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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Swiss Gems to Basel

Switzerland rail tour from Zurich to Basel via Zermatt and Chur

Illustration of Swiss Gems to Basel

Railbookers runs this nine-day independent rail vacation from Zurich to Basel, taking in Zermatt, Chur and Lucerne along the way, with an 8 Day Swiss Pass for flexible train travel. Two nights in Zurich open with a day trip to the Jungfraujoch, reached by luxury coach through the Bernese Oberland and the Eiger Express gondola rather than by train. From day 3, the route turns to rail: a train south to Zermatt, the Gornergrat rack railway with its views of the Matterhorn, the Glacier Express on to Chur, and a roundtrip on the Bernina Express to Tirano. Day 7 brings a train to Lucerne, where a steam cruise on Lake Lucerne leads to the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, climbing Mount Pilatus. The trip ends on day 9 with a final train to Basel. Self-guided throughout, this suits travelers who want to ride Switzerland's named scenic trains at their own pace, with a fondue or raclette dinner suggested in Zermatt.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 2'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 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 25hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse up to The Dolder Grand.
  • The evidence pack lists no current departure dates; confirm scheduling with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Your Journey Begins in Zurich

    Welcome to Zurich! Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel for a two-night stay! Zurich is Switzerland's most cosmopolitan and elegant city, situated on the banks of the river Limmat.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zurich

    Day Trip to Jungfraujoch from Zurich

    Following breakfast, ascend to one of Europe's highest peaks on a full-day trip to the magnificent mountain region of 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.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Zurich to Zermatt

    After breakfast, make your way to the station for a train south to the canton of Valais, and the village of Zermatt. Check-in at your hotel for a two-night stay then be sure to enjoy a traditional raclette or fondue for dinner.

  4. Day 4railovernight: 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.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Chur

    Glacier Express from Zermatt to Chur

    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 quaint town of Chur.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Chur

    Bernina Express Roundtrip Journey

    Another day of breath-taking scenery today, this time onboard the legendary Bernina Express. Spend a few hours in Tirano, before making your return journey back on the Bernina Express to Chur.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Lucerne

    Chur to Lucerne

    Enjoy breakfast this morning before making your way to Lucerne by train. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a two-night stay. This compact city has so much to offer including its picturesque Chapel Bridge with its original 17th century paintings.

  8. Day 8railovernight: 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 steam cruise on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then take the 30-minute ride with an average gradient of 35%.

  9. Day 9rail

    Your Journey Ends in Basel

    Embark on your final rail journey this morning with a train to Basel where your journey ends.

The moments this trip is built around

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

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 Zermatt to Chur, 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 Zurich, Zermatt, Chur and Lucerne at different tiers, from the 25hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse up to The Dolder Grand.
Where does the trip end?
In Basel, reached by a final train from Lucerne on day 9.

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