Great Rail Journeys
Classic Jungfrau Express & Swiss Alps
8 daysfrom $3,070
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
GRJ All Inclusive Jungfrau Express
Spend a week in the outstanding Bernese Oberland, travelling the Jungfrau Express and enjoying all-inclusive hospitality and fantastic excursions with our sister company Rail Discoveries.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg
London to Strasbourg overnight
Meeting our Tour Manager at London St Pancras, we travel by Eurostar to Paris. From the French capital, we change trains and continue by rail to the attractive Alsace city of Strasbourg for the first night of our holiday. There's time to look around this attractive city after checking in to our hotel and you could explore one of its two UNESCO World Heritage sites: La Grande-Île with its cathedral and Petite France area, or the neo-Renaissance Neustadt district. Note: For departures 2nd & 16th May we will travel out via Mulhouse, staying at the Mercure Mulhouse hotel.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Wilderswil
Arrival in Wilderswil, the epitome of a Swiss alpine village
With a free morning to discover Strasbourg after breakfast, you could watch the city come to life from Place Kléber or stroll to the soaring Gothic cathedral before making your way to the station. Travelling by train into Switzerland, the scenery becomes more dramatic as we journey south, passing the shimmering turquoise waters of Lake Thun before reaching Wilderswil for a six-night all-inclusive stay. Our family-run Hotel Alpenblick is a traditional Swiss chalet-style hideaway in the heart of Wilderswil, run by Richard (a chef) and Yvonne (a wine specialist).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Wilderswil
A day to explore Interlaken
This morning, there is time to explore nearby Interlaken by rail after breakfast. With a picnic lunch provided by our hotel, you can uncover the delights of this attractive resort town set between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. Interlaken's historic centre is compact, making it easy to discover the medieval monastery, castle and ancient square on foot. Optionally take the funicular railway to Harder Kulm for panoramic views or enjoy a peaceful boat cruise on Lake Thun (Swiss Half Fare Card gives 50% discount). We return to Wilderswil this evening before dinner with drinks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Wilderswil
Excursion to alpine Schynige Platte or lakeside Lucerne
On departures from April to mid-June, we travel on the Interlaken to Lucerne Express to the lakeside town of Lucerne, passing Lake Brienz and the Brünig Pass. Lucerne has an attractive Old Town with the 14th-century Kapellbrücke. On departures from mid-June, we take a scenic journey on the Schynige Platte Railway with restored 19th-century carriages, enjoying panoramic views and entry to the Botanical Alpine Garden, home to many alpine flowers including edelweiss. Whichever excursion you join, a picnic lunch is provided. We return to our hotel for dinner and drinks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Wilderswil
A free day in Wilderswil and the Swiss Alps
There's a chance to take things at your own pace today. You could walk around Wilderswil or use your Swiss Half Fare Card to explore the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Grindelwald, Wengen or Mürren. From Mürren, take a cable car to the Schilthorn viewing platform to see the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and optionally visit the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant featured in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Dinner at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Wilderswil
To the 'Top of Europe' aboard the Jungfrau Express
A journey on the legendary Jungfrau Express to the 'Top of Europe' awaits after breakfast. Setting out on the Bernese Oberland Railway, we arrive at Kleine Scheidegg and join the cogwheel Jungfrau Express for the spectacular journey to Jungfraujoch, the continent's highest railway station. Our route passes through a tunnel dug into the Eiger before arriving at Jungfraujoch. Here, admire mountain peaks from the Sphinx observatory, view the endless Aletsch Glacier, enjoy a picnic lunch, visit Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven or the Alpine Sensation exhibition. We return to our hotel in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7railovernight: Wilderswil
A cruise on Lake Brienz and a free afternoon
Today, we take the train to Interlaken for a scenic cruise aboard a traditional boat on Lake Brienz. Encircled by magnificent mountains and vivid green forests, we pass tiny villages dotted along the shoreline. On arrival in Brienz, there's free time to explore this village known for its wood carvings. We take the train back to Interlaken after lunch, with free time for final sightseeing or shopping before returning to our hotel. This evening, we enjoy our final dinner at Hotel Alpenblick.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After our last breakfast in Switzerland, we pick up our picnic lunch and take the local train to Interlaken Ost. From here, we continue by rail via Bern to scenic Lausanne, skirting the shore of Lake Geneva as we travel onwards to Paris. In the French capital, we board the Eurostar back to London St Pancras where our Swiss holiday draws to a close.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 7 nights' 3-star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Standard Class travel
- Standard Class rail travel throughout
- All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast and dinner each day
- 6 picnic lunches
- Drinks package each evening from 7pm to 9pm with dinner in Wilderswil (beer, wine and soft drinks)
- Swiss Half Fare Card permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways
- All guided tours and excursions
- Entry to Botanical Alpine Garden at Schynige Platte (mid-June departures)
- Jungfrau Express journey to Jungfraujoch
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance