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Switzerland Travel Centre · Train journey

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Glaciers and Palm Trees

Four-day Swiss rail loop from Lucerne to St. Moritz via Lugano

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Glaciers and Palm Trees

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland spans four days and three nights, linking Lucerne, Lugano, and St. Moritz across some of the country's most celebrated railway routes. The journey begins with independent travel to Lucerne, where you have time to explore the city. On Day 2, you cross Lake Lucerne aboard a historic paddle steamer before boarding the Gotthard Panorama Express in first-class panoramic coach, traveling five and a half hours through the Gotthard mountain route to Lugano. Day 3 combines a bus ride through the Italian Alps with the Bernina Express, a UNESCO World Heritage railway that climbs over the Bernina Pass into St. Moritz in a panoramic carriage. The tour suits first-time rail travellers seeking Switzerland's famous train experiences, repeat enthusiasts pursuing the Gotthard and Bernina routes, and couples looking for a mix of scenic train travel and city exploration. A Digital Swiss Coupon Pass unlocks over 100 two-for-one experiences across Switzerland.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 and Day 4 involve independent travel to and from Lucerne; Switzerland Travel Centre does not provide group transfers on these days.
  • Accommodation is not included in the base price; you select and book a hotel and room category separately.
  • The package is available in 2026; current departures for other years are not listed in the operator's information.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lucerne

    Travelling to Lucerne

    Travel to Lucerne by public transport. Enjoy the journey and take the opportunity to discover the city on arrival.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lugano

    Journey on the Gotthard Panorama Express

    Cross Lake Lucerne on the historic paddle steamer to Fluelen. You then travel to Lugano in the 1st class panoramic coach of the Gotthard Panorama Express. Trip time: approx. 5h 30min.

  3. Day 3railovernight: St. Moritz

    Journey on the Bernina Express

    Travel on the Bernina Express bus through the Italian Alps to Tirano. Then take the Bernina Express to St. Moritz in a panoramic carriage. Trip time: approx. 8 hours.

  4. Day 4

    Return journey from St. Moritz

    Start your return journey from St. Moritz by public transport. Alternatively, you can extend your stay.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Cross Lake Lucerne on a historic paddle steamer, then board the Gotthard Panorama Express in first-class panoramic coach for a five-and-a-half-hour journey through the Gotthard mountain route.
  • Day 3Travel the Bernina Express through the Italian Alps and over the Bernina Pass via a panoramic carriage, a UNESCO World Heritage railway route.

Included

  • Arrival and departure included - travel from any starting point and back to any ending point in Switzerland
  • Digital Swiss Coupon Pass included with every package holiday booking in 2026 - your key to over 100 exclusive 2-for-1 experiences throughout Switzerland, save up to CHF 4,500

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The paddle steamer on Lake Lucerne, the Gotthard Panorama Express in first class, the Bernina Express bus, and the Bernina Express itself are all included. Arrival and departure travel within Switzerland are also covered.
Which trains are featured?
The historic paddle steamer from Lucerne to Fluelen, the Gotthard Panorama Express (first-class panoramic coach) from Fluelen to Lugano, a bus leg through the Italian Alps to Tirano, and the Bernina Express (panoramic carriage) from Tirano to St. Moritz.
Is accommodation included?
No. You choose and book your hotel and room category separately. Switzerland Travel Centre offers optional accommodation selection as part of the booking process.
When does it run?
The operator has published this package for 2026. Specific departure dates and availability for other years are not listed; contact Switzerland Travel Centre to confirm.
What is included besides trains?
The Digital Swiss Coupon Pass, which gives access to over 100 two-for-one experiences throughout Switzerland, saving up to CHF 4,500 in value.
How much time is spent on trains?
Day 2 involves approximately five and a half hours on the Gotthard Panorama Express. Day 3 involves approximately eight hours on the Bernina Express bus and train combined. Day 1 and Day 4 use public transport for independent arrival and departure.

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