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Magic Switzerland (Magic Travel Services GmbH) · Individual rail tour

Greatest Rail Adventure

Swiss rail circle through Lucerne, Lugano, St. Moritz and Zermatt on three panoramic trains

Illustration of Greatest Rail Adventure

Magic Switzerland's Greatest Rail Adventure is a nine-day, eight-night individual rail tour through four Swiss destinations. Starting in Lucerne and ending in Zermatt, it combines three of Switzerland's most celebrated panoramic trains: the Gotthard Panorama Express (which includes a boat segment), the Bernina Express, and the Glacier Express. You spend two nights in each of Lucerne, Lugano, St. Moritz, and Zermatt, staying in either 3-star or 4-star hotels with daily breakfast. Four full leisure days allow you to explore each location at your own pace, from the lakeside promenades of Lucerne and Lugano to the mountain villages and hiking trails of St. Moritz and car-free Zermatt. The included Gornergrat excursion from Zermatt and local guest cards in three cities enhance your stay. This tour suits first-time and seasoned rail travelers, couples seeking a relaxed pace, and independent explorers who want the framework of trains and hotels without daily guided activities.

What to know before you look closer

  • The rail tickets included are in 2nd class; upgrading to 1st class costs an additional CHF 155 per person.
  • The Bernina Express portion requires a coach journey from Lugano to Tirano before boarding the train to St. Moritz.
  • Single supplement is CHF 708 above half the double rate at 3-star hotels, and CHF 1,045 at 4-star hotels; couples will find this trip better value than solo travelers.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lucerne

    Arrival in Lucerne

    Arrival in Lucerne by train from the Swiss border or airport.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lucerne

    Lucerne at Leisure

    Full day at leisure. Suggested excursions: Mount Titlis with its revolving cablecar, Mount Pilatus Golden round trip, or Mount Rigi, Queen of the mountains.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lugano

    Gotthard Panorama Express to Lugano

    Take the Gotthard Panorama Express, linking Central and Southern Switzerland; the Gotthard line climbs from 470 to about 1,100 meters before entering the 15km Gotthard tunnel.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lugano

    Lugano at Leisure

    Day at leisure in Lugano - enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere, stroll the lakeside promenade or take a trip to Monte Bre or Monte San Salvatore.

  5. Day 5railovernight: St. Moritz

    Bernina Express to St. Moritz

    Depart Lugano with the Bernina Express coach to Tirano (Italy), then the train connecting to St. Moritz over the Bernina Pass, climbing to over 2,000m with views over snow-capped mountains and glaciers.

  6. Day 6overnight: St. Moritz

    St. Moritz at Leisure

    Day at leisure - wander the old town, stroll around the lake or hike a scenic trail of the Upper Engadine; explore local mountains such as Diavolezza, Corvatsch and Muottas Muragl.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Zermatt

    Glacier Express to Zermatt

    Morning departure on the famous Glacier Express, a 7.5 hour rail journey across the Swiss Alps crossing 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and the 2,033m Oberalp Pass.

  8. Day 8overnight: Zermatt

    Zermatt at Leisure

    Day at leisure in this charming car-free village dominated by the Matterhorn, encircled by four-thousand metre peaks.

  9. Day 9

    Departure

    Day at leisure. Return to Swiss border or individual onward journey. Itinerary bookable in reverse; Open Jaw possible (starting in Zermatt and ending in Lucerne or vice versa).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Gotthard Panorama Express departs Lucerne, climbing from 470 to 1,100 meters before entering the 15-kilometer Gotthard tunnel linking Central and Southern Switzerland.
  • Day 5Bernina Express climbs to over 2,000 meters on the Bernina Pass with views of snow-capped mountains and glaciers en route from Tirano to St. Moritz.
  • Day 7Glacier Express travels 7.5 hours across the Swiss Alps, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels while ascending the 2,033-meter Oberalp Pass.
  • Day 8Day in Zermatt, a car-free village encircled by four-thousand-meter peaks, including an excursion to Mt. Gornergrat.

Included

  • Rail ticket in 2nd class for rail travel per itinerary
  • 2 nights each in Lucerne, Lugano, St. Moritz and Zermatt, quality hotels, standard rooms with private facilities and breakfast
  • Seat Reservation on the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lucerne to Lugano (boat and train) in 1st class
  • Seat Reservation on the Bernina Express bus from Lugano to Tirano
  • Seat Reservation on the Bernina Express train from Tirano to St. Moritz
  • Seat Reservation on the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt
  • Excursion to Mt. Gornergrat
  • Local guest cards in Lucerne, Lugano and St. Moritz
  • 50% discount on additional rail tickets (local transport) and some mountain excursions

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included in this tour?
The Gotthard Panorama Express (Lucerne to Lugano with boat connection), Bernina Express (Tirano to St. Moritz), and Glacier Express (St. Moritz to Zermatt). All seat reservations and 2nd class rail tickets are included.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Magic Switzerland describes this as an individual rail tour. You travel independently between hotels and on trains; no guide accompanies you throughout.
What is included in the price?
Eight nights of accommodation with breakfast, all three rail journeys with seat reservations, a Gornergrat excursion, local guest cards in three cities, and a 50% discount on additional rail tickets and some mountain excursions.
When does the tour run?
April 20 through October 4, 2026, based on current published departures.
How many rest days are there?
Four full leisure days: Day 2 in Lucerne, Day 4 in Lugano, Day 6 in St. Moritz, and Day 8 in Zermatt. Day 9 is departure.
Can I reverse the itinerary or use an open-jaw routing?
Yes. The operator notes the itinerary is bookable in reverse (starting in Zermatt, ending in Lucerne), and open-jaw routing is possible.

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