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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Charm & Beauty of Lake Garda via Locarno by First Class Rail

Seven-day first-class rail loop from London to Lake Garda via Swiss Alps

Illustration of Charm & Beauty of Lake Garda via Locarno by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's seven-day self-guided rail holiday takes you from London through Paris to Lake Garda and back, traveling in First Class on daytime trains that trace some of Europe's most scenic routes. You begin with Eurostar to Paris, then board the TGV to Zurich for an overnight stay in the elegant Hotel Helmhaus. Day 2 opens with free time in Zurich's Old Town before you board the Gotthard route, passing through the world's longest tunnel and descending to Italy's largest lake. Four unhurried days in Desenzano let you explore the waterfront, visit medieval lakeside towns by ferry, or take a day trip to Venice. The return journey climbs through the narrow-gauge Centovalli Railway's hundred valleys, crosses the Simplon Pass to Montreux, and brings you back to London via Lausanne and Paris. This trip suits independent rail enthusiasts and couples who want First Class travel, four-star hotels, and the freedom to shape each day without a guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of £1,595 is stated as low season; check availability and pricing for your preferred dates with Planet Rail.
  • Days 3, 4, and 5 offer free time; lake cruises and the optional Venice day trip require separate tickets purchased locally.
  • Paris and Lausanne are transit points with no overnight stays; the itinerary moves quickly between these cities.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    Escape central London on board the Eurostar service to Paris, reclining with a drink and light meal in your Standard Premier Class seat. At the Gare du Nord your taxi transfer whisks you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon for the connecting TGV to Zurich, watching Paris give way to green pastures and the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Overnight at the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star), a stroll or tram ride from the station.

  2. Day 2overnight: Desenzano

    Free time in Zurich - Through the Swiss Alps to Lake Garda

    After breakfast explore Zurich: the Old Town along the River Limmat, the elegant Bahnhofstrasse, the Grossmünster, Fraumünster and St Peterskirche churches, or the Lindenhof viewpoint. Then join the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps and the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, continuing past the Italian Lakes to Milan. Change onto the Trenitalia Frecciarossa to Desenzano on Lake Garda, where a private transfer takes you to the Park Hotel (4 star) for four nights, overlooking the lake in the town centre.

    Meals: breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Desenzano

    At leisure in Desenzano

    Unwind in the pretty town of Desenzano: visit the old town on market day, wander the narrow streets and picturesque waterfront, or hop on a ferry to discover more of Italy's largest lake.

  4. Day 4overnight: Desenzano

    At leisure in Desenzano

    Take a lake cruise from near your hotel with the choice of Limone, Riva del Garda or Malcesine in the north, or Torri del Benaco, Lazise or Sirmione in the south and east. Malcesine, arguably the most attractive town on the lake, offers a medieval castle and cobbled streets beneath Monte Baldo; Sirmione has the 13th century Rocca Scaligera Castle and the Grotte di Catullo, the largest Roman villa remains in Italy.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Desenzano

    At leisure in Desenzano

    Desenzano's accessibility to the Italian rail network means you can purchase a return rail ticket to experience the magic of Venice for a day, stepping from Venezia Santa Lucia station straight onto the Grand Canal.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Lake Garda to Montreux on Lake Geneva

    A private transfer returns you to Desenzano station for the Frecciarossa First Class journey to Milan, then a regional service north to Locarno. There board the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway for an unforgettable ride across viaducts and bridges through a hundred valleys to Domodossola, before the spectacular journey through the Simplon Pass to Montreux. Overnight at the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) next to the station.

  7. Day 7rail

    Montreux to London - Homeward bound

    After a leisurely breakfast join the InterRegio service to Lausanne for the connecting super-fast TGV to Paris in First Class. A taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar to London, enjoying a light meal and drinks before arriving into London St Pancras International.

    Meals: breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Gotthard route climbs through the Swiss Alps and passes through the world's longest tunnel before descending to the Italian Lakes and Milan.
  • Day 4Optional lake cruises from Desenzano reach medieval towns such as Malcesine with its castle beneath Monte Baldo, or Sirmione with the 13th-century Rocca Scaligera Castle.
  • Day 6The narrow-gauge Centovalli Railway crosses viaducts and bridges through a hundred valleys from Locarno to Domodossola, then the Simplon Pass route descends to Montreux.

Included

  • Eurostar Standard Premier Class between London and Paris in both directions, with light meal and drinks on board
  • First Class rail travel throughout on daytime trains (Paris to Zurich, Zurich to Milan via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, Frecciarossa to and from Desenzano, the Centovalli Railway and the Simplon Pass to Montreux, Montreux to Paris via Lausanne)
  • Taxi transfers between the stations in Paris
  • Private transfers between Desenzano station and your hotel
  • 1 night at the Hotel Helmhaus, Zurich (4 star)
  • 4 nights in a double room at the Park Hotel, Desenzano (4 star)
  • 1 night at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux (4 star superior)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Eurostar Standard Premier between London and Paris (both directions) and First Class daytime trains throughout Europe are included: TGV Paris to Zurich, Gotthard route to Milan, Frecciarossa to and from Desenzano, regional service to Locarno, Centovalli Railway to Domodossola, Simplon Pass train to Montreux, InterRegio to Lausanne, and TGV back to Paris.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Independent and self-guided. Planet Rail designs the itinerary and books the trains and hotels; you travel on your own with no escort.
Which hotels are included?
Hotel Helmhaus in Zurich (4 star, 1 night), Park Hotel in Desenzano (4 star, 4 nights), and Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux (4 star superior, 1 night).
What meals are included?
Light meals and drinks on Eurostar in both directions. Breakfast is included on Days 2 and 7. Other meals are not included; you purchase them locally.
How much free time is there?
Days 3, 4, and 5 are entirely free in Desenzano. Day 2 includes a free morning in Zurich. Days 1, 6, and 7 are travel days.
Can I visit Venice?
Yes, on Day 5 you can purchase a return rail ticket to Venice; Venezia Santa Lucia station opens onto the Grand Canal. Tickets are not included and are bought locally.

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