How much does it cost?

From £1,845 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,492 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Rail travel within Switzerland is included, and Eurostar travel from London St Pancras can be added; the lowest price of £1,845 is for travellers who make their own way to Hergiswil.

Is it escorted or independent?

Escorted, with a Tour Manager throughout, though day 4 is a free day with optional activities.

Which excursions are included?

The Stanserhorn Railway and CabriO cable car, the Pilatus Railway, the Hammetschwand Lift, the Titlis Rotair, and the Rigi Railway, plus an optional visit to the Stoosbahn on the free day.

What hotel is included?

The Seehotel Pilatus in Hergiswil, for all seven nights of the tour.

Two departures are listed, in June and September 2027, both priced from £1,845 per person.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

The Big Five versus The Stoosbahn 2027

Escorted Switzerland tour visiting five mountain railways plus the Stoosbahn

Railtrail Tours runs this 8-day escorted rail tour from a single base at the Seehotel Pilatus in Hergiswil, with an option to add Eurostar travel from London St Pancras. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout. The week visits five named mountain excursions: the Stanserhorn Railway and its CabriO cable car, described as the world's first double-decker aerial cable car; the Pilatus Railway, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world; the Hammetschwand Lift at Burgenstock, the highest outdoor lift in Europe; the Titlis Rotair, a revolving cable car reaching almost 3,000 metres; and the historic Rigi Railway, running since 1871. Day 4 is a free day at the hotel, in Lucerne, or on an optional Tour Manager-led visit to the Stoosbahn, the world's steepest funicular. The trip suits travellers who want a concentrated week of Switzerland's most distinctive mountain railways from one hotel base.

What to know before you look closer

Day 4 is a free day; the visit to the Stoosbahn is optional, offered alongside the hotel spa or an independent visit to Lucerne rather than being a fixed part of the itinerary.
Only two departures are currently listed, in June and September 2027.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
Eurostar to Hergiswil
Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Hergiswil and our hotel for seven nights, the Seehotel Pilatus, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
Stanserhorn Railway & CabriO Cable Car
After breakfast this morning, we travel by rail to Stans where we take an exciting journey up the Stanserhorn starting with a nostalgic trip on the timber carriages of the funicular railway before continuing on the unique CabriO cable car. The world's first double-decker aerial cable car, the CabriO has no roof on the top deck offering fantastic panoramic views alongside insights into the remarkable engineering. On return to the hotel, we enjoy our evening meal together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
The Pilatus Railway
Today, we enjoy the drama and thrills of the famous Pilatus Railway! This amazing round trip provides the best of mountain railways as we ride the steepest cogwheel railway in the world through woods and tunnels, along alpine meadows, and rocky outcrops to the top of this rugged pre-Alpine peak. After free time at the summit, we enjoy breathtaking views on the aerial cable car and the panorama gondola as we travel to Lucerne, Switzerland's prettiest city.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
Free day / the Stoosbahn
Today, we spend the day at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore at your own pace. You may wish to make use of the hotel's spa facilities, visit Lucerne, or join our Tour Manager on a visit to the Stoosbahn, the world's steepest funicular railway. The distinctive barrel-shaped carriages combat a height difference of 744 metres over 1.7km of track, with a maximum gradient of 110%.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5overnight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
The Hammetschwand Lift
After breakfast, we travel to Stansstad and take a short bus journey up to Burgenstock where we enjoy the fresh mountain air on a walk to the Hammetschwand Lift, the highest outdoor lift in Europe. For over 100 years the lift has taken passengers up 153m providing stunning views of Lake Lucerne and we enjoy these views from the panoramic terrace at the summit before making the return journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6overnight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
The Titlis Rotair
Today, a fantastic experience awaits us as we ascend Mount Titlis on the world's first revolving cable car - the 'Titlis Rotair'. The cable car completes one full 360 degree rotation during its ascent providing breathtakingly beautiful panoramas as we soar to the mountain station at an altitude of just under 3,000 metres above sea level.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7railovernight: Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
The Rigi Railway
After breakfast today, we will experience the historic Rigi Railway, Europe's first mountain railway transporting visitors from all over the world to the top of the 'Queen of the Mountains' since 1871. The Rigi's unique location and panoramic views made it a famous destination for writers and heads of state during the 'Belle Epoque' era, and even Queen Victoria journeyed to the peak.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8rail
Homeward via Eurostar
We bid farewell to Hergiswil and to Switzerland, returning by rail to Brussels, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The CabriO cable car up Stanserhorn, described as the world's first double-decker aerial cable car, with no roof on the top deck.
Day 3The Pilatus Railway, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, climbing through woods and alpine meadows to the summit.
Day 4An optional visit to the Stoosbahn, the world's steepest funicular railway, climbing 744 metres over 1.7km of track at a maximum gradient of 110 percent.
Day 6The Titlis Rotair, the world's first revolving cable car, reaching a mountain station at just under 3,000 metres above sea level.
Day 7The historic Rigi Railway, running since 1871 to the summit known as the Queen of the Mountains.

Included

7 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal
Lucerne Travel Pass
Services of experienced Tour Manager
Eurostar and rail travel to and from Switzerland in the class of your choice
All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,845 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,492 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Rail travel within Switzerland is included, and Eurostar travel from London St Pancras can be added; the lowest price of £1,845 is for travellers who make their own way to Hergiswil.
Is it escorted or independent?: Escorted, with a Tour Manager throughout, though day 4 is a free day with optional activities.
Which excursions are included?: The Stanserhorn Railway and CabriO cable car, the Pilatus Railway, the Hammetschwand Lift, the Titlis Rotair, and the Rigi Railway, plus an optional visit to the Stoosbahn on the free day.
What hotel is included?: The Seehotel Pilatus in Hergiswil, for all seven nights of the tour.
When does it depart?: Two departures are listed, in June and September 2027, both priced from £1,845 per person.