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railtour suisse · Individual rail journey

Best of Switzerland (for international guests)

Swiss Alps rail circle: Lucerne to Zurich on three signature trains

Illustration of Best of Switzerland (for international guests)

Railtour Suisse's Best of Switzerland for International Guests is an 11-day, 10-night individual rail journey departing from Lucerne and ending in Zurich, linking seven Swiss cities across the Alps and lowlands. The trip centers on three celebrated panoramic trains: the Bernina Express from Tirano to St. Moritz, which descends from subtropical Ticino through serpentine alpine passes; the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels over the Oberalp Pass; and the GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken through mountain forests and villages. All travel is covered by a Swiss Travel Pass 15-day 2nd class ticket with included seat reservations. You stay in 3-star hotels in Lucerne, Lugano, St. Moritz, Zermatt, Montreux, Interlaken, and Zurich, with full days at leisure to explore each city. Two signature excursions are included: Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 metres, and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883 metres. This itinerary suits independent rail travellers, first-time train passengers seeking a structured but self-directed experience, and photographers drawn to Alpine scenery and UNESCO World Heritage rail routes.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary includes many optional sightseeing excursions (Mount Titlis, Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, Gotthard Panorama Express upgrade, Crystal Ride cabins); the core package is rail and hotels only.
  • Day 2 in Lucerne and day 10 in Interlaken and Zurich are unguided; you organize your own activities.
  • Mountain excursions on days 6 and 9 require a small additional fee beyond the included Swiss Travel Pass discount.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lucerne

    Arrival in Lucerne

    Train journey to Lucerne, the city in the heart of Switzerland. Stroll across the world-famous Chapel Bridge, through the winding streets of the old town and visit the Lion Monument. Overnight in Lucerne.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lucerne

    Lucerne

    Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure in Lucerne. We recommend the following optional excursions: Titlis with its famous revolving gondola, the Golden Round Trip on Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi, the Queen of the Mountains. Overnight in Lucerne.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lugano

    Lucerne – Lugano (1h40)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Train journey from Lucerne to Lugano. Experience the Gotthard Base Tunnel - at 57 kilometers the longest railroad tunnel in the world. It takes just 17 minutes to reach Ticino on this fast route under the Alpine massif in the heart of Europe. Optional add the Gotthard Panorama Express (with supplement, a 1st class train ticket is required). Overnight in Lugano.

  4. Day 4railovernight: St. Moritz

    Bernina Express (5h45)

    Breakfast at the hotel. The Bernina Express bus takes you through the idyllic Valtellina valley to Tirano (Italy). There you board the panoramic train Bernina Express to St. Moritz. Enjoy an alpine serpentine journey that takes you from the waving palms of Ticino to the towering glaciers. Overnight in St. Moritz.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    Glacier Express (8h30)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel from St. Moritz to Zermatt with the Glacier Express. The train journey takes you over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp Pass at 2'033 m. All along the way, the great spectacle of nature alternates between snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, waterfalls and forests, lush meadows and picturesque villages. Overnight in Zermatt.

  6. Day 6overnight: Zermatt

    Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

    Breakfast at the hotel. An incomparable experience awaits you today. The Zermatt mountain railroads will take you up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe's highest cable car station at 3'883 m. For a small fee, you can take the Crystal Ride cabins from Trockener Steg to the summit, an unbeatable experience. The 360° panorama is unique and many highlights are waiting to be discovered by you. Overnight in Zermatt.

  7. Day 7overnight: Montreux

    Zermatt – Montreux (2h40)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel by regional trains through Valais, which is known for its excellent wines, to Montreux. We recommend a visit to Chillon Castle, a moated castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. Overnight in Montreux.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Interlaken

    GoldenPass Express (3h15)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel from Montreux to Interlaken with the GoldenPass Express. You will pass through alpine forests, see bubbling mountain springs and picturesque mountain villages. Overnight in Interlaken.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Interlaken

    Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

    Breakfast at the hotel. One of the highlights of the trip awaits you – the journey to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 3'454 metres. Snow and ice are guaranteed 365 days a year. Enjoy the spectacular view of imposing mountain peaks and the Aletsch Glacier, discover enchanting sculptures in the Ice Palace and take a thrilling journey through time on the multimedia adventure tour into the history of the Jungfrau Railway. Overnight in Interlaken.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Zurich

    Interlaken – Zurich (2h)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Train journey along the lake of Thun to Bern and possibility for a stopover to discover Switzerland's beautiful capital. Continue to Zurich and time at your leisure to discover the city. Overnight in Zurich.

  11. Day 11

    Zurich and return journey

    Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure and individual return journey. This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Travel through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, at 57 kilometres the world's longest railroad tunnel, crossing from Lucerne to Lugano in 17 minutes.
  • Day 4The Bernina Express climbs from palm-lined Tirano in Italy through serpentine alpine passes to St. Moritz, descending from Ticino's subtropical landscape to glaciers.
  • Day 5The Glacier Express travels from St. Moritz to Zermatt over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, crossing the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres.
  • Day 9Journey to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 metres, where snow and ice are guaranteed year-round and the Aletsch Glacier is visible.

Included

  • Swiss Travel Pass 15 days in 2nd class
  • Seat reservation in the Bernina Express, Glacier Express and GoldenPass Express
  • Excursion to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Jungfraujoch
  • 2 nights each in Lucerne, Zermatt and Interlaken, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night each in Lugano, St. Moritz, Montreux and Zurich, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 50% discount on most mountain railways, free entry at more than 500 museums

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. A Swiss Travel Pass 15-day 2nd class ticket covers most journeys, and seat reservations for the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, and GoldenPass Express are included. Some regional train legs are covered by the pass.
Is this tour guided or independent?
It is an individual rail journey. You receive an itinerary and a Swiss Travel Pass; most days you manage your own schedule. Optional guided excursions are available in some cities but not included.
Which hotels are included?
3-star hotels in Lucerne (2 nights), Lugano (1 night), St. Moritz (1 night), Zermatt (2 nights), Montreux (1 night), Interlaken (2 nights), and Zurich (1 night). All rooms are standard doubles with breakfast.
What is included in the price?
Swiss Travel Pass 15 days 2nd class, seat reservations on three named trains, 7 nights of 3-star accommodation with breakfast, excursions to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Jungfraujoch, and 50% discount on most mountain railways plus free entry to over 500 museums.
What is not included?
Meals other than hotel breakfast, optional excursions such as the Titlis gondola or Mount Pilatus trip, the Gotthard Panorama Express upgrade (requires 1st class ticket and costs extra), airport transfers, and flights to and from Switzerland.
How much walking or physical activity is required?
Days include city walking and some mountain excursions. Days 6 and 9 involve cable car and railway journeys to high altitude (over 3,400 metres); these are accessible to those with no climbing experience but do involve exposure and high elevation.

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