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Magic Switzerland (Magic Travel Services GmbH) · Individual rail tour

Family Rail Highlights of Switzerland

Fourteen-day family rail loop through Swiss mountains, lakes and villages from Lucerne to Zurich

Illustration of Family Rail Highlights of Switzerland

Magic Switzerland's Family Rail Highlights is a 14-day self-guided tour for families seeking a gentle introduction to Switzerland. Starting in Lucerne and ending in Zurich, the journey circles through six destinations, blending scenic rail travel with child-friendly activities and cultural experiences. Each stop offers a mix of structured inclusions and free time: chocolate workshops, cheese-making traditions, mountain summits accessed by cable car and cogwheel train, adventure parks with toboggans and ziplines, and lakeside relaxation. The pace is relaxed, with most hotels offering two to three nights, allowing families to settle in without constant packing. Magic Switzerland equips you with a detailed itinerary, hotel directions and activity suggestions, but you remain in control of your schedule. The Swiss Travel Pass Extended covers rail and boat travel, opening flexibility to explore beyond the planned highlights. Suitable for first-time rail travellers and families with children who enjoy a mix of outdoor play, cultural discovery and downtime.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Cheese Train excursion excludes drinks and dessert.
  • Local city taxes of approximately CHF 5 to 7 per person per night are not included in the package price.
  • Meals and activities beyond those listed in the itinerary are not covered.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lucerne

    Arrival - Private Transfer to Lucerne

    Arrival in Switzerland. Rail transfer to Lucerne (1h away). Free time to settle in and relax. Possible afternoon visit to the Swiss Museum of Transport.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lucerne

    Mt. Pilatus - Family Adventure

    Self-guided excursion to Mt. Pilatus. Ascend by the world's steepest cogwheel train or the cableway, enjoy adventure playgrounds, dragon-themed activities, and summer attractions such as the rope park at Frakmuntegg or the toboggan run.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Murren

    Hands-on Chocolate Experience

    Rail travel on the scenic Luzern-Interlaken route. Chocolate workshop in Interlaken, then transfer by train to Murren.

  4. Day 4overnight: Murren

    Bond World & Alpine Views

    Self-guided excursion to Mt. Schilthorn, the James Bond summit. 360-degree mountain views, the Bond World 007 exhibition, and the Thrill Walk at Birg. Free time in Murren; possible hike to Gimmelwald or excursion to Allmendhubel.

  5. Day 5overnight: Murren

    Lauterbrunnen Valley and Lake Brienz

    Self-guided exploring of the Lauterbrunnen "valley of 72 waterfalls," including Staubbach Falls. Continue toward Lake Brienz, cruise to Giessbach to visit the historic Grandhotel Giessbach and waterfalls. Possible swimming in Lake Brienz.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lausanne

    GoldenPass Express - Lavaux Vineyards

    Travel from Murren to Interlaken and board the GoldenPass Express for a panoramic ride to Montreux (3h), onward to Lausanne. Guided walk through the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards followed by wine tasting and picnic.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Lausanne

    Cheese Train - Chateau-d'Oex

    Excursion by Cheese Train from Montreux to Chateau-d'Oex. Traditional cheese-making demonstration, a fondue lunch, and free time in the village.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Gonten (Appenzell)

    Lausanne - Transfer to Appenzell

    Scenic train ride across the country from Lake Geneva to the Appenzell region (approx. 4h). Time at leisure to explore the village.

  9. Day 9overnight: Gonten (Appenzell)

    Jakobsbad - Kronberg Adventure Park

    Self-guided excursion to Jakobsbad and the Kronberg fun park - toboggan run, rope activities, zipline park, fairy-tale themed areas. Possible walk on the barefoot trail.

  10. Day 10overnight: Gonten (Appenzell)

    Hoher Kasten - Panoramic Views of Three Countries

    Excursion to Hoher Kasten by cable car for sweeping views over Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Panorama restaurant and scenic walking trails.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Kartause Ittingen

    Train transfer to Kartause Ittingen

    Rail transfer to Kartause Ittingen (approx. 2h), a former Carthusian monastery now a peaceful retreat blending nature, history and culture. Meet the farm animals; possible wine tasting.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Kusnacht (Zurich)

    Zurich Lake Region - Relaxation Day

    Rail transfer to Kusnacht to check in at the Romantik Seehotel Sonne, a 4-star superior lakefront property 12 minutes from Zurich. Free time to swim or stroll along the lake.

