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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

First-Class Mountaintops of Switzerland in Winter

Nine-day Swiss alpine winter journey in First Class with mountaintop hotels

Illustration of First-Class Mountaintops of Switzerland in Winter

Great Rail Journeys' nine-day First Class Swiss alpine winter tour departs from London St Pancras via Eurostar and returns from Strasbourg, with a dedicated UK Tour Manager accompanying the group throughout. The itinerary combines three nights in valley-floor hotels with stays at two celebrated mountaintop properties accessed by cable car. From Day 4, the Glacier Express carries travellers in First Class panoramic carriages from Spiez to Chur with lunch served at your seat, while Day 5 takes the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express across the Alps to Italy, passing the Palü Glacier and the Brusio corkscrew viaduct. Free time in Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lucerne and Strasbourg allows exploration of Old Towns and lakeside promenades. All First Class rail travel, four-star accommodation, most meals, cable car transfers and a Swiss Half Fare Card for independent travel on free days are included. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking romantic mountain views, and guests who value comfort with structure.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is significant: from GBP 4,099 compared to from GBP 3,499 per person (a 17% premium rather than a typical 50% markup), so solo travellers should confirm pricing.
  • Day 8 has a note in the evidence indicating the overnight location varies by departure date (some stay in Basel instead of Strasbourg); confirm your specific itinerary before booking.
  • The tour maximum group size is 30, which is larger than some escorted operators; confirm group size expectations if you prefer smaller groups.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Basel

    A wintry welcome to Switzerland

    Meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras and board Eurostar Plus. Enjoy a light meal at your seat before arriving in Paris, then board the train to Basel. Arrive in the early evening in the Rhine-side city of Basel. Hotel is located near the station. Admire the Old Town before gathering for the first dinner together.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Giessbach (Grandhotel Giessbach)

    Arrival at our spectacular Giessbach hotel

    Take a short walk to the train station for the journey to Interlaken, passing snow-capped peaks and alpine forests. Free time to explore Interlaken, set between lakes Thun and Brienz and overlooked by the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger mountains. Board a coach to the Grandhotel Giessbach for a welcome drink on arrival. Views across the sparkling lake and the Giessbach waterfall. Three-course dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Giessbach (Grandhotel Giessbach)

    Free time in picturesque Grindelwald

    Coach transfer to Interlaken, then travel by train through the Lauterbrunnen Valley to the alpine village of Grindelwald at the foot of the Eiger's north face. Free time to enjoy the atmosphere of wooden Swiss chalets and colourful town squares. Optional cable car up Grindelwald First mountain. Return to the lakeview hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    First Class to Chur on the Glacier Express

    Take the train to Spiez, then board the Glacier Express in First Class panoramic carriages. Enjoy a two-course lunch at your seat as the 'slowest express train in the world' traverses mountain passes with views of picturesque villages and valleys. Arrive in Chur for a two-night stay. Free evening to explore or dine locally.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5railovernight: Chur

    The Bernina Express: Crossing the Alps in elegance

    Travel First Class on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express across the Alps to Italy. Wind up through snow-bound scenes to the summit at Ospizio Bernina, pass the Palü Glacier, spiral round the Brusio corkscrew viaduct, and arrive in Tirano. Free time to explore the narrow cobbled streets and piazzas. Return to Switzerland on a local train in First Class. Three-course dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Pilatus Kulm (Kriens)

    Lake views on the journey to our mountaintop hotel

    Journey onwards in First Class, passing many beautiful lakes on the way to Lucerne. Free time to wander the picturesque Old Town and see the 14th-century Kapellbrücke. Take the cable car up to the Pilatus Kulm hotel, nestled between two peaks with stunning views across the mountains of central Switzerland. Three-course dinner in the on-site restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Pilatus Kulm (Kriens)

    A snow-capped sunrise over the 'City of Lights'

    Optional sunrise viewing from the mountaintop hotel. Free day to explore independently. Use the complimentary return cable car ticket to head down to Lucerne, with its charming Old Town, ornate churches, frescoed historic houses and cobbled streets. Alternatively, use the Swiss Half Fare Card to cruise across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau or explore further afield. Three-course dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Strasbourg

    From Lucerne to the Alsace city of Strasbourg

    After breakfast, descend the mountain and catch a late-morning First Class train from Lucerne to Strasbourg. Arrive mid-afternoon with time to explore the Alsace capital: Notre Dame Cathedral, Place Kléber, and La Petite France with its colourful half-timbered buildings. Final three-course dinner at a local restaurant. Note: For the 8th December departure, overnight stay is in Basel. For the 9th February and 2nd March departures, overnight stay is in Colmar.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, leave Strasbourg for Paris, travelling through Lorraine and past the Champagne region vineyards. Change to Eurostar Plus in Paris and enjoy a light meal at your seat before arriving at London St Pancras early in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Ride the Glacier Express in First Class panoramic carriages from Spiez to Chur, with a two-course lunch served at your seat.
  • Day 5Travel the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express from Chur across the Alps to Italy, passing the Palü Glacier and spiraling around the Brusio corkscrew viaduct.
  • Day 6Ascend by cable car to the Pilatus Kulm hotel at mountaintop height, with views across the mountains of central Switzerland.
  • Day 7Optional sunrise viewing from the mountaintop hotel; use the complimentary cable car ticket to return to Lucerne or explore via Swiss Half Fare Card.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus travel
  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals (outbound and return)
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch (on the Glacier Express)
  • 7 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • Daily return ticket on the cable car from Pilatus Kulm hotel
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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 in the price?
Yes. All First Class rail travel is included, covering Eurostar Plus outbound and return, the Glacier Express from Spiez to Chur, and the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano and back.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish. The tour is escorted but includes free time in each destination to explore independently.
What hotels are included?
Four four-star hotels: Hotel Victoria in Basel (1 night), Grand Hotel Giessbach in Giessbach (2 nights), Hotel Pilatus Kulm on Pilatus mountain near Lucerne (2 nights), and Hotel Boma in Strasbourg (1 night). Group luggage transfers between hotels are included.
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day, one lunch (on the Glacier Express), seven dinners, and light meals on Eurostar. Cancellation and travel insurance are not included.
When does the tour depart?
Four departures run in December 2026, January 2027, February 2027, and March 2027.
How much walking is involved?
Daily walking includes guided tours of Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lucerne and Strasbourg, plus independent exploration time. Cable cars provide access to mountain hotels. Day 3 offers an optional cable car up Grindelwald First.

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