9 Heritage Train Journeys That Are Better Than Flying

2. Glacier Express (Switzerland) — Alpine panoramas without airport stress

The Glacier Express links mountain towns across the Swiss Alps with massive windows and a pace that encourages taking photographs and naps in equal measure. The route threads high passes, deep gorges, and alpine farms; the scenery unfolds steadily instead of flashing by from a tin can thirty thousand feet above ground. Compared with flying between Swiss cities, the Glacier Express adds time but removes the stress of flights, security lines, and transfers from distant airports. It’s a daytime travel experience that’s perfect for those who treat the window as the main attraction. For best views, travel outside the heaviest fog months and reserve panoramic seats early, especially when autumn colours or spring snowfields are on the cards. The train’s steady schedule and convenient town-to-town stops are a practical edge over flying when your timeline is flexible.