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Switzerland Travel Centre · Voyage en train

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Glaciers et Palmiers

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

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Glaciers et Palmiers

Switzerland Travel Centre offers a 4-day, 3-night rail journey that contrasts the sunny warmth of the Ticino region with the Alpine peaks of St. Moritz. Beginning in Lucerne, you cross Lake Lucerne by historic paddle steamer before boarding the Gotthard Panorama Express in first-class panoramic seating for a 5.5-hour passage to Lugano. The next day combines a Bernina Express bus journey through the Italian Alps with the celebrated Bernina Express train, which traverses the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway line to St. Moritz in approximately 8 hours. The itinerary allows you to explore each city at your own pace during overnights. Arrivals and departures are flexible from any Swiss starting and ending point using public transport. The tour suits independent travellers seeking to experience Switzerland's most storied rail lines and those new to train travel wanting exposure to varied services and routes.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel accommodation and room category are customizable options that you select during booking; the final choice depends on your preferred tier and city
  • Day 4 involves arranging your own return journey from St. Moritz to your chosen destination using Swiss public transport

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lucerne

    Arrivee a Lucerne

    Tu te rends a Lucerne en transports publics. Profite du voyage et, une fois arrive, prends le temps de decouvrir Lucerne.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lugano

    Voyage avec le Gotthard Panorama Express

    Tu traverses le lac des Quatre-Cantons a bord du bateau historique jusqu'a Fluelen. Ensuite, tu voyages dans la voiture panoramique 1ere classe du Gotthard Panorama Express jusqu'a Lugano. Temps de trajet : environ 5h 30min.

  3. Day 3railovernight: St-Moritz

    Voyage avec le Bernina Express

    Tu voyages avec le bus Bernina Express a travers les Alpes italiennes jusqu'a Tirano. Ensuite, tu prends le Bernina Express en voiture panoramique jusqu'a St-Moritz. Temps de trajet : environ 8h.

  4. Day 4

    Voyage de retour depuis St-Moritz

    Tu entreprends ton voyage de retour depuis St-Moritz avec les transports publics. Tu peux egalement prolonger ton sejour.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Cruise across Lake Lucerne aboard a historic paddle steamer to Fluelen, then travel in a first-class panoramic carriage on the Gotthard Panorama Express toward Lugano, approximately 5.5 hours total
  • Day 3Travel by Bernina Express bus through the Italian Alps to Tirano, then board the Bernina Express panoramic train across the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway line to St. Moritz, approximately 8 hours total

Included

  • Arrivee et depart inclus - depuis n'importe quel point de depart et d'arrivee en Suisse
  • Digital Swiss Coupon Pass inclus pour toute reservation de voyage a forfait en 2026 - ton acces a plus de 100 experiences exclusives 2 pour 1 dans toute la Suisse, economise jusqu'a CHF 4'500.-

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in this tour?
Yes. The package includes the paddle steamer on Lake Lucerne, the Gotthard Panorama Express in first-class panoramic carriage, the Bernina Express bus through the Italian Alps, and the Bernina Express train to St. Moritz. Arrivals and departures from any Swiss point using public transport are also included.
Which trains are part of this itinerary?
The tour uses four rail and water services: a historic paddle steamer from Lucerne to Fluelen, the Gotthard Panorama Express (first-class panoramic carriage) from Fluelen to Lugano, the Bernina Express bus from Lugano to Tirano, Italy, and the Bernina Express panoramic train from Tirano to St. Moritz.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is an independent tour. You arrange your own arrival and departure from any Swiss point and travel on scheduled trains following the itinerary provided.
What cities does the tour visit?
The tour starts in Lucerne, stops in Lugano (Italy), and ends in St. Moritz. You stay overnight in each of these three cities.
What is included in the price from CHF 760?
The package includes rail and boat travel as outlined, overnights in the three cities, a Digital Swiss Coupon Pass valid in 2026 offering discounts on over 100 experiences, and your arrival and departure from any Swiss point.

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