Great Rail Journeys
GRJ All Inclusive Jungfrau Express at Christmas
7 daysfrom $2,937
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Interlaken & the Jungfrau Express in Winter
Interlaken, watched over by the mighty Jungfrau, makes the ideal base for a holiday exploring the majestic winter peaks of the Bernese Oberland by train.
Day by day
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
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