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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Travelzoo: Best of Switzerland 2026

Nine-day Swiss rail loop from London via Bernina Express and Glacier Express route

Illustration of Travelzoo: Best of Switzerland 2026

Tailor Made Rail operates this 9-day self-guided rail holiday departing from your local UK station and returning to London. The journey loops through Switzerland, beginning with Eurostar and TGV to Strasbourg, then branching eastward by regional train through the Gotthard Pass to Lugano on Lake Lugano, where two nights allow exploration by boat and local transport. Day 4 brings the Bernina Express, famous for its spiral viaduct at Brusio and the Landwasser viaduct, climbing to Chur, where another free day permits visits to galleries and mountain access. Days 6 and 7 follow the Glacier Express route on regional trains over the Oberalp Pass and glacier-fed valleys to Brig, with a day trip to Zermatt and optional Gornergrat Railway for Matterhorn views. The return to Lyon travels along Lake Geneva past the Chateau de Chillon, then northward via TGV and Eurostar to London. All rail is in first class with a free upgrade included; hotels include breakfast. This suits first-time rail travellers seeking famous Alpine trains and independent explorers who value free days, as well as budget-conscious travellers seeking low-season pricing.

What to know before you look closer

  • Price from GBP 1,597 is low season (November to March); high season (April to October) starts from GBP 1,797.
  • Hotels listed as 'or similar', so final accommodation may vary by tier and availability.
  • Gornergrat Railway cog-wheel train to the Matterhorn is optional and charged separately; this supplement is not included in the package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg (BW Premier Hotel des Vosges or similar)

    London to Strasbourg

    Eurostar to Lille, then high-speed TGV south-east to Strasbourg. UK rail to St Pancras is included at no extra cost if the onward journey can be made the same day.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lugano (Hotel Admiral or similar)

    Strasbourg to Lugano

    Train to Basel over the Swiss border, then a regional train via the Gotthard Pass down to Lugano, continuing along Lake Lugano to the Paradiso suburb.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lugano (Hotel Admiral or similar)

    Lugano

    Free day exploring the lake by boat to Gandria and Morcote; a Ticino Ticket gives free public transport to Locarno (funicular to Madonna del Sasso) or Bellinzona's three castles.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Chur (Hotel Stern or similar)

    Lugano to Chur via the Bernina Express

    Train across the border to Monza and Tirano, then the famous Bernina Express back through eastern Switzerland via the Brusio and Landwasser viaducts to Chur.

  5. Day 5overnight: Chur (Hotel Stern or similar)

    Free day in Chur

    Switzerland's oldest town - a guest card gives free travel to the local mountain, Brambrüesch, or entry to town-centre museums and outdoor pools.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Brig (Ambassador Hotel or similar)

    Chur to Brig - Glacier Express route

    Follow the Glacier Express route on regional trains, over the Oberalp Pass (2,033m) and along glacier-fed rivers to Brig.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Brig (Ambassador Hotel or similar)

    Day trip to Zermatt

    Continue the Glacier Express route to its end point in Zermatt, with an optional Gornergrat Railway trip for Matterhorn views.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lyon (Mercure Lyon Centre Part Dieu or similar)

    Brig to Lyon

    Train through the mountains and along the shore of Lake Geneva, past the Chateau de Chillon, changing in Geneva for France and on to Lyon.

  9. Day 9rail

    Lyon to London

    TGV service to Lille, changing onto the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel back to St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Regional train ascends the Gotthard Pass from Basel to Lugano, crossing into the Alps and Italian-speaking Ticino.
  • Day 4Bernina Express traverses the Brusio spiral viaduct and Landwasser viaduct, climbing back through eastern Switzerland to Chur.
  • Day 6Glacier Express route regional trains cross the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres and descend past glacier-fed rivers to Brig.
  • Day 7Day trip to Zermatt with optional Gornergrat Railway cog-wheel train for views of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 8Train from Brig skirts Lake Geneva past the Chateau de Chillon before reaching Lyon.

Included

  • All rail journeys, with a FREE upgrade to First Class
  • First class rail (where available) from your local station
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 8 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all rail journeys from your local UK station via Eurostar, TGV, regional trains, the Bernina Express, and the Glacier Express route, with a free upgrade to first class throughout. Seat reservations are made by Tailor Made Rail.
Is this an escorted tour or self-guided?
It is self-guided. Tailor Made Rail provides easy-to-follow travel documentation and email despatch of all tickets; they offer proactive rerouting if strikes or disruptions occur.
What is included in the nightly cost?
Eight nights of handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast. All rail journeys, seat reservations where required, and easy travel documentation are also included.
Which specific trains are featured?
Eurostar (London to Lille), TGV (Lille to Strasbourg and Lyon to Lille), a regional train via the Gotthard Pass (Strasbourg to Lugano), the Bernina Express (Lugano to Chur), regional trains on the Glacier Express route (Chur to Brig), and trains via Lake Geneva (Brig to Lyon). The Gornergrat Railway is optional in Zermatt.
When does this trip run and how much does it cost?
Low season (November to March) starts at GBP 1,597 per person for twin or double share in first class. High season (April to October) starts at GBP 1,797. The trip is 9 days and 8 nights.
How much walking or hiking is involved?
Free days in Lugano and Chur allow optional exploration; Lugano offers boat trips and mountain access by funicular or included Ticino Ticket. The Gornergrat Railway and local mountain access in Chur are optional. Overall physical demand is moderate.

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