Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. The most beautiful panoramic routes in one unique travel experience.

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1 Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. The most beautiful panoramic routes in one unique travel experience. mystsnet.com/grandtraintour Glacier Express on the Richleren Bridge near Andermatt, Uri Version 1, 2018

2 The great train experience. Switzerland s panoramic routes never fail to fascinate visitors. And the best way to discover the delights of this small Alpine nation is to take the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is a unique travel experience. It extends over 1,280 captivating kilometres and comprises the most beautiful panoramic routes across the country. The tour takes travellers to all of Switzerland s four language regions through attractive towns and villages, past glistening glaciers, lakes and rivers, and over mountains. It highlights the best of the nation s public transport system and selected excursion destinations. The tour also inspires travellers to explore attractions off the recommended rail routes. There is no prescribed travel direction and the tour can be started all year round from any point. For example from Zurich, Switzerland s largest and most multicultural city. Zürich Schaffhausen St. Gallen "133km 2h 50 min St. Gallen Luzern "125km 2h 15 min Luzern Interlaken Zweisimmen Montreux "191km 5h 7 min Montreux Visp Zermatt "148km 2h 31 min Zermatt St. Moritz "291km 7h 47 min St. Moritz Tirano (Italy) Lugano "183km 6h 42 min Lugano Flüelen Luzern "182km 5h 26 min Luzern Zürich "57km 45 min Lausanne Genève Neuchâtel Montreux Genève-Aéroport Fribourg/ Freiburg Basel EuroAirport Bern Bern Flughafen Zweisimmen Basel Interlaken Gstaad Schilthorn Rochers-de-Naye Glacier 3000 Visp Martigny Zermatt Schaffhausen Luzern Zürich Rigi Pilatus Stanserhorn Brienzer Engelberg Rothorn Flüelen Titlis Schynige Platte Jungfraujoch Brig Gornergrat Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Zürich Flughafen Andermatt Bellinzona Locarno Säntis Lugano St.Gallen Appenzell Chur St.Moritz Davos Grand Train Tour Mountain excursion tips Tirano The eight most beautiful routes in Switzerland with one ticket. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is divided up into several route sections. Each highlights specific scenic sights, attractions and opportunities for exploration, so that travellers can experience the country in all its delightful diversity. Eight-day or four-day tour options are available. And best of all, travellers require only one ticket the Swiss Travel Pass. With the complimentary Swiss Family Card, children from the age of 6 up to their 16th birthday travel free of charge if accompanied by at least one parent. Swiss Travel Pass. The Swiss Travel Pass is the key to trouble-free travel by public transport throughout Switzerland. With a single ticket visitors can travel 3, 4, 8 or 15 days along the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. The ticket includes trams and buses in no fewer than 90 towns and cities, free admission to more than 500 museums nationwide as well as 50 % reduction on most mountain railways. 2

1 st stage: Zurich to St. Gallen. Landlocked but a water wonderworld. Switzerland is a landlocked country. But it does have navigable access to the world s seven oceans thanks to the River Rhine.

Passengers first encounter with the Rhine is the impressive railway bridge over the river at Eglisau.

3 1 st stage: Zurich to St. Gallen. Landlocked but a water wonderworld. Switzerland is a landlocked country. But it does have navigable access to the world s seven oceans thanks to the River Rhine. Maritime flair is also reflected in Lake Constance, the second main aquatic attraction during the train trip from Zurich to St. Gallen. Passengers first encounter with the Rhine is the impressive railway bridge over the river at Eglisau. The journey continues northwards and crosses briefly into neighbouring Germany before reaching Neuhausen, famous for its Rhine Falls (the largest waterfalls in Europe). The route follows the Rhine upstream, passing Schaffhausen with its historic Munot fortifications. On reaching Lake Constance, the train continues for some 40 kilometres to Romans horn. This first stage of the tour ends in St. Gallen, the main metropolis of Eastern Switzerland. The city is famous for its Abbey precinct (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and collection of 170,000 historic books and hand-written documents housed in the ancient library an architectural jewel in Baroque style. Linking up with Lake Constance. An important part of Switzerland s 19 th century trade with neighbouring Germany was developed over Lake Constance. The railway link with Zurich was also of great importance, with the building of the Swiss Northeastern Railway (Nordostbahn) from The Zurich-Schaffhausen-Romanshorn line was fully completed in1897, and five years later was taken over by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). The route from Romanshorn to St. Gallen was opened in 1910 as part of the Bodensee-Toggenburg-Bahn, which in 2001 was acquired by the Swiss Southeastern Railway (Südostbahn). Today s route between Schaffhausen and Romanshorn is operated by the Thurbo Regional Railway. The roaring Rhine Waterfalls. The roaring mass of water is thundering down over an impressive width of some 150 metres. The Rhine Falls between Neuhausen and Laufen are the largest in Europe and can be reached in a matter of minutes from the train stop Neuhausen am Rheinfall. On platforms and boats, visitors get a chance to experience a close-up of this natural spectacle. 3

