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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

First-Class Grand Alpine Explorer

First Class rail through four Alpine countries, London to Zurich, 14 days

Illustration of First-Class Grand Alpine Explorer

Great Rail Journeys operates a 14-day escorted tour across four Alpine countries, departing London and ending in Zurich. The itinerary weaves through the culture and mountain scenery of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, traveling primarily in First Class rail carriages. Days unfold as a mix of guided experiences and independent exploration: a beer tour at Munich's Höfbrauhaus, a Mozart concert dinner in Salzburg's candlelit banquet hall, a cruise on Lake Wolfgang, and guided walks through the medieval quarters of Salzburg and Innsbruck. The route includes three of Europe's most celebrated mountain trains: the Glacier Express descending the Rhine Gorge, the Bernina Express spiraling above the Brusio viaduct en route to Italy, and the Jungfrau Express climbing to Europe's highest train station at Jungfraujoch. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group throughout. The package suits repeat rail travellers seeking First Class comfort on named heritage trains, couples looking for cultural depth, and history lovers drawn to Habsburg palaces, fairytale castles, and UNESCO World Heritage towns. Multiple free days allow independent shoppers and outdoor enthusiasts to tailor their own activities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is GBP 1,000 (priceSingleFrom GBP 5,799 versus GBP 4,799 per person in double), a significant premium; confirm single room availability when booking.
  • The itinerary includes some independent meal arrangements (Day 4 in Salzburg, Day 5 lunch in St Gilgen, Day 7 dinner in Innsbruck), requiring self-catering choices.
  • Cable cars and funiculars in St Moritz are noted as open late June to mid-October; April and May departures may have limited mountain access on the free day.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Munich

    London to Munich: First Class to Bavaria

    Meet fellow travellers and Tour Manager at London St Pancras to join the Eurostar to Brussels, enjoying a light meal at seats. Travel to Cologne and onwards through Germany to Munich in First Class, passing through rolling wooded hills, Frankfurt, Ulm and Augsburg before arriving in the Bavarian capital.

    Meals: Eurostar light meal

  2. Day 2overnight: Munich

    A guided tour of Munich

    Guided sightseeing tour of Munich including Marienplatz, the neo-Gothic Town Hall, the glockenspiel and the Church of St Peter. Sample local food and beers, visit the Oktoberfest Museum and Munich's oldest beer house, the Höfbrauhaus. Rest of the day at leisure before dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Salzburg

    A musical welcome in Salzburg

    Travel by First Class rail from Munich across the Austrian border to Salzburg. Guided tour of the Old Town, UNESCO World Heritage site, overlooked by the 11th-century Hohensalzburg Fortress. Evening Mozart concert dinner at the grand banquet hall of St Peter's with a chamber ensemble and singers in Rococo costumes.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Salzburg

    A free day to explore Salzburg

    Full day at leisure in Salzburg. Use the included Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket for free travel on buses and trolleybuses. Options include visiting Mozart's birthplace at Getreidegasse 9, the Mirabell Garden, or a cable car ride up Untersberg Mountain. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Salzburg

    Discovering the Austrian Lake District

    Visit the Kaiservilla, former summer residence of Habsburg Emperor Franz Josef I. Continue to St Gilgen for independent lunch before cruising across Lake Wolfgang. Disembark at St Wolfgang to stroll among traditional chalets. Visit Mondsee and the 15th-century Basilica of St Michael, which featured in The Sound of Music wedding scene. Return to Salzburg for a three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Innsbruck

    To Innsbruck in the heart of the Austrian Alps

    Travel by First Class rail to Innsbruck. Guided tour of Innsbruck's Old Town including the cathedral, Hofkirche, Goldenes Dachl and the Hölbling house. Free afternoon to explore, with the option of the Nordkette Cable Car designed by Zaha Hadid for views across the Tyrolean Alps at over 7,000 feet. Dinner at the central hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Innsbruck

    Fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle and Zugspitze Mountain Railway

    Return to Germany by coach via the Fern Pass to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. Journey on the Zugspitze Mountain Railway, ascending to the summit of Germany's highest mountain with views across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Return to Innsbruck; evening at leisure, dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8railovernight: St Moritz

