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Vacations By Rail · Independent vacation

Montreux with Zurich & Lucerne

Seven-day Swiss rail loop: Zurich, Lucerne, Montreux via GoldenPass and Chocolate Trains

Illustration of Montreux with Zurich & Lucerne

Vacations By Rail runs this seven-day independent vacation through Switzerland's three major rail destinations: Zurich, Lucerne, and Montreux. You begin with a free day exploring Zurich's Old Town, then travel to Lucerne for a choice of Mount Pilatus or Stanserhorn cable-car excursions before boarding the GoldenPass Line, a three-train scenic journey that descends from Lucerne through the Brunig Pass and along lakes Brienz and Thun to Montreux. From there, four days center on the lakeside town: a private guided tour of Chillon Castle with wine tasting, an excursion aboard the Chocolate Train to cheese and chocolate factories in Gruyeres and Broc, and a day at Glacier 3000 with optional suspension-bridge and glacier walks. All six nights are hotel-based, and the package includes a Swiss Half Fare Travel Card, reducing costs on regional trains. This structure suits independent explorers who enjoy guided highlights without a constant tour manager and travelers new to rail who want the simplicity of passes and named trains.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent vacation, not escorted; you make your own way to the hotel on Day 1 and navigate between excursions and free time without a tour manager
  • Flights and airport transfers to Zurich are not included; rail travel begins when you arrive at the hotel
  • One reviewer noted the schedule between Day 2 and Day 3 felt impractical; confirm the connection time in Lucerne before booking
  • The package offers hotel options in both Zurich and Lucerne; your final hotel depends on availability and your choice

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Arrive in Zurich

    Transfer on your own to the hotel; free day to explore Old Town's cobbled streets, restaurants and shops.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lucerne

    Lucerne

    Short train ride to Lucerne; centrally located hotel, then a choice of Mount Pilatus or Stanserhorn cable-car mountain excursion.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Montreux

    GoldenPass Line to Montreux

    Ride the three trains of the GoldenPass line (Lucerne-Interlaken Express, Interlaken-Zweisimmen regional train, GoldenPass Panoramic Train to Montreux), crossing the Brunig Pass past Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Montreux

    Chateau Chillon & Wine Tasting

    Private guided tour of Chillon Castle including cellar, prison, great halls and chapel, followed by a wine tasting of Clos de Chillon.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Montreux

    The Chocolate Train

    Chocolate Train to Montbovon, coach to Maison de Gruyere for a cheese factory tour, the medieval town of Gruyeres, then Maison Cailler in Broc for a chocolate factory tour and tasting.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Gstaad & Glacier 3000

    Excursion to Gstaad and Glacier 3000, including the option of the Peak Walk by Tissot suspension bridge, Ice Express chairlift and Glacier Walk.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7rail

    Tour Conclusion

    Train from Montreux back to Zurich, where the rail vacation concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Ride the three trains of the GoldenPass Line (Lucerne-Interlaken Express, Interlaken-Zweisimmen regional train, GoldenPass Panoramic Train) from Lucerne to Montreux, crossing the Brunig Pass past Lake Brienz and Lake Thun
  • Day 4Private guided tour of Chillon Castle, exploring the cellar, prison, great halls, and chapel, followed by a wine tasting of Clos de Chillon
  • Day 5Ride the Chocolate Train to Montbovon, then tour the Maison de Gruyere cheese factory and explore the medieval town of Gruyeres before visiting Maison Cailler in Broc for a chocolate factory tour and tasting
  • Day 6Excursion to Glacier 3000, with the option to cross the Peak Walk by Tissot suspension bridge, ride the Ice Express chairlift, and walk on the glacier

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 6 nights
  • Rail travel on the Swiss rail network
  • Two scenic rail journeys: GoldenPass Line and Chocolate Train
  • Swiss Half Fare Travel Card
  • 6 meals
  • Excursion to Mt Pilatus or Stanserhorn
  • Chillon Castle private guided tour, including wine tasting
  • Glacier 3000 excursion
  • Montreux Riviera Card
  • Lucerne Card

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes rail travel on the Swiss rail network, a Swiss Half Fare Travel Card, the GoldenPass Line (three trains from Lucerne to Montreux), and the Chocolate Train excursion. Return travel from Montreux to Zurich on Day 7 is included.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Independent vacation with included excursions. You have a free day in Zurich on Day 1, a choice of mountain excursions in Lucerne on Day 2, and guided tours of Chillon Castle, the cheese factory, and chocolate factory. No tour manager accompanies you.
Which trains are featured?
The GoldenPass Line (Lucerne-Interlaken Express, Interlaken-Zweisimmen regional train, and GoldenPass Panoramic Train to Montreux) and the Chocolate Train (Montreux to Montbovon and Gruyeres/Broc).
What hotels are included?
Six nights across three cities: one night in Zurich (Hotel Coronado or Glockenhof Zurich), one night in Lucerne (Boutique Hotel Weisses Kreuz or Seehotel Hermitage), and four nights in Montreux (Hotel Bon-Port or Eurotel Montreux).
What meals are provided?
Breakfast is included each morning for six days. Lunches and dinners are not included except where noted in excursions (wine tasting at Chillon Castle, chocolate tasting at Maison Cailler).
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. Days include walking in Zurich's Old Town and Lucerne's town center, stairs in the medieval town of Gruyeres, and optional activities like the Peak Walk suspension bridge and Glacier Walk at Glacier 3000.

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