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Leger Holidays · Escorted tour

Glacier Express Christmas Magic by Rail

Swiss alpine rail circle during Christmas, featuring the Glacier Express train

Illustration of Glacier Express Christmas Magic by Rail

Leger Holidays' Glacier Express Christmas Magic takes you through Switzerland during the festive season from December 23 to 28. The 6-day journey departs from London via Eurostar, traveling through Paris and Basel before reaching Interlaken, your base for five nights at the Carlton-Europe Hotel. The itinerary centers on some of Europe's most celebrated rail journeys: a cruise on Lake Thun on Christmas Eve, a horse-drawn carriage ride through Interlaken on Christmas Day, the legendary Glacier Express through the alpine heart of Switzerland on Boxing Day, and a trip to the summit of Mount Rigi by cogwheel railway with a Lake Lucerne cruise. Traditional Swiss Christmas dinners with wine are included on December 24 and 25. An experienced Tour Manager escorts the group throughout, and all train travel, hotel stays, and most meals are arranged. This package suits rail enthusiasts and couples seeking a festive getaway with a mix of scenic rail travel and Swiss alpine attractions.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip runs only in late December (departures shown are Dec 23-28); confirm exact dates with Leger Holidays before booking
  • Day 1 is an unguided arrival: you make your own way to London St. Pancras and travel independently to Interlaken, where the Tour Manager meets you

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken, Switzerland

    Make your own way to London St. Pancras International, board Eurostar to Paris, then the high-speed train to Basel and onward train to Interlaken. (Dec 23)

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken, Switzerland

    Bern & Lake Thun Cruise

    Today we travel by train to Bern, then take the train to Thun for a cruise on Lake Thun, returning to Interlaken by train. Traditional Swiss Christmas Eve dinner with wine included. (Christmas Eve)

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Interlaken, Switzerland

    Horse and Carriage Ride & Interlaken

    Merry Christmas! Horse-drawn carriage ride along the famous Höhematte to the old town centre, then a special Christmas dinner this evening. (Christmas Day)

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Interlaken, Switzerland

    Glacier Express

    We travel by train to Chur and board the legendary Glacier Express to Brig, through the alpine heart of Switzerland, then travel back to Interlaken by train. (Boxing Day)

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Interlaken, Switzerland

    Lucerne, Lake Lucerne Cruise, Cogwheel Railway & Mount Rigi

    We take the Interlaken Express train to Lucerne, visiting the Chapel Bridge, then a boat trip on Lake Lucerne and the cogwheel railway up Mount Rigi. We travel by train back to Interlaken. (Dec 27)

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6rail

    We depart in the morning, retracing our route to Paris for our return journey by Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International. (Dec 28)

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Train journey to Bern, then by train to Thun for a cruise on Lake Thun, returning to Interlaken by train on Christmas Eve
  • Day 3Day 3: Horse-drawn carriage ride along the Höhematte to Interlaken's old town centre on Christmas Day
  • Day 4Day 4: The legendary Glacier Express travels from Chur through the alpine heart of Switzerland to Brig on Boxing Day
  • Day 5Day 5: The Mount Rigi cogwheel railway ascends the mountain from Lake Lucerne after a cruise and visit to the Chapel Bridge

Included

  • Return Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Paris
  • Connecting rail journeys
  • 5 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • 3 evening meals
  • 2 traditional Swiss Christmas dinners with wine
  • Rail transfers for excursions
  • Services of an experienced Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes return Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Paris, all connecting rail journeys, the Glacier Express from Chur to Brig, the Mount Rigi cogwheel railway, and rail transfers for excursions.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Leger Holidays provides an experienced Tour Manager throughout the trip. Day 1 travel to Interlaken is independent; the Tour Manager meets you at the hotel.
What is included in the price?
Return Eurostar, connecting trains, 5 nights at the Carlton-Europe Hotel in Interlaken with continental breakfast, 3 evening meals (including two traditional Swiss Christmas dinners with wine), rail transfers for excursions, and the Tour Manager's services.
How much walking is involved?
These tours are active and require comfortable walking for at least 40 minutes, including stairs and station transfers while carrying your own luggage. Multiple train changes are involved.
What cities and attractions are included?
You stay in Interlaken and visit Bern, Thun, Lucerne, Chur, and Brig. Excursions include Lake Thun and Lake Lucerne cruises, a horse-drawn carriage ride in Interlaken, and Mount Rigi via cogwheel railway.
When does this trip run?
The tour is scheduled for December 23 to 28, during the Christmas season.

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