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Meals and drinks on board panorama trains complete your journey. While you enjoy breathtaking views, trains such as the Glacier Express and Panorama Rail Restaurant serve regional dishes, fresh drinks and even multi-course menus. Quality ranges from simple bistro snacks to luxurious dinners with local ingredients. Want to get the most out of your train journey? Then make sure you know in advance what panorama trains offer. Arrange this in good time.
Which panorama trains serve meals
Many panorama trains offer a culinary selection on board. The Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz serves freshly prepared meals every day during the almost eight-hour journey. You can choose between à la carte dishes or a table d’hôte menu with regional Swiss ingredients. Excellence Class includes a welcome drink, a five-course menu with wine, coffee, tea and snacks.
The Golden Pass Line has a different system. On the route between Lucerne and Interlaken you will find a bistro with meals and drinks. Between Interlaken and Montreux there is no individual service on board. Buy food at the stations beforehand. This section has no catering.
In the Netherlands, the Panorama Rail Restaurant offers a unique experience. From Amsterdam Central you enjoy two hours and 45 minutes of a changing four-course dinner, freshly prepared live by chef Julius Jaspers. The price is around €99 per person and includes an aperitif, wines and Dutch scenery.
The Museum Buurtspoorweg Steam Train combines nostalgia with culinary enjoyment. This authentic two-and-a-half-hour steam train journey serves a five-course fork dinner prepared by SVH Master Chef Lars van Galen. Expect a sparkling aperitif, matching wines and coffee with sweet treats. Prices range between €165 and €180 per person.
International high-speed trains with panorama elements also serve food. Eurostar offers meals at your seat in Plus class, made with local ingredients. TGV InOui has a bistro with French classics such as quiche Lorraine, burgers and club sandwiches from €7.
‘ The Excellence Class upgrade includes the full culinary offering in the ticket price. ’
Costs of meals with your train ticket
The cost of food on board differs per type of train and class. On the Glacier Express you order meals separately from your train ticket. An à la carte dish costs between €15 and €30, depending on the dish. The table d’hôte menu is higher in price. The Excellence Class upgrade includes the full culinary offering in the ticket price.
For the Panorama Rail Restaurant you pay about €99 per person. This includes your train journey, the four-course dinner, aperitif and wines. On the Museum Buurtspoorweg Steam Train you pay €165 to €180 for the complete experience with five-course dinner and drinks.
On the Golden Pass Line you buy snacks and drinks in the bistro at standard prices. Comparable trains such as the Voralpen Express offer bistro zones where you can buy snacks and drinks. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, the journey is free, but you still pay for food and drinks.
On Eurostar, meals are included in Plus class. In Standard class you use the Eurostar Café where you can buy snacks and drinks. TGV InOui charges between €7 and €16 for bistro meals. A cup for unlimited hot drinks costs €3.
Vegetarian and dietary options on board
Most panorama trains offer vegetarian choices. On the Glacier Express you indicate dietary requirements when making your reservation. The train prepares vegetarian and vegan variants on request. You can also state allergies and other food preferences.
The Panorama Rail Restaurant and Museum Buurtspoorweg Steam Train ask about dietary requirements in advance. Because of the changing menu and live preparation they can adapt dishes. Make this clear when booking, so that the chef can take your needs into account.
Eurostar and TGV InOui show vegetarian options on their menus. When ordering in advance via the app or website you can immediately see which dishes are suitable. Information on allergens is shown with each dish.
Planning a longer journey without extensive service? Parts of the Golden Pass Line have no catering. In that case take your own food. Make sure it fits your diet. Stations often have supermarkets or shops where you can find vegetarian or vegan products.
Quality of meals on panorama trains
Quality ranges from simple bistro snacks to high-end dinners. Some panorama trains focus on the culinary experience. They use regional and seasonal ingredients. The Glacier Express works with fresh Swiss products such as local cheeses, hearty soups and salads. Preparation takes place on board. This ensures freshness.
Dutch panorama trains such as the Panorama Rail Restaurant and Museum Buurtspoorweg Steam Train have experienced chefs cooking live. Chef Julius Jaspers and SVH Master Chef Lars van Galen prepare dishes with attention to detail. The focus is on flavour, presentation and matching wines to each dish.
On high-speed trains such as TGV InOui and Eurostar the quality is practical and solid. Do not expect Michelin-star level, but you can count on fresh ingredients and correct preparation. Eurostar uses sustainable and local products where possible. TGV InOui offers French classics that can be served quickly.
