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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

First Class Mountaintops of Switzerland

Illustration of First Class Mountaintops of Switzerland

Vacations By Rail's First Class Mountaintops of Switzerland is a nine-day escorted tour departing Basel and concluding in Strasbourg, traveling through Switzerland, Italy, and France. The journey combines some of Europe's most celebrated scenic railways, the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and historic mountain lines, with stays at four-star hotels perched on mountaintops and lakeshores. Day two takes travelers by boat and funicular to the Belle Epoque Grandhotel Giessbach on Lake Brienz; day three features the steam-hauled Brienz-Rothorn heritage railway; days four and five travel aboard First Class panoramic trains, with the Bernina Express descending to the Italian Alps via the Brusio spiral viaduct; and days six and seven place guests at Hotel Pilatus-Kulm, reached by Europe's steepest cogwheel railway. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, luggage transfers are handled, and all rail, boat, and coach journeys are included alongside breakfast daily and seven dinners. This tour suits repeat rail travelers, couples, and those seeking guided comfort and premium mountain scenery, though the Mobility Rating 3 indicates participants should be comfortable with altitude and heritage railway travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour includes Mobility Rating 3; free days at Mount Pilatus involve walking and exploration at high altitude, and passengers must be comfortable with funicular and cogwheel railway journeys.
  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; check with Vacations By Rail for travel to and from London or your gateway city.
  • No current departure dates are listed in the operator's provided information; confirm availability and dates directly with Vacations By Rail.

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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Boat cruise across Lake Brienz followed by funicular ascent to the Belle Epoque Grandhotel Giessbach.
  • Day 3Steam-hauled Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway climbs over 7,000 feet from Brienz.
  • Day 4Glacier Express in First Class panoramic carriage with two-course lunch onboard, crossing the Albula Line to St. Moritz.
  • Day 5Bernina Express ascends the Bernina Pass, passes the Palu Glacier and Brusio spiral viaduct, descending into Tirano, Italy.
  • Day 6Europe's steepest cogwheel railway, the Pilatusbahn, carries the group from Lucerne up to Hotel Pilatus-Kulm at the summit.

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

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus First Class, the Glacier Express in First Class panoramic carriages, the Bernina Express in First Class, heritage mountain railways, and all rail, ferry, and coach travel throughout the tour.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Escorted. A Tour Manager accompanies the group from start to finish and leads all guided tours and excursions.
What are the main hotels?
Grandhotel Giessbach in Giessbach (2 nights), Hotel Steffani in St. Moritz (2 nights), Hotel Pilatus-Kulm on Mount Pilatus (2 nights), and Sorell Hotel Tamina in Bad Ragaz. All are four-star properties.
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day, one lunch (onboard the Glacier Express), and seven dinners. Eurostar light meals are also provided.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance, flights, and airport transfers are not included. Optional room upgrades with waterfall views at Grandhotel Giessbach are available at extra cost.

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