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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Five-Star Top of Europe

Swiss Alps escorted rail tour from London, eight days, mountain railways and five-star hotel

Illustration of Classic Five-Star Top of Europe

Great Rail Journeys' Classic Five-Star Top of Europe is an eight-day escorted tour from London through the Swiss Alps, taking Eurostar Plus class and First Class rail throughout. You spend six nights in the five-star Grand Hotel Beau Rivage, a Belle Époque property in Interlaken on the banks of the Aare River, with one night in Colmar in Alsace. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from start to finish. The itinerary centres on mountain railways and Alpine scenery: Day 3 includes a cable car to Grindelwald First with views of the Eiger and Mönch; Day 5 climbs the Jungfrau Railway cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, where you tour a private Ice Palace and view the Aletsch Glacier; Day 6 takes the Schynige Platte cogwheel railway to an Alpine Botanical Garden; and Day 7 features a steam-hauled ascent of Brienzer Rothorn followed by a scenic cruise across turquoise Lake Brienz. Three-course dinners with wine are included most evenings. This tour suits luxury-seeking repeat rail travellers and those seeking guided comfort with substantial included excursions.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 3 and Day 4 may be swapped on some departures; confirm the exact itinerary with Great Rail Journeys when booking
  • On departures before 5 June, the Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway stops at the mid-station rather than the summit; verify the route at the time of booking
  • Single supplements are substantial: from 4,499 GBP versus a per-person from-price of 3,299 GBP for a double
  • The maximum group size is 30 travellers; it is not a small-group tour

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Colmar

    London to the Alsace town of Colmar

    Your Swiss holiday begins at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar in Plus class, with a light meal served at your seats on the way to Paris. In the French capital, continue by First Class rail to Colmar, the capital of the Alsace wine region. After checking in to the four-star hotel near the station, there is free time to explore before dining at the riverside Restaurant Caveau Saint-Pierre in the Little Venice district.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    A First Class journey to Interlaken

    Free time to relax or look around Colmar after breakfast. Later, travel by First Class rail via Basel to Interlaken, passing the picturesque shores of Lake Thun and Spiez Castle. After checking in at the luxurious Belle Époque hotel, take seats in L'Ambiance restaurant for a three-course dinner with drinks included from 7–9pm.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Interlaken

    Panoramic views from Grindelwald First

    Travel by First Class rail to Grindelwald, then board a cable car to the summit of Grindelwald First for great views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Free time among the fresh mountain air before returning to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure; dine independently. Note: on some departures, Day 3 and Day 4 will be swapped.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Interlaken

    A free day to explore mountains and more

    A free day with your Swiss Half Fare Card for discounted fares. Options include a rail trip to the medieval town of Thun beside the Aare River, or a funicular up to Harder Kulm with views over Lakes Brienz and Thun. This evening is free to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Interlaken

    A trip to the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Railway

    A remarkable journey to Jungfraujoch – a UNESCO-listed site and Europe's highest train station – on the iconic Jungfrau Railway. An expert guide describes the mountains, geology and history of the railway. From Kleine Scheidegg, travel by cogwheel train through the Eiger tunnel to Jungfraujoch. Awe-inspiring views from the Sphinx viewing platform and the Aletsch Glacier. Enter the Ice Palace carved inside the glacier and enjoy an exclusive tour with a drink at the Ice Bar. Three-course dinner at the hotel this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Interlaken

    Schynige Platte Railway and the Alpine Botanical Garden

    Short rail journey to Wilderswil, then travel by open-coach cog railway to Schynige Platte with sensational views of Jungfrau Mountain. Free time to explore the Alpine Botanical Garden with around 800 species of alpine flora including edelweiss. Return by the quaint railway and continue to Interlaken for dinner at the hotel. Note: on departures up until mid-June, an alternative mountain excursion to the Schilthorn will be offered instead.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Interlaken

    Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway and lake cruise

    Head to Brienz for a steam-hauled ascent of Brienzer Rothorn mountain above turquoise Lake Brienz. Free time at the summit to explore and enjoy panoramic views. Afternoon scenic cruise back to Interlaken across the crystal-clear lake on a traditional lake boat. Three-course dinner with drinks at the five-star hotel this evening. Note: on departures before 5th June, the mountain railway goes to the mid-station at Planalp only.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, leave the hotel and begin the First Class journey home, travelling first to Basel passing Lake Thun, then by high-speed rail to Paris, and joining the Eurostar with a light meal at Plus class seats back to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus class with a light meal served at your seat, then continue by First Class rail through France to Colmar in the Alsace wine region
  • Day 3Ride a cable car to Grindelwald First for panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains
  • Day 5Travel on the Jungfrau Railway cogwheel train through the Eiger tunnel to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, and view the Aletsch Glacier from the Sphinx platform; enter a private Ice Palace tour with a drink at the Ice Bar
  • Day 7Ascend Brienzer Rothorn on a steam-hauled mountain railway to 7,700 feet, then cruise back across turquoise Lake Brienz on a traditional lake boat

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4 & 5-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus class travel
  • First Class rail travel where possible
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast each day
  • 5 dinners
  • Beer, wine and soft drinks each evening from 7pm–9pm in Interlaken
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch
  • Private tour of the Ice Palace and Ice Bar with a drink
  • Cable car to Grindelwald First
  • Schynige Platte cogwheel railway and Alpine Botanical Garden
  • Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway steam ascent
  • Lake Brienz cruise

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus class travel from London to Paris and back, First Class rail throughout Switzerland, and all mountain railways and cable cars: the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway, Schynige Platte cogwheel railway, and Grindelwald First cable car.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is an escorted tour. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from start to finish. All guided tours and excursions are included.
What hotels are included?
Six nights in the five-star Grand Hotel Beau Rivage in Interlaken and one night in a four-star hotel near the station in Colmar.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, five dinners, light meals on Eurostar, and beer, wine, and soft drinks from 7-9pm each evening in Interlaken. Other meals are your own expense.
When does the tour operate?
Departures run in May, June, July, August, September, and October 2026 and 2027.
What is the physical demand?
Days include cable cars, cogwheel railways, and mountain summits. Day 7 involves ascending and descending Brienzer Rothorn plus a lake cruise. A free day on Day 4 offers optional rail trips and a funicular with scenic views.

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