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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Grand Tour of Switzerland

Independent 15-day rail circuit of Switzerland's scenic mountain trains

Illustration of Grand Tour of Switzerland

Railbookers operates this independent, 15-day rail vacation around Switzerland, using a 15-day Swiss Pass to link Zurich, Interlaken, Lausanne, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano and Lucerne. Rather than a single scenic ride, the trip strings together seven named trains and cog railways: the Jungfrau Railway to Europe's highest station, the Golden Pass Line to Lausanne, the Gornergrat Cog Railway above Zermatt, the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express to Lugano, the Gotthard Panorama Express to Lucerne, and the Mount Pilatus cog railway. Interlaken gets three nights and most other stops get two, so there's time to also use the Swiss Pass for lake cruises on Thun, Brienz, Geneva and Lugano. With no included guided tours and some days marked as free to enjoy at your own pace, the trip suits independent travelers who want the rail journeys themselves, rather than city sightseeing, to be the main event.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Gotthard Panorama Express, used on day 13, only runs April to October.
  • Between mid-October and early December the Glacier Express does not run; that leg is made on local trains instead.
  • Hotels are chosen from 39 options across price tiers and cities (for example Baur Au Lac or Crowne Plaza Zurich in Zurich), so which property you get depends on the tier and city you pick.
  • The evidence gives no current departure dates; confirm availability and pricing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Welcome to the heart of Europe! Once you arrive in Zurich, check into your hotel for an overnight stay. Spend time strolling through Zurich's Altstadt or Old Town, framed by alpine mountains along both banks of the Limmat River.

  2. Day 2overnight: Interlaken

    Zurich to Interlaken

    The day is free to enjoy at your leisure. Travel to Interlaken via Bern when you please; the trip takes about two hours. Situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, spend the evening exploring Hoheweg, the main street of Interlaken.

  3. Day 3overnight: Interlaken

    Interlaken

    Today, spend your time using your included Swiss Pass. Go for a cruise on either Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, embark on a day trip to Meiringen, take the funicular line to the top of Harder Kulm, or cross the Panoramabrucke Sigriswil.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Interlaken

    Jungfrau/Interlaken

    After breakfast this morning, you will climb to Europe's highest altitude railway station on Jungfrau Mountain, via Kleine Scheidegg and Eigergletscher. At Jungfraujoch, take in the views of the Black Forest and Vosges Mountains, and the glacier and ice gallery.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lausanne

    Golden Pass to Lausanne

    Take the iconic Golden Pass Line from Interlaken to lakeside Lausanne, through picturesque views of the Alps and the Romandie region. Visit Riponne place, Palais de Rumine, Gothic Old Town, and the streets of la Cite.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lausanne

    Lausanne

    Use your Swiss Pass and enjoy a cruise over Lake Geneva to Evian. Explore Lausanne's Palud Place, pedestrian-friendly Bourg Street, and the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame. Try Swiss flavors like cheese fondue, Cordon Bleu, and smoked fera.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt

    Take a scenic train ride to Zermatt today via Visp and check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend the rest of the day exploring this pedestrianized village shadowed by the Matterhorn.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt/Gornergrat

    Today, use your Swiss Pass to take a ride on the Gornergrat Cog Railway, which climbs from 5,262 feet above sea level. From the top, take in panoramas of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks and glaciers.

  9. Day 9railovernight: St. Moritz

    Glacier Express to St. Moritz

    Take the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz, enjoying the full length of this famed rail journey with views of the Alps, valleys, forests, and mountain streams. (Between mid-Oct and early Dec the Glacier Express does not run; the journey is made on local trains.)

  10. Day 10overnight: St. Moritz

    St. Moritz

    Beyond the slopes, St. Moritz offers plenty of attractions with more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Take a scenic day trip in the Graubunden region using your Swiss Pass or ride the local funicular to Piz Nair (not included).

  11. Day 11railovernight: Lugano

    Bernina Express to Lugano

    Board the Bernina Express through gorgeous mountain scenery, past glaciers, the Bernina Pass, and Lago Bianco down toward Poschiavo. In Tirano, Italy, board the Bernina Express Bus and traverse through Valtellina to Lugano.

  12. Day 12overnight: Lugano

    Lugano

    Today, take advantage of your Swiss Pass and enjoy a cruise on Lake Lugano (Lake Ceresio) in the afternoon sunshine, seeing quaint towns along the bank. Try local dishes at grotto lakeside restaurants or shop and stroll the flower-lined promenade.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Lucerne

    Gotthard Panorama Express to Lucerne

    Experience the historic Gotthard Panorama Express to Fluelen and then a historic paddle steamer cruise to Lucerne, all in first class. In Lucerne, visit the Rosengart Collection and the Glacier Garden.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Lucerne

    Mount Pilatus/Lucerne

    Visit Mount Pilatus, ascending by cog railway. On a clear day, see 73 alpine peaks and stunning blue lakes. Go for a short hike, relax on the terrace, or enjoy world-class cuisine, then descend by air gondola or cable car.

  15. Day 15rail

    End Of Tour

    Take a direct train to the airport in Zurich, or anywhere else in Switzerland covered by your included Swiss Pass, and continue with your onward travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4The train climbs via Kleine Scheidegg and Eigergletscher to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, with views of the glacier and ice gallery.
  • Day 8The Gornergrat Cog Railway climbs from 5,262 feet above sea level, giving panoramas of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks and glaciers.
  • Day 9The Glacier Express runs its full length from Zermatt to St. Moritz, passing the Alps, valleys, forests and mountain streams.
  • Day 11The Bernina Express crosses the Bernina Pass and passes Lago Bianco on its UNESCO-listed route toward Lugano.
  • Day 14Mount Pilatus is reached by cog railway, with views of 73 alpine peaks on a clear day, then a descent by air gondola or cable car.

Included

  • 15-day Swiss Pass
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 3 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Interlaken
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lausanne
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in St Moritz
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lugano
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lucerne
  • All necessary reservation fees and supplements in Switzerland

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, a 15-day Swiss Pass covers rail travel throughout, including named scenic trains such as the Jungfrau Railway, Golden Pass Line, Gornergrat Cog Railway, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express and Mount Pilatus cog railway, all in First Class.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's independent; the evidence lists no guided tours, and several days, for example day 2 to Interlaken, are described as free to enjoy at your own pace.
What hotels are used?
A choice of 39 accommodation options across the seven stop cities, for example Baur Au Lac and Park Hyatt Zurich in Zurich, or The Hey Hotel in Interlaken.
Which cities does the trip visit?
Zurich, Interlaken, Lausanne, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano and Lucerne over 15 days.
Does the Glacier Express always run?
It runs most of the year, but not between mid-October and early December; during that window the Zermatt to St. Moritz leg is made on local trains instead.
How much walking is involved?
A short hike at the top of Mount Pilatus is mentioned; most of the trip is spent on trains, cog railways, cable cars and gondolas rather than on foot.

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