Great Rail Journeys
New Year on the Rhine: Mainz, Basel & Rüdesheim
8 daysfrom $2,536
Planet Rail · Escorted rail holiday
The Glacier Express & Scenic Switzerland by First Class rail
Travel through the Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express, enjoying stunning views, luxurious service, and a memorable scenic journey across Switzerland.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Montreux
By rail to Switzerland
Depart London St Pancras International by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, enjoying a light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at Gare du Nord, a private transfer takes you across Paris to continue by TGV through France into Switzerland, alongside Lake Geneva to Montreux. Check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4-star superior) for 3 nights.
Meals: Lunch (on Eurostar)
- Day 2railovernight: Montreux
Château de Chillon and free time
Visit the stunning medieval Château de Chillon (payable locally), one of the best-preserved castles in Europe. The afternoon is free to stroll around Montreux, enjoy a scenic lake cruise, or take the rack railway up Rochers-de-Naye for views and a visit to the 'Marmot Paradise'.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3railovernight: Montreux
Golden Panoramic to Interlaken & Jungfrau Railway to the 'Top of Europe' (supplements apply)
Join the GoldenPass Line panoramic train south to Visp then into the Bernese Oberland to Interlaken. The Jungfrau Railway (supplement applies) takes you to the highest railway station in Europe at 11,333ft. Descend via Grindelwald, then the Golden Panoramic Express returns to Montreux via Lake Thun, Château d'Oex and Gstaad with spectacular Alpine views. Optional dinner in the restaurant car (payable locally). This excursion is available from an additional £325 per person.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4railovernight: Chur
The Glacier Express
Depart Montreux and travel south-east to join the Glacier Express. The narrow-gauge train climbs the Rhône Valley, past mountain peaks, tiny hamlets and rushing streams, spiralling over the Oberalp Pass at 6,670ft. Lunch on board is included. Arrive in the historic town of Chur and check in to the Romantik Hotel Stern for 3 nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on Glacier Express)
- Day 5railovernight: Chur
The Bernina Express
Board the Bernina Express in Chur for breathtaking views from your First Class panorama car over bridges, viaducts, through galleries and tunnels, past waterfalls and ravines. The route climbs more than 7,000ft to the Bernina Pass without rack-and-pinion. Descend into Poschiavo for lunch before returning to Chur.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6railovernight: Chur
A free day to relax or explore
Explore Chur's cobbled streets, pretty squares and 12th century cathedral. Alternatively, travel First Class to Lucerne and take the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad to the summit, or journey east to Lake Constance and join the Pre-Alpine Express through the pre-alpine landscape, possibly stopping at St. Gallen (UNESCO world cultural heritage site).
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7railovernight: Cologne
Switzerland to Germany by First Class train
Head north by EuroCity train from Chur via Basel into Germany, along the scenic Rhine Gorge to Cologne. Check in to the Hotel Mondial am Dom for one night. Time to visit Cologne Cathedral or stroll through the old town or alongside the Rhine.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8rail
Cologne to London by ICE and Eurostar – Homeward bound
After breakfast, explore Cologne before walking 300m to Cologne Hauptbahnhof. Travel by ICE high-speed train to Brussels, then connect with Eurostar to London St Pancras, enjoying a meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class.
Meals: Breakfast, Meal (on Eurostar)
Included
- First Class rail travel throughout (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
- 7 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast each day
- 3 nights at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux (double room)
- 3 nights at Romantik Hotel Stern, Chur (double room)
- 1 night at Hotel Mondial am Dom, Cologne (double room)
- Seat reservations on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express
- Lunch on the Glacier Express train
- Private taxi transfer across Paris
Not included
- Château de Chillon entrance (payable locally)
- Jungfrau Railway excursion (supplement of £325 per person applies)
- Golden Panoramic Express (included within Jungfrau supplement)
- Dinner in restaurant car on Golden Panoramic Express (payable locally)
- Optional activities and excursions on free days
- Travel insurance
