railtour suisse · Self-guided rail tour

Tops of Switzerland (for international guests)

Self-guided 5-day Swiss rail tour: Jungfraujoch, Lucerne, Mount Pilatus

Tops of Switzerland (for international guests), a rail journey with railtour suisse

railtour suisse runs this five-day, four-night self-guided rail tour through central Switzerland, based in Interlaken and Lucerne. The trip opens with the Jungfrau Railway up to the Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 meters, where the evidence describes views of the Aletsch Glacier and the Ice Palace's ice sculptures. The Luzern-Interlaken Express then crosses the Brunig Pass to Lucerne, where a Lake Lucerne cruise to Alpnachstad connects with the Pilatus Railway, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, up to Pilatus Kulm. The final day includes a stroll across Lucerne's Chapel Bridge and through the old town to the Lion Monument. Travelers spend two nights each in Interlaken and Lucerne in 3-star hotels with breakfast. Because there is no tour manager and the return journey is described as individual, this trip suits independent travelers who want a self-guided route built around two of Switzerland's best-known mountain railways.

What to know before you look closer

  • Additional tickets for optional excursions by rail, boat, postal-coach and cable car are not included, though purchasable at 25 to 50% of regular fares.
  • The Pilatus cogwheel railway to the summit runs only from approximately mid-May to October; in winter the route uses a bus from Lucerne to Kriens and then panorama gondolas to the summit.
  • The final day's 'individual return journey' from Lucerne is not detailed in the evidence; travelers arrange their own onward transport.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Interlaken

    Arrival in Interlaken

    Train journey to Interlaken, the gateway to the three mighty mountains Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Overnight in Interlaken.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Interlaken

    Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

    Breakfast at the hotel. The first highlight of the trip awaits you - the journey to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 3'454 metres. Snow and ice are guaranteed 365 days a year. Enjoy the spectacular view of imposing mountain peaks and the Aletsch Glacier, discover enchanting sculptures in the Ice Palace and take a thrilling journey through time on the multimedia adventure tour into the history of the Jungfrau Railway. Overnight in Interlaken.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Lucerne

    Luzern-Interlaken Express (1h50)

    Breakfast at the hotel. Train journey over the Brunig Pass to Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lucerne

    Pilatus

    Breakfast at the hotel. Lake Lucerne cruise from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then up to the Pilatus Kulm 2'132 m by the steepest cogwheel railway in the world (from approx. mid May to October, during winter you take the bus from Lucerne to Kriens and further with the panorama gondolas from Kriens up to the summit on Pilatus Kulm). Overnight in Lucerne.

  5. Day 5

    Lucerne and return journey

    Breakfast at the hotel. Stroll across the world-famous Chapel Bridge and through the winding streets of the old town, visit the Lion Monument or take a trip to Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus or Mount Titlis. Individual return journey. This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrival in Interlaken, gateway to the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
  • Day 2The Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 meters, with views of the Aletsch Glacier and the Ice Palace's ice sculptures.
  • Day 3The Luzern-Interlaken Express crosses the Brunig Pass on the way to Lucerne.
  • Day 4A Lake Lucerne cruise to Alpnachstad, followed by the Pilatus Railway, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, up to Pilatus Kulm at 2,132 meters.
  • Day 5A stroll across Lucerne's world-famous Chapel Bridge and through the old town to the Lion Monument.

Included

  • Swiss Transfer Ticket Combi: Tops of Switzerland (5 transfers) incl. excursions to Jungfraujoch and Pilatus in 2nd class
  • Seat reservation in the Luzern-Interlaken Express
  • 2 nights in Interlaken, 3-star hotel, standard double room with breakfast
  • 2 nights in Lucerne, 3-star hotel, standard double room with breakfast

Not included

  • Additional tickets for optional excursions by rail, boat, postal-coach and cable car (purchasable at 25-50% of the regular fares)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, the Swiss Transfer Ticket Combi covers 5 transfers plus the Jungfraujoch and Pilatus excursions in 2nd class.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is a self-guided rail tour with no tour manager mentioned; day 5 is described as an 'Individual return journey.'
Which trains are used?
The Jungfrau Railway, the Luzern-Interlaken Express, and the Pilatus Railway.
What hotels are included?
3-star hotels with breakfast: 2 nights in Interlaken and 2 nights in Lucerne.
Does the Pilatus railway run year-round?
No, the cogwheel railway runs from approximately mid-May to October; in winter the route uses a bus and panorama gondolas instead.
Can this tour run in the other direction?
Yes, the evidence states 'This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction.'

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