Search

railtour suisse · Independent rail holiday

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Glaciers & Palm Trees» (for international guests)

Four-day Swiss rail loop from Chur to Lucerne via Bernina Express and Alpine trains

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Glaciers & Palm Trees» (for international guests)

Railtour suisse, Switzerland's train travel specialist, operates the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland as a 4-day independent rail holiday for travellers seeking to explore the country's diverse landscapes from alpine glaciers to Mediterranean palm trees. The journey begins in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town, and unfolds over three nights across three distinctive cities: the Rhaetian railway hub and cultural centre of Chur, the Italian-speaking lakeside charm of Lugano, and the mountain-surrounded city of Lucerne. The signature experience is Day 2, when the Bernina Express carries you through the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, past the Landwasser Viaduct and the Brusio circular viaduct, from the Alpine regions southward toward Tirano in Italy and onward to Lugano via coach through the Valtellina valley. A regional train or optional Gotthard Panorama Express then takes you from Lugano across the Alps to Flüelen, where a boat carries you to Lucerne. The package includes the Swiss Travel Pass in 2nd class for all rail and regional transport, three 3-star hotel nights with breakfast, and 50% discounts on mountain railways and free museum entry, making it accessible for both first-time and seasoned rail travellers who value independence and flexibility.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 2 involves a 9-hour train and coach journey; this is a long travel day.
  • The hotels are 3-star properties; accommodation tier is standard, not upmarket.
  • The Gotthard Panorama Express upgrade on Day 3 requires an additional supplement and a 1st class ticket purchase.
  • The Swiss Travel Pass covers rail and regional transport, but the boat journey on Day 3 may require a separate ticket; confirm this with railtour suisse before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chur

    Arrival in Chur

    Train journey to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town. The car-free old town with its countless boutiques, galleries, restaurants, cafés and bars is one of the most beautiful in Switzerland.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lugano

    Bernina Express (9h15)

    Travel with the Bernina Express from Chur via the world-famous Landwasser Viaduct, 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 old town, continue by Bernina Express bus through the Valtellina valley and along Lake Como to Lugano.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lucerne

    Lugano – Lucerne (5h15)

    Train journey from Lugano to Flüelen (optionally with the Gotthard Panorama Express, with supplement; a 1st class train ticket is required). From Flüelen to Lucerne by boat.

  4. Day 4

    Lucerne and return journey

    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 Bernina Express crosses the Landwasser Viaduct, a UNESCO World Heritage railway structure, and spirals through the Brusio circular viaduct as it descends toward Tirano.
  • Day 3A boat journey carries you across Lake Lucerne from Flüelen to Lucerne, with views of the surrounding Alps.
  • Day 4In Lucerne, walk across the Chapel Bridge and explore the old town's winding streets, or take an optional cable car or rack railway to Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus, or Mount Titlis.

Included

  • Swiss Travel Pass, 4 days in 2nd class
  • Seat reservation on the Bernina Express
  • 1 night in Chur, 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
  • 50% discount on most mountain railways, free entry at more than 500 museums

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes a Swiss Travel Pass valid for 4 days in 2nd class, covering all regional trains and the Bernina Express (seat reservation included). A boat journey from Flüelen to Lucerne is also part of the itinerary.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
This is an independent rail holiday. Railtour suisse provides train passes, hotel bookings, and reservations, but there is no guide. You travel and explore at your own pace.
Which trains are used?
The Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano is the signature train, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and Bernina Pass. A regional train carries you from Lugano to Flüelen (optionally the Gotthard Panorama Express with a supplement). A boat then takes you to Lucerne.
What hotels are included?
Three 3-star hotels with standard double rooms and breakfast: one night each in Chur, Lugano, and Lucerne.
How much walking is involved?
Days 1 and 4 include strolls through the old towns of Chur and Lucerne. Day 2 involves a 9-hour train and coach journey with optional walking in Tirano. Day 4 offers optional mountain excursions with cable cars or rack railways.
What is not included in the package price?
Return travel to and from Chur and Lucerne, meals other than hotel breakfasts, optional upgrades such as the Gotthard Panorama Express supplement, and mountain railway excursions (though the pass grants a 50% discount on most).

Similar journeys