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Switzerland Travel Centre · Voyage en train

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Classique

Swiss rail circle: five famous trains, six nights, Lucerne to Flüelen

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Classique

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, Classique is a seven-day journey through the Alps and Swiss valleys, starting and ending in Lucerne. The tour runs on five celebrated scenic trains: the Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express. Over six nights, you stay in Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St-Moritz, Lugano, and back in Lucerne. Day 2 brings you through vineyards and postcard villages on the GoldenPass to Lake Léman. Day 4 is the Glacier Express, an eight-hour crossing of the alpine high country toward the Matterhorn and St-Moritz at 1,856 meters. Day 5 climbs the Bernina Express on Europe's highest railway lines before descending to the Mediterranean atmosphere of Lugano. Day 6 returns you via the Gotthard Panorama Express and a historic paddle-wheel boat across the Vier Waldstättersee. Day 3 in Zermatt is yours to explore independently. The trip suits repeat rail travelers seeking all five trains, first-time rail travelers who want the logistics handled, and photographers drawn to alpine passes and lakes.

What to know before you look closer

  • The itinerary shows arrival in Lucerne on Day 1 but does not specify how or when you reach the station; confirm your own transport to the first train departure.
  • Day 3 in Zermatt is independent exploration; no guided activities are described.
  • The Bernina Express journey from St-Moritz to Lugano requires a bus connection from Tirano, extending the day to approximately 5 hours 40 minutes.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Arrivée à Lucerne et trajet avec le Luzern-Interlaken Express

    Tu te rends à Lucerne en transports publics. De là, tu prendras le Luzern-Interlaken Express pour Interlaken. Temps de trajet : environ 2h.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montreux

    Voyage à bord du GoldenPass Express

    Tu voyageras directement d'Interlaken à Montreux avec le GoldenPass Express. Des vignobles dorés, des alpages et des villages de carte postale t'accompagneront tout au long de ce voyage. Temps de trajet : environ 3h.

  3. Day 3overnight: Zermatt

    Séjour à Zermatt

    Tu te rends à Zermatt. Tu auras ensuite le temps d'explorer le village et les environs de manière autonome.

  4. Day 4railovernight: St-Moritz

    Voyage avec le Glacier Express

    Tu voyageras avec le Glacier Express de Zermatt à St-Moritz. Un voyage varié à travers le monde alpin t'attend. Temps du voyage : environ 8h.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lugano

    Voyage avec le Bernina Express

    Tu voyageras avec le Bernina Express en voiture panoramique jusqu'à Tirano (IT). Ensuite, tu prendras le bus Bernina Express jusqu'à Lugano. Temps de trajet : environ 5h 40min.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lucerne

    Voyage avec le Gotthard Panorama Express

    Tu voyageras dans la voiture panoramique de 1ère classe du Gotthard Panorama Express jusqu'à Flüelen. Ensuite, tu traverseras le lac des Quatre-Cantons à bord du bateau historique pour rejoindre Lucerne. Temps du trajet : environ 5h 30min.

  7. Day 7

    Voyage de retour depuis Lucerne

    À Lucerne, tu entames ton voyage de retour ou tu continues ton voyage avec les transports publics.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Luzern-Interlaken Express departs Lucerne for Interlaken, crossing the foothills of central Switzerland over two hours.
  • Day 2The GoldenPass Express travels from Interlaken to Montreux through golden vineyards, alpine meadows, and postcard villages above Lake Léman (Lake Geneva).
  • Day 4The Glacier Express runs from Zermatt to St-Moritz in approximately eight hours through alpine valleys and passes, crossing the world of high peaks and glaciers.
  • Day 5The Bernina Express ascends to Tirano in panoramic cars on the highest railway lines in Europe, then a connecting bus continues to Lugano.
  • Day 6The Gotthard Panorama Express travels in first-class panoramic cars to Flüelen, then a historic paddle-wheel boat crosses the Vier Waldstättersee back to Lucerne.

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The price from CHF 1,490 includes the five named trains: Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express, plus the boat crossing on Lake of the Four Cantons. Accommodation for six nights is also included.
Which trains are featured on this trip?
You travel on the Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express. On the Gotthard Panorama Express, you ride in first-class panoramic cars.
Is this trip guided or independent?
The itinerary is independent: you make your own way to Lucerne by Day 1, and Day 3 in Zermatt is unguided. Switzerland Travel Centre arranges the trains, accommodation, and boat passage.
How many nights and where do I stay?
Six nights total: Interlaken (Day 1), Montreux (Day 2), Zermatt (Day 3), St-Moritz (Day 4), Lugano (Day 5), and Lucerne (Day 6).
What is the starting point and duration?
The trip runs seven days and six nights, starting in Lucerne and ending in Flüelen or back in Lucerne. You must arrange your own arrival in Lucerne by the first day.
How much walking is involved?
Most days are spent on trains. Day 3 in Zermatt you explore the village independently. Station transfers and luggage handling are expected throughout.

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