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Wexas Travel · Small-Group Escorted Tour

Grand Tour of Switzerland by Rail

Eleven-day Swiss rail circle through Alpine peaks, three signature trains.

Illustration of Grand Tour of Switzerland by Rail

Wexas Travel operates this 11-day escorted tour through Switzerland's Alps and historic cities, beginning with flights to Zürich and ending in Lucerne. A professional tour manager accompanies the group, which travels first-class on three signature trains: the narrow-gauge Bernina Express climbing the Bernina Pass above 2,253 metres through snow-covered peaks and glaciers; the Glacier Express threading dramatic Alpine valleys and ravines; and the GoldenPass Express past glittering lakes and mountain vistas. You spend two nights in Zermatt, headquarters of car-free mountain living, and ride the cogwheel railway to the Gornergrat for Matterhorn views. Longer stays in Zermatt and the Lenkerhof five-star resort in Lenk allow time to explore or relax in the spa. Guided highlights include St Gallen's medieval old town and UNESCO Abbey Library, an Appenzell dairy demonstration with Swiss cheesemaking, and wine tasting at Domaine Bovy. The pace balances train travel with city discovery and Alpine scenery, suited to travellers who prefer organised escorted touring with premium comfort.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most hotels are listed as 'or similar'; your final accommodation depends on availability and the tier selected at booking.
  • Day 8 offers an optional Jungfraujoch excursion (supplement applies) and Day 9 lists optional activities with separate local fees; these are not included in the package price.
  • The tour departs only May through September 2026; confirm availability in your preferred month before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Hotel Glockenhof, Zürich or similar (Superior)

    London to Zürich

    Complimentary airport lounge access before flying to Zürich. Transfer to your hotel, between the Limmat and Sihl rivers near Lake Zürich and the main station, meeting fellow travellers and your guide in the evening.

  2. Day 2overnight: Hotel Walhalla, St Gallen or similar (Superior)

    Zürich to St Gallen

    Visit the Rhine Falls, Europe's biggest and most powerful waterfall, then continue to St Gallen for a guided tour of its medieval old town, with entry to the world-famous Abbey library, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  3. Day 3overnight: Hotel San Gian, St. Moritz or similar (Superior)

    St Gallen to St Moritz

    Stop at the Appenzeller Show Dairy for Swiss cheesemaking with a tasting, pause in colourful Appenzell, then continue via the Principality of Liechtenstein to explore Vaduz before arriving in St Moritz.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Hotel De La Paix, Lugano or similar (Superior)

    St Moritz to Lugano (Bernina Express)

    Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express, climbing over the Bernina Pass to more than 2253 metres through snow-covered peaks and glaciers to Tirano in northern Italy, then a scenic drive along Lake Como into Switzerland's Ticino region to overnight in Lugano.

  5. Day 5railovernight: 4* hotel to be advised, Zermatt (Superior)

    Lugano to Zermatt (Glacier Express)

    Travel via the Gotthard Mountain pass to Andermatt, with time to explore, before boarding the Glacier Express through dramatic valleys, ravines and alpine passes to car-free Zermatt.

  6. Day 6railovernight: 4* hotel to be advised, Zermatt (Superior)

    Zermatt

    Ride the cogwheel railway up to the Gornergrat for views of the Matterhorn. The rest of the day is free to stroll Zermatt's boutique-lined streets.

  7. Day 7railovernight: 4* hotel to be advised, Montreux (Superior)

    Zermatt to Montreux

    A short shuttle train to Täsch, then into French-speaking Switzerland, stopping at Domaine Bovy for a private wine tasting before continuing to lakeside Montreux.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lenkerhof Resort, Lenk or similar (Deluxe)

    Montreux to Lenk (Golden Pass Express)

    Board the GoldenPass train past glittering lakes and alpine peaks to Interlaken, then transfer to Grindelwald to explore, or opt to ascend to the Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station (supplement applies). Continue to Lenk.

  9. Day 9overnight: Lenkerhof Resort, Lenk or similar (Deluxe)

    Lenk

    A free day to relax in the spa facilities of your five-star hotel, or join an optional excursion to Glacier 3000, with the Peak Walk suspension bridge, dog sled rides and an alpine coaster (tickets payable locally).

  10. Day 10overnight: Radisson Blu, Lucerne or similar (Superior)

    Lenk to Lucerne

    Journey via the scenic Brünig mountain pass to Lucerne, arriving by early afternoon, with the rest of the day free to discover the lakeside promenades, wooden bridges and historic old town.

  11. Day 11

    Lucerne to Zurich to UK

    After breakfast, transfer privately to Zurich Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Zurich.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Visit the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall, then tour St Gallen's medieval old town and the world-famous Abbey Library, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Day 4Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express, climbing the Bernina Pass above 2,253 metres through snow-covered peaks and glaciers to Tirano.
  • Day 5Travel the Glacier Express from Andermatt through dramatic valleys, ravines, and Alpine passes to car-free Zermatt.
  • Day 6Ride the Gornergrat cogwheel railway for views of the Matterhorn, then stroll Zermatt's boutique-lined streets.
  • Day 8Board the GoldenPass Express past glittering lakes and alpine peaks to Interlaken, with the option to ascend to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station (supplement applies).

Included

  • Complimentary UK departure airport lounge access
  • Return flights between UK and Zurich
  • Services of a professional tour manager
  • 1st class rail as per itinerary + tour manager assistance throughout
  • 1 night accommodation on BB in Zurich, St. Gallen, St. Moritz, Lugano, Montreux, and Lucerne
  • 2 nights accommodation on BB in Zermatt and Lenk
  • Luxury transportation with driver
  • Luggage transportation service
  • 1st class Rail tickets for rail sectors
  • Seat reservation on Bernina Express (St. Moritz to Lugano)
  • Seat reservation on Glacier Express (Andermatt to Zermatt)
  • Seat reservation on Goldenpass (Montreux to Interlaken)
  • Excursion to Gornergrat
  • Private guided city tour of St Gallen
  • Entrance to Abbey Library in St Gallen
  • Entrance to Appenzell Dairy show
  • Wine tasting experience at Domaine Bovy
  • Additional stops in Rhein Falls, Vaduz, Andermatt, Grindelwald and Gstaad

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. First-class rail is included for all named trains: the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass Express, and Gornergrat cogwheel railway. Seat reservations are pre-booked.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes, a professional tour manager accompanies the group throughout the 11 days. A private guided tour of St Gallen's old town and Abbey Library is included.
What is the accommodation standard?
Hotels are listed as Superior or Deluxe (four and five-star). You stay one night in Zürich, St Gallen, St Moritz, Lugano, Montreux, and Lucerne; two nights each in Zermatt and Lenk.
What is included in the price?
Return UK flights, all first-class rail, accommodation with breakfast, a professional tour manager, luggage transport, private transfers, and entry fees to St Gallen Abbey Library and Appenzell Dairy. Wine tasting at Domaine Bovy and the Gornergrat excursion are included. Meals beyond breakfast and some activities are not included.
How much walking is involved?
Each city offers guided or free walking tours; stairs, cobbled streets, and moderate walking in medieval towns are expected. The Gornergrat cogwheel railway and optional gondola rides reduce the need for steep hiking.
When does the tour depart?
Departures run May through September 2026. Price starts at 5,055 GBP (approximately 6,751 USD).

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