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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Munich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zurich

Nine-day Alpine rail trip: Munich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zurich

Illustration of Munich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zurich

Railbookers operates this 9-day, 8-night independent rail vacation from Munich through Lucerne and Interlaken to Zurich, spending two nights in each city and using a 6-Day Swiss Pass for the Swiss legs. After a small-group day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich, a train carries travelers into Switzerland for a stay in Lucerne built around the world's steepest cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus. From Lucerne, a direct train reaches Interlaken, where the Harder Kulm funicular gives views of the Eiger, the Mönch, and the Jungfrau, followed by a day trip to Jungfraujoch, described as the highest train station in Europe. The final stop, Zurich, includes a guided walking tour and a lake cruise. With three higher-altitude excursions built into an otherwise two-night-per-city pace, this suits travelers drawn to mountain scenery and panoramic viewpoints more than city history. Rail travel and hotel breakfasts are included throughout.

What to know before you look closer

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Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Munich

    Your Journey Begins in Munich

    Welcome to Munich! Check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Perhaps enjoy the atmosphere of one of Munich's famous beer halls and sample Weisswürste.

  2. Day 2overnight: Munich

    Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle

    Venture outside of Munich to visit the famous Neuschwanstein castle. Spend a few hours exploring with your guide before heading back to Munich.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lucerne

    Munich to Lucerne

    Embark on your rail journey from Germany to Switzerland. Arrive in Lucerne and check into your hotel for a two-night stay.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lucerne

    Day Trip to Mount Pilatus

    Enjoy a trip to the top of the steepest cogwheel railway in the world via a steam cruise on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then a 30-minute ride with an average gradient of 35%.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Interlaken

    Lucerne to Interlaken

    Take a direct train service to Interlaken. Check-in for a two-night stay. Enjoy a ride up the Harder Kulm funicular for majestic views of the Eiger, the Monch, and the Jungfrau mountains.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Interlaken

    Day Trip to Jungfrau

    Take a day trip to Jungfraujoch, known as the 'Top of Europe,' the highest train station in Europe, featuring an underground ice castle, observatory decks, and a snow park.

  7. Day 7overnight: Zurich

    Interlaken to Zurich

    Arrive in the city center and check-in for a two-night stay at your hotel. Wander around at your own leisure and explore the enchanting Old Town.

  8. Day 8overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Enjoy a walking tour of Zurich with an expert guide, explore the city by bus, and discover the city's surroundings from the water during an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich.

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Zurich

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small-group day trip visits Neuschwanstein Castle outside Munich.
  • Day 4A steam cruise on Lake Lucerne connects to the world's steepest cogwheel railway, climbing Mount Pilatus.
  • Day 5The Harder Kulm funicular in Interlaken reaches a viewpoint over the Eiger, the Mönch, and the Jungfrau mountains.
  • Day 6A day trip reaches Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe' and the highest train station in Europe, with an underground ice castle and observation decks.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Munich
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lucerne
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Interlaken
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 6 Day Swiss Pass
  • Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich
  • Day trip to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne
  • Admission to Harder Kulm Funicular in Interlaken
  • Day trip to Jungfrau from Interlaken
  • Zurich City tour with Lake Cruise

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes, plus two nights of breakfast-included hotel accommodation in each of the four cities and a 6-Day Swiss Pass.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation with small-group elements (the Neuschwanstein Castle day trip and the Zurich city tour) and self-guided Swiss Pass days.
What day trips reach the highest viewpoints?
Mount Pilatus via cogwheel railway, the Harder Kulm funicular, and Jungfraujoch, described as the highest train station in Europe.
Which cities are visited?
Munich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zurich, in that order.
How much altitude or activity is involved?
Two higher-altitude day trips via cogwheel railway and mountain train; no hikes are described.

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