railtour suisse · Independent rail holiday

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Stunning Waters» (for international guests)

Three-day Swiss rail trip on the Voralpen Express to the Rhine Falls

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Stunning Waters» (for international guests), a rail journey with railtour suisse

railtour suisse runs this three-day, two-night independent rail holiday from Lucerne to Schaffhausen in Switzerland. Day one begins with arrival in Lucerne, where the itinerary calls for a stroll across the Chapel Bridge and through the old town to the Lion Monument. Day two is built around the Voralpen Express, which passes the Mythen mountains and the Rothenthurm moor plateau before crossing the 99-metre-high Sitter viaduct, the highest railway viaduct in Switzerland, on its way to St. Gallen, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Convent. From there the route continues to Schaffhausen for the overnight stop. Day three is dedicated to the Rhine Falls, Switzerland's largest waterfall, reached by a short train ride from Schaffhausen to Neuhausen, before an individual return journey; railtour suisse notes the trip can also run in reverse. The package suits independent travellers who want a short, scenic rail journey through lakes, mountains and a UNESCO town without a guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • The optional boat trip from Stein am Rhein to Schaffhausen on day 2 only runs from May to September, and the evidence does not give its cost, so confirm current pricing with railtour suisse if you want to add it.
  • The evidence's description of day 2 cuts off mid-sentence after mentioning that optional boat trip, so confirm the exact onward connection to Schaffhausen directly with railtour suisse.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lucerne

    Arrival in Lucerne

    Train journey to Lucerne, the city in the heart of Switzerland. Stroll across the world-famous Chapel Bridge, through the winding streets of the old town and visit the Lion Monument.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Schaffhausen

    Lucerne – Voralpen Express – St. Gallen – Stein am Rhein – Schaffhausen (5h50)

    Rail journey with the Voralpen Express. Starting from the shores of Lake Lucerne, the train passes the Mythen mountains and the Rothenthurm moor plateau heading to Rapperswil, then traverses the 99-metre-high Sitter viaduct and the rolling landscape of Toggenburg to reach St. Gallen, whose Convent is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Onward journey to Schaffhausen (May to September, optional boat trip from Stein am Rhein to Schaffhausen).

  3. Day 3rail

    Rhine Falls and return journey

    Visit the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Switzerland and among the 3 largest in Europe; a 7-minute train ride from Schaffhausen to Neuhausen. After the visit, individual return journey. This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrival in Lucerne includes a stroll across the Chapel Bridge and through the old town's winding streets to the Lion Monument.
  • Day 2The Voralpen Express passes the Mythen mountains and the Rothenthurm moor plateau, then crosses the 99-metre-high Sitter viaduct, the highest railway viaduct in Switzerland, on the way to St. Gallen.
  • Day 3A 7-minute train ride from Schaffhausen to Neuhausen for a visit to the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Switzerland and among the three largest in Europe.

Included

  • Swiss Travel Pass, 3 days in 2nd class
  • 1 night in Lucerne, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Schaffhausen, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 50% discount on most mountain railways, free entry at more than 500 museums

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. A 3-day Swiss Travel Pass in second class is included, covering the Voralpen Express and the regional trains used on this route.
Which trains are used?
The Voralpen Express from Lucerne via Rapperswil to St. Gallen, a regional train from St. Gallen via Stein am Rhein to Schaffhausen, and a regional train from Schaffhausen to Neuhausen for the Rhine Falls.
What hotels are included?
One night in a 3-star hotel in Lucerne and one night in a 3-star hotel in Schaffhausen, both standard double rooms with breakfast.
Is this a guided tour or independent travel?
It is an independent rail holiday. Day 3 is described as an individual return journey, and the tour can be booked in the opposite direction.
Is there a boat trip?
An optional boat trip from Stein am Rhein to Schaffhausen is available on day 2, but only from May to September.
What else does the Swiss Travel Pass include?
A 50% discount on most mountain railways and free entry to more than 500 museums.

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