railtour suisse · Independent rail holiday

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Classic» (for international guests)

Independent 8-day Swiss rail circuit on the Glacier and Bernina Express

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Classic» (for international guests), a rail journey with railtour suisse

railtour suisse runs this 8-day independent rail holiday across Switzerland, starting in Interlaken and finishing in Lucerne after loops through Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz and Lugano. The Swiss Transfer Ticket Combi included in the price covers eight rail transfers plus the trip up to the Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 metres, on day 2. From there the route strings together some of the country's best-known scenic trains: the GoldenPass Express to Montreux, the Glacier Express over the Oberalp Pass to St. Moritz, the Bernina Express across the Bernina Pass into Italy, and the Gotthard Panorama Express, taken in 1st class, before a boat crossing on Lake Lucerne. Each night is spent in a different 3-star hotel with breakfast, so travel days are full but arrivals, sightseeing and departures are left to the traveller rather than a guide. This suits independent travellers with an interest in trains, mountain scenery and Swiss history who want to cover a lot of ground by rail in just over a week.

What to know before you look closer

  • No departure dates or best-month guidance are given for this tour; confirm scheduling and seasonal availability with railtour suisse before booking.
  • The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion on day 4 and the Rigi, Pilatus or Titlis mountain trips mentioned for day 8 are optional and cost extra; only the Jungfraujoch excursion on day 2 is included in the base price.
  • Beyond what's included, additional excursions by rail, boat, postal-coach or cable car are available at 25 to 50 percent of the regular fares, per the operator's own terms.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Arrival in Interlaken

    Train journey to Interlaken, the gateway to the three mighty mountains Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

    The first highlight of the trip: the journey to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 3'454 metres. Snow and ice are guaranteed 365 days a year. Enjoy the spectacular view of imposing mountain peaks and the Aletsch Glacier, discover sculptures in the Ice Palace and take a multimedia adventure tour into the history of the Jungfrau Railway.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    GoldenPass Express (3h15)

    Travel from Interlaken to Montreux with the GoldenPass Express, passing alpine forests, bubbling mountain springs and picturesque mountain villages.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Zermatt

    Montreux – Zermatt (2h40)

    Regional train to Zermatt, the car-free resort at the foot of the Matterhorn. Enjoy the day in Zermatt or take a trip to the Gornergrat, Europe's highest open-air cog railway, for a panoramic view of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and other peaks above 4'000 metres; the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion goes even higher.

  5. Day 5railovernight: St. Moritz

    Glacier Express (8h)

    Travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz on the Glacier Express, over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp Pass at 2'033 metres, through unspoilt mountain forests, alpine meadows and valleys steeped in tradition.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lugano

    Bernina Express (8h15)

    Travel on the Bernina Express from St. Moritz over the Bernina Pass and the circular viaduct at Brusio to Tirano (Italy), the south end of the Bernina Line. After lunch or a stroll through the old town, continue by Bernina Express bus through the Valtellina valley and along Lake Como to Lugano.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Lucerne

    Gotthard Panorama Express (5h30)

    Travel in 1st class on the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano via the historic Gotthard route to Flüelen, then continue by boat on Lake Lucerne to Lucerne.

  8. Day 8

    Lucerne and return journey

    Stroll across the world-famous Chapel Bridge and through the winding streets of the old town, visit the Lion Monument or take a trip to Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus or Mount Titlis. Individual return journey. This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Jungfraubahn reaches the Jungfraujoch, 'the highest railway station in Europe at 3'454 metres', where travellers can 'discover sculptures in the Ice Palace'.
  • Day 3The GoldenPass Express carries travellers from Interlaken to Montreux, 'passing alpine forests, bubbling mountain springs and picturesque mountain villages'.
  • Day 5The Glacier Express travels from Zermatt to St. Moritz 'over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp Pass at 2'033 metres'.
  • Day 6The Bernina Express crosses 'the Bernina Pass and the circular viaduct at Brusio to Tirano (Italy)', the southern end of the Bernina Line.
  • Day 7Travelling 'in 1st class on the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano via the historic Gotthard route to Flüelen', the trip continues by boat on Lake Lucerne.

Included

  • Swiss Transfer Ticket Combi: Grand Train Tour of Switzerland (8 transfers) including excursion to Jungfraujoch in 2nd class
  • Seat reservation on the GoldenPass Express, Bernina Express and Glacier Express
  • 2 nights in Interlaken, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Montreux, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Zermatt, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in St. Moritz, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Lugano, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Lucerne, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • Any additional tickets for optional excursions by rail, boat, postal-coach and cable car can be purchased at 25-50% of the regular fares

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The price includes a Swiss Transfer Ticket Combi covering 8 transfers in 2nd class, including the Jungfraujoch excursion, plus seat reservations on the GoldenPass Express, Bernina Express and Glacier Express.
Is it escorted or independent?
It's independent. The tour is described as an 'Independent rail holiday' with no guide mentioned in the itinerary.
Which trains are used?
The Jungfraubahn to the Jungfraujoch, the GoldenPass Express, a regional train to Zermatt, the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, and the Gotthard Panorama Express in 1st class.
Do you sleep on the train?
No. Every night is in a hotel; the longest single rides are the 8-hour Glacier Express and the roughly 8 hour 15 minute Bernina Express and connecting bus, both completed within a day.
What hotels are included?
3-star hotels throughout: 2 nights in Interlaken, and 1 night each in Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano and Lucerne, all standard double rooms with breakfast.
What is not included?
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion on day 4 costs extra, as do the Rigi, Pilatus or Titlis mountain trips mentioned for day 8; further optional excursions are available at 25 to 50 percent of regular fares.

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