Switzerland's STUNNING Lesser Known Scenic Railway - BLS Lötschberger Bahn 

BLS is not a private operator. It is not federally owned like the famous SBB that is true. But it is owned to 56% by the canton of Bern and 22% by the Swiss federation, so it is state owned. However, BLS has indeed some great services.

On a visit to Switzerland back in the 1980's I used this route and went from Spiez to Brig it was around lunchtime so I went to the restaurant car. Sat myself down ordered a Beer and looked at the menu. I ordered and drank my beer as the train majestically traversed the mountain scenery the weather was slightly overcast but mainly sunny. Not long before we entered the Lotschberg tunnel lunch was served. As we went through the tunnel it was a nice ambience in the restaurant car with the small table lights to illuminate. As we emerged from the tunnel it was snowing and naturally totally different from the other side! Certainly one of those holiday memories you never forget, truly wonderful.

Surely Switzerland’s best-named railway station is Zug?

8:09 You spotted a legend there. The RE 4/4 "Brünelli" is on its way out now, but it was the BLS' do-it-all for decades and has a massive fanbase. They even get borrowed to the SBB for some trains.

if you are in Switzerland and you are a train buff, i highly recommend visiting the Verkehrshaus (Museum of Transportation) in Luzern!

Switzerland is always known for its beautiful, picturesque landscape.

I travelled Milan-Zurich very recently, when the base tunnel was closed. The journey, including my 1 hour break in Lugano, was the most incredible railway trip I've ever been on.

Two tiny corrections, it's Lötschberg Bahn and Visp isn't near the Matterhorn. It takes an other 40km of railway tracks to reach the Matterhorn. The Lötschberg line is nice, but I would prefer to ride on the Intercity stock, like before the base tunnel, instead of the improved commuter train that is the Lötschberger

its so wholesome and cute to see people enjoing thigns like that. part of that route is literally my route to work.

I do this trip about once a month, then on to Montreux and back to Bern.

I've said it before, I'll say it again - Switzerland and its rail system is probably my favourite travel destination. I plan to go again next spring to visit relatives in Schaffhausen, and will certainly give this route a try. I want to head to Zermatt to take a look at the Matterhorn, perhaps I could get from there to Brigg and reverse your run up to Berne and back to Zurich and Scaffhausen that way......we'll see. Thanks for the inspiration!

If your travelling in Switzerland get yourself a Swiss Pass. This will cover you for most rail journeys (some of the mountains lines are not included. The map with the pass will explain this.) This pass also covers city/town buses etc. Lake boats and PostBus routes.

I first travelled on this line in 1979. I had been in Basel and was on the way to Zermatt. So the main route was this one. I checked with the conductor and he told me you have to go to BRIG. I only had a short changeover to connect in Brig and wasn't sure where the train to Zermatt left. I jump off the train left my suitcase on the platform and ran to the station where I could look up where to catch the next train for some reason I thought this was a good idea. By this time the conductor had caught up to me and pointed to me that the Banhofplatz was over there, something I had never seen before trains leaving from a road. So I raced back to get my suitcase and low and behold it was gone! In a distraught state I didn't know what to think my luggage gone and all the rest. After a few minutes I sat down and took stock of the situation. Then the train on the next platform departed and there on the next platform across was my suitcase in my haste I went back to the wrong platform. Of course by this time the train to Zermatt had left .

You were one seat off of being the man in seat 61... :D What I like about the BLS in particular and any big Alpine crossings in general is the weather you can sometimes experience. I once started in Spiez in nothing short of a snow storm at -5, had light rain in Brig at +5 and arrived in Domodossla in sunshine with +12. All within 2 hours... Edit: Hohntehn took me aback... I actually had to look it up, but I remembered correctly, that small fleck of dust in the middle of a step slope is spelled Hohtenn ;)

I'm Swiss. A typical intercity ticket (say Olten to Zürich) costs about 20 CHF. I once caught a flight to London for 15 CHF each way (Ryanair). Those are two extremes overlapping each other, and they both speak volumes about the quality of service, in opposite ways, although I still had nothing to complain about my flight.

