Swiss scenic rail trips

Spend a night in Zermatt, then you're on the way to Italy when you take the train back to Brig.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm leaning toward leaving Lausanne early in the AM and staying in Lauterbrunnen Valley/Murren for two nights, leaving early for Zermatt on the third day and staying one or two nights, taking the Glacier Express to St.Moritz/Pontresina and staying there before taking the Bernina Express to Lugano. In Lugano we'll probably have to switch trains to Florence. Does this sound like too much? Although we haven't traveled much for about 10 yrs., in the past we have taken long driving trips in the US, even to Alaska. I fear that this will be a "once in a lifetime" trip. That's the reason for the pushing. But,I also know that fatigue can ruin even the most beautiful scenery!
Again, THANKS

Marilyn, every train is a "scenic" train when traveling through Switzerland. No specific train makes the area more scenic. Don't waste your vacation time planning your trip around those so-called scenic trains. Yes, they may have a few extra windows, but it's actually better to be out and about in that scenery rather than seeing it whiz by from your train seat. My parents have both visited Switzerland twice with us and only once did we take the Golden Pass Scenic Train from Interlaken to Montreux. The rest of the time we took normal trains AND stayed in those scenic destinations where you can get out and stroll around (not hike) in that beautiful scenery. I've been to both the Jungfrau area and Zermatt quite a few times - while both are very nice, the Jungfrau area wins hands down and you could spend your entire 5 days there if you really wanted to. The Lauterbrunnen Valley is only 20 minutes by train from Interlaken Ost and puts you right in the valley between the wonderful alpine villages of Mürren, Gimmelwald and the Schilthorn on one side and Wengen and the Jungfrau on the other. Mürren is my absolute favorite place to stay as far as the villages. You won't be disappointed by choosing Lauterbrunnen, Mürren or Wengen. Gimmelwald is a nice place to stroll through, but you probably don't want to stay there as it's just entirely too small. This whole area lends itself to strolling and meandering all the way up to strenuous hiking. So you can choose for yourself.

Speaking of the Berner Oberland/Jungfrau, this Sunday's Amazing Race will be spending a lot of time there. From the previews it looks like one of the tasks involves scaling part of the Jungfrau, and some sort of task involving giant wheels of cheese and a lot of snow!

Marilyn, I suggest that you depart the Golden Pass train at Interlaken Ost and immediately take the 22-minute local train ride into Lauterbrunnen to spend the night. Lauterbrunnen is the origination point for the train up to the Jungfraujoch. I suggest the Hotel Silberhorn which is about 500 feet from the train station. We too are over 60 and we have stayed there and have gone to both the Jungfrau and Schilthorn. Wonderful restaurant. natively, you could stay the night in Muerren. It's everything that you would expect a Swiss alpine village to be. You want scenery? I suggest the Hotel Alpina that provides views of the entire valley and mountains. At 5,200 feet you stand on the edge of the of the cliff and in one sweep of your eyes, you go from the valley floor up to the top of the 12,000ft Jungfrau. It just takes a couple more gondolas to get up and back down to the valley floor to take the train to the Jungfrau. Even the views from the gondolas are spectacular. Gimmelwald is just down the hill from Muerren. There is a wonderful road that you can take to get there (all downhill). Stay a night or two in either Lauterbrunnen or Muerren and then head for Zermatt to see the Matterhorn. You may want to spend the night there as its best to see the Matterhorn in the morning hours before the clouds often roll in. Next, Zermatt is the beginning point of the Glacier Express. From Zermatt to St. Moritz is a 6.5hr journey. Stay the night in St. Moritz. Be sure that you are on the Glacier Express train and not the regionales that run on the same tracks. The regionales are fine but you change trains twice on them. You don't change at all on the GE.

Finally, from St. Moritz, take the Bernina Express scenic train to Tirano, Italy and then on to Milan. You will have been on 3 of the 4 Swiss scenic trains. However, the train rides from Zermatt to St. Moritz and from St. Moritz are quite long. You may choose to stay a night longer in Lauterbrunnen or Muerren and leave for Milan from Zermatt. For that extra day, you can take the very scenic gondola up to the Schilthorn and have breakfast or lunch in the famous Piz Gloria that actually rotates 360 degrees. Here's a link to a picture of the main street in Muerren. http://gyazo.com/dba10b02d0e5c82c4771b28a8a828e31

A few thoughts:
Skip Zermatt. While seeing the Matterhorn is nice, the town is overrun with tourists and not that scenic. To appreciate any sort of beauty you'll have to take one of the trains or gondolas up onto the mountains. Also, the train from Brig to Zermatt isnt too scenic. Its mostly through a rock strewn valley that honestly isnt that pretty. Instead, I'd devote much more time to the Berner Oberland. Don't stay in Interlaken but instead choose Lauterbrunnen, Murren or Wengen. You might also want to take a steamer on Lake Brienz and if you have time, ride the Brienzer Rothorn steam train to the top of the Rothorn. In terms of getting to italy, your best bet is to ride the Bernina to Tirano and from there hop on an Italian train directly to Milan. The Bernina is absolutely gorgeous and might be the highlight of your trip. I also wholeheartedly disagree with the previous poster that advocated taking the Glacier Express and Bernina Express over a local train. Changing trains on these lines simply involves walking across a platform and if you see a gorgeous town along the way you just hop off and visit the town and hop on the next train an hour later. All you'll gain from the GE and BE is paying more for a reserved seat and a dining car. If you take the locals you'll be with the Swiss people and can open the windows of the coach, take pictures and smell the alpine scenery. Trust me!

Thanks Marcus, I'm having a very difficult time making this schedule. I'm OK with skipping Zermatt because I had decided to slow down and spend three nights in Lauterbrunnen. Still trying to make those reservations. Can I leave Interlaken early in the AM, sleep in Pontresina and then go on to Milan via Tirano in one day? And, should I? Also, a friend suggested staying in Murren rather than Lauterbrunnen. What do you think?
Can't tell you how much I appreciate the help!!!

Yes, you can travel to Pontresina, sleep there, and the next day continue to Milan. Mpontresina to Tirano is a bit over two hours. Tirano to Milan, 2 1/2 hours. the problem is not all the connections at Tirano line up well. The best are if you depart Pontresina at 8:09 or 14:09. Then you have a 50-minute wait for the next train at Tirano, not bad. You can see the schedules at www.rail.ch (the Swiss rail site in English).

Muerren or Lauterbrunnen...mountain tops or valley? The whole area is stunning and you'll think you're in heaven. I've stayed in Murren several times and it's the only place I'll stay now. Lauterbrunnen is fine, but Murren is just breathtakingly beautiful. If you're going all the way to the Lauterbrunnen Valley why not go all the way to the top! Wengen is another village on the Jungfrau side of the LV. The Schilthorn is on the Murren side of the LV. They're both wonderful and you won't be disappointed there.