Transport In Switzerland

Renown for it's glaciers and lakes, the financial capitals of Zurich and Geneva, chocolate and skiing; Switzerland is in western Europe surrounded by Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Lichtenstein.. The republic has 26 states and even though it is small, it's one of the richest in the world.

Its compact size makes the country easy to access through its comprehensive travel links and its hugely diverse landscape across Switzerland is undoubtedly best appreciated through the mode of train travel. This is perfectly demonstrated on a journey through the Swiss mountains as you stop at charming towns such as Interlaken, with its alpine meadows and then over the Brnig Pass (which connects the Bernese Oberland with central Switzerland) to Lucerne with its pristine lakes. From here you can take a trip up to the highest train station in Europe of Jungfraujoch and on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Aletsch Glacier or alternatively the world's steepest cogwheel train from Mount Pilatus where you can take in the awe-inspiring views from its peak.

Jump on a train at Interlaken or Ginelwald and you can ride down through Ltschberg to Brig and then on to the municipality of Zermatt, in the district of Visp. Visp is home to the Matterhorn, potentially the most infamous mountain pass in the Pennine Alps. You can take the cog train to the Gornergrat ridge with the best views of the Gorner Glacier and the peaks of Mont Blac and the Matterhorn.

From Zermatt why not jump aboard the famous Glacier Express for an 8 hour scenic train ride in a panorama carriage across the Alps. As it follows the Matter Vispa River and the Rhne Valley, you'll cross nearly 300 bridges and pass through almost 100 tunnels, as you sit back and soak up the breathtaking vistas and then climb the Oberalp Pass which connects Uri and Graubnden between Disentis and Andermatt. It descends into the picturesque Rhine Gorge and then heads south along the valley of the Hinterrhein. You'll pass the green forests, pasture and woodland and even through the famous 'Cresta Run' bob-sleigh track before arriving at the glamorous resort of St Moritz. Located in the Upper Engadine, the biggest snow sports region in Switzerland, St Moritz has state-of-the-art lift facilities and expertly prepared ski slopes amid sweeping scenery, where you'll find the ultimate in winter activities for novices and experts in both boarding and skiing.

Another wonder is line from Flelen to Lugano. The best way to travel this is the 1st class panorama carriage heading South, changing at Bellinzona and stopping to see the 3 world heritage class castles Castelgrande Montebello and Sass Corbano if you so wish. From here you could take a sleeper to Lugano, a city with a Mediterranean feel close to the Italian border.

The comprehensive network and highly efficient nature of the trains in Switzerland make it a wonder to travel and it gives you the ability to sit back and fully immerse yourself in your surroundings of mountains, meadows and lakes. Is there any other way to travel?