Great Rail Journeys
Interlaken & the Jungfrau Express in Winter
7 daysfrom $2,536
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
GRJ All Inclusive Jungfrau Express in Winter
Stay in picturesque Wilderswil for a week-long escorted rail tour among the winter wonderland of the majestic Swiss Alps.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg (or Basel on 14 Dec departure)
To the atmospheric city of Strasbourg
Your winter tour begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and group before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. On arrival in the French capital, we continue by high-speed train to the medieval city of Strasbourg for an overnight stay. This charming city makes an ideal place to break our journey. With a blend of German and French influences, the historic quarter known as 'Petite France' is an enchanting area to wander through, with its half-timbered houses overlooking the narrow canals. Another lovely feature of the city is the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock, and the beautiful central square, Place Kléber. We regroup this evening to walk a short distance from our central hotel for dinner at a local restaurant. Please note: on the 14th December departure, guests will travel to Basel for an overnight stay instead of Strasbourg.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Wilderswil
Welcome to the alpine village of Wilderswil
A free morning in Strasbourg provides another chance to explore this beautiful city. The historic quarter of Strasbourg is divided by the River Ill and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. This afternoon, we continue our journey by rail to Switzerland, travelling via the city of Basel and the resort town of Interlaken. The scenes from our windows transform into an alpine wonderland as we enter the snow-capped Swiss Alps. As we approach Spiez, look out for its fairytale lakeside castle beside sparkling Lake Thun. The picturesque route takes us to the quaint village of Wilderswil, set beside the Lütschine river in a pretty alpine valley and surrounded by the impressive Mönch, Eiger and Jungfrau mountains. As we check into our traditional hotel, we can expect a warm welcome from the family who has run it for more than 60 years. Tonight and each evening of our stay in Wilderswil, we enjoy dinner with selected drinks served during our meal.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Wilderswil
The Jungfrau Express to the 'Top of Europe'
Today we experience a high point of the holiday with a trip to Europe's highest railway station, Jungfraujoch, or the 'Top of Europe'. Our scenic rail experience starts with a short ride on the Bernese Oberland Railway, joining the Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg. Climbing through a tunnel deep inside the Eiger and the Mönch mountains, our train emerges just below the breathtaking summit of the Jungfrau at over 11,000 feet. Enjoy your free time at the summit with a visit to the Sphinx Observatory, absorbing spellbinding views of the surrounding peaks and the immense Aletsch Glacier. You may be tempted to head to Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven for an insight into the history and making of Swiss chocolate. Also worth a visit is Alpine Sensation, a multi-sensory exhibition on the history of tourism in the region and the miners who built the Jungfrau Railway more than 100 years ago. We retrace our journey back to the hotel, with time to relax before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Wilderswil
A day to explore scenic Interlaken
Interlaken, the capital of the Bernese Oberland, is one of the most popular towns in the Swiss Alps. Besides having all the hallmarks of Switzerland, such as snow-capped peaks, glistening lakes and rolling hills, Interlaken is the centre of a year-round playground for climbers, walkers and skiers. Set in the heart of this captivating landscape, the town is situated between the glacier-fed lakes Brienz and Thun and surrounded by three iconic peaks: the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch. Interlaken is a great starting point for any experience in the Bernese Oberland. Here, you're free to explore at your own pace using your included Swiss Half Fare Card which provides 50% discount on rail, bus and boat fares. You might take a magical winter cruise across Lake Thun and experience fairytale vistas of castles, hills and the soaring Bernese Alps. Or venture further, by rail, to visit the capital city of Bern, the car-free resort of Zermatt or Lucerne. However you decide to spend the day, dinner will be served at the hotel as usual this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: Wilderswil
An excursion to charming Grindelwald
After breakfast, we travel by train to the Swiss village of Grindelwald, tucked away at the foot of the Eiger. Like a scene from a folktale, this famous village has incredible views of the north face of the mountain. One of Europe's oldest mountain resorts, Grindelwald rose to prominence in the 1920s when skiing became a popular leisure activity. With an abundance of Swiss charm, the village is surrounded by open skiing fields in winter. You can take a cable car from the east of Grindelwald to Pfingstegg, a viewpoint 4,260 feet above the Grindelwald Valley and across to the mountain tops of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn and Eiger. Alternatively, you may prefer to find a cosy café for a hot chocolate and Swiss pastry in Eiger village before returning to Wilderswil by rail in your own time. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Wilderswil
At leisure in Wilderswil
Today is a free day to enjoy the Bernese Oberland at your own pace. If you'd like to take it easy, enjoy a walk around the quintessentially Swiss village of Wilderswil or admire the striking setting. If you'd rather venture farther, you can use your Swiss Half Fare Card to uncover the villages of the beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley. The mountain resort of Wengen sits beneath the Jungfrau with fantastic views of the valley. Alternatively, head to the village of Mürren and take a cable car trip to the top of the Schilthorn mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Jungfrau region. From here, you could visit the famous Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, featured in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Another option is to take the train to Lucerne and discover this pretty lakeside city known as the 'City of Lights'. Lucerne exudes class, culture, and history, with beautifully preserved medieval architecture. This evening is our final dinner with drinks at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast this morning, your holiday comes to a close as we board a train to Lausanne. From here we travel by TGV to Paris, before connecting with the Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where your journey ends.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 6 nights' 3-star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Standard Class travel
- Standard Class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast and dinner each day
- 5 picnic lunches
- Drinks package between 7pm–9pm with dinner each day in Wilderswil (beer, wine and soft drinks)
- Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on rail, boat and most mountain railways on free days)
- All guided tours and excursions
- Jungfrau Express trip to Jungfraujoch
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