These units are actually nicknamed "Mountain Tram" by train enthusiasts in Switzerland. As comfortable and spacey as they are in general, they tend to be rattle boxes along the fast, straight sections between Bern and Spiez. There are hiking routes alongside the north and south part of the Lötschberg line. Whilst I can really recommend the Hohtenn to Lalden section in the south, the north one between Kandersteg and Frutigen is quite boring. Fun fact aside: The SBB headquarters are actually located at Bern W***dorf ;)

7:00 I'll travel to Frutigen tomorrow to continue to Adelboden, a beautiful place in the berner alps for skiing and hiking

I travelled twice on this line: in 1969 and 1992, and indeed I remember it as being spectacular. At that time the base tunnel did not exist, and all international trains still took this route. I was travelling in 1969 on a chartered train from Gent (Belgium) to Brig, and in 1992 on a train from Brussel to Milano.

The Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn is (imo) the most beautiful train ride. Especially if you extend it from Disentis/Mustair to St. Moriz or Samedan (Albula Line)

Very nice. Another stunning trip in the area would be going from Domodossola to Locarno on the Centovalli trains.

Instead of getting out in Brig you can also get out at Goppenstein, then take the Bus up the Lötschental valley. It goes right to the end, where there is an awesome campground and a hiking trail that takes you right to a glacier.

I'm literally sitting in this train while watching this. I'm traveling from Thun to Bern. I'm driving almost every day with this train.

"Switzerland's best named station"....love it! Always cracks me up when I pass through it! 😂😂

Love the way you try to say the names of cities/stations etc. the way we say them here! Granted, it's not always spot-on, but you're pretty damn close!:D

I have never used the base tunnel to Visp and I still don't want to. Interrail is fantastic when you are in Switzerland. But if you want to explore that beauty better, check what Berner Oberland Pass gives you 👍

There is also a hiking trail (wanderweg) between Hochtenn and Lalden, which goes mostly parallel to this railway line. I recommend to go at least some part of this trail! You can see the valley and the tracks, with spectacular bridges and viaducts.

I especially like the train ride between the Lötchbergtunnel towards Brig along the mountain side, stunning view!

From next timetable change in december on, bls will operate this route with brand-new Stadler Flirt 4 units with even more confortable 1st class and a bistro zone with vending machines for hot and cold drinks as well as some snacks.

I travelled this line back in 2001 before the new line was built so was able to catch the EC trains on the route, though in 2020 I took the new route due to limited time and it being dark. In 2020 I did take the classic line through when travelling on the Gottard line avoiding the new super long tunnel in order to see the views there. As per this line it was local trains only and very quiet. I found the Swiss Pass great value for 1st class travel.

Beautiful indeed. Thankyou for this journey.

It looks a beautiful line, Switzerland certainly has some incredible scenery.

The most picturesque and beautiful regions in the world

Enjoyable video, thanks. Have travelled the old route a few times and definitely one of the standard gauge wonders of Switzerland. As to the ticket price, very few Swiss residents pay the full price of rail travel, and for about the same as a London-Brighton annual season ticket (around CHF5,000 a year or £4,500), one can buy a GVA, a travel pass that allows unlimited travel on most railways, buses and lake steamers, or a half-fare pass. For visitors there are a range of travel passes one can buy. For £330 per person in second/standard class, we had 8 days unlimited travel and we certainly made use of it in Sept during our week in Bellinzona.

I first used the BLS many many years ago when somehow I persuaded my mother to fork out for a school trip based near Spiez. lt was almost love at first sight and I've been back many times since. It only just loses the scenic crown to the RhB into Poschiavo. It's just a shame that Switzerland is so eye wateringly expensive, on that point I mentioned the cost to an SBB employee whose polite reac tion was to say "yes, we know!!!"

This reminds me I still want to hike the trail along the Lötschberg line. Yes I have taken it numerous times and enjoyed it each time, but from the train you don't see, for example, the many bridges in all their beauty.

