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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail & alpine holiday

Central Switzerland Adventure - October

Alpine rail loop from Lucerne: cogwheel railways, cable cars, three mountain summits

Illustration of Central Switzerland Adventure - October

The Railway Touring Company's Central Switzerland Adventure is a 7-day escorted tour centred on Lucerne. Travel from London via First Class Eurostar and international rail to Basel, then by SBB train into Switzerland, arriving at Hotel Waldstatterhof in Lucerne. A 5-day Lucerne Travel Pass (days 2 to 6) unlocks unlimited regional trains, buses, boats and cable cars, enabling excursions to three Alpine summits: Mount Rigi, ascended on a historic 1871 steam cogwheel railway; Mount Pilatus (2,128.5m), accessed by cable car with views of up to 73 peaks; and Mount Titlis (3,238m) with its glacier. A separate day explores the Schwyz-Stoos funicular, the world's steepest, with rotating carriages rising 744 metres. Lake Lucerne cruises and visits to the Swiss Transport Museum and Engelberg Monastery round out the experience. All rail travel, transfers, seat reservations and a Tour Manager are included. This suits repeat rail travellers seeking mountain scenery, couples after a guided base-hotel holiday, and those drawn to Alpine railway history.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed: October 2026 at GBP 1,995 per person.
  • Lunch is not included on Day 6 at Mount Titlis; Day 3 and Day 4 lunches are independent choices.
  • The cheese workshop at Engelberg Monastery is optional and carries a small supplement.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1First Class Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then high-speed rail to Basel, then SBB train to Lucerne.
  • Day 3Cable car and cogwheel railway ascent to Mount Pilatus (Tomlishorn, 2,128.5m) with views of up to 73 Alpine peaks, followed by a catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne.
  • Day 4Ride the Schwyz-Stoos funicular, the world's steepest funicular with rotating barrel-shaped carriages, rising 744 metres to Stoos village.
  • Day 5Lake cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau, guided tour of the Rigi railway depot, then ascent of Mount Rigi (1,798m) on a historic steam engine (opened 1871).
  • Day 6Cable car to Mount Titlis (3,238m) to view the Titlis Glacier, with an optional cheese workshop at the Benedictine Monastery in Engelberg.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel from London included?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar Plus (First Class) from London St Pancras to Paris and return, first-class international rail to Basel, standard-class SBB rail to Lucerne, and all regional rail, tram and boat trips detailed in the itinerary. A 5-day Lucerne Travel Pass (days 2-6) covers unlimited regional trains, buses, boats and cable cars.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is escorted. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout, and all transfers, rail seat reservations and mountain excursions are arranged.
What accommodation is included?
Six nights bed and breakfast at Hotel Waldstatterhof, Lucerne (3-star). Three-course dinners are included on Days 1 and 6 (excluding drinks).
What mountains are visited?
Mount Rigi (1,798m) by historic steam cogwheel railway, Mount Pilatus (Tomlishorn, 2,128.5m) by cable car and cogwheel railway, Mount Titlis (3,238m) by cable car and Titlis Glacier. Day 4 includes Stoos village via the Schwyz-Stoos funicular (744 metres elevation).
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
Days involve cable cars, cogwheel railways and funiculars to summits; no technical climbing. Day 3 includes a local bus from Lucerne station to Kriens. Days 2 and 4 have free time in Lucerne for independent exploration. A Tour Manager accompanies the group.
When does this tour run?
One departure is listed: October 2026 at GBP 1,995 per person (approximately USD 2,664).

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