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Switzerland Travel Centre · Train journey

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – East West

Five-day Swiss rail journey from Zurich eastward to alpine peaks and back.

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – East West

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - East West is a five-day independent rail journey across Switzerland from Zurich eastward through St. Gallen and Lucerne to the alpine peaks around Montreux, Brig, and Andermatt, then back to Zurich. You ride five named trains: the Voralpen-Express from St. Gallen to Lucerne, the Lucerne-Interlaken Express and GoldenPass Express on day 3 (combining into a five-hour-plus panoramic passage over the Alps to Lake Geneva), the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway to high mountain terrain around Andermatt, and the Treno Gottardo for the return descent to Zurich. Each of the four nights is spent in a different town, offering a changing view of Switzerland's landscape as you progress westward. This package suits rail travellers making their first Swiss crossing by train, repeat rail enthusiasts eager to collect scenic routes, and independent explorers who prefer to arrange their own arrival and departure while enjoying the certainty of named trains and hotel accommodation along the way.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 involves travel to the starting point (Zurich) and then onward by public transport to St. Gallen; you arrange your own arrival.
  • Hotels are not named in the package details; confirm accommodation specifics directly with Switzerland Travel Centre before booking.
  • The trip is independent, not escorted; no guide accompanies you on the trains or in the cities.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: St. Gallen

    Journey to St. Gallen

    Travel by public transport from your starting point in Switzerland to Zurich. From there, continue your journey via Schaffhausen and the picturesque town of Stein am Rhein to St. Gallen.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lucerne

    Ride on the Voralpen-Express

    You travel on the Voralpen-Express from St. Gallen to Lucerne and enjoy a train journey through picturesque landscapes. Trip time: approx. 2h 15min.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    Ride on the GoldenPass Express

    First you travel on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express past beautiful lakes and mountains to Interlaken. There you board the GoldenPass Express and experience a unique panoramic journey to Montreux on Lake Geneva. Journey time: approx. 5h 20min.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Andermatt

    Trip to Andermatt

    The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway takes you from Montreux via Brig to Andermatt. Trip time: approx. 3h 45min.

  5. Day 5

    Travel with Treno Gottardo to Zurich

    You can enjoy the breathtaking Swiss mountain landscape on the trip from Andermatt to Göschenen. Your journey then continues with the Treno Gottardo to Zurich. From there, you start your return or onward journey by public transport to your final destination in Switzerland.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride the Voralpen-Express from St. Gallen to Lucerne through picturesque landscapes, approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
  • Day 3Board the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux for a panoramic journey across the Alps to Lake Geneva, approximately 5 hours 20 minutes.
  • Day 4Travel the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway from Montreux via Brig to Andermatt through high alpine terrain, approximately 3 hours 45 minutes.
  • Day 5Complete the loop on the Treno Gottardo from Andermatt through Göschenen back to Zurich, viewing Swiss mountain landscape.

Questions travellers ask

Is all the travel by train?
Yes. The five-day journey uses five named trains: Voralpen-Express, Lucerne-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Matterhorn Gotthard Railway, and Treno Gottardo. Day 1 involves public transport from your starting point to Zurich and onward to St. Gallen.
What is the starting price?
From 730 CHF (approximately 909 USD) for the five-day package, or about 182 USD per day.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
This is an independent rail journey. You travel on your own; no guide is included. You arrange your own arrival to Zurich and onward travel home from Zurich at the end.
How many nights do I stay in hotels?
Four nights: one each in St. Gallen, Lucerne, Montreux, and Andermatt. Day 5 is a travel day back to Zurich.
Which towns and cities does the tour visit?
The route passes through or stops in Zurich, Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux, Brig, and Andermatt.

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