The Alps overland

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

The Alps stretch in a broad arc from the Maritime Alps on the French-Italian border through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and into Slovenia — roughly 1,200 kilometres of glacier-carved valleys, high passes and villages that have been welcoming travellers for centuries. An overland crossing by train, bus and on foot is one of Europe's great journeys, slow almost by necessity on the mountain gradients, and deeply rewarding for exactly that reason.

Why cross the Alps overland?

The Alps are the kind of landscape that air travel simply jumps over. You can fly from Geneva to Innsbruck in an hour and see nothing but cloud and tarmac at each end. Taking the train or bus through the mountains inverts the experience entirely: the journey becomes the centrepiece. Switzerland's rail network in particular is engineered for the mountains in a way that makes overland travel not only feasible but genuinely spectacular.

The overland route also makes geographic sense as part of a longer European loop. Arriving from France or western Germany, the Alps stand naturally between you and Austria, the Balkans or northern Italy — crossing them overland, rather than routing around them, is often the more interesting choice even when not much slower.

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The Glacier Express and the panoramic railways

Switzerland's famous Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St Moritz (or Chur), crossing around 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels in approximately eight hours. Despite the name — it is the slowest express train in the world, as the joke goes — it is not primarily a mode of transport but a scenic experience. It traverses the upper reaches of the Rhône and Rhine rivers and crosses the Oberalp Pass, one of the highest points of any European mountain railway.

For serious travellers rather than purely scenic riders, the ordinary Swiss rail network covers many of the same valleys at a fraction of the price. Intercity trains connect Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Lucerne, Zurich and Basel quickly; PostBus routes reach valleys and villages that rail misses. A Swiss Travel Pass covers most of this and can make an unplanned, exploratory crossing very straightforward.

Key crossing routes

Western Alps: Geneva to Milan via the Mont Blanc region

The train from Geneva runs via Lausanne and through the Rhône valley to the Italian border at Brig, then via the Simplon Tunnel to Milan. This is one of Europe's great rail tunnels — around 20 kilometres through the mountain. The journey from Geneva to Milan takes roughly four to five hours. If you have time, breaking the journey at Brig or Brig-Zermatt allows a detour to the Matterhorn.

Central Alps: Zurich to Innsbruck

From Zurich, trains cross into Austria via Feldkirch and the Arlberg Tunnel, reaching Innsbruck in around three and a half hours. This is one of the most practical mountain crossings for travellers heading towards Austria, Bavaria or the Balkans. Innsbruck itself sits dramatically in a valley bowl surrounded by steep peaks and is worth more than a transit stop.

Eastern Alps: Salzburg to Ljubljana via the Tauern route

Heading further east, the rail line from Salzburg crosses into Slovenia via Villach and reaches Ljubljana in roughly four hours, traversing the eastern Alps through some of the least-visited scenery on any main European rail route. The Karawanken Tunnel marks the border crossing; on either side the views are very different.

Crossing by mountain bus and cable car

Not every valley has a rail line. Switzerland's PostBus network covers routes that rail cannot — including the Julier Pass, Maloja Pass and the road over the Great St Bernard. These are slower and more basic than trains, but they go where trains don't, and for travellers doing a genuinely mountain-by-mountain crossing rather than a valley-to-valley hop, they are essential.

Some passes are seasonal — the high-altitude roads typically close between November and May, sometimes later. If you are crossing in spring or early autumn, check pass availability before building your route around them.

Walking stages and hut-to-hut routes

The Alps contain some of the best-developed long-distance walking infrastructure in the world. The Via Alpina traverses the entire range in stages from Monaco to Trieste, crossing eight countries. Individual sections can be walked as day routes between villages connected by bus and train — you walk up, take the cable car or bus back down, and continue on the next day. The Tour du Mont Blanc circuit (around the massif through France, Italy and Switzerland) and the Haute Route (from Chamonix to Zermatt) are the best-known multi-day options.

Where to base yourself along the route

The Alps reward slowing down. A few places worth more than a single night:

• Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland: classic Bernese Oberland, with easy access to the Jungfraujoch and mountain walks from the valley floor.
• Zermatt, Switzerland: no cars, the Matterhorn, and a hub for some of the highest accessible terrain in the Alps.
• Innsbruck, Austria: compact city with mountains directly overhead, a good base for the Tyrolean Alps.
• Salzburg: edge of the Alps, culturally rich, and a gateway east or south.
• Bled, Slovenia: the Slovenian Alps are wilder and quieter than their Swiss and Austrian equivalents, and significantly cheaper.

Practical considerations

Switzerland is not in the EU but is in Schengen. An Schengen short stay covers the whole route from France through Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria. Crossing into Slovenia is still Schengen; crossing into Italy from Switzerland is a long-established rail route with no formality beyond a possible passport check.

Currency changes across the route: Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF), which is significantly stronger than the euro. Austria, Slovenia and most of the route's surrounding countries use the euro. Budget noticeably more for time spent in Switzerland — accommodation, food and transport all run high.

For the full picture on getting the most from European rail across the Alps, see the Interrail vs Eurail guide and the flightless travel guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation for mountain trains in Switzerland?

Swiss intercity trains generally do not require advance seat reservations — you can board freely with a valid ticket or pass. The Glacier Express and Bernina Express are exceptions: reservation fees apply and it is worth booking ahead in summer. Seat reservations are also required on some international trains crossing into Austria or Italy.

When is the best time to cross the Alps overland?

June to September offers the most options: mountain passes are open, walking conditions are good, and trains run full schedules. Winter is the peak season for skiing but reduces the overland route options for non-ski travellers, as some bus routes and passes close. Spring (April–May) is quieter and often beautiful but check pass status before planning around high-altitude routes.

Is an Alps overland trip expensive?

Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in Europe. Rail fares within Switzerland are high, as is accommodation. Crossing quickly through Switzerland rather than lingering reduces costs; Slovenia, Austria and Italy are more affordable. A Swiss Travel Pass can represent good value for multi-day Swiss exploration but does not cover international trains.

Can I do the Alps overland without a car?

Yes — the combination of train, PostBus, cable car and on foot covers the Alps extensively without a car. Switzerland in particular is designed for car-free travel. Some very remote huts or passes require walking in, but the logistics are well-documented through Swiss tourism resources and trail databases.