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Switzerland Travel Centre · Bahnreise

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Ost West

Five-day Swiss rail loop from Zürich through five named scenic trains

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Ost West

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Ost West is a five-day, four-night rail journey that moves from east to west across the country, beginning in Zürich and traveling to St. Gallen, Luzern, Interlaken, Montreux, and Andermatt before returning to Zürich. You travel on five named scenic trains in second class: the Voralpen-Express, Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, and Treno Gottardo. Day 2 takes you through pastoral Alpine foothills from St. Gallen to Luzern on Lake Vierwaldstättersee. Day 3 combines views of mountain lakes and the GoldenPass Express panoramic route to Montreux, where you see vineyards and the Lake Geneva shoreline. Day 4 climbs into the Alps toward Andermatt. The trip suits first-time rail travelers seeking a guided introduction to Swiss trains, as well as repeat rail enthusiasts who want to experience multiple celebrated scenic rail lines in one itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • All trains are second class; the package does not specify whether first-class upgrades are available
  • The itinerary description states that Day 1 involves travel via public transport from your starting point in Switzerland to Zürich, then onward to St. Gallen; confirm whether this pre-journey is included or self-arranged

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: St. Gallen

    Anreise nach St. Gallen

    Anreise mit den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln von deinem Startpunkt in der Schweiz nach Zürich. Danach geht deine Reise weiter über Schaffhausen und das malerische Stein am Rhein nach St. Gallen.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Luzern

    Fahrt mit dem Voralpen-Express

    Du reist mit dem Voralpen-Express von St. Gallen nach Luzern und geniesst eine Zugfahrt durch malerische Landschaften. Fahrtzeit: ca. 2h 15min

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    Fahrt mit dem GoldenPass Express

    Zuerst reist du mit dem Luzern-Interlaken Express vorbei an wunderschönen Seen und Bergen nach Interlaken. Dort steigst du in den GoldenPass Express und erlebst eine einzigartige Panoramafahrt bis nach Montreux am Genfer See. Fahrtzeit: ca. 5h 20min

  4. Day 4overnight: Andermatt

    Reise nach Andermatt

    Die Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn bringt dich von Montreux via Brig zuverlässig nach Andermatt. Fahrtzeit: ca. 3h 45min

  5. Day 5

    Fahrt mit Treno Gottardo nach Zürich

    Von Andermatt nach Göschenen geniesst du die atemberaubende Berglandschaft der Schweiz. Danach geht deine Reise mit dem Treno Gottardo weiter nach Zürich. Von dort trittst du deine Rück- oder Weiterreise mit den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln zu deinem Endpunkt in der Schweiz an.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: the Voralpen-Express carries you from St. Gallen to Luzern through pastoral Swiss landscapes in approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Day 3Day 3: after the Luzern-Interlaken Express passes lakes and mountains, you board the GoldenPass Express for a panoramic journey to Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva, totalling about 5 hours 20 minutes
  • Day 4Day 4: the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn carries you from Montreux via Brig into the alpine heart of Andermatt in approximately 3 hours 45 minutes

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes five named trains: Voralpen-Express, Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, and Treno Gottardo, all in second class.
Which cities and overnight stops are included?
You stay in St. Gallen (night 1), Luzern (night 2), Montreux (night 3), and Andermatt (night 4). The route also passes Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Interlaken, and Brig.
How long is this trip?
Five days and four nights. Day 1 is arrival in St. Gallen; Day 5 is departure from Zürich.
What is the price?
From 990 EUR (approximately 1,133 USD). This is an average of 227 USD per day.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
The evidence does not specify. Contact Switzerland Travel Centre to confirm whether a guide accompanies you.

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