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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Milan and Zurich from Paris

8-day independent rail loop from Paris through Milan and Zurich

Illustration of Milan and Zurich from Paris

Railbookers runs this 8-day, 7-night independent rail vacation looping from Paris through Milan and Zurich and back. It opens with two nights in Paris, including a gourmet dinner cruise along the Seine on arrival and skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets the following day. A high-speed train through the Italian countryside then carries travelers to Milan for two nights and a walking tour covering the Duomo, Leonardo's Last Supper, and the Sforza Castle gardens, before a direct train through the Gotthard Base Tunnel continues to Zurich for two nights built around a guided Old Town walking tour and a boat trip on Lake Zurich. A final high-speed train returns everyone to Paris for one more night before the trip ends. Hotels are drawn from a list of 18 options spanning several tiers, so the standard of accommodation depends on what is chosen at booking. It suits travelers who want guided city time bundled with independent rail travel through three countries.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are drawn from a list of 18 accommodation options across Paris, Milan, and Zurich spanning several tiers, from Holiday Inn and Novotel properties to the Sofitel Le Scribe and Hilton Milan, so the final hotel depends on the tier and city selected at booking.
  • Railbookers doesn't list specific departure dates for this trip; confirm current availability with them before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to the City of Lights! Upon arrival in Paris, make your way to check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. The rest of the day is yours, so make the most of your first day and enjoy the abundance of exciting visitor attractions to explore at your own leisure. In the evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner cruise along the river Seine – the perfect romantic ending to a first night in Paris!

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    Spend another day sightseeing in Paris using your skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets for what surely will be one of the best photo opportunities of your whole trip. You might also like to visit the history museum located within the Arc de Triomphe or marvel at the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Milan

    Paris to Milan

    After breakfast, depart Paris on a high-speed rail journey into the Italian countryside before arriving at Milan Centrale. Make your way to your hotel and check in for a two-night stay. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to get acquainted with the fashion capital using your Hop-on, Hop-off pass! In the evening, why not wander through the lively Navigli district, known for its picturesque canals, trendy boutiques, and vibrant nightlife?

  4. Day 4overnight: Milan

    Milan

    Following breakfast, get ready to explore more of the city on your walking tour! Make the most of the city by learning about its greatest artistic achievements. See the Duomo's stunning exterior, visit the world-famous Leonardo's Last Supper, and explore the Sforza Castle gardens.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zurich

    Milan to Zurich

    Following breakfast at your hotel, take the direct train to Zurich via the vast Gotthard Base Tunnel, and once arrived use your handy city pass to get to your hotel to check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Speak to any of our knowledgeable Travel Experts if you would prefer to make the indirect journey via the scenic Gotthard Pass.

  6. Day 6overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Following breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zurich with an expert guide to introduce you to the city and the old town. Explore the city by bus to get an overview of the various districts. Embark on a guided walking tour of the Old Town and discover the city and its beautiful surroundings from the water during an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Paris

    Zurich to Paris

    Enjoy a final breakfast in Zurich this morning before embarking on a direct high-speed train back to Paris for a final overnight stay. Make sure to visit any tourist attractions or restaurants you have not yet got a chance to see in Paris.

  8. Day 8rail

    Your Journey Ends in Paris

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you'd like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: A gourmet dinner cruise along the river Seine on arrival in Paris
  • Day 2Day 2: Skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets, described as one of the best photo opportunities of the trip
  • Day 5Day 5: A direct train from Milan to Zurich via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, with a scenic Gotthard Pass route also available by request
  • Day 6Day 6: A walking tour of Zurich's Old Town and an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Milan
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • Gourmet Dinner and Sightseeing Cruise on the Seine
  • Tickets for the Eiffel Tower with Priority Boarding and Summit
  • Multi-day Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Pass in Milan
  • Small-group City Tour of Milan with the Last Supper
  • Small-group City Tour of Zurich with Lake Cruise

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. High-speed trains link Paris to Milan, Milan to Zurich via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, and Zurich back to Paris.
Which trains are used?
Railbookers names Swiss Railways, SNCF, and Trenitalia as the rail operators covering this route.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Railbookers markets it as an independent rail vacation. Guided city tours are included in Milan and Zurich, but travel between cities is unescorted.
What hotels are used?
The trip draws from 18 accommodation options across Paris, Milan, and Zurich spanning different tiers; sample properties include the Sofitel Le Scribe and Hilton Milan.
What does it cost?
Prices start from $1,989 per person, about $249 per day.

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