Swiss Alps Explorer: Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn & Gornergrat

Enjoy complimentary UK airport lounge access before your flight to Zurich. On arrival, board the train for a scenic journey to Interlaken – a town beautifully nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, framed by the mighty peaks of the Bernese Alps. It’s the ideal base for the first three nights of your Switzerland adventure. 

Stay: Interlaken accommodation

After breakfast, set off on a spectacular journey on the Jungfrau Railway, a cogwheel railway that climbs from Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres altitude – the highest railway station in Europe. Along the way, you’ll be treated to magnificent views of the Eiger and Mönch mountains, while your final destination, Jungfraujoch, is the perfect vantage point from which to marvel at the immense, 22-kilometre-long Aletsch Glacier. Spend as long as you like soaking up the dramatic vistas, perhaps enjoying a short hike, before returning to Interlaken. 

Stay: Interlaken accommodation

Today, you’ll take the cable car to Schilthorn at 2,970 metres altitude – another of the most stirring viewpoints in the Swiss Alps, offering panoramic views of more than 200 peaks, including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. At the top you’ll find the revolving restaurant, Piz Goria, which featured in the 1969 James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Indeed, there’s a 007-themed interactive exhibition offering a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of the movie filming that took place here. Other highlights include the Skyline Walk (an observation platform overlooking a vertical abyss) and the Thrill Walk (featuring a glass-bottomed walkway built into the mountain face). 

Stay: Interlaken accommodation

Another exceptionally scenic rail journey awaits today as you take the train from Interlaken to the picturesque town of Zermatt, which lies at an altitude of 1,620 metres in the shadow of the Matterhorn. You’ll be based here for the next two nights of your trip. 

Stay: Zermatt accommodation

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning before riding the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt up to the Gornergrat observation point, with a vertical climb of 1,469 metres in 33 minutes. This is one of Switzerland’s most impressive rail journeys, passing forests of larch and Swiss stone pine, rocky ravines and Alpine lakes as it ascends to 3,089 metres above sea level. Stunning views lie in wait when you reach the top, not only of the Matterhorn, but a total of 29 mountain peaks exceeding 4,000 metres in altitude and the nearby Gorner Glacier. There are several restaurants to choose from, as well as excellent hiking trails and an interactive exhibition that offers the chance to see the Matterhorn up close. When you’re ready, take the train back down to Zermatt and enjoy the evening at leisure. 

Stay: Zermatt accommodation

Return by train to Zurich today in time for your flight home.