How much does it cost?

From CHF 2,105 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,582 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

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.

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.

Magic Switzerland · Individual rail tour

Greatest Rail Adventure

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

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.

Price history

Across 4 checks, this price has held at CHF 2,105 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 1 of 4 point is a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

2 readings are held out of the price above and this history: a unknown. We only price on the operator's package from-price, read from its own page.

What to know before you look closer

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

Day 1railovernight: Lucerne
Arrival in Lucerne
Arrival in Lucerne by train from the Swiss border or airport.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 on more than one site. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Switzerland Travel Centrefrom $2,526

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From CHF 2,105 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,582 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
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.
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.