    Through the Alps to stylish St Moritz

    Free morning in Innsbruck before a spectacular First Class train journey through the Alps. Route winds alongside the Inn River, passes Weisberg Castle and the Trisanna Bridge, through Liechtenstein and into Switzerland. Travel on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, including the curved Landwasser Viaduct, arriving in St Moritz for a three-course dinner at the hotel with lake views.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: St Moritz

    Across the Alps to Italy in First Class on the Bernina Express

    Climb the Alps on the Bernina Express in First Class. Stop at Alp Grüm for views of the Palü Glacier. The route spirals around the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio before crossing into Italy. Free time in Tirano to explore cobbled streets and enjoy lunch. Return to St Moritz on a local First Class service, then three-course dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: St Moritz

    At leisure in St Moritz

    Free day in St Moritz. Options include shopping on Via Serlas, using the St Moritz resort card for free cable cars and funiculars, exploring with the Swiss Half Fare Card to Davos or Klosters, visiting the church of St Maurice, enjoying Swiss high tea at Badrutt's Palace Hotel, or visiting the Segantini Museum. Note: cable cars and funiculars open late June to mid-October.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11railovernight: Interlaken

    First Class experience on the iconic Glacier Express

    Board the Glacier Express in First Class from St Moritz to Brig, enjoying a two-course lunch at seats. The train delves into the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon'), climbs over the Oberalp Pass and passes through the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel. Change trains at Brig and travel First Class to Interlaken via Spiez. Three-course dinner at the hotel in Interlaken.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Day 12railovernight: Interlaken

    To the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Express

    Travel by rail to Kleine Scheidegg and board the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station. The cogwheel train passes through a tunnel cut through the Eiger with carved-out viewing windows. At the top, panoramic views from the Sphinx viewing platform including the Aletsch Glacier. Optional visits to Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven and the Alpine Sensation exhibition. Descend via Grindelwald and return to Interlaken. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  13. Day 13overnight: Interlaken

    A day to explore Interlaken at leisure

    Free day in Interlaken. Options include exploring the medieval monastery, castle and ancient square on foot, taking the funicular to Harder Kulm for panoramic views, a lake cruise on a vintage paddle steamer (50% discount with Swiss Half Fare Card), or a day trip to Lucerne or Meiringen. Final three-course dinner together at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  14. Day 14rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, board the train to Zürich Airport for the flight back to London Heathrow. The train journey provides one final spectacle of mountain scenery.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Munich's Marienplatz and neo-Gothic Town Hall, followed by a beer and food experience at the Höfbrauhaus.
  • Day 3Evening Mozart concert dinner in Salzburg's St Peter's banquet hall, with a chamber ensemble and singers in Rococo costumes.
  • Day 9Bernina Express climbs the Alps in First Class, stopping at Alp Grüm for Palü Glacier views before spiraling around the Brusio corkscrew viaduct and crossing into Italy.
  • Day 11Glacier Express descends into the Rhine Gorge in First Class, crosses the Oberalp Pass, and passes through the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel with a two-course lunch at seats.
  • Day 12Jungfrau Express cogwheel train ascends through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, with panoramic views of the Aletsch Glacier from the Sphinx viewing platform.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 13 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus First Class rail travel where possible
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flight from Zürich to London Heathrow
  • Eurostar light meal
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 8 dinners
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys)
  • Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket for free travel on the city's public transport
  • St Moritz resort card for free travel on the town's cable cars and funiculars
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus First Class from London to Brussels, First Class rail throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, plus all journeys on the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Jungfrau Express, and Zugspitze Mountain Railway.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish. The itinerary includes guided tours in Munich, Salzburg, and Innsbruck, with several free days for independent exploration.
How many nights are included and where?
13 nights in four-star hotels: 2 nights in Munich, 3 in Salzburg, 2 in Innsbruck, 3 in St Moritz, and 3 in Interlaken.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, one lunch (on the Glacier Express), and eight dinners. This includes a Mozart concert dinner in Salzburg and three-course dinners at several hotels. Some meals are independent.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys offers seven departures between April and September 2027: April, May, June, July (twice), August, and September.
What is the physical activity level?
Moderate. The tour includes guided walking tours in three cities, optional cable car rides, and days at leisure. The Jungfraujoch ascent involves a cogwheel train, not hiking. Luggage is transported between hotels.

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