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PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Switzerland Steam-Powered Six

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

Illustration of Switzerland Steam-Powered Six

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.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed: September 2026 at GBP 2,070.
  • The base price of GBP 2,070 covers the package and is for joining and leaving in Hergiswil; rail travel from London St Pancras is an additional GBP 375 (total GBP 2,445).

Day by day

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

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.
Does the price include getting to Switzerland?
The base price of GBP 2,070 is for joining and leaving in Hergiswil with no international rail travel included. A tier that includes Eurostar and rail from London St Pancras costs GBP 2,445.
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.

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