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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

First-Class Grand Alpine Explorer

Fourteen-day Alpine rail journey through five countries in First Class

Illustration of First-Class Grand Alpine Explorer

Vacations By Rail's 14-day First-Class Grand Alpine Explorer is a guided tour for travellers seeking premium train travel through five Alpine countries. Starting in Munich, the itinerary crosses Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Liechtenstein, concluding at Jungfraujoch. You travel in First Class on the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Jungfrau Railway, with a Tour Manager escorting the group throughout. Days blend guided experiences (a Mozart concert dinner in Salzburg, tours of Old Towns in Salzburg and Innsbruck, a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle) with free time to explore at leisure. Hotels are four-star; meals include breakfast daily, one lunch, and eight dinners. The route crosses dramatic alpine scenery, glaciers, and lakes, and includes a cable car ascent of Zugspitze and a train journey to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest station. Mobility Rating 3 reflects regular walking, mountain railway rides, and cable car use; this trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples, and those seeking curated comfort in the Alps.

What to know before you look closer

  • Mobility Rating 3 reflects multiple cable car rides, mountain railway ascents, and significant walking on guided tours; not suitable for those with mobility limitations
  • St. Moritz resort card and Swiss Half Fare Card discounts are valid only late June through mid-October; free-day options vary by season
  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; the tour ends at Zürich Airport on Day 14

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Munich

    Arrival in Munich

    Independent transfer to the hotel near the main train station; free time to explore Munich.

  2. Day 2overnight: Munich

    A guided tour of Munich

    Guided sightseeing tour of Marienplatz, the Town Hall glockenspiel and Church of St Peter; visit the Oktoberfest Museum and Munich's oldest beer house, the Höfbrauhaus.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Salzburg

    A musical welcome in Salzburg

    First Class rail to Salzburg; guided tour of the Old Town and Hohensalzburg Fortress; candlelit Mozart concert dinner at St. Peter's with a chamber ensemble in Rococo costume.

  4. Day 4overnight: Salzburg

    A free day to explore Salzburg

    Free day using the Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket; optional visits to Mozart's birthplace, Mirabell Garden or Untersberg Mountain cable car.

  5. Day 5overnight: Salzburg

    Discovering the Austrian Lake District

    Visit Kaiservilla, cruise across Lake Wolfgang from St. Gilgen to St. Wolfgang, then visit Mondsee and its Basilica of St Michael (featured in The Sound of Music).

  6. Day 6railovernight: Innsbruck

    To Innsbruck in the heart of the Austrian Alps

    First Class rail through the Inn Valley to Innsbruck; guided tour of the Old Town including the Goldenes Dachl; optional Nordkette Cable Car (designed by Zaha Hadid).

  7. Day 7railovernight: Innsbruck

    Fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle and Zugspitze Mountain Railway

    Coach over the Fern Pass to Neuschwanstein Castle; Zugspitze Mountain Railway cogwheel ascent past Eibsee lake to the summit of Germany's highest mountain.

  8. Day 8railovernight: St. Moritz

    Through the Alps to stylish St Moritz

    First Class train via the Arlberg Line, Liechtenstein and the UNESCO-listed Albula Line (Landwasser Viaduct) to St. Moritz.

  9. Day 9railovernight: St. Moritz

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

    First Class Bernina Express via Alp Grüm (Palü Glacier views) and the Brusio spiral viaduct to Tirano, Italy, with free time; return to St. Moritz by local First Class train.

  10. Day 10overnight: St. Moritz

    At leisure in St. Moritz

    Free day; Via Serlas shopping, St. Moritz resort card for cable cars/funiculars (open late June-mid October), or Swiss Half Fare Card excursions to Davos or Klosters.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Interlaken

    First Class experience on the iconic Glacier Express

    Glacier Express in First Class through the Rhine Gorge and over the Oberalp Pass to Brig, with a two-course lunch at the seats; change trains to Interlaken via Spiez.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Interlaken

    To the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Express

    Rail to Kleine Scheidegg, then the Jungfrau Express (tunnel through the Eiger) to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, overlooking the Aletsch Glacier; descend via Grindelwald.

  13. Day 13overnight: Interlaken

    A day to explore Interlaken at leisure

    Free day; options include the Harder Kulm funicular, a paddle steamer lake cruise (Swiss Half Fare Card discount), or a day trip to Lucerne or Meiringen (Reichenbach Falls).

  14. Day 14rail

    Homeward bound

    Board the train to Zürich Airport after breakfast, where the vacation concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3First Class rail to Salzburg; candlelit Mozart concert dinner at St. Peter's with a chamber ensemble in Rococo costume
  • Day 7Zugspitze Mountain Railway cogwheel ascent past Eibsee lake to the summit of Germany's highest mountain
  • Day 9First Class Bernina Express through the Brusio spiral viaduct and past the Palü Glacier to Tirano, Italy
  • Day 11Glacier Express in First Class through the Rhine Gorge and over the Oberalp Pass, with a two-course lunch at the seats
  • Day 12Jungfrau Express tunnel through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, overlooking the Aletsch Glacier

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 13 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel where available; all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 8 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Munich to Interlaken
  • Swiss Travel Card (50% discounted fares on free days)
  • Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket for free public transport
  • St Moritz resort card for free cable cars and funiculars
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All rail travel is included, with First Class service on the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Jungfrau Railway, and Zugspitze Railway. Coach and one lake cruise are also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Escorted. A Tour Manager accompanies the group from start to finish, plus guided tours and excursions are included at each stop.
What is the physical activity level?
Mobility Rating 3. The tour includes mountain railway ascents, cable car rides, multiple guided walking tours of Old Towns, and the option to hike or sightsee on free days.
Which hotels are included?
Four-star hotels: Maritim Hotel Munich (2 nights), NH Collection Salzburg City (3 nights), Hotel Innsbruck (2 nights), Hotel Schweizerhof St. Moritz (3 nights), and Hotel Interlaken (3 nights).
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, one lunch, and eight dinners, including a candlelit Mozart concert dinner in Salzburg.
When does the tour run?
Vacations By Rail does not publish specific departure dates in the tour description; confirm availability directly with the operator.

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