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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

The Best of Switzerland from Zurich

Independent 12-day Swiss rail loop starting and ending in Zurich

Illustration of The Best of Switzerland from Zurich

Railbookers operates this independent, self-guided rail vacation around Switzerland, running 12 days and 11 nights and starting and ending in Zurich. After a first night in Zurich's old town district of Niederdorf, travelers take a direct train to Lucerne for a steam cruise and cogwheel railway trip up Mount Pilatus, then continue to Interlaken for a day trip to Jungfraujoch. The GoldenPass Express carries travelers on to Montreux with an Apero food package, before the route heads to Zermatt for Gornergrat views of the Matterhorn, then the Glacier Express and a Bernina Express roundtrip from St. Moritz. Because the trip is independent, travelers hold a 15-day Swiss Pass and move at their own pace rather than following a guide. It suits travelers who want Switzerland's named scenic railways covered end to end, plus extra time in Zurich itself at the start and finish.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator lists 23 hotel options across several cities and comfort tiers for this trip; which hotel you get depends on the tier and city option you choose.
  • The evidence for this trip does not include current departure dates; confirm availability and current pricing with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Zurich

    Your Journey Begins in Zurich

    Arrive and check in for an overnight stay. Evening by the lake in the old town district of Niederdorf.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lucerne

    Zurich to Lucerne

    Direct train to Lucerne. Explore Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, and the medieval Old Town. Afternoon gourmet dinner cruise on Lake Lucerne.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lucerne

    Day Trip to Mount Pilatus

    Steam cruise on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then the world's steepest cogwheel railway to the top of Mount Pilatus. Return via gondola and cable car to Kriens.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Interlaken

    Lucerne to Interlaken

    Direct train to Interlaken, the heart of the Bernese Oberland. Afternoon ride up the Harder Kulm funicular for views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.

  5. Day 5overnight: Interlaken

    Day Trip to The Jungfraujoch

    Day trip to Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe,' with views of the Monch, Eiger, and Jungfrau, an underground ice castle, observatory decks, and a snow park.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    GoldenPass Express to Montreux

    Journey aboard the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux with an Apero Food Package. Afternoon walk to Chillon Castle.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Zermatt

    Montreux to Zermatt

    Train to Zermatt via Visp using your Swiss pass.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Zermatt

    Day Trip to The Gornergrat

    Gornergrat railway, Europe's highest, climbing from 1,604m to 3,090m in 33 minutes, with views to Italy, France and the Matterhorn.

  9. Day 9railovernight: St Moritz

    Glacier Express to St Moritz

    Travel across Switzerland aboard the Glacier Express, crossing mountain passes and viaducts, ending in St Moritz.

  10. Day 10railovernight: St Moritz

    The Bernina Express Roundtrip

    Journey south to Tirano, Italy, past Piz Bernina, Piz Palu, and the Brusio spiral viaduct, with lunch before returning to St Moritz.

  11. Day 11overnight: Zurich

    St Moritz to Zurich

    Head back to Zurich for a final overnight stay.

  12. Day 12

    Your Journey Ends in Zurich

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A steam cruise on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad connects to the world's steepest cogwheel railway, climbing to the top of Mount Pilatus.
  • Day 5A day trip to Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe,' includes an underground ice castle, observatory decks and a snow park.
  • Day 6The GoldenPass Express runs from Interlaken to Montreux with an Apero food package served on board.
  • Day 8The Gornergrat railway, Europe's highest, climbs from 1,604m to 3,090m in 33 minutes, with views to Italy, France and the Matterhorn.
  • Day 10The Bernina Express runs south to Tirano, Italy, past Piz Bernina, Piz Palu and the Brusio spiral viaduct, with lunch before returning to St. Moritz.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zurich
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lucerne
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Interlaken
  • 1-night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Montreux
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Zermatt
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in St Moritz
  • 15-Day Swiss Pass
  • Seat Reservations on the Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass Express
  • Apero Plate Food Package on the GoldenPass Express
  • Gourmet Dinner Cruise on Lake Lucerne
  • Day Trip to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne
  • Harder Kulm Funicular Excursion from Interlaken
  • Day Trip to Jungfraujoch from Interlaken
  • Return Boat Journey from Montreux to Château de Chillon with Admission
  • Day Trip to the Gornergrat from Zermatt

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. A 15-day Swiss Pass and seat reservations on the Bernina Express, Glacier Express and GoldenPass Express are included.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is an independent, self-guided rail vacation; there is no tour leader accompanying travelers between stops.
Which trains does the itinerary use?
The route uses the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux, the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz, the Bernina Express roundtrip to Tirano, the Gornergrat railway, the Mount Pilatus Cogwheel Railway and the Harder Kulm funicular.
What is included with the hotels?
Breakfast is included with every stay: 2 nights each in Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt and St. Moritz, plus 1 night in Montreux.
What meals are included beyond breakfast?
A gourmet dinner cruise on Lake Lucerne and an Apero Plate food package on the GoldenPass Express are included; other meals are not specified.
Where does the trip start and end?
It starts and ends in Zurich, with an overnight stay on both the first and last nights of the trip.

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