2 nd stage: St. Gallen to Lucerne. Soft hills and snow-capped summits. The Matterhorn, Titlis and Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau these peaks are the undisputed super stars of the Swiss Alps.

Gallen and Lucerne, the Voralpen-Express takes pride of place in one of the country s most pleasant and panoramic regions.

moor. But views of distant summits are also to be enjoyed, among them the 2502-metre Säntis, the Churfirsten chain, Mythen and the Rigi.

4 2 nd stage: St. Gallen to Lucerne. Soft hills and snow-capped summits. The Matterhorn, Titlis and Eiger, Mönch & Jungfrau these peaks are the undisputed super stars of the Swiss Alps. But the country s rolling green hills and soft pre-alpine landscape also have their charm. Here between the cantonal capitals of St. Gallen and Lucerne, the Voralpen-Express takes pride of place in one of the country s most pleasant and panoramic regions. The train travels over the highest railway bridge in Switzerland the Sitter Viaduct; then after Rapperswil (town of roses) it crosses a dam over Lake Zurich to travel through the Rothenthurm upland moor. But views of distant summits are also to be enjoyed, among them the 2502-metre Säntis, the Churfirsten chain, Mythen and the Rigi. On the scenic stretch between Arth-Goldau and Lucerne, the Voralpen-Express circuits the Rigi, also popularly known as the Queen of the Mountains. Along with the Pilatus and Bürgenstock, the Rigi summit symbolizes the Central Swiss Alpine panorama. A top timetable service. The railway line from St. Gallen through the Toggenburg to Rappers wil became fully operational in The stretch from Rapperswil to Arth-Goldau had entered into operation in 1891 and to Lucerne in The year 1940 saw the first fast trains running between Romanshorn on Lake Constance and Arth-Goldau on the Gotthard route. Seven years later this service was extended to Lucerne, with two to three fast trains linking the city daily with Romanshorn. In 1982, with the introduction of a regular interval timetable, departures increased to every two hours. The name Voralpen-Express appeared in the Swiss timetable for the first time in Hourly departures were introduced in 1999 and on the entire Südostbahn (SOB) in Now St. Gallen and not Romanshorn is the terminus station of the Voralpen-Express. Switzerland s tallest railway bridge. Shortly before reaching St. Gallen, the train crosses the spectacular Sitter Viaduct, completed in It is 365 metres long and at 99 metres still the tallest railway bridge in Switzerland. The two stone side-approaches are linked by a 1,000-ton iron girder. Lucerne s Glacier Garden. The Glacier Garden (opened nearly 150 years ago) includes exhibits dating back to the Ice Age. Another display dates back to the time when Lucerne resembled a sub-tropical beach. Also not to be missed the Mirror Maze from the 1896 Swiss National Exhibition. 4

3 rd stage: Lucerne to Montreux via Interlaken Ost. One rail journey two panoramic trains. The GoldenPass Line is composed of three different trains two of which are Premium Panoramic trains.

Passing by Lakes Alpnachersee, Sarnersee and Lungernersee, the journey leads up to Brünig pass and then down to Meiringen.

From here, the GoldenPass MOB Panoramic travels via Gstaad to Montreux at the shores of lovely Lake Geneva.

In 1888, the first trains of the Jura-Bern-Luzern Railway ran between Alpnachstad and Brienz. The biaxial steam locomotive used to pull three light passenger coaches over the Brünig.

