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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Lucerne, Montreux & the Golden Pass by First Class Rail

Swiss rail circle from London via Golden Pass Panoramic Express

Illustration of Lucerne, Montreux & the Golden Pass by First Class Rail

Planet Rail operates this 7-day independent rail holiday that departs London and ends in Lausanne, combining First Class rail travel with two lakeside Swiss towns. The journey opens with Eurostar to Paris and a TGV through France into Switzerland, arriving at Lucerne for three full days of self-guided exploration around Lake Lucerne, with optional cogwheel railways to Mount Pilatus and the Rigi massif. On Day 4, the signature Golden Pass Panoramic Express climbs above 4,000 feet through alpine meadows and the Simmental Valley to Montreux, passing the resort villages of Château d'Oex and Gstaad. Three days in Montreux on Lake Geneva follow, with the option to visit the medieval Château de Chillon or take the Rochers-de-Naye rack railway. The return leg uses the TGV and Eurostar in First Class, with lunch served on board. Accommodation is in 4-star lakeside hotels with daily breakfast; private Paris taxi transfers and a Swiss Half-Fare Card allow independent exploration of Switzerland's scenic rail network.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most scenic attractions in Lucerne and Montreux (Mount Pilatus, Rigi cog railway, Château de Chillon, Rochers-de-Naye, Chaplin Museum) are payable locally and not included in the package price.
  • The itinerary is largely unguided; activities and excursions are your own choice during free days, though suggestions are provided.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Walking through Lucerne's old town and crossing the Kapellbrücke, a covered wooden bridge running diagonally across the river Reuss.
  • Day 4The Golden Pass Panoramic Express climbs above 4,000 feet through the Simmental Valley, passing the resort of Château d'Oex en route to Montreux.
  • Day 5Visiting the medieval Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva, a 13th-century castle considered one of Europe's best-preserved examples.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class rail from London St Pancras to Lucerne via Eurostar (Standard Premier), TGV, and connections; the Golden Pass Panoramic Express from Lucerne to Montreux; and the return TGV and Eurostar to London. A Swiss Half-Fare Card is also included for optional scenic rail journeys.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
This is a self-guided tailor-made holiday operated by Planet Rail. There is no tour leader; you travel independently with hotel transfers and rail tickets arranged.
Which trains are featured?
Eurostar (London to Paris and return), TGV (Paris to Basel and Lausanne to Paris), and the Golden Pass Panoramic Express (Lucerne to Montreux in panoramic or classic carriages).
What hotels are included?
The Cascada Boutique Hotel in Lucerne (4-star, 3 nights) and the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux (4-star, 3 nights), both with breakfast daily.
How much walking is involved?
You will walk through Lucerne and Montreux on self-guided exploration; optional cogwheel and cog railways involve stairs and mountain access. All such activities are optional.
What is not included in the price?
Meals beyond hotel breakfast; local transport payable on arrival (Mount Pilatus, Rigi cog railway, Château de Chillon, Rochers-de-Naye, Chaplin Museum, rack railways, and lake cruises); any meals on trains except those listed.

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