  13. Day 13overnight: Kusnacht (Zurich)

    Walking Tour and Tasting of Local Specialties

    Relaxed day by the lake using the hotel's facilities; visit Zurich by boat. Private guided food tour of Zurich with tastings along the way.

  14. Day 14rail

    Departure

    Rail transfer to Zurich Airport. End of services.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ascend Mt. Pilatus by the world's steepest cogwheel train and enjoy dragon-themed activities and rope parks at Frakmuntegg.
  • Day 3Complete a hands-on chocolate workshop in Interlaken before riding the scenic Luzern-Interlaken route to Murren.
  • Day 4Visit Mt. Schilthorn, the James Bond summit, for 360-degree views and the Bond World 007 exhibition.
  • Day 6Travel the panoramic GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux, then walk through UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards with wine tasting and picnic.
  • Day 7Ride the Cheese Train from Montreux to Chateau-d'Oex, watch traditional cheese-making and enjoy a fondue lunch.

Included

  • 2 nights in Lucerne, Lausanne and Kusnacht (Zurich), standard family room with private facilities, breakfast
  • 3 nights in Murren and Gonten (Appenzell), standard family room with private facilities, breakfast
  • 1 night at Kartause Ittingen, standard family room with private facilities, breakfast
  • Interactive Chocolate workshop in Interlaken
  • Guided Lavaux vineyard hike, incl. wine tasting and picnic
  • Cheese Train excursion to Chateau-d'Oex with cheese-making demonstration and cheese fondue (drinks and dessert not included)
  • Excursion ticket to Mt. Pilatus (self-guided)
  • Excursion ticket to Mt. Schilthorn (self-guided)
  • GoldenPass Express seat reservations (Interlaken - Montreux)
  • Swiss Travel Pass Extended
  • Zurich City walking tour of 4 hours, incl tastings of local delicacies such as freshly baked pastries, sausages, wine, Swiss cheese and chocolate (depending on season and client preferences)
  • Custom travel itinerary, support & documentation

Not included

  • International flights
  • Local city taxes, app. CHF 5-7 per person/night
  • Transfer from Milan to Tirano
  • Meals and activities not mentioned in above itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The Swiss Travel Pass Extended is included, covering rail and boat travel throughout the tour. GoldenPass Express seat reservations are pre-booked; the Cheese Train and other excursion tickets are also provided.
Is this a guided or independent tour?
This is a self-guided tour. Magic Switzerland provides a custom travel itinerary, hotel directions, activity suggestions and independent-travel guidance. You choose which excursions to do each day.
What trains and special rides are included?
The tour features the GoldenPass Express (Interlaken to Montreux), the Cheese Train (Montreux to Chateau-d'Oex), scenic rail routes such as Luzern-Interlaken and Lausanne to Appenzell, cable cars to Mt. Pilatus and Mt. Schilthorn, and a boat on Lake Brienz and Lake Zurich.
What accommodation is included?
Thirteen nights in standard family rooms with private facilities and breakfast at six hotels: two nights each in Lucerne, Lausanne and Kusnacht (Zurich); three nights each in Murren and Gonten (Appenzell); and one night at Kartause Ittingen monastery.
What activities are included?
Included are Mt. Pilatus and Mt. Schilthorn excursion tickets, a chocolate workshop in Interlaken, the Cheese Train experience with cheese-making demonstration and fondue, a guided Lavaux vineyard walk with wine tasting and picnic, and a four-hour Zurich food tour with local tastings.
How much walking is involved?
Days include self-guided walks in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Lavaux vineyards, around Murren village and Appenzell, and along Lake Zurich. Optional activities such as hikes to Gimmelwald, barefoot trails and adventure park adventures vary by family choice.

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