The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail & alpine holiday

Central Switzerland Adventure - October

Central Switzerland Adventure - October, a rail journey with The Railway Touring Company

A 7-day Lucerne-based Alpine holiday combining a 5-day Lucerne Travel Pass with Mount Rigi steam rack railway, Mount Pilatus, the Schwyz-Stoos funicular and Mount Titlis.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Hotel Waldstatterhof, Lucerne

    London to Lucerne by International Rail

    First Class Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, then high-speed train to Basel, then SBB train to Lucerne. Welcome dinner at the hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Hotel Waldstatterhof, Lucerne

    Discover the Swiss Transport Museum and the many wonders of Lucerne

    Train to Lucerne Verkehrshaus to visit the Swiss Transport Museum using the Lucerne Travel Pass. Remainder of the day free to explore Lucerne.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Hotel Waldstatterhof, Lucerne

    Mount Pilatus, Kriens and Lake Lucerne

    Local bus from Lucerne station to Kriens at the foot of Mount Pilatus, then cable car and cogwheel railway to the summit (Tomlishorn, 2,128.5m, up to 73 Alpine peaks visible). Independent lunch on the mountain, return via cable car and bus, then an hour-long panoramic catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne. Rest of the day free.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Hotel Waldstatterhof, Lucerne

    Stoos Excursion - ride the Schwyz-Stoos funicular

    Train from Lucerne to Arth-Goldau then local bus to Schwyz for the Schwyz-Stoos funicular (Standseilbahn Schwyz-Stoos), the world's steepest funicular with rotating barrel-shaped carriages, opened 2017, rising 744 metres to the village of Stoos. Lunch at altitude, then return via funicular, bus and cable car. Rest of the day free.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Hotel Waldstatterhof, Lucerne

    Lake Cruise - Lucerne to Vitznau, guided tour of Rigi rail depot, ascend Mount Rigi

    Lake cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau, a guided tour of the Rigi railway depot, then ascent of Mount Rigi on a historic steam engine on the Vitznau-Rigi cogwheel railway (opened 1871) to Rigi Kulm (1,798m). Descend via Arth-Goldau by train. Rest of the day free.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Hotel Waldstatterhof, Lucerne

    Lucerne to Engelberg and Mount Titlis and monastery visit

    Train from Lucerne to Engelberg-Titlis, then cable car up to Mount Titlis (3,238m) with views of the Titlis Glacier. Lunch not included. Optional cheese workshop at the Benedictine Monastery in Engelberg (founded 1120). Farewell dinner at the hotel.

  7. Day 7rail

    Lucerne to London

    Train to Basel SBB for onward International Rail travel back to London St Pancras.

Included

  • 6 nights Bed and Breakfast at 3-star Hotel Waldstatterhof, Lucerne
  • 3 course dinner excluding drinks on days 1 and 6
  • Eurostar Plus rail services from London to Paris and return
  • First class international rail services
  • Standard class rail travel in Switzerland
  • A 5-day Lucerne Travel Pass valid from days 2 to 6
  • Seat reservations throughout, where possible
  • All rail, tram and boat trips as detailed in the itinerary
  • All seat reservations and transfers (except on free days)
  • The services of a Tour Manager

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