How much does it cost?

From £2,095 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,830 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Eurostar and connecting rail travel to and from Switzerland, in the class of your choice, are included, along with a Local Transport Pass and all the named scenic railways.

Is it escorted or independent?

It is an escorted tour with a Tour Manager throughout, though day 4 is unguided free time.

All seven nights at the Seehotel Pilatus in Hergiswil, on Lake Lucerne.

Which scenic railways are included?

The GoldenPass Line, the Voralpen Express, the Snow Express, the Schollenen Railway on part of the Glacier Express route, and the Rigi Railway.

What happens on Christmas Day?

The group rides the Schollenen Railway towards Oberalppass and Andermatt for views of snow-covered peaks, then returns to Hergiswil for Christmas Dinner together.

The only departure currently listed is in December 2026, priced from GBP 2,095 per person in Standard Class or GBP 2,695 in First Class.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Swiss Christmas Snow Train Adventure 2026

8-day Swiss Christmas rail tour on five scenic trains

Swiss Christmas Snow Train Adventure is an 8-day escorted tour from Railtrail Tours, travelling from London to Hergiswil by Eurostar and based at the lakeside Seehotel Pilatus for all seven nights. Day 2 rides the GoldenPass Line from Lucerne past lakes and waterfalls over the Brunig Pass to Interlaken, continuing up to Grindelwald beneath the Eiger's north face. Day 3 takes the Voralpen Express to Einsiedeln, a pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. Day 5 combines the Snow Express to Engelberg with the Titlis Rotair, the world's first revolving cable car. On Christmas Day, the Schollenen Railway heads towards Oberalppass, the highest point on the Glacier Express route, before the group returns for Christmas Dinner together. Day 7 rides the Rigi Railway, Europe's first mountain railway, to the summit once visited by Queen Victoria. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with a Local Transport Pass and daily dinners included. This suits couples and railway enthusiasts wanting a snow-season Christmas built around several named Swiss scenic trains.

What to know before you look closer

Railtrail Tours currently lists only one departure for this tour, in December 2026, priced from GBP 2,095 per person in Standard Class.
Day 4 is a free day at Hergiswil or Lucerne with no included excursion; visiting Lucerne itself relies on the included Local Transport Pass rather than a guided visit.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
Eurostar to Hergiswil
Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then onwards to Hergiswil and our hotel for seven nights, the Seehotel Pilatus, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2overnight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
GoldenPass Line to Interlaken & Grindelwald
The first of our spectacular excursions features one of Switzerland's most scenic railways, the former GoldenPass Line from Lucerne journeying along the shores of crystal-clear lakes, past beautiful waterfalls, and over the magnificent Brunig Pass to Interlaken. Here, we climb up to the pretty Swiss mountain village of Grindelwald, nestled at the foot of the Eiger's north face, where we enjoy free time before we return to Hergiswil in time for our evening meal.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
Voralpen Express to Einsiedeln
Our excursion today takes us on the Voralpen Express departing from Lake Lucerne and passing Lake Zug and expansive landscapes, before beginning its ascent through snowbound Rothenthurm High Moor en route to Einsiedeln. Since the Middle Ages Einsiedeln, with its baroque monastery and Black Madonna, has been one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Europe. We retrace our steps to Hergiswil in time for our evening meal together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
Free day at Hergiswil / Lucerne
We will spend today at leisure in Hergiswil giving us the opportunity to relax and unwind by the lovely Lake Lucerne and maybe taking full advantage of the ample leisure facilities offered by the hotel. Alternatively, you can use your local transport pass to visit Lucerne itself including the famous Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, historic churches, and Museum of Transport before we reconvene for our evening meal together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
Snow Express & the Titlis Rotair
After breakfast this morning, we board the Snow Express train leaving the shores of Lake Lucerne and heading into the Engelberg Valley through delightful villages nestling at the foot of increasingly steep and lofty mountains. From Engelberg we ascend Mount Titlis on the world's first revolving cable car - the 'Titlis Rotair'. The cable car completes one full 360 degree rotation during its ascent providing breathtakingly beautiful panoramas as you soar to the mountain station at an altitude of just under 3,000 metres above sea level.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
Christmas Day on the Glacier Express route
Merry Christmas! Today, we head out on the Schollenen Railway line south towards the Gotthard and onwards to Oberalppass where we experience a taste of the Glacier Express route from the highest point on the line with views of a snow-covered wonderland with stunning peaks through to Andermatt. After free time in this beautiful Swiss mountain village, we return to Hergiswil to enjoy our Christmas Dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
The Rigi Railway
After breakfast today, we will experience the historic Rigi Railway, Europe's first mountain railway transporting visitors from all over the world to the top of the 'Queen of the Mountains' since 1871. The Rigi's unique location and panoramic views made it a famous destination for writers and heads of state during the 'Belle Epoque' era, and even Queen Victoria journeyed to the peak.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8rail
Homeward via Eurostar
We bid farewell to Hergiswil and to Switzerland, returning by rail to Paris, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The GoldenPass Line runs from Lucerne along the shores of lakes and over the Brunig Pass to Interlaken, continuing up to Grindelwald at the foot of the Eiger's north face.
Day 5The Snow Express climbs from Lake Lucerne into the Engelberg Valley, connecting with the Titlis Rotair, the world's first revolving cable car, for the ascent of Mount Titlis.
Day 6On Christmas Day, the Schollenen Railway heads towards the Gotthard and Oberalppass, the highest point on the Glacier Express route, with views of snow-covered peaks down to Andermatt.
Day 7The Rigi Railway, Europe's first mountain railway in operation since 1871, climbs to the summit of the 'Queen of the Mountains', a destination once visited by Queen Victoria.

Included

7 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal
Local Transport Pass
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Eurostar and rail travel to and from Switzerland in the class of your choice
All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,095 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,830 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Eurostar and connecting rail travel to and from Switzerland, in the class of your choice, are included, along with a Local Transport Pass and all the named scenic railways.
Is it escorted or independent?: It is an escorted tour with a Tour Manager throughout, though day 4 is unguided free time.
Where do you stay?: All seven nights at the Seehotel Pilatus in Hergiswil, on Lake Lucerne.
Which scenic railways are included?: The GoldenPass Line, the Voralpen Express, the Snow Express, the Schollenen Railway on part of the Glacier Express route, and the Rigi Railway.
What happens on Christmas Day?: The group rides the Schollenen Railway towards Oberalppass and Andermatt for views of snow-covered peaks, then returns to Hergiswil for Christmas Dinner together.
When does it run?: The only departure currently listed is in December 2026, priced from GBP 2,095 per person in Standard Class or GBP 2,695 in First Class.