How long is the Swiss Alps train ride?

This legendary, eight-hour ride slowly weaves more than 150 miles across 291 bridges and through 92 tunnels in the picturesque Swiss Alps from the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt to St. Moritz.



The duration of a Swiss Alps train ride in 2026 depends entirely on which iconic route you choose, as the network is designed for scenic "slow travel." The most famous journey, the Glacier Express, takes approximately 8 hours to travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz, famously dubbed the "world's slowest express train." The Bernina Express, which crosses the Alps from Chur to Tirano (Italy), takes about 4 to 4.5 hours and is a UNESCO World Heritage route. For those seeking the "Top of Europe," the trip to the Jungfraujoch from Interlaken takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, especially if utilizing the high-speed "Eiger Express" cable car link. In 2026, many tourists opt for the "Grand Train Tour of Switzerland," which can span 8 to 15 days if completed in its entirety. These rides are less about getting from point A to B and more about the immersive panoramic views through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

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Glacier Express The journey in what has been dubbed the world's slowest express train takes travellers across the Alps within roughly eight hours, passing through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges.

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You can enjoy the Bernina Express as a day trip - this is the highest railway across the Alps, yet the train negotiates 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and steep inclines with ease. The carriages have panoramic windows so that you can enjoy unrestricted views of the stunning landscape through which you are travelling.

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Topping our list is none other than the Glacier Express, probably the most iconic and luxurious scenic Swiss rail journey. Known as the 'slowest express train in the world', the entire journey will grant you with undisputed panoramic views of the country's most dramatic scenery, no matter the season.

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The Glacier Express - known as the 'Slowest Express Train in the World' (and arguably the most scenic) - connects the mountain resort towns of Matterhorn adjacent to Zermatt and St Moritz in the Swiss Alps.

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Climb aboard some of Switzerland's legendary trains to experience the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps—from the twisted peak of the Matterhorn to the breathtaking vistas of the Bernina Pass.

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You sit anywhere you like. If you buy one of these full-price full-flex tickets at www.sbb.ch, www.thetrainline.com or www.omio.com, it is valid on any train between those stations by the route stated on the date you bought it for, even if you selected a specific train.

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A ride on the Glacier Express is anything but fast. The 290-kilometer trip through the Swiss Alps takes over 8 hours, essentially an entire transatlantic flight within tiny landlocked Switzerland.

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The Glacier Express is primarily designed to be a scenic journey from start to finish (from Zermatt to St. Moritz or vice versa), rather than a hop-on, hop-off service. The train passes through several towns and cities, including Brig, Andermatt, Chur, and Davos, among others.

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Anyone who visits Switzerland should not miss an excursion into the Swiss mountains. A day trip to the Jungfraujoch or Mount Titlis – surrounded by perpetual snow and ice at over 3,000 meters (9,840 ft) above sea level – is a truly breathtaking experience.

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If you're looking for the most beautiful train ride on earth, you know that Switzerland has to be number one on this list. The Bernina Express is a scenic train route unlike no other. It's a four-hour trip from start to finish and covers a total of 76 miles (or 122 km) of the track.

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You can reserve your seats on Swiss trains at SBB.ch, SBB Mobile, via SBB Contact Center 0848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/min.) or direct at the ticket counter. It costs CHF 5 per seat to make a reservation.

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1. The Lake Lucerne region has without doubt the most splendid landscape of Switzerland. Only about 45 minutes drive from Zurich you find yourself inside a diverse mountain and lakeside scenery with iconic peaks, dent forests, shimmering waters and stunning alpine panoramas.

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Day trip from Zurich to Grindelwald and Interlaken It includes a scenic rail journey between Grindelwald and Interlaken. You'll see the peaks of the Mönch, Jungfrau and Eiger, and shop for Swiss goods in the Bernese Oberland. There's also free time in Grindelwald included to spend as you wish.

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