Search

Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

Magical Journeys of Switzerland

Six-day Alpine rail loop: Eurostar, Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Jungfraujoch.

Illustration of Magical Journeys of Switzerland

Tailor Made Rail's six-day independent rail holiday strings together three of Europe's most celebrated mountain trains through Switzerland, France, and Italy. Starting from London, you board the Eurostar to Paris, then travel east through Strasbourg to the Alpine town of Chur, where you spend two nights and take a day trip on the Bernina Express towards Tirano, crossing the engineering marvel of the Landwasser Viaduct and climbing to 7,392 feet. From Chur, the Glacier Express departs on day four, traversing 291 bridges and the Oberalp Pass as you descend to Grindelwald for two nights. Your final high point is a daylong cogwheel railway journey to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest station at 11,322 feet. The journey ends with trains back to Basel and Paris, then the Eurostar home to London. Five nights in solid three-star hotels with breakfast, all rail fares in Standard Class, seat reservations, and travel documentation are included. This trip suits repeat rail travellers and independent explorers who want named European trains and Alpine scenery without a daily guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', so your final accommodation may differ by name and location within each town.
  • The from-price of £1,749 is based on two people sharing; single occupancy begins at £1,949, a substantial supplement.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: BW Hotel des Vosges (or similar), Strasbourg

    London to Strasbourg

    Morning Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, connecting to the Gare de l'Est for the onward journey to Strasbourg.

  2. Day 2railovernight: ABC Swiss Quality Hotel (or similar), Chur

    Strasbourg to Chur

    Regional service bound for the Swiss border at Basel, then a Swiss train to the Alpine town of Chur for a 2-night stay.

  3. Day 3railovernight: ABC Swiss Quality Hotel (or similar), Chur

    Bernina Express day trip from Chur

    Board the Bernina Express towards Tirano, climbing to more than 7,392 feet and crossing 196 bridges, with a lunch stop in Tirano before returning to Chur.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Sunstar Grindelwald Hotel (or similar)

    Chur to Grindelwald with the Glacier Express

    The Glacier Express from Chur to Brig, crossing 291 bridges and the Oberalp Pass, then trains via Spiez and the Lötschberg Pass to Grindelwald for a 2-night stay.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sunstar Grindelwald Hotel (or similar)

    Day trip on the Jungfrau Mountain Railway

    Cogwheel Jungfrau Mountain Railway up to Jungfraujoch, the highest station in Europe at 11,322 feet, via the Eiger Express cableway from Grindelwald Terminal.

  6. Day 6rail

    Grindelwald to London

    Swiss domestic service via Interlaken to Basel, then a high-speed TGV Lyria to Paris and the Eurostar back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Bernina Express climbs to 7,392 feet and crosses the Landwasser Viaduct on its way to lunch in Tirano, Italy.
  • Day 4The Glacier Express departs Chur, crossing 291 bridges and the Oberalp Pass towards Grindelwald.
  • Day 5The cogwheel Jungfrau Mountain Railway ascends from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station at 11,322 feet.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 5 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. All rail journeys in Standard Class, seat reservations where required, and best available fares are included. Optional upgrades to First Class cost from £200 per person.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Tailor Made Rail markets this as a tailor-made independent rail holiday. You travel on your own; the operator provides tickets, hotel bookings, and easy-to-follow travel documentation.
Which trains are part of the journey?
Eurostar (London to Paris), regional trains to Strasbourg and Chur, the Bernina Express (Chur to Tirano day trip), the Glacier Express (Chur to Brig), the Jungfrau Mountain Railway (Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch), and TGV Lyria (Basel to Paris) for the return.
What hotels are included?
The Hotel des Vosges (or similar) in Strasbourg for one night, the ABC Swiss Quality Hotel (or similar) in Chur for two nights, and the Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald (or similar) for two nights. All include breakfast.
When does this trip run?
Tailor Made Rail publishes no specific departure dates in the information provided. Contact the operator to check availability and book your preferred dates.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary includes day trips on mountain railways and cogwheel trains to Alpine altitudes; the Jungfraujoch reaches 11,322 feet. Day-to-day walking is moderate to standard for city and rail hub movements.

Similar journeys