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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Swiss Gems from Basel

Switzerland rail tour on the Glacier and Bernina Express trains

Illustration of Swiss Gems from Basel

Railbookers runs this nine-day independent rail vacation starting with a train from Basel to Lucerne and ending in Zurich, built around four of Switzerland's best-known scenic railways. Two nights in Lucerne include a steam cruise on Lake Lucerne and a ride on the world's steepest cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus. From Lucerne, an 8 Day Swiss Pass carries travelers to Chur, the base for a roundtrip on the Bernina Express across high Alpine passes into northern Italy. Day 5 brings the Glacier Express on to Zermatt, followed by the Gornergrat rack railway and its views of the Matterhorn. The final stop is Zurich, reached by train, with a day trip to the Jungfraujoch by luxury coach and gondola rather than rail. With an 8 Day Swiss Pass for flexible timing and a self-guided structure, this suits travelers who want to ride Switzerland's classic named trains without a tour manager setting the schedule.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 8's excursion to Jungfraujoch travels by luxury coach through the Bernese Oberland and by the Eiger Express gondola, not by train, despite the trip's rail focus.
  • The Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway on day 2 only operates May to November; outside that window the ascent is by aerial gondola and cableway instead.
  • The hotel list offers 20 accommodation options across different tiers and cities, so the final hotel depends on which tier and city you choose, from the IBIS Styles Luzern Hotel up to the Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann.
  • The evidence pack lists no current departure dates; confirm scheduling with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lucerne

    Your Journey Begins in Lucerne

    Start this adventure from Basel and take a train to Lucerne for a two-night stay. This compact city has so much to offer as well as its picturesque Chapel Bridge with its original 17th century paintings. Take a stroll through the old town and visit the famous clock tower.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lucerne

    Mount Pilatus Day Trip from Lucerne

    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%. The Cogwheel Railway operates between May and November, whilst at other times you can reach the top via a spectacular aerial gondola and cableway.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Chur

    Lucerne to Chur

    Enjoy breakfast this morning before making your way to Chur by train. With the use of the Swiss pass, you can decide what time to continue to Chur! Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for a two-night stay.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur

    Bernina Express Roundtrip Journey

    Another day of breath-taking scenery today, this time onboard the legendary Bernina Express. The train scales some of the Swiss Alps highest peaks and dramatic passes and viaducts, before dropping down into a palm tree lined valley of northern Italy. Spend a few hours in Tirano, before making your return journey back on the Bernina Express back to Chur.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Zermatt

    Glacier Express from Chur to Zermatt

    Experience one of the world's greatest train journeys today, onboard The Glacier Express. Crossing numerous mountains passes and impressive viaducts, your journey ends in the famous town of Zermatt.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Zermatt

    The Gornergrat Railway

    Today enjoy a ride on the highest open-air railway in Europe, the Gornergrat rack railway. The 30min ride to the summit is spectacular thanks to the constant views of the Matterhorn Mountain.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Zurich

    Zermatt to Zurich

    After breakfast, make your way to the station for a train north to Zurich. Arrive in the city center and check in for a two-night stay at your hotel.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Zurich

    Day Trip to Jungfraujoch from Zurich

    Following breakfast, ascend to one of Europe's highest peaks on a full-day trip to Jungfrau from Zurich. Travel by luxury coach through the Bernese Oberland region to Grindelwald. Board the gondola Eiger Express and ascend the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jungfraujoch mountain pass.

  9. Day 9

    Your Journey Ends in Zurich

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A steam cruise on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, followed by the world's steepest cogwheel railway climbing to the summit of Mount Pilatus.
  • Day 4A roundtrip on the Bernina Express, crossing high Alpine passes and viaducts down into a palm tree lined valley in northern Italy.
  • Day 5The Glacier Express from Chur to Zermatt, crossing numerous mountain passes and viaducts.
  • Day 6The Gornergrat rack railway, the highest open-air railway in Europe, with constant views of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 8A day trip to the Jungfraujoch, one of Europe's highest peaks, via the Bernese Oberland and the Eiger Express gondola.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lucerne
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Chur
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 8 Day Swiss Pass
  • Day trip to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne
  • Gornergrat Mountain Excursion from Zermatt
  • Day trip to Bernese Oberland and Jungfrau from Zurich

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary, along with an 8 Day Swiss Pass.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is an independent, self-guided rail vacation, per Railbookers.
Which trains are used?
The trip includes the Glacier Express from Chur to Zermatt, a roundtrip on the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano, the Gornergrat rack railway above Zermatt, and the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway from Lucerne.
Is the Jungfraujoch day trip by train?
No. It travels by luxury coach through the Bernese Oberland to Grindelwald, then by the Eiger Express gondola up to the Jungfraujoch.
What hotels are used?
The package offers 20 accommodation options across Lucerne, Chur, Zermatt and Zurich at different tiers, from the IBIS Styles Luzern Hotel up to the Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann.
When does the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway run?
May to November; outside that window the summit is reached by aerial gondola and cableway instead.

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