How much does it cost?

From £3,055 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,127 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

This is an independent tour. You receive a handpicked itinerary with pre-booked hotels and train tickets, but no guide accompanies you. Each destination has free time to explore on your own or join optional excursions.

Which trains are included?

Bernina Express (St Moritz to Tirano and back), Glacier Express (St Moritz to Zermatt), GoldenPass Express (Montreux to Interlaken), Lucerne-Interlaken Express (Interlaken to Lucerne), and optional Eurostar (London St Pancras to Paris Nord).

What are the hotel standards?

Great Rail Journeys offers three tiers: 3-star hotels (budget), 4-star hotels (mid-range), and 5-star hotels (luxury). All include bed and breakfast. You choose the tier when booking.

What is not included?

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included. Optional excursions (such as Gornergrat Railway, Jungfrau Express, Mount Pilatus, and Chateau de Chillon tours) cost extra.

Great Rail Journeys · Independent

Grand Tour of Switzerland

Ten-day Swiss rail loop through alpine peaks, glaciers, and lakeside towns.

Great Rail Journeys operates this 10-day independent train tour of Switzerland, departing from Zurich and returning to London. The journey combines five famous European express trains across nine nights in five destinations: St Moritz, Zermatt, Montreux, Interlaken, and Lucerne. On Day 2, you board the Bernina Express, a UNESCO World Heritage route, through panoramic carriages as it ascends the Bernina Pass to over 7,300 feet and crosses the turquoise waters of Lago Bianco. The Glacier Express carries you from St Moritz to Zermatt through the Rhone Valley. The GoldenPass Express takes you from Montreux to Interlaken. The Lucerne-Interlaken Express completes the rail circuit. Hotel accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis, with three tiers available (3-, 4-, and 5-star). Each destination offers a free day to explore or pursue optional excursions at a supplement. The tour suits independent travellers and repeat rail enthusiasts who prefer flexibility within a structured itinerary.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £450 since 4 Jul, to £3,055.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Hotel accommodation varies by tier (3-, 4-, or 5-star options listed); your final hotel depends on the tier and city you select.
Several days are free and unguided; optional excursions (Gornergrat, Jungfrau Express, Mount Pilatus, Chateau de Chillon) cost extra.
The tour begins and ends with flights; the outbound journey involves either a flight to Zurich or a multi-leg rail journey via Eurostar and overnight in Basel.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: St Moritz
Arrival in St Moritz
Fly from London to Zurich, then take the train from the airport via Chur up into the mountains to St Moritz. Alternatively, take the more scenic rail route via Eurostar to Paris and overnight in Basel before continuing to St Moritz.
Day 2railovernight: St Moritz
The Bernina Express
Board the Bernina Express, a 100-year-old UNESCO World Heritage route, ascending the Bernina Pass past Lago Bianco and the Palu Glacier at Alp Grum, descending to Poschiavo and Tirano in Italy, then returning to St Moritz.
Day 3railovernight: Zermatt
The Glacier Express
Board the Glacier Express, 'The Slowest Express Train in the World', climbing to Andermatt and descending the Rhone Valley before arriving in the car-free town of Zermatt.
Day 4railovernight: Zermatt
Exploring Zermatt
Free day in Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn; explore by the Gornergrat cogwheel railway or cable-car, or choose an optional excursion.
Day 5railovernight: Montreux
Zermatt to Montreux
Travel by train from Zermatt through the Rhone Valley to the lakeside town of Montreux on Lake Geneva.
Day 6railovernight: Interlaken
The Golden Pass
Free morning in Montreux, then board the GoldenPass Express through lush valleys and mountains to Interlaken.
Day 7overnight: Interlaken
The Jungfrau Region
Free day in Interlaken between two lakes; take a boat trip, a horse-drawn carriage ride, or an optional excursion into the Jungfrau region.
Day 8railovernight: Lucerne
The Interlaken Express to Lucerne
Take the Interlaken Express, switching to cogwheel technology over the Brunig Pass, past five lakes and waterfalls to Lucerne.
Day 9overnight: Lucerne
Exploring Lake Lucerne
Free day to explore Lucerne's old town, or choose an optional excursion such as Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi.
Day 10rail
Homeward Bound
Train from Lucerne to Zurich airport for the flight back to the UK, or continue home by rail via Basel, Paris and the Eurostar.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Board the Bernina Express through panoramic carriages, ascending the Bernina Pass to over 7,300 feet, passing turquoise Lago Bianco and the Palü Glacier.
Day 3Travel the Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt, climbing to Andermatt at the highest point, then descending the Rhone Valley through green meadows and turquoise river gorges.
Day 4Explore Zermatt with views of the Matterhorn; ride the Gornergrat Railway or cable-car to higher mountains, or walk hiking trails nearby.
Day 6Journey on the GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken through lush valleys, serene lakes, charming villages, and majestic mountains.
Day 8Travel the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, a two-hour journey passing five tranquil lakes, waterfalls, streams, and snowy mountains, with cogwheel technology at Brunig Pass.

Included

9 nights hotel accommodation (Bed and Breakfast)
Standard Class Rail in Switzerland
Return Flights between London and Zurich

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £3,055 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,127 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: This is an independent tour. You receive a handpicked itinerary with pre-booked hotels and train tickets, but no guide accompanies you. Each destination has free time to explore on your own or join optional excursions.
Which trains are included?: Bernina Express (St Moritz to Tirano and back), Glacier Express (St Moritz to Zermatt), GoldenPass Express (Montreux to Interlaken), Lucerne-Interlaken Express (Interlaken to Lucerne), and optional Eurostar (London St Pancras to Paris Nord).
What are the hotel standards?: Great Rail Journeys offers three tiers: 3-star hotels (budget), 4-star hotels (mid-range), and 5-star hotels (luxury). All include bed and breakfast. You choose the tier when booking.
What is not included?: Cancellation and travel insurance are not included. Optional excursions (such as Gornergrat Railway, Jungfrau Express, Mount Pilatus, and Chateau de Chillon tours) cost extra.