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Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

The Gotthard Panorama Express & the Centovalli Railway by First Class Rail

Swiss scenic rail loop from London via Alpine passes and lake steamers

Illustration of The Gotthard Panorama Express & the Centovalli Railway by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's eight-day independent holiday takes you from London through the heart of Switzerland by First Class rail, combining two of Europe's most celebrated scenic railway journeys with stays in elegant lakeside towns. You depart London St Pancras by Eurostar and travel via Paris and the French TGV network to Montreux on Lake Geneva. From there, the itinerary unfolds across two specialist railways and three lakes: the narrow-gauge Centovalli Railway carries you from Locarno to Domodossola across viaducts spanning a hundred Italian valleys, while the Gotthard Panorama Express climbs from Italian-speaking Ticino over the Alpine Gotthard Pass and descends to Flüelen, where you board a lake-steamer for the final leg to Lucerne. Accommodation is in four-star hotels with breakfast daily, and the pacing is relaxed, giving you full days in Locarno and Lucerne to explore at your own pace. This trip suits independent travellers seeking First Class comfort, repeat rail enthusiasts keen to experience lesser-known scenic lines, and couples looking for a self-guided lakeside escape.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers First Class rail and hotel package; optional excursions from Lucerne (Mount Pilatus, Rigi cog railway, lake-steamer journeys) and the Lake Maggiore islands cruise are payable locally.
  • This is a self-guided holiday with no tour escort or manager; you make your own way between stations and hotels.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Montreux

    By First Class rail to Lake Geneva

    Your holiday by First Class rail starts at London St Pancras International station, with its famous clock and statue of Sir John Betjeman. Board the Eurostar for your journey to Paris, with a complimentary light meal and drinks served at your seat in Standard Premier Class. When you arrive at the Gare du Nord a private taxi transfers you to the Gare de Lyon, where you board a high-speed TGV for your journey through France into Switzerland. As you near your destination the train skirts the shores of Lake Geneva with its backdrop of vineyards and mountains, before arriving in Montreux. You stay overnight at the stylish Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, which enjoys a superb position on the lake shore only a few steps from the railway station.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Locarno

    Montreux to Locarno

    This morning you have some time to enjoy the elegant lakeside town of Montreux. Then make your way back to Montreux station for the rail journey south to Visp and Göschenen and into Italian-speaking Switzerland. After your attractive rail journey you arrive in the delightful town of Locarno, where warmer climes nurture exotic plants and palm tree lined promenades on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, Italy's second largest lake. Your hotel for the next 3 nights is the elegant Hotel Belvedere (4 star).

  3. Day 3railovernight: Locarno

    Locarno, Lake Maggiore and the Centovalli Railway

    You have two days to explore the pretty lakeside town of Locarno with its charming mix of Swiss and Italian cultures, or venture further afield on Lake Maggiore and into Italy. Enjoy a truly unforgettable day as you travel by train from Locarno to Domodossola along the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway, from Switzerland into Italy, across viaducts and bridges through a hundred different valleys. From Domodossola continue to the charming Italian resort of Stresa and return to Locarno on a ferry along Lake Maggiore. You might also visit Lake Maggiore's stunning islands, including Isola Bella and the gorgeous Borromeo Palace with its lovely Italian gardens, on a relaxing lake cruise (payable locally), or spend time relaxing around your hotel.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Locarno

    Locarno, Lake Maggiore and the Centovalli Railway

    You have two days to explore the pretty lakeside town of Locarno with its charming mix of Swiss and Italian cultures, or venture further afield on Lake Maggiore and into Italy. Enjoy a truly unforgettable day as you travel by train from Locarno to Domodossola along the narrow gauge Centovalli Railway, from Switzerland into Italy, across viaducts and bridges through a hundred different valleys. From Domodossola continue to the charming Italian resort of Stresa and return to Locarno on a ferry along Lake Maggiore. You might also visit Lake Maggiore's stunning islands, including Isola Bella and the gorgeous Borromeo Palace with its lovely Italian gardens, on a relaxing lake cruise (payable locally), or spend time relaxing around your hotel.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lucerne

    The "Gotthard Panorama Express" to Lucerne

    This morning after breakfast make your way to Locarno station and take your seat in the panorama carriage for the journey to Flüelen. The route of the Gotthard Panorama Express, formerly known as the William Tell Express, takes you from the warmer shores of Lake Maggiore in the Italian-speaking Ticino region into the snow-capped heart of the Swiss Alps, up and over the impressive Gotthard Pass and through the Gotthard Tunnel, once the longest railway tunnel in the world, then through horseshoe tunnels and over bridges to Flüelen. Here you walk the short distance to the ferry terminal and board the historic William Tell Express steamer for the cruise along beautiful Lake Lucerne to Lucerne. On arrival make your own way the short distance to your hotel for the next 3 nights, the Cascada Boutique Hotel, just a short walk from the lake and the old town.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lucerne

