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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Rome & Sorrento by First Class Rail on daytime trains

London to Rome and Sorrento by first-class daytime trains, ten days

Illustration of Rome & Sorrento by First Class Rail on daytime trains

Planet Rail's 10-day tailor-made holiday carries you from London to Rome and Sorrento entirely by first-class daytime train, linking eight named services from Eurostar through Switzerland and down Italy's spine to the Bay of Naples. Days one and two whisk you from St Pancras across the Channel, through Paris, and into the Swiss Alps via the remarkable Gotthard Base Tunnel before descending to Milan and continuing by Frecciarossa to Rome. You spend three full days exploring the Eternal City's Colosseum, Vatican, and Sistine Chapel at your own pace. On day five, a quick first-class rail journey south delivers you to Sorrento for four nights in a sea-view room at Hotel Bristol, where optional boat trips to Capri, coastal cruises, and visits to Pompeii are within reach. A final journey by Frecciarossa and EuroCity climbs back through the Alps to Montreux on Lake Geneva for a night before heading home via Paris and the Channel. Throughout, you stay in four-star accommodation with breakfast included and private taxis bridging the stations. This itinerary suits repeat rail travellers seeking premium first-class variety, couples wanting extended time in two Italian cities, and history lovers drawn to Rome's ancient sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • Lunches and dinners are not included; you arrange and pay for all meals except breakfast.
  • Optional excursions to Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Mount Vesuvius are at your own cost and not included in the base price.
  • Personal travel insurance and gratuities are not included and are your responsibility.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    Begin your Grand Tour at St Pancras International. Board the Eurostar in Standard Premier Class through to Paris. A private taxi meets you at Gare du Nord and transfers you to Gare de Lyon, where you board the TGV through French and Swiss countryside to Zurich. Overnight at Hotel Helmhaus (4 star).

    Meals: Breakfast

  2. Day 2overnight: Rome

    Free-time in Zurich – Through the Swiss Alps to Rome

    Explore Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse, Old Town, Rathaus, historic churches and Lindenhof Hill. Return to Zurich HB for the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps and Gotthard Base Tunnel, across the Italian Lakes to Milan. Change at Milano Centrale for the Frecciarossa to Roma Termini. Check in to Liberty Boutique Hotel (4 star).

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    The Eternal City of Rome

    Full free day to explore Rome's world-renowned attractions including the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colosseum, Vatican City, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Cathedral. Enjoy gelato in Piazza Navona or shopping on Via del Corso.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Rome

    The Eternal City of Rome

    Second full free day in Rome to continue exploring the city's architectural wonders, fine art and indulgent dining.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sorrento

    Rome to Sorrento on the Bay of Naples

    Journey by first class rail south-east from Rome to Naples (just over one hour). A private taxi transfers you from Naples station to Sorrento and Hotel Bristol (4 star), with stunning views over the Bay of Naples.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Sorrento

    Sorrento, the Bay of Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast

    Free day based in Sorrento. Options include a boat trip to Capri and its Blue Grotto, a cruise along the Amalfi Coast to Positano, or visits to Pompeii or Herculaneum.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Sorrento

    Sorrento, the Bay of Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast

    Another free day to explore the Bay of Naples region at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Sorrento

    Sorrento, the Bay of Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast

    Final full day in Sorrento to enjoy the coast, local attractions and scenery.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Montreux

    Sorrento to Lake Geneva

    Private taxi from Sorrento to Naples station. Board the Frecciarossa to Milan, then connect with the EuroCity service through the Swiss Alps to Montreux on Lake Geneva. Check in to Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior). Evening stroll along the lakeside promenade.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10rail

    Montreux to London – Homeward bound

    Morning views over Lake Geneva. Optional walk or trolley bus to Château de Chillon. Train along Lake Geneva's northern shore to Lausanne, then TGV first class north through France to Paris Gare de Lyon. Private taxi across Paris to Gare du Nord. Board Eurostar back to London St Pancras International.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the scenic Gotthard route from Zurich through the Swiss Alps and Gotthard Base Tunnel, descending across Italian lakes to Milan before connecting to the Frecciarossa to Rome.
  • Day 3Full free day in Rome to visit the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colosseum, Vatican City, and Sistine Chapel.
  • Day 5Travel by first-class rail from Rome to Naples in just over one hour, then transfer by private taxi to Sorrento with views over the Bay of Naples.
  • Day 6Free day in Sorrento with optional boat trip to Capri and its Blue Grotto, cruise along the Amalfi Coast to Positano, or visits to Pompeii or Herculaneum.
  • Day 9Depart Sorrento for Naples, board the Frecciarossa to Milan, then travel the EuroCity service through the Swiss Alps to Montreux on Lake Geneva.

Included

  • First class rail travel throughout
  • Eurostar Standard Premier Class London to Paris
  • TGV Paris to Zurich
  • Scenic rail journey through Swiss Alps via Gotthard route
  • Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) Milan to Rome
  • First class rail Rome to Naples
  • EuroCity Milan to Montreux
  • TGV Montreux/Lausanne to Paris
  • Eurostar Paris to London
  • Private taxi transfer Paris Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon (Day 1)
  • Private taxi transfer Paris Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord (Day 10)
  • Private taxi transfer Naples station to Sorrento (Day 5)
  • Private taxi transfer Sorrento to Naples station (Day 9)
  • 1 night B&B at Hotel Helmhaus (4 star), Zurich
  • 3 nights B&B at Liberty Boutique Hotel (4 star), Rome
  • 4 nights B&B in sea view room at Hotel Bristol (4 star), Sorrento
  • 1 night B&B at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior), Montreux

Not included

  • Optional excursions (Capri, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius)
  • Lunches and dinners (unless specified)
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Gratuities

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes first-class rail throughout: Eurostar Standard Premier (London to Paris), TGV (Paris to Zurich, Montreux to Paris), the scenic Gotthard route (Zurich to Milan), Frecciarossa (Milan to Rome, Naples to Milan), EuroCity (Milan to Montreux), and return Eurostar (Paris to London). Private taxi transfers between stations in Paris, Naples, and Sorrento are included.
What accommodation is included?
One night at Hotel Helmhaus (four-star) in Zurich, three nights at Liberty Boutique Hotel (four-star) in Rome, four nights at Hotel Bristol (four-star) in Sorrento with sea views, and one night at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (four-star superior) in Montreux. All rooms are twin or double with breakfast included.
How long is the trip and what is the route?
The trip is 10 days and 9 nights, departing London and ending in London. The route passes through Paris, Zurich, the Swiss Alps via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, Milan, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, and Montreux on Lake Geneva before returning to London via Paris.
What meals are included?
Only breakfast each day is included. Lunches and dinners are not included; you arrange and pay for these meals separately.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary includes city walking to explore Rome's attractions (the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colosseum, Vatican City, and Sistine Chapel) and Sorrento. Optional activities such as a walk or trolley bus to Château de Chillon and hiking Mount Vesuvius are available but not mandatory.
Can I book optional excursions?
Yes. Optional extras available at your own cost include a boat trip to Capri and the Blue Grotto, an Amalfi Coast cruise to Positano, visits to Pompeii or Herculaneum, an ascent of Mount Vesuvius, and a visit to Château de Chillon in Montreux.

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