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One Pass, Straight Into Appenzell Countryside
Appenzeller Bahnen is a regional rail network in eastern Switzerland, with six lines connecting Lake Constance (Bodensee), the Thur river valley, and the Alpstein mountains. It's fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, no extra ticket needed.
This isn't about big-name sights — it's rolling hills, traditional timber farmhouses, and small-town Appenzell main streets, plus a cogwheel section between Altstätten and Gais that climbs slowly up the hillside. A good pick for travelers who want to slow down and see everyday rural Switzerland.
Themed Experience Rides
| Experience | What It's About |
|---|---|
| Beer Tasting Train | Sample local beers onboard |
| Brunch Train | Brunch served with countryside views |
| Fondue Train | Classic Swiss cheese fondue, served on the train |
| Cab-Ride Experience | Ride in the driver's cab |
| Open-Air Carriage | Open-sided car for sun and mountain air |
Six Lines, from Mountain Villages to a City Street
Appenzeller Bahnen runs six lines in total, connecting towns around Lake Constance (Bodensee) and the Thur valley all the way up to the Alpstein mountains. Most of it looks like a typical mountain branch line — except for one route that rolls straight into the center of St. Gallen, turning into a street-running tram sharing the road with trolleybuses, a completely different scene from the mountain sections.
| Line | Towns Along the Way | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Appenzell–St. Gallen–Trogen | Gais, Bühler, Teufen, Speicher | Runs as a street tram through central St. Gallen |
| Gossau–Appenzell–Wasserauen | Herisau, Urnäsch, Appenzell | Standard adhesion railway, no rack section |
| Altstätten–Gais | Altstätten | Includes a cogwheel climbing section |
| Rheineck–Walzenhausen | Rheineck | Cogwheel section |
| Rorschach Hafen–Heiden | Heiden | Cogwheel section — also the route used by the vintage Lok 22 charter |
| Frauenfeld–Wil | Wil | Joined the Appenzeller Bahnen network in 2021 |
Wasserauen Isn't the End of the Line
Wasserauen is the terminus of the Appenzeller Bahnen line — but for a lot of travelers, it's really just the transfer point. A two-minute walk from the station gets you to the Ebenalp cable car, which takes you straight up the mountain in about six minutes.
That's where it gets good: the Wildkirchli Caves carved into the rock face, the century-old Aescher mountain inn perched on the cliff edge, and a trail that leads all the way down to Lake Seealpsee. There are 10 hiking routes up here, from easy strolls to more challenging options — worth setting aside half a day or more if you like to walk.
If you're staying three nights or more in Appenzell, ask your accommodation for an Appenzell Holiday Card — it gets you a free cable car ride.
The Ebenalp cable car round-trip ticket can be added directly through GoByTrain: Ebenalp Cable Car Round-Trip Ticket.
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