Swiss Luxury TrainsSwiss Luxury TrainsLuxury trains are a premium travel option designed to offer a comfortable ride and evoke an association with history and heritage. Some luxury trains promote tourism in destinations across a region, while others (such as the Maharajas' Express) take passengers on a long, leisurely ride through a single country. Luxury train travel has become popular, and its advocates cite several advantages over air travel. They say air travel can be monotonous, while passengers on a luxury train can see the local environment, social and economic conditions, and a myriad of colors during their travels. Unlike airplanes, luxury trains are spacious and have restaurants and bars, comfortable sleeping and seating areas, and bathrooms. History of Luxury Trains Before sleeping and dining cars were introduced, long-distance train travel was an uncomfortable experience. George Pullman's first sleeping car, the Pioneer, was introduced in 1865 and was followed two years later by "hotel cars". The Pioneer was the first railway carriage with dining and sleeping areas, and the Pullman Car Company was founded in 1880. Georges Nagelmackers founded the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, creator of the Orient Express. Inspired by Pullman trains in the United States, Nagelmackers returned to Europe and built a fleet of over 30 luxury trains which traveled to several European destinations. He is credited with beginning the age of luxury trains and grand hotels. The best-known luxury train was the Orient Express, the setting of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. Europe's first luxury train, it began its maiden journey across Europe on 5 June 1883 from Paris' Gare de l'Est. Although the original Orient Express ceased operations in 2009, private operators and public-private joint ventures provide luxury train travel in several countries. Swiss Luxury Trains - Swiss Premium Panorama Trains Switzerland's panorama train routes are among the most beautiful rail routes in the world. They are part of the country's heritage and history. They pass through the most majestic mountain scenery, idyllic valleys and villages; along crystal-clear lakes and ice-blue glaciers. Their privileged passengers enjoy stunning scenic splendours and superior travel comfort. Swiss Panorama trips: The most beautiful most train rides in Switzerland. Take a trip on the most beautiful train lines in Switzerland - on the Glacier Express, Bernina Express or Gotthard Panorama Express. Panorama trips such as these attract guests from all around the world to Switzerland. So get on board! Bernina Express Bernina Express Cross the Alps on the Bernina Express on the highest-altitude rail route in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage railway line. You too can experience this fascinating panorama trip through the impressive countryside of Grisons. This panoramic train connects the north of Europe to its south - right through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Rhaetian Railway, passing by glaciers on its way down to palm trees. Learn more about the Bernina Express Glacier Express Glacier Express The journey on the Glacier Express is the classic of the panorama trips across Switzerland. You too can climb aboard the “slowest fast train in the world”, and surrender to a breathtaking journey through time between Zermatt and St. Moritz. The journey in what has been dubbed the world’s slowest express train takes travellers across the Alps within roughly eight hours, passing through 91 tunnels and across 291 bridges. Learn more about the Glacier Express GoldenPass Express GoldenPass Express Travel through Switzerland on the route of kings: you enjoy superb views from the comfortable panorama cars of the GoldenPass Express. Climb aboard the panorama cars of the GoldenPass Express. Enjoy the view of Lake Geneva from up above in Montreux. You then travel to Zweisimmen and Spiez via Gstaad. In Interlaken you will see the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. You then travel along Lake Brienz to Meiringen. From there you go over the Brünig Pass and past the lakes in Lungern, Sarnen and Alpnach to Lucerne. The GoldenPass Express redefines the travel experience between Interlaken and Montreux. The new panoramic train will connect two of Switzerland’s most popular tourist destinations up to four times a day. Learn more about the GoldenPass Express Gotthard Panorama Express Gotthard Panorama Express When the journey becomes an adventure: you are discovering history on the Gotthard Panorama Express. A unique combination of boat and train travel en route between Central Switzerland and Ticino. Embark on a journey through some of the most beautiful regions in Switzerland. By boat and train you can enjoy the view of central Switzerland and Ticino’s wonderful mountain landscapes, natural wonders and marvels of railway construction. A great experience of history come alive: The journey leads from Ticino along the historic Gotthard panoramic route to Lucerne. Welcome to the original Switzerland! Learn more about the Gotthard Panorama Express Luzern-Interlaken Express Luzern-Interlaken Express Lucerne and Interlaken. Two of Switzerland’s most popular tourist destinations. But how best to get from one city to the other? Conveniently easy: with the comfortable Luzern-Interlaken Express. Learn more about the Luzern-Interlaken Express Voralpen-Express Voralpen-Express The Voralpen-Express runs every hour between Lucerne - the city of lights - and the cultural metropolis of St. Gallen. The views of popular excursion mountains, expansive landscapes and glittering lakes will enchant you along the route. The modern Voralpen-Express impresses with its spacious interior, practical bistro areas and child-friendly family compartment. Learn more about the Voralpen-Express Voralpen Express and Centovalli Railway Voralpen Express and Centovalli Railway Across 444 bridges - a train experience to fall in love with: this is what you can expect on this incomparable trip from St. Gallen to Montreux via Locarno. Your journey begins in St. Gallen with the highest railway bridge in Switzerland - the Sitter Viaduct. This is followed by the Glatttal and Weissenbach Viaducts along with Lake Zurich, Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne. The next highlight is the Gotthard mountain route to Locarno with its numerous bridges and loop tunnels. After a detour to Domodossola in Italy, you will see the vineyards of Lavaux on Lake Geneva. Learn more about the Voralpen Express and Centovalli Railway Furka Steam Railway Furka Steam Railway Top-class nostalgic steam experience: the unique journey across the Furka in a steam cog engine restored to its former condition. A technically brilliant routing and a nostalgic steam journey through impressive mountainous countryside including the Rhone and Mutt glaciers, you can look forward to all this on the journey with the Furka steam trains across the Furka Pass from Oberwald to Realp. You travel with the steam cog railway in carriages that have been restored to their authentic condition. Part of the Furka Oberalp Railway Learn more about the Furka Steam Railway Grand Train Tour of Switzerland Grand Train Tour of Switzerland Train, bus, boat - Grand Train Tour Discover all sights and landmarks Switzerland has to offer from the comfort of the train. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland merges the most beautiful panoramic lines into one unique route. 11 large lakes, 4 official languages, 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 1,280 kilometres of magnificent view in between: On the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, panoramic trains take you to all the highlights and sights in Switzerland, year-round. Get in, lean back and enjoy - wherever you like. A train journey combining 1,280 kilometres of beauty Discover all sights and landmarks Switzerland has to offer from the comfort of the train. The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland merges the most beautiful panoramic lines into one unique route. There is no prescribed direction or duration. You can hop on and off wherever you please. Whether at Zermatt or St. Moritz, in the Canton of Ticino or the Lavaux, at the Rhine Falls or Lake Lucerne. And best of all: You can experience the entire tour with only one single ticket - the Swiss Travel Pass. Learn more about the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland | |||||
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