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Planet Rail · Escorted rail holiday

Montreux Luxury Christmas Markets by First Class Rail

Four-day First Class rail journey from London to Montreux Christmas Markets

Illustration of Montreux Luxury Christmas Markets by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Montreux Luxury Christmas Markets is a 4-day escorted rail holiday that departs from London and concludes in Montreux, Switzerland. The journey combines two of Europe's flagship rail services: Eurostar Standard Premier from London St Pancras to Paris, and the TGV First Class from Paris to Lausanne, followed by a regional train alongside Lake Geneva to Montreux. You spend three nights at the 4-star Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, with breakfast provided daily. Days 2 and 3 are free to explore Montreux's lakeside Christmas Market featuring handmade crafts from local artisans, and the Medieval Christmas Market at Château de Chillon, a 13th-century fortress. Optional excursions including mountain trains to Rochers-de-Naye, Gruyères, and Les Diablerets Glacier can be booked locally. The return journey on Day 4 mirrors the outbound route with private taxi transfers across Paris and Eurostar's light meal service. This itinerary suits couples, luxury-seekers, and repeat rail travellers who want comfort, structure, and festive Alpine scenery without the demands of independent travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • Optional excursions to mountain trains, Rochers-de-Naye, Gruyères, and Les Diablerets Glacier are payable locally and not included in the package price.
  • Dinners and most lunches are not included; only breakfast each day and light meals on Eurostar are provided.
  • Departures are described as tailor-made throughout the year; confirm specific Christmas Market dates and availability directly with Planet Rail before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux – Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic

    London to Montreux

    Board the Eurostar Standard Premier service at London St Pancras International and travel to Paris Gare du Nord. A private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon where you join the TGV heading south to Lausanne. Change trains and continue alongside sparkling Lake Geneva to Montreux. Arrive in time for dinner and check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic.

    Meals: Light meal and drinks on Eurostar

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montreux – Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic

    Montreux Christmas Market and Château de Chillon Medieval Christmas Market, Gruyères and Swiss Mountain railways (payable locally)

    Explore Montreux's charming lakeside Christmas Market with handmade crafts from local artisans, enjoyed in daylight or under twinkling evening lights with mulled wine. Take the trolley bus to the medieval Château de Chillon for its dramatic Medieval Christmas Market. Optional excursions include the rack railway up Rochers-de-Naye, a trip to Gruyères, or the mountain train via Aigle to Les Diablerets Glacier (all payable locally).

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux – Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic

    Montreux Christmas Market and Château de Chillon Medieval Christmas Market, Gruyères and Swiss Mountain railways (payable locally)

    Continue to enjoy Montreux and the surrounding area. Further opportunities to visit the Christmas markets, Château de Chillon, and optional mountain train excursions (all payable locally).

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4rail

    Montreux to London

    Walk to the station and travel to Lausanne to board the TGV back to Paris. A private transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar Standard Premier service back to London St Pancras International, travelling at up to 186mph with a light meal and drinks included.

    Meals: Breakfast, Light meal and drinks on Eurostar

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar Standard Premier at London St Pancras, cross Paris by private taxi, then join the TGV heading south alongside sparkling Lake Geneva to Montreux.
  • Day 2Explore Montreux's lakeside Christmas Market with handmade crafts from local artisans, then visit the Medieval Christmas Market at 13th-century Château de Chillon by trolley bus.
  • Day 3Continue exploring Montreux and surrounding area with options for optional mountain train excursions to Rochers-de-Naye, Gruyères, or Les Diablerets Glacier.
  • Day 4Return to London: travel by train to Lausanne, then TGV back to Paris, private taxi to Gare du Nord, and Eurostar Standard Premier home at up to 186mph.

Included

  • First Class return rail travel from London to Montreux (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
  • TGV rail travel Paris to Lausanne and return
  • Train from Lausanne to Montreux and return
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior)
  • Breakfast each day
  • Private taxi transfers across Paris (Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon and return)
  • Light meal and drinks included in Eurostar Standard Premier service

Not included

  • Swiss mountain train excursions (payable locally)
  • Rack railway up Rochers-de-Naye (payable locally)
  • Trip to Gruyères (payable locally)
  • Mountain train via Aigle to Les Diablerets Glacier (payable locally)
  • Dinners and lunches (unless specified)
  • Travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

What is included in the price?
First Class return rail travel from London to Montreux on Eurostar and TGV, 3 nights at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic with breakfast, private taxi transfers across Paris, and light meals on Eurostar.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar Standard Premier from London St Pancras to Paris, TGV First Class from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lausanne, and a Swiss regional train in First Class from Lausanne to Montreux.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
Planet Rail operates this as an escorted rail holiday with structured itinerary and transfers included.
What is not included?
Dinners, most lunches, mountain train excursions (Rochers-de-Naye, Gruyères, Les Diablerets Glacier), travel insurance, and meals beyond breakfast and those on Eurostar.
How much walking is involved?
Days at Montreux involve walking around the Christmas Market and optional trolley bus to Château de Chillon. The itinerary is not strenuous.
When does this trip run?
Planet Rail describes departures as tailor-made throughout the year to suit your holiday needs; contact the operator for specific Christmas Market timing.

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