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Switzerland Travel Centre · Bahnreise

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Alpen Rivieren

Five Swiss trains through Alps, lakes, and Tessin in five days

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Alpen Rivieren

Switzerland Travel Centre's five-day Grand Train Tour of Switzerland takes you through five different named trains across Alpine scenery, lakeside towns, and Mediterranean valleys. The journey departs Luzern on the Luzern-Interlaken Express, continues via the GoldenPass Express to Montreux on Lake Geneva, reaches Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn, then traverses the Centovalli-Bahn through the Valley of One Hundred Valleys into Italy and back to Locarno, and concludes with the Gotthard Panorama Express in first class to Flüelen, finishing with a historic paddle steamer back to Luzern. Each day combines train travel (ranging from 1 hour 50 minutes to 5 hours) with free time to explore towns and landscapes. Accommodation for four nights is included. This itinerary suits first-time rail travellers seeking a sampler of Switzerland's most celebrated routes, repeat visitors who want to check different lines, and photographers drawn to panorama cars and mountain vistas.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 3 overnight in Zermatt is a single night; confirm whether your booking includes a hotel or is rail-and-room only.
  • The pack lists starting point as Luzern and ending point as Flüelen; confirm whether your trip includes transport to Luzern or returns from Flüelen to your home city.
  • No departure dates are published in the operator's information; contact Switzerland Travel Centre to confirm availability.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Anreise nach Interlaken

    Du reist mit den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln nach Luzern. Weiter geht es mit dem Luzern-Interlaken Express nach Interlaken. Fahrtzeit: ca. 1h 50min.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montreux

    Fahrt mit dem GoldenPass Express

    Du reist im Panoramawagen des GoldenPass Express nach Montreux an den Genfer See. Fahrtzeit: ca. 3h 15min.

  3. Day 3overnight: Zermatt

    Aufenthalt in Zermatt

    Du fährst mit dem Zug von Montreux nach Zermatt. Hier hast du Zeit das wunderschöne Dorf am Fusse des Matterhorns zu entdecken. Fahrtzeit: ca. 2h 30min.

  4. Day 4overnight: Locarno

    Fahrt mit der Centovalli-Bahn

    Heute fährst du mit der Centovalli-Bahn via Domodossola in Italien nach Locarno und geniesst die schöne Strecke vorbei an zahlreichen Seitentälern. Fahrtzeit: ca. 5h.

  5. Day 5rail

    Fahrt mit dem Gotthard Panorama Express

    Du fährst mit dem Zug nach Bellinzona und dann mit dem Gotthard Panorama Express in der 1. Klasse nach Flüelen. Weiter geht es mit dem historischen Raddampfer nach Luzern. Hier kannst du deinen Aufenthalt verlängern oder die Rückreise zu deinem Endpunkt in der Schweiz antreten. Fahrtzeit: ca. 5h.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart Luzern on the Luzern-Interlaken Express, a 1 hour 50 minute journey to Interlaken.
  • Day 2Travel in the panorama car of the GoldenPass Express for 3 hours 15 minutes to Montreux on Lake Geneva.
  • Day 3Arrive in Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn after a 2 hour 30 minute train journey from Montreux.
  • Day 4Ride the Centovalli-Bahn through the Valley of One Hundred Valleys via Domodossola in Italy to Locarno, a five-hour journey.
  • Day 5Travel on the Gotthard Panorama Express in first class to Flüelen, then board a historic paddle steamer back to Luzern.

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, a train from Montreux to Zermatt, the Centovalli-Bahn from Domodossola to Locarno, and the Gotthard Panorama Express from Bellinzona to Flüelen. The Gotthard segment is in first class. A historic paddle steamer from Flüelen to Luzern is also included on day 5.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
The itinerary shows overnights in five towns but does not mention a guide or group activities, suggesting independent travel between trains.
How much time do I spend on trains?
Day 1: 1 hour 50 minutes; Day 2: 3 hours 15 minutes; Day 3: 2 hours 30 minutes; Day 4: 5 hours; Day 5: 5 hours. Most days include time to explore towns.
What is the cost?
From EUR 1,200 per person (approximately USD 1,374). Train travel and accommodation are included; confirm what meals and transfers from your home are covered.
What are the standout routes?
The GoldenPass Express travels in panorama cars alongside Alpine peaks and Lake Geneva. The Centovalli-Bahn winds through the Valley of One Hundred Valleys. The Gotthard Panorama Express combines train and paddle steamer.

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