Since leading our first tour to Switzerland in 1977, Great Rail Journeys has become the experts in Swiss travel. This spellbinding country is full of majestic mountains, glaciers and turquoise lakes - and iconic rail journeys that make Switzerland our most popular destination. However, I'd never been.
In January 2026, I got the opportunity to experience some of the greatest Swiss rail journeys that are highlights of many of our tours, including GoldenPass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau Express.
The standout moment for me was being on the 'Top of Europe', the Jungfraujoch, which overshadows the nearby Eiger. On a clear winter's day, I was at peace in my own world, looking out what felt like the whole of Europe.
Climbing to the 'Top of Europe'
An unforgettable alpine journey unfolds enroute to the celebrated 'Top of Europe', Jungfraujoch. Perched high above the Bernese Oberland, we travel on incredible Swiss railways, cutting-edge cableway engineering, and enjoy some of the most dramatic high-mountain scenery in Europe.
Interlaken to Grindelwald
The day begins with a leisurely train ride from Interlaken into the nearby mountains, following the valley as steep slopes and dense forests close in around the line. Snow-topped traditional chalets with bells hung up for grazing cattle and frozen waterfalls create an increasingly alpine atmosphere as the train climbs towards the historic mountain resort of Grindelwald, framed by the imposing north face of the Eiger.
Eiger Express to Eigergletscher
At Grindelwald, the journey switches from rails to cable as we board the Eiger Express, a state-of-the-art tri-cable gondola designed to bring the high Alps dramatically closer. Over the 20-minute, four-mile ascent, the gondola's panoramic windows deliver uninterrupted views of the Eiger's sheer north wall, glaciers clinging to its flanks, and the deep valley dropping away beneath our feet.
Jungfrau Railway to the summit
From Eigergletscher station, the famous Jungfrau Railway takes over, climbing through the heart of the mountains to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. Much of the route runs in the tunnel, but the train pauses at viewing windows carved into the rock, offering surreal glimpses out over the ice fields and cliffs that surround the line. I got chance to stand at the front of the train, travelling through the eerie tunnel as it climbs its way up a gradient of up to 1 in 4.
Jungfraujoch and the Aletsch Glacier
Stepping out at Jungfraujoch, you enter a world of year-round snow and ice, with crisp air and far-reaching views across a vast sea of peaks. Walking through ice tunnels is an incredible experience - I could see a thin layer of black marbling which I was informed was put down decades ago to slow the ice from melting. A short walk brings you to the famous Sphinx Observatory, where outdoor terraces look directly onto the Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage site that flows in a broad, frozen river of ice as far as the eye can see. Tame alpine choughs that look like jackdaws wander around the platform with a backdrop of glaciers.
Descent via Kleine Scheidegg and Lauterbrunnen
After time to explore the summit complex, visit ice exhibits and enjoy a trip into the Ice Bar, the descent begins by retracing the Jungfrau Railway back to Eigergletscher. Downhill trains on the Jungfrau Railway use regenerative braking and typically recover about half of the energy that was needed for the uphill climb.
From Eigergletscher, the train winds down to Kleine Scheidegg, a classic mountain pass station ringed by frozen pastures and dominated by the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau above. Continuing via the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the line threads between towering cliffs and icy waterfalls, before emerging onto snow-covered plains near Interlaken.
GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux
Many moons ago, I travelled on Amtrak across the Appalachian Mountains, the only time I've had the opportunity to be in a viewing cabin onboard a train.
Switzerland's GoldenPass Express is a highlight in itself, with ultramodern panoramic carriages that give you frontrow views of Swiss chalets, glittering lakes and soaring peaks as it weaves from Interlaken to Montreux. It is a true 'windowswideopen' introduction to Switzerland at its scenic best and a favourite element for many of our customers.
From Interlaken towards Lake Thun
Leaving Interlaken Ost, the GoldenPass Express first follows the Aare River before reaching the deep blue expanse of Lake Thun, with classic views of pyramidshaped Mount Niesen rising above the shore.
On this stretch, the landscape feels open and airy: water, wide skies and boats on the lake set against the Bernese Alps, giving a great introduction to the journey.
Through Simmental and alpine villages
Beyond Spiez, the route turns into the Simmen valley, where the character shifts from glistening lake views to a narrow green valley, with wooden chalets and neatly kept farms framed by rugged peaks.
