APT (APT Travel Group)
Switzerland by Rail
13-day Swiss rail tour on the Glacier, Bernina and GoldenPass Express trains
13 daysprice on request
23% rail
Tailor Made Rail · Independent rail holiday
Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
From east to west and top to bottom, take an epic tour of Switzerland by rail, including stunning mountain vistas, lakefront resorts and some of the country's most famous scenic rail journeys.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Zurich
London to Zurich
Eurostar from London St Pancras, transferring in Paris onto a high-speed TGV service to Zurich, arriving mid-afternoon, on the River Reuss where it flows into Lake Zurich.
- Day 2railovernight: Interlaken
Zurich to Interlaken
A train to Lucerne, changing onto the Luzern-Interlaken Express, a 2-hour scenic journey past waterfalls, lakes and the Brünig Pass, for a 2-night stay.
- Day 3overnight: Interlaken
Interlaken
A popular base for exploring the Bernese Oberland; optional mountain railways to the Jungfrau, the steam-hauled Brienz Rothorn, or a cruise on Lakes Brienz or Thun.
- Day 4railovernight: Montreux
Interlaken to Montreux with the Golden Pass
A scenic journey via Spiez and Zweisimmen to Montreux on the Swiss Riviera, aboard either a modern panoramic train or vintage Belle-Epoque carriages, for a 2-night stay.
- Day 5railovernight: Montreux
Montreux
A day at leisure on the Swiss Riviera on Lake Geneva; walk to the Chateau de Chillon, or take the scenic Rochers de Naye train up into the hills.
- Day 6overnight: Zermatt
Montreux to Zermatt
Through the cantons of Vaud and Valais, changing at Visp for the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn up to Zermatt, for a 2-night stay.
- Day 7railovernight: Zermatt
Zermatt
A free day in Zermatt; optional Gornergrat Mountain Railway for close-up views of the Matterhorn, or hiking trails.
- Day 8railovernight: St Moritz
Zermatt to St Moritz with the Glacier Express
The Glacier Express across Switzerland, alongside the source of the Rhône, over the Oberalp Pass (over 6,560 feet) and following the Rhine into St Moritz. Commentary provided; lunch served on board (payable locally).
- Day 9railovernight: Lugano
St Moritz to Lugano with the Bernina Express
The scenic Bernina Express south to Tirano across the Italian border, then on past Lake Como and Valtellina to Lugano, for a 2-night stay.
- Day 10overnight: Lugano
Lugano and Ticino
A Mediterranean-feeling corner of Switzerland; funicular trains to Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore, or day trips to Locarno or Ascona.
- Day 11railovernight: Lucerne
Lugano to Lucerne
A train back across the Alps to the shores of Lake Lucerne, for a 2-night stay.
- Day 12overnight: Lucerne
Lucerne
Explore the Old Town, the famous wooden bridges and the Kapellbrücke; complimentary Visitor Card gives discounted attractions and free local transport.
- Day 13railovernight: St Gallen
Lucerne to St Gallen
The Voralpen-Express along Lake Lucerne, crossing Lake Zurich and the Sitter Viaduct (Switzerland's highest railway bridge) to St Gallen, for a 2-night stay.
- Day 14overnight: St Gallen
St Gallen
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Abbey of St Gaul, founded around 720AD, with its ancient library.
- Day 15overnight: Basel
St Gallen to Basel
Along the shore of Lake Constance and the Rhine to Schaffhausen (optional stop for the Rhine Falls), then on to Basel for an overnight stay.
- Day 16rail
Basel to London
A train via Cologne to Brussels for the Eurostar back to the UK.
Included
- All rail journeys, in standard class
- Seat reservations where required
- 15 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email
- Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions
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