Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Lucerne, Montreux & the Golden Pass by First Class Rail

Lucerne, Montreux & the Golden Pass by First Class Rail, a rail journey with Planet Rail

Explore Switzerland in style on a first-class rail journey, discovering stunning alpine views and lakeside charm in Lucerne and Montreux.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lucerne

    By rail to Switzerland

    Your holiday begins this morning at London St Pancras International, where you join the Eurostar to Paris, enjoying the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at the Gare du Nord your private taxi will transfer you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon as you continue your journey by TGV through France into Switzerland and onto Basel. Here you change trains for your onward journey through the undulating Swiss countryside to the attractive lakeside city of Lucerne. In Lucerne it is a leisurely walk (about 600 yards) to your base for the next three nights, the comfortable, friendly and highly-rated Cascada Boutique Hotel (4 star).

  2. Day 2overnight: Lucerne

    Lucerne and Lake Lucerne

    You have two full days to enjoy the scenery on stunning Lake Lucerne. Perhaps start with a tour through this delightful lakeside city and discover the Kapellbrucke, a covered wooden bridge running diagonally across the river Reuss, then stroll through the old town with its many old burghers' houses and little squares with fountains. You might also like to take a lake steamer for wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lucerne

    Lucerne and Lake Lucerne

    Perhaps take the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway, the world's steepest, from Alpnachstad to the summit of the Pilatus Kulm for a magnificent panoramic view of Lucerne, its sparkling lake, and the Alps beyond. Alternatively travel up the delightful Rigi cog railway to Rigi-Kulm with fabulous views of Mount Rigi and Lake Lucerne, descending to Lucerne by cable car and lake steamer. (NB - all journeys payable locally.)

  4. Day 4railovernight: Montreux

    Golden Pass Panoramic Express to Montreux

    Today you leave Lucerne for one of the highlights of your holiday, a fabulous journey on the Golden Pass line. The first leg passes through the beautiful Bernese Oberland to Interlaken, then westwards via Spiez alongside sparkling Lake Thun. The Golden Pass Panoramic Express climbs to more than 4,000ft above sea level through the delightful Simmental Valley to Zweisimmen, past the glamorous resorts of Château d'Oex and Gstaad, with the option of lunch in the restaurant car (payable locally) and 'VIP' seats at the very front of the train on the last leg. The train makes its spiralling descent towards Lake Geneva and Montreux, where your hotel for the next three nights is the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, perfectly situated a few steps from the station and overlooking the lake.

  5. Day 5overnight: Montreux

    Exploring Montreux

    You have two full days in Montreux to discover more of the town and this corner of Switzerland. Stroll around Montreux or board the trolley bus for the short journey to the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally), considered one of the best-preserved 13th century castles in Europe.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Exploring Montreux

    Enjoy a lake cruise or take the rack railway up Rochers-de-Naye for stupendous views and a chance to visit the 'Marmot Paradise'. You might fancy a trip along the lake to Vevey and a visit to the brand-new Chaplin Museum (payable locally) or a day trip to the spectacular Glacier on the fabulous mountain train via Aigle to Les Diablerets.

  7. Day 7rail

    Montreux to London

    Today you return to Montreux station and continue your journey to Lausanne to board the TGV to Paris, enjoying your at-seat lunch as the scenery flashes past. After arriving in the French capital, your taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord to connect with the Eurostar to London, relaxing over a light meal and drinks in your Standard Premier Class seat before returning to London St. Pancras.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Lucerne, and Montreux to London (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
  • Journey on the Golden Pass line between Lucerne and Montreux, including a journey on the Golden Pass Panoramic Express in panoramic or classic carriages
  • 6 nights' hotel accommodation in 4 star hotels with breakfast each day
  • Private taxi transfers in Paris
  • Swiss Half-Fare Card

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