Switzerland is renowned for having the largest and most efficient rail system in the world. Their trains run on time, are clean, well-maintained, and service everywhere in this country. And that is everywhere-even most of the quaint little towns have train service. The Swiss National Railway is the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) and serves these locations. What is really convenient is that all SBB routes will accept the Eurail and InterRail passes.
Switzerland is famous for its Alps and one very famous Swiss train that takes you through this geological wonder is the Bernina Express run by the Rhaetian Railway. There is nothing like seeing this train cross the Wiesner Viaduct over a majestic gorge. This is a narrow gauge train that starts in Chur and passes through St. Moritze, Pontresina, climbs through peaks and glaciers in the Bernina Alps and ends up in Tirono, Italy where you can switch over to a standard gauge train and continue your travel.
What is really amazing about the Bernina Express is the grade that it has to climb with no cogwheel at all. Another really fascinating feature is the spiral viaduct with the track on top at Brusio. Looking at this viaduct almost reminds one of a toy train and the bridge sets that were included with them. But these spiral viaducts are essential so that trains can climb incredible heights in short distances without the use of these cogwheels.
On a nice day you can ride in open air cars so that you can view the breathtaking scenery. The covered passenger cars have open-air windows as well. Travel times vary with the seasons but the complete journey can take between four and five hours.
Most of the standard trains run under management of the SBB. As mentioned earlier, the SBB honors the Eurail and InterRail passes but has a few of its own too. The SBB offers the following passes to make your journey convenient, affordable, and allow you to see all of Switzerland:
Swiss Card
This is a pass that is good for returning home after arriving at an airport or border crossing to any Switzerland destination. If you desire to do further travel on post buses, private railways (some), and boats inside Switzerland than you can get one half off the normal fare price. The pass is not available for Liechtenstein and Swiss residents.
Swiss RailPass
This pass is honored on all SBB trains and additionally on the local city bus networks in 36 Swiss cities and towns. Discounts are also available on private railways so check before you buy private railway fare. You can buy either adult or youth passes that allow 4,8,15, 22 or one month of rail passage.
Swiss FlexiPass
Like the Swiss RailPass, you buy this pass for a defined period of travel days but you are limited to use them within a one-month period. You can buy 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8-day passes and have unlimited travel on a travel day. The condition is that you use the travel days within the one month of validity for the pass.
Half Fare Card
This is an excellent card if you don’t want to be locked into travel days and want to have the best flexibility. The Half Fare Card gives you half off the regular fare price on SBB trains and even on some private railways within Switzerland. You can buy a one-year or two-year card.
Switzerland and Austria RailPass
Do you want to see Austria too? Here is a flexipass (meaning you don’t have to use the travel days consecutively) that can be bought for 4 to 10 days of rail travel and the travel days must be used within two months.
Switzerland is an exciting and historic place to visit and they make it possible to see it all with their elaborate rail system. Make it a point to visit here.