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No longer offered

Great Rail Journeys has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail

Lucerne & Treasures of the Rhine

Swiss mountain railways and Rhine river cruise from Lucerne to Cologne

Illustration of Lucerne & Treasures of the Rhine

Great Rail Journeys operates Lucerne & Treasures of the Rhine, an escorted combination of river cruise and Swiss mountain rail. The tour sails the Rhine through Germany's picturesque towns, stopping in Cologne to see the Gothic cathedral, Heidelberg for a guided tour of its historic old town and castle, and Rüdesheim with its famous Drosselgasse wine village. The centrepiece is two nights in Lucerne on Lake Lucerne's shores, from which Great Rail Journeys includes rides on two legendary Swiss cogwheel railways: the Rigi Railway, the Queen of the Mountains, and the Pilatus Railway, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, which climbs through tunnels and along steep viaducts. The escorted format means guided stops and planned activities throughout, combining leisurely river sailing with distinctive alpine rail experiences. This suits repeat rail travellers seeking something beyond standard routes, couples enjoying slow travel, and history lovers drawn to medieval towns and mountain engineering.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator publishes no day-by-day itinerary for this package; confirm the route structure and exact number of days with them before booking
  • Wine tasting in Rüdesheim and entry to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet are optional extras, not included in the base tour

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 the train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes rides on the Rigi Railway and the Pilatus Railway, the world's steepest cogwheel railway, as part of the escorted tour
Is this tour escorted?
Yes, Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted tour with guided stops and tours in major cities
What trains are featured?
The Rigi Railway, known as the Queen of the Mountains, and the Pilatus Railway, which climbs through tunnels and along sheer slopes
How many nights in Lucerne?
Two nights on the shores of Lake Lucerne, with time to explore the medieval old town
Are meals included?
The evidence does not specify which meals are included; contact Great Rail Journeys directly for full details

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