    Lucerne and Lake Lucerne

    You have two full days to enjoy the scenery on stunning Lake Lucerne. Take a lake steamer for wonderful views of the surrounding mountains, or take the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway, the world's steepest, from Alpnachstad to the summit of the Pilatus Kulm for a magnificent panoramic view of Lucerne, its sparkling lake and the Alps beyond. Alternatively travel up the delightful Rigi cog railway to Rigi-Kulm with fabulous views of Mount Rigi and Lake Lucerne, descending to Lucerne by cable car and lake-steamer (all journeys payable locally).

  7. Day 7railovernight: Lucerne

    Lucerne and Lake Lucerne

    You have two full days to enjoy the scenery on stunning Lake Lucerne. Take a lake steamer for wonderful views of the surrounding mountains, or take the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway, the world's steepest, from Alpnachstad to the summit of the Pilatus Kulm for a magnificent panoramic view of Lucerne, its sparkling lake and the Alps beyond. Alternatively travel up the delightful Rigi cog railway to Rigi-Kulm with fabulous views of Mount Rigi and Lake Lucerne, descending to Lucerne by cable car and lake-steamer (all journeys payable locally).

  8. Day 8rail

    Lucerne to London by First Class rail - homeward bound

    This morning after breakfast, make your way to the station and continue your journey to Basel, where you change trains and board the TGV to take you back to Paris. Relax in comfort as your train travels through the diverse French countryside. Your taxi transfer takes you to the Gare du Nord before the last part of your journey on Eurostar: sit back and enjoy your light meal and drinks in Standard Premier Class as you cross the Channel into Kent and return to London St Pancras International.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St Pancras with its famous clock and Sir John Betjeman statue, then travel via high-speed TGV through France to Montreux.
  • Day 3Travel the narrow-gauge Centovalli Railway from Locarno to Domodossola across viaducts and bridges through a hundred valleys between Switzerland and Italy, then continue by rail to Stresa and return by lake cruise on Lake Maggiore.
  • Day 5Ride the Gotthard Panorama Express in its panorama carriage from Locarno up over the Gotthard Pass into the snow-capped Swiss Alps, then continue by lake-steamer to Lucerne.
  • Day 6Take a lake steamer on Lake Lucerne for views of the surrounding mountains, or ride the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway, the world's steepest, to the summit.

Included

  • First Class return rail travel from London to Locarno and Lucerne via Montreux (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
  • 7 nights' hotel accommodation in 4 star hotels with breakfast each day, including 3 nights at the Hotel Belvedere (4 star) in Locarno, 3 nights at the Cascada Boutique Hotel (4 star) in Lucerne, and an overnight stay at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) in Montreux
  • Seat reservations on the Gotthard Panorama Express from Locarno to Lucerne
  • Journey on the Lake Maggiore Express including the Centovalli Railway from Locarno to Domodossola, rail travel onto Stresa and lake cruise from Stresa to Locarno
  • Private taxi transfer in Paris

Not included

  • Lake Maggiore islands cruise, including Isola Bella and the Borromeo Palace (payable locally)
  • Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway and Rigi cog railway / cable car / lake-steamer excursions from Lucerne (all journeys payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes, First Class rail travel from London to Locarno and Lucerne via Montreux is included, using Eurostar (Standard Premier), TGV, and the Centovalli Railway, Gotthard Panorama Express, and Lake Maggiore Express. Seat reservations on the Gotthard Panorama Express are included. Optional local excursions are not.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
This is a self-guided tailor-made holiday. There is no tour manager or escort. You travel independently between stations and hotels, though a private taxi transfer is provided in Paris.
Which hotels are included?
One night at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (four-star superior) in Montreux, three nights at the Hotel Belvedere (four-star) in Locarno, and three nights at the Cascada Boutique Hotel (four-star) in Lucerne. Breakfast is included each day.
What is the typical pace of the itinerary?
Relaxed. You have one night in Montreux, three in Locarno, and three in Lucerne, allowing time to explore each location. Days 3 and 4 offer free time in Locarno; days 6 and 7 offer free time in Lucerne.
Are there guided activities or excursions?
No guided excursions are included. The Lake Maggiore islands cruise, Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway, Rigi cog railway, and lake-steamer journeys from Lucerne are optional and payable locally.
How much walking is involved?
Mostly station-to-hotel walks and exploring town centres on foot. Optional mountain railways (Mount Pilatus and Rigi) involve steeper terrain if you choose them, but they are not required.

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