How much does it cost?

From CHF 1,621 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,988 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

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.

railtour suisse · Rail tour

Rail Adventure (for international guests)

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

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.

Price history

Across 4 checks, this price has held at CHF 1,621 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 1 of 4 point is a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

One reading is held out of the price above and this history: an unconfirmed large change. We only price on the operator's package from-price, read from its own page.

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

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. Overnight in Lucerne.
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. Optional add the Gotthard Panorama Express (with supplement, a 1st class train ticket is required). Overnight in Lugano.
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. Overnight in Lugano.
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. Overnight in St. Moritz.
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. Overnight in St. Moritz.
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. Overnight in Zermatt.
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, for a panoramic view of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and other peaks above 4'000 m. Optional excursion: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Overnight in Zermatt.
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

How much does it cost?: From CHF 1,621 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,988 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
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.