Autumn excursions aboard Switzerland's top tourist trains
Explore Switzerland's Scenic Trains this Autumn
Switzerland's panoramic trains offer breathtaking journeys through its picturesque landscapes, and autumn is the perfect time to experience them. Here's a guide to some of the most popular routes and how to book your tickets.
The Bernina Express, linking Chur, Graubuenden's capital, to Tirano in southern Italy, is a must-ride. This train journey takes you through Ticino and across the Swiss Alps, covering a distance of 122 km in approximately 4 hours. You can purchase tickets and reservations for the Bernina Express online.
Another noteworthy route is the Glacier Express, which connects Zermatt in Valais to St. Moritz in Graubuenden. As the leaves change colour along the entire route, this journey is particularly stunning in autumn. The Glacier Express covers a distance of 291 km and takes about 8 hours to complete. Tickets and seat reservations can be made directly on the railway company's website.
The Golden Pass Line, part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, connects Interlaken and Montreux, covering a distance of 191 km in just over five hours. This route is also a part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, which combines various panoramic routes into one unique rail journey. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland covers a distance of approximately 1,280 kilometers.
If you're looking for a shorter journey, the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway, also known as the 'foliage train,' connects Locarno in Ticino with Domodossola at the Swiss - Italian border in about 2 hours. This railway is particularly great to ride in October and November.
In autumn 2026, travel offers including the GoldenPass Line are provided by tour operators such as Schäfer Reisen and Eberhardt TRAVEL. Tickets and reservations for these journeys can be made directly through these travel agencies' websites or contact points, which offer package tours featuring the GoldenPass Panoramic train among other Swiss scenic train routes.
For those planning a longer trip, consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass. If a Swiss Travel Pass is bought between September 11th and November 30th, 2025, it includes an extra travel day for a four-day pass or two extra days for an eight-day pass, with the first day of validity between October 1st, 2025, and March 31st, 2026.
The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland offers views of majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, idyllic villages, and vibrant cities. Whether you choose the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, or the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway, you're in for an unforgettable journey. And remember, autumn is the perfect time to witness the stunning autumn foliage.
To book your tickets and reservations, visit the respective railway company's websites or travel agency websites mentioned above. Happy travels!
