The long-awaited Grand Alpine Panoramic Express officially welcomed its first passengers this week, and early reviews have been nothing short of rapturous. The new rail route, connecting Lucerne to Locarno via a dramatic traverse of the central Alps, is being hailed as Switzerland’s most spectacular train journey — no small claim in a country already renowned for its scenic railways.
An Engineering and Aesthetic Marvel
The 187-kilometre route features 42 bridges, 15 tunnels, and a newly constructed glass-roofed observation car that offers unobstructed 270-degree views of the surrounding peaks. The journey climbs to 2,100 metres at its highest point before descending through a series of dramatic switchbacks into the Italian-speaking Ticino region, covering the full trip in approximately four and a half hours.
“I have ridden the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, and scenic railways across four continents. The Grand Alpine Panoramic Express may be the finest train journey I have ever experienced. The engineering is remarkable, but it is the way the route has been designed to reveal the landscape — gradually, theatrically — that sets it apart.” — James Thornton, Editor-at-Large, Condé Nast Traveller
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) invested CHF 1.2 billion in the project over eight years, including the construction of the Brünig Panorama Tunnel, a 4.3-kilometre bore designed with floor-to-ceiling glass sections that illuminate as the train passes through caverns carved from the mountain rock. The effect, passengers report, is otherworldly.
Tourism Boost and Accessibility
Tourism officials project the route will attract 400,000 passengers annually, with particular appeal to international visitors seeking premium Swiss travel experiences. Tickets for the panoramic class start at CHF 149, with a first-class gourmet package — featuring a four-course meal prepared by a Michelin-starred chef — available at CHF 389.
Crucially, the route has been designed with full accessibility in mind, featuring level boarding, wheelchair-accessible observation areas, and audio descriptions of the landscape available in eight languages. Several stations along the route have been upgraded to serve as gateways to hiking trails, making the journey attractive to both passive sightseers and active travellers.
Switzerland Tourism director Martin Nydegger described the launch as a milestone for the Swiss tourism brand. “In a world where overtourism threatens many destinations, Switzerland continues to offer experiences that are both extraordinary and sustainable. This railway is a testament to that philosophy,” he said.
