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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Jungfrau Express Five-Star All-Inclusive

Swiss Alpine escorted rail journey from Zurich to Jungfraujoch and beyond

Illustration of Jungfrau Express Five-Star All-Inclusive

Vacations By Rail operates this seven-day all-inclusive escorted tour of the Bernese Oberland, based throughout at the Grand Hotel Beau Rivage, a five-star Belle Époque property in Interlaken. The itinerary centers on named Alpine mountain railways: you ascend to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station and a UNESCO World Heritage site, aboard the Jungfrau Railway, exploring the Ice Palace carved inside the Aletsch Glacier; ride the steam-hauled Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway to a 7,700-foot summit with views across Lake Brienz; and travel by cogwheel rail through alpine meadows to the Schynige Platte Botanical Garden. A Tour Manager organizes all excursions and accompanies the group throughout. First Class rail travel, all meals with included evening drinks, picnic lunches, and entry to major attractions are built into the price. Day 3 offers free time with a Half Fare Card for independent exploration. This tour suits luxury seekers, repeat rail travellers, and couples drawn to refined Alpine scenery and organized comfort.

What to know before you look closer

  • Days 3 and 4 may be swapped on some departures; confirm the final itinerary sequence when booking.
  • The Schynige Platte excursion (Day 5) is replaced with an alternative trip to the Schilthorn on departures before June 10.
  • The Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway (Day 6) runs only to the mid-station at Planalp on departures before June 3.
  • Flights and airport transfers beyond the Day 1 rail ticket from Zurich Airport are not included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Arrival in Switzerland

    Your luxurious Swiss vacation begins as you land at Zürich Airport and transfer independently by First Class rail to Interlaken (ticket included). After checking in at this Belle Époque hotel, meet the Tour Manager and take your seat in L'Ambiance restaurant for a three-course dinner this evening, with all drinks included from 7-9pm, as they are each evening of our stay.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    Panoramic views from Grindelwald First

    After breakfast, we travel by First Class rail up to Grindelwald, then board a cable car to the summit of Grindelwald First mountain for views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. A picnic lunch is provided by our hotel before returning by cable car and rail to Interlaken for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Interlaken

    A free day to explore mountains and more

    A free day using the Swiss Half Fare Card for 50% discounted fares on rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys, with options including Thun via Spiez Castle, or Harder Kulm funicular above Interlaken. Note: on some departures, Day 3 and Day 4 will be swapped.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Interlaken

    A trip to the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Railway

    A journey to Jungfraujoch, a UNESCO-listed site and Europe's highest train station, on the Jungfrau Express, travelling the final section by cogwheel train through a tunnel cut through the Eiger. At Jungfraujoch we visit the Sphinx viewing platform and the Ice Palace, carved inside the Aletsch Glacier, with an exclusive Ice Bar tour including a drink. Note: on some departures, Day 3 and Day 4 will be swapped.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Interlaken

    Schynige Platte Railway and the Alpine Botanical Garden

    A rail journey to Wilderswil, then an open-coach cog railway through alpine meadows up to Schynige Platte. Free time to explore the Alpine Botanical Garden, home to around 800 species of alpine flora including edelweiss, before returning by rail to Interlaken for dinner. Note: on departures before June 10th, an alternative excursion to the Schilthorn is enjoyed instead.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Interlaken

    Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway and lake cruise

    A steam-hauled ascent from Brienz of the Brienzer Rothorn Mountain above Lake Brienz, with free time at the summit. The afternoon ends with a scenic cruise back to Interlaken across Lake Brienz. Note: on departures before June 3rd, the mountain railway goes to the mid-station at Planalp only.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, your Swiss vacation concludes with a First Class train journey to Zürich Airport, from where you can make your way home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Transfer from Zurich Airport to Interlaken by First Class rail, then dinner in L'Ambiance restaurant with included drinks.
  • Day 2Travel by First Class rail to Grindelwald, then cable car to Grindelwald First for views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks.
  • Day 4Journey on the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe), riding a cogwheel train through a tunnel in the Eiger, then touring the Ice Palace carved inside the Aletsch Glacier with a drink at the Ice Bar.
  • Day 5Cog railway through alpine meadows from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte, visiting the Alpine Botanical Garden with around 800 alpine plant species including edelweiss.
  • Day 6Steam-hauled Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway ascent to the 7,700-foot summit, followed by a scenic cruise back to Interlaken across Lake Brienz.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day, 5 picnic lunches
  • Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All local rail travel is included, including First Class fares on the Jungfrau Railway, Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway, and Schynige Platte Railway. The price also covers your First Class transfer rail ticket from Zurich Airport to Interlaken on Day 1. Flights to Zurich are not included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is a fully escorted tour. A Tour Manager from Vacations By Rail accompanies the group from start to finish, and all guided tours and excursions are organized.
What meals and drinks are included?
Breakfast and dinner are included each day. Five picnic lunches are provided by the hotel. All drinks are included with dinner each evening from 7 to 9pm throughout the six nights of the tour.
Where do we stay?
All six nights are at the Grand Hotel Beau Rivage in Interlaken, a five-star Belle Époque hotel beside the Aare River.
Is there a free day?
Yes, Day 3 is a free day. You receive a Swiss Half Fare Card valid for 50 percent discounted fares on rail, boat, and most mountain railway journeys, so you can explore independently or take optional excursions like visiting Thun via Spiez Castle or the Harder Kulm funicular.
How much walking is involved?
The tour carries a Mobility Rating of 2, indicating moderate walking. Activities involve cable cars, funiculars, and mountain railways, plus walking at high-altitude sites such as the Jungfraujoch viewing platform and the Ice Palace inside the Aletsch Glacier.

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