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Tailor Made Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Scenic Switzerland and Lake Como

Alpine rail loop from London through Swiss mountains to Lake Como and back

Illustration of Scenic Switzerland and Lake Como

Scenic Switzerland and Lake Como is an 11-day tailor-made rail holiday operated by Tailor Made Rail, starting from your local UK railway station and ending in Brussels. The journey combines Alpine scenery, world-class scenic trains, and lakeside leisure. You begin with an overnight in Strasbourg, then travel to Zermatt for two nights and a day trip on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway with views of the Matterhorn. The famous Glacier Express carries you to St Moritz, where a full day is free to explore Switzerland's highest ski resort. The Bernina Express then descends through glaciers and viaducts to Lake Como, where you enjoy three unscheduled days to relax, ferry between villages, and visit Villa Carlotta or Bellagio. The return leg crosses the Gotthard Pass and the Rhine Gorge before Eurostar brings you home. All rail journeys are in standard class and included in the price, along with 10 nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast and seat reservations. This trip suits repeat rail travellers seeking Europe's most celebrated mountain lines, couples wanting free time together, and independent explorers who prefer self-guided exploration with solid logistical support.

What to know before you look closer

  • All accommodation is listed as 'or similar', meaning the final hotel in each city may differ from the named property.
  • Day 2 is described as an 'open' journey day; you choose your own departure time and route from Strasbourg to Zermatt, which requires independent navigation.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg

    London to Strasbourg

    A Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Lille, with a simple change to Strasbourg near the German border. Check in at the Hotel Hannong (or similar). Strasbourg is the capital of the Grand Est (Alsace) region, known for tarte flambée and its Gothic Cathedral.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    Strasbourg to Zermatt

    An 'open' journey day - leave Strasbourg whenever you like and take the train down into Switzerland, changing at Basel and Visp en route to Zermatt. The Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn takes you up to 5,275 feet at the foot of the Matterhorn. Check in at the Hotel Pollux (or similar) for a 2-night stay in the car-free village.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt and the Gornergrat

    A free day in Zermatt with walking trails from the village, plus an included return ticket on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, the highest open-air cog railway in Europe, with views over the surrounding peaks including the Matterhorn.

  4. Day 4railovernight: St Moritz

    Zermatt to St Moritz with the Glacier Express

    The full route of the world-famous Glacier Express, the 'slowest express train in the world', through the centre of Switzerland via 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. Check in at the Sport & Wellnesshotel San Gian (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

  5. Day 5overnight: St Moritz

    St Moritz

    A full day at leisure in St Moritz, one of Switzerland's oldest and most fashionable ski resorts with 300 days of sunshine a year; walking routes, lakeside strolls, boutiques, and optional day trips to Davos or Arosa.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Como

    St Moritz to Como via the Bernina Express

    The panoramic Bernina Express to the Italian border and Tirano, with magnificent viaducts, mountain lakes and glaciers (an optional lunch stop in Tirano is possible), continuing south to Lake Como. Check in at the Barchetta Excelsior Hotel (or similar) for a 3-night stay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Como

    Lake Como

    Two full days at leisure on Lake Como - ferries from Piazza Cavour, the gardens of Villa Carlotta, the streets of Bellagio, lakeside beaches, and the funicular up to Brunate for views over the lake.

  8. Day 8overnight: Como

    Lake Como

    Two full days at leisure on Lake Como - ferries from Piazza Cavour, the gardens of Villa Carlotta, the streets of Bellagio, lakeside beaches, and the funicular up to Brunate for views over the lake.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Basel

    Como to Basel

    A train back into Switzerland, with an optional stop in Locarno on Lake Maggiore, then the direct Treno Gottardo service from Locarno to Basel through the Gotthard Pass. Check in at the Hotel Gaia (or similar).

  10. Day 10overnight: Brussels

    Basel to Brussels

    A free morning to visit Basel's museums, then a direct service to Cologne along the Rhine Gorge, past Boppard and Bingen, changing onto a high-speed ICE service to Brussels. Check in at the Pullman Brussels Midi (or similar).

  11. Day 11rail

    Brussels to London

    Time to discover more of Brussels before a Eurostar journey back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: a return trip on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, the highest open-air cog railway in Europe, with views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks.
  • Day 4Day 4: the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels through the centre of Switzerland.
  • Day 6Day 6: the Bernina Express descends from St Moritz to the Italian border at Tirano, passing mountain lakes, glaciers, and magnificent viaducts.
  • Day 7Day 7: two full days at leisure on Lake Como, with ferries, lakeside beaches, and the funicular from Como up to Brunate.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in standard class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • A return journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway from Zermatt
  • 10 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. Tailor Made Rail includes all rail journeys in standard class, seat reservations where required, and a return ticket on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. The from-price is GBP 2,199 (USD 2,937).
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is a tailor-made independent journey. You receive easy-to-follow travel documentation and tickets by email, and Tailor Made Rail offers proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions. Several days (Day 2, 5, 7, 8, and 10) are free to explore at your own pace.
Which famous trains are included?
The itinerary includes the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz, the Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano, the Gornergrat Mountain Railway from Zermatt, and the Treno Gottardo from Locarno through the Gotthard Pass. Regional and intercity trains connect the other legs, plus Eurostar to and from London.
What is included in the hotel stay?
Ten nights of accommodation with breakfast at handpicked hotels. Hotels are listed as 'or similar', so the specific property may vary. Locations are Strasbourg (1 night), Zermatt (2 nights), St Moritz (2 nights), Como (3 nights), Basel (1 night), and Brussels (1 night).
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
Walking trails depart from Zermatt village; Lake Como offers lakeside strolls and optional activities like Villa Carlotta and a funicular to Brunate; and free days in Strasbourg and Basel allow city exploration. The trip is suitable for moderate fitness.

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