Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

First Class Mountaintops of Switzerland

First Class Mountaintops of Switzerland, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

An intimate tour through arguably the most scenic mountain range in the world, this rail tour offers 9 days of Swiss beauty through train rides and visits to alpine towns.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Basel

    London to Basel in First Class

    Eurostar Plus class from London St Pancras to Paris, then a direct train to Basel; first dinner together as a group.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Giessbach

    A lake cruise to our spectacular Giessbach hotel

    Rail to Interlaken, boat cruise across Lake Brienz, then the Giessbach funicular railway up to the Belle Epoque Grandhotel Giessbach.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Giessbach

    A steam-hauled heritage railway up the Rothorn mountain

    Boat to Brienz, then the steam-hauled Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway to over 7,000ft, returning to explore Brienz's Old Town.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: St. Moritz

    Experiencing the iconic Glacier Express in First Class

    Train to Brig to join the Glacier Express in First Class panoramic carriages with a two-course lunch onboard, via the Albula Line to the Engadine Valley.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5railovernight: St. Moritz

    The Bernina Express: Crossing the Alps in elegance

    First Class Bernina Express over the Bernina Pass past the Palu Glacier and the Brusio spiral viaduct to Tirano, Italy, with free time before returning to Switzerland by local train.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Mount Pilatus (Pilatus Kulm)

    Lake views on the journey to our mountaintop hotel

    First Class rail via Chur to Lucerne, free time in the Old Town, then Europe's steepest cogwheel railway up to Hotel Pilatus-Kulm.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Mount Pilatus (Pilatus Kulm)

    Sunrise over the "City of Lights"

    Free day at Pilatus Kulm, with the option of a complimentary Pilatusbahn return ticket to explore Lucerne or a discounted boat/rail excursion to Vitznau and the Rigi Mountain Railway.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Strasbourg

    From Lucerne to the Alsace city of Strasbourg

    Descend by funicular, First Class train from Lucerne to Strasbourg, free time to explore the Old Town and La Petite France.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9rail

    Traveling home

    Morning train from Strasbourg to Paris via the Champagne region, then Eurostar Plus class back to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus First Class rail travel where available
  • All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 7 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
  • Daily return ticket on the Pilatusbahn from Pilatus Kulm hotel to Alpnachstad
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

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

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