Hardcore Tour for Railfans: 4 Scenic Swiss Express Trains – 1 Day
Overview
Join this absolutely unique and ambitious tour to experience four of Switzerland’s most spectacular panoramic express routes—all in one unforgettable day. Start in Zurich and ride east to St. Gallen, then board the Voralpen-Express for the scenic run to Lucerne through rolling hills, lakes, and picturesque countryside. Continue on the Luzern–Interlaken Express, winding past waterfalls, meadows, and snowy peaks. From Interlaken travel on the GoldenPass Express via Gstaad to Montreux, crossing high passes and terraced vineyards. Head south through the Simplon region to Domodossola and ride the Centovalli Express to Locarno—narrow-gauge marvel through deep gorges and stone villages. Turn north via Bellinzona and race through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s longest, before returning to Zurich. Covering nearly 900 km in one day, this adventure is truly hard core—built for serious rail enthusiasts. A thrilling, fast-paced full-circle rail journey across the Alps. Exhaustion guaranteed!
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What's Included
✓ Included
- All tickets arranged on your behalf (with opt-out possibility for Swiss Travel Pass holders or those who prefer fee-free self-purchase).
- Personal guide Dave: Swiss local, qualified geographer & teacher
✗ Not Included
- Drinks and food can be purchased along the way, but you can also bring your own.
Itinerary
1
Stop 1
The gentle side of Switzerland: It’s not all 4000-metre mountains and deep ravines. On the Voralpen-Express, visitors discover a different kind of Switzerland – undulating hills, picturesque villages and lovely orchards. Voralpen-Express is the most appealing way to travel between Eastern and Central Switzerland. Starting from Eastern Switzerland’s urban centre of St. Gallen, whose Abbey district is a UNESCO world heritage site, the train traverses the 99 metre high Sitter viaduct and the rolling landscape of “Toggenburg”. Passing by Rapperswil and the impressive upland moor near Rothenthurm, the journey ends after a little over two hours in historic Lucerne on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
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Stop 2
Take a short walk through Lucerne’s charming Old Town. Cross the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), admire the colorful frescoed houses, or simply enjoy the lively lakeside promenade before continuing our journey.
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Stop 3
The Luzern–Interlaken Express turns the journey from one city to the other into a great experience. During a cogwheel train ride of roughly two hours, passengers marvel at five crystal clear mountain lakes that gather the waters from various rivers and waterfalls. At the lakeshore, steep rock faces of surrounding mountains rise up protectively and provide unique photo motifs. Shortly before starting its steep, winding ascent to Brünig Pass, the train changes to cogwheel drivetrain technology in order to conquer the gradient. With good reason, the Luzern–Interlaken Express is part of the scenic GoldenPass Line leading to Interlaken and on to Montreux.
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Stop 4
Framed by two glittering lakes and crowned by the snowy peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s most breathtaking destinations. Its name literally means “between the lakes,” and that location gives the town a unique blend of alpine and aquatic beauty. Stroll through the Hohematte Park and watch paragliders land against a mountain backdrop, or follow the emerald Aare River as it links Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Elegant Belle-Époque hotels recall the golden age of travel, while adventure-seekers come for rafting, skydiving and hiking in the surrounding valleys.
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Stop 5
Spiez is located in what is probably the most beautiful Swiss bay on the deep blue Lake Thun. Enjoy the views of the castle, vineyards, the local mountain Niesen as well as the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
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Stop 6
The GoldenPass Express is a panoramic train linking Interlaken and Montreux through one of Switzerland’s most beautiful regions. Huge windows offer uninterrupted views and a seamless, comfortable ride on this iconic route. A world-first and Swiss masterstroke, it finally fulfills a century-old dream of traveling the whole way without changing trains. Different track gauges once blocked the plan; ingenious adjustable bogies now solve it. With those sweeping vistas and plush comfort, the journey is as spectacular as the destination. The trip feels like a foray across Switzerland: starting in picturesque Interlaken, then via Gstaad, Château-d’Oex and Montbovon to lakeside Montreux. Gstaad charms with luxury chalets and a star-studded winter scene. Château-d’Oex is famous for hot-air balloons—you may spot one aloft. Montreux hosts the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival. Along the way, pastures, peaks and classic villages glide by—every seat feels front row to Switzerland’s own alpine heart.
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Stop 7
Montreux can be found in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and is a popular destination for excursions, thanks to its location on Lake Geneva, its mild climate and the Montreux Jazz Festival. This town on the shores of Lake Geneva boasts a magnificent Alpine backdrop, the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival and sights such as Chillon Castle. Just a few reasons why it is often referred to as the “Pearl of Lake Geneva”.
