Great Rail Journeys
Classic Lakes & Mountains of France & Switzerland
8 daysfrom $3,738
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Highlights of the Glacier Express
Travel by rail through the heart of the Swiss Alps on the world-famous Glacier Express train. Enjoy mountain railways, towns and scenery of Switzerland.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg
London to the Alsace city of Strasbourg
Meet the Tour Manager and travel group at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar through scenic French countryside to Paris, then continue to Strasbourg for an overnight stay. The historic centre features grand squares, narrow waterways, and the incredible Gothic cathedral. Enjoy a first dinner together at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Chur
Travelling into the Alps to Chur
Free morning after breakfast to explore Strasbourg, including Place Kléber or La Petite France (UNESCO World Heritage site). This afternoon, board a train down the Rhine to Basel and switch trains to reach Chur. Enjoy a three-course dinner on arrival. First of three nights in Chur. Note: For departures 6th, 13th & 20th May and 16th & 30th September, stay at the Central Hotel Post in Chur.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Chur
At leisure in Chur, Switzerland's oldest town
Free day to explore Chur and surroundings. Options include the Bündner Art Museum, Cathedral Treasury Museum, Rätisches Museum, or the scenic Arosa Line (climbing 3,000+ feet to Arosa). Davos and Klosters are also reachable. Swiss Half Fare Card provides 50% discounts. Dine independently this evening. Note: on the 12th April departure, Day 3 and Day 4 will be swapped.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4railovernight: Chur
Breathtaking views of the Alps on the Bernina Express
Board the Bernina Express after breakfast. The UNESCO World Heritage route twists south through the Engadine Valley, crossing the curved Landwasser Viaduct and climbing nearly 2,300 feet to Preda. Ospizio Bernina summit station sits at over 7,300 feet. The train pauses to view the Palü Glacier at Alp Grüm before descending to Poschiavo. Free time to explore Poschiavo's pastel-coloured buildings and pretty squares before returning to Chur for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: Täsch (or Kandersteg for certain departures)
Experiencing the incredible route of the Glacier Express
Board the Glacier Express from Chur to Brig after breakfast. At an average speed of 24mph, the 'world's slowest express train' travels through the Rhine Gorge ('Swiss Grand Canyon') in panoramic carriages, passing snow-dusted peaks and Swiss villages, ascending to Andermatt and through the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel to Brig. Switch trains to Täsch via the beautiful Matter Valley. Check in for a three-night stay and enjoy a three-course dinner in the on-site restaurant. Note: certain departures stay in Kandersteg days 5–8.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Täsch (or Kandersteg for certain departures)
The sights and flavours of Zermatt
Travel by rail to Zermatt after breakfast, enjoying views of snow-covered meadows and the dramatic Matter Valley. Visit Bäckerei Fuchs for a tasting of breads, chocolates, coffee or hot chocolate. Free time to explore the car-free resort, including the Matterhorn Museum or the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. Reconvene at Gornergrat Station for an expert-led tour of Zermatt, uncovering its connections to the UK including the story of Edward Whymper. Return to Täsch independently; dine at leisure in Zermatt.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7overnight: Täsch (or Kandersteg for certain departures)
Free day to uncover Täsch or further afield
Day at leisure from the base in Täsch. With the Swiss Half Fare Card, explore Brig (Stockalper Palace), Spiez (fairytale castle on Lake Thun), or travel along the Rhône Valley to Lake Geneva and the Swiss Riviera towns of Montreux or Vevey. Final group dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After final breakfast in Täsch, board the train to Brig, continue to Lausanne, change trains to Paris, then board the Eurostar to London St Pancras where the holiday concludes.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 7 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Standard Class rail travel
- Standard Class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast each day
- 5 dinners
- Group luggage transfers between hotels from Chur to Täsch
- Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys)
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
