It’s not every day you get an email from Switzerland Tourism that ends with, “We’re in town – want to grab a tea and talk trains?”
Luckily, our Trip Design team had already been mapping out a small-group adventure through the Swiss Alps. The timing was perfect. We cleared our schedules (and our cheese quotas) and sat down for a chat.
We recently caught up with Sonia from Switzerland Tourism’s ANZ Trade Team to unpack how our MagRail Swiss Alps Adventure came to life, and why it might just be the dreamiest way to experience Switzerland in style.
Let’s start at the beginning: what made your team reach out to MagRail?
We’d been in touch with Lisa from your team for a little while already. Then, when Patrick Stomeo from our Switzerland Travel Centre team was in Australia to meet with local tour operators, it only made sense that our teams arranged to meet up in person. That coffee catch-up in Melbourne was where everything really came together. Patrick and Lisa were able to talk through the bones of the itinerary, add a few finishing touches, and even discuss a potential schedule of 2026 departure dates, and… the rest is history! It all just clicked into place from there.
What stood out about the MagRail brand? Why did you think it was a good fit for Swiss rail travel?
MagRail’s Swiss Alps itinerary slotted perfectly into our Travel Better strategy. That means encouraging people to stay longer, travel slower and discover some of our lesser-known regions instead of just the famous spots. This trip really delivers on that front. It blends the heavy hitters like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express with beautiful surprises like the Giessbach Funicular and wine tasting in the French-speaking Lavaux region.
It’s such a well-rounded itinerary that really does provide travellers so many special experiences but with enough diversity and touch points to get to know Switzerland very well.
Oh, and we hate to pick a favourite, but we were very excited when we saw that you’re offering a September 2025 departure. Autumn is one of the most magical times to experience Switzerland, when the forests turn golden, the air gets crisp and the mountain scenery is at its breathtaking best.
Can you tell us a bit about the Switzerland Travel Centre?
Switzerland Travel Centre has offices in several countries, including here in Sydney. We have direct partnerships with Swiss hotels, railways and tourism boards, and we work closely with them to help travellers and trade partners book and plan trips across Switzerland.
Our role really comes down to making it as easy as possible for people to visit Switzerland, however that may be, from helping out with rail passes or accommodation, to providing advice on itineraries. We know Switzerland inside out, so we can help partners like MagRail plan trips that show off the country at its best.
What’s it like travelling Switzerland by rail?
It’s honestly one of the easiest countries to get around without a car. The public transport is super reliable, and you can get pretty much anywhere by train, boat or bus.
For Aussie and Kiwi travellers especially, train travel takes a lot of the stress out of it. You don’t have to worry about driving on the other side of the road, using toll roads, or finding parking. You can just sit back and enjoy the views, and they really are next level. Plus, it’s a much more eco-friendly way to travel, which we’ve noticed that a lot more people, especially our Aussie and Kiwi travellers, are starting to care a lot about.
It’s no secret that getting to Switzerland can be a little… pricey. Any tips to keep costs down?
Yes! There are actually quite a few airlines that offer great connections from Australia and New Zealand into Zurich, so it’s definitely worth shopping around and checking all your options, not just the obvious ones.
A lot of people don’t realise that flying into Zurich can actually be really competitive, sometimes on par with bigger hubs like London or Paris. And of course, like with most big trips, the earlier you book the better. Keep an eye out for early bird deals, and try to be flexible with your travel dates if you can (maybe arriving a few days before the trip starts or sticking around for a few days after the end of the trip). That can make a big difference to the price.
If you’re still struggling to find a good deal, one tip we’d suggest is to explore alternative entry points, like flying into Milan or Munich and then catching the train into Switzerland. It can sometimes work out cheaper and you get an extra train ride as a bonus.
Let’s talk Swiss scenery. What are your top unmissable stops?
Too many to name! But we always recommend:
- The lakeside towns of Thun and Brienz outside of Interlaken. These are just gorgeous – the emerald colour of the lakes is surreal.
- Zermatt: Home of the Matterhorn. Enough said.
- Mt Rigi is one of the most stunning mountain excursions – even if it’s cloudy below, the sun is often shining at the top of the mountain.
We love to see an itinerary that includes a good mix of the big-name places people dream about and some that are just as beautiful but maybe less well-known, and this itinerary hits the nail on the head. One experience that was a no-brainer for us is the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux.
It’s such a classic route. You go from the mountains near Interlaken, past lakes and green fields with all those wooden huts, and then the train winds down into Montreux by the lake. The scenery changes so much along the way, and it really shows off how varied Switzerland is. It just felt like a route that had to be part of the trip.
If you were personally going to hop on our MagRail tour, which part of the trip would you be most excited about and why?
I’d be most excited to really experience the full sweep of Switzerland in all of its varieties, from the German-speaking areas to the charming French regions and the Mediterranean glamour of the Italian-speaking south. Each area has its own personality, and this trip gives you a taste of it all.
Plus, one of the most underrated perks of this trip is the express luggage transfers. Not having to haul your bags from train to hotel every day will make the whole journey feel that much more chill, so you can focus on the good stuff.
Are there any patterns you’ve noticed in the type of traveller who books rail-based trips?
Definitely! Our rail travellers tend to be the kind of people who want to really experience a place, not simply tick off the big sights in a couple of rushed days, but instead get a feel for the culture, explore different regions and see what day-to-day life is like in the smaller towns as well as the big-name spots.
Interestingly, Australians love train travel in Switzerland. They’re actually the ninth largest international market for Swiss rail – pretty impressive for a country on the other side of the world! It just shows how much people value that mix of convenience, scenery and cultural depth you get when travelling by train in Switzerland.
And finally, if someone’s sitting on the fence about booking, what would you say to nudge them towards a Swiss rail adventure?
If you’re on the fence, just know this: almost everyone who visits comes back saying Switzerland was even more beautiful and surreal than they imagined. It’s the kind of place that really has to be seen to be believed. Plus, it’s clean, safe and everything just works, so you can fully relax and soak up the views without any of the usual travel stress. If you’re craving nature, calm and a bit of magic… this is your sign.
If you haven’t seen the itinerary yet, check out the trip here!