Some 40 years ago, when train travel in Switzerland was still affordable, we had a 2-week holiday in Kandersteg. We bought a Bernese Oberland Railways pass, for unlimited travel on 5 days within 2 weeks, on the railway network south of Thun and the lakes around Interlaken, and 30-50% reduction on other modes of transport like funiculars and busses. The pass cost 70 CHF, at an exchange rate of half what it is today. We went everywhere: Zweisimmen, Brienz, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and with reduction, on the Jungfraujoch cog railway. We also went to Luzern. The trip up to the Brünig-pass was included in the railwaypass, and the rest to Luzern was half-fare.

I'vetravelled this unique route several times and like it each time.

Yes, please do make that other video of the mountain train. This post here was excellent! Cheers.

Love to see a video on the matterhorn railway. Your sense of humour is fabulous

Not lesser known to me. It is a superb mountain line. Those stations on the mountain section are request stops:if you wish to alight at any of them you press the door release button ahead of your stop. Up there with the most scenic lines in Switzerland, and standard gauge to boot.

Another excellent video. I've taken this route a couple of times, and it's as great as you say! 😁

Nice video ! I really love this line, I usually take the tunnel but when I have some time I really enjoy riding the Lötschberger Each season the scenery changes and it’s always beautiful… Yes, living in Wallis is a bit practical for taking this train often ;-)

I am from Switzerland and i find the funniest stationname Bitsch near Brig

Amazing video! Was a great trip and a terrific landscape. Best wishes

I have travelled this line many times during holidays in Switzerland and agree that the scenery is spectacular. You didn't mention the equally amazing switchback spirals that carry the line from Frutigen up to Kandersteg. It was sad to see so many of the trans-european services that used to use this line being diverted to the base tunnel. Who wants to spend all that time in darkness for the sake of a forty minute saving when there is so much to see! Thank you.

Great video, mate!

I got to ride this route in the drivers cab once, it was stunning! Love them Swiss trains

This journey, with the descent into Brig is one of my top two in Switzerland. The other is the line from Lausanne to Puidoux- Chexbres overlooking Lac Leman and the Lavaux vineyards. On the other hand, Bern station is greatly in need of an upgrade, gloomy and overcrowded, especially at rush hours.

Sadly BLS removed the Lötschberger trains on the Lötschberg Route, now there are the new Stadler Flirt 4 driving on the route which BLS Calls Mika. The Lötschberger Trains driving on other Lines in Bern like S44 or other routes from Thun to Solothurn.

Great trip. Finally there is BLS Train trip report.

Been on that line a few times in the 00s as well as through the base tunnel!

That's looks stunning and a beautiful route

Awesome Job, man!

I agree with you we need more of this BLS lime

I once went on a school trip and had to take that train to reach the start of the trip. I did also think that this was quite a nice rout!

It was great !

Your this video is given very different experience to me. So your this video is very excellent guidance for Switzerland railway. Carryon your this good job ❤️👍

WOW! Bern Station looks eerily similar to Berlin HBF, one of my favorite European railway stations!

this train service is above the SBB average, and recently, another private enterprise has entered the stage, SOB which runs good trains on the old Gotthard route. Hope you will sample them, too

Really love those videos bringing some Swissness and some of the little specialities here to the world 😄 just one thing I noticed, Bern aint the capital, Switzerland got not capital city. Its just the place where the parliament is located.

Excellent

Great views of the mountains in the second half of the year.

Me? I have been on that rusty old car train from Kandersteg. It was great and fun too. You stay in the car so it is like driving through a long tunnel, but not having to actually drive!. I have used the BLS trains as well. They always seem nice but as you say, a little expensive!

Bern-Wankdorf is a quite famous, you didnt know up to now? They used to play football there. 1954 the german team led by Fritz Walter beat the Hungarians in the world championship finals, and what a match this was!

