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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Glacier Express & the Majestic Rhine

Swiss alpine rail through Glacier Express, then Rhine cruise to Amsterdam

Illustration of Glacier Express & the Majestic Rhine

Vacations By Rail operates this 11-day escorted journey from Zürich to Amsterdam, combining Alpine rail travel with a luxury Rhine cruise. The trip opens with a First Class train ride to Chur, followed by two nights in Zermatt, the car-free resort town. Day 2 features the celebrated Glacier Express, which climbs through snow-capped peaks and the Swiss Grand Canyon at a deliberately slow pace, allowing passengers to dine at their seats while viewing the Matter Valley and Alpine slopes. Day 3 includes a separate journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railroad, a heritage electric rack railway that reaches above 10,000 feet to frame views of the Matterhorn and 28 other peaks. After descending to Basel by rail, the group boards the MS Amadeus Amara, a five-star river cruise ship, for seven nights sailing the Rhine. The vessel carries travelers through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, past the Lorelei Rock and hilltop castles, to Cologne, Amsterdam, and the Dutch villages of Volendam and Edam. Guided excursions to Heidelberg castle, the Black Forest, and Cologne cathedral are included; optional excursions offer wine tasting and visits to smaller Rhine towns. The tour concludes in Amsterdam with either a canal cruise or a trip to the cheese villages of Volendam and Edam.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price does not include travel insurance or cancellation protection; these can be arranged separately.
  • Standard Class departures include six lunches instead of seven; First and Standard Class rail options are available.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chur

    A beautiful alpine arrival

    Arrive in Zürich and take a First Class rail journey to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town; check into hotel and meet the Tour Manager and group for dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    The iconic Glacier Express to Zermatt

    Board the Glacier Express, the 'slowest express train in the world', through the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', the Furka Base Tunnel and the Matter Valley, dining at the seats, to car-free Zermatt.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Matterhorn views from the Gornergrat Mountain Railroad

    Ride the heritage Gornergrat Mountain Railroad, Switzerland's original electric rack railroad, to over 10,000 feet for views of 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ship

    Boarding our luxurious ship in Basel

    Rail back via Visp, Lake Thun and Spiez to Basel; coach transfer to the waterfront to board the cruise ship, welcome cocktail and dinner, setting sail overnight on the Rhine.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Arrival in Strasbourg with optional Black Forest excursion

    Choice of excursion into the Black Forest or a tour of Strasbourg's cathedral and La Petite France district; free afternoon before returning to the ship.

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship (Rüdesheim)

    Exploring Speyer or Heidelberg

    Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg (castle ruins) or independent time in Speyer; afternoon cruise past Mainz and Wiesbaden to Rüdesheim.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Ship (Koblenz)

    Through the Rhine Gorge from Rüdesheim

    Land-train into Rüdesheim with a choice of wine tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet; sail through the Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock to Koblenz.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Ship (Cologne)

    Riding the scenic Drachenfelsbahn

    Cruise north along the Rhine, pass the world's highest cold-water geyser near Andernach, dock at Königswinter for the Drachenfels Cog Railway, then continue to Cologne.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Exploring Cologne and onward to the Netherlands

    Guided tour of Cologne and its UNESCO-listed cathedral; sail toward the Netherlands overnight.

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Uncovering Amsterdam or Volendam

    Canal sightseeing cruise of Amsterdam, or an optional excursion to Volendam and Edam; farewell gala dinner onboard with a Dutch sea shanty choir.

  11. Day 11

    Traveling home

    Disembark after breakfast and begin the journey home independently.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Glacier Express from Chur to Zermatt, riding through the Swiss Grand Canyon and Furka Base Tunnel with dining at the seats.
  • Day 3Ascend the Gornergrat Mountain Railroad to over 10,000 feet for views of 29 mountaintops, including the Matterhorn.
  • Day 7Sail through the Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage site of castles, forests, and vineyards.
  • Day 8Ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway from Königswinter, then cruise past the world's highest cold-water geyser near Andernach.

Included

  • Tour Manager/Cruise Director team escorted throughout
  • 3 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara, Five-Star service, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First and Standard Class rail options available; all rail and coach travel throughout
  • Breakfast each day, 7 lunches, 10 dinners (6 lunches for Standard Class departures)
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)

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. The package includes First or Standard Class rail travel on the Glacier Express (Chur to Zermatt), the Gornergrat Mountain Railroad, the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, and a return rail journey from Zermatt to Basel before boarding the cruise.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides an escorted tour led by a Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 11 days.
What is included in the price?
Three nights' four-star hotel accommodation, seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Amara (five-star service with complimentary Wi-Fi), all rail and coach travel, breakfast daily, seven lunches, ten dinners, drinks with dinner every cruise night, and guided excursions including Heidelberg, Cologne, and choice excursions in the Black Forest or Strasbourg, Speyer, and the Netherlands.
How much walking is involved?
Mobility Rating 2. Expect city walking tours, stairs, and luggage handling. The Gornergrat ascends to over 10,000 feet and the Drachenfelsbahn is a cog railway; both are accessible rides.
When does this tour run?
The operator does not publish specific departures in the available information; contact Vacations By Rail directly for departure dates.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included but can be arranged.

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