Get yourself from London to Switzerland, home to the very best chocolate, breathtaking mountain and lake views, and scenic train rides. It truly is a magical place, and if you’re someone who isn’t averse to a spot of brisk weather then it’s well worth a visit!
Of course, you could fly from London to Switzerland, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, swap the check-in queues and dreary off-white waiting rooms for a journey full of variation and spectacle. Here's a list of train routes you could take into consideration:
- Train from London to Zurich
- Train from London to St. Moritz
- Train from London to Zermatt
- Train from London to Geneva
Train from London to Zurich
The first part of the train journey from London to Zurich involves the Eurostar speeding under the Channel Tunnel, always a train treat. You’ll board at London St Pancras International and head for the City of Lights (Paris) or for Brussels. The Eurostar from London to Paris is a two-hour journey, and London to Brussels is a similarly speedy trip.
From Paris, you’ll arrive at Paris Gare du Nord, but your journey over the border will require a transfer, and not at this station. But that just gives you the perfect excuse to experience the Paris Metro, maybe stop at a boulangerie for a croissant or two along the way, why not even spend a day here if you can, there’s plenty to do and a few easy French day trips you can treat yourself to as well. If you’re making a bee-line for Switzerland, though, you’ll be headed for Gare de Lyon, half a dozen stops and one line transfer away from Gare du Nord, and here is where the TGV Lyria train to Zurich awaits. These sleek trains are every bit as fabulous as the Eurostar you just left, with a maximum speed of 198 mph, comfy seats and a restaurant car. Sit back and relax, the train from Paris to Zurich will take approximately six hours, passing plenty of fantastic scenery along the way.
If you opt for the Brussels route, your Eurostar train will call at Brussels Midi, which is very convenient as this is also where your train to Zurich will depart from, with a journey time of approximately seven hours on a TGV Lyria or Deutsche Bahn train. Both are high-speed models that offer a comfy perch from which to enjoy your rapid journey through Europe.
Don't miss: The Clock and Watch Museum, the Botanical Garden, and Lake Zurich.
Train from London to St. Moritz
We mention this ever so elegant resort next because it gives you the perfect excuse to stop off in Zurich on the way for some cosmopolitan vibes before delving into one of Switzerland’s most famous offerings: skiing.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, St. Moritz is one of the world’s leading skiing destinations, having hosted the Winter Olympics twice, and is arguably one of the most scenic as well, sitting in the Swiss Alps. The train from Zurich to St. Moritz is a four-hour trip into the heart of ski country.
Don't miss: Lake St. Moritz and the scenic train journey from Chur to Tirano passing by St. Moritz.
Train from London to Zermatt
Perhaps you want your train from London to Switzerland to head straight for the picturesque mountains, and in that case, we need to back step a little. You’ll still take the train from London to Paris, and you’ll still make your way to Gare de Lyon, but instead of boarding for Zurich, you’ll be heading for Lausanne. From here there are a few more changes involved, but we promise it’s worth it.
From Lausanne, you’ll want to to take the train to Visp, a frequent service that will see you arrive in under two hours. Now you can really get into the Mountaineer spirit, as the train from Visp to Zermatt takes a spectacularly scenic route and once you step out of Zermatt station, just look up. There it stands, the Matterhorn, symbol of Switzerland and the perfect excuse to wrap your gums around some pyramid-shaped chocolate.
Don't miss: The igloo village in December, the Matterhorn, and plenty of skiing and snowboarding activities.
Train from London to Geneva
Another leading destination, taking the train to Geneva is also a simple and lovely journey and follows the same route up to Gare de Lyon, this time you’ll take a train to Geneva, and it will take you about three and a half hours.
The journey is the perfect mix if you’re a train-lover like us because you’ll get to experience the high-speed run out of the city as well as the more leisurely pace as the train passes through the countryside and into Switzerland, bliss!
Don't miss: The Jet d'Eau, the English Garden, and the art exhibitions at Mamco.
And there you have it, the where and how and why (chocolate) to take the train to Switzerland, so, what are you waiting for? A European trip of a lifetime awaits!