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Travelmarvel (APT Travel Group) · Rail Tour and River Cruise

Rhine and Moselle with Switzerland by Rail

Rhine and Moselle cruise plus Swiss scenic trains to Zürich

Illustration of Rhine and Moselle with Switzerland by Rail

Travelmarvel's Rhine and Moselle with Switzerland by Rail combines a seven-night river cruise through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland with four of the country's most celebrated train journeys. The 18-day tour departs from Amsterdam and ends in Zürich, with accommodation and all meals included. The first week unfolds on a contemporary river ship, passing medieval castles along the Rhine and Moselle valleys and stopping at towns like Cologne, Cochem and Strasbourg. At Basel, you disembark and board trains: the GoldenPass Express winds through alpine meadows from Montreux to Interlaken; the Glacier Express climbs to St. Moritz with views through panoramic windows; the Bernina Express descends across the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway and the Brusio Circular Viaduct into Tirano; and the Gotthard Panorama Express in First Class carries you through alpine valleys and spiral tunnels to Lucerne. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, history enthusiasts and couples seeking a leisurely, guided experience with minimal logistical burden.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers accommodation, meals, guides and transfers but does not include international flights to Amsterdam
  • Accommodation ranges from two nights in some cities to one night in others; your final hotel depends on availability and tier selected
  • A seven-night river cruise is the anchor; the rail portion consists of day excursions rather than overnight sleeper trains

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Amsterdam

    Arrive Amsterdam

  2. Day 2overnight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

  3. Day 3overnight: Brühl

    Cologne, Brühl

  4. Day 4overnight: Cochem

    Cochem

  5. Day 5overnight: Rüdesheim

    Rüdesheim

  6. Day 6overnight: Strasbourg

    Strasbourg

  7. Day 7overnight: Breisach

    Breisach

  8. Day 8overnight: Basel

    Disembark Ship, Depart Basel

  9. Day 9overnight: Lausanne

    Geneva, Lausanne

  10. Day 10railovernight: Interlaken

    Lausanne, Montreux, GoldenPass Express, Interlaken

  11. Day 11railovernight: Interlaken

    Interlaken, Jungfrau Railway

  12. Day 12railovernight: St. Moritz

    Interlaken, Brigg, Glacier Express, St. Moritz

  13. Day 13railovernight: Lugano

    St. Moritz, Bernina Express, Tirano, Lugano

  14. Day 14overnight: Lugano

    Lugano

  15. Day 15railovernight: Lucerne

    Lugano, Gotthard Panorama Express, Flüelen, Lucerne

  16. Day 16overnight: Lucerne

    Lucerne, Mount Pilatus

  17. Day 17overnight: Zürich

    Lucerne, Zürich

  18. Day 18

    Depart Zürich

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Visit Augustusburg Palace in Brühl, a World Heritage-listed former residence with landscaped gardens and halls
  • Day 4Explore Cochem Castle, perched above the Moselle River overlooking vineyards and rolling hills
  • Day 10Board the GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken, passing through Gstaad and Château-d'Oex in alpine scenery
  • Day 12Ride the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, a narrow-gauge train with panoramic windows through Swiss peaks
  • Day 13Travel the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano on the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, with a photostop at Alp Grüm and passage across the Brusio Circular Viaduct

Included

  • Two nights in Interlaken, Lugano, Lucerne, One night in Geneva, Lausanne, St. Moritz, Zurich
  • Seven nights cruising on a contemporary Travelmarvel river ship
  • 37 Meals - 17 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 13 dinners
  • Onboard water stations, plus tea and coffee, soft drinks, beer and local wine during lunch and dinner on your cruise
  • Services of Travelmarvel Cruise Director, Tour Director and local guides
  • Transfers, port charges, porterage and tipping
  • Explore 16 towns, villages and cities
  • Journey aboard the Glacier Express to St. Moritz

Not included

  • Flights (unless specified)

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The tour includes the GoldenPass Express (Montreux to Interlaken), Jungfrau Railway (Interlaken to Jungfraujoch), Glacier Express (Brigg to St. Moritz), Bernina Express (St. Moritz to Tirano), and Gotthard Panorama Express First Class panoramic train (Lugano to Flüelen/Lucerne)
Is this tour guided or independent?
Travelmarvel provides a Cruise Director, Tour Director and local guides throughout the 18 days
What meals are included?
37 meals total: 17 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 13 dinners. Onboard the cruise ship, tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer and local wine are included during lunch and dinner
How many nights are in each city?
Two nights in Interlaken, Lugano and Lucerne; one night in Amsterdam, Brühl, Cochem, Rüdesheim, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, St. Moritz and Zürich. Seven nights are aboard the river cruise ship
Are flights included?
No. Flights to Amsterdam and from Zürich are not included unless specified in your booking
What is the physical activity level?
The tour involves city walking tours, exploration of towns and an excursion to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne. Most rail journeys are seated in panoramic carriages

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