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Planet Rail · Escorted rail holiday

The Glacier Express & Scenic Switzerland by First Class rail

Eight-day First Class rail loop through Swiss Alps on three signature trains

Illustration of The Glacier Express & Scenic Switzerland by First Class rail

Planet Rail's 8-day escorted holiday combines three of Switzerland's most celebrated scenic rail journeys with stays in Montreux, Chur, and Cologne. Departing London St Pancras by Eurostar and returning the same way, the itinerary is built around the Glacier Express, which climbs the Rhône Valley and spirals over the Oberalp Pass to Chur; the Bernina Express, crossing seven mountain passes to Poschiavo; and the GoldenPass Line through the Bernese Oberland to Jungfraujoch (supplement applies). Throughout, you travel First Class and enjoy lunch on the Glacier Express. The route allows three nights in lakeside Montreux before the alpine section, freeing Day 2 for independent exploration and Day 3 for the optional high-altitude excursion. A full free day in Chur on Day 6 lets you choose between staying put in the medieval town or venturing to Mount Pilatus or Lake Constance by train. The northbound return via the scenic Rhine Gorge ends with a single night in Cologne before the homeward Eurostar. This pace and accommodation pattern suit travellers who value comfort, First Class rail, and time to absorb each location rather than constant movement.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Jungfrau Railway excursion costs an additional £325 per person (not included in the base price).
  • Château de Chillon entrance and optional dinner in the restaurant car on Day 3 are payable locally.
  • Only one departure date is currently published: 2026. The Glacier Express does not operate mid-October to mid-December each year.

Day by day

  1. 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)

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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)

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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)

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: The Jungfrau Railway (supplement applies) ascends to 11,333 feet at Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, with descent through Grindelwald and return via the GoldenPass Line past Lake Thun and Gstaad.
  • Day 4Day 4: The Glacier Express climbs the Rhône Valley and spirals over the Oberalp Pass at 6,670 feet, with lunch included on board.
  • Day 5Day 5: The Bernina Express travels from Chur over more than 7,000 feet to Bernina Pass via bridges, viaducts, galleries and tunnels, descending to Poschiavo for lunch.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes, First Class rail travel is included throughout the itinerary on Eurostar, TGV, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Line, EuroCity, and ICE. The Jungfrau Railway requires a supplement of £325 per person.
What hotels are included?
The package includes 3 nights at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in Montreux (4-star superior), 3 nights at Romantik Hotel Stern in Chur, and 1 night at Hotel Mondial am Dom in Cologne. All rooms are double and include daily breakfast.
Is the trip escorted or independent?
Planet Rail operates this as an escorted rail holiday. Specific guides or group sizes are not mentioned in the published details; confirm with the operator.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily at all hotels. Lunch is included on the Glacier Express (Day 4). Light meal and drinks are served on both Eurostar journeys (Days 1 and 8). Other meals are not included.
How much free time is there?
Day 2 in Montreux is largely free to visit Château de Chillon (payable locally), take a lake cruise, or ride the rack railway. Day 6 in Chur is completely free, with optional activities such as the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway or travel to Lake Constance and St. Gallen.
When does the trip run?
Currently only one departure is listed for 2026. The Glacier Express does not operate from mid-October to mid-December each year.

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