Nobody can deny that Switzerland is beautiful at any time or season of the year, but autumn, with its changing colours, is expesially magnificent. If you’d like to enjoy these views by train, you have several options to do so.
Switzerland’s ‘tourist trains’ are a great way to see the landscapes – whether mountains and valleys, or scenic towns and countryside.
This is where you can take one of these trains this fall:
Bernina Express
This panoramic train is renowned for connecting Graubünden’s capital, Chur, with Tirano in southern Italy, passing through Ticino, while crossing the Swiss Alps.
The 122-km distance takes about four hours to complete.
Note, however, that from November 3rd to November 17th, the route between Bergün and Preda will be closed for construction, rerouting the train via Vereina.
You can purchase your tickets and make reservations here.
Glacier Express
By the name of it, you may think this train is best in the winter – and it does, indeed, offer wonderful vistas of snow-capped and ice-covered mountain peaks.
But this route, which covers 291 km in the span of eight hours (hence its title of the ‘slowest train in the world’) ,is just as scenic in the autumn.
When you travel from Zermatt in Valais to St. Moritz in Graubünden, you will see the changing leaf colours along the entire route.
Tickets as well as seat reservations can be made directly on the railway company’s website.
Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway (Foliage Train)
The 52-km trains that connect Locarno in Ticino with Domodossola at the Swiss – Italian border in about two hours, are great to ride in October and November – which is why they are aptly named ‘foliage trains.
As the railway’s website puts it, “you can sit and admire the landscapes inflamed by the hues of autumn.”
Tickets for this train can be purchased, and seats booked, here.
Advertisement
Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
This particular ride (a series of trains) was made (kind of) famous in 2024 when it was part of Switzerland Tourism’s campaign to attract visitors to visit the country.
It starred Roger Federer and US comedian Trevor Noah in a tongue-in-cheek video, which you can see here.
According to Switzerland’s official tourism body, “The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland combines the most impressive panoramic routes into one unique rail journey. Over 1,280 kilometres, you will experience the diversity of Switzerland on board the famous panoramic trains – majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, idyllic villages and vibrant cities,” as well as, needless to say, beautiful autum foliage if you take the trains between September and November.
These are the regions this train covers and tickets / reservations can be booked here.
Golden Pass Line
This train connects Interlaken in canton Bern with Montreux in Vaud, where you can view changing scenery (and autumn leaves) over 191 km in distance during just over five hours.
Tickets can be purchased, and reservations made as well, here.
Advertisement
Autumn Promotion
If you buy a Swiss Travel Pass between September 11th and November 30th, 2025, you will get an extra travel day (for a four-day pass) or two extra days (for an right-day pass) if your first day of validity is between October 1st, 2025, and March 31st, 2026.
