How much does it cost?

From CHF 459 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $563 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Only in one place. This is a self-drive car tour; the only rail included is getting into and out of car-free Zermatt, and travellers can optionally take the 'Train des vignes' through the Lavaux vineyards on day 6.

Is it escorted or independent?

It's independent. The tour is described as a 'Self-drive tour'; you drive yourself between hotels with no guide mentioned in the itinerary.

No. The evidence states 'you drive in your own car or a hire car'; the included list covers hotel nights with breakfast only, not a vehicle.

What hotels are included?

One night each in a 3-star hotel in Geneva, Gstaad, Lucerne, Zermatt and Montreux, in a standard double room with breakfast. The evidence does not name the specific properties.

What is not included?

Excursions named in the itinerary, such as Glacier 3000, the Eggishorn cable car, Gornergrat or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the VerticAlp Emosson detour, and the Lavaux wine tasting, are all listed as optional extras at extra cost.

railtour suisse · Self-drive tour

Grand Tour of Switzerland - Round trip west by car

Self-drive road trip through western Switzerland with a car-free Zermatt shuttle

railtour suisse runs this 6-day self-drive tour through the western part of Switzerland, one section of the country-wide Grand Tour of Switzerland route that the operator says 'can also be booked in sections by train'. Travellers pick up their own car or a hire car in Geneva and drive through Fribourg and Gruyères to Gstaad, on to Bern and Lucerne, over the Furka Pass to car-free Zermatt, and finally to Montreux, with a night in a 3-star hotel at each stop. The only rail travel built into the route is the shuttle train needed to enter Zermatt, where cars are left behind, plus an optional ride on the 'Train des vignes' through the Lavaux vineyards on the last day. Optional add-ons along the way, from the Glacier 3000 suspension bridge to the Eggishorn cable car, let travellers choose how much high-altitude sightseeing to add. This suits independent, self-directed travellers who want to plan their own pace rather than follow a guide.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at CHF 459 every time.

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. 2 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.

One reading is held out of the price above and this history: an unconfirmed large change. We only price on the operator's package from-price, read from its own page.

