Search

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Interlaken & the Jungfrau Express in Winter

Seven-day Swiss alpine winter circuit from London via Jungfrau Railway

Illustration of Interlaken & the Jungfrau Express in Winter

Great Rail Journeys operates this seven-day winter escape based in Interlaken, a Swiss resort town set between two lakes and overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The journey begins with Eurostar from London St Pancras, continues via TGV rail through France to Basel, and settles into five nights at the four-star Hotel Metropole Interlaken. From this base, travellers experience some of Europe's most celebrated mountain railways: the panoramic Luzern-Interlaken Express climbing the Brünig Pass; a cable car ride to Grindelwald First summit; and the signature Jungfrau Railway ascending to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the entire group, most meals are provided, and a Swiss Half Fare Card grants 50% discounts on mountain railways during free time. Day 4 is unscheduled, allowing for optional local exploration. The tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking mountain scenery, couples looking for shared alpine experiences, and those who prefer guided comfort with pre-arranged logistics.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement from £2,149 GBP is substantially above half the per-person price, adding significant cost for solo travellers.
  • One free day in Interlaken (Day 4) is unguided; activities like boat rides and nature trails are self-directed and may require separate payment.
  • Maximum group size is 30 participants; the tour may feel crowded on shared mountain railway journeys during peak winter weeks.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Basel

    To Basel for an overnight stay

    Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. Here, we change trains and continue to the Swiss city of Basel, where we spend the night. Near the borders of France and Germany, Basel sits on the River Rhine and is considered Switzerland's cultural capital. Its Old Town boasts charming streets and a twin-spired Gothic minster, with its notable red sandstone walls and colourful roof tiles. After checking in to our hotel, we enjoy our first dinner together this evening. Please Note: For departure 14th February we will stay at the Hotel Euler Basel in Basel.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Interlaken

    Welcome to Interlaken

    There's a morning at leisure after breakfast and you can explore Basel. Discover the attractive Old Town in its winter finery, with its striking red Rathaus taking pride of place in the Marktplatz. This afternoon, we set off on a magical winter journey past glittering lakes and snowy peaks to Interlaken, in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. This pristine resort town is nestled between Lakes Thun and Brienz, sitting peacefully in a picturesque valley watched over by the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. On arrival, we check in to the hotel, our base for the next five nights, then enjoy some free time to explore before dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Interlaken

    Aboard the panoramic Luzern-Interlaken Express

    A spellbinding train journey awaits today aboard the Luzern-Interlaken Express, one of Switzerland's five panoramic train routes, to Lucerne. We travel along the banks of Lake Brienz to Meiringen, in the shadow of the famous Reichenbach Falls, then climb the Brünig Pass through winter wonderland scenery to an elevation of 3,287 feet. On the descent, we pass shimmering lakes before arriving in Lucerne. With free time to wander the old town, you can discover cobbled streets, ornate churches, frescoed historic houses and the 14th-century covered Kapellbrücke. This evening, we retrace our journey back to our hotel in Interlaken, arriving before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Interlaken

    At leisure in Interlaken

    Today is a free day, giving you a chance to explore Interlaken or venture further. Locally, you could take a boat ride across one of the lakes or head out on one of the many nature trails. Interlaken's history can be traced back to a monastery built here in the 12th century, while the surrounding landscapes provide a gateway to the Bernese Oberland, home to over 45 scenic mountain railways and aerial gondolas discoverable using your Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% off fares. This evening you are free to dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Interlaken

    Grindelwald and cable car ride to Grindelwald First

    We make our way by rail to the characterful alpine village of Grindelwald, blanketed in snow and nestled at the foot of the imposing north face of the Eiger. Enjoy free time to soak up the scenery of attractive wooden chalets and quaint town squares. Afterwards, we take a cable car journey to the summit of Grindelwald First mountain, with grand panoramas of the valley and the mighty Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. We return to Interlaken for a free afternoon before dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Interlaken

    A journey on the Jungfrau Railway

    The highlight of the holiday: a journey along the Jungfrau Railway. We join the Bernese Oberland Railway to Lauterbrunnen, then the Wengernalp Railway to Kleine Scheidegg, with outstanding views including the White Lütschine River Valley and Staubbach Falls (often frozen in winter). The Jungfrau Railway then runs six miles to just below the summit of the Jungfrau Mountain. After a viewing stop, we emerge at Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. With free time here, you can admire the Aletsch Glacier from the Sphinx Observatory or visit the Lindt store. After this glorious winter experience we head back to our hotel for the final dinner of the tour.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    Our tour draws to a close this morning as we depart Interlaken and make our way to Basel, before transferring to the onward rail service to Paris. In the French capital we join the Eurostar to London St Pancras where you are free to continue your journey homewards.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St Pancras on Eurostar, cross into Switzerland at Basel, and overnight in the city on the River Rhine.
  • Day 3Journey on the panoramic Luzern-Interlaken Express, climbing the Brünig Pass at 3,287 feet through winter scenery and passing the Reichenbach Falls.
  • Day 5Rail journey to Grindelwald village at the foot of the Eiger's north face, then cable car ascent to Grindelwald First with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
  • Day 6Ride the Jungfrau Railway from Kleine Scheidegg six miles to just below the Jungfrau summit, the highest railway station in Europe, with viewing stops and vistas of the White Lütschine River Valley and Staubbach Falls.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Standard Class travel
  • Standard Class rail travel throughout
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 5 dinners
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price from £1,899 GBP includes Eurostar Standard Class, TGV rail from Paris to Basel, the Luzern-Interlaken Express, Bernese Oberland Railway, Wengernalp Railway, and the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch. The Swiss Half Fare Card is also included for 50% off fares on free days.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager who accompanies the group from London St Pancras through to the return Eurostar to London. Guided tours and excursions are included; Day 4 in Interlaken is free time.
Which trains are featured on this tour?
Eurostar (London to Paris), TGV/intercity rail (Paris to Basel), Luzern-Interlaken Express (panoramic route over Brünig Pass), Bernese Oberland Railway (to Lauterbrunnen), Wengernalp Railway (to Kleine Scheidegg), and the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch.
What accommodation is included?
Six nights in four-star hotels: five nights at Hotel Metropole Interlaken and one night at a Basel hotel (Hotel Euler Basel for the 14 February 2027 departure). Breakfast is provided daily; five dinners are included.
When does the tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys operates four departures in the winter season: December 2026, January 2027, February 2027, and March 2027.
How much walking is involved?
The tour involves moderate walking at stations, villages, and during free exploration time. A cable car carries you to Grindelwald First. Train journeys themselves are not strenuous, though passengers should be comfortable with stairs and platform boarding.

Similar journeys