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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Scenic Switzerland from Frankfurt

Independent Swiss rail circuit from Frankfurt via Zurich, St. Moritz, Zermatt

Illustration of Scenic Switzerland from Frankfurt

Railbookers runs this 10-day independent rail vacation roundtrip from Frankfurt, opening with a direct high-speed train to Zurich for an overnight stay before the Swiss touring begins. From Zurich, the 8-day Swiss Pass carries you to St. Moritz for the Bernina Express, then on the Glacier Express to Zermatt, where the Gornergrat cog railway climbs to a Matterhorn viewpoint. The GoldenPass line continues to Montreux and on toward Lucerne, and on day 7 a pre-booked Apero-plate meal is served at your seat as the train rises above Lake Geneva. Three nights in Lucerne allow day trips to the summit of Mount Pilatus and the high-altitude station at Jungfraujoch before the return journey to Frankfurt. Railbookers supplies the Swiss Pass, hotels, and seat reservations, but there is no escort, so the trip suits independent-minded travelers comfortable managing their own connections, first-time visitors to Switzerland who want the planning handled, and photographers and food-and-wine travelers drawn to Alpine viewpoints and onboard dining.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a self-guided independent tour: Railbookers provides the Swiss Pass, hotels, and pre-booked seat reservations including the Golden Pass meal, but no escort accompanies you between destinations.
  • The operator's materials for this package list no scheduled departure dates; confirm current availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    Your Journey Begins in Zurich

    Make your way to Frankfurt station and embark on your journey to Zurich on a direct high-speed train. Enjoy the scenery as you journey through Germany into Switzerland. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: St Moritz

    Zurich to St Moritz

    Welcome to Switzerland! On arrival in Zurich, make use of your 8-Day Swiss Pass for the scenic rail journey to historic St Moritz and check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Take a relaxing stroll around the lake and enjoy the chic town itself. At night, enjoy some of the classic glitz and glamour of the St Moritz Casino.

  3. Day 3railovernight: St Moritz

    Bernina Express Day Trip

    After breakfast embark on one of the world's most scenic train lines south into Italy. The Bernina Express is a spectacular journey from the snowcapped heights of the Alps and The Bernina Pass itself, down into the lush Poschiavo Valley and vineyards surrounding Tirano. A stop is made for a traditional pizza in Tirano, before returning north again on the Bernina Express.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Zermatt

    The Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt

    Today you enjoy the full splendor of Switzerland's most famous journeys, The Glacier Express. Early in the journey the train cruises over the impressive Landwasser Viaduct. This train winds its way over numerous high passes and meanders past many small Swiss lakes and villages until pulling into Zermatt nearly 8 hours after departure.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    Gornergrat Day Trip

    Today, take an exciting ride on the Gornergrat cog railway, which climbs from 1,604 meters above sea level to 3,090 meters in just 33 minutes. From the top, take in one of the most spectacular panoramas in all of Switzerland with the iconic outline of the Matterhorn.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Zermatt to Montreux

    After breakfast, say goodbye to the Matterhorn and make your way to the train station to embark on a journey to the Swiss Riviera, Montreux! Enjoy scenic views of Lake Geneva and vineyards in the hills before arriving. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Lucerne

    The GoldenPass Journey

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking the short hop to Montreux, from where you board the Golden Pass train direct to Interlaken. This line rises steeply at first, with amazing views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Riviera. Enjoy a pre-booked meal on the train delivered to your seat. Arrive at Interlaken, and then board a direct service to Lucerne.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lucerne

    Mount Pilatus Day Trip

    Today, enjoy a trip to the top of the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. First enjoy a scenic hours' steam cruise on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad where you then take the 30-minute ride which has an average gradient of 35%. At the top you will find the historic Pilatus Kulm Hotel and restaurant.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Lucerne

    Jungfrau Day Trip

    After breakfast, take the short hop to Interlaken where you will board the historic railway line to Europe's highest railway station, at 3,454 meters above sea level. There is an ice sculpture gallery and the opportunity to take a walk on a glacier, as well as a restaurant and what is believed to be the world's highest chocolate shop. Enjoy your final evening in medieval lakeside Lucerne.

  10. Day 10rail

    Your Journey Ends in Lucerne

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels back to Frankfurt. If you would like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Bernina Express climbs from the Alps into Italy's Poschiavo Valley and vineyards near Tirano, with a stop for pizza before returning to St Moritz.
  • Day 4The Glacier Express crosses the Landwasser Viaduct on its nearly 8-hour run from St Moritz to Zermatt.
  • Day 5The Gornergrat cog railway climbs from 1,604 to 3,090 meters in 33 minutes for a panorama of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 7The GoldenPass train rises steeply from Montreux with views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Riviera, serving a pre-booked Apero-plate meal at your seat en route to Lucerne.
  • Day 9The historic railway to Jungfraujoch reaches Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 meters, with an ice sculpture gallery and the chance to walk on a glacier.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in St Moritz
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Montreux
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lucerne
  • 8-day standard class Swiss Pass
  • Standard class seat reservations on the Bernina Express, Glacier Express and Golden Pass trains
  • Golden Pass Apero-plate Food Package
  • Day trip on the Gornergrat Cog Railway from Zermatt with Priority Boarding
  • Day trip to the top of Mount Pilatus from Lucerne
  • Daytrip to Jungfraujoch from Lucerne

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes rail travel as per the itinerary, an 8-day standard class Swiss Pass, and seat reservations on the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, and Golden Pass trains.
Is this tour independent or escorted?
It is a self-guided independent rail vacation. There is no escort; you travel between destinations on your own using the included Swiss Pass and pre-booked reservations.
Which trains are part of this trip?
The itinerary includes a direct high-speed train from Frankfurt to Zurich, the Bernina Express, the Glacier Express, the Golden Pass line, the Gornergrat cog railway, the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway, and the historic railway to Jungfraujoch.
Where do you stay?
One night in Zurich, two nights each in St Moritz and Zermatt, one night in Montreux, and three nights in Lucerne, all with breakfast included.
Is a meal included on the Golden Pass train?
Yes, the Golden Pass Apero-plate Food Package is included, a pre-booked meal delivered to your seat on the journey from Montreux to Lucerne.
When does this tour run?
The operator's materials list no scheduled departure dates for this package; confirm current availability with Railbookers.

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