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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

GoldenPass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau at Christmas

Eight-day Swiss Alpine rail journey from Geneva to Thun at Christmas

Illustration of GoldenPass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau at Christmas

Vacations By Rail's eight-day escorted tour runs during the Christmas season, beginning in Geneva and concluding in Thun after visiting Montreux, Chamonix, and Interlaken. A tour manager accompanies the group throughout. The itinerary is anchored by three named trains: the GoldenPass Express panoramic route from Montreux to Interlaken weaving through wintry Alpine scenery; the Mont Blanc Express, boarded on Christmas Day en route to Chamonix; and the Jungfrau Railway, which climbs to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, overlooking the Aletsch Glacier. Guests stay four nights in Interlaken and three nights at a waterside hotel in Montreux, with a castle tour, a lake cruise, and time to explore the Bernese Oberland. Daily breakfasts, six dinners including a Christmas Gala dinner, and group luggage transfers are included. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, luxury-seeking couples, and those who prefer guided escorted travel with established routines.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights to and from Geneva and airport transfers are not included in the 3,299 USD price.
  • The tour is Christmas-specific; confirm exact departure dates with Vacations By Rail before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux

    A festive beginning on Lake Geneva

    Fly into Geneva and take the train to Montreux; check into the lakefront hotel and meet the Tour Manager and group for the first dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: Montreux

    Christmas Eve at the fairytale Château de Chillon

    Free morning at Montreux's Christmas markets; trolleybus to Villeneuve for a guided tour of Château de Chillon; Christmas Gala dinner at the hotel.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    Celebrating Christmas on the Mont Blanc Express

    Christmas Day journey via Martigny on the Mont Blanc Express to Chamonix, France, with free time to explore; three-course dinner back at the hotel.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Interlaken

    A breathtaking journey on the GoldenPass Express

    Board the GoldenPass Express panoramic carriages from Montreux via Gstaad and Spiez (Lake Thun) to Interlaken, with a light lunch at the seats.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Interlaken

    The Eiger Express to the spectacular 'Top of Europe'

    Train to Grindelwald, then the Eiger Express gondola and the Jungfrau cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, overlooking the Aletsch Glacier; descend via the Jungfrau Express through Kleine Scheidegg and Lauterbrunnen.

  6. Day 6overnight: Interlaken

    Exploring the Bernese Oberland at leisure

    Free day; options include Wengen and Mürren via the Swiss Half Fare Card, Lake Brienz and Brienz village, or the Harderbahn funicular to Harder Kulm.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Interlaken

    Thun and cruising the length of its lake

    Train to Thun to explore its 12th-century castle and medieval center; cruise the length of Lake Thun back to Interlaken, passing Spiez Castle.

  8. Day 8

    Traveling home

    After breakfast, walk to Interlaken's station and travel to Zürich's airport, where the vacation concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Christmas Eve guided tour of Château de Chillon, a lakeside medieval fortress on Lake Geneva.
  • Day 3Christmas Day aboard the Mont Blanc Express, traveling from Martigny to Chamonix with views of Mont Blanc.
  • Day 4Panoramic GoldenPass Express journey from Montreux through Gstaad and along Lake Thun to Interlaken.
  • Day 5Cable car and cogwheel train ascent to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station, with views of the Aletsch Glacier, then descent via Jungfrau Express.
  • Day 7Cruise across the full length of Lake Thun from Thun to Interlaken, passing Spiez Castle.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • 1st & Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks; all rail and coach travel throughout
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 6 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • Swiss Travel Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

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

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 all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The 3,299 USD from-price includes all rail travel in 1st and Standard Class, the GoldenPass Express, Mont Blanc Express, Jungfrau Railway, and cable cars. It also covers coach and boat travel, and a Swiss Travel Card for 50% discounted fares on free days.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a tour manager from the first day through the last to guide the group and handle logistics.
What is included for meals?
Breakfast every day, one lunch, and six dinners are included. The itinerary notes a Christmas Gala dinner and a three-course dinner in Chamonix.
Where do you stay?
Three nights at the Royal Plaza Montreux and Spa on Lake Geneva and four nights at the Hotel Metropole in Interlaken.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating 2, involving walking at town centers and train stations, cable car rides, and cogwheel train ascents. Day 6 is a free day with optional excursions by rail and funicular.
What is not included?
Flights to Geneva, airport transfers, and travel insurance are not included. Insurance can be arranged separately.

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