Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

Travel through Switzerland via its famous mountain trains and take in its spectacular countryside while staying in beautiful Swiss towns along the way.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Arrive in Zurich

    Arrive in Zurich and settle into your hotel; free day to explore Bahnhofstrasse or Lake Zurich.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Grindelwald or Wengen (seasonal: Grindelwald for April/May/October departures, Wengen for June-September)

    Train to Wengen/Grindelwald

    Train to Lucerne, then over the Brunig Pass along Lake Brienz into the Bernese Oberland to Grindelwald or Wengen.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Grindelwald or Wengen

    Excursion to Jungfraujoch

    Train to Kleine Scheidegg, then the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe (3454m), with views of the Aletsch Glacier.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Montreux (Lausanne during the Montreux Jazz Festival)

    GoldenPass Panoramic Train to Montreux

    GoldenPass Panoramic train along Lake Thun to the Simmen Valley, Gstaad, and the Pays d'Enhaut Highlands, arriving at Lake Geneva and Montreux.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    Train to Zermatt

    Train to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn; free time in the car-free town.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zermatt

    Optional Excursion to Gornergrat

    Optional non-guided excursion on Europe's highest open-air cogwheel train to the Gornergrat summit.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Chur (Excellence Class passengers overnight in St. Moritz)

    Glacier Express

    Panoramic Glacier Express over the Oberalp Pass and through the Rhine Gorge, arriving in Chur.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lugano

    Bernina Express

    Narrow-gauge Bernina Express over the Brusio Circular Viaduct and through 55 tunnels to Tirano, Italy, then the Bernina Express Bus to Lugano.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Lugano

    Excursion to Monte Bre or Boat Ride to Gandria

    Optional cable car excursion to Monte Bre or a boat ride to Gandria; a day at leisure in Lugano if neither is purchased.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10railovernight: Lucerne

    Gotthard Panorama Express

    First class panorama carriage from Lugano to Fluelen via Bellinzona and the Gotthard tunnel, then a historic paddle steamer cruise across Lake Lucerne.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11

    Departure

    Final breakfast before traveling back to Zurich city center or airport.

    Meals: Breakfast

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 10 nights
  • Rail travel on the Swiss Travel System
  • 11 meals, including lunch onboard the Glacier Express
  • Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included
  • City taxes are not included in the package price and will need to be paid locally

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