railtour suisse · Independent rail holiday

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Classic»

Independent 8-day Swiss rail circuit for Half Fare Travelcard holders

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Classic», a rail journey with railtour suisse

railtour suisse runs this 8-day independent rail holiday across Switzerland, starting in Interlaken and finishing in Lucerne by way of Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz and Lugano. Rail travel is priced on a Half Fare Travelcard basis from your home station, and covers the Jungfraujoch excursion up to Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 metres on day 2, 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 in 1st class, ending with a boat crossing on Lake Lucerne. Each night is in a different 3-star hotel with breakfast, and since arrivals, sightseeing and the return journey are left to the traveller rather than a guide, this suits independent travellers who already hold, or are comfortable arranging, a Swiss Half Fare Travelcard and want to cover several of the country's best-known train routes in just over a week.

What to know before you look closer

  • The included train travel runs 'from/to domicile' on a 'Half Fare Travelcard basis', which assumes travel starting within Switzerland and typically requires already holding a Swiss Half Fare Travelcard; confirm with railtour suisse whether this version suits an overseas visitor.
  • 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 is an optional extra at additional cost, not included in the base price.

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

  • Train journey in 2nd class from/to domicile, Half Fare Travelcard basis
  • Seat reservation on the GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Gotthard Panorama Express
  • Excursion to Jungfraujoch from/to Interlaken Ost
  • Supplement 1st class on the Gotthard Panorama 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

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, on a Half Fare Travelcard basis from/to your domicile station, including seat reservations on the GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Gotthard Panorama Express, the Jungfraujoch excursion, and the 1st class supplement on the Gotthard Panorama 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.
Do I need a Half Fare Travelcard?
The included rail travel is priced 'on a Half Fare Travelcard basis' from your domicile station; check with railtour suisse what this requires if you are travelling from outside Switzerland.

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