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Switzerland Travel Centre · Train journey

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Classic East

Swiss rail circle from Zurich to Tirano on four named trains

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Classic East

Switzerland Travel Centre operates this 6-day, 5-night rail journey from Zurich to Tirano, a town on the Swiss-Italian border. You will travel on four panoramic trains: the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, the GoldenPass Express, the Glacier Express, and the Bernina Express. The route spans alpine scenery, vineyards along Lake Geneva, views of the Matterhorn, and the steep mountain railways of the Bernina Line. Each destination (Zurich, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz) offers a night's accommodation and free time to explore. The pace is unhurried, with some days devoted entirely to train travel (the Glacier Express occupies Day 5 alone) and others balancing rail legs with leisure hours. This itinerary suits first-time rail travellers seeking a structured Swiss circuit, repeat rail travellers drawn to celebrated scenic trains, and independent explorers who prefer to discover each town on their own terms.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price in CHF 1,230 (USD 1,532) covers accommodation and rail travel; final cost may vary by hotel selection and season.
  • Day 4 in Zermatt is unguided; you explore the alpine town and Matterhorn area on your own.
  • The Glacier Express on Day 5 is approximately 8 hours; this is a single day of travel without intermediate stops listed.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Arrival in Zurich

    Travel to Zurich by public transport. Here you have time to discover the vibrant city by the lake.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    Ride on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express

    Travel to Lucerne, from where you take the Lucerne-Interlaken Express to Interlaken. Trip time: approx. 2h 45min.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    Ride on the GoldenPass Express

    The GoldenPass Express takes you directly from Interlaken to Montreux. Golden vineyards, alpine meadows and villages accompany you on this journey. Trip time: approx. 3 hours.

  4. Day 4overnight: Zermatt

    Stay in Zermatt

    The journey continues to Zermatt. Here you have time to explore the alpine town at the foot of the Matterhorn and the surrounding area on your own. Trip time: approx. 2h 45 min.

  5. Day 5railovernight: St. Moritz

    Ride on the Glacier Express

    Travel on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz. A varied journey through the mountains awaits you. Trip time: approx. 8 hours.

  6. Day 6rail

    Ride on the Bernina Express

    Travel on the Bernina Express in the panoramic car to Tirano (IT) where your journey ends or alternatively you can travel on to Italy. Trip time: approx. 2h 15min.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Lucerne-Interlaken Express departs Lucerne and travels approximately 2 hours 45 minutes through Swiss countryside to Interlaken.
  • Day 3The GoldenPass Express passes golden vineyards, alpine meadows, and villages on the 3-hour run from Interlaken to Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva.
  • Day 5The Glacier Express carries you from Zermatt through the mountains to St. Moritz on an 8-hour journey, one of the world's slowest express trains.
  • Day 6The Bernina Express runs in a panoramic car from St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy, on the world's steepest adhesion railway.

Questions travellers ask

What trains are included?
The tour includes four named trains: Lucerne-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, and Bernina Express. Rail travel is included in the package price.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Switzerland Travel Centre provides accommodation and train tickets; you travel independently between destinations. Day 4 in Zermatt is unguided free time.
How much time is spent on trains?
Days 2, 3, 5, and 6 are train journeys ranging from 2 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours. Day 1 is arrival; Day 4 is a free day in Zermatt.
What accommodation is included?
Five nights in hotels in Zurich, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, and St. Moritz. Specific hotel names and standards are not listed in the package description.
When does this tour run?
Departure dates are not published in the available information. Contact Switzerland Travel Centre for current departure schedules.
Can I extend the journey into Italy?
Yes. The tour ends in Tirano, Italy, and the description notes you can alternatively continue onward into Italy from there.

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