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Switzerland Travel Centre · Viaggo in treno

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Tesori nascosti

Three-day Swiss rail loop from Lucerne through alpine scenery to Locarno

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Tesori nascosti

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Tesori nascosti (Hidden Treasures) is a 3-day, 2-night rail journey that departs Lucerne and loops through Alpine scenery and lakeside towns. On Day 1, you board the Luzern-Interlaken Express and settle into Interlaken. Day 2 is the route's heart: you climb the BLS Lötschberg line on the Trenino Verde delle Alpi, pass through the Simplon Tunnel into Italy, and ride the romantic Vigezzina-Centovalli railway through its hundred valleys to Locarno on Lake Maggiore. Day 3 returns you via the Gotthard Panorama Express in first class to Flüelen, then by historic paddle-wheel boat back to Lucerne. The package suits first-time rail travellers seeking four distinct named trains in one trip, repeat enthusiasts seeking specialized alpine and narrow-gauge routes, and budget-conscious explorers: at roughly 237 USD per day, all rail and boat transport is included. The journey avoids the busiest Grand Tour segments by veering into the Ticino region, offering quieter scenery and smaller stations alongside major Swiss rail icons.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 3 includes a boat segment on Lake Uri rather than rail alone; the return to Lucerne is by water
  • An optional panoramic carriage upgrade is available on the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway for a small additional fee

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Trasferimento a Lucerna e viaggio con il Luzern-Interlaken Express

    Raggiungi Lucerna con i mezzi pubblici. Prosegui con il Luzern-Interlaken Express fino a Interlaken. Durata del viaggio: ca. 1h 50min

  2. Day 2overnight: Locarno

    Viaggio sulla ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli

    Viaggi da Interlaken al Vallese a bordo del Trenino Verde delle Alpi (linea del Lötschberg BLS). Da lì prosegui attraverso il tunnel del Sempione fino a Domodossola e poi prendi la ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli fino a Locarno. Durata del viaggio: ca. 4h

  3. Day 3rail

    Viaggio sul Gotthard Panorama Express e rientro da Lucerna

    Prendi il treno per Bellinzona e poi il Gotthard Panorama Express in 1a classe per Flüelen. Prosegui a bordo dello storico piroscafo su ruote fino a Lucerna. Durata del viaggio: ca. 5h

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: the Luzern-Interlaken Express departs Lucerne and reaches Interlaken after roughly 1 hour 50 minutes of travel
  • Day 2Day 2: the Trenino Verde delle Alpi climbs the BLS Lötschberg line into the Valais, crosses the Simplon Tunnel to Domodossola, then continues on the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway through the valley of a hundred valleys to Locarno on Lake Maggiore
  • Day 3Day 3: the Gotthard Panorama Express in first class runs from Bellinzona to Flüelen, then a historic paddle-wheel boat carries you back to Lucerne

Questions travellers ask

Which trains and rail lines does this trip use?
The package includes the Luzern-Interlaken Express, the BLS Lötschberg line (Trenino Verde delle Alpi), the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway, and the Gotthard Panorama Express. Most travel is in second class; the Gotthard Panorama Express segment is first class.
Is all rail travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of 570 CHF (710 USD) includes all four named trains and the boat return to Lucerne. An optional panoramic carriage on the Vigezzina-Centovalli costs an additional 1.50 CHF.
How long is the trip?
The trip is 3 days and 2 nights. Day 1 is roughly 1 hour 50 minutes by train; Day 2 is approximately 4 hours of travel; Day 3 is about 5 hours including train and boat.
Where do I stay overnight?
You overnight in Interlaken on Day 1 and Locarno on Day 2. The itinerary does not list hotel names or standards.
What makes this route different from the standard Grand Train Tour?
This version includes a detour to Italy via the Simplon Tunnel and the romantic Vigezzina-Centovalli railway to reach Locarno, which is off the typical main route.

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