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Stop 8
Brig can be found in the south of Switzerland in sunny Valais between the Bernese and Valais Alps. The city on the River Rhône is a popular destination thanks to its car-free old town, the Stockalper Castle, the Simplon Pass and its thermal baths.
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Stop 9
The Simplon Tunnel is one of the most remarkable engineering achievements in Switzerland and a highlight on the route between the north and south of the Alps. Opened in 1906, it was the world’s longest railway tunnel for nearly 75 years, stretching almost 20 kilometers through solid Alpine rock. The tunnel connects Brig in the canton of Valais with Domodossola in northern Italy, providing a vital year-round link across the Alps. Traveling through the Simplon Tunnel feels like a journey between two worlds: from the crisp mountain air of the Swiss Alps to the milder, Mediterranean climate of northern Italy in just a few minutes. The tunnel’s construction required immense skill and courage from thousands of workers who faced extreme heat, water, and pressure deep underground — a true masterpiece of early 20th-century engineering.
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Stop 10
Domodossola is the charming Italian town waiting just beyond the southern portal of the Simplon Tunnel. Nestled at the foot of the Italian Alps, it marks the meeting point between Alpine grandeur and Mediterranean warmth. The old town centre, with its cobbled lanes and arcaded piazza, reveals centuries of history as a trading hub between Switzerland and Italy. Colourful façades, small cafés and bustling Saturday markets give Domodossola a relaxed, authentic atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the cool order of the Swiss side. From here, scenic routes branch out toward Lake Maggiore and the Ossola valleys, where vineyards and chestnut forests cover the hillsides. The blend of mountain culture, Italian style and friendly local life makes Domodossola a delightful stop — a perfect gateway to Italy and a taste of the south just minutes after emerging from the Alps.
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Stop 11
The Centovalli Express is one of Switzerland’s most scenic narrow-gauge rail journeys, linking Domodossola in Italy with Locarno in Switzerland. Its name means “Hundred Valleys,” and the route truly lives up to it — winding for 52 kilometres through deep gorges, chestnut forests and countless bridges and waterfalls. Small villages cling to steep slopes, and every curve opens a new panorama of the Italian and Swiss Alps. The train itself is comfortable and intimate, with large windows that bring the landscape close enough to touch. In less than two hours, passengers travel from Italian charm to Ticino’s sunny palm-lined lakeside, crossing an extraordinary variety of landscapes and cultures. The Centovalli Express is not just a means of transport, but a journey through contrasts — from rugged mountains to subtropical gardens, from quiet valleys to the vibrant streets of Locarno on Lake Maggiore.
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Stop 12
The capital of the canton of Ticino is situated in the Magadino plain on the River Ticino, not far from Lago Maggiore. On a tour of Bellinzona’s authentic old town, you’ll come across inviting squares, restored palazzi and cozy courtyards. The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with its large Renaissance fresco, is well worth a visit. And last but definitely not least: Bellinzona hosts its own prestigious UNESCO World Heritage: The fortifications of Bellinzona are an extraordinary example of a late-medieval defensive structure located at a key strategic point on the Alpine pass. The castles of Bellinzona are among the most marvelous examples of medieval fortified architecture in the Alps.
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Stop 13
The return journey catapults us back to the north in true express fashion — straight through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel. At 57 kilometres, this record-breaking masterpiece pierces the Alps with unprecedented precision and speed. Opened in 2016 after more than 17 years of tunnelling through solid granite, it is the ultimate symbol of Swiss engineering. In just under 20 minutes, the train races beneath the mountains reaching up to 200 km/h inside the tunnel. The Gotthard Base Tunnel marks the most extreme and technologically advanced chapter of this journey. Emerging on the northern side, the tour comes full circle: from leisurely scenic expresses through orchards and lakes to the raw power of modern Alpine transit. A final reminder that Switzerland is not only postcard beauty — it is also precision, endurance and railways that conquer the mountains.
Meeting & End Point
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Meeting Point
Zurich HB mainstation: Official Meeting Point
Look for the official Meeting Point sign — four arrows pointing toward a central circle — inside the main hall of the train station on the main floor. You can’t miss it; there’s a huge clock mounted right above it.
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End Point
Zurich HB mainstation: Official Meeting Point
Look for the official Meeting Point sign — four arrows pointing toward a central circle — inside the main hall of the train station on the main floor. You can’t miss it; there’s a huge clock mounted right above it.
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Good to Know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness