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Switzerland Travel Centre · Voyage en train

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Histoires d'eau

Three-day Swiss rail circuit from Lucerne to Schaffhouse via Voralpen-Express

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Histoires d'eau

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: Histoires d'eau is a three-day, two-night independent rail journey through central Switzerland. The trip begins in Lucerne, set on the shores of Lake Lucerne, where you have a night to explore the old town and waterfront. On Day 2, you board the Voralpen-Express, a scenic train that departs Lucerne and passes views of Rigi and the Rapperswil dam during the two-hour fifteen-minute run to Saint-Gall. There you spend a night in the historic old town and visit the UNESCO World Heritage abbey quarter. On Day 3, you continue by train via Stein am Rhein to Schaffhouse, arriving near the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall. The package includes Swiss public-transport arrivals and departures from any Swiss starting point, plus a Digital Swiss Coupon Pass offering 2-for-1 entry to over 100 Swiss attractions. Hotels and activities are optional add-ons. This trip suits independent travellers who want scenic rail connections, first-time rail tourists, and those seeking a compact, flexible Swiss experience.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel accommodation is not included in the base price; the package offers optional hotel choices at different price tiers.
  • The pack lists no specific departures; confirm availability directly with Switzerland Travel Centre.
  • Day 1 arrival and Day 3 departure are unguided; you arrange your own transport to and from your accommodation.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Lucerne

    Arrivee a Lucerne

    Tu te rends a Lucerne avec les transports publics. Profite de l'occasion pour decouvrir la vieille ville et d'autres curiosites de la ville.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Saint-Gall

    Voyage a bord du Voralpen-Express

    Tu voyages dans le Voralpen-Express de Lucerne a Saint-Gall ou tu profites de la vue et as le temps de decouvrir la ville. Temps du trajet : environ 2h 15min.

  3. Day 3rail

    Voyage de retour depuis Saint-Gall via Stein am Rhein et Schaffhouse

    Depuis Saint-Gall, tu prends le train via Stein am Rhein jusqu'a Schaffhouse, d'ou tu poursuis ton trajet de retour ou prolonges ton sejour. En ete, tu peux egalement te rendre de Stein am Rhein a Schaffhouse en bateau.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Voralpen-Express departs Lucerne, passing views of Rigi and the Rapperswil dam on the two-hour fifteen-minute journey to Saint-Gall.
  • Day 3From Saint-Gall, the train travels via Stein am Rhein to Schaffhouse, with the option to take a boat from Stein am Rhein to Schaffhouse in summer.

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?
Yes. The Voralpen-Express from Lucerne to Saint-Gall is included, as are Swiss public-transport arrivals and departures from any point in Switzerland.
What trains are on this trip?
The Voralpen-Express runs from Lucerne to Saint-Gall (approximately 2 hours 15 minutes). On Day 3, you travel by train from Saint-Gall via Stein am Rhein to Schaffhouse, or optionally by boat from Stein am Rhein to Schaffhouse in summer.
Is the tour guided or independent?
Independent. Days are self-guided; Switzerland Travel Centre includes the Digital Swiss Coupon Pass granting 2-for-1 access to over 100 attractions across Switzerland.
What is not included?
Hotel accommodation is not in the base package; it is an optional extra. Activities, excursions, and trip extensions are available as add-ons.
How long is the trip?
Three days and two nights. You arrive in Lucerne on Day 1, travel to Saint-Gall on Day 2, and depart from Schaffhouse on Day 3.

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