Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: An Escorted Experience

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: An Escorted Experience, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

A 11-day escorted train tour through Switzerland. Aboard iconic rail lines through the Swiss Alps and soak in the majestic landscapes as you embark on this grand tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zürich

    Welcome to Switzerland

    Arrive at Zürich Airport and make your way to the hotel; meet the Tour Manager and group for a first dinner together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Grindelwald

    To Grindelwald in the heart of the Swiss Alps

    Lucerne-Interlaken Express over the Brünig Pass and along Lake Brienz to Interlaken, continuing to Grindelwald.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Grindelwald

    Riding the Jungfrau Express to the "Top of Europe"

    Cog railway to Kleine Scheidegg, then the Jungfrau Express through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch (11,000+ ft), including the Sphinx observation deck and Ice Palace.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Vevey

    GoldenPass Express to Lake Geneva

    GoldenPass Express panoramic train from Interlaken via Gstaad and Lake Geneva to Montreux, continuing to Vevey.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    Along Swiss valleys to Zermatt

    Scenic train through the Matter Valley from Vevey to the car-free resort of Zermatt.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zermatt

    Matterhorn views from the Gornergrat Mountain Railway

    Gornergrat Mountain Railway (Switzerland's original electric rack railway, opened 1898) to over 10,000ft for views of 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Bad Ragaz (near Chur)

    The unforgettable Glacier Express to Bad Ragaz

    Glacier Express over the Furka and Oberalp Passes through the "Swiss Grand Canyon", with lunch onboard, arriving in the Chur area; hotel is in nearby Bad Ragaz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lugano

    Crossing to Italy on the Bernina Express

    Bernina Express through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges to Tirano, Italy, then onward transport to Lugano.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Lugano

    Setting sail on a Lake Lugano cruise

    Lake Lugano cruise to the fishing village of Gandria; afternoon at leisure in Lugano.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10railovernight: Lucerne

    Gotthard Panorama Express to lakeside Lucerne

    Gotthard Panorama Express through the Gotthard Tunnel to Flüelen, then a paddle steamer cruise across Lake Lucerne; farewell dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11rail

    Traveling home

    Tour concludes; return to Zürich Airport by rail.

    Meals: Breakfast

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 10 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights

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