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Euroventure · Self-guided rail holiday

Austria & Switzerland: 2 Weeks

Two-week self-guided rail journey from Vienna to Zurich through Alps

Illustration of Austria & Switzerland: 2 Weeks

Euroventure's Austria & Switzerland: 2 Weeks is a 15-day self-guided rail journey starting in Vienna and ending in Zurich, with stops in Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. All train tickets, accommodation in centrally located hotels or hostels, and seat reservations are included; you travel independently with a personalised booklet, walking directions, and round-the-clock emergency phone support. The itinerary alternates between imperial Austrian cities and Swiss alpine towns, spending two nights in each location. Days begin with a train journey of two to five hours, followed by free time to explore local attractions such as palaces, museums, fortresses, and mountain cable cars. On Day 7, a scenic five-hour train ride crosses the Arlberg Pass and the Walensee shoreline into Switzerland. By Day 11 you reach Zermatt, the car-free village beneath the Matterhorn, where the Gornergrat Railway offers high-altitude views. This trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking structure without a tour group, repeat rail enthusiasts collecting famous mountain lines, and couples wanting a slower pace with two nights to settle into each place.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price (£1,229 / $1,641) covers accommodation and train transport; verify all seat-reservation and pass fees before final booking.
  • This is a self-guided trip, not an escorted group tour; you navigate independently between your hotel and attractions each day.
  • Accommodation is described as 'top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels'; the exact property depends on Euroventure's current selection and availability.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vienna (2 nights)

    Vienna

    Imperial grandeur: Schonbrunn Palace, St Stephen's Cathedral, Belvedere Palace.

  2. Day 3railovernight: Salzburg (2 nights)

    Vienna/Salzburg

    3-hour train to Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace. Highlights: Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart's Birthplace, Mirabell Palace and Gardens.

  3. Day 5railovernight: Innsbruck (2 nights)

    Salzburg/Innsbruck

    2-hour train to Innsbruck. Highlights: Nordkette Cable Car, the Golden Roof, Ambras Castle.

  4. Day 7railovernight: Lucerne (2 nights)

    Innsbruck/Lucerne

    5-hour train via the Arlberg Pass and Walensee to Lucerne. Highlights: Chapel Bridge, Mt Pilatus cable car/cogwheel train, Lion Monument.

  5. Day 9railovernight: Interlaken (2 nights)

    Lucerne/Interlaken

    2-hour train to Interlaken. Highlights: funicular to Harder Kulm, Lake Brienz shoreline, Jungfraujoch.

  6. Day 11railovernight: Zermatt (2 nights)

    Interlaken/Zermatt

    2.5-hour train to Zermatt, the car-free village beneath the Matterhorn. Highlights: Gornergrat Railway, Glacier Paradise cable car station.

  7. Day 13railovernight: Zurich (2 nights)

    Zermatt/Zurich

    3.5-hour train to Zurich. Highlights: the Altstadt, Lake Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse shopping.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1 in Vienna: visit Schönbrunn Palace and St Stephen's Cathedral, two of Austria's most recognizable landmarks.
  • Day 3Day 3: a 3-hour train arrives in Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace; tour the Hohensalzburg Fortress overlooking the old town.
  • Day 7Day 7: a 5-hour train crosses the Arlberg Pass and Walensee into Switzerland, arriving in Lucerne; ascend Mt Pilatus by cable car and cogwheel train.

Included

  • All overland transport tickets from the first to the last city
  • Any Interrail or Eurail passes if required, based on best value
  • Compulsory seat reservations on high-speed rail, night trains or ferries
  • Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels, tested by the operator
  • Walking directions between stations and accommodation
  • Optional walking tours, pub crawls and other activities at partner hostels
  • A personalised travel booklet with maps, language guides and top tips
  • Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe
  • Travel Disruption Protection (alternative travel if strike or similar disruption)
  • 24hr emergency phone number
  • 1GB of free eSIM data, with the option to add more

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. All overland train tickets from Vienna to Zurich, plus any Interrail or Eurail passes and compulsory seat reservations, are included.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Euroventure offers this as a self-guided rail holiday. You receive a personalised travel booklet, walking directions, and 24-hour emergency phone support, but no group leader or daily guided activities.
What is included in the price?
Train tickets, accommodation in tested hotels or hostels, walking directions, a travel booklet with maps and language guides, optional activities at partner hostels, attraction discounts, travel disruption protection, emergency support, and 1GB of free eSIM data.
How many nights do I stay in each city?
Two nights in Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, and Zurich over the 15-day trip.
Can I visit Jungfraujoch and ride the Gornergrat Railway?
Both are listed as highlights from Interlaken and Zermatt respectively, but are not explicitly stated as included; confirm with Euroventure whether these are covered or require extra payment.
How much walking is involved?
Walking between stations and accommodation is included in the package; highlights include cable cars, cogwheel trains, and funiculars, suggesting moderate activity levels in mountain areas.

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