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Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Scenic Swiss Summits

Swiss rail circle from Zurich on Glacier Express, GoldenPass, and mountain trains

Illustration of Scenic Swiss Summits

Marvellous Escapes' Scenic Swiss Summits is an 11-day independent rail journey through Switzerland's Alpine landscapes. You begin in Zurich (with a day trip to Rhine Falls), then travel by train via St. Moritz to Zermatt, where you ride the Gornergrat Railway to 3,089 meters for Matterhorn views. Descend to Montreux on Lake Geneva, board the GoldenPass Express through vineyards into the Bernese Oberland, and visit Schilthorn's revolving restaurant with panoramic Alpine peaks. The journey ends in Lucerne with a guided walking tour of the Chapel Bridge and medieval old town. Six hotels with breakfast are included, plus four of Switzerland's most celebrated scenic trains. This trip suits repeat rail travelers seeking comfort and autonomy, couples drawn to luxury resort towns, independent explorers who want structured transport without constant group activities, and photographers chasing mountain and lake panoramas. You arrange your own time between destinations, with 24-hour on-trip support throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is an independent tailor-made journey, not a fully guided tour. You arrange your own travel between hotels and handle your own activities on free days; Lucerne has a guided walking tour but most destinations are self-directed.
  • The from-price (GBP 2,899) covers the package; your specific accommodation tier and final hotel choices depend on which rate category you select during booking.
  • Day 2 is a full-day round trip from Zurich to Rhine Falls, Schaffhausen, and Stein am Rhein, returning the same evening; confirm details of this excursion with the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Today, you will fly from London to Zurich. Alternatively, roundtrip rail is available from London via Paris. Upon arrival, take time to explore Zurich's charming Old Town, picturesque lakeside, or vibrant shopping streets before settling in for the night.

  2. Day 2overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Travel through Switzerland's picturesque countryside to Castle Laufen, perched above the mighty Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall. Continue to Schaffhausen, home to the historic Munot Fortress, then to the medieval town of Stein am Rhein. Return to Zurich in the evening.

  3. Day 3railovernight: St. Moritz

    St. Moritz

    Board your train from Zurich and journey through Switzerland's stunning landscapes en route to St. Moritz, travelling via Chur, Switzerland's oldest city. Upon arrival, settle into this world-famous resort town, known for its pristine lakes, luxury, and alpine charm.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt

    Board the legendary Glacier Express for an unforgettable ride from St. Moritz to Zermatt, traversing dramatic landscapes, deep gorges, and iconic viaducts, including the famous Landwasser Viaduct, and passing through the Oberalp Pass at 2,033m. Arrive in Zermatt, nestled at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt

    Take a spectacular ride on the Gornergrat Railway, Europe's highest open-air cogwheel train, to the Gornergrat summit (3,089m), for breathtaking panoramic views of the Matterhorn. Visit the Matterhorn Museum, free with your included Swiss Pass.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Montreux

    Depart Zermatt by train and descend through the Matter Valley. Change trains in Visp before continuing to Montreux, where the scenery transforms from mountains to the shimmering shores of Lake Geneva. Explore Montreux's charming lakeside promenade.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Interlaken

    Interlaken

    Today, board the GoldenPass Express for a spectacular journey from Montreux to Interlaken, travelling from the shores of Lake Geneva through rolling vineyards and villages, before ascending into the Bernese Oberland, the adventure capital of Switzerland.

  8. Day 8overnight: Interlaken

    Interlaken

    Embark on a breathtaking adventure to Schilthorn, famed for its panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, at 2,970m above sea level. Visit the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, famous from the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Lucerne

    Lucerne

    Today you'll hop aboard the Luzern-Interlaken Express, one of Switzerland's most scenic rail routes, travelling from Interlaken to Lucerne past emerald lakes, lush valleys, and towering mountain peaks. Arrive in Lucerne, known for its charming Old Town and the Chapel Bridge.

  10. Day 10overnight: Lucerne

    Lucerne

    Start your day with an unforgettable walking tour of Lucerne, discovering world-famous sights including the Chapel Bridge, its picturesque octagonal Water Tower, and the elegant Jesuit Church, plus the modern KKL Luzern and the Musegg Wall.

  11. Day 11rail

    Return home

    Today you will return home starting with a scenic rail journey from Lucerne to Zurich. Once in Zurich, you'll have some time to explore before continuing your travels, either by direct train to Paris and Eurostar to London, or by flying directly from Zurich to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Board the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and traversing the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters through deep gorges and dramatic Alpine valleys.
  • Day 5Ride the Gornergrat Railway, Europe's highest open-air cogwheel train, to 3,089 meters for panoramic views of the Matterhorn and visit the Matterhorn Museum with your included Swiss Pass.
  • Day 7Travel on the GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken, ascending from Lake Geneva's shore through rolling vineyards and villages into the Bernese Oberland.
  • Day 8Visit Schilthorn at 2,970 meters by cable car from Interlaken to see the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks and dine at the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, featured in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Included

  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Zurich, Zermatt, Interlaken & Lucerne with breakfast included
  • Overnight hotel accommodation in St. Moritz and Montreux with breakfast included
  • Fly London to Zurich or Rail via Paris
  • Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt and GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken
  • Gornergrat and Matterhorn Museum
  • Lucerne Walking Tour
  • Day trip to Rhine Falls
  • A trip to Schilthorn

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Marvellous Escapes includes the Glacier Express (St. Moritz to Zermatt), GoldenPass Express (Montreux to Interlaken), Gornergrat Railway, Luzern-Interlaken Express, and other rail transfers. Your outbound journey from London is either a flight to Zurich or rail via Paris.
Is this a guided or independent tour?
Independent tailor-made. You travel between destinations at your own pace. Lucerne includes a guided walking tour. You receive 24-hour on-trip support from the operator.
How many nights do I spend in each city?
Zurich 2 nights, St. Moritz 1 night, Zermatt 2 nights, Montreux 1 night, Interlaken 2 nights, Lucerne 2 nights.
What is included in the price?
Hotel accommodation (10 nights, all with breakfast), outbound transport (flight or rail), four named trains, the Gornergrat Railway and Matterhorn Museum, Lucerne walking tour, day trip to Rhine Falls, and trip to Schilthorn.
When does this trip run?
The operator does not publish a schedule of departures in the available information. Contact Marvellous Escapes directly to check availability.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. Guided walking tour of Lucerne covers sights like the Chapel Bridge and Jesuit Church. You explore Zurich's Old Town and Montreux's promenade at your own pace. Excursions to Gornergrat and Schilthorn use cable cars and cogwheel trains, not hiking trails.

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