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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Railbookers Signature - Swiss Mountains Adventure

10-day independent rail trip across Zurich, Zermatt, Interlaken, and Lucerne

Illustration of Railbookers Signature - Swiss Mountains Adventure

Railbookers operates this 10-day, 9-night independent rail vacation through the Swiss Alps, starting and ending in Zurich. After one night in Zurich, the Swiss Railways line carries travelers to Zermatt for three nights, with day trips on the Gornergrat Railway for views of the Matterhorn and a cable car climb to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, nearly 4,000 meters above sea level. From Zermatt, the train continues to Interlaken for two nights, including a day trip to the Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station. The route then runs to Lucerne by way of a lake cruise and the steepest cogwheel train in the world, up Mount Pilatus, where travelers spend a night at the historic Pilatus Kulm Hotel before two nights in Lucerne, including a day trip on the Stoosbahn, the steepest funicular railway in the world. Railbookers rates the trip's activity level as active and adventurous, with hiking options and high-altitude excursions, so it suits travelers who want mountain scenery and are comfortable with cable cars and altitude.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers offers 24 accommodation options across the trip's cities and tiers, from the boutique 25hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse to five-star properties such as the Baur Au Lac and The Dolder Grand, so the specific hotel depends on which tier and property you choose.
  • Railbookers rates this trip active and adventurous, with several high-altitude cable car and gondola excursions, including a climb to nearly 4,000 meters at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, so travelers uneasy with cable cars or altitude should take note.
  • The day 9 itinerary describes a chair-lift up to Fronalpstock as part of the Stoosbahn day trip, but the optional extras list separately names a Fronalpstock cable car as payable locally; confirm with Railbookers whether this leg is included or an added cost.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    Your Journey Begins in Zurich

    Welcome to Switzerland! On arrival at the airport take the short train ride to Zurich and check-in at your hotel for a one-night stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    Zurich to Zermatt

    Set off with your Swiss Pass in hand today, on your way to Zermatt. Change trains in Visp and have your cameras ready for the wonderful scenery as the train snakes its way through the mountains.

  3. Day 3overnight: Zermatt

    Gornergrat Day Trip

    From the Gornergrat station travel through fragmented pine forests and be ready for the best possible views of the iconic Matterhorn Mountain on your way to the top. The 33min ride is one of the world's most spectacular.

  4. Day 4overnight: Zermatt

    Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Day Trip

    Take the 25min modern 8-seater gondola ride to Trokener Steg, then climb 1000m in 9mins aboard Europe's highest cable car to the top of the 'Little Matterhorn', some 4000m above sea level.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Interlaken

    Zermatt to Interlaken

    Take the train back to Visp, then onto Interlaken in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. In the early evening stroll to the Harder Kulm funicular for views across the valley of the Swiss Skyline.

  6. Day 6overnight: Interlaken

    Jungfrau Day Trip

    Embark on one of Switzerland's most famous day trips - a journey to the top of the Jungfrau via Lauterbrunnen, Kleine Scheidegg and Eigergletscher to the Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest station.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Mount Pilatus (Lucerne)

    Interlaken to Lucerne and Mount Pilatus

    The journey from Interlaken to Lucerne is one of Switzerland's most scenic. Take a lake cruise to Alpnachstad, then ride the steepest cogwheeled train to the top of Mount Pilatus, staying overnight at the historic Pilatus Kulm Hotel.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lucerne

    Mount Pilatus and Lucerne

    Spend the morning at leisure on Mount Pilatus, then make your way down via gondola and cable car, then bus and train to your hotel in Lucerne for a two-night stay.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Lucerne

    Stoosbahn Day Trip

    Train ride to the historic town of Schwyz, then a short bus ride to the Stoosbahn station. Ride the barrel-shaped Stoosbahn, the steepest funicular railway in the world, up to Stoos, then a chair-lift to Fronalpstock.

  10. Day 10rail

    Your Journey Ends in Zurich

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then take the direct train to Zurich for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Gornergrat mountain railway climbs through pine forests on a 33-minute ride for some of the best views of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 4A cable car climbs 1,000 meters in 9 minutes to the 'Little Matterhorn' at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, nearly 4,000 meters above sea level.
  • Day 6The Jungfrau day trip runs via Lauterbrunnen, Kleine Scheidegg, and Eigergletscher to the Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station.
  • Day 7A lake cruise to Alpnachstad is followed by the steepest cogwheel train in the world, up to Mount Pilatus, with an overnight at the historic Pilatus Kulm Hotel.
  • Day 9The barrel-shaped Stoosbahn, the steepest funicular railway in the world, climbs to Stoos, followed by a chair-lift to Fronalpstock.

Included

  • All rail travel as per the itinerary
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 2 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast in Interlaken
  • 1 night's hotel accommodation with dinner and breakfast in Pilatus Kulm
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lucerne
  • Gornergrat railway day trip from Zermatt
  • Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Day trip from Zermatt including VIP Gondola one way
  • Harder Kulm excursion from Interlaken
  • Jungfrau day trip from Interlaken
  • Mount Pilatus, including Lake Cruise and cogwheeled train
  • Stoosbahn day trip from Lucerne

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, extensively. Rail covers most days, including scenic mountain lines such as the Gornergrat Railway and the Stoosbahn, the steepest funicular railway in the world. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise excursion on day 4 is by gondola and cable car rather than train.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Railbookers lists it as an independent rail vacation.
Which trains are used?
Swiss Railways covers Zurich to Zermatt to Interlaken to Lucerne, the Gornergrat Railway runs from Zermatt up to Gornergrat, and the Stoosbahn runs from Schwyz up to Stoos.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 24 accommodation options; named examples include the Baur Au Lac, Park Hyatt Zurich, and The Dolder Grand in Zurich, and the Beausite Zermatt and Riffelhaus 1853 in Zermatt. One night is spent at the historic Pilatus Kulm Hotel, on the summit of Mount Pilatus.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
Railbookers rates the trip's activity level as active and adventurous, with hiking options and high-altitude excursions, including a cable car climb to almost 4,000 meters at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $3,929 USD for the 10-day, 9-night trip.

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