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Planet Rail · Independent rail holiday

Bern & the Schilthorn by First Class Rail

Five-day Swiss rail circle: London to Bern, Schilthorn summit, return by Eurostar

Illustration of Bern & the Schilthorn by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's 5-day independent holiday combines the Swiss capital of Bern with a mountain excursion to the Schilthorn, one of Switzerland's most visited summits. You begin at London St Pancras on the Eurostar, crossing the Channel at speeds up to 186mph to Paris, then continue by high-speed TGV rail and Swiss trains to Bern, where you spend four nights in a 4-star superior hotel. The journey emphasizes First Class comfort throughout: your Eurostar travels include Standard Premier service with light meals and drinks, and all rail connections on the Continent are in First Class cabins. Day 2 and Day 4 are free time to explore Bern's UNESCO-listed old town, with its 16th-century fountains, Gothic cathedral, and cobbled streets. On Day 3, you travel by train to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, then ascend by cable car to the Schilthorn peak at 9,700 feet, where a revolving restaurant offers lunch and a James Bond exhibition recalls the film location. You return to London on Day 5 via TGV, Eurostar, and Standard Premier service. This trip suits couples seeking unguided leisure in a single European city, repeat rail travellers who value First Class service and named trains, and history lovers drawn to Bern's medieval centre.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 1,275 applies to the Hotel Allegro (4-star superior) in Bern; the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof upgrade is GBP 1,675 per person.
  • Day 4 is completely unguided; the itinerary suggests museums and parks but provides no escorted activity or guide.
  • The Piz Gloria restaurant lunch and the optional Trümmelbach Falls visit are not included in the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Bern

    By rail to Switzerland

    Your holiday begins as you stroll into beautifully restored London St Pancras International station. Take your time to admire the magnificent glass roof, then sit back, relax and watch the countryside glide past as you travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph. Enjoy the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at the Gare du Nord your taxi will take you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue your journey by TGV through France into Switzerland. Arriving in Basel just across the Swiss border, you change trains and continue to Bern, Switzerland's charming capital. Here you spend four nights at the welcoming Hotel Allegro (4 star superior).

    Meals: Lunch/light meal on Eurostar

  2. Day 2overnight: Bern

    Discovering Bern

    Enjoy a day taking in the medieval air of the Swiss capital. The beautiful old town of Bern, with its flagstone cobbled streets, charming covered arcades and red-tiled roofs, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Attractions include eleven ornate fountains dating back to the 16th century, the fascinating Astronomical Clock, and the Gothic cathedral dating back to the 15th century with the tallest spire in Switzerland at around 100 metres. Climb the 344 steps to admire incredible views of the surrounding hillsides and the old town below.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Bern

    The Schilthorn

    Travel to the summit of the Schilthorn, one of Switzerland's most popular mountain viewpoints. From Bern take the train via Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, then a shuttle service to connect with the cable car ascending to the peak – more than 9,700 ft above sea level. The Schilthorn was used as a location in the James Bond film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. Enjoy lunch at the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant and discover the interactive exhibition. Optionally walk the Thrill Walk with its glass floor. On descent, break your journey in traffic-free Mürren or stop at Stechlberg to visit the Trümmelbach Falls – the largest underground waterfalls in Europe.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Bern

    A day at leisure

    Another day to continue exploring the charming Swiss capital. Highlights include the Museum of Communication with its cutting-edge interactive exhibits, the Historical Museum which recounts the decade when Albert Einstein lived here, and the elevated rose garden above the Bear Park. Bears have lived in Bern since 1513 and are a much-loved symbol of the city.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5rail

    Bern to London – homeward bound

    After breakfast, bid farewell to Bern and take the train to Basel, connecting with the high-speed TGV service to Paris. On arrival your private taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord where you join the Eurostar to London, enjoying a light meal and drinks served at your seat, ahead of arrival at London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast, Light meal on Eurostar

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras through the restored glass roof station, then travel by Eurostar at speeds up to 186mph across the Channel to Paris.
  • Day 3Ascend by cable car to the Schilthorn summit at 9,700 feet above sea level; visit the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant and the James Bond exhibition.
  • Day 2Explore Bern's UNESCO World Heritage old town with its flagstone cobbled streets, covered arcades, ornate 16th-century fountains, and 15th-century cathedral.

Included

  • First Class rail travel throughout as described
  • Standard Premier service on Eurostar journeys with a light meal and drinks
  • 4 nights' accommodation in a comfort room at the Hotel Allegro (4 star superior) in Bern with breakfast each day
  • A journey to the summit of the Schilthorn
  • Private taxi transfers between the stations in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is First Class rail included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes First Class rail throughout: Eurostar (Standard Premier) London to Paris, TGV Paris to Basel, Swiss Rail Basel to Bern and Bern to Interlaken, and return services. Light meals and drinks are served on both Eurostar journeys.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Independent. You have private taxi transfers in Paris, but no guide accompanies you. Days 2 and 4 in Bern are unguided leisure time.
What is included in the accommodation?
Four nights in a comfort room at the Hotel Allegro (4-star superior) in Bern with breakfast each day. Upgrades to a panorama room or the 5-star Hotel Schweizerhof are available at extra cost.
How do you reach the Schilthorn?
On Day 3, travel by train from Bern via Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, then by shuttle service and cable car to the summit at over 9,700 feet.
When does the trip run?
Planet Rail offers departures most days of the year 2026 at GBP 1,275 per person (Hotel Allegro) or GBP 1,675 (Hotel Schweizerhof).
What meals are provided?
Breakfast is included each day at your hotel. Eurostar journeys include a light meal and drinks at your seat. Lunch at the Piz Gloria restaurant on Day 3 is optional and not included.

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