A Decade On Track: Switzerland’s Grand Train Tour Turns 10

A Swiss holiday does not always need a fixed list of destinations. Sometimes, the best way to see the country is to let the landscape dictate the itinerary. One train ride can take travellers from a lakeside city to an Alpine village, past vineyards and valleys, and towards snow-covered peaks, with the view changing almost as quickly as the terrain. In 2026, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of turning the country’s railway network into a holiday in itself.

Introduced in 2016, the Grand Train Tour connects Switzerland’s major panoramic railway routes into a single travel concept. Rather than focusing on one particular train or region, it brings together several of the country's most scenic rail journeys, allowing visitors to experience different parts of Switzerland within one itinerary.

A Journey Across Switzerland

The route is designed around the idea that getting from one destination to another can be as rewarding as the destination itself. Travellers can move between cities, historic towns, lakeside resorts and Alpine communities while taking in some of the country’s best-known rail landscapes.

Among the experiences that can form part of the journey are the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Express and Gotthard Panorama Express. Each offers a different perspective on Switzerland, from high mountain scenery and winding valleys to lakes, forests and historic rail routes. Together, they create a broader picture of the country than a conventional city-based itinerary might offer.

The Grand Train Tour is also not a rigid route that travellers have to complete from beginning to end. Visitors can choose sections according to how much time they have, where they want to go and what kind of landscapes they want to see. A trip could focus on mountain railways and Alpine towns, for instance, or combine major cities with lakeside stops and panoramic train journeys.

Rail Travel Made Easy

The practicality of the Swiss railway system is a major part of the appeal. Switzerland's public transport network is extensively connected, making it relatively straightforward to combine trains, buses and boats while travelling between regions. For international visitors, the Swiss Travel Pass can simplify the process further by providing access to much of the country's public transport network through a single pass.

The pass also includes entry to a number of museums and offers discounts on several mountain excursions, making it useful for travellers planning a trip that goes beyond rail journeys. With accommodation added along the route, the Grand Train Tour can become anything from a comprehensive Swiss holiday to a shorter rail-focused break.

That flexibility is increasingly relevant as travellers rethink how they move through destinations. A scenic train journey does away with the need to hire a car or spend hours navigating unfamiliar roads, while allowing travellers to remain connected to the landscape between stops. The train window becomes part of the experience, particularly on routes where mountains, lakes and valleys form the backdrop for much of the journey.

A Decade On Track

Over its first decade, the Grand Train Tour has also become an important way for Switzerland to present its rail infrastructure as a tourism experience. Travel trade partners in international markets have helped introduce visitors to the concept, particularly those looking to explore more than one Swiss region during a single trip.

Its 10th anniversary arrives as scenic rail travel continues to appeal to travellers seeking slower, more immersive ways of exploring. Switzerland is particularly well suited to this approach because of the reach of its railway network and the sheer variety of landscapes accessible by train.

For travellers planning a first trip to Switzerland, the Grand Train Tour offers a useful way to think beyond individual destinations. The country can be explored as a sequence of connected experiences rather than a series of separate stops. Ten years after its launch, that remains its biggest strength: the journey is not simply the link between the places on the itinerary. It is one of the main reasons to take the trip in the first place.

FAQs