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Switzerland Travel Centre · Voyage en train

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Classique Est

Six-day rail circuit from Zurich to Tirano on four named trains

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Classique Est

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Classique Est is a six-day, five-night independent rail journey that carries you from Zurich to the Italian border town of Tirano via four of Switzerland's most celebrated scenic trains. You depart Zurich on Day 2 aboard the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, then ride the GoldenPass Express through vineyards and alpine meadows to Montreux, before continuing to Zermatt, home to the Matterhorn. On Day 5, the eight-hour Glacier Express brings you across mountain terrain to St-Moritz, and on Day 6, the Bernina Express descends to Tirano on one of the world's steepest adhesion railway lines. Each destination provides time to walk the town, take in views, and rest before the next train. This trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking a straightforward itinerary on famous trains, photographers drawn to panoramic routes and landmark peaks, and independent explorers who prefer unscheduled days over guided tours.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are not included in the published price; only rail travel and day-by-day accommodation locations are specified.
  • The itinerary is provided in French in the source material; confirm exact daily details and timings directly with Switzerland Travel Centre before booking.
  • Day 6 ends in Tirano, Italy, with no return transport specified; if you wish to continue into Italy or return to Switzerland, this must be arranged separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Arrivée à Zurich

    Tu te rends à Zurich en transports publics. Là, tu auras le temps de découvrir la ville vibrante au bord du lac.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    Voyage avec le Lucerne-Interlaken Express

    Tu voyages jusqu'à Lucerne, d'où tu continues avec le Lucerne-Interlaken Express jusqu'à Interlaken. Temps de trajet : environ 2h 45min.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    Voyage avec le GoldenPass Express

    Avec le GoldenPass Express, tu te rendras directement d'Interlaken à Montreux. Des vignobles dorés, des alpages et des villages t'accompagneront tout au long de ce voyage. Temps de trajet : environ 3h.

  4. Day 4overnight: Zermatt

    Séjour à Zermatt

    Poursuite de la route vers Zermatt. Ici, tu as le temps de découvrir la ville alpine au pied du Cervin et ses environs de manière autonome. Temps de trajet : environ 2h 45 min.

  5. Day 5railovernight: 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 de la montagne t'attend. Temps du voyage : environ 8h.

  6. Day 6rail

    Voyage avec le Bernina Express

    Avec le Bernina Express, tu voyageras dans une voiture panoramique jusqu'à Tirano (IT) où ton voyage se terminera. Si tu le souhaites, tu pourras continuer vers l'Italie. Temps de trajet : environ 2h 15min.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Lucerne-Interlaken Express journey from Lucerne to Interlaken, approximately 2 hours 45 minutes through the heart of central Switzerland.
  • Day 3GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux with views of golden vineyards, alpine meadows, and villages along the route, approximately 3 hours.
  • Day 4Independent exploration of Zermatt, an alpine village at the foot of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 5Glacier Express journey from Zermatt to St-Moritz, an eight-hour traverse through mountain landscapes.
  • Day 6Bernina Express in a panoramic car from St-Moritz to Tirano, Italy, approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, crossing the world's steepest standard-gauge adhesion railway line.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The price includes the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, and Bernina Express, all with panoramic seating. Hotels are not included.
How long is the trip and where does it start and end?
Six days and five nights, starting in Zurich and ending in Tirano, Italy.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is independent. You travel between towns on named trains; time in each location is yours to explore on your own.
What is the longest train journey?
The Glacier Express from Zermatt to St-Moritz, approximately eight hours, is the longest segment.
Which destinations are included?
Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St-Moritz, and Tirano, Italy.
What are the starting prices?
From EUR 1,370 (approximately USD 1,568).

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