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Tips for trip planning

Switzerland boasts many one-of-a-kind excursions that take travelers over, around and through the countryside. Here are just a few of the most popular trip planning options:

The Glacier Express may be the most famous rail excursion in Switzerland, and it's certainly the longest. The seven-and-a-half-hour adventure from Zermatt to St. Moritz passes the glorious Matterhorn and goes through the nearly 7,000-foot-high Oberalp Pass. Travelers pass through unspoiled forests, the solitude of lush Alpine pastures, the rushing waters of pure mountain streams and the awesome expanse of limitless valleys as they cross nearly 300 bridges and glide through more than 90 tunnels.

Taking the Golden Pass between Montreux and Lucerne offers tastes of Switzerland’s French- and German-speaking regions by linking Lake Geneva to historic central Switzerland, with stops in Montreux, Gstaad and Interlaken. At Interlaken, travelers can choose a detour to the Jungfrau or Schilthorn, or take a lake steamer to the woodcarving village of Brienz. The train is designed with the engineer's cab above the first car, affording passengers an unobstructed view from the front of the train.

The William Tell Express is a combination boat/rail excursion that operates from May through October between Lucerne and the Italian-speaking region of Ticino. Travelers enjoy lunch on a nostalgic paddle steamer as it makes its way across Lake Lucerne, past historic villages that recall the legend of the Swiss national hero, William Tell. The rail portion of the trip continues through the St. Gotthard Pass and past the picturesque chapel at Wassen. The train stops at Bellinzona before arriving at the resorts of either Locarno or Lugano.

The millennia-old town of Chur is a major connecting point for many Swiss lines, including the world-famous Bernina Express. This north-south Alpine crossing spans the canton of Graubünden for more than 100 miles. The dramatic tour boldly makes its way across curved viaducts of overwhelming proportions, and on the impressive trip over the Bernina Pass, the train climbs more than 7,000 feet above sea level. The southern portion of the journey continues by bus through Italy before returning to Switzerland at Lugano.

There are still quite a few trip-planning options for you, depending on where you want to go. The state-of-the-art, panoramic trains of the Centovalli Railway journey from the shores of Lake Maggiore to the renaissance charms of Domodossolo, Italy. From there, tourists can change trains to the French-speaking region of Switzerland or simply return to Locarno.

Not all the great panoramic trips in Switzerland are rail journeys. Funiculars and aerial cable cars can take you through the mountainous areas inaccessible by train. The Palm Express is a relaxing excursion aboard super-service Swiss postal buses. In summer and autumn, the route takes travelers between Lugano and St. Moritz by way of the Maloja Pass. Passengers see the popular health and holiday resorts around the Upper Engadine, as well as the Mediterranean charms of villages with streets so narrow that it's a wonder how buses navigate them.

For the traveler who enjoys cycling through the countryside, many Swiss railway stations offer bicycle rentals. Not good enough? The Swiss Federal Railways, in collaboration with private enterprise, has created a tour package called Swiss Adventures. This innovative rail inclusive program is especially appealing for those seeking an outdoor adventure in their trip. Options include paragliding, canoeing, whitewater rafting, windsurfing, horse-drawn caravans and mountain bike tours.