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Magic Switzerland (Magic Travel Services GmbH) · Individual rail tour

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Classic

Seven-day Swiss rail circle on four named trains, Interlaken to Lucerne

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Classic

Magic Switzerland operates the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland Classic, a 7-day individual rail tour from Interlaken to Lucerne. You ride four named trains, each with reserved seats: the GoldenPass Line through villages along Lake Geneva, the Glacier Express across the Alps, the Bernina Express over viaducts and through tunnels into Italy, and the Gotthard Panorama Express through the Gotthard tunnel and by boat across Lake Lucerne. Each day you arrive at a new city, staying one night in Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano, and Lucerne, with breakfast and hotel accommodation included. The pace is fast, moving daily, though Day 3 in Zermatt offers leisure time and an optional excursion to Gornergrat. This tour suits first-time rail travellers seeking an organized multi-train itinerary, repeat rail enthusiasts who want to experience the Glacier and Bernina Expresses, and independent explorers who prefer flexibility within a pre-booked framework. The classic version includes 2nd class rail tickets; 1st class upgrades are available. The tour runs from mid-April through early October.

What to know before you look closer

  • All hotels are one night only; you pack and move each day, making this a fast-paced itinerary.
  • Rail tickets are 2nd class; upgrading to 1st class costs CHF 182 per person extra.
  • Luggage transfers between hotels (CHF 340 for one piece per journey) are optional and not included in the base price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Arrival in Interlaken

    Individual travel by train via Lucerne to Interlaken along the shores of crystal-clear lakes, majestic waterfalls and over the magnificent Brunig mountain pass.

  2. Day 2overnight: Montreux

    GoldenPass Line to Montreux

    Journey continues with the GoldenPass Line through the wild and romantic Pays d'Enhaut through scenic villages along the shore of Lake Geneva.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Train to Zermatt

    Train transfer from Montreux to Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn. Leisure day; optional excursion to the Gornergrat.

  4. Day 4railovernight: St. Moritz

    Glacier Express to St. Moritz

    Take the world-famous Glacier Express through the deep Rhone valley and a fascinating part of the Alps.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lugano

    Bernina Express to Lugano

    Board the Bernina Express, travelling over circular viaducts and through winding tunnels to Tirano in Italy. Change to the Bernina Express bus onwards to Ticino.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lucerne

    Gotthard Panorama Express to Lucerne

    Take the Gotthard Panorama Express, which climbs from 470 to about 1,100 meters and enters the 15-kilometre-long Gotthard tunnel. From Fluelen, a boat ride over Lake Lucerne.

  7. Day 7

    Departure

    Return to Swiss border or individual onward journey. Itinerary bookable in reverse; Open Jaw possible (starting in Lucerne and ending in Interlaken or vice versa).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The GoldenPass Line travels through the Pays d'Enhaut past scenic villages along the shore of Lake Geneva to Montreux.
  • Day 4The Glacier Express carries you through the deep Rhone valley and the Alps from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
  • Day 5The Bernina Express crosses circular viaducts and winding tunnels into Italy, then continues by bus through Ticino to Lugano.
  • Day 6The Gotthard Panorama Express climbs from 470 to 1,100 meters and enters the 15-kilometre-long Gotthard tunnel, then continues by boat over Lake Lucerne to Lucerne.

Included

  • Rail ticket in 2nd class for rail travel per itinerary
  • 1 overnight each in Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano and Lucerne, quality hotels, standard rooms with private facilities and breakfast
  • Seat Reservation on the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux
  • Seat Reservation on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz
  • Seat Reservation on the Bernina Express train from St. Moritz to Tirano
  • Seat Reservation on the Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano
  • Seat Reservation on the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Lucerne in 1st class
  • 50% discount on additional rail tickets (local transport) and some mountain excursions

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The GoldenPass Line (Interlaken to Montreux), Glacier Express (Zermatt to St. Moritz), Bernina Express train (St. Moritz to Tirano), Bernina Express bus (Tirano to Lugano), and Gotthard Panorama Express (Lugano to Lucerne in 1st class). All include seat reservations.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Magic Switzerland describes it as an individual rail tour. You travel independently; hotels, trains, and seat reservations are pre-booked.
What is the pace like?
You stay one night in each of six cities across seven days. Day 3 in Zermatt offers an optional excursion to Gornergrat; other days are leisure time.
What is included in the price?
2nd class rail tickets per itinerary, one night in each city with breakfast, and seat reservations on all named trains. A 50% discount applies to additional local transport and some mountain excursions.
When does the tour run?
April 15 to October 6, 2026. The itinerary can be booked in reverse or as an open jaw (starting in Lucerne and ending in Interlaken, or vice versa).
Can I upgrade to 1st class?
Yes, for CHF 182 per person. The Gotthard Panorama Express is already in 1st class.

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