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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Rome by First Class Rail

Seven-day rail journey from London through Alps to Rome in First Class

Illustration of Rome by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's seven-day Rome by First Class Rail is a self-guided tailor-made journey from London to Lausanne that places you in the heart of Italy with four nights to explore Rome. The itinerary departs London St Pancras via Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, crosses France on the TGV, then transitions to First Class through the Swiss Alps via the Gotthard Base Tunnel and Italian Lakes to Milan. From there, the Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa carries you south to Rome, where you stay in a 4-star hotel with complete freedom to visit the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and Piazza Navona. On the return, you travel north by First Class through the Apennines and the dramatic Simplon Pass to Montreux on Lake Geneva, with one night at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic before heading home via Paris. The trip suits repeat rail travellers and independent explorers who value First Class comfort and substantial time in Rome.

What to know before you look closer

  • Rome hotel varies by availability tier; Planet Rail typical options are Liberty Boutique Hotel, The Independent Hotel, or Hotel Canada BW Premier Collection, all 4-star.
  • The operator publishes no current departure dates for this tailor-made package; confirm availability and routing options directly with Planet Rail before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    From London St Pancras travel by Eurostar to Paris at up to 186mph, with a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class. A private taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon for the TGV through France into Switzerland, arriving at the attractive lakeside city of Zurich and the welcoming Hotel Helmhaus (4 star).

  2. Day 2railovernight: Rome

    Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Rome

    Morning to explore Zurich's Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse and churches, then the scenic Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps and the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, past the Italian Lakes to Milan. Change trains onto the flagship Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) service to Rome, then stroll from Roma Termini to your hotel for the next four nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Choose among the stunning array of sights from the Vatican City to the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps. Relax with a gelato on Piazza Navona or while away the hours shopping on Via del Corso.

  4. Day 4overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Free day to continue exploring the Eternal City at your own pace.

  5. Day 5overnight: Rome

    Rome

    Final full day in Rome, with something to tantalise all tastes seemingly round every corner of this most magical of cities.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Rome through the Alps to Lake Geneva

    Board your First Class carriage on the Eurostar Italia service north through the Apennines to Milan, then the comfortable EuroCity service into the Alps for the spectacular journey up the Rhône Valley and through the Simplon Pass, arriving at lakeside Montreux and the belle époque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) next to the station.

  7. Day 7rail

    Free time in Montreux - Montreux to London - Homeward bound

    Morning free, perhaps the trolley bus to the medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally). Then the Inter Regio train to Lausanne, TGV back to Paris, taxi transfer to the Gare du Nord and Eurostar Standard Premier with light meal and drinks to London St Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris at up to 186mph in Standard Premier Class, then TGV into Switzerland
  • Day 2Journey through the Swiss Alps via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, past the Italian Lakes to Milan, then Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa to Rome
  • Day 6EuroCity service from Milan through the Simplon Pass in the Alps down the Rhône Valley to lakeside Montreux

Included

  • First Class rail travel throughout
  • Eurostar Standard Premier between London St Pancras and Paris with light meal and drinks on board
  • Private taxi transfers across Paris between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon
  • 1 night at Hotel Helmhaus (4 star), Zurich
  • 4 nights at a highly-rated 4-star hotel in Rome (typical hotels: Liberty Boutique Hotel, The Independent Hotel, Hotel Canada BW Premier Collection)
  • 1 night at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior), Montreux

Not included

  • Château de Chillon visit and trolley bus in Montreux (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. First Class rail travel throughout the journey is included, plus Eurostar Standard Premier from London to Paris and return with light meal and drinks.
Is this trip guided or self-guided?
This is a self-guided, tailor-made holiday. Planet Rail handles bookings but does not provide an escort. You explore each city at your own pace.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar (London St Pancras to Paris, return), TGV (Paris to Zurich and Lausanne to Paris), a First Class train on the Gotthard route (Zurich to Milan), Eurostar Italia Frecciarossa (Milan to Rome), Eurostar Italia (Rome to Milan), EuroCity (Milan to Montreux via Simplon Pass), and InterRegio (Montreux to Lausanne).
What hotels are included?
Hotel Helmhaus (4-star) in Zurich for 1 night, a 4-star Rome hotel (Liberty Boutique Hotel, The Independent Hotel, or Hotel Canada BW Premier Collection) for 4 nights, and Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior) in Montreux for 1 night.
How much free time is there in Rome?
You have 4 nights in Rome with Days 3, 4, and 5 unscheduled for your own exploration. Day 2 includes a morning walk from the station to your hotel.
What is not included?
Château de Chillon visits and the trolley bus in Montreux are payable locally and not included.

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