By train through Switzerland – to beautiful Nendaz

Writer: Helena Bergström

Today you will be travelling by train through Switzerland. On Monday morning we started the journey that would take us from Stockholm to Nendaz in southern Switzerland. It was a journey that involved just over two hours by plane, just under three hours by train and then half an hour by bus. Despite a fairly long journey, it didn't feel slow at all. Travelling through Switzerland is absolutely stunningly beautiful!

Travelling by train through Switzerland

We traveled from Arlanda to Zurich, in collaboration with the Swiss Tourist Board and together with a bunch of other travel bloggers. Once in Zurich, we jumped on a train that would take us to Nendaz in the southern part of the country.

Switzerland has invested heavily in public transport and it is possible to travel almost everywhere by train and bus. There's also a convenient system called the 'Swiss Travel Pass', which you buy for varying lengths of time and is valid for all modes of transport. We took the train directly from Zurich station and travelled, with one change, all the way to Sion in the south of the country.

The train journey was a comfortable experience and we sat in the restaurant car, where we ordered beer, bread, ham and salami. Normally they have a whole bunch of dishes to choose from, but right now something in the kitchen was broken ... but we were fine anyway. Above all, we could enjoy a whole fantastic View. We haven't been here very long, but we can already say that this country is crazy beautiful!

The last bit, from Sion to Nendaz, we had to go by bus. Here it was just as beautiful outside the windows, if not more beautiful! However, trying to take photos while the bus winds up serpentine roads and while houses and signs pass by at high speed is a challenge. Another challenge was keeping track of our huge pile of suitcases that wanted to race around the bus at every turn...

Arrived in Nendaz in Valais

In the end, we came up with our hotel in Nendaz. Really nice with a shower and a welcome drink out in the sun.

As we sat there enjoying the warmth and the drink, we suddenly heard a piercing sound, and of course we had to go and check it out. A whole bunch of men standing there blowing alphorns! And guess who had to test…? Yes, Peter of course! And yes, he passed. At least there was sound coming from the horn!

Excursion in the Swiss Alps

On our second day in Nendaz we took a trip up into the mountains. Despite the bad weather we were treated to some absolutely stunning views. We also got to see how the famous raclette cheese and a number of other Swiss cheeses are made.

The landscape is filled with coniferous trees, including pine trees that turn beautiful colors in the fall and shed their needles in the winter. There are also some really old trees here. According to our guides, the oldest pine trees here are between 800 and 900 years old...!

Visit to a raclette producer

Raclette is a traditional Swiss cheese used for the dish raclette, which is when you eat melted cheese with various toppings. We got to go to a farm where they make raclette, and also the cheeses ”serac” and ”tomme”.

The cows had been milked before we arrived, and the large barrel held 680 liters of milk. The cheese is then heated to different temperatures depending on the type of cheese being made, all while the cheesemaker ”stirs the pot.” Finally, he catches the curds and lets them drain.

Once formed, the large raclette cheeses are placed in a salt bath for 24 hours. They are then stored for 2,5 months, during which time they are every day brushed with salt. The slightly smaller cheeses called ”tomme” are only aged for 20 days and the ”serac” cheese is a fresh cheese that should be eaten immediately. We tasted this on site and it was really good. Now all that remains is to see how raclette tastes!

After our little adventure high up in the Alps, we went down to the village of Nendaz by cable car. Here we had lunch, wine tasting and a spa.

A film from Nendaz in Switzerland

Here you can see a film, edited by Peter, from the train journey through Switzerland and our visit to Nendaz.

Tips for those who want to travel through Switzerland

Traveling through Switzerland is both easy and convenient thanks to the country's well-developed public transport system. The train network is known for being punctual, modern and offering some of the most beautiful views in Europe. A smart tip is to get a Swiss Travel Pass, which gives you unlimited travel by train, bus and boat for a certain number of days. The pass also includes many museums and offers discounts on some mountain railways.

If you want to experience Switzerland by train, it's worth planning some of the country's classic panoramic routes, such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express. Even regular regional trains often offer spectacular views of the Alps, lakes and charming small villages.

The best time to travel depends on what you want to experience. Summer is perfect for hiking, cycling and green alpine meadows, while winter beckons with skiing and snow-capped mountains. Spring and autumn are often quieter periods with fewer visitors and just as beautiful landscapes.

For those who want to combine nature experiences with local culture, it is also worth stopping in smaller towns such as Nendaz, Zermatt or Sion. Here you will not only be close to the mountains, but also have the chance to discover traditions, local delicacies and genuine Swiss environments.

More to see and do in Switzerland

There is so much to see and experience around Switzerland. Here you will find tips and inspiration:

• Nature experiences in Switzerland
• Swiss dishes to try
• Things to do in Switzerland
• Travelling by motorhome in Switzerland