How much does it cost?

From CHF 1,470 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,803 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

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.

railtour suisse · Individual rail journey

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Classic»

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

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.

Price history

Across 4 checks, this price has held at CHF 1,470 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 1 of 4 point is a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

One reading is held out of the price above and this history: an unconfirmed large change. We only price on the operator's package from-price, read from its own page.

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

Day 1railovernight: Interlaken
arrival in Interlaken
Train journey to Interlaken, the gateway to the three mighty mountains Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Overnight in Interlaken.
Day 2railovernight: Interlaken
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Breakfast at the hotel. The first highlight of the trip awaits you – 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 enchanting sculptures in the Ice Palace and take a thrilling journey through time on the multimedia adventure tour into the history of the Jungfrau Railway. Overnight in Interlaken.
Day 3railovernight: Montreux
GoldenPass Express (3h15)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel from Interlaken to Montreux with the GoldenPass Express. You will pass through alpine forests, see bubbling mountain springs and picturesque mountain villages. Overnight in Montreux.
Day 4railovernight: Zermatt
Montreux – Zermatt (2h40)
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel by regional train to Zermatt, the beautiful and famous car-free resort at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn. Enjoy the day in Zermatt or take a trip to the Gornergrat. Europe's highest open-air cog railway takes you from Zermatt to the Gornergrat. From the summit, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and other snow-capped peaks rising above 4'000 metres. If you want to go even higher, you should include the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion in your programme. Overnight in Zermatt.
Day 5railovernight: St. Moritz
Glacier Express (8h)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz on the Glacier Express. The train journey takes you over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp Pass at 2'033 metres. Travel in comfort through the unspoilt natural beauty of a landscape with ancient, fragrant mountain forests, tranquil alpine meadows, rushing mountain rivers and valleys steeped in tradition and centuries-old culture. Overnight in St. Moritz.
Day 6railovernight: Lugano
Bernina Express (8h15)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel with 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 romantic old town, you travel with the Bernina Express bus through the idyllic Valtellina valley and along Lake Como to Lugano. Overnight in Lugano.
Day 7railovernight: Lucerne
Gotthard Panorama Express (5h30)
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel in 1st class with the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano via the historic Gotthard route to Flüelen. Then continue by boat on Lake Lucerne to Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne.
Day 8
Lucerne and return journey
Breakfast at the hotel. 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 in the GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Gotthard Panorama Express
Excursion to Jungfraujoch from/to Interlaken Ost
Supplement 1st class in 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 on more than one site. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Magic Switzerlandfrom $2,173
Switzerland Travel Centrefrom $1,742

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From CHF 1,470 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,803 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
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.