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Switzerland Travel Centre · Viaggo in treno

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Tour storico

Seven-day Swiss rail loop through Alps and lakes on three famous trains

Illustration of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Tour storico

Switzerland Travel Centre's Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Tour storico is a seven-day journey through the Swiss Alps and lake regions, starting in Coira (Switzerland's oldest city) and ending in Lucerna. The tour centers on three celebrated trains: the Glacier Express, a high-altitude route that takes five and a half hours crossing Alpine terrain; the GoldenPass Belle Époque, a vintage Belle Époque carriage for a six-hour journey through changing landscapes; and the Luzern-Interlaken Express. Between train days, you stay in five Swiss Historic Hotels, each with its own heritage story. Day 5 at Brienz is yours to spend freely, exploring Giessbach Falls, caves, or the village's wooden sculpture tradition. This tour suits history-focused travellers and couples who want to travel at a relaxed pace, with most stops offering two or more nights in one place. The itinerary blends guided rail journeys with independent exploration and does not require driving.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 is independent transfer to Coira by public transport; no guided arrival service is mentioned.
  • Day 7 is independent departure from Lucerna; the tour does not include return transport.
  • The Belle Époque carriage journey is Day 4 only; most other rail segments use standard second-class seating.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Coira

    Trasferimento a Coira

    Raggiungi Coira con i mezzi pubblici e pernotti allo «Stern», uno Swiss Historic Hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    Viaggio sul Glacier Express

    A bordo del Glacier Express da Coira raggiungi Zermatt, dove pernotterai al «Monte Rosa», uno Swiss Historic Hotel. Durata del viaggio: ca. 5h 30min

  3. Day 3overnight: Montreux

    Viaggio da Zermatt a Montreux

    Raggiungi Montreux in treno e pernotti al «Masson», uno Swiss Historic Hotel.

  4. Day 4overnight: Brienz

    Giro sul GoldenPass Belle Époque

    Raggiungi Zweisimmen da Montreux sulla linea GoldenPass a bordo di una carrozza Belle Époque. Prosegui fino a Interlaken, da lì sul lago di Brienz e poi in funivia fino all'hotel. A Brienz pernotterai all'hotel «Grandhotel Giessbach», uno Swiss Historic Hotel. Durata del viaggio: ca. 6h

  5. Day 5overnight: Brienz

    Soggiorno a Brienz

    La giornata di oggi è a tua disposizione. Esplora le cascate di Giessbach o visita le Grotte di San Beato e il villaggio di sculture in legno di Brienz.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lucerna

    Viaggio sul Luzern-Interlaken Express

    La mattina parti da Giessbach e attraversi il lago di Brienz fino a Brienz. Qui sali a bordo del Luzern-Interlaken Express per Lucerna, dove pernotti al «Wilden Mann», uno Swiss Historic Hotel.

  7. Day 7

    Rientro da Lucerna

    Rientri da Lucerna con i mezzi pubblici. In alternativa, puoi prolungare il tuo soggiorno.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Five-and-a-half-hour journey aboard the Glacier Express from Coira to Zermatt through Alpine terrain
  • Day 4GoldenPass Belle Époque vintage carriage from Montreux to Zweisimmen, followed by boat across Brienz lake and cable car to Grandhotel Giessbach
  • Day 5Free day at Brienz to explore Giessbach Falls, Saint Beato Caves, or the village's wooden sculpture tradition
  • Day 6Luzern-Interlaken Express from Brienz to Lucerna, starting with a boat crossing of Brienz lake

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Glacier Express (Coira to Zermatt), GoldenPass Belle Époque (Montreux to Zweisimmen), and Luzern-Interlaken Express (Brienz to Lucerna).
Where do I stay?
In Swiss Historic Hotels: Stern (Coira), Monte Rosa (Zermatt), Masson (Montreux), Grandhotel Giessbach (Brienz, two nights), and Wilden Mann (Lucerna).
Is this escorted or independent?
Mostly independent. Day 1 arrival and Day 7 departure are on your own via public transport. Rail journeys follow the itinerary; Day 5 at Brienz is free time.
What is included in the price?
Six nights in Swiss Historic Hotels, three named train journeys, a boat crossing on Brienz lake, and cable-car transport to Giessbach. Does not include getting to Coira or leaving Lucerna.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. Day 4 includes a cable car; Day 5 offers optional walks to waterfalls or caves. Most other days involve standard station and city walking.
What is the starting price?
1,620 CHF (approximately 2,018 USD), or about 288 USD per day.

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