How much does it cost?

From £2,699 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,646 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?

Rail travel within Switzerland is included, and Eurostar travel from London St Pancras can be added; the lowest price of £2,699 is for travellers who make their own way to Montreux and leave independently from Bern.

Is it escorted or independent?

Escorted, with a Tour Manager travelling with the group throughout.

Which trains are used?

The Glacier Express from Brig to St Moritz, the Bernina Express from the St Moritz area to Tirano in Italy, and the historic funicular railway from Punt Muragl to Muottas Muragl.

What hotels are used?

The Hotel Excelsior in Montreux for three nights, the Hotel Saratz in Pontresina for three nights, and the Hotel Kreuz in Bern for one night.

One departure is listed, in June 2027, priced from £2,699 per person.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Swiss Glacier Express & The Bernina 2027

Escorted Swiss rail tour featuring the Glacier Express and Bernina Express

Railtrail Tours operates this 8-day escorted rail tour through Switzerland, starting in Montreux and ending in Bern, with an option to travel out and back via Eurostar from London St Pancras. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout. The first three nights are based in Montreux at the Hotel Excelsior, with a lake cruise to Chateau Chillon and a free day to explore the town using an included Riviera card. The tour then rides the Glacier Express from Brig to St Moritz, a two-course lunch served at the seat, before three nights in Pontresina at the Hotel Saratz. From there, travellers take the funicular railway up to Muottas Muragl, almost 2,500 metres above sea level, and ride the Bernina Express across the Alps into Tirano, Italy. The final night is in Bern, with time to see the Old Town before the journey home. The pace suits travellers who want two of Europe's classic scenic trains without changing hotels every night.

What to know before you look closer

Only one departure is currently listed, for June 2027.
Days 3 and 7 are free days at leisure in Montreux and Bern, with no guided activities scheduled.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Hotel Excelsior, Montreux
Eurostar to Montreux
Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then onwards to Montreux and our hotel for three nights, the Hotel Excelsior, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Hotel Excelsior, Montreux
Lake Geneva Cruise & Chateau Chillon
This morning, we travel by train to Lausanne where we enjoy a serene lake cruise to Chateau Chillon, perched dramatically at the water's edge against a stunning mountain backdrop. Here, we can explore this famous castle on a self-guided tour before returning to Montreux in time for our evening meal at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3overnight: Hotel Excelsior, Montreux
Free day in Montreux
After breakfast this morning, the day is ours to spend at leisure in Montreux and, using our included Riviera card, we can venture further into this lovely lakeside town. We can stroll along the promenade, visit fascinating museums, or discover historic buildings, the choice is ours before reconvening at the hotel for our evening meal together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4railovernight: Hotel Saratz, Pontresina
The Glacier Express to Pontresina
One of the great railway journeys of the world awaits today! After breakfast, we travel by train through the mountains to Brig where we will join the iconic Glacier Express, a truly scenic railway journey that we will enjoy in style with a 2-course lunch served to our seats. Marvel at the breathtaking and varied panoramic views outside your window as the train follows the course of the River Rhone en route to the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the line at over 6,000 feet, before continuing through the UNESCO World Heritage Albula Line, a masterpiece of railway engineering of tunnels, spirals, and viaducts. On arrival in St. Moritz, we will continue by rail to Pontresina and the Hotel Saratz, our hotel for the next three nights, and we enjoy our evening meal together.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Hotel Saratz, Pontresina
Muottas Muragl Funicular
Today, we enjoy a leisurely breakfast and relaxed morning before travelling to Punt Muragl where we take the historic funicular railway to scale the steep mountainside up to the magnificent Muottas Muragl. Highly regarded as the most beautiful vantage point above the lakes of Upper Engadin and, at almost 2,500m above sea level, the enchanting views are truly spectacular. Afterwards, we retrace our steps back to the hotel in time for our evening meal.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Hotel Saratz, Pontresina
The Bernina Express to Tirano
A remarkable travel experience awaits us today - the Bernina Express! Crossing marvellous viaducts, journeying through breathtaking scenery, passing romantic gorges, and admiring the masterpieces of engineering, we travel towards the sunny south of the Alps before crossing the border into the Italian town of Tirano. We enjoy some free time and the chance to enjoy a classic Italian espresso before returning through the majestic Alpine scenery via the regional train services to the hotel for our evening meal together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7overnight: Hotel Kreuz, Bern
Bern
Today, we journey to Switzerland's capital, Bern, checking in to the Hotel Kreuz for our overnight stay. The rest of the day is spent at leisure to explore this beautiful city, stroll through the UNESCO Old Town, marvel at the Zytglogge clock tower, or visit the Cathedral of Bern. Afterwards, we will reconvene at the hotel in time for our final evening meal together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8rail
Homeward via Eurostar
We bid farewell 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 2A lake cruise across Lake Geneva to Chateau Chillon, a castle set at the water's edge below the mountains.
Day 4The Glacier Express from Brig, with a two-course lunch served at the seat while the train follows the River Rhone into the mountains.
Day 5A ride on the historic funicular railway from Punt Muragl up to Muottas Muragl, almost 2,500 metres above sea level, for views over the Upper Engadin valley.
Day 6The Bernina Express crosses viaducts and gorges over the Alps into Tirano, Italy.

Included

7 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 lunch
Local Transport Pass
Services of experienced 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 £2,699 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,646 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?: Rail travel within Switzerland is included, and Eurostar travel from London St Pancras can be added; the lowest price of £2,699 is for travellers who make their own way to Montreux and leave independently from Bern.
Is it escorted or independent?: Escorted, with a Tour Manager travelling with the group throughout.
Which trains are used?: The Glacier Express from Brig to St Moritz, the Bernina Express from the St Moritz area to Tirano in Italy, and the historic funicular railway from Punt Muragl to Muottas Muragl.
What hotels are used?: The Hotel Excelsior in Montreux for three nights, the Hotel Saratz in Pontresina for three nights, and the Hotel Kreuz in Bern for one night.
When does it depart?: One departure is listed, in June 2027, priced from £2,699 per person.