in uncovering Switzerland’s exciting urban cities, iconic natural scenery, or historic landmarks, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland combines them all on a seamless journey across all corners of the country.