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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Rome and Classic Switzerland

Rome to Switzerland by rail on the Bernina and Glacier Express

Illustration of Rome and Classic Switzerland

Railbookers operates this 10-day independent rail vacation that begins in Rome and ends with a train to Zurich Airport after a day trip to Mount Rigi from Lucerne. The first two days are spent in Rome, with a small-group visit to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica, then a walk through the Colosseum and Forum. From there the trip moves north by train: a high-speed service to Milan, the Bernina Express over the Swiss Alps to St. Moritz, the Glacier Express to Zermatt, and onward through Bern to Lucerne. On day 7, the Gornergrat cog railway climbs from 1,604 to 3,090 metres for views of the Matterhorn. Because most days are self-guided outside the Rome tour, this suits independent travelers comfortable managing train connections and city arrivals on their own, who want to combine Rome's ancient sites with several of Europe's best-known scenic railways in one trip.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator lists 28 accommodation options across tiers and cities for this trip; the hotel note describes these as choices rather than a fixed sequence of named hotels, so which property you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • The complimentary St. Moritz travel card and Corviglia to Piz Nair cable car are described as available for two-night stays from May through October; the evidence does not state whether this perk applies outside those months.
  • The evidence provided does not list specific current departure dates for this trip; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Rome

    Your Journey Begins in Rome

    Welcome to Rome! On arrival make your way to your hotel and check-in for your two-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Explore the riches of the Vatican museum, the Sistine Chapel and St Peters Basilica. Afterwards head over to the Colosseum and stroll through the Forum.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Milan

    Rome to Milan

    Hop onto the highspeed train to Milan, and on arrival check-in to your hotel for one-night. Take a walk to see the impressive Duomo.

  4. Day 4railovernight: St Moritz

    The Bernina Express to St. Moritz

    Take the local train from Milan to Tirano, then change onto the famous red Bernina Express train heading north into Switzerland, over some of the highest mountain peaks in the Swiss Alps to St Moritz.

  5. Day 5overnight: St Moritz

    St. Moritz

    From May till October visitors spending two nights in St. Moritz are rewarded with a complimentary travel card, including the scenic cable-car from Corviglia - Piz Nair.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zermatt

    The Glacier Express to Zermatt

    Head to the station for a day aboard the slowest express train in the world – The Glacier Express, a 7.5hr journey crossing breath-taking scenery. Arrive in Zermatt.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Zermatt

    The Gornergrat Cog Railway

    Make the 33min journey from 1,604 metres to 3,090 metres above sea level onboard the Gornergrat cog railway, with views of the iconic Matterhorn.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lucerne

    Zermatt to Lucerne

    Take the train to Visp, then onto Bern, with time to explore the Swiss capital, before heading onto Lucerne for a two-night stay.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Lucerne

    Mount Rigi Day Trip

    Take an hour's scenic cruise across lake Lucerne to Vitznau, then board the oldest mountain railway in Europe to the top of Mount Rigi.

  10. Day 10rail

    End Of Tour

    Make your way to the station after breakfast and take the direct train to Zurich airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4The Bernina Express runs from Milan and Tirano over some of the highest mountain peaks in the Swiss Alps to St. Moritz.
  • Day 6The Glacier Express, described as the slowest express train in the world, takes about 7.5 hours crossing the Alps to Zermatt.
  • Day 7The Gornergrat cog railway climbs from 1,604 metres to 3,090 metres above sea level in 33 minutes, with views of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 9A scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau connects to the oldest mountain railway in Europe, up Mount Rigi.

Included

  • 2 nights hotel stay with breakfast in Rome
  • 1 night's hotel stay with breakfast in Milan
  • 2 nights hotel stay with breakfast in St Moritz
  • 2 nights hotel stay with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 2 nights hotel stay with breakfast in Lucerne
  • Small group tour of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Basilica in Rome
  • All travel and necessary seat reservations as per itinerary
  • Day trip on the Gornergrat cog railway from Zermatt
  • Day trip to Mount Rigi from Lucerne

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all travel and necessary seat reservations as per the itinerary, including the Bernina Express, the Glacier Express, the Gornergrat cog railway, and the Mount Rigi mountain railway.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation. The only small-group tour included is the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica visit in Rome; other days are self-guided.
Which trains are used on this trip?
The itinerary uses a high-speed train from Rome to Milan, the Bernina Express from Milan and Tirano to St. Moritz, the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt, the Gornergrat cog railway, Swiss Railways from Zermatt through Bern to Lucerne, and the Mount Rigi mountain railway.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 28 accommodation options across tiers and cities, with sample choices including the Kolbe Hotel Rome, the InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace, Starhotels Anderson Milan, and the Hilton Milan.
What is not included?
The included list covers breakfast with each hotel stay, seat reservations, and the two day trips; it does not list lunches or dinners as included.

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