I thought the town of Visp sounded rather familiar and then I remembered - it's the home town of former FIFA President/shyster, Sepp Blatter. 🙄💰

hello from switzerland, bls county😀 very good background information, thats good reasons for follow this channel😀

The price for travelling 1st class throughout the entire country, for a whole day, on SBB trains or trains of other rail companies, on boats, buses, trams or post buses, except some of the mountain, scenic railways, using a "Saver Day Pass" can be as low as CHF 88 if booked 60 days before you want to travel. The price if you hold a "Half Fare Travelcard" goes down to CHF 49. The Swiss take a dim view of passengers caught travelling without a valid ticket. One of these can save a lot of unintentional mistakes. All the information is available at the SBB online portal for trains and public transport.

Very good presentation in all your videos so far especially in your sharp & clear pronunciations on places and stations which were not in English format .......Well done buddy....... Really enjoy your videos to my greatest pleasure.........Greetings from South East Asia.....

Glad to see you enjoyed the ride on the "Mountain Tram"! When I was little, my Dad often used the benefits of getting something called "General Abonoment" (A ticket that lasts for a year and you can use all main lines for "free" after paying the hefty sum to acquire it.) and get one for children at a reduced cost. We often travelled on this particular line for hikes during summer or to visit friends and relatives in Brig. Fond memories. (:

I have travelled this route many times since 1981, most recently this summer. The Lötschberger trains have now been replaced with newer trains, equally as comfortable. I have also hiked the Südrampe footpath that runs along its length to Brig.

First class Interrail?! ... Glacier Express will be an absolute bargain 👍😊 Still doesn't beat Bernina though 🤔🙂 Afraid I used the tunnel to Visp...

Superb. You should also try the trip from Chur to Arosa.

Very nice review, thoroughly researched. Thank you! (BLS should link your film on their website - best advertising). The "Lötschberger" compositions are a kind of egg-laying wool-milk sow. With the opening of the Lötschberg base tunnel, the tourist village of Kandersteg (and also Goppenstein as hub for the scenic Lötschental) was cut off from IC traffic. Shortly before, BLS had put new "Nina" ("NIederflur-"NAhverkehr") compositions into service for its S-Bahn traffic and had more comfortable Regio-Express compositions (the Lötschbergers) built on the same technical basis, which can be coupled with the Ninas (occasionally "only" Ninas with narrower seating run in the Simmental), in order to pull some of the Bern-Lötschberg-Wallis traffic onto their longer route. Both (Ninas and Löschberger) are a special production by Bombardier only for BLS and - in contrast to the new SBB-IC double-decker - fulfil the expectations placed in them quite well. (However, coupling in winter sometimes poses major problems and leads to annoying cancellations in commuter traffic.) For further routes, BLS wanted to have another tranche built - but in the meantime, they no longer met the latest regulations, so BLS joined an SBB order of Stadler-Mikas, which are more modern, run smoother, can accelerate more powerfully, have a coffee corner - but have less wide windows. What else can be noted: With its offer to pull most of the RE trains on to Domodossola, BLS has beaten SBB out of the field on this section, which apparently made a worse offer. For BLS, the stakes are just slim: After a few minutes stop in Domo, the composition already has to return and couples in Brig to the part that remained there for the return journey to Bern. What's more: BLS is very active in marketing tourist offers along this route.

Ah, yesss, the compulsory Wankdorf joke😂🤣🙃. But anyway, great video!!! (not so) fun fact: you mentioned the thousands of tonns of ammo that have been dumped into lake Thun. However, when you rode through the station of Mitholz (where the big reversing loop starts), you passed by a place of a tragedy. In 1947 some 3000 tons of ammo in an underground depot exploded, literally just a few dozen meters away from the rail line. If you have a look at Mitholz station, you can still see the branching rail track that led into the cavern. And even today one can still notice the parts of the mountain that collapsed im the process. Until today still one of the largest man made, non-nuclear explosions😳 Scary fact: recent investigations revealed that there must be some 3500 more tons of unexploded, old WWII ammo of unknown condition still stuck in that mountain...

Haha I live in Ireland, I'm from Serbia and I have family in Switzerland (near Bern and in Spiez) - your last 3 videos 😄 Subbed.

