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 and cuisine of the Glacier Express as the Swiss scenery goes by
- 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
In Brief
- 2 Nights 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
Switzerland’s rail network makes it the world’s most accessible country without a car. The train meets you right at the airport and even if you want to go up to the highest train station in the world at the top of the Jungfaujoch, cruise on a turn-of-the-century steamer on Lake Lucerne, or head direct to the snowfields at the foot of the world’s most recognized mountain, the Matterhorn, in Zermatt. And where the rail tracks end, a bus will be waiting to carry you to the smallest village. Explore the cultural differences with Switzerland with its four languages, all whilst taking in some spectacular countryside and staying in beautiful Swiss towns.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
London to Zurich
Depart London in the morning and travel to Paris Gare du Nord on Eurostar. Transfer to Gare du Lyon, just two stops on the Paris RER, in time for lunch, before departing on your onward journey to Zurich where you'll spend the following two nights.
Days
3-4
Arrival into 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
5-6
Goldenpass Line
After breakfast, your journey continues with the GoldenPass Line taking you past Lake Thun and Zweisimmen, reaching Gstaad before continuing through the wild and romantic Pays d'Enhaut with scenic villages along the shore of Lake Geneva, before reaching your overnight stop in descending to Montreux on a dramatic, sinuous track that offers wonderful views of Lake Geneva.
During your stay board the vintage cog railway to Rochers de Naye, the highest point overlooking Montreux, with views of the Swiss and French Alps; from Eiger to Mont-Blanc and down to Lake Geneva.
Stay: Superior accommodation Montreux
Meals: B
Day
7
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
8
Glacier Express
Today take the world famous Glacier Express for a thrilling ride in the panorama carriage to St. Moritz. Enjoy some of the spectacular scenery Switzerland has to offer. Along the deep Rhone valley, the Glacier Express travels through an incredibly fascinating part of the alps. The journey is narrated explaining the amazing engineering feat in overcoming extreme altitude variations by train.
Stay: Superior accommodation, St.Moritz
Meals: B
Days
9-10
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
11-12
Gotthard Panorama Express
After breakfast, join the Gotthard Panorama Express which travels from the Mediterranean south to the traditional heart of Switzerland. From Fruelen you will 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
13
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
14
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:
14-day no-fly rail journey
from £2,855 pp
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Book by: 31 October 2023
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