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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Classic Jungfrau Express & Swiss Alps

Eight-day Swiss Alps escorted tour from London via Eurostar and mountain railways

Illustration of Classic Jungfrau Express & Swiss Alps

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted tour for travellers drawn to the Swiss Alps and heritage mountain railways. You depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Plus, travel First Class through eastern France to Basel, then settle into the alpine village of Meiringen for six nights at a family-run 4-star hotel. The tour's signature experience is the Jungfrau Railway climb to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, where you gaze across the UNESCO-listed Aletsch Glacier and 200 surrounding peaks. A second highlight is the 1892 Brienz Rothorn steam train, which climbs to 7,300 feet through Alpine meadows. You also cruise Lake Brienz past Giessbach Falls and ascend the Schilthorn by cable car to visit the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, famous from the James Bond film. A UK Tour Manager escorts the group throughout, and breakfast and dinner are provided each day. The pace is relaxed, with three free days for independent exploration using a Swiss Half Fare Card that discounts rail and mountain railway journeys by 50 percent. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, couples, and those seeking guided comfort in stunning mountain scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is GBP 700 (nearly 30 percent above half the double-room price), a meaningful surcharge for solo travellers
  • The Brienz Rothorn Mountain Railway in May runs only to the mid-station; confirm your departure month directly with Great Rail Journeys
  • Three of the seven days are free days with activities listed as optional; the tour does not provide guided excursions on Days 3 and 6, though the Swiss Half Fare Card offers 50 percent rail discounts for independent exploration

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Basel

    Arriving in Basel, overlooking the Rhine

    Meet the Tour Manager and travelling group at London St Pancras. Board Eurostar Plus carriages to Paris, enjoying a light meal in seats. Transfer to First Class seats for a train journey through eastern France to Basel, Switzerland. Basel sits near the borders of France and Germany on the River Rhine. Overnight hotel is just outside the station, near Old Town. First dinner together at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Meiringen

    To Meiringen in the heart of the Alps

    After breakfast, walk back to Basel station. Swiss rail network takes the group through dramatic scenery to Interlaken, skirting the shores of Lake Thun from Thun into the Bernese Oberland. Change trains in Interlaken, passing along the picturesque banks of Lake Brienz to Meiringen. Short walk to the family-run hotel – home for the next six nights. Afternoon to relax before dinner in the hotel's traditional wood-panelled restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Meiringen

    Free day to explore Meiringen

    Day at leisure. Options include visiting the Reichenbach Falls by funicular, the Sherlock Holmes museum dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the Aare Gorge with its wooden walkway, or using the Swiss Half Fare Card to visit Interlaken (shops, medieval monastery, castle, Harder Kulm funicular). Rejoin the group for dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Meiringen

    Riding the Jungfrau Railway to the 'Top of Europe'

    Journey to Europe's highest railway station. Reach Kleine Scheidegg by rail, then board the iconic Jungfrau Express. The train enters a tunnel through the Eiger, pausing at hand-carved viewing windows inside. Arrive at Jungfraujoch ('Top of Europe') where the Sphinx viewing platform offers awe-inspiring views of the Aletsch Glacier (UNESCO-listed). Free time to marvel at panoramic vistas before returning to Meiringen for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Meiringen

    Lake Brienz cruise & Brienz Rothorn Mountain Railway

    Cruise from Brienz to Interlaken and back across the crystalline waters of Lake Brienz, passing the Giessbach Falls. Board the historic Brienz Rothorn steam train to climb to more than 7,300 feet above sea level through lush meadows with wildflowers and grazing cows, revealing breathtaking vistas of the Alps. Note: the Brienz Rothorn Mountain Railway only operates as far as its mid-station for May departures and to the summit from June onwards. Return to Meiringen for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Meiringen

    Discovering the Bernese Oberland at leisure

    Free day with many options. Relax locally or explore with the Swiss Half Fare Card. Options include: Lauterbrunnen village and Staubbach Falls; cogwheel railway from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte Alpine Botanical Garden; cruise across Lake Thun to Spiez Castle; or visit Brunngasse in Brienz, one of Switzerland's most photogenic streets. Return to Meiringen for dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Meiringen

    A journey by cable car to the summit of the Schilthorn

    Travel by train to the hillside village of Mürren, then board the cable car to the summit of the Schilthorn. Enjoy breathtaking 360° views of approximately 200 mountain peaks including the Jungfrau. Visit the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, made famous in the 1969 James Bond film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', which contains a museum about the filming. Free time to explore the exhibition or enjoy lunch in the restaurant. Optional stop at Trummelbach Falls on the return journey. Final dinner together at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, travel by rail back to Basel. Take First Class seats to Paris, then change to Eurostar Plus for the return to London. Light meal served on the Eurostar. Arrive back in London, concluding the exploration of the Bernese Oberland and Jungfrau region.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Paris with a light meal, then travel First Class through eastern France to Basel on the Rhine
  • Day 4Ride the Jungfrau Railway through hand-carved viewing windows in the Eiger tunnel to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, with views of the UNESCO-listed Aletsch Glacier
  • Day 5Cruise across Lake Brienz past Giessbach Falls, then board the historic 1892 Brienz Rothorn steam train climbing to 7,300 feet through Alpine meadows
  • Day 7Cable car ascent to Schilthorn's 360-degree panorama of 200 mountain peaks, visit the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant from the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus travel
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The GBP 2,299 from-price includes Eurostar Plus, First Class rail Paris to Basel, Swiss rail to Interlaken and Meiringen, the Jungfrau Railway, Brienz Rothorn Mountain Railway, Lake Brienz cruise, Schilthorn cable car, and all other rail and transport throughout the tour.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from London St Pancras through your return. Breakfast and dinner are included each day. Three days (Days 3, 6, and free time on Day 7 morning) allow independent exploration, though guided excursions and group activities fill most days.
What trains are used?
Eurostar Plus (London to Paris, return), First Class TGV/intercity rail (Paris to Basel), Swiss SBB rail (Basel to Interlaken to Meiringen), the Jungfrau Railway (Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch), and the Brienz Rothorn Mountain Railway (heritage steam train, opened 1892).
Where do I stay?
Hotel Alpbach in Meiringen for six nights (4-star, family-run), and an unnamed 4-star hotel near Basel station for one night.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys schedules departures in May, June, August, September, and October 2026 and 2027. Six specific dates are listed; confirm availability with the operator.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes walking between train stations and to hotels, funicular and cable car rides, and free days with optional activities like the Reichenbach Falls funicular or Staubbach Falls walk. Physical level is moderate; no mountaineering or strenuous hikes are required.

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