What comes to mind when you think of visiting Switzerland?  Is it Julie Andrews whirling around singing atop of a spectacular mountain peak?  Although it’s hard not to associate the country with the movie, maybe you think instead of cheese or chocolate. 

Luzern-Interlaken Express in summer

Well, regardless of the images conjured by just thinking about this beautiful alpine country, the Swiss Travel System is indispensable. Tourists can crisscross the entire country by train, boat, or land using the popular Swiss Travel Pass.

Motor Vessel MS Diamant, Lake Lucerne Region

The STP is not only cost-efficient, but offers several options. First, there’s the standard Adult Travel Pass for those who want to travel on consecutive days. Then, there’s the Flex Travel Pass for those who want to travel on non-consecutive days.

The third option is the Youth (under 26 years old) Travel Pass. There are also the Swiss Half Fare Card and the Swiss Family Card. These travel passes offer the benefit of connecting to desired cities and resorts via train, boat, or land.

Central Alps Passes PostBus Route

Switzerland, made up of 26 regions, is world-renowned for its efficient and punctual system of transportation. The “cantons,” or regions, boast breathtaking scenery, including mountains, forests, lakes glaciers, and more.

Glacier Express on the Landwasser viaduct

Travel options are first or second class, but the difference relates only to price, not social status. Anyone who has visited Switzerland swears that train travel, combined with boat and land, is the best way to discover this exciting country.

Swiss transfer ticket

With a Swiss Travel Pass, you can traverse nearly 800 miles of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world. Nevertheless, visitors need to know first where they want to go and what they want to see before prior to buying a pass.

Swiss travel pass

Train travel choices include: The Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panoramic Express, and Golden Pass Express. There’s also the Wilhelm Tell Express and, not surprising, there’s a Chocolate Train, too!

Chocolate Train

Glacier Express in winter 

One example of the ease with which visitors can travel from north to south is the Bernina Express. This bright red train connects Graubunden in the north to Tirano in southern Italy. The train offers spectacular panoramic views as it climbs some 7,400 feet above sea level.     

Travelers sit in awe of the scenic glaciers, gorges, and forests made accessible via the most remarkable transportation system in the world. Famous resorts such as St. Moritz, Davos, Grindelwald, and Zermatt beckon fondue and wine lovers alike.

Regional Pass Lake Geneva - Alps steamboat

But Switzerland also boasts 11 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites, which are all accessible through the Swiss Travel System. One of the nearly dozen sites is Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The old city dates to 1191 and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983. 

Jungfraujoch in winter

The Swiss labyrinth of trains, trams, funiculars, and the like showcase an unforgettable travel experience second to none. Bonus tours include those offering bird’s eye views on a system of more than 1,000 cable cars.

View from Gondola, Schilthorn

A new addition to the incomparable Swiss Travel System is access to Mt. Rigi. Visitors can board in either the town of Lucerne or Zurich. Destination Mt. Rigi will have visitors gazing in awe at the magnificent, snow-capped Swiss Alps.

This unique adventure starts with a trip on the cogwheel train, Europe’s first-ever cogwheel train in service since 1871. Dubbed the “Queen of the Mountains,” Mt. Rigi offers vistas of more than a dozen lakes. 

Rigi in summer

Added attractions abound, but a visit to Rigi Kaltbad’s mineral baths will refresh the body and the soul. You can even dine on a 3-course meal in a “restaurant in the sky” while suspended and riding in the unique Weggis-Rigi Kaltbad cableway.  

Another new offering aside from the expansive Swiss Travel System and the Swiss Travel Pass options is the Express Flight Luggage service and Express Door-to-Door Flight Luggage Service recently launched. 

Grindelwald first winter

From select North American airports, travelers can check their luggage to arrivals in Zurich or Geneva. The other option is to have the luggage sent directly to a designated hotel. One caveat is that the flight must arrive before noon. The fee for the exclusive service is approximately $90 dollars.  

With so many options aimed at making a trip to Switzerland an experience of “champagne dreams and caviar wishes,” as Robin Leach used to say on his popular television show, what are you waiting for?

Glacier 3000 summer

For more information on traveling to Switzerland via the Swiss Travel System and Swiss Travel Pass go to: https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/getting-around.html

Rosie Carbo is the Lifestyles Editor for Wandering Educators, and is a former newspaper reporter whose work has appeared in newspapers and magazines nationwide. Some of those publications include People magazine, The Dallas Morning News, The Houston Chronicle, and San Antonio Express-News. Some of her features were redistributed by The Associated Press early in her career as an award-winning Texas journalist.

All photos courtesy and copyright Swiss Travel system