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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne

Eight-day escorted rail journey from London through Alpine Switzerland and Cologne

Illustration of Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne

Ffestiniog Travel operates this 8-day escorted rail journey through Switzerland and Germany, departing London by Eurostar and ending in Cologne. The tour makes Lucerne its base for five nights, from which daily excursions radiate into the surrounding Alps and lakes. You travel by the Rigi Railway (a mountain rack railway ascending from Vitznau), the Pilatus Railway (reaching the summit by a steeper rack line), and traverse two Alpine passes: the Brünig Pass on a scenic two-hour train journey and the Gotthard route with its famous hairpin curves. The itinerary includes three lake cruises, a cable car descent from Pilatus, and time to explore Lucerne's old town. A tour leader from Ffestiniog accompanies the group throughout, and a Lucerne Travel Pass grants free travel on all regional trains, boats, and cable cars. Accommodation is in good quality three-star hotels with breakfast and a welcome dinner included. This tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking Alpine scenery and named mountain railways, couples wanting a mix of guided structure and free afternoons, and first-time rail travellers who prefer a leader's company.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is listed: June 2027 at £2,495 (GBP). Confirm availability before planning.
  • Accommodation is bed and breakfast only; lunch and dinner beyond the welcome dinner are not included.
  • Day 4 returns to Lucerne for the night despite a day excursion to Interlaken, adding travel time.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Aachen

    London to Aachen

    We depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels and connect to a high speed train for Aachen. We have a short walk to our hotel and dinner is included during our 1-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lucerne

    Relax in Lucerne

    Travel via Basle and onwards to the beautiful lakeside city of Lucerne. The afternoon is free to explore. The famous Kapellbrücke is just minutes from our hotel, or you may wish to visit the excellent Swiss Museum of Transport. Your Lucerne Travel Pass is valid for free travel on all public transport including boats and cable cars.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lucerne

    Explore the Rigi by Boat & Train

    After a morning at leisure in Lucerne, enjoy an afternoon boat trip on the lake to Vitznau to take the mountain rack railway ascent of the Rigi. We then return via Arth Goldau and main line train to Lucerne.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lucerne

    Interlaken

    A relaxing two hour train journey over the Brünig Pass, through beautiful mountain and lake scenery, brings us to the famous resort of Interlaken where there is time to explore.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lucerne

    Pilatus

    No holiday to Lucerne is complete without one of our favourite Alpine excursions. We begin by taking a lake steamer to Alpnachstad, then travel by mountain railway to Pilatus’ summit. Our descent is by cable car to Kriens and we return to Lucerne by trolleybus.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lucerne

    The Gotthard Pass

    Today begins with an enjoyable 3-hour cruise on a Lake Lucerne paddle steamer along the lake to Flüelen. We then travel by train up the famous Gotthard route with its amazing hairpins to Göschenen. Finally, board the rack railway to travel up through the Schöllenen Gorge to the resort of Andermatt. Return to Lucerne by train.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Cologne

    Cologne

    By main line train to Basle where we change for our service to Cologne, following the Rhine route once more. Overnight in Cologne.

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward Bound

    Travel by high speed train to Brussels before boarding Eurostar back to London St Pancras, arriving early afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Afternoon boat trip across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, then ascent of the Rigi mountain by rack railway
  • Day 5Lake steamer to Alpnachstad and mountain railway to the Pilatus summit, with return by cable car
  • Day 6Three-hour paddle steamer cruise along Lake Lucerne to Flüelen, followed by train ascent of the Gotthard route with hairpin bends and the Schöllenen Gorge rack railway to Andermatt

Included

  • Rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Lucerne Travel Pass for unlimited travel within the Lucerne region (includes mountain railways and lake steamers)
  • Excursions as specified
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Welcome dinner
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel in Standard Class is included, plus the Lucerne Travel Pass (valid for all regional transport, mountain railways, and lake steamers during your stay). Eurostar from London is included; return is day 8.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader who accompanies the group from London throughout the tour. Most days include scheduled excursions.
What is the accommodation?
Three hotels: Ibis am Marschiertor in Aachen (1 night), Waldstätterhof Hotel in Lucerne (5 nights), and CityClass Hotel am Dom in Cologne (1 night). All rooms include breakfast.
How much walking is involved?
Days include city walking in Lucerne and Cologne, mountain railway ascents and descents on Rigi and Pilatus, and boarding lake steamers. The Pilatus descent is by cable car, not on foot.
What is not included?
Lunches and dinners (except the welcome dinner on day 1) are not included. Personal expenses, travel insurance, and any activities not listed are your responsibility.
When does this tour depart?
The only listed departure is June 2027 at £2,495 per person.

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