Around Zürich · SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEYS

The 12 Best Scenic Train Journeys from Zürich

12 tours  ·  ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.5 average  ·  from $49

Cogwheel lines up the mountains, funiculars off the lakeshore and panoramic carriages through the passes. These 12 are the rides where the train is the day out, not the transport — compared on route, season and what the ticket covers.

Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise - Meet-up and ride setup near Lucerne Train Station
Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Lucerne Cruises, Mount Pilatus Tours, Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

Interlaken: Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm - The funicular ride itself: where the view shows up fastest
Harder Kulm, Lake Brienz & Lake Thun, Scenic Train Journeys, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Interlaken: Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm

2.Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,469 reviews · 1 day · from $49Best value

Interlaken funicular to Harder Kulm for views of Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Brienz and Thun lakes, plus sunset time on top.

“Fantastic experience. Went in the evening so the line was long. Looks like mornings are faster”

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Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Zurich - Price and What You’re Paying For (And What You Might Still Need)
Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours

Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Zurich

3.Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Zurich

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 164 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $599

Zurich to Chur and the Glacier Express to Andermatt, then guided Lucerne Old Town and lake views on a 10-hour rail day.

“Fantastic experience. Our guide, Leighton, was so knowledgeable, and very friendly. We saw more of Switzerland in one day than one would think possible. Glacier Express was the highlight, so comfortable, fantastic views, enjoyable lunch - all the while our guide pointing out things and answering questions. By the time we got to Lucerne, Leighton knew I was pretty wore out. He adapted the Lucerne part of the tour so we could see what we really wanted to see with minimum amount of walking. He did a great job showing us Switzerland, at a pace to accommodate my disability. This private tour with a tour guide who cares and wants…”

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Zermatt & Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Day Trip from Zürich - Key things that make this trip worth your time
1-Day Tours, Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews

Zermatt & Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Day Trip from Zürich

4.Zermatt & Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Day Trip from Zürich

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $756

Small-group train day from Zurich to car-free Zermatt and up Gornergrat for Matterhorn views, with guided transfers and rail tickets.

“She Madea Wonderfuul experience of our trip. Awesome view of the Alps, incredible cog wheel train ride up de mountain and the guide was kind, knowledgeable and super helpful and patient and all was perfect.”

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From Zurich: Funicular to Mt. Bürgenstock & Lake Lucerne - Zurich to Central Switzerland: coach comfort and real scenery
Lake Lucerne Cruises, Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews

From Zurich: Funicular to Mt. Bürgenstock & Lake Lucerne

5.Funicular to Mt. Bürgenstock & Lake Lucerne

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 43 reviews · from $145

Coach from Zurich to Lucerne, cruise to Kehrsiten, funicular up Bürgenstock, then Rigi cable car down and back by boat.

“Our trip to Lucerne tour was amazing! Our guide, Peter, was so knowledgeable, funny, & friendly. He was easy to locate at the meeting point made it a great experience for everyone, and we would absolutely use The Tour Guy again and I will recommend him to All my friends. Thank you Peter 😃”

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Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip from Zürich With Private Guide - Chur Stop: Winding Old Town Streets and a Cathedral Courtyard
Guided, Private, Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip from Zürich With Private Guide

From Zürich: Small Group Tour to Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat - The small-group day from Zürich HB, up to 10 people
Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Zürich: Small Group Tour to Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat

Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Lucerne - Oberalp Pass and the Highest-Altitude Moments
Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours

Glacier Express, Swiss Alps & Lucerne Tour | From Lucerne

Zurich: Glacier Express's Swiss Alps & Lucerne Private Tour - The Glacier Express in first-class style on the Oberalp route
Private, Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours

Zurich: Glacier Express’s Swiss Alps & Lucerne Private Tour

9.Glacier Express’s Swiss Alps & Lucerne Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews

Private Glacier Express Alps to Lucerne tour from Zurich with an English guide, reserved seats, and time in Old Town Chapel Bridge.

“The organizer charged us extra due to a train delay as a result of the train we planned to take was not accessible upon arrival in Lucerne so it added a half hour to the trip but within the 11 hr tour as advertised. We felt it wasn’t our fault but paid the extra 150 Swiss francs anyway. Also, the meal served was less than first class gourmet of chicken, a light lunch. The guide Gustavo was excellent, and the scenery was superb.”

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Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip in one Day Private Tour from Luzern - Morning in Lucerne, then the 2-hour train to Chur
1-Day Tours, Private, Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip in one Day Private Tour from Luzern

10.Glacier Express Panoramic Train Round Trip in one Day Private Tour from Luzern

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $901

A guided one-day private trip from Lucerne to the Glacier Express route, with panoramic train time, 3-course lunch, and a Brig break.

“Wonderful day spent with a delightful and informative guide. Eric was very informative, an interesting conversationalist and an excellent guide. Thank you, Eric, for adding another dimensión to our time in Switzerland.”

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6-Day Drive 9 Swiss Passes, Glacier Express Route +Stelvio, Italy - Zurich meet and greet: starting on a clock you can trust
6-Day Experiences, Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews

6-Day Drive 9 Swiss Passes, Glacier Express Route +Stelvio, Italy

Lucerne: Glacier Express's Swiss Alps & Lucerne Private Tour - Price and what $847 per person really buys you
Private, Scenic Train Journeys, Tour Reviews, Tours

Lucerne: Glacier Express’s Swiss Alps & Lucerne Private Tour

12.Glacier Express’s Swiss Alps & Lucerne Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $847

Private first-class Glacier Express to Lucerne with a local English guide, scenic Chur and Lake Lucerne rail, Chapel Bridge, and Lion Monument.

“Such a fun trip! Our tour guide Gustavo was amazing. He perfect paced the day, and took us around to amazing views, great spots to see, fun spots to get food and took great photos for us! We especially loved getting to go through a local market en route to the train and pick up snacks for the journey. The Glacier Express and the trains we took to get there were both amazing. You will be stunned by the amazing views. We're thankful to have booked here, it made it so easy and stress free to see the mountains. Thank you Gustavo and Jonas for an amazing trip!!Read more”

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Every kind of Swiss day out

The mountains, the water, the food and the city itself — and the best of each.