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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Paris to Munich via The Glacier Express

Ten-day rail trip on the Glacier Express, Paris to Munich

Illustration of Paris to Munich via The Glacier Express

Railbookers operates this ten-day, nine-night independent rail vacation that starts in Paris and ends in Munich, moving through Zermatt, St Moritz, and Zurich along the way. A private full-day tour opens the trip in Paris, taking in the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and a Seine cruise, before a 6-day Swiss Pass covers rail travel into the Alps. The Gornergrat cog railway climbs from 1,604 meters to 3,090 meters on day 4 for views of the Matterhorn, and the Glacier Express carries travelers from Zermatt to St Moritz on day 5, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and passing small Swiss lakes and villages. In Zurich, a small-group tour covers the Old Town and a boat trip on Lake Zurich, and after two nights in Munich, a guided day trip visits Neuschwanstein Castle. This suits travelers who want a mostly independent, rail-heavy trip through the Alps with a handful of pre-arranged guided days built in.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator lists 28 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than fixed hotels, so the final hotel depends on the tier chosen; the sample ranges from mid-tier Paris chains to boutique Alpine hotels in Zermatt.
  • St Moritz gets just one night, versus two nights at every other stop on the trip.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to the French capital! You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your central hotel for a two-night stay. Take a stroll along the Champs-Élysées, marvel at the Notre Dame Cathedral, and explore the cobbled streets of Montmartre.

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    You will be met at your hotel today for a full-day private tour of the city, including climbing the Eiffel Tower, visiting the world-famous Louvre Museum, and a cruise along the Seine River. The evening is yours to enjoy.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Paris to Zermatt

    Following breakfast, a driver will collect you from your hotel and deliver you safely to your high-speed train to Switzerland. From Basel, take the train to Zermatt via Visp with the use of your Swiss pass. Upon arrival in Zermatt, use the station telephone boxes to call a buggy to collect you and transfer you to your hotel.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Zermatt

    Gornergrat Day Trip

    Today, take an exciting ride on the Gornergrat cog railway, which climbs from 1,604 meters above sea level to 3,090 meters in just 33 minutes. From the top, take in one of the most spectacular panoramas in all of Switzerland with the iconic outline of the Matterhorn.

  5. Day 5railovernight: St. Moritz

    Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz

    Today you enjoy the full splendor of Switzerland's most famous journey, The Glacier Express. Early in the journey the train cruises over the impressive Landwasser Viaduct. The train winds its way over numerous high passes and meanders past many small Swiss lakes and villages until pulling into St Moritz nearly 8 hours after departure.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zurich

    St Moritz to Zurich

    Wake up this morning and head to the train station to catch your next train to Zurich. Explore the charming Old Town, visit the Swiss National Museum, and unwind along the scenic Lake Zurich promenade.

  7. Day 7overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Following breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Zurich with an expert guide, including a bus overview of the various districts, a guided walking tour of the Old Town, and an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich. The rest of the evening is yours at leisure.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Munich

    Zurich to Munich

    This morning, head to Zurich station and board a direct train to Germany's favorite – Munich. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a two-night stay. Perhaps take this opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of one of Munich's famous beer halls and sample Weisswürste.

  9. Day 9overnight: Munich

    Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle

    Following breakfast, prepare to venture outside of Munich today to visit the famous Neuschwanstein castle. With your guide, spend a few hours exploring before heading back to Munich for the evening.

  10. Day 10rail

    Your Journey Ends in Munich

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels. If you would 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 2A private full-day tour of Paris includes climbing the Eiffel Tower, visiting the Louvre Museum, and a cruise along the Seine.
  • Day 4The Gornergrat cog railway climbs from 1,604 meters to 3,090 meters in 33 minutes, reaching one of Switzerland's most spectacular panoramas with the Matterhorn in view.
  • Day 5The Glacier Express crosses the Landwasser Viaduct early in the journey, then winds over high passes and past small Swiss lakes and villages on its way to St Moritz.
  • Day 7A guided walking tour of Zurich's Old Town is paired with an audio-guided boat trip on Lake Zurich.
  • Day 9A guided day trip from Munich visits Neuschwanstein Castle.

Included

  • Rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in St Moritz
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Munich
  • Private full-day tour of Paris including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Seine river cruise
  • 6 Day Swiss Pass
  • Gornergrat Railway Journey with Priority Boarding
  • Glacier Express Reservation Fee
  • Small-group city tour of Zurich with a Cruise
  • Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich
  • Airport to hotel, and hotel to station transfers in Paris
  • Hotel to airport transfer in Munich

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, on most days. A 6-day Swiss Pass covers Swiss rail travel, and the trip includes the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz on day 5, the Gornergrat cog railway on day 4, and direct trains from Zurich to Munich on day 8.
Is this trip guided or independent?
Mostly independent, with a private full-day tour of Paris on day 2, a small-group guided tour of Zurich on day 7, and a guided day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle on day 9.
How many nights are spent at each stop?
Two nights each in Paris, Zermatt, Zurich, and Munich, and one night in St Moritz, for ten days and nine nights.
What hotels are used?
The operator lists 28 accommodation options across tiers and cities rather than fixed hotels; the sample ranges from mid-tier Paris chains to boutique Alpine hotels in Zermatt.
What is included besides rail travel and hotels?
A private full-day Paris tour with the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and a Seine cruise; a 6-day Swiss Pass; the Gornergrat Railway with priority boarding; the Glacier Express reservation fee; a small-group Zurich city tour with a cruise; a Neuschwanstein Castle day trip; and airport and station transfers in Paris and Munich.
How much does this trip cost?
Prices start from $3,749 per person, about $375 per day.

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