The Alpine Express: Switzerland’s Scenic Train Journey

The Most Scenic Sections of the Alpine Express Route

The 8-hour Swiss mountain train ride is composed of beautiful scenic locations. The following are a few of them that you can enjoy on the Alpine Express route. 

• The Oberalp Pass: One could say this is the most scenic place on the planet for its unspoiled beauty. At this point, you will come across a dramatic steep climb with green valleys, such as the deep Rhine Valley. The panoramic views here are always composed of alpine forests, glaciers and beautiful mountain peaks. At the very top, you will see a beautiful lighthouse. It is also known as the Oberlap lighthouse and sits beside the summit lake. 
  
  
• The Rhine Gorge: Also known as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland, with the most gigantic white towers and cliffs. You can also enjoy the view of the blue Rhine River flowing beneath the canyon. 
  
  
• The Landwasser Viaduct: This location is the most famous spot of the entire Switzerland train tour. With the S-shaped curve, you might catch a glimpse of your train’s engine. Then the sudden transition to the Landwasser Tunnel happens while you see everything in pitch black. Hence, if you are lucky, the train will slow down so you can capture beautiful photos and videos. 

Must-See Stops and Attractions Of Switzerland Train Tour

The Switzerland train tour offers the absolute best scenery and attractions for its travellers. The following are some of the iconic stops you must check on the best train rides in Switzerland. 

• Zermatt: This destination is the starting point of the Alpine Switzerland train tour. This beautiful mountain town features stunning, untouched beauty and pyramid-shaped mountains. You can start your journey through a breathtaking place and continue it to discover even more. 
  
  
• Zumfort: This hamlet is the smallest village in Switzerland, and you can spot it near Andermatt. This place consists of one church, one restaurant and a single family of three living there. 
  
  
• The Bis Glacier: About 10 minutes after departing Zermatt, look out the left side of the train (if heading toward St Moritz) to spot a massive, glistening ice wall stretching down the mountain.

Onboard Experiences and First-Class Comfort on the Alpine Express

The first-class comfort is something you must experience on a Switzerland train tour. The first class of the Alpine Express offers highly spacious, comfortable seating to enjoy the outside beauty. Since the journey takes about 8 hours, you must have proper, comfortable seating to feel more relaxed during the trip.
Hence, we will explore the facilities featured in the first class of the Alpine Express. 

• There aren’t many people in first class, so they can always get to the window.
• The chairs are wider and have soft, comfortably padded seats.
• It’s always less crowded there, so you can get that picture-postcard shot.
• The giant windows with views let you see the untouched mountain beauty of Switzerland.
• You can also choose to eat at your seat, where you will be served fresh food and Swiss wine.
• On board, you can also enjoy personal audio guides and free Wi-Fi while listening to stories about the area and learning about its history. 

Essential Tips for Planning Your Swiss Scenic Train Adventure

Proper planning is essential when you are about to take your Switzerland train tour. Here are the essential tips you must note when you take part in the world’s best scenic train ride.

• You can save a lot of money by getting a Swiss Travel Pass. It’s like having a discount ticket for everything.
• Another smart move is to get a Swiss half-fare card, which will save you half the price of every ticket you buy. 
• When you take part in a Switzerland train tour, you won’t understand the concept of the ticket giving you a seat. For Alpine Express, you must pay and reserve a seat, which is mandatory.
• If you travel by train with giant baggage, then you must get a luggage forwarding service from the Swiss Federal Railways.