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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

GRJ All Inclusive Jungfrau Express

Eight-day escorted Alpine rail tour from London through Switzerland's Bernese Oberland.

Illustration of GRJ All Inclusive Jungfrau Express

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day all-inclusive escorted tour of the Swiss Alps, starting in London and centered on the village of Wilderswil in the Bernese Oberland. The journey opens with Eurostar and TGV rail from London through Paris to Strasbourg, then continues south into Switzerland by scenic train. From the base hotel in Wilderswil, you spend six nights with all meals and evening drinks included, taking daily excursions on legendary Alpine railways: the Jungfrau Express cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch at 3,454 meters, a cruise across glacier-fed Lake Brienz, and optional routes via Lucerne or the Schynige Platte Railway to the Botanical Alpine Garden. A Swiss Half Fare Card grants half-price rail and mountain-railway travel on your free day, allowing independent exploration of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Grindelwald, and other mountain villages. This tour suits first-time rail travellers who want a guided introduction to European trains, couples seeking all-inclusive relaxation with Alpine scenery, and repeat rail enthusiasts seeking famous Alpine routes. Throughout, a UK Tour Manager handles logistics while you enjoy the mountains.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour operates April through October, but the itinerary on Days 4 changes: April-to-mid-June departures visit Lucerne; mid-June onwards visits Schynige Platte and its Alpine Garden.
  • Groups can reach 40 participants, which may reduce the intimacy of some excursions.
  • Day 5 is largely unguided; you plan your own exploration using the included Swiss Half Fare Card for rail and mountain railway discounts.

Day by day

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras aboard Eurostar, crossing the Channel by rail to Paris, then travel south by TGV to Strasbourg.
  • Day 2Travel by train into Switzerland, passing the turquoise waters of Lake Thun before arriving in the Alpine village of Wilderswil.
  • Day 3Explore Interlaken by rail with a picnic lunch provided; optionally ride the Harder Kulm funicular for panoramic mountain views.
  • Day 4On April-to-mid-June departures, travel the Interlaken to Lucerne Express through the Brünig Pass; on mid-June departures, ride the restored Schynige Platte Railway to the Botanical Alpine Garden.
  • Day 6Board the legendary Jungfrau Express from Kleine Scheidegg, ascending the cogwheel railway through the Eiger tunnel to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station.
  • Day 7Cruise across glacier-fed Lake Brienz surrounded by mountains and green forests, passing tiny villages before arriving in Brienz for exploration.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 1599 includes all rail travel: Eurostar Standard Class, TGV, and Standard Class trains throughout Switzerland, plus the Jungfrau Express, Schynige Platte Railway, funicular, and Lake Brienz cruise.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is escorted. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London through the entire journey, though Day 5 offers free time to explore at your own pace.
What is the base accommodation and how many nights?
Hotel Alpenblick, a 3-star hotel in Wilderswil, for six nights (Days 2-7). Day 1 is spent in Strasbourg. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily, plus a drinks package (beer, wine, and soft drinks) from 7pm to 9pm with dinner in Wilderswil.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner each day, plus six picnic lunches provided by the hotel. The evening drinks package is included with dinner.
What is the Swiss Half Fare Card and how is it used?
It permits 50 percent discounts on rail, boat, and most mountain railway fares. You use it on free days (such as Day 5) to explore areas including the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren at reduced cost.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
The tour includes city walking in Strasbourg and Interlaken, plus funicular and train travel to mountain viewpoints. No strenuous hikes are required; optional activities such as visiting Piz Gloria at Schilthorn are your choice.

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