The Swiss National Park in Canton Grisons is Switzerland’s largest nature reserve and only national park. One of the most popular ways to visit it is by taking the Express Parc Naziunel Train, a mini train that brings you directly from the train station to the heart of the national park in Val Trupchun. We took this train from the S-chanf train station after parking our car, and in this article, I will share our experience so you know what to expect.
About the Express Parc Naziunel Train
The yellow mini train travels daily between Prasüras and Varusch in the Swiss National Park. Typically, there are 16 trips per day—8 in each direction. This means there are 8 trips to the Swiss National Park and 8 trips back. In 2023, there were also 3 trips per day from Zuoz Train Station and 5 trips per day from S-chanf Train Station. Varusch serves as the entrance to the Swiss National Park.
I suggest checking the timetable at https://alpintrans.ch/ before you leave to ensure you can time your arrival appropriately.
As mentioned, not all trips go all the way to Zuoz and S-chanf train stations. If you are coming by public transport, you’ll want to get the timing right, as you might have to wait an hour or two if you arrive too late.
When we went, there were enough spots on the yellow train. You cannot make reservations if you come with a group of fewer than 10 people. However, if there are 10 or more of you, you can reserve online.
Note: Reservations can be made at www.alpintrans.ch/reservation.
Taking the Express Parc Naziunel Train
I suggest taking the yellow mini train for the following reasons:
- You want to experience taking the mini train into a Swiss National Park instead of embarking on a city trip—it’s a unique experience.
- You are traveling with individuals who may not yet be capable of covering long distances but still want to explore the park.
- You want to save walking time from the train station and spend more time staying and hiking in the Swiss National Park instead.
- You prefer to use public transport and wish to arrive directly from the train station rather than from the car parking lot near the entrance of the Swiss National Park.
Route Details
The Express Parc Naziunel Train has the following stops:
- Zuoz Staziun
- S-chanf Staziun
- Punt da Crap
- S-chanf, Parc Naziunal, bei Prasüras – Car parking and Restaurant
- Punt da Val da Scrigns – Trailhead to the High-altitude Trail around the Swiss National Park
- Varusch – entrance to the Swiss National Park
Take note that the train does not always stop in the first three stops.
Error: The map ID (5) does not existPricing
| Train Route | Price in CHF per Person |
|---|---|
| Zuoz – Varusch or Varusch – Zuoz | 11.00 |
| Zuoz – Prasüras or Prasüras – Zuoz | 8.00 |
| S-chanf – Varusch or Varusch – S-chanf | 8.00 |
| S-chanf – Prasüras or Prasüras – S-chanf | 5.00 |
| Prasüras – Varusch or Varusch -Prasüras | 5.00 |
Express Parc Naziunel Train: What to Expect
Reliable and Punctual
The yellow train, like most trains in Switzerland, arrived and departed on time. We purchased tickets directly from the train driver as there didn’t seem to be an option to buy them beforehand at Zuoz train station. We paid in cash, but you can also pay using TWINT.
Enough Seats
Fortunately, there were plenty of available seats, especially on our afternoon trip. Returning from the Swiss National Park, we also found ample seating. I’m unsure if this is always the case. It seemed to me that most visitors park in Prasüras and walk from there, with fewer starting at the train station.
Picturesque Journey
The train ride itself is very scenic, passing through charming villages like Zuoz and S-chanf before arriving at the picturesque Swiss National Park. After passing a small parking lot, the train meanders slowly along the Ova da Varüsch river towards the park entrance.
The main advantage of taking the train is the time saved compared to walking. This is especially beneficial if you have limited time in the national park, or if you’re traveling with young children or individuals who may have difficulty walking long distances.
Final Thoughts
We enjoyed riding the Express Parc Naziunel Train and would gladly take it again. I believe it saves time and makes traveling from elsewhere via the train station to the Swiss National Park easy. I would recommend taking the train to everyone, though I realize the price might deter some.
In my opinion, if you value efficiency or are traveling with less mobile individuals like small children, then consider taking this train—it’s worth every penny.
Related Posts
- Val Trupchun Hiking in the Swiss National Park
- Discover the National Park Centre in Zernez, Switzerland
- Hiking the Senda Val Müstair Panorama Trail
Darla is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country. Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.