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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Snow on the Alps

Alpine rail journey through Switzerland on Bernina and Glacier Express trains

Illustration of Snow on the Alps

Ffestiniog Travel's Snow on the Alps is a 10-day escorted tour crossing three countries from Cologne to Thun, centered on two of Europe's most celebrated named trains. Starting with a Eurostar connection from London, you travel First Class through the Swiss Alps on the Bernina Express and Glacier Express, staying in quality hotels in Chur and Thun. The tour includes an unlimited Swiss Travel Pass for your free days, allowing you to explore by train, postbus, and cable car. On Day 4, a full-day escorted journey on the Bernina Express takes you from Chur to Tirano and back via St. Moritz, with dinner included in the heritage dining car. Day 6 features the Glacier Express climbing to the Oberalp Pass and through the Furka Tunnel. The tour leader accompanies you throughout, and optional escorted excursions, such as a cable car visit to Mürren for views of the Eiger and Jungfrau, are available at no extra charge. This tour suits travelers who want a guided Alpine rail experience with plenty of time to settle into each base.

What to know before you look closer

  • Reservations on the Bernina and Glacier Express are subject to availability; the operator may substitute scheduled services instead.
  • The tour departs only in February 2027; no other dates are currently listed.
  • A 1st Class rail upgrade from the included Standard Class ticket to and from Switzerland is available on request but subject to availability.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    To Cologne

    Depart on mid-morning Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onward to Cologne for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Chur

    Onward to Chur

    By rail to Basle, from where our rail travel will be in First Class using the unlimited Swiss Travel Pass provided. We continue to Chur where we stay for 4 nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Chur

    Explore from Chur

    Using your Swiss Travel Pass, explore Chur, capital of the Graubünden region, and the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railways network. An optional escorted excursion is on offer at no additional cost.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    Bernina Express

    The option of a full day escorted excursion from Chur to Tirano in First Class on the Bernina Express route, returning via St. Moritz for dinner on the train (included).

  5. Day 5overnight: Chur

    Leisure Time

    A second day at leisure with the offer of an optional escorted excursion at no additional cost, using your First Class Swiss Travel Pass to explore the Graubünden Canton.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Thun

    Glacier Express

    A ride up to the Oberalp Pass on the Glacier Express train, through the Furka Tunnel into the Rhône valley. Changing at Brig, we cross the Alps again and arrive at Lake Thun for a 3-night stay.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Thun

    Bernese Oberland

    Free day based in Thun to explore with your Swiss Travel Pass. An optional escorted excursion is on offer, including rail to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, then cable car to Mürren for views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Thun

    Bernese Oberland

    Free day based in Thun to explore with your Swiss Travel Pass. An optional escorted excursion is on offer, including rail to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, then cable car to Mürren for views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

  9. Day 9overnight: Cologne

    To Cologne

    We depart Thun after breakfast and travel via Basle to Cologne for an overnight stay.

  10. Day 10rail

    To London

    Taking the morning ICE service to Brussels, we make a connection with the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Full-day escorted journey on the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano in First Class, returning via St. Moritz with dinner included on the train.
  • Day 6Ride the Glacier Express up to the Oberalp Pass and through the Furka Tunnel into the Rhône valley, then cross the Alps again to reach Lake Thun.
  • Day 7Optional excursion by rail to Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, then cable car to Mürren for views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Included

  • Standard Class travel to and from Switzerland
  • First Class Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains, postbuses, lake steamers and many city buses and trams
  • Daily optional escorted excursions
  • Evening meal in dining car
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Ffestiniog Travel includes Standard Class travel to and from Switzerland (Eurostar and connecting services), plus an unlimited First Class Swiss Travel Pass for trains, postbuses, lake steamers, and selected city transit while in Switzerland.
Which trains are featured?
The Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano and the Glacier Express from Chur or St. Moritz to Brig, both traveled in First Class with reserved seats subject to availability.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes, Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader from London and throughout the entire journey. Optional escorted excursions are available at no additional cost on free days.
What meals are included?
Daily accommodation includes breakfast. A dinner in a heritage dining car is included on Day 4. Other meals are not included.
What are the hotels?
Mondial am Dom Hotel (MGallery Collection) in Cologne for 2 nights, Ambiente Hotel Freieck in Chur for 4 nights, and Hotel Aare in Thun for 3 nights.
When does this tour run?
One departure in February 2027 is currently listed, at a price from 2,955 GBP.

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