SWISS Expands Air-Rail Network to Iconic Swiss Winter Getaways

Travelers from North America now have even more reasons to visit Switzerland, as Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have extended their air-rail partnership, offering access to four new destinations in the stunning Canton of Graubünden.

As of October, passengers flying into the airline’s hubs in Zurich (ZRH) or Geneva (GVA) can seamlessly transition from plane to train, reaching the beautiful towns of Chur, Davos, Klosters, and St. Moritz, all in under one ticket.

This joint air-rail network makes Switzerland’s natural beauty more accessible than ever.

Plane-Train Partnership

The SWISS and SBB partnership began in 2019, initially connecting Zurich Airport with Basel via train. Since then, the collaboration has grown to cover more than 20 destinations, and its popularity is only increasing.

Photo: Courtesy of SWISS

With a projected 15 percent rise in demand for these services this year, both companies have extended their partnership indefinitely.

“SWISS and SBB are both bywords for Swiss values, quality, and reliability,” said Heike Birlenbach, Chief Commercial Officer at SWISS. “This partnership enables us to offer our customers an overall travel experience that seamlessly combines the strengths of air and rail travel, setting new benchmarks in terms of comfort and convenience.”

Photo: Davos, Switzerland. Courtesy of Damian Markutt on Unsplash

The latest additions to the network—Chur, Davos, Klosters, and St. Moritz—are expected to be especially appealing to international visitors who want to experience Switzerland’s renowned alpine destinations, which lack airline connectivity due to their geography.

A Journey Through Graubünden

Canton Graubünden, home to some of Switzerland’s most iconic resorts, can now be reached directly from Swiss airports, thanks to this extended air-rail service. These connections are available for booking starting October 2.

By partnering with SBB and the Rhaetian Railway, travelers can arrive in Chur and continue onwards to Davos, Klosters, or St. Moritz without the hassle of arranging separate transport, making the snowy slopes of the Swiss Alps—famous for skiing during winter and hiking during summer—more accessible than ever.

Photo: Klosters, Switzerland. Courtesy of Sepp Rutz on Unsplash

“I’m especially pleased that our collaboration with SBB will enable us to offer even more convenient connections within Switzerland that optimally meet our air travelers’ needs,” Birlenbach added.

How It Works: From Plane to Train

The beauty of the SWISS Air Rail partnership lies in its simplicity. Passengers book their air and rail journeys together in one transaction via the airline’s website or travel agencies. Travelers need only check in once, whether online or at the airport, and receive a single boarding pass that serves as both their train and plane ticket.

Photo: Courtesy of SWISS

According to the carrier, the streamlined process eliminates the hassle of juggling multiple reservations or tickets. For added flexibility, passengers can also opt to use their rail ticket the day before or after their flight, allowing for more adaptable travel planning and a one-night layover before or after their travels for added comfort.

Also, an added perk is that a First Class train cabin is also available to those passengers flying in SWISS Business or First Class.

In the event of a delay, the SWISS connection guarantee offers peace of mind. If either the train or plane is late, passengers are rebooked quickly and efficiently onto the next available connection.

Travel Flexibility and Benefits

The SWISS Air Rail service also caters to the airline’s frequent flyers. Members of the Lufthansa Group‘s Miles & More program can earn miles for their rail journeys, just as they would on flights.

Premium Economy inflight meal / Photo: Courtesy of Swiss International Air Lines

Frequent travelers—such as Senators or HON Circle members—can even receive up to 50 percent more miles when using this service. Additionally, SWISS Business or First Class travelers enjoy complimentary first class rail service on SWISS Air Rail routes.

Beyond the convenience and comfort of combining air and rail travel, the service also supports sustainable travel by reducing reliance on cars and buses, making it a fitting option for eco-conscious globetrotters.

Expanding Horizons for U.S. Travelers

For North American travelers, this expanded air-rail network offers new ways to explore Switzerland beyond Zurich and Geneva. SWISS currently connects its Zurich and Geneva hubs to major U.S. cities, including New York (JFK and Newark), Boston, Washington D.C., Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Photo: Courtesy of Miami International Airport

For this year’s winter season, travelers can look forward to more frequent connections to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami. Additionally, the airline has recently added Washington-Dulles., as a year-round gateway.

Véronique Stephan, Member of the SBB Management Board and Head of Passenger Services Markets, noted, “The open-ended continuation of our collaboration and the addition of these new connections to Chur, Davos, Klosters, and St. Moritz demonstrate how SBB and SWISS are jointly developing a broad range of viable travel solutions. We’re teaming up to bring people on board!”

Fleet: Swiss Comfort in the Sky

SWISS operates a fleet that connects North American travelers to Switzerland primarily using Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A330-300s.

Swiss Airbus A330-300 / Photo: Courtesy of Swiss Airlines

The Triple Seven has a capacity of up to 340 passengers and features SWISS’s signature three-class configuration: Economy, Business, and First Class, offering travelers a range of experiences from luxurious to comfortable.

The Airbus A330-300, slightly smaller, accommodates around 236 passengers in a similarly tiered layout. Both aircraft types are renowned for their long-range capabilities and smooth ride, ensuring passengers arrive in Switzerland relaxed and ready to explore.

Photo: Courtesy of SWISS

In 2025, SWISS will introduce its all-new Senses cabins. Based on Lufthansa’s recently launched Allegris product, these seats promise a relaxing experience, allowing passengers to unwind and feel refreshed and energized at their destination.

Additionally, for the next three months, SWISS will treat travelers to the next installment of its extraordinary in-flight dining experience, this time with dishes from Canton Aargau. This special offering, part of the airline’s acclaimed “Taste of Switzerland” culinary program, showcases the work of celebrated chef Manuel Steigmeier, head of the Michelin-starred FAHR restaurant.

A New Era of Swiss Travel

With the addition of Graubünden’s four stunning destinations to the SWISS Air Rail network, North American travelers can now experience Switzerland’s scenic beauty with unprecedented ease.

From the alpine peaks of Davos to the glamorous resorts of St. Moritz, this collaboration between SWISS and SBB brings the best of Switzerland’s air and rail travel together, offering travelers a seamless, efficient, and comfortable journey across the country.