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Magic Switzerland (Magic Travel Services GmbH) · Individual rail tour

Scenic Rail Adventure

Five-day Swiss rail loop: Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano, Lucerne

Illustration of Scenic Rail Adventure

Magic Switzerland's Scenic Rail Adventure is a five-day individual rail tour through Switzerland, starting in Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn and ending in Lucerne. The journey follows three of Europe's most celebrated scenic train routes: the Glacier Express climbs through the Rhone valley and the Alps to St. Moritz; the Bernina Express ascends to over 2,000 meters across circular viaducts into Italian Ticino; and the Gotthard Panorama Express descends from the Gotthard tunnel before a boat ride concludes the journey across Lake Lucerne. Each evening you arrive at a new town, overnight in a three- or four-star hotel, and enjoy breakfast before the next day's train departure. All rail fares, seat reservations, and hotel accommodations are included. This tour suits first-time rail travellers, couples seeking flexible routing options, and anyone seeking a compact introduction to Swiss alpine and lake scenery without requiring a guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is substantial: CHF 1,747 for 3-star (CHF 392 more than half the double price) and CHF 2,189 for 4-star.
  • Day 3 involves a coach segment (Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano); it is not all train travel.
  • The itinerary is bookable in reverse or as an open-jaw (starting Lucerne, ending Zermatt); confirm your preferred routing when booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zermatt

    Arrival in Zermatt

    Arrival in Zermatt by train from the Swiss border or airport. Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn. Leisure day; optional excursion to the Gornergrat.

  2. Day 2railovernight: St. Moritz

    Glacier Express to St. Moritz

    Take the world-famous Glacier Express through the deep Rhone valley and a fascinating part of the Alps.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lugano

    Bernina Express to Lugano

    Board the Bernina Express over the Bernina Pass, one of the most spectacular alpine routes, climbing over circular viaducts to over 2,000m to Ticino in Italy. Change to the Bernina Express bus onwards to Ticino.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lucerne

    Gotthard Panorama Express to Lucerne

    Take the Gotthard Panorama Express, which climbs from 470 to about 1,100 meters and enters the 15-kilometre-long Gotthard tunnel. From Fluelen, a boat ride over Lake Lucerne.

  5. Day 5

    Departure

    Return to Swiss border or individual onward journey. Itinerary bookable in reverse; Open Jaw possible (starting in Lucerne and ending in Zermatt or vice versa).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: The Glacier Express winds through the deep Rhone valley, passing through Swiss Alpine scenery en route to St. Moritz.
  • Day 3Day 3: The Bernina Express climbs over the Bernina Pass and circular viaducts to over 2,000 meters, then descends into Italian Ticino.
  • Day 4Day 4: The Gotthard Panorama Express ascends from 470 to 1,100 meters, traverses the 15-kilometre Gotthard tunnel, then a boat ride completes the journey across Lake Lucerne to Lucerne.

Included

  • Rail ticket in 2nd class for rail travel per itinerary
  • 1 overnight each in Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano and Lucerne, quality hotels, standard rooms with private facilities and breakfast
  • Seat Reservation on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz
  • Seat Reservation on the Bernina Express train from St. Moritz to Tirano
  • Seat Reservation on the Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano
  • Seat Reservation on the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Lucerne in 1st class
  • 50% discount on additional rail tickets (local transport) and some mountain excursions

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Glacier Express (Zermatt to St. Moritz), Bernina Express train (St. Moritz to Tirano), Bernina Express bus (Tirano to Lugano), and Gotthard Panorama Express (Lugano to Lucerne in 1st class). All have reserved seats and are included in the package price.
What is the itinerary like day by day?
Day 1: arrival in Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, with a leisure day and optional excursion to Gornergrat. Days 2 to 4 are each dedicated to one scenic train journey, arriving at a new town (St. Moritz, Lugano, Lucerne) by evening. Day 5 is departure.
Are meals included?
Breakfast is included each morning at your hotel. Other meals are not mentioned in the package inclusions.
When does this tour run?
Magic Switzerland operates departures from April 20 to October 9, 2026. The itinerary can be reversed or booked as an open-jaw arrangement.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is an individual rail tour, not escorted. You travel independently on reserved trains and stay in assigned hotels; Magic Switzerland provides booking and seat reservations.
Can I upgrade to first class?
The Gotthard Panorama Express is included in 1st class. A first-class upgrade for the other trains costs CHF 152 per person.

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