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Switzerland Travel Centre · Bahnreise

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Original

Swiss scenic rail loop through eight destinations on six named trains

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Original

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland Original, operated by Switzerland Travel Centre, is an eight-day journey through all four Swiss language regions, beginning in Luzern and concluding in Schaffhausen. The route combines six of Switzerland's most celebrated scenic trains: the Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express, and Voralpen-Express, with a historic steamship return on Lake Lucerne. Travellers overnight in seven different locations including Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano, and St. Gallen, spending most nights in one place. The Glacier Express, the world's slowest express train, takes eight hours to cross from Zermatt to St. Moritz through valleys and the Rhine Gorge. The Bernina Express climbs to some of Europe's highest railway tracks before descending toward Italy. Days with free time in Montreux, Zermatt, and St. Gallen allow exploration at your own pace. This itinerary suits first-time rail travellers new to Switzerland's most famous trains, repeat rail enthusiasts seeking them on a single journey, and photographers attracted to the Matterhorn, UNESCO sites, and panoramic viaducts.

What to know before you look closer

  • All accommodation is included, but the pack does not specify hotel names or star ratings; confirm final lodging details with Switzerland Travel Centre before booking.
  • The itinerary is based on summer departure; the pack does not list specific departure dates or seasons.
  • Day 5 includes a bus transfer from Tirano to Lugano after the Bernina Express portion; not all connections are by train.
  • The Gotthard Panorama Express is first-class; all other trains are second-class.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Anreise nach Luzern und Fahrt mit dem Luzern-Interlaken Express

    Du startest deine Reise in der Schweiz und fährst mit den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln nach Luzern. Von dort nimmst du den Luzern-Interlaken Express nach Interlaken. Fahrtzeit: ca. 2h

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montreux

    Fahrt mit dem GoldenPass Express

    Du fährst mit dem renommierten GoldenPass Express nach Montreux am Genfer See. Dort hast du Zeit zur freien Verfügung, um die Umgebung zu erkunden. Fahrtzeit: ca. 3h

  3. Day 3overnight: Zermatt

    Aufenthalt in Zermatt

    Die heutige Reise führt dich ins lebhafte Zermatt, am Fusse des Matterhorns. Geniesse einen Tag zur freien Verfügung und übernachte in diesem charmanten, verkehrsfreien Dorf.

  4. Day 4railovernight: St. Moritz

    Fahrt mit dem Glacier Express

    Steige in den Glacier Express, einem der legendärsten Züge der Welt. Geniesse die Reise durch Täler, Bergpässe und die Rheinschlucht. Fahrtzeit: ca. 8h

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lugano

    Fahrt mit dem Bernina Express

    Geniesse deine Fahrt im Panoramawagen des Bernina Express von St. Moritz nach Tirano (IT). Von dort geht es weiter nach Lugano, wo du übernachtest. Fahrtzeit: ca. 5h 40min

  6. Day 6railovernight: Luzern

    Fahrt mit dem Gotthard Panorama Express

    Du fährst im 1. Klasse-Panoramawagen des Gotthard Panorama Express von Lugano nach Flüelen. Von dort geht es per Dampfschiff nach Luzern. Fahrtzeit: ca. 5h 30min

  7. Day 7railovernight: St. Gallen

    Fahrt mit dem Voralpen-Express

    Entdecke die raue Schönheit der Nordostschweiz, während du mit dem Voralpen-Express von Luzern nach St. Gallen fährst. Fahrtzeit: ca. 2h 20min

  8. Day 8

    Rückreise ab St. Gallen via Romanshorn und Schaffhausen

    Du fährst von St. Gallen via Romanshorn nach Schaffhausen, von wo aus du deine Rückreise mit den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln antrittst. Alternativ kannst du deinen Aufenthalt in St. Gallen auch verlängern.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Luzern-Interlaken Express for a two-hour journey into the heart of the Bernese Oberland.
  • Day 2The GoldenPass Express descends from Interlaken to Montreux on Lake Geneva, a three-hour run through alpine foothills.
  • Day 3Arrive in car-free Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn for a full day at leisure.
  • Day 4Ride the Glacier Express, described as the world's slowest express train, for eight hours through valleys, mountain passes, and the Rhine Gorge to St. Moritz.
  • Day 5The Bernina Express ascends to some of Europe's highest railway tracks before descending toward Tirano and Lugano in a panoramic car.
  • Day 6Travel in first-class panoramic comfort on the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Flüelen, then continue by historic steamship to Luzern.

Questions travellers ask

Are all train fares included?
Yes. Rail travel on the six named trains and the one-way steamship on Lake Lucerne are included in the package price. The from-price is EUR 2,060 (USD 2,358).
Which trains are featured?
The itinerary includes the Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express, and Voralpen-Express, plus a steamship leg on Lake Lucerne.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
The pack does not specify whether a guide accompanies the group. Confirm with Switzerland Travel Centre whether this is a guided or independent itinerary.
How long is the trip?
Eight days and seven nights from Luzern to Schaffhausen.
What is not included?
The pack does not specify which meals, activities, or site entries are included or excluded. Contact the operator for full inclusions and exclusions.
How much free time is there?
Days 2, 3, and 7 include time at leisure in Montreux, Zermatt, and St. Gallen respectively. Other days are structured around train departures.

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