Bistro-zone trains such as the Voralpen Express and Golden Pass Line serve standard train meals. These are simple sandwiches, salads and hot snacks. The quality is comparable to what you buy at stations, but more convenient during your journey.
‘ Staying hydrated during long journeys is important. ’
Practical tips for eating on board
Reserve meals when you book. On busy routes such as the Glacier Express places are limited. By reserving in advance you are guaranteed a seat and a choice from the full menu. This saves time and prevents disappointment.
Choose a class that matches your preferences. Excellence Class or Plus class often includes food, guaranteed window seats and extra comfort. This makes longer daytime journeys more relaxing. Budget travellers opt for bistro options or bring their own food.
Check opening hours of restaurants and bistros. Many trains have fixed hours, often between 06:30 and 21:00. Times differ per season. They also vary per train. Check this in advance so you know when you can order.
Special arrangements are possible for groups. Some panorama trains hire out private carriages for dinners. Book tables for two to four people for a more intimate experience. This applies, for example, to the Panorama Rail Restaurant and Museum Buurtspoorweg Steam Train.
Order online where possible. On TGV InOui you order via the app and collect your order with priority. This saves waiting time on board. You also get an online overview of availability and prices.
Take a refillable water bottle. In some classes soft drinks are included, but water is always useful. Staying hydrated during long journeys is important.
What suits your train journey
Your choice of meals depends on your journey and budget. For a luxurious experience with views and gastronomy, choose trains such as the Glacier Express Excellence Class or Dutch dinner trains. Here you pay between €99 and €180, but you get a complete culinary experience.
Travelling a shorter distance or on a tighter budget? Then bistro options or your own food are more practical. The Golden Pass Line, Voralpen Express and high-speed trains offer simple meals from €5. This is enough for a comfortable journey without going hungry.
Do you have specific dietary requirements? Always state these in advance for luxury dinners. For bistro zones and high-speed trains, check the menu online or take your own food that fits your needs.
Choose more extensive food on longer journeys. An eight-hour journey such as the Glacier Express justifies an elaborate dinner. On short trips of two hours a snack or sandwich is sufficient.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find much more information about train travel, routes and practical tips for your journey. From the best panorama trains to smart ways to plan your holiday. Discover more and travel more consciously.
Frequently asked questions
On board panorama trains, complete meals are often offered, ranging from simple bistro dishes and snacks to extensive four- or five-course dinners with regional and seasonal products. In more luxurious classes, welcome drinks, wines, soft drinks, coffee and tea are sometimes included. Many trains have a bistro or restaurant carriage where you can eat and drink à la carte or via pre-booked set menus. On some routes, the choice is limited and it is recommended to bring your own snacks and drinks.
The quality and service of meals and drinks on board are generally experienced as high and well cared for, with fresh, often regional and seasonal products. In more luxurious classes and special dinner trains (such as Excellence Class or the Panorama Rail Restaurant) the culinary quality matches the higher price well, partly thanks to the complete package of service, atmosphere and views. For bistro or snack options the price-quality ratio is reasonable to good, especially given the convenience and unique setting, although prices are higher than in an average restaurant or at the station. Overall, the experience – views plus gastronomy – is often rated as appropriate to very good in relation to the price.
It is strongly recommended to reserve your meals in advance, preferably at the same time as your train ticket, so that you are sure of availability. On many panorama trains you can state special dietary requirements when booking, such as vegetarian, vegan or other tailored menus. In the case of specific allergies or strict diets, take some extra food with you, as not every train can guarantee all requirements. Always check the conditions and options for each train company in advance.
Yes, food and drinks on board contribute greatly to the unique travel experience of a panorama train. Regional and seasonal dishes, often prepared live, reinforce the feeling of being connected to the landscape you are travelling through. Luxury arrangements with multi-course menus, wines and welcome drinks turn the train journey itself into a culinary experience. Even on simpler routes, bistro zones and snacks provide extra comfort and a cosy atmosphere while you enjoy the views.
It is generally allowed to bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, especially on routes where no bistro or restaurant is available. Check the specific conditions for each panorama train, as some luxury or dinner journeys expect you to use the on-board offering. Bringing your own alcoholic drinks is often not allowed or may not be consumed openly. Read the train company’s house rules before departure to avoid surprises.
