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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Switzerland, Italy & Austria Trams

Fifteen-day tram tour through Switzerland, Italy, Austria from Frankfurt to Innsbruck

Illustration of Switzerland, Italy & Austria Trams

Ffestiniog Travel operates this 15-day escorted tour through Switzerland, Italy, and Austria, departing from Frankfurt and concluding in Innsbruck. The itinerary is built around riding historic and modern tram systems: you explore Basle's 12 tram lines and Bern's network from 1890, ride Zürich's system and the narrow-gauge Waldenburgerbahn, travel Milan's extensive 18-line network which began with horse-drawn trams in 1876, experience the rubber-tyred Mestre Translohr to Venice, climb the Trieste Opicina tram up to the Karst plateau (operating since 1902), and explore Florence and Innsbruck's lines. The tour includes all rail travel in Standard Class, accommodation in three and four-star hotels on bed and breakfast, city travel passes for each stop, and a tour leader from London throughout. Stays of two to three nights in each location allow time for unhurried tram exploration and city walking. This tour suits repeat rail travellers and history enthusiasts with an interest in urban transport heritage.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one June 2027 departure is listed; confirm current availability with Ffestiniog Travel.
  • The itinerary includes day excursions to Trieste and Florence from base hotels, meaning longer travel days away from your accommodation.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Frankfurt

    Frankfurt

    A mid-morning departure by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Frankfurt where we stay for 1 night.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Basle

    Onward to Basle

    A morning departure by train to Basle, where we stay for 3 nights. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore.

  3. Day 3overnight: Basle

    Basle Trams

    A full day at leisure to explore the 12 lines of the Basle Tram System, over a century old and part of Basle’s heritage.

  4. Day 4overnight: Basle

    Bern Trams

    A morning departure to Bern, free to explore the tram system which opened in 1890 and presently has five lines.

  5. Day 5overnight: Zürich

    Basle to Zürich

    After breakfast we travel to Zürich, Switzerland’s largest city, where we stay for 2 nights. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, or visit the Zurich Tram Museum.

  6. Day 6overnight: Zürich

    Zürich Trams

    A full day to travel on Zürich’s tram system, plus a trip to Liestal to join the Waldenburgerbahn, the only 750mm gauge line in Switzerland, and an early evening lake cruise.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Milan

    To Milan

    Morning departure by train for Milan, the regional capital of Lombardy. The afternoon is free to explore Milan’s 18-line tram network (113 miles) or the Duomo di Milano. We stay here for 2 nights.

  8. Day 8overnight: Milan

    Milan Trams

    A full day to explore Milan’s extensive tram network, running since 1876 (horse drawn originally), some trams still in circulation over 80 years old.

  9. Day 9overnight: Padua

    To Padua

    A morning departure to Padua, where we stay for 3 nights. This afternoon we have an excursion to Venice, travelling on Mestre’s Translohr tram network, a rubber tyred tramway.

  10. Day 10overnight: Padua

    Padua to Trieste

    This morning we travel to Trieste to ride the Opicina tram, in operation since 9 September 1902, connecting the centre of Trieste with Opicina on the Karst plateau.

  11. Day 11overnight: Padua

    Padua to Florence

    This morning we travel to Florence to explore the city’s tram system, consisting of two operational lines.

  12. Day 12overnight: Innsbruck

    To Innsbruck

    After breakfast we travel to Innsbruck where we stay for 2 nights. The rest of the day is free to explore.

  13. Day 13overnight: Innsbruck

    Innsbruck Tram System

    A full day to explore Austria’s fifth largest city, likely including a ride on tram line 6, climbing part way up Patscherkofel mountain.

  14. Day 14overnight: Frankfurt

    To Frankfurt

    Today we travel to Frankfurt for an overnight stay and an evening at leisure.

  15. Day 15rail

    Homeward Bound

    Direct ICE to Brussels, where we continue to London via Eurostar, arriving mid-afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Full day exploring the 12 lines of Basle's tram system, over a century old.
  • Day 6Zürich tram network plus a trip on the Waldenburgerbahn, Switzerland's only 750mm gauge line, and an early evening lake cruise.
  • Day 8A full day on Milan's extensive 18-line tram network, with some vintage trams in circulation over 80 years old.
  • Day 10Ride the Opicina tram from central Trieste up to the Karst plateau, in operation since 1902.

Included

  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on bed and breakfast basis
  • Excursions as specified
  • Basle Card
  • Libero Day Ticket Bern
  • 24 hour Zürich Travel Card
  • 2 day Milan Travel Card
  • 48 hour Urbs Picta Card Padua
  • One day ACTV travel card Venice
  • 24 hours travel pass Florence
  • Innsbruck Welcome Card
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. Ffestiniog Travel includes all rail travel in Standard Class, plus city travel cards (Basle Card, Libero Day Ticket Bern, 24-hour Zürich Travel Card, 2-day Milan Travel Card, 48-hour Padua card, 24-hour Venice card, 24-hour Florence card, and Innsbruck Welcome Card).
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A tour leader from London accompanies the group throughout the 15 days.
What is included in the price?
All rail travel in Standard Class, accommodation in good quality hotels on bed and breakfast basis, city travel cards and passes, excursions as stated, local taxes and fees, and the tour leader's services.
Which tram systems does the tour cover?
Basle (12 lines), Bern (5 lines, opened 1890), Zürich, the Waldenburgerbahn (750mm gauge), Milan (18 lines since 1876), Mestre Translohr (rubber-tyred to Venice), Trieste Opicina tram (since 1902), Florence (2 lines), and Innsbruck line 6.
When does the tour depart?
One departure is shown for June 2027 at GBP 3,330 (approximately USD 4,447).
Can I upgrade to First Class?
A First Class rail upgrade is available upon request, subject to availability.

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