The first time that I used this route, I was on a train from Venice to Zurich. I didn't understand the announcement made in Milano Centrale, so was a bit perturbed to find us going along by the side of Lake Maggiore. It seems there was a blockage on the Gotthard route, so we had too use the Simplon and Loetchberg tunnels. We skirted Bern going through Burgdorf. The next time, I went the other way, alighting at Brig to take the route on the upper Rhone valley

Try the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St.Moritz (expensive) or the gotthard panorama express

Actually, there's an even better named station, it's in the small town of Bitsch, quite close to Brig.

I took this train several times when I lived in Sierre, either instead of the Intercity when I had time, or to go to the BLS anniversary expo in Frutigen (that was 10 years ago). The RABe 535 Lötschberger is an improved version of the Nina that Bombardier had also built for the BLS, and I remember feeling it has the same crappy ride quality than its french cousin the AGC. I also used the Autozug, it's a fun experience but it means you have to drive on the spectacular part of the journey instead of enjoying the view.

have you ever made a report on the "Red Arrow" in Mallorca? Great trip!

Wankdorf xD I also have to laugh every time i read that ^^ I travel with the BLS daily, they are the best railway company. And it's name comes from the line you took: Bern Lötschberg Simplon. BLS 😊

I'm curious to know what video-editing software you use to make these. Any information is greatly appreciated. THANKS!

Funny side of Wankdorf, there are the SBB Headquarters but its served by BLS!

BLS is not a "private" operator. It is a 84.54% state-owned operator. (+7% owned by locals) The state and cantons have the final say about operations, services, scheduling and structuring. It mainly operates services in and around the capital. (i.e. Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon-Bahn)

We took a holiday in the Bernese Oberland at Brienz and did lots of railway journeys We did a trip via Spiez but went to Zweisimmen and then took the Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway to Montreux. Then took a train to Fribourg visiting the cathedral there then coming back to base via Bern Hbf. We haven't done the Lötschberg line but have been to Brig but that was when we did the Glacier Express from Chur to Brig.

Yes, MGB videos would be great!

Everything is expensive in Switzerland. (Insted iPhones). As a savings tip: you can buy a “Tageskarte” for CHF 79 for 2nd class. These are also available for 1st class This means you can use all trains, buses, trams and ships for 1 day. Also Domodossola/Italy and, especially beautiful: cento valli to Locarno. The day ticket is also available for a whole year and is called GA. I have one of these for CHF 4000. It's better and cheaper than a car. I often take this route from Spiez (I live there) to Domodossola/Italy. Many products are cheaper in Italy.

i am repairing those trains and do the maintenance ^^

Quite a lot of power for such a lightweight train (assuming an aluminium body, otherwise what's the point of making it low-floor?), I imagine that the track maintenance costs arising from these things running on them are relatively low. 6:28 Long carriages, unlike the single-deck UK equivalents we all know and love (classes 745 and 755). I'm sure you could fit those on the overhead AC electrified routes in the UK, just need to shorten the pantograph (don't know how much of an issue electromagnetic interference from the AC overhead lines would be if they're so close to the roof though).

I would love to see a video on the narrow gauge railway line!

I'll be going to Bern this coming winter, with a planned daytrip to Thun and taking the lake cruise at Thunsee. Is it okay to take this train when I buy tickets from the SBB machine?

I love this line! And this train with his big windows and comfort in 1. Class! I hope to ride here next week again! (Usually coming from Germany via Basel, I change the train in Spiez from ICE or IC to the "Lötschberger")

I think that's the sbb or the bls should open a Panorama Express on this line

yes i know .. i travel that rout quite frequent with freight trains …

I am travelling to Austria next month to see friends and decided to stay in Switzerland for a few days extra after seeing them in the hopes of travelling on some of the scenic lines. Do you have any recommendations aside from this line? Or even any tips for travelling in Switzerland for a foreigner? Thanks!

Would love to see the Matterhorn railway

I may gave missed it but who manufactured these trains? Thanks. Great video!

How much is economy?

Love the railways in Switzerland. Fantastic video. Keep up the good work 😊

The breathtaking scenery is worth the sky high price.