Switzerland’s signature rail journey celebrates a decade of bringing travellers closer to the country’s most scenic routes, landscapes and cultural highlights
In 2026, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland will mark ten years of operation, celebrating a journey that has become one of the most distinctive ways to experience the country. Bringing together Switzerland’s most scenic panoramic train routes, the tour offers travellers a seamless way to discover the country by rail, from vibrant cities and lakeside towns to Alpine villages, mountain passes and some of the most memorable views in Europe.
Launched as a way to connect Switzerland’s iconic rail experiences into one itinerary, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is the only rail journey of its kind to combine all of the country’s panoramic train lines. The route takes travellers through many of Switzerland’s best-known landscapes and cultural regions, making the journey itself as important as the destinations along the way.
Over the past decade, the tour has grown into an important product for both travellers and the travel trade. Its appeal lies in the simplicity of the experience: travellers can explore Switzerland at their own pace, with well-connected rail links, carefully designed routes and the ease of travelling across the country using the Swiss Travel Pass.
The itinerary brings together a wide range of Swiss experiences in a single journey. Travellers can pass through dramatic Alpine scenery, cross famous mountain routes, stop in charming historic towns, explore lively Swiss cities and take in changing landscapes across different regions. From snow-covered peaks and deep valleys to lakes, vineyards and palm-lined promenades, the Grand Train Tour highlights the diversity that makes Switzerland especially suited to rail travel.
As travel preferences continue to evolve, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland also reflects a growing interest in slower, more meaningful and more sustainable ways of exploring a destination. Rather than treating transport as a means to an end, the journey places the rail experience at the centre of the holiday. Panoramic windows, scenic connections and carefully linked routes allow travellers to enjoy the changing landscape without the need for a car.
The Grand Train Tour can be experienced flexibly, depending on the traveller’s time and interests. Visitors may complete the full route or choose individual sections, combining famous panoramic trains with overnight stays in different regions. This flexibility has made it especially relevant for international travellers looking for multi-city and multi-region itineraries within Switzerland.
The Swiss Travel Pass further strengthens the ease of the experience, allowing visitors to travel across Switzerland’s public transport network with a single pass. This includes trains, buses and boats, along with added benefits such as access to several museums and discounts on many mountain excursions.
The support of the travel trade has played an important role in the journey’s success over the last ten years. By helping travellers understand the value and convenience of exploring Switzerland by rail, travel partners have contributed to the growing popularity of the Grand Train Tour in key international markets.
As it completes a decade in 2026, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland continues to stand as a strong example of what Switzerland does best: combining efficient public transport, scenic beauty and immersive travel experiences. For travellers looking to see the country beyond a single city or region, it remains one of the most rewarding ways to experience Switzerland, one train journey at a time.
