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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Best of Switzerland by Rail

Swiss rail circle from Zürich featuring Glacier Express and Bernina Express

Illustration of Best of Switzerland by Rail

Vacations By Rail's Best of Switzerland by Rail is a 10-day escorted tour departing and returning to Zürich. A Tour Manager accompanies the group through nine nights in 4-star hotels across Lucerne, Vevey, Zermatt, and St Moritz, connected by four celebrated trains: the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Express, and Gornergrat Railway. Days blend guided city walks, alpine mountain railways, lake cruises, and train journeys that cross high passes and viaducts. Breakfast is included daily along with five dinners and all rail and coach transfers. On Day 7, the eight-hour Glacier Express carries you from Zermatt to St Moritz with lunch at your seat, crossing the Furka and Oberalp passes. Day 3 features the Mount Rigi Cogwheel Railway, Europe's oldest, ascending to nearly 5,900 feet. The itinerary suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking paired comfort, and photographers drawn to Alpine scenery and the Matterhorn. A Tour Manager manages all logistics and group luggage transfers throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 4,499 covers the tour package and rail fares; flights and airport transfers are not included and must be booked separately.
  • Most hotel nights are single-night stops except Zürich (three nights), Zermatt and St Moritz (two nights each), creating a moderately fast pace.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zürich

    Arrival in Zürich

    Make your own way by rail or taxi to the Zürich hotel. The remainder of the day is free before meeting the Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Zürich

    Zürich guided tour and Lindt Museum

    A guided walking tour of Zürich's Old Town, Opera House and Fraumünster church, followed by a transfer to the Lindt Chocolate Museum. Evening free to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lucerne

    Lakeside Lucerne and Mount Rigi Cogwheel Railway

    Train to Lucerne, a lake cruise, then a journey on Europe's oldest mountain railway, the Mount Rigi Cogwheel Railway, to nearly 5,900ft, descending via Rigi Kaltbad and a cable car to Weggis before returning to Lucerne by boat.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Vevey

    Across the Swiss Highlands to glistening Lake Geneva

    The Lucerne-Interlaken Express to Interlaken, then the GoldenPass Express across the Brünig Pass, past Gstaad and down to Lake Geneva, checking in for the night in Vevey.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    By rail to tranquil Zermatt in the heart of the Alps

    A free morning in Vevey (optional independent visit to Château de Chillon), then a scenic rail journey along the Rhône and through the Matter Valley to the car-free resort of Zermatt.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zermatt

    Marveling at the Matterhorn on the Gornergrat Railway

    A journey on the historic Gornergrat Mountain Railway to over 10,000ft for views of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa, followed by a guided tour of Zermatt's old town.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Engadin Valley

    Experiencing the Glacier Express to St Moritz

    An eight-hour journey the full length of the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz, crossing the Furka and Oberalp passes with lunch served at your seat.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8railovernight: Engadin Valley

    Crossing to Italy aboard the stunning Bernina Express

    A UNESCO-listed crossing of the Alps on the Bernina Express from Tirano to St Moritz in reverse, passing the Palü Glacier and the Brusio corkscrew viaduct, with free time in Tirano.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Zürich

    Return to Zürich

    A final rail journey back to Zürich via the Albula Line and Chur, with the afternoon free to explore before a farewell dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Traveling home

    Return to Zürich Airport by rail on an open ticket provided by the Tour Manager, with hotel departure time based on your flight schedule.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Mount Rigi Cogwheel Railway from Lucerne ascends Europe's oldest mountain railway to nearly 5,900 feet, then descends via cable car to Weggis before returning by lake boat.
  • Day 6Gornergrat Mountain Railway climbs to over 10,000 feet with views of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa, followed by a guided tour of Zermatt's old town.
  • Day 7The eight-hour Glacier Express journey from Zermatt to St Moritz crosses the Furka and Oberalp passes with lunch served at your seat.
  • Day 8Bernina Express crosses the UNESCO-listed Alps from Tirano to St Moritz, passing the Palü Glacier and the Brusio corkscrew viaduct.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 9 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 5 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Standard Class rail fares on all trains, including the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Express, Gornergrat Railway, Lucerne-Interlaken Express, and Mount Rigi Cogwheel Railway, are covered in the tour price.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager throughout the 10 days who handles logistics, leads guided tours, and arranges group luggage transfers.
What is included in meals?
Breakfast is provided each day, plus one lunch (on the Glacier Express) and five dinners. Other meals are on your own.
Which hotels are used?
Hotels include Glockenhof Hotel (Zürich), Hotel Continental Park (Lucerne), Astra Hotel (Vevey), Hotel Sonne (Zermatt), and Hotel Schweizerhof (St Moritz), all 4-star properties.
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates this Mobility 4. Activities include guided walking tours in Zürich and Zermatt, mountain railway rides to high elevations, and lake cruises.

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