railtour suisse · Independent rail holiday

Rail Adventure (for international guests)

Independent 8-day Swiss rail tour on the Bernina and Glacier Express

Rail Adventure (for international guests), a rail journey with railtour suisse

railtour suisse runs this eight-day, self-guided rail holiday across Switzerland, from Lucerne to Zermatt, using a 6-day Swiss Travel Pass Flex. The route moves from Lucerne's old town, through the Gotthard Base Tunnel to Lugano on Lake Lugano, then by bus and the Bernina Express over an alpine serpentine route to St. Moritz, and finally aboard the Glacier Express, which crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels over the Oberalp Pass on the way to Zermatt. Most stops get two nights in a 3-star hotel, so the pace allows a full day at leisure in Lugano, St. Moritz and Zermatt between the travel days, with optional add-ons such as the Gornergrat cog railway and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion. This suits independent travellers who enjoy scenic rail journeys and are comfortable planning their own days at each stop, since there is no tour guide and the return trip is individual.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Gotthard Panorama Express upgrade (which requires a 1st class ticket) and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion are optional extras with additional cost, not included in the base price.
  • This is a self-guided 'Independent rail holiday' with no tour guide; sightseeing and mountain excursions each day are left to the traveller.
  • The included discount on mountain railways and free entry to more than 500 museums are only valid on a single selected travel day during the trip, per the operator's inclusions list.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lucerne

    Arrival in Lucerne

    Train journey to Lucerne, the city in the heart of Switzerland. Stroll across the world-famous Chapel Bridge, through the winding streets of the old town and visit the Lion Monument.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lugano

    Lucerne – Lugano (1h40)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Train journey from Lucerne to Lugano. Experience the Gotthard Base Tunnel - at 57 kilometers the longest railroad tunnel in the world. It takes just 17 minutes to reach Ticino on this fast route under the Alpine massif in the heart of Europe. Optional add the Gotthard Panorama Express (with supplement, a 1st class train ticket is required).

  3. Day 3overnight: Lugano

    Lugano

    Breakfast at the hotel. Experience the Mediterranean lifestyle in this charming paradise on Lake Lugano and enjoy the magnificent view of the surrounding mountains. The picturesque old town and the lake promenade invite you to take a stroll.

  4. Day 4railovernight: St. Moritz

    Bernina Express (5h45)

    Breakfast at the hotel. The Bernina Express bus takes you through the idyllic Valtellina valley to Tirano (Italy). There you board the panoramic train Bernina Express to St. Moritz. Enjoy an alpine serpentine journey that takes you from the waving palms of Ticino to the towering glaciers.

  5. Day 5overnight: St. Moritz

    St. Moritz

    Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at leisure in and around St. Moritz. In summer, our hotels in St. Moritz offer you free travel on various Upper Engadine mountain railways. Our favourite is an unforgettable trip to the Diavolezza.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zermatt

    Glacier Express (8h30)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel from St. Moritz to Zermatt with the Glacier Express. The train journey takes you over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp Pass at 2'033 m. All along the way, the great spectacle of nature alternates between snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, waterfalls and forests, lush meadows and picturesque villages.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt

    Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the day in Zermatt or make a trip to the Gornergrat. Europe's highest open-air cog railway takes you from Zermatt to the Gornergrat. On the summit you will have a superb panoramic view of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and many other snow-capped peaks rising to above 4'000 m. If you want to go even higher, you should include the excursion Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in your programme.

  8. Day 8

    Zermatt and return journey

    Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure and individual return journey. This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The train from Lucerne to Lugano crosses the Gotthard Base Tunnel, at 57 kilometres the longest railroad tunnel in the world, reaching Ticino in about 17 minutes.
  • Day 4A bus through the Valtellina valley reaches Tirano, Italy, where the Bernina Express begins an alpine serpentine climb from the palms of Ticino to towering glaciers on the way to St. Moritz.
  • Day 6The Glacier Express crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels and climbs over the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres on the journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt.
  • Day 7An optional trip on Europe's highest open-air cog railway carries travellers from Zermatt to the Gornergrat, with views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and peaks above 4,000 metres.

Included

  • Swiss Travel Pass Flex 6 days in 2nd class
  • Seat reservation in the Bernina Express and Glacier Express
  • 1 night in Lucerne, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 2 nights in Lugano, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 2 nights in St. Moritz, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 2 nights in Zermatt, 3*-hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 50% discount on most mountain railways, free entry at more than 500 museums (only valid on a selected travel day)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, a 6-day Swiss Travel Pass Flex in 2nd class is included, along with seat reservations on the Bernina Express and Glacier Express.
Is it escorted or independent?
Independent. This is a self-guided rail holiday with no tour guide.
Which trains are used?
The Bernina Express (Tirano to St. Moritz) and the Glacier Express (St. Moritz to Zermatt), plus regular Swiss trains including the route through the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
What hotels are included?
3-star hotels with breakfast: 1 night in Lucerne, 2 nights in Lugano, 2 nights in St. Moritz and 2 nights in Zermatt.
What is not included?
The Gotthard Panorama Express upgrade and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion cost extra, and the return journey from Zermatt is individual.
How much walking is involved?
City strolls in Lucerne and Lugano's old towns; the Gornergrat, Diavolezza and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursions to higher altitude are optional.

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