There’s something almost meditative about train travel in Switzerland. The carriages glide, the lakes shimmer, and the mountains rise up like they’re auditioning for a postcard. Each route feels designed to make you stare out the window in quiet awe — coffee in hand, thoughts drifting somewhere between “wow” and “I might never get off this train.”

Lucerne: Frescos, Footbridges, and a Touch of Wagner

The trip began in Lucerne, a city so picturesque it feels painted into existence. The Chapel Bridge, with its centuries-old timbers and flower boxes, stretches across the Reuss River like a storybook scene. I followed the old city walls up to their towers, lingered along the lakeside promenade, and lost track of time among the frescoed houses in the Old Town. Just outside the centre, Wagner’s villa — now a museum — sits quietly among trees, its windows framing a lake so still it feels like a mirror. Lucerne is a city that knows its beauty but doesn’t need to show off.

Interlaken: Between Two Lakes and a Sky Full of Peaks

From Lucerne, the Luzern–Interlaken Express winds through wildflower meadows and glittering lakes, the mountains growing taller with every bend. Interlaken feels like a frontier — part adventure hub, part alpine postcard. My favourite moment? Taking the funicular up to Harder Klum, Interlaken’s most famous viewpoint, where the twin lakes stretch out in impossible shades of turquoise. It’s the sort of panorama that hushes even the most talkative travellers.

Montreux: The Riviera with a Rock ’n’ Roll Soul

The GoldenPass Express carried me south into another world — from snow-dusted peaks to palm-lined promenades. Montreux glows with Riviera charm: lake views, mountain backdrops, and a pace that seems to stretch time. It’s an Instagram dream, yes, but also a place for dreamers in general. Down by the shore, the Freddie Mercury statue watches over the lake, and the Queen Studio Experience offers a peek into the band’s creative chaos. I left humming Somebody to Love and convinced no photo could do the light justice.

Lausanne: A City with Two Souls

Ouchy, home to the steam boats crossing the lake.

From Montreux, it’s a quick hop to Lausanne, a city that climbs, twists, and unfolds like a story told in steps — so many steps. At the top, the Old Town is all Gothic spires and sweeping views; descend through markets and wine bars and you reach Ouchy, where boats glide and people linger with ice creams by the lake. Lausanne feels like two places stitched together — one buzzing and vertical, one calm and horizontal — and I loved both sides equally.

Geneva: Elegance Meets Ease

The final stretch brought me to Geneva, where the rhythm slows but the style never does. From the iconic Jet d’Eau to lakeside walks, wild swimming spots, and quiet corners of the Botanical Gardens near the UN, Geneva balances grace and livability better than almost anywhere I’ve been. It’s a city that whispers rather than shouts — all soft light, good coffee, and gelato in hand.

The Magic of Swiss Trains

Of course, half the joy of Switzerland lies between its destinations. The mountain railways are tiny miracles of engineering — each one offering its own flavour of beauty. Here’s how I ranked my favourites:

#7 Rigi Bahn (Vitznau → Rigi Kulm)

Europe’s first mountain railway still stuns. A short ride with spiritual vibes, misty forests, and views of 13 lakes.

#6 Voralpen Express (St. Gallen → Luzern)

Gentle hills, quiet villages, and a more local, laid-back vibe — Switzerland at its most serene.

#5 Luzern–Interlaken Express

Wildflower meadows, shimmering lakes, and glimpses of the mighty Eiger — a fairy tale in motion.

#4 Gotthard Panorama Express (Lugano → Luzern via Flüelen)

Spiral tunnels, bold bridges, and a vintage steamboat finale across Lake Lucerne — part engineering feat, part romance.

#3 GoldenPass Express (Interlaken → Montreux)

Snowy peaks to palm trees — one of the most varied (and visually dramatic) journeys in Europe.

#2 Glacier Express (Zermatt → St. Moritz)

Eight hours of cinematic wonder — glaciers, gorges, and alpine villages glide by at a perfectly unhurried pace.

#1 Bernina Express (Chur → Tirano)

The crown jewel. A UNESCO-listed ride over the Bernina Pass (2,253m) and into Italy — glaciers, spirals, viaducts, and a sense of pure, joyful astonishment.

In the End

Travelling across Switzerland by train feels like moving through a living gallery — the light keeps changing, the scenery rearranges itself, and you’re always just a few minutes from something astonishing. It’s proof that slow travel isn’t about time at all — it’s about attention. And there’s no better place to pay attention than on a Swiss train.