Summary
Short description
Breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps, along with the rich history and culture, seen from some of Europe's most scenic train journeys
Highlights
- Enjoy the comfort of the Goldenpass Express and Glacier Express
- View the snow-covered mountain peaks from the Bernina Express
- Experience the cog-railways to Rochers de Naye and Gornergrat for unmatched mountain and glacier views
- Enjoy the scenery from Lugano to Lucerne on the Gotthard Panorama Express
In Brief
- 1 Night Zürich
- 2 Nights Interlaken
- 2 Nights Montreux
- 1 Night Zermatt
- 1 Night St Moritz
- 2 Nights Lugano
- 2 Nights Lucerne
- 1 Night St. Gallen
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
City | History & culture | Natural world | Rail holidays
This spectacular holiday includes four great Swiss rail experiences: the GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express and the Gotthard Panorama Express. Combining them all with a trip to the highest train station in the world at the top of the Jungfaujoch and a cruise on a turn-of-the-century steamer on Lake Lucerne. Or, head directly to the snowfields at the foot of one of Europe's most famous mountain – the Matterhorn in Zermatt. And, where the rail tracks end, a bus will be waiting to carry you to the country's smallest village. It's a journey to savour.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
London to Zurich
After enjoying complimentary airport lounge access, fly to Zurich and transfer to the Hotel Marktgasse, a 15th century building in the midst of the picturesque old town, close by to the river Limmat, Lake Zurich and the main train station. Spend the rest of the day admiring the lake and mountain views, or perhaps take an optional sightseeing tour with a private guide and driver.
Stay: Hotel Marktgasse or similar, Zurich (Superior)
Days
2-3
Lucerne and the Golden Pass Express to Interlaken
Take the morning train to Lucerne before boarding the Golden Pass railway to Interlaken. Leaving Lucerne, the Golden Pass train skirts the Pilatus mountain and two lakes (the Sarnersee and Lungernsee) before climbing to the Brünig Pass at 1,008m. A 413m descent on a cogwheel track brings you down to Meiringen, from where you follow the Hasli valley to serene Lake Brienz and Interlaken for a two-night stay.
Stay: Superior Hotel, Interlaken
Days
4-5
Golden Pass Express
After breakfast, your journey continues with the GoldenPass Line, which brings you past Lake Thun and the village of Zweisimmen, reaching Gstaad before continuing through the wild and romantic Pays d'Enhaut, with scenic villages along the shore of Lake Geneva. Finally, you'll reach your overnight stop, descending to Montreux on a dramatic, sinuous track that offers wonderful views of the lake and valley.
During your stay, enjoy a trip on the vintage cog railway to Rochers de Naye, the highest point overlooking Montreux, with views of the Swiss and French Alps, from the Eiger to Mont-Blanc and down to Lake Geneva.
Stay: Superior accommodation Montreux
Meals: B
Day
6
Montreux to Zermatt
Breakfast at your hotel is followed by travel from Montreux to Zermatt. Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn and offers plenty of things to explore. Enjoy The Gornergrat Bahn, the world's first fully electrified cog railway reaching 3,100 metres above sea level with constant views of the Matterhorn with mountains and glaciers as far as the eye can see.
Stay: Superior accommodation, Zermatt
Meals: B
Day
7
Glacier Express
Today, take the world-famous Glacier Express for a thrilling ride in a panorama carriage to St. Moritz. Enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery Switzerland has to offer on an eight-hour journey which passes through 91 tunnels and across 291 bridges. Tracing the magnificent Rhone valley, the train travels through a fascinating part of the Alps, taking in such highlights as the The Oberalp Pass – the highest point on the line at 2,033 metres – the Rhine Gorge with its sheer cliffs and spectacular rock formations, and the Landwasser Viaduct, an imposing, 65-metre-high viaduct, which forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway line. The journey is also narrated, offering a fascinating insight into the line's construction.
Stay: Superior accommodation, St.Moritz
Meals: B
Days
8-9
Bernina Express
After breakfast, board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express at St.Moritz station and enjoy one of the most impressive scenic rail journeys of Switzerland. Climbing over the spectacular Bernina Pass to more than 2253 metres, you pass snow-covered mountain peaks and glaciers to descend to Poschiavo. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes each way. Upon arrival in southern Tirano in Italy. Change to the Bernina Express bus which takes you onwards to Ticino.
Stay: Superior accommodation: Lugano
Meals: B
Days
10-11
Gotthard Panorama Express
After breakfast, join the Gotthard Panorama Express which travels from Lugano on the Italian border, back into the traditional heart of alpine Switzerland. It's another spectacular route, as you take in Rütli meadow – a mountain meadow above Lake Lucerne, picturesque Schillerstein with its giant boulder and plunging waterfalls, and the 19th-century Tell's chapel, adorned with four magnificent frescoes by the Basel artist Ernst Stückelberg. From Fruelen you'll have a boat ride over Lake Lucerne. On arrival in Lucerne board the "World's steepest train" to Pilatus.
Stay: Continental Park Hotel, Lucerne
Meals: B
Day
12
Voralpen-Express
Breakfast at the hotel, then join the Voralpen Express for a 2.5 hour journey which connects Central and Eastern Switzerland reaching St. Gallen
Stay: Superior accommodation. St Gallen
Meals: B
Day
13
St. Gallen - Zurich/UK
Board the morning train to Paris Gare du Lyon, then transfer to Gare du Nord for the evening Eurostar to London.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
13-day tailor-made rail holiday
from £3,765 pp incl. flights
Superior with 2nd class on Scenic trains
Valid for travel: Apr - Oct
Includes
- Complimentary UK departure airport lounge access
- Return flights between UK and Zurich
- 12 nights accommodation in Superior accommodation on a BB basis
- 2nd class rail ticket Zurich to Interlaken / St. Gallen to Zurich
- GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux with seat reservation
- Cog railway excursion from Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye
- Montreux to Zermatt train ticket
- Cog railway excursion from Zermatt to Gornergrat
- Glacier Express from Zermatt to St.Moritz in 2nd class with seat reservation
- Bernina Express train from St.Moritz to Tirano, and Bernina Express coach from Tirano to Lugano with seat reservations
- Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Lucerne in 2nd class with seat reservation
- Excursion from Lucerne to Pilatus on "the world's steepest railway"
Seat Reservation on the Voralpen-Express from Lucerne to St. Gallen in 2nd class
Swiss Coupon Pass
50% discount for most trains, buses, boats and mountain railways
Detailed itinerary and travel documentation
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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