We had planned to do RS's recommended rail trip on panoramic trains, but they are fully booked on the dates we need. Therefore, renting a car instead. What would be the most scenic route to drive from St Moritz to Zermatt- through Switzerland or Italy via Lake Como? Any suggested routes (or ways of still obtaining panorama train tickets) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33819 posts
have you considered the normal trains on those lines? They go the same speed, go to and past the same places, give even better views of the scenery because the windows open and they are less busy so you can often change sides for the scenery and no glare on photos that you get with the fancy trains with curved windows that don't open. They are much more frequent and much cheaper.
In all the years I have been on the scenic train rides in Switzerland I have never gone for the fancy trains and I have never been disappointed. I have ridden the length of all of them.
Car is nice, and I've done that, but the driver is so busy driving on these complex roads, lots of turns and hills and hairpins, that they don't get to see the scenery unless they find a place to stop.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5604 posts
I second Nigel's suggestion, which is what we did Sept 2021 and absolutely loved it. The regional trains are less crowded, require no seat reservations, and you can jump across the aisles for the scenery. Having the windows open for pix and breathing the mountain air was heavenly! Have a great trip.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17422 posts
The regular regional trains use the same tracks and have the same views. The Glacier Express is a much-promoted tourist train, but it is not the only or even the best option. We have only ridden the regional trains with the locals, and that was fine.
You cannot even drive a car to Zermatt—it is a car-free village. You have to park the car in Tasch and take the train in from there. You would be way better off taking the regional trains on this route.
If you want to rent a car and make a road trip out of this that is up to you, but there is a lot to consider—cost of gas, narrow winding roads, ZTL’s in Italy, possible need for a vignette to drive in Switzerland, and where would you rent and return the car? Plus, people have been reporting very high prices for rentals these days, as in well over $200 a day.