Is this trip guided or independent?

It is self-guided, with 24/7 phone support if you need help, rather than an escorted tour.

Which named trains are included?

The GoldenPass Express (Interlaken to Montreux), the Glacier Express (Zermatt to St. Moritz), the Bernina Express (St. Moritz to Lugano, train and bus) and the Gotthard Panorama Express (Lugano to Lucerne, 1st class).

Where does the trip start and end?

It starts and ends near Zurich, with the first and last nights in Lucerne and stops in Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz and Lugano in between.

What hotels are used?

The evidence names Hauser Hotel St. Moritz in St. Moritz and Hotel Hermitage with no city given. Hotels for the other stops are not specified.

How much does it cost?

Prices start from 2,490 EUR per person, about $2,851 USD, roughly $317 per day.

Do hotels help with station transfers?

One past traveler review mentions being picked up from the station by the hotels in Zermatt and St. Moritz, and reaching the Lugano hotel via a funicular from the station, though this is not listed as a guaranteed service in the official inclusions.

Authentic Europe · Self-guided

Grand Tour of Switzerland by train

Self-guided 9-day Swiss rail loop on four named panoramic trains

Authentic Europe runs this self-guided, 9-day, 8-night rail trip around Switzerland, built entirely around four named panoramic trains. The trip starts with a transfer to Lucerne, where day 2 is a day at leisure, then moves quickly through one-night stops: Interlaken on day 3, Montreux on day 4 via the GoldenPass Express, Zermatt on day 5, and St. Moritz on day 6 via the Glacier Express. Day 7 continues on the Bernina Express to Lugano, and day 8 returns to Lucerne on the Gotthard Panorama Express in 1st class, before the trip ends with the return to Zurich airport on day 9. There is no guide traveling with you; Authentic Europe provides 24/7 phone support instead, and travelers handle each hotel and station transfer using the electronic itinerary and vouchers provided. Luggage transportation is included on the trains between Interlaken and Lucerne. This suits travelers who want the structure of fixed hotels and pre-booked, reserved seats on Switzerland's best-known scenic trains, without a guide setting the pace.

What to know before you look closer

Hotel Hermitage is listed with no city given, and the evidence names a specific hotel for only one other stop, St. Moritz (Hauser Hotel St. Moritz). Confirm accommodation for Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt and Lugano with Authentic Europe before booking.
Luggage transportation is included only on the trains starting in Interlaken and ending in Lucerne, days 3 to 8. It is not stated whether luggage is handled on day 1's transfer to Lucerne or day 9's return to Zurich airport.
The overall transport list includes a boat alongside the train, but the day-by-day itinerary does not say on which day a boat is used.
No current departure dates are listed in the evidence available to us; confirm availability with Authentic Europe.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Lucerne
Arrival at Zurich airport and transfer to Lucerne
Day 2overnight: Lucerne
Day at leisure in Lucerne
Day 3railovernight: Interlaken
Train from Lucerne to Interlaken
Day 4railovernight: Montreux
Goldenpass Express train to Montreux
Day 5overnight: Zermatt
Travel from Montreux to Zermatt
Day 6railovernight: St.Moritz
Board the Glacier Express and travel to St. Moritz
Day 7railovernight: Lugano
Travel on the Bernina Express to Lugano
Day 8railovernight: Lucerne
Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Lucerne
Day 9
Final day & travel to Zurich airport

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3The trip travels by train from Lucerne to Interlaken.
Day 4The GoldenPass Express carries travelers to Montreux.
Day 6The Glacier Express carries travelers from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
Day 7The Bernina Express carries travelers from St. Moritz to Lugano.
Day 8The Gotthard Panorama Express carries travelers from Lugano back to Lucerne.

Included

8 nights hotel accommodation in a standard room with private shower/WC, including breakfast
Rail journeys and touring as per day-to-day itinerary
Luggage transportation service on the trains starting in Interlaken and ending in Lucerne
Seat reservation on the GoldenPass Express (Interlaken - Montreux)
Seat reservation on the Glacier Express (Zermatt - St. Moritz)
Seat reservation on the Bernina Express train & bus (St. Moritz - Lugano)
Seat reservation in first class on the Gotthard Panorama Express (Lugano - Lucerne)
Electronic travel documentation, including a detailed travel itinerary and travel vouchers
24/7 Emergency phone service while travelling

Not included

Tourist taxes (paid locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is this trip guided or independent?: It is self-guided, with 24/7 phone support if you need help, rather than an escorted tour.
Which named trains are included?: The GoldenPass Express (Interlaken to Montreux), the Glacier Express (Zermatt to St. Moritz), the Bernina Express (St. Moritz to Lugano, train and bus) and the Gotthard Panorama Express (Lugano to Lucerne, 1st class).
Where does the trip start and end?: It starts and ends near Zurich, with the first and last nights in Lucerne and stops in Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz and Lugano in between.
What hotels are used?: The evidence names Hauser Hotel St. Moritz in St. Moritz and Hotel Hermitage with no city given. Hotels for the other stops are not specified.
How much does it cost?: Prices start from 2,490 EUR per person, about $2,851 USD, roughly $317 per day.
Do hotels help with station transfers?: One past traveler review mentions being picked up from the station by the hotels in Zermatt and St. Moritz, and reaching the Lugano hotel via a funicular from the station, though this is not listed as a guaranteed service in the official inclusions.

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Authentic Europe