What to know before you look closer

This is a self-drive tour, not a rail journey: you drive your own car or a hire car for almost the whole route, and the only rail included is the shuttle train needed to reach car-free Zermatt.
Several of the tour's headline excursions are optional extras at additional cost, including Glacier 3000, the Eggishorn cable car, the Gornergrat or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the VerticAlp Emosson detour, and the Lavaux wine tasting.
Some day descriptions in the operator's itinerary are cut off before the final details (marked '…' on days 2 and 3), so confirm the complete daily route with railtour suisse before booking.
The evidence names no specific hotels, only that each stop is a 3-star hotel with a standard double room and breakfast; ask railtour suisse which properties are used.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Geneva
Arrival in Geneva
Travel by car to your booked hotel in Geneva. Discover the idyllic city on Lake Geneva, the second largest lake in Europe after Lake Constance. Geneva is home to the European headquarters of the UN and is also the headquarters of the Red Cross. The famous Jet d'Eau, the 140 m high water fountain, is a first port of call in the harbour. The historic old town and the magnificent views of the mountain ranges and even Mont Blanc are also stunning. Other tips for your stay in Geneva include a boat trip on Lake Geneva, crowned with a unique panorama. For shopping fans, we recommend the Rue du Rhône with its luxury and high-end brands; fashion shops, jewellers, watchmakers and fine chocolates more than live up to their excellent reputation. Overnight stay in Geneva.
Day 2overnight: Gstaad
Geneva - Gstaad (approx. 230 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Followed by an enjoyable drive along Lake Geneva and Lac de Joux through unspoilt landscapes and the beauty of the Jura. Continue to Fribourg, one of the largest medieval towns, beautifully situated on a rocky outcrop. The old town with more than 200 unique Gothic façades dating back to the 15th century gives the city an unrivalled charm. One of the highlights is Fribourg Cathedral, where you can climb the 74-metre-high tower and enjoy an incomparable panoramic view. The next stop on the journey is Gruyères with its majestic castle and small old town with pretty restaurants. Plan time to visit the Château St. Germain with its surreal works by HR Giger or the 'Maison du Gruyère' cheese dairy. The last stage takes you to the world-famous holiday resort of Gstaad, where you will spend the night today.
Day 3overnight: Lucerne
Gstaad - Lucerne (approx. 230 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Take the opportunity to visit Glacier 3000 and the 107-metre-long suspension bridge with impressive views of the Matterhorn, the Mont Blanc massif, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Continue via Spiez to Interlaken, where a boat trip on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz promises another highlight. The journey continues along the right bank of Lake Thun to Thun and Bern. A visit to Bern's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its 6 km of arcades is an invitation to shop whatever the weather. From Bern, the journey leads through the dreamy Emmental valley to Affoltern with the opportunity to visit the show dairy and through the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve to Lucerne. The city is a popular excursion destination thanks to its unique location on Lake Lucerne, the many sights such as the Chapel Bridge and the Water Tower and the attractive shopping facilities. Overnight stay in Lucerne.
Day 4railovernight: Zermatt
Lucerne - Zermatt (approx. 200 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel along Lake Lucerne and Lake Uri to Altdorf. Possibility for a mountain excursion to the Pilatus, the Stanserhorn, the Bürgenstock or the Rigi. The journey continues to Andermatt and over the 2,430 metre high Furka Pass into Valais. An absolute highlight is the excursion from Fiesch by cable car and aerial cableway to the Eggishorn at 2,926 metres, which is part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can enjoy a spectacular 360° mountain panorama. You should not miss out on a short walk of approx. 20 minutes to the main summit before returning to the valley and the last stage by car to Täsch. Park your car here and take the train to the world-famous mountain village of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn in around 12 minutes. Take your time for a stroll through Zermatt. The charming chalets and the many shops give Zermatt a rustic and cosy atmosphere. Overnight stay in Zermatt.
Day 5railovernight: Montreux
Zermatt - Montreux (approx. 200 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. You should make time for an excursion to the Gornergrat or the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in the eternal snow. The train takes you back to Täsch, where you continue your journey by car via Sierre, Sion to Martigny. If time permits, we recommend a detour to Le Châtelard. The VerticAlp Emosson promises an unforgettable experience with a spectacular view of Mont Blanc. The last stage takes you to Montreux. A visit to Chillon Castle, combined with a walk along the lakeside promenade, is not to be missed. Overnight stay in Montreux.
Day 6rail
Return journey
Breakfast at the hotel. A visit to the vineyard terraces of the Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage Site, including a tasting of the excellent wines, is a 'must'. Good starting points for a short hike are Chexbres, Saint-Saphorin, Cully, Epesses and Grandvaux. The excursion is also particularly comfortable on the blue and yellow 'Train des vignes', the train that winds its way up from Vevey through the lush green vineyards to Puidoux-Chexbres in twelve minutes. Individual journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1In Geneva, the famous Jet d'Eau, described as 'the 140m high water fountain', is a first stop in the harbour.
Day 3An optional visit to Glacier 3000 crosses its '107-metre-long suspension bridge with views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc massif, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau'.
Day 4An optional cable car from Fiesch climbs to the Eggishorn at 2,926 metres, part of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a '360° mountain panorama'.
Day 6A visit to the Lavaux UNESCO World Heritage vineyard terraces includes a wine tasting, reachable on the 'Train des vignes', which 'winds up from Vevey through the vineyards to Puidoux-Chexbres in twelve minutes'.

Included

1 night in Geneva, 3* hotel, standard double room with breakfast
1 night in Gstaad, 3* hotel, standard double room with breakfast
1 night in Lucerne, 3* hotel, standard double room with breakfast
1 night in Zermatt, 3* hotel, standard double room with breakfast
1 night in Montreux, 3* hotel, standard double room with breakfast

Not included

Car / hire car
Fuel and road tolls
Optional excursions (Glacier 3000, Eggishorn cable car, VerticAlp Emosson, boat trips, etc.)

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From CHF 459 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $563 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Only in one place. This is a self-drive car tour; the only rail included is getting into and out of car-free Zermatt, and travellers can optionally take the 'Train des vignes' through the Lavaux vineyards on day 6.
Is it escorted or independent?: It's independent. The tour is described as a 'Self-drive tour'; you drive yourself between hotels with no guide mentioned in the itinerary.
Is a car included?: No. The evidence states 'you drive in your own car or a hire car'; the included list covers hotel nights with breakfast only, not a vehicle.
What hotels are included?: One night each in a 3-star hotel in Geneva, Gstaad, Lucerne, Zermatt and Montreux, in a standard double room with breakfast. The evidence does not name the specific properties.
What is not included?: Excursions named in the itinerary, such as Glacier 3000, the Eggishorn cable car, Gornergrat or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the VerticAlp Emosson detour, and the Lavaux wine tasting, are all listed as optional extras at extra cost.