How much does it cost?

From £2,070 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,796 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Which trains and railways are included?

The Rigi Railway, Brienz Rothorn Railway (steam cog railway), Pilatus Railway (the world's steepest cogwheel railway), and the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway. The itinerary also includes three lake cruises: across Lake Zurich by steamboat, Lake Brienz by nostalgic steam paddler, and Lake Lucerne by paddle-steamer.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. PTG Tours operates this tour in conjunction with Railtrail and provides an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager throughout.

Where do I stay and for how long?

All seven nights are at the Seehotel Pilatus in Hergiswil on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Bed, breakfast, and evening meals are included.

When does this tour run?

One departure is listed for September 2026.

What is included in the package?

Seven nights' bed, breakfast, and evening meal; a Local Transport Pass; and the services of an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager. All journeys on the four railways and three lake cruises are included.

PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Switzerland Steam-Powered Six

Eight-day Swiss steam railway tour from Hergiswil with lake cruises

PTG Tours operates this eight-day escorted tour of Swiss railways and lakes, based for seven nights at the Seehotel Pilatus in Hergiswil on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Guided by an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager, the itinerary combines four historic and specialized railways with three scenic lake cruises. You will travel on the Rigi Railway, Europe's first mountain railway operating since 1871 and a Belle Époque destination famous from the Victorian era; the Brienz Rothorn Railway, a steam cog railway climbing to 2,244 metres since 1892; the Pilatus Railway, the world's steepest cogwheel railway, with descent by aerial cable car and panorama gondola; and the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway, which follows the original route of the Glacier Express through high alpine scenery with views of the Rhone Glacier. Lake cruises on Zurich, Brienz, and Lucerne by steamboat and paddle-steamer round out the week. All nights are spent in one hotel with bed, breakfast, and evening meals included, making this a relaxed and comfortable paced tour suited to repeat rail travellers, history enthusiasts, and couples seeking guided journeys through Switzerland's mountain and lake landscape.

Price history

Across 4 checks, this price has held at £2,070 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 1 of 4 point is a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

2 readings are held out of the price above and this history: a unknown. We only price on the operator's package from-price, read from its own page.

What to know before you look closer

Only one departure is currently listed: September 2026 at GBP 2,070.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Hergiswil
London to Hergiswil
Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then onwards to Hergiswil, checking in to the Seehotel Pilatus (home for seven nights) and enjoying the first evening meal together.
Day 2railovernight: Hergiswil
Rigi Railway
The historic Rigi Railway, Europe's first mountain railway, transporting visitors to the top of the 'Queen of the Mountains' since 1871, a famous Belle Époque destination visited by Queen Victoria.
Day 3railovernight: Hergiswil
Lake Zurich steamboat cruise
Train to Rapperswil on Lake Zurich to board a steamboat for a gentle cruise past prosperous villages to the city of Zurich, with free time before returning to Hergiswil by train.
Day 4railovernight: Hergiswil
Brienz Rothorn Railway and Lake Brienz
One of Switzerland's most scenic mainlines over the Brünig Pass from Lucerne to Brienz, joining the historic steam cog Brienz Rothorn Railway, climbing Rothorn Kulm (2,244m) since 1892. Afterwards a cruise aboard a nostalgic steam paddler along Lake Brienz to Interlaken, returning by rail to Hergiswil.
Day 5railovernight: Hergiswil
Pilatus Railway
A round trip on the Pilatus Railway, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, through woods and tunnels to the summit. After free time at the top, an aerial cable car and panorama gondola down to Lucerne.
Day 6railovernight: Hergiswil
Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway
Transfer to Realp to join the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway, travelling high into the mountains to Oberwald along the original route of the Glacier Express, with views of the Rhone Glacier, before returning to Hergiswil by rail.
Day 7overnight: Hergiswil
Lake Lucerne cruise
A cruise across Lake Lucerne, criss-crossing between lakeside villages on the way to Flüelen, before returning to Hergiswil for the final evening meal together.
Day 8rail
Return to London
Farewell to Hergiswil and Switzerland, returning by rail to Paris to join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Day 2: The Rigi Railway carries you to the summit of the Queen of the Mountains, a Belle Époque destination visited by Queen Victoria since 1871.
Day 4Day 4: The Brienz Rothorn Railway, a historic steam cog railway, climbs to Rothorn Kulm at 2,244 metres, followed by a nostalgic paddle-steamer cruise across Lake Brienz.
Day 5Day 5: The Pilatus Railway, the world's steepest cogwheel railway, ascends through woods and tunnels to the summit; descent via aerial cable car and panorama gondola.
Day 6Day 6: The Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway follows the original Glacier Express route high into the mountains with views of the Rhone Glacier.

Included

7 nights' bed, breakfast & evening meal
Local Transport Pass
Services of an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,070 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,796 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Which trains and railways are included?: The Rigi Railway, Brienz Rothorn Railway (steam cog railway), Pilatus Railway (the world's steepest cogwheel railway), and the Furka Cogwheel Steam Railway. The itinerary also includes three lake cruises: across Lake Zurich by steamboat, Lake Brienz by nostalgic steam paddler, and Lake Lucerne by paddle-steamer.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. PTG Tours operates this tour in conjunction with Railtrail and provides an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager throughout.
Where do I stay and for how long?: All seven nights are at the Seehotel Pilatus in Hergiswil on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Bed, breakfast, and evening meals are included.
When does this tour run?: One departure is listed for September 2026.
What is included in the package?: Seven nights' bed, breakfast, and evening meal; a Local Transport Pass; and the services of an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager. All journeys on the four railways and three lake cruises are included.