railtour suisse

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland «Top Attractions» (for international guests)

Five-day Swiss rail route linking GoldenPass Express and Glacier Express

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

railtour suisse runs this five-day, four-night rail trip across Switzerland, from Lucerne to Chur. Day one begins with a stroll across Lucerne's Chapel Bridge and through the old town to the Lion Monument. Day two rides the Luzern-Interlaken Express over the Brunig Pass, passing three small lakes before reaching the glacier-fed waters of Lake Brienz. Day three continues on the GoldenPass Express through alpine forests and mountain villages to Montreux, home to the medieval Chillon Castle. Day four brings a regional train to car-free Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn, with an optional trip up the Gornergrat cog railway for views of peaks above 4,000 metres. On day five, the Glacier Express crosses the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres to Chur, described as Switzerland's oldest town, before an individual return journey; the operator notes the route can also run in reverse. The trip suits travellers who want to see several distinct regions of Switzerland by named panoramic train without following a group leader.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Gornergrat cog railway and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion in Zermatt on day 4 are listed as optional extras, not included in the base price.
  • The evidence's description of Montreux cuts off mid-sentence after mentioning its almost Mediterranean climate, so some details about the town are not available in our source.

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: Interlaken

    Lucerne-Interlaken Express (1h50)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Travel with the Luzern-Interlaken Express from Lucerne via the Brünig Pass to Interlaken. Passing three small lakes, you will reach Lake Brienz, which has a special colour due to its glacier water.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    GoldenPass Express (3h15)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel from Interlaken to Montreux with the GoldenPass Express. You will pass through alpine forests, see bubbling mountain springs and picturesque mountain villages.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Zermatt

    Montreux – Zermatt (2h40)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Travel by regional train to Zermatt, the beautiful and famous car-free resort at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn. Enjoy the day in Zermatt or take a trip to the Gornergrat, Europe's highest open-air cog railway, for a panoramic view of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and other snow-capped peaks above 4'000 metres. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion can also be added.

  5. Day 5rail

    Glacier Express (5h30) and return journey

    Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel from Zermatt to Chur with the Glacier Express, over bridges, through tunnels and over the Oberalp Pass at 2'033 m. Chur is the oldest town in Switzerland, with a traffic-free old town of more than 500 shops. Individual return journey from Chur. This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Luzern-Interlaken Express crosses the Brunig Pass, passing three small lakes before reaching Lake Brienz, whose water takes on a distinct colour from glacier melt.
  • Day 3The GoldenPass Express passes alpine forests, bubbling mountain springs and picturesque mountain villages on the way to Montreux.
  • Day 4An optional trip up the Gornergrat, Europe's highest open-air cog railway, gives views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and other peaks above 4,000 metres.
  • Day 5The Glacier Express crosses the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres on the way to Chur, described as Switzerland's oldest town.

Included

  • Swiss Travel Pass, 6 days in 2nd class
  • Seat reservation in the GoldenPass Express and Glacier Express
  • 1 night in Lucerne, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Interlaken, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Montreux, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 1 night in Zermatt, 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 6-day Swiss Travel Pass in second class is included, along with seat reservations on the GoldenPass Express and the Glacier Express.
Which trains are used?
The Luzern-Interlaken Express from Lucerne to Interlaken, the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux, a regional train from Montreux to Zermatt, and the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Chur.
What hotels are included?
One night each in a 3-star hotel in Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux and Zermatt, all standard double rooms with breakfast.
Is this a guided tour or independent travel?
Day 5 describes an individual return journey from Chur, and the tour can be booked in the opposite direction; no guide is mentioned in the evidence.
What optional extras can I add in Zermatt?
The Gornergrat cog railway excursion and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion, both listed as optional extras on day 4.
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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