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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

GoldenPass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau in Winter

Eight-day Swiss winter rail loop from London via Montreux, Chamonix, Interlaken

Illustration of GoldenPass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau in Winter

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted winter journey from London St Pancras through France and Switzerland, ending in Basel. The tour splits time between the lakeside town of Montreux on Lake Geneva and the Alpine hub of Interlaken, with four named trains at its core: the GoldenPass Express panoramic route from Montreux to Interlaken (opened in December 2022), the Mont Blanc Express climbing into Chamonix, the Jungfrau Express ascending to Europe's highest train station, and the Bernese Oberland Railway through the foothills. Days are structured around guided excursions and free time, starting with Château de Chillon on Day 2, a cable car and train ascent to Jungfraujoch on Day 5, and a lake cruise from Thun on Day 7. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group throughout. Accommodation is four-star in both locations, and the Swiss Half Fare Card grants 50% rail and cable car discounts on your free day. This suits repeat rail travellers, couples, and those seeking guided comfort with daily transport by named scenic trains.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is GBP 400, raising the single room cost to GBP 3,099; confirm this is acceptable before booking alone.
  • Day 6 is unguided; the itinerary lists activity options (Wengen, Mürren, Lucerne, Lake Brienz) but you arrange your own transport using the Swiss Half Fare Card.
  • Accommodation is listed as Royal Plaza Montreux and Spa (3 nights) and Hotel Metropole Interlaken (4 nights); both are four-star, and a room upgrade option exists at Interlaken.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux

    A scenic Swiss beginning in Lake Geneva

    Arrive at London St Pancras International and meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Board the Eurostar to France and enjoy a light meal in Eurostar Plus before arriving in Paris. Switch to the high-speed TGV in First Class carriages, travelling to Lausanne in Switzerland. A short transfer by train arrives in Montreux, checking in to the lakefront hotel for three nights. Tonight, enjoy the first group dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Montreux

    Touring the fairytale Château de Chillon

    Enjoy breakfast with views of Lake Geneva before taking a trolleybus along the lake shore to Villeneuve. A guide leads a tour of Château de Chillon, a romantic medieval castle formerly occupied by the House of Savoy. Free time to explore Montreux, including its promenade with statues of Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky and Freddie Mercury. Optional traditional Swiss fondue dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    Mont Blanc Express across the Alps to Chamonix

    Travel by train across the snow-clad Alps to France. From Martigny, join the Mont Blanc Express, which clings to dramatic mountainsides above spectacular gorges. Arrive in Chamonix with a few hours of free time to explore. Optional visit to the Mer de Glace Glacier on the Montenvers-Mer de Glace cogwheel railway. Return to Montreux in the late afternoon for dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Interlaken

    The GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken

    Board the royal blue and gold panoramic carriages of the GoldenPass Express for a wintry journey across the Swiss Highlands. The train winds uphill from Montreux with Lake Geneva in the background, through the Pays-d'Enhaut highlands and past Gstaad, before emerging beside Lake Thun at Spiez and arriving at Interlaken. Enjoy a light lunch of local produce and wine on board. Check in to the central Interlaken hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Interlaken

    Gondola to the spectacular 'Top of Europe'

    Take the train to Grindelwald, then board the Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher station with panoramic views of the north face of the Eiger. Board the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station at the 'Top of Europe', with views of the Aletsch Glacier. Free time to explore or have lunch at one of the restaurants. Descend via the Jungfrau Express through the Mönch and Eiger mountains, then by cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg, train to Lauterbrunnen and back to Interlaken. Three-course dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Interlaken

    Exploring the Bernese Oberland at leisure

    Free day to explore as you wish. Options include visiting mountain resorts of Wengen and Mürren using the Swiss Half Fare Card, travelling by rail to Lucerne via the Brünig Pass, exploring Lake Brienz and the village of Brienz, or exploring Interlaken itself.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Interlaken

    Uncover Thun and cruise the length of the lake

    Travel by train to Thun, a typical Swiss town dominated by its 12th-century castle. Time to explore its medieval centre and covered wooden bridges. Return to Interlaken by boat cruising the length of Lake Thun, passing serene villages, alpine peaks and fairytale castles. Free time before a three-course dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    After a final breakfast, travel by train to Basel, then board the high-speed TGV in First Class to Paris. Transfer to Eurostar Plus carriages, enjoying a light meal at seats before arriving at London St Pancras International.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Château de Chillon, a 12th-century medieval castle on Lake Geneva's shore, formerly home to the House of Savoy.
  • Day 3The Mont Blanc Express clings to mountainsides above dramatic gorges on the journey from Martigny to Chamonix, with views of the Alps in winter dress.
  • Day 4The GoldenPass Express departs Montreux in royal blue and gold panoramic carriages, winding through the Pays-d'Enhaut highlands and past Gstaad before reaching Interlaken.
  • Day 5The Jungfrau Express ascends to Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres, Europe's highest train station, with views of the Aletsch Glacier and surrounding mountain peaks.
  • Day 7A boat cruise across Lake Thun from Thun's medieval centre passes serene villages, alpine peaks and lakeside castles before returning to Interlaken.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Plus travel
  • First & Standard Class rail travel (First & Standard Class options available)
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 5 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • Swiss Half Fare Card permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras, TGV First Class from Paris to Lausanne and Basel to Paris, the GoldenPass Express, Mont Blanc Express, Jungfrau Express, Eiger Express (cable car), Bernese Oberland Railway, and Wengernalp Railway. A Swiss Half Fare Card is provided for 50% discounts on free days.
Is this escorted or independent?
It is escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the eight days, guided tours of Château de Chillon and Jungfraujoch, and group luggage transfers. Day 6 is free time to explore at your own pace.
What are the main hotels?
The Royal Plaza Montreux and Spa (four-star, 3 nights on Lake Geneva) and Hotel Metropole Interlaken (four-star, 4 nights in the town centre). Room upgrades are available at Interlaken.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, one lunch (on the GoldenPass Express), five dinners, and light meals aboard Eurostar Plus on Days 1 and 8.
When does the tour run?
Departures are offered in December 2026, January 2027, February 2027, and March 2027.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes city walking in Montreux and Thun, a guided tour of Château de Chillon, and exploration of mountain stations. The ascent to Jungfraujoch requires manageable steps at high altitude (3,454 metres). Cable cars and trains handle steep terrain.

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