Now here’s an interesting “train” found only in Geneva, Switzerland. While this is not exactly on the Eurail Pass network, it is a fun and cheap train ride around some of the area’s hot spots. This tourist train costs less than $10 Euro for adults and less than $5 Euro for each child, so if you’re tired of walking I highly recommend catching this train. You’ll see some of the local luxury spots, and while we rode it got a glimpse of the city life in depth here in Geneva.

The GoldenPass rail network is a link between Central Switzerland and the beautiful Lake Geneva. Traveling from the shores of Lake Lucerne, and then over Brunig Pass, passing through Interlaken and finally to Gstaad. You will travel comfortably for more than 149 miles so you enjoy the many highlights of Switzerland before arriving in Montreux.

The normal regional trains from Zweisimmen to Montreux run as spectacular, fully open panoramic trains for maximum viewing pleasure. These trains have 2nd class seats in the panoramic area as well. From Meiringen and onwards, the train starts to climb uphill, up into the famous Brünig Pass, and then from there back down to central Switzerland. Once again, mountain air, pastures, cows. There’s still Lake Lungern and Lake Sarnen to see on your descent, and then Lake Alpnach. You have reached the very heart of Switzerland. Lake Lucerne already awaits you after the short tunnel ride. Lucerne is just around the corner.

Seat reservations for individual travelers are recommended, for groups it is mandatory. For a special treat, ride in the head of the train. You will feel as if you are driving the train. Limited seating only. Special supplements apply for these VIP seats, so check with your travel agent or booking site when ordering your pass.

My favorite train of them all, the Glacier Express is one of Switzerland’s most famous train rides, if not all of Europe. The Glacier Express is also known as “the world’s slowest express train” and averages 36 km/h (22 mph) during the approximately 7½-hour trip journey on its most popular route, Zermatt to St. Moritz.

The 275 KMs of narrow-gauge track are punctuated by 291 bridges and 91 tunnels! The trains reach a max peak elevation of 2,033 meters just at the Oberalp Pass, which is near Andermatt and traverses the 15-km Furka Tunnel, which takes a shortcut beneath the Alps between Andermatt and Brig.

The train is not an “express” in the sense of being a high-speed train, but rather, in the sense that it provides a one-seat ride for a long duration travel. In fact it has the reputation of being the slowest express train in the world. As St. Moritz and Zermatt are home to two well-known mountains, the Glacier Express is also said to travel from Piz Bernina to Matterhorn.

Passengers on Glacier Express Premium trains can have meals served at seats or in the dining cars; on the standard trains, meals are served in the dining cars only, where angled-stem wineglasses help to prevent spilling during the steeper portions of the journey. All trains have Railbar carts that sell box lunches, salads, hot and cold drinks
and other goodies.

Click Here To Book Your Glacier Express Ticket via Rail Europe

During Christrmas 2004, my wife and I went rail cruising on some of Switzerland’s most scenic routes in the Alps with our new Sony HDR-FX1 camera. Routes include the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Mont-Blanc Express, Golden Pass Line etc. View from Hotel in St. Moritz. We dedicate this to Chris Harnett and Sue Knight of MITV.co.uk/ for their inspiration and friendship. Edited by the legendary Don Smith of newsvideo.com. Thanks also to George Drury, author of The Railfan Guide to Switzerland for help in trip planning.

If you are planning to backpack through Switzerland, and then perhaps purchasing a year rail pass would be cost-effective and beneficial to your wallet. The Eurail pass is effectively a means of purchasing numerous train tickets at the same time. The benefit, however, is that you don’t need to know which trains you are going to be traveling on and you still save a lot of money. This makes buying a Eurail pass for Switzerland the best way to get around the country.

It is the perfect way for backpackers to see Switzerland if they don’t want to set a strict itinerary. You could be partying at a hospital in Bern with plans to go to Geneva in the next couple days but some friends you met are heading up to Interlochen. With the Eurail pass, you would just mark off the day of travel and had to interrupt them with your friends rather than having to try and refund a ticket which may or may not be refundable. There is nothing like the Eurail pass when you want to see Switzerland on your own schedule.

Via rail Pass will really does give you the freedom to explore Switzerland at your own pace and with almost no deadlines. It also gives you access to boat and bus travel at discounted fares and sometimes even for free. Also included is free access to over 400 museums located throughout Switzerland, something that is not offered for other countries. Try to see Venus attractions on the same day that you travel because if you don’t, you will have to mark off another day from your Eurail pass.

You be your rail pass for Switzerland has many different options that suit every budget and travel type. You can choose the number of bordering countries he will be visiting, the number of days you expect to be on the train, in the length of time you expect to be using the passport. Obviously, the lower the numbers on each of those previous options, the lower the price will be. There is a flexible pass which allows for three, four, five or six days of travel in one month’s time will and a consecutive pass is also available which allows for four, eight, 15, 22 or a full month’s worth of travel.

The prices for Swiss Eurail passes start at $226 and go up to $751 for the consecutive day pass option. These prices will depend on where you choose to sit on the train, how old you are and how many people you are traveling with.

If you happen to be between the ages of 12 and 26, you will want to save some money by getting the youth discounted fare. This option is not available for first-class so you must sit in the second class seats.

Similarly, children aged 4 to 11 are half the standard rate and children under four years of age don’t have to pay for a seat on the train or a pet should you need one.

Flexible passes range from $216 at the lower end all the way up to $516 depending on the class you choose to sit in and the number of days you plan to be traveling for. You can also travel in groups to get a discounted rate of these prices.

One thing is for certain though, if you are traveling by rail with a urinal past to see Switzerland you are going to have an incredible time. Make sure that you purchase your your rail pass early but no earlier than six months prior to your first day of travel. You are going to see some incredibly beautiful sights from the windows of the trains and they will be memories you don’t soon forget.

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Imagine sitting back, sipping a cold Belgian beer as the Glacier Express whisks you along some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. The travel season dies down a little during the Winter months, but the Swiss Alps are meant to be scene in there sheer powdery white state. Don’t let the name fool you, this train is by no means a fast train. A newcomer to the Glacier Express will quickly realize you’re in for a long, enjoyable ride. This train is a great experience every time you go because there is always a great group of people to mingle with. This is definitely one tourist attraction that doesn’t die off during the colder months.

The Glacier Express goes from two amazing mountain resorts, so going either way is a good thing! The two resorts are St. Moritz and the equally known Zermatt. Pretty much all the skiing and snowboarding one person could handle in his entire lifetime. I find the real treat in this 7 1/2 hour train trip are the 91 tunnels and 291 bridges you journey across mountain sides and cozy little towns. Since this is a mountain train you’ll either be happy or somewhat nervous about the peak height of 6,670 ft at which you’ll travel to.

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