Search

Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Mountain Railways of Switzerland

Swiss mountain peaks by rail from London via three summit railways

Illustration of Mountain Railways of Switzerland

Tailor Made Rail's Mountain Railways of Switzerland is an 8-day journey from London to Cologne that combines European rail travel with three of Switzerland's most famous mountain railways. You depart London St Pancras on Eurostar to Paris or Lille, then connect via TGV to Strasbourg in the Alsace region. The route then carries you to Zermatt, where the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Europe's highest open-air cog railway, ascends to panoramic views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks. From Zermatt, the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn descends to Interlaken, then a boat crosses Lake Brienz to the historic Grandhotel Giessbach, where you spend three nights. A steam-hauled mountain train on the Brienzer Rothorn and the Jungfrau Mountain Railway to Jungfraujoch (with the Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory) complete the alpine portfolio. You return to Germany by daytime train through the UNESCO Rhine Gorge to Cologne, then finish with an ICE to Brussels and Eurostar home to London. This trip suits couples and photographers seeking named trains and mountain summits, as well as independent travellers who appreciate flexibility alongside fixed accommodation and activities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning the exact properties may vary depending on availability
  • Day 2 is described as flexible and 'open'; you must plan your own departure time and connections from Strasbourg to Zermatt
  • The from-price (GBP 2099) covers the package in Standard Class; First Class upgrade available from £200 per person

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg

    London to Strasbourg

    Leave London St Pancras this morning aboard the Eurostar, bound for Paris or Lille. If travelling via Lille, an easy platform-change onto the TGV to Strasbourg; via Paris, a short walk between Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est to the TGV across to the Alsace. On arrival in Strasbourg, cross the square in front of the station to the Hotel des Vosges (or similar).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    Strasbourg to Zermatt

    An 'open' journey day, meaning you can leave Strasbourg whenever you like and take the train down into Switzerland, changing in Basel and Visp en route to Zermatt. The Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn takes you up to 5,275 feet above sea level at the foot of the Matterhorn. Check in at the Hotel Pollux (or similar) for a 2-night stay in the car-free village of Zermatt.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    The Gornergrat Mountain Railway

    The Gornergrat Mountain Railway, the highest open-air cog railway in Europe, with views over the surrounding peaks including the Matterhorn. The ticket allows hop-on hop-off at Riffelalp or Riffelsee lake.

  4. Day 4overnight: Giessbach

    Zermatt to Giessbach

    Take the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn back down to Visp, then through the Lötschberg Tunnel to Spiez and on to Interlaken. From Interlaken, take the boat across Lake Brienz to the historic Grand Hotel Giessbach, dating back to 1874, alongside the Giessbach Falls. Check in for a 3-night stay.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Giessbach

    Brienzer Rothorn

    A steam-hauled mountain railway operates from Brienz up to the summit of the Rothorn, included as a round trip, with walking routes and a restaurant/cafeteria at the top.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Giessbach

    Jungfrau Mountain Railway

    Take the boat back to Interlaken and board the train to the Jungfraujoch, passing through a tunnel carved into the mountain. At the summit, activities include the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Observatory.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Cologne

    Giessbach to Cologne

    Boat from Grandhotel Giessbach to Interlaken, then a lunchtime direct train to Cologne in First Class, including the UNESCO Rhine Gorge route around Loreley Rock. The hotel, Mondial MGallery am Dom (or similar), is within walking distance of the station and cathedral.

  8. Day 8rail

    Cologne to London

    A late-morning German ICE train to Brussels connects with ample time onto the Eurostar back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Ride the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Europe's highest open-air cog railway, with views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks
  • Day 5Steam-hauled Brienzer Rothorn railway ascends to the summit with walking routes and a restaurant at the top
  • Day 6Jungfrau Mountain Railway passes through a tunnel carved into the mountain to reach Jungfraujoch, where the Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory await
  • Day 7Daytime train to Cologne includes the UNESCO Rhine Gorge route around Loreley Rock

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 7 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Gornergrat Mountain Railway from Zermatt
  • Jungfrau Mountain Railway
  • Brienzer Rothorn Mountain Railway (Steam Train)
  • Cruise on Lake Brienz
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. All rail journeys in Standard Class are included, from Eurostar through to the ICE return to Brussels. Seat reservations are included where required. First Class upgrade is available for an additional £200 per person.
Which mountain railways are included?
Three: the Gornergrat Mountain Railway from Zermatt, the Jungfrau Mountain Railway to Jungfraujoch, and the Brienzer Rothorn steam train from Brienz. The Lake Brienz cruise is also included.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
It is a tailor-made rail holiday operated by Tailor Made Rail. Day 2 is an 'open' journey day with flexibility; other days have set itineraries with included activities and accommodation.
What hotels are included?
Seven nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast: Hotel des Vosges (or similar) in Strasbourg, Hotel Pollux (or similar) in Zermatt for 2 nights, Grandhotel Giessbach (or similar) in Brienz for 3 nights, and Mondial am Dom MGallery Hotel (or similar) in Cologne for 1 night.
When does this trip run?
June, July, August, and October departures are priced from GBP 2099. September departures are priced from GBP 2249.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes city walking in Strasbourg, Cologne, and to/from stations. Mountain railway rides take you to summits; walking routes are available at the Brienzer Rothorn. No strenuous hikes are required.

Similar journeys