Here, the train crisscrosses the River Simme, passing small villages and traditional houses with carved façades, before climbing towards Zweisimmen at the heart of the Bernese Oberland. In January, most of this route was blanketed by snow.
Changing gauge at Zweisimmen
Zweisimmen is where the line historically split between standardgauge (Interlaken-Zweisimmen) and metregauge (Zweisimmen-Montreux). It's now the scene of a remarkable piece of railway engineering.
Instead of asking passengers to change trains, the GoldenPass Express uses variablegauge bogies and a special ramp. As the coaches roll slowly (around 9 mph) over the installation, the wheels slide from 3.2ft to 4.7ft apart, and the coach body is lifted to match the different platform height. The locomotives are also switched to suit the change in voltage and network.
Into the high Alps towards Gstaad
After Zweisimmen, the metregauge section climbs to the highest point of the route, at more than 4,100 feet above sea level. The scenery changes into classic highalpine pasture, barns and distant snowcovered summits.
As the mountains begin to encroach closer to the track, the GoldenPass Express threads through the famous resort of Gstaad and neighbouring villages where church spires and chalet roofs sit in a bowl of frozen meadows and snow-laden forested slopes.
Descent to Montreux beside Lake Geneva
Beyond Gstaad and Château-d'Œx, the line begins its long descent through the Gruyère region, where the scenery softens into rolling hills, forests and increasingly frequent glimpses of vineyards.
On the final approach, the train twists through vine-clad terraces high above Lake Geneva before suddenly revealing Montreux and the Swiss Riviera below. This contrast of sunshine, palmlined promenades and vinecovered slopes feels a world away from glacial lakes and towering peaks where the journey began.
Exploring chocolate-box Swiss towns
Tracing a number of our tours, I stayed in Interlaken, Grindelwald, Montreux, and Vevey - each offering a distinct flavour of Switzerland, from highalpine drama to lakeside elegance. All are perfect stops on any of our Swiss rail itineraries, with hotels conveniently located near to super-efficient and integrated transport hubs.
Interlaken
Interlaken sits on the flat plain between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Jungfrau massif perfectly framed at the end of the main promenade, the Höheweg. It feels like a classic resort town and a natural base for excursions into the Bernese Oberland, from lake cruises to funiculars.
Grindelwald
Grindelwald is an alpine village tucked beneath the north face of the Eiger, where traditional chalets, grazing pastures and easy access to highlevel cableways create a quintessential mountain resort - one of the oldest in Europe.
In summer, it is all about hiking, cliff walks and glacier gorges; while in winter it shifts seamlessly into a busy ski and snow sports centre.
Montreux
Montreux stretches along the sunny 'Swiss Riviera' shore of Lake Geneva, backed by steep, vineyardcovered slopes and sheltered by surrounding mountains that give it a mild, almost Mediterranean feel.
Its flowerlined lakeside promenade, grand Belle Époque hotels and proximity to Château de Chillon make it an elegant stop with a strong cultural and musical pedigree.
Vevey
Just along the lake from Montreux, Vevey has a more intimate smalltown atmosphere, with a handsome old town, lakeside quays and views across to the French Alps. It is known for its links to Charlie Chaplin and for being at the heart of the Lavaux and Chablais winegrowing region, where terraced vineyards tumble down towards the water. Look out for the giant fork!
Experience Switzerland with the experts
The tour that covers the majority of my trip is GoldenPass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau Express | Great Rail Journeys
This escorted rail holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you join our Tour Manager and fellow travellers, gliding to Paris on the Eurostar before connecting with the high-speed TGV to Switzerland.
A short hop along the shore of Lake Geneva brings you to Montreux, where your lakefront hotel sets the scene with uninterrupted views across to the French Alps.
From here, the tour unfolds as a series of classic rail experiences: the panoramic GoldenPass Express to Interlaken, the dramatic ascent to Jungfraujoch - the 'Top of Europe' - and the wonderfully scenic Mont Blanc Express across the Alps to France. Along the way, you cruise on lakes Geneva and Thun, step inside medieval Château de Chillon and discover pretty alpine resorts that feel lifted straight from a postcard.
Other tours that feature either the GoldenPass Express or Jungfrau Express include:
