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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Premium GoldenPass: Switzerland’s Lakes & Peaks

Eight-day escorted Swiss rail tour from Lucerne through alpine peaks to Montreux

Illustration of Premium GoldenPass: Switzerland’s Lakes & Peaks

Vacations By Rail's eight-day Premium GoldenPass tour showcases Switzerland from three five-star bases: Lucerne, Interlaken, and Montreux. This escorted trip, led by a Tour Manager and limited to 18 guests, combines scenic rail journeys with immersive cultural and culinary experiences. Day 2 takes you by cable car to the Stanserhorn's summit for lunch at a revolving restaurant; Day 3 is a five-course cruise on Lake Lucerne aboard the historic paddle steamer Gallia with wine pairings. The Lucerne-Interlaken Express crosses the Brünig Pass in First Class, followed by a guided ascent to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, and exclusive access to the Ice Bar. Day 6 features the signature GoldenPass Express in Prestige Class, with swiveling seats, aperitifs, and wine served as you pass lakes and alpine peaks. The final days include a private chocolate workshop, cheese demonstration and fondue lunch in Gruyère, and a wine tasting at Château de Chillon. This tour suits luxury seekers, repeat rail travellers, and food-and-wine enthusiasts who value guided comfort and curated experiences over independent exploration.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; rail travel within Switzerland uses the included Swiss Travel Pass but international flights must be booked separately
  • The activity level is rated Mobility Rating 3, indicating significant physical demands; confirm your fitness level with the operator before booking
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are optional and available through the operator at additional cost

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lucerne

    Arriving in the medieval city of Lucerne

    Arrive at Zürich airport and take the First Class Swiss Travel Pass train to Lucerne (about an hour). Check in and explore the lakeside city at leisure before a welcome dinner with the Tour Manager and group.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lucerne

    Alpine beauty from the Stanserhorn

    Local rail to Stans, then the Stanserhorn Railway and CabriO aerial cableway to the summit with a park ranger guide. Lunch at the revolving restaurant, then a guided city tour of Lucerne's Altstadt.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  3. Day 3overnight: Lucerne

    Discovering the legends and scenery of Lake Lucerne

    Cruise Lake Lucerne aboard the historic paddle steamer Gallia, with a five-course lunch and wine pairings, passing Rütli Meadow and Tellskapelle. Afternoon at leisure in Lucerne.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 4railovernight: Interlaken

    Into the Swiss Alps aboard the Luzern-Interlaken Express

    First Class rail journey over the Brünig Pass to Interlaken via Meiringen and Lake Brienz. Evening excursion by funicular to Harder Kulm for a sunset dinner overlooking the Bernese Oberland.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Interlaken

    A guided discovery of the "Top of Europe"

    Rail to Grindelwald then the Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, with a guide covering the line's history. Visit the Sphinx viewing platform, Ice Palace and exclusive Ice Bar.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    A Prestige Class journey on the GoldenPass Express

    Exclusive use of the Prestige Class carriage (18 swiveling seats) on the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux via Lake Thun and Lake Geneva, with aperitif and wine served at the seat. Transfer to the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Montreux

    Discovering the chocolate, cheese and wine of the Swiss Riviera

    Private chocolate-making workshop at Maison du Callier, then coach to Gruyère for a cheese demonstration and fondue lunch, followed by a guided tour of Château de Chillon with a wine tasting. Farewell dinner in Montreux.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Traveling home

    Check out after breakfast and travel independently to Geneva or Zürich airport using the Swiss Travel Pass.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride the Stanserhorn Railway and CabriO aerial cableway to the summit with a park ranger guide, then lunch at the revolving restaurant overlooking Lake Lucerne
  • Day 3Cruise Lake Lucerne aboard the historic paddle steamer Gallia with a five-course lunch and wine pairings, passing Rütli Meadow
  • Day 4Travel First Class on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express over the Brünig Pass, then ride a funicular to Harder Kulm for a sunset dinner overlooking the Bernese Oberland
  • Day 5Ascend by Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, visit the Ice Palace and exclusive Ice Bar with a guide
  • Day 6Travel in Prestige Class on the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux, passing Lake Thun and Lake Geneva, with aperitif and wine served at your swiveling seat

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel
  • All rail, boat and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • Max group size of 18
  • First Class Swiss Travel Pass, offering unlimited travel by train, boat, bus and tram with no additional cost
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class rail travel, all rail journeys on named trains (Lucerne-Interlaken Express, Jungfrau Railway, GoldenPass Express, Stanserhorn Railway), boat cruises, cable car rides, and coach transfers. The included Swiss Travel Pass covers unlimited train, boat, bus, and tram travel throughout the tour.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Escorted. A Tour Manager from Vacations By Rail leads the group from start to finish. Group size is capped at 18 travelers.
What trains will I travel on?
The Lucerne-Interlaken Express (First Class, via Brünig Pass), Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, GoldenPass Express (Prestige Class with swiveling seats from Interlaken to Montreux), and Stanserhorn Railway. You also travel by boat on Lake Lucerne, cable car to Stanserhorn and Harder Kulm, and coach for other segments.
Which hotels are included?
Waldhotel by Bürgenstock on Lake Lucerne (3 nights), Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof in Grindelwald (2 nights), and Fairmont Le Montreux Palace (2 nights). All are five-star properties.
What meals are provided?
Breakfast every day, three lunches (including a five-course cruise on Lake Lucerne with wine pairings, and fondue in Gruyère), and three dinners (including a welcome dinner and farewell dinner). Lunch on Day 5 is not included.
What is the activity level?
Mobility Rating 3. The tour includes cable car ascents to Stanserhorn and Harder Kulm, a visit to Jungfraujoch at high altitude, and multiple guided walking tours. Sustained walking and fitness are required.

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