5 3 rd stage: Lucerne to Montreux via Interlaken Ost. One rail journey two panoramic trains. The GoldenPass Line is composed of three different trains two of which are Premium Panoramic trains. On the first stretch, passengers enjoy the top modern Luzern-Interlaken Express of the Zentralbahn. Passing by Lakes Alpnachersee, Sarnersee and Lungernersee, the journey leads up to Brünig pass and then down to Meiringen. Along Lake Brienzersee, the trip continues to Interlaken, where guests change train moving on by BLS RegioExpress, first along Lake Thunersee and then through the Simmental to Zweisimmen. From here, the GoldenPass MOB Panoramic travels via Gstaad to Montreux at the shores of lovely Lake Geneva. This spectacular experience including three different trains can be started either from Western or Central Switzerland. Olden times and golden times. In 1888, the first trains of the Jura-Bern-Luzern Railway ran between Alpnachstad and Brienz. The biaxial steam locomotive used to pull three light passenger coaches over the Brünig. Since the end of 2012, a modern panoramic train dubbed Luzern- Interlaken Express operates between Lucerne and Interlaken. As early as the 1920s the idea emerged of the railways of Central Switzerland and the Lake Geneva Region teaming up to offer a joint travel experience. Many English-speaking visitors travelled the route in late autumn in particular, enjoying the season s captivating colours and a golden time (hence the name GoldenPass Line). In 1976 the Montreux-Oberland Bernois railway took delivery of the first panorama railcars in Switzerland. History. The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum (near Brienz) is unique in Switzerland. Old farm create a vivid impression of ancient rural life. Other attractions include some 250 farm animals in natural surroundings, and displays of traditional trades, arts and crafts. Luzern-Interlaken Express. Passengers comfortably enjoy the first stretch on the Luzern-Interlaken Express. This top modern train offers large panoramic windows and a dining car. Via the LiveGuide app of the Zentralbahn, guests receive a lot of interesting information about the region. GoldenPass MOB Panoramic. In 1985, the MOB introduced a novelty in rail technology: a glass dome at the front of the GoldenPass MOB Panoramic train. These VIP seats guarantee a unique and uninhibited view of both, the tracks ahead and the passing scenery. 5

4 th stage: Montreux to Zermatt. Up to the mighty Matterhorn. From Montreux it s only a short trip to Martigny.

The train continues through the fertile Rhone Valley to Visp, from where travellers may make the excursion trip to Brig focal point of the Upper Valais at the foot of the Simplon Pass and

From Brig the journey continues by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn narrow-gauge railway through the Nikolai Valley (the lowest-altitude valley in Switzerland) to Zermatt.

6 4 th stage: Montreux to Zermatt. Up to the mighty Matterhorn. From Montreux it s only a short trip to Martigny. The Lower Valais town was founded some 2000 years ago, gaining fame as the gateway to the Great St. Bernard and Forclaz passes. The train continues through the fertile Rhone Valley to Visp, from where travellers may make the excursion trip to Brig focal point of the Upper Valais at the foot of the Simplon Pass and international Alpine Town of the Year in Top attraction here is the Stockalper Palace, a privately constructed castle dating from the 17 th century. From Brig the journey continues by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn narrow-gauge railway through the Nikolai Valley (the lowest-altitude valley in Switzerland) to Zermatt. But before the mighty Matterhorn comes into view, the train must tackle an altitude difference of 900 metres with the help of cogwheel traction. Connecting Zermatt with the world. The first train to reach Zermatt arrived from Visp in Until then the Matterhorn village could be reached only on foot. The year before had seen the Rhone Valley reached by train from Lake Geneva. With the opening of the Simplon Tunnel in 1908 the railway route through the Valais began to assume European importance. The famous Simplon-Orient Express travelled the route from 1919 on its journey from Calais via Paris, Milan and Venice to Istanbul. For two decades from the 1960s the legendary Trans-Europ- Express (TEE) Cisalpin travelled this route while operating between Paris and Milan. The medieval magic of Chillon Castle. Historic Château de Chillon is a moated castle located on the Lake Geneva shoreline, only a few kilometres from Montreux. For almost 400 years it was the summer residence of the counts of Savoy. Today it is the most visited historic building in Switzerland. Lake of St. Leonard a subterranean spectacle. The Lake of St. Leonard located between Sion and Sierre is the largest natural navigable underground lake on the European continent. It measures 300 metres by 20 metres and can be explored by rowing boat on guided tours. 6

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. The most beautiful panoramic routes in one unique travel experience.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. The most beautiful panoramic routes in one unique travel experience. mystsnet.com/grandtraintour Glacier Express on the Richleren Bridge near Andermatt, Uri Version 1,