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Wexas Travel · Tailor-made rail holiday

Swiss Alps by Rail: Bernina Express St. Moritz & Lugano

Seven-day Alpine rail loop from Zurich through St. Moritz on the Bernina Express

Illustration of Swiss Alps by Rail: Bernina Express St. Moritz & Lugano

Wexas Travel operates this seven-day Swiss rail holiday departing from the UK with flights, combining the elegant alpine resort of St. Moritz with the lakeside charm of Lugano and the urban energy of Zurich. The journey begins in Zurich's historic old town, follows a regional train to St. Moritz at nearly 1,900 metres elevation in the Upper Engadine, and culminates in the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express, a narrow-gauge mountain railway that climbs over the Bernina Pass at 2,253 metres past snow-capped peaks and glaciers before descending via spectacular viaducts and tunnels to Italy and onward to Lugano. Days in St. Moritz and Lugano are yours to explore freely using the included Swiss Card for cable cars and regional trains, or you may book an optional private guided tour in Zurich. The package suits repeat rail travellers seeking a focused Alpine experience, photographers drawn to high-mountain viaducts and lake scenery, and those who appreciate the convenience of pre-arranged transfers and hotels without a full daily guide.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 4 involves a change from the Bernina Express train to a bus for the journey through Veltlin and along Lake Como to Lugano; confirm the full transport sequence with Wexas before booking.
  • The package is priced from GBP 1,275 per person (approximately USD 1,703) and is described as tailor-made, so final cost and availability depend on your travel dates and specific hotel selections.
  • An optional private guided tour in Zurich is available at additional cost; most of the itinerary offers free time or self-guided exploration using the included Swiss Card.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Hotel Marktgasse, Zurich

    UK/Zurich

    After complimentary airport lounge access, fly to Zurich and transfer to the Hotel Marktgasse, a 15th century building in the old town near the river Limmat, Lake Zurich and the main train station. Spend the rest of the day admiring the views, or take an optional sightseeing tour with a private guide and driver.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Hotel Steffani, St. Moritz

    Zurich/St. Moritz

    Transfer to the train station and travel by train to chic, exclusive St. Moritz, at 1856 metres above sea level, surrounded by the lake landscape of the Upper Engadine.

  3. Day 3overnight: Hotel Steffani, St. Moritz

    St. Moritz

    The Upper Engadine is yours to explore, using the included Swiss Card for excursions such as the Swiss National Park, or cable cars from St. Moritz to mountain stations for a Swiss meal at 3000 metres.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lugano Dante Centre, Lugano

    Bernina Express: St. Moritz/Lugano

    Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express at St. Moritz station, climbing over the Bernina Pass to more than 2253 metres, past snow-covered peaks and glaciers, descending towards Poschiavo and Brusio, over viaducts and through tunnels to Tirano in Italy, the end of the Bernina Express rail line. Change onto the Bernina Express Bus onwards through the vineyards of Veltlin and along Lake Como to Lugano.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lugano Dante Centre, Lugano

    Lugano

    The traffic-free historic town of Lugano, set on Lake Lugano and surrounded by mountains, with Lombardy-style buildings and museums. The lakeside promenade takes in Belvedere Gardens, or take a funicular to the summits of Monte Salvatore or Monte Bre for panoramic views.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Hotel Marktgasse, Zurich

    Lugano/Zurich

    A free morning, then board your train on the scenic route past three lakes, spending your final night in Zurich.

  7. Day 7

    Zurich/UK

    Transfer to the airport in time for your flight back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive in Zurich and transfer to the Hotel Marktgasse, a 15th-century building in the old town near the Limmat River and Lake Zurich, with optional private guided sightseeing.
  • Day 2Travel by regional train to St. Moritz at 1856 metres elevation, surrounded by the Upper Engadine lake landscape.
  • Day 4Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express, climbing over the Bernina Pass to more than 2253 metres past snow-covered peaks and glaciers, descending via viaducts and tunnels to Tirano, then continuing by bus through Veltlin vineyards and along Lake Como to Lugano.
  • Day 5Explore the traffic-free historic town of Lugano on Lake Lugano, with Lombardy-style architecture and the option to ride a funicular to Monte Salvatore or Monte Bre for panoramic mountain views.

Included

  • Complimentary UK airport lounge access
  • Included Swiss Card for excursions in the St. Moritz region

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes flights from the UK, a regional train from Zurich to St. Moritz, the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano, a bus connection to Lugano, and rail from Lugano back to Zurich.
Which trains are featured?
A regional train Zurich to St. Moritz, the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express (narrow-gauge, climbing over the Bernina Pass to 2253 metres), and a scenic rail route Lugano to Zurich past three lakes.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is a tailor-made package with hotel and transfer arrangements. Days 3 and 5 in St. Moritz and Lugano are free to explore using the included Swiss Card for regional excursions. An optional private guided tour is available in Zurich.
What hotels are included?
Hotel Marktgasse in Zurich's old town (2 nights), Hotel Steffani in St. Moritz (2 nights), and Lugano Dante Centre in Lugano (2 nights).
What is included in the package?
Complimentary UK airport lounge access, flights to Zurich, all rail and coach travel as described, three hotels, a Swiss Card for excursions in the St. Moritz region, and airport transfers.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate walking in Zurich and Lugano town centres, plus optional cable car and funicular rides in St. Moritz to reach mountain stations and summits at higher altitudes.

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