From the Matterhorn Glacier Ride and the MOB cheese train to the world's steepest cogwheel railway, we reveal the top train and gondola rides in Switzerland.
The cheese train of the Montreux-Berner Oberlandbahn (MOB) offers breathtaking views as well as culinary delights. On the journey from Montreux or, as a new feature, from Zweisimmen in the Bernese Oberland to Château-d'Oex, a variety of cheeses are served along with a glass of wine from the region. Once in Château-d'Oex in the Vaud region, visitors can get up close and personal with cheese production, followed by a tasting session. An enjoyable fondue provides the crowning finale.
In the high mountain world around the Matterhorn, the Matterhorn Glacier Ride is the world's highest 3S cable car. It takes guests from Trockener Steg to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Little Matterhorn) at 3,883 metres above sea level. In the panoramic cabins with heated seats, you enjoy a nine-minute ride through the fascinating mountain world. For an even more luxurious ride, you can also book one of the Crystal Ride cabins, which are decorated with crystals inside and out and have a glass floor.
The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland stretches more than 1,280 kilometres across Switzerland. The view through the huge windows of the panoramic trains offers views of snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes and impressive landscapes. The tour can also be combined with some of the most beautiful mountain excursions in the whole of Switzerland.
The Dragon Ride aerial cableway operated by Pilatus-Bahnen AG travels from Fräkmüntegg to Pilatus Kulm in Kriens, Lucerne. At its heart are two modern cabins which, thanks to their
spaciousness, cockpit-like layout and large windows, give passengers the feeling of floating above the mountain world. Pilatus-Bahnen AG invested 18 million Swiss francs/$19 million in the cableway.
The Pilatus cogwheel railway is regarded worldwide as a unique piece of engineering work by Eduard Locher, which began in 1886. The spectacular route gives an idea of the challenges involved in building the railway 125 years ago with gradients of up to 48%. During the 30-minute journey, the railway takes passengers up metre by metre along the path from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm, past Alpine meadows and striking rock formations.
