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Switzerland Travel Centre · Voyage en train

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Est Ouest

Five-day Swiss rail loop from Zurich through five named panoramic trains

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Est Ouest

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Est Ouest is a five-day, four-night rail journey that loops across Switzerland's diverse regions, from the gentle east to the dramatic west. Starting from your chosen point in Switzerland, you travel to Saint-Gall to join the tour, then board five named panoramic trains: the Voralpen-Express, Lucerne-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, and Treno Gottardo. The route connects four cities, Lucerne, Montreux, Andermatt, and nearby destinations, stopping in historic towns like Stein am Rhein and UNESCO-listed Saint-Gall. Day 3 is the centerpiece, a five-hour-plus journey on the GoldenPass Express along lakes and mountains from Interlaken to Montreux on Lake Léman's shore. By Day 4, you reach Andermatt in the alpine high country, before descending toward Zurich. The pace allows two or more nights in each base hotel, giving you time to explore each region without constant moving. This trip suits repeat rail travellers eager to collect specific trains, first-time rail passengers who prefer shorter segments and comfortable hotels, and photographers drawn to panoramic routes and lakeside scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 involves travel from your starting point in Switzerland to Saint-Gall via Zurich, Schaffhouse, and Stein am Rhein using public transport; confirm the operator's routing and any seat reservations required.
  • The itinerary does not specify which hotels in each city are included; contact Switzerland Travel Centre to confirm the accommodation properties before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Saint-Gall

    Arrivée à Saint-Gall

    Voyage à Zurich avec les transports publics depuis ton lieu de départ en Suisse. Poursuis ton trajet via Schaffhouse et la pittoresque ville de Stein am Rhein jusqu'à Saint-Gall.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lucerne

    Voyage avec le Voralpen-Express

    Tu voyages avec le Voralpen-Express de Saint-Gall à Lucerne tout en profitant de traverser des paysages pittoresques. Temps de trajet : environ 2h 15min.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    Voyage à bord du GoldenPass Express

    Commence ton voyage à bord du Lucerne-Interlaken Express, longeant de superbes lacs et montagnes jusqu'à Interlaken. De là, embarque sur le GoldenPass Express et profite d'un trajet panoramique exceptionnel jusqu'à Montreux, au bord du Lac Léman. Temps de trajet : environ 5h 20min.

  4. Day 4overnight: Andermatt

    Voyage à Andermatt

    Le Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn te transporte en toute sérénité de Montreux à Andermatt en passant par Brigue. Temps de trajet : environ 3h 45min.

  5. Day 5

    Voyage avec Treno Gottardo jusqu'à Zurich

    D'Andermatt à Göschenen, tu profites des paysages de montagne à couper le souffle de la Suisse. Ensuite, ton voyage se poursuit avec le Treno Gottardo jusqu'à Zurich. De là, tu entreprends ton voyage de retour ou de continuation avec les transports publics jusqu'à ton point final en Suisse.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: The Voralpen-Express carries you from Saint-Gall to Lucerne in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes through picturesque countryside.
  • Day 3Day 3: You board the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux, a panoramic route spanning approximately 5 hours 20 minutes along lakes and mountains to the shore of Lake Léman.
  • Day 4Day 4: The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn takes you from Montreux through Brigue to Andermatt in approximately 3 hours 45 minutes, crossing alpine terrain.

Questions travellers ask

Which trains does this trip include?
You travel on five named trains: the Voralpen-Express (Saint-Gall to Lucerne), Lucerne-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express (Interlaken to Montreux), Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Montreux via Brigue to Andermatt), and Treno Gottardo (Andermatt to Zurich via Göschenen).
How long is this trip?
Five days and four nights. You depart from a starting point in Switzerland on Day 1 and return to Zurich or continue onward from there on Day 5.
What is included in the price from CHF 730?
The package includes rail fares on all five trains and hotel accommodation in Saint-Gall, Lucerne, Montreux, and Andermatt. Contact Switzerland Travel Centre for details on what else is included.
What scenery will I see?
The route features lakes (Lake of the Four Cantons and Lake Léman), mountains and alpine panoramas, vineyards along Lake Léman, and historic cities including UNESCO heritage sites in Saint-Gall.
Is this a guided tour or independent travel?
The itinerary describes self-directed rail journeys between hotels in named cities; the operator does not describe guided excursions or activities in each city.

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