From the Matterhorn to the Schilthorn this trip takes you from Zermatt to Murren.
Hop on the red mountain train back down to Visp in the Rhone valley. Visp station is a concrete monstrosity, but a useful place to change trains.
From here take the main line train through the Loetschberg tunnel to Spiez on the shores of Lake Thun. The Loetschberg is one of 3 very long alpine tunnels, the Swiss have built them longer and faster to encourage train travel. The connecting train to Interlaken winds its way around the serenely calm shores of Lake Thun with snow capped mountains in the background.
We start climbing with the cog wheel train to Lauterbrunnen, gateway to the Jungfrau region. Our destination is the little car free village of Murren, but it’s going to take a cable car and another train to reach it. Wander the chalet lined lanes, the only sound is the occasional battery powered taxi I recommend you head straight over to the Schilthorn cable car about 25 minutes walk through the village.
Because it’s extra special the cable car to the Schilthorn is half price even for Swiss pass holders. At nearly 3000 metres, the summit at Piz Gloria is world famous for its connection with the James Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Get a glimpse behind the scenes on how they shot the movie, and watch extracts from the film. From Piz Gloria there’s an amazing view of the neighbouring mountains, the Eiger, Monch and the Jungfrau. Just to make it the complete touristic experience there’s a revolving restaurant and a gift shop. But, be warned, I’ve been in sunny Murren, but the clouds on the Schilthorn should warn you off what is a very expensive excursion.
Why is the train more popular in Switzerland than the UK?
In the UK we take 21 trips by train each year, in Switzerland some 72 trips based on pre Covid 19 figures. Why is this and how can we increase numbers of UK travellers? By the end of the decade the first section of HS2 to Birmingham will be operational, but what can we do in the meantime. There are many proposals to re-open lines and upgrade existing lines, but should there be a more joined up plan to increase usage of public transport as a realistic alternative to travelling by car??
What have the Swiss got right?
How can we make our planning of public transport services less haphazard?
What successor to the franchise system would make train travel more innovative?
