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Switzerland Travel Centre · Voyage en train

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Rivieras alpines

Five-day Swiss rail loop through Alps, lakes, and Ticino valleys

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Rivieras alpines

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Rivieras alpines is a five-day loop from Lucerne through five Alpine and lakeside towns. The journey begins with the Luzern-Interlaken Express and continues via the GoldenPass Express, with its panoramic car overlooking Lake Léman and the Montreux waterfront. Day 3 takes you to Zermatt, a car-free village beneath the Matterhorn, where you have time to walk the streets. On Day 4, the romantic Train des Centovalli carries you through a hundred side valleys into Ticino, ending in the Mediterranean-tinged town of Locarno. The finale pairs the Gotthard Panorama Express in first class with a historic paddle-wheel steamboat crossing Lake Lucerne back to your starting point. The trip travels mostly in second class on designated scenic trains, with hotels in each destination and a relaxed pace of one or two nights per stop. It suits first-time rail travellers seeking a well-curated introduction to Swiss trains, repeat rail enthusiasts drawn to famous regional routes, couples looking for a varied journey, and photographers seeking mountain, lake, and valley views.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip starts and ends in different towns (Lucerne to Flüelen); confirm onward transport from Flüelen to Lucerne or beyond.
  • Day 5 involves a change from train to steamboat; total journey time is approximately 5 hours.
  • The second class fare covers most legs; first class applies only to the Gotthard Panorama Express segment.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Arrivée à Interlaken

    Voyage à Lucerne avec les transports publics. Ensuite, tu prends le Luzern-Interlaken Express jusqu'à Interlaken. Temps de trajet : environ 1h 50min

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montreux

    Voyage à bord du GoldenPass Express

    Tu voyages dans la voiture panoramique du GoldenPass Express jusqu'à Montreux, au bord du Lac Léman. Temps de trajet : environ 3h 15min

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Séjour à Zermatt

    Tu prends le train de Montreux à Zermatt. Une fois arrivé, tu as le temps de découvrir le magnifique village au pied du Cervin. Temps de trajet : environ 2h 30min

  4. Day 4railovernight: Locarno

    Voyage avec le train des Centovalli

    Aujourd'hui, tu prends le train des Centovalli via Domodossola en Italie jusqu'à Locarno et tu profites du beau parcours en passant par de nombreuses vallées latérales. Temps de trajet : environ 5h

  5. Day 5rail

    Voyage avec le Gotthard Panorama Express

    Tu prends le train jusqu'à Bellinzona, puis le Gotthard Panorama Express en 1ère classe jusqu'à Flüelen. Ensuite, tu continues en bateau à vapeur historique à aubes jusqu'à Lucerne. De là, tu peux prolonger ton séjour ou entreprendre ton voyage de retour vers ta destination finale en Suisse. Temps de trajet : environ 5h

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Luzern-Interlaken Express departs Lucerne and climbs toward Interlaken in 1 hour 50 minutes.
  • Day 2The GoldenPass Express panoramic car carries you along Lake Léman to Montreux in 3 hours 15 minutes.
  • Day 3You arrive in Zermatt and explore the village at the foot of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 4The Train des Centovalli travels via Domodossola, Italy, through a hundred valleys to Locarno in 5 hours.
  • Day 5The Gotthard Panorama Express in first class connects to a historic paddle-wheel steamboat for the final crossing to Lucerne.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The fare covers travel on the Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, Train des Centovalli, Gotthard Panorama Express, and the historic paddle-wheel steamboat from Flüelen to Lucerne.
Which trains are used?
Day 1: Luzern-Interlaken Express. Day 2: GoldenPass Express with panoramic car. Day 3: regular train to Zermatt. Day 4: Train des Centovalli via Domodossola. Day 5: Gotthard Panorama Express and steamboat.
What class of travel is provided?
Second class on most legs; first class on the Gotthard Panorama Express (Day 5).
Where do I stay each night?
Night 1: Interlaken. Night 2: Montreux. Night 3: Zermatt. Night 4: Locarno. Day 5 concludes in Flüelen or Lucerne.
Is there an optional upgrade for the Train des Centovalli?
Yes. A panoramic car supplement is available for 1.50 CHF.
How much walking is involved?
Day 3 includes free time to explore Zermatt village on foot. Other days consist mainly of train and boat travel with station transfers.

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