The Ultimate Scenic Train Journey to Davos

There’s a certain kind of romance to train travel that you just don’t find with other modes of transport. It’s a feeling from a bygone era, a sense of unhurried adventure. You get to watch the world unfold from a front-row seat, and honestly, there’s no better place to do that than on a train winding its way through the Swiss Alps. I’ve always believed the journey should be just as memorable as the destination, and when your destination is the stunning alpine town of Davos, the train ride there becomes an essential part of the experience.

For many of us in the US, a trip to Switzerland feels like stepping into a real-life storybook. We picture towering, snow-capped mountains, charming villages, and pristine landscapes. The good news? It’s all true. And the best way to see it all isn’t from behind the wheel of a rental car, but from the panoramic window of a Swiss train. The journey from the city of Chur to Davos, in particular, is one for the bucket list—a relatively short ride that delivers an almost overwhelming amount of scenic beauty.

So, if you're planning a trip to this world-famous mountain resort, let me convince you to make the train your transport of choice. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about arriving in style, completely immersed in the majesty of the Alps.

The Main Event: The Chur to Davos Line

The most direct and breathtaking route to Davos begins in Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland. This is where you’ll board one of the iconic red trains of the Rhaetian Railway (RhB). Forget any preconceived notions of a simple commuter train; this is something else entirely. The Albula Line, which covers a significant portion of this route, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a designation it shares with the equally famous Bernina line. It’s a masterpiece of railway engineering, designed over a century ago to conquer the immense challenges of the alpine landscape.

As the train pulls out of Chur, the scenery begins to shift almost immediately. The urban landscape gives way to rolling green hills, which soon swell into dramatic, forest-covered mountains. The train snakes through deep gorges and across an incredible number of bridges and tunnels, each one offering a new, jaw-dropping vista. You’re not just traveling through the landscape; you’re interacting with it, moving through its very heart.

The undisputed highlight of this journey is crossing the Landwasser Viaduct. This is the moment everyone waits for, camera in hand. It’s a spectacular, six-arched limestone bridge that stands over 200 feet tall. The train emerges from a tunnel carved into a sheer cliff face, glides gracefully across the curved viaduct, and disappears into another tunnel on the other side of the valley. It’s a surreal, almost magical experience that perfectly encapsulates the harmony of nature and human ingenuity.

Connecting to Legendary Journeys

While the Chur to Davos line is a spectacular journey in its own right, it also serves as a gateway to two of the most famous scenic train rides in the world: the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. Think of it as the opening act to an even grander performance. From Davos, a short regional train ride can connect you to the main routes of these legendary trains, allowing you to create a truly epic Swiss rail adventure.

The Glacier Express is famously known as the "slowest express train in the world." This eight-hour journey is the definition of scenic. It traverses the Alps between St. Moritz (near Davos) and Zermatt, offering unparalleled views from its panoramic carriages. It’s a journey of superlatives, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels as it winds its way through some of Switzerland’s most dramatic landscapes.

The Bernina Express offers a different, but no less incredible, experience. This route travels from Chur or St. Moritz down to Tirano, Italy. What makes it so unique is the dramatic change in climate and scenery. You’ll start amidst high alpine glaciers and snowfields, crossing the Bernina Pass at over 7,000 feet, and a few hours later, you’ll find yourself surrounded by palm trees in Italy. It’s a stunning transition that showcases the incredible diversity of this region.

Tips for Your Alpine Rail Adventure

If you’re ready to book your ticket, a little planning goes a long way. For the main express trains like the Glacier and Bernina Express, seat reservations are mandatory, especially if you want a spot in the panoramic cars (and trust me, you do). These can be booked online well in advance and are separate from the ticket itself. For the regional train from Chur to Davos, reservations aren't typically required, offering more flexibility.

Consider investing in a Swiss Travel Pass. This all-in-one ticket gives you unlimited travel on Switzerland’s extensive network of trains, buses, and boats, and even includes admission to hundreds of museums. It covers the journey to Davos and provides a discount on most mountain railways and cable cars, as well as the seat reservation fee for the panoramic trains. For a traveler looking to explore, it almost always pays for itself.

No matter which route you choose, or what time of year you go, traveling by train to Davos is an experience that will stay with you. It’s a chance to slow down, to disconnect from the rush of modern life, and to simply be present in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, the journey truly is the destination.