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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: An Escorted Experience

Eleven-day escorted Swiss rail loop from Zurich through Alps to Lucerne

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: An Escorted Experience

Vacations By Rail operates this 11-day escorted journey through Switzerland, departing from Zurich and concluding in Lucerne. A Tour Manager accompanies the group from the first day through departure, handling logistics, guiding passengers on and off trains, and moving luggage between hotels to ease the experience of traveling by rail. The itinerary spans seven of Switzerland's most celebrated rail lines, including the Glacier Express over the Furka and Oberalp Passes, the Jungfrau Railway ascending to 11,000 feet at the Top of Europe, and the Bernina Express descending through 55 tunnels to Italy. Stops in mountain towns such as Grindelwald and car-free Zermatt anchor multi-night stays; the route also includes lake cruises on Lugano and Lucerne. The tour suits first-time rail travelers who value simplicity and guided support, as well as experienced rail enthusiasts seeking to ride famous scenic trains. Hotel stays are in solid 3 and 4-star properties, with daily breakfast and selected lunches and dinners included.

What to know before you look closer

  • Standard Class rail travel is included; panoramic carriage upgrades are not mentioned and may cost extra.
  • The tour includes only 1 lunch and 4 dinners over 10 nights; most meals are not provided and must be arranged separately.
  • Flights to and from Switzerland are not included in the price.

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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: The Jungfrau Railway climbs through the Eiger to Jungfraujoch at 11,000 feet, where you visit the Sphinx observation deck and Ice Palace.
  • Day 6Day 6: The Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Switzerland's original electric rack railway from 1898, ascends over 10,000 feet for views of 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn.
  • Day 7Day 7: The Glacier Express crosses the Furka and Oberalp Passes through the Swiss Grand Canyon with lunch onboard.
  • Day 8Day 8: The Bernina Express descends through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges to Tirano, Italy, before traveling to Lugano.
  • Day 10Day 10: The Gotthard Panorama Express travels through the Gotthard Tunnel to Flüelen, then continues by paddle steamer across Lake Lucerne.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes all rail and coach travel throughout the tour, plus a Swiss Half Fare Card permitting 50% discounts on free days for rail, boat, and most mountain railways. Flights to Switzerland are not included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is fully escorted. A Tour Manager accompanies the group from start to finish, assists with all train boarding and transfers, and oversees luggage movement between hotels.
Which famous Swiss trains are included?
The Lucerne-Interlaken Express, Jungfrau Railway, GoldenPass Express, Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express are all included.
What hotels are used?
The tour uses 3 and 4-star hotels: Glockenhof or Mercure in Zurich, Hotel Derby in Grindelwald, Astra Hotel in Vevey, Hotel Sonne in Zermatt, Sorell Hotel Tamina in Bad Ragaz, Best Western Hotel Bellevue au Lac in Lugano, Hotel Continental Park in Lucerne, and Hotel Winkelried in Stansstad.
When does the tour run?
The evidence pack does not list specific departure dates. Contact Vacations By Rail to confirm available dates.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating of 4 and involves station transfers, luggage handling, and train boarding throughout. A Tour Manager assists, but expect moderate daily activity.

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