Top 5 Most Scenic Train Routes in the Alps

Journey Through the Mountains

The Alps offer some of the most dramatic and picturesque railway journeys in the world. Instead of speeding through dark tunnels, these routes are designed to showcase the staggering beauty of towering peaks, deep gorges, and pristine alpine lakes.

1. The Bernina Express (Switzerland to Italy)

Perhaps the most famous of them all, the Bernina Express connects Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy. This spectacular journey takes you past glaciers, over the famous Landwasser Viaduct, and through the dramatic Bernina Pass. The panoramic windows ensure you miss absolutely nothing. It is a true engineering marvel that seamlessly blends with the natural environment.

2. The Glacier Express (Switzerland)

Dubbed the "slowest express train in the world," the Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz. The eight-hour journey crosses 291 bridges and travels through 91 tunnels. The highlight is arguably the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the route, offering sweeping views of the snow-capped Swiss Alps.

3. The GoldenPass Line (Switzerland)

Connecting Lucerne to Montreux, this route offers a slightly gentler, but no less stunning, view of Switzerland. You'll pass crystal-clear lakes, traditional wooden chalets, and rolling green hills before descending towards the Mediterranean-like climate of the Swiss Riviera on Lake Geneva.

4. The Arlberg Line (Austria)

One of the steepest railway lines in the world in regular operation, the Arlberg Railway connects Innsbruck with Bludenz. The train clings to the side of the mountains, traversing deep valleys and dramatic scenery, particularly around the Trisanna Bridge.

5. The Centovalli Railway (Switzerland to Italy)

Translating to the "Railway of a Hundred Valleys," this narrow-gauge line runs from Locarno (Switzerland) to Domodossola (Italy). It cuts across a rugged landscape of deep ravines, plunging waterfalls, and dense chestnut forests, offering a more intimate alpine experience.