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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Swiss Lakes & Mountains by Rail

Twelve-day rail journey through Swiss Alps and lakes from London to Lausanne

Illustration of Swiss Lakes & Mountains by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's Swiss Lakes & Mountains by Rail is a 12-day self-guided holiday starting in London and ending in Lausanne, routing through France and Switzerland's Alpine heartland. The journey opens with Eurostar to Paris and a TGV to Strasbourg, then crosses into Switzerland for three nights in Grindelwald within the Bernese Oberland, where two free days invite optional ascents to the Schilthorn summit or independent exploration of nearby peaks and valleys. The itinerary then embraces the country's most celebrated rail routes: the Gotthard Panorama Express combines train and Lake Lucerne boat, the Bernina Express descends from Tirano past the Landwasser Viaduct to Chur, and the Glacier Express traverses the Oberalp Pass above 2,000 metres while following the Grand Canyon of Switzerland along the Rhine. Nights in Lugano, Chur, Brig, and Lausanne intersperse these journeys, with free time for optional day trips to Zermatt and the Matterhorn or vineyard exploration near Lake Geneva. Standard-class rail with reservations, 11 nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast, Lake Lucerne cruise, Schilthorn access, and Swiss Pass are included. This trip suits repeat rail travellers seeking celebrated trains, independent explorers preferring self-guided pacing, and photographers drawn to Alpine and lakeside landscapes.

What to know before you look closer

  • Rail fare is included in the from-price; no separate booking required
  • Single supplement is £300 (priceSingleFrom £2,999 vs. double from £2,699), considerably more than half the double rate
  • Brig and Chur are overnight stops of only one night each; most other destinations offer two to three nights
  • Hotels listed as 'or similar'; final accommodation may differ depending on availability and tier

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg (Hotel des Vosges or similar)

    London to Strasbourg

    Eurostar to Paris, connecting a short walk away to a direct TGV service to Strasbourg. Time to stroll the historic centre this evening.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Grindelwald (Hotel Sunstar or similar)

    Strasbourg to Grindelwald

    Onward journey into Switzerland, crossing the border at Basel, changing onto a regional train to Interlaken, then a local service to Grindelwald.

  3. Day 3overnight: Grindelwald (Hotel Sunstar or similar)

    Grindelwald & the Schilthorn

    Free day in the Bernese Oberland using the included Swiss Pass - visit Wengen or Interlaken, or take the cablecar to the summit of the Schilthorn for the Bond Museum and Piz Gloria restaurant.

  4. Day 4overnight: Grindelwald (Hotel Sunstar or similar)

    Grindelwald & the Schilthorn

    Second free day to explore the region, including the Schilthorn summit excursion if not already taken.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lugano (Villa Sassa Hotel & Spa or similar)

    Grindelwald to Lugano via the Gotthard Panorama Express

    Rail journey from Interlaken up through central Switzerland to Lucerne, then a boat ride across the lake to Flüelen to join the panoramic carriages of the Gotthard Panorama Express down to Lugano.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lugano (Villa Sassa Hotel & Spa or similar)

    Lugano

    Free day using the Swiss Pass to Ascona, Locarno or Morcote, or the San Salvatore and Brè funicular railways in Lugano itself.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Chur (Hotel Stern or similar)

    Lugano to Chur via the Bernina Express

    Brief dip into Italy via Monza and Tirano, then the panoramic carriages of the Bernina Express up to Chur via the famous Landwasser Viaduct.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Brig (Ambassador Hotel or similar)

    Chur to Brig via the Glacier Express

    The iconic Glacier Express, reaching its highest point at the Oberalp Pass (2,044m) and following the 'Grand Canyon of Switzerland' along the River Rhine.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Brig (Ambassador Hotel or similar)

    Zermatt day trip from Brig

    Free day using the Swiss Pass - optionally complete the Glacier Express route to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, or visit Stockalper Castle and the Brigerbad thermal baths.

  10. Day 10overnight: Lausanne (Hotel Mirabeau or similar)

    Lausanne

    Direct 2-hour journey to Lausanne, a city draped over seven hills overlooking Lake Geneva.

  11. Day 11overnight: Lausanne (Hotel Mirabeau or similar)

    Lausanne

    Free day - the Olympic Museum, Montreux's Chillon Castle, the Lavaux vineyards near Vevey, or Charlie Chaplin's former home.

  12. Day 12rail

    Lausanne to London

    Direct TGV Lyria service to Paris, then RER to the Gare du Nord for the return Eurostar to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Optional cablecar ascent to Schilthorn summit for views of the Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch; Bond Museum and Piz Gloria restaurant at the top
  • Day 5Day 5: Boat crossing of Lake Lucerne then panoramic-carriage descent of the Gotthard Panorama Express to Lugano
  • Day 7Day 7: Bernina Express journey through Italy to Tirano then up to Chur, passing the Landwasser Viaduct
  • Day 8Day 8: Glacier Express traverse to the Oberalp Pass at 2,044 metres, following the Grand Canyon of Switzerland along the River Rhine
  • Day 9Day 9: Optional train completion to Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, or visit Stockalper Castle and Brigerbad thermal baths

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 11 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Schilthorn excursion from Grindelwald
  • Cruise on Lake Lucerne
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes, standard-class rail travel with seat reservations is included throughout: Eurostar, TGV, regional trains, the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express. First-class upgrades are available for an additional £200 per person.
Is this trip guided or self-guided?
It is self-guided. Tailor Made Rail provides comprehensive directions, easy-to-follow travel documentation, and email or postal ticket despatch, but you travel at your own pace and decide how to spend free days.
What is included beyond rail and hotels?
Eleven nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast, the Schilthorn excursion from Grindelwald, a cruise on Lake Lucerne, and a Swiss Pass for free local travel and optional day excursions.
How many free days are there?
Four full free days: two in Grindelwald (days 3 and 4), one in Lugano (day 6), and one in Lausanne (day 11). Free days allow optional excursions like Zermatt, Montreux, or the Lavaux vineyards.
When do departures run?
March, April, May, June, and October; September departures run at a higher price.
What is the single supplement?
£300 additional per person (single from £2,999 vs. double from £2,699).

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