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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Scenic Switzerland from Zurich

Independent Swiss rail circuit from Zurich through St. Moritz, Zermatt, Lucerne

Illustration of Scenic Switzerland from Zurich

Railbookers runs this 9-day independent rail vacation across Switzerland, beginning and ending in Zurich. The 8-day Swiss Pass carries you first to St. Moritz, where the Bernina Express runs a day trip into Italy's Poschiavo Valley on day 2. The Glacier Express follows on day 3, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct on its nearly 8-hour run to Zermatt, and the Gornergrat cog railway climbs to a Matterhorn viewpoint the next day. After a night in Montreux, the GoldenPass line continues to Lucerne, where three nights allow day trips to the summit of Mount Pilatus and, on day 8, a small-group tour to the high-altitude station at Jungfraujoch. Railbookers supplies the Swiss Pass, hotels, and seat reservations, but there is no escort on the rest of the trip, so it suits independent-minded travelers comfortable managing their own connections, first-time visitors to Switzerland who want the logistics handled, and photographers drawn to Alpine viewpoints.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is mostly a self-guided independent tour: Railbookers provides the Swiss Pass, hotels, and pre-booked seat reservations on the named scenic trains, but only the Jungfraujoch day trip (day 8) is described as a small-group tour; the rest of the trip has no escort.
  • 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: 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.

  2. Day 2railovernight: 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.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    The Glacier 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.

  4. Day 4railovernight: 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.

  5. Day 5overnight: Montreux

    Montreux

    Make the most of your Swiss Pass by travelling to Montreux via a quick change of trains in Visp at a time of your choosing, then check in at your hotel and head out the city. Perhaps a stroll along the lake to the picturesque Chillon Castle, or try your hand in the historic casino.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lucerne

    The GoldenPass Line from Montreux to Interlaken, and On to Lucerne

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking the short hop to Montreux, from where you board the Golden Pass train. This line rises steeply at first, with amazing views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Riviera, before pulling into Zweisimmen where the lines change and so do the trains. From here the train follows the Simme Valley down into Interlaken, and from here makes one final change onto a train to Lucerne.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Lucerne

    Day Trip to Mount Pilatus

    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'll find the historic Pilatus Kulm Hotel and restaurant.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lucerne

    Jungfrau Day Trip

    After breakfast, prepare yourself for your small group tour, 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.

  9. Day 9rail

    Travel from Lucerne to Zurich

    Once you have enjoyed your breakfast and checked out of your hotel, take the one-hour rail trip to Zurich to continue with your onward travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Bernina Express climbs from the snowcapped Alps down through the Poschiavo Valley and past vineyards near Tirano, with a stop for pizza before returning to St. Moritz.
  • Day 3The Glacier Express crosses the Landwasser Viaduct and winds over high passes and small lakes on its nearly 8-hour run from St. Moritz to Zermatt.
  • Day 4The Gornergrat cog railway climbs from 1,604 to 3,090 meters in 33 minutes for a panorama of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 7A steam cruise on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad connects with the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway, the steepest in the world at an average 35% gradient.
  • Day 8A small-group tour boards the historic railway to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 meters, with an ice sculpture gallery and the chance to walk on a glacier.

Included

  • Travel to St Moritz from Zurich (or from any starting point in Switzerland)
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in St Moritz
  • 2 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 1 night hotel stay with breakfast in Montreux
  • 3 nights' hotel stay with breakfast in Lucerne
  • 8-day standard class Swiss Pass
  • Standard class seat reservations on the Bernina Express, Glacier Express and Golden Pass trains
  • Day trip on the Gornergrat Cog Railway from Zermatt
  • 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 an 8-day standard class Swiss Pass plus seat reservations on the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, and Golden Pass trains.
Is this tour independent or escorted?
It is mostly a self-guided independent rail vacation, with no escort for most days. The Jungfraujoch day trip on day 8 is run as a small-group tour.
Which trains are part of this trip?
The itinerary includes 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?
Two nights each in St. Moritz (Art Boutique Hotel Monopol) and Zermatt (Beausite Zermatt), one night in Montreux (Fairmont Le Montreux Palace), and three nights in Lucerne (Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann), all with breakfast included.
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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