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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Travelzoo: Best of Switzerland by Rail

Eleven-day Swiss rail loop from London via four signature trains

Illustration of Travelzoo: Best of Switzerland by Rail

Tailor Made Rail's self-guided 11-day journey by train departs from London, crosses to Switzerland via Paris and Lyon, and returns through Strasbourg, covering over 1,000 miles of track. The itinerary unfolds across 10 nights in handpicked three and four-star hotels, with First Class rail throughout and free UK rail connections included. Day 4 brings the Golden Pass Express through Alpine resorts to Brig; Day 5 offers a day trip to Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn. Day 6 follows the Glacier Express regional route via Andermatt and the Oberalp Pass. Day 8 features the Bernina Express, including the Albula Railway's Landwasser Viaduct and descent of the Bernina Pass toward Lugano. Free days in Montreux, Chur, and Lugano allow your own pace: Lavaux vineyards, cable cars, or regional exploration on a Ticino Ticket. This trip suits independent explorers and repeat rail travellers who value engineering and alpine scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package price from 1,799 GBP covers rail fares and hotels but is low season (January to April, October to December); high season (May to September) begins at 1,899 GBP.
  • This is a self-guided holiday with no tour escort; Tailor Made Rail provides directions and documentation but you manage connections independently.
  • The optional Gornergrat cog railway from Zermatt is not included; confirm the supplementary cost with the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lyon (Mercure Part Dieu or similar)

    London to Lyon

    Eurostar in Eurostar Plus class (free First Class upgrade) to Paris, connecting at the Gare de Lyon for a TGV to Lyon.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Montreux (MONA Montreux or similar)

    Lyon to Montreux

    Train south-east to the Swiss border at Geneva, changing onto a Swiss service along the lake shore to Montreux.

  3. Day 3overnight: Montreux (MONA Montreux or similar)

    Montreux

    Free day overlooking Lake Geneva - the Lavaux vineyards or the Chateau de Chillon are recommended.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Brig (Ambassador Hotel or similar)

    Montreux to Brig

    The scenic Golden Pass Express route through the resorts of Chateau d'Oex and Gstaad to Spiez on Lake Thun, then over the Lötschberg Pass to Brig.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Brig (Ambassador Hotel or similar)

    Brig & day trip to Zermatt

    Day trip to the resort of Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn, with an optional Gornergrat cog railway trip for the views.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Chur (ABC Swiss Quality Hotel or similar)

    Brig to Chur (Glacier Express route)

    Follow the Glacier Express route on Swiss regional services via Andermatt and Disentis, over the Oberalp Pass.

  7. Day 7overnight: Chur (ABC Swiss Quality Hotel or similar)

    Chur

    Switzerland's oldest town - a cable car up the Brambuesch mountain, an open-air swimming pool, or hiking in the surrounding mountains.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Lugano (Hotel Admiral or similar)

    Chur to Lugano via Bernina Express route

    The Albula Railway (Landwasser Viaduct) and the Bernina Pass down into the Poschiavo Valley to Tirano, briefly into Italy via Monza and Lake Como, then back into Switzerland to Lugano.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Lugano (Hotel Admiral or similar)

    Lugano

    Explore Ticino - a Ticino Ticket gives free train and bus transport throughout the region.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Strasbourg (Hotel des Vosges or similar)

    Lugano to Strasbourg

    The Gotthard Pass north, a glimpse of Lake Lucerne, changing at Basel onto the French network for a local train to Strasbourg.

  11. Day 11rail

    Strasbourg to London

    Europe's fastest railway to Paris, then the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel back to London, with onward UK connections the same evening.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4The Golden Pass Express climbs through Chateau d'Oex and Gstaad, then descends to Lake Thun before crossing the Lötschberg Pass to Brig.
  • Day 5Day trip to Zermatt, the Matterhorn resort; optional Gornergrat cog railway ascends for panoramic mountain views.
  • Day 6The Glacier Express route follows Swiss regional trains from Brig via Andermatt and Disentis over the Oberalp Pass to Chur.
  • Day 8The Bernina Express route includes the Albula Railway and its Landwasser Viaduct, then descends the Bernina Pass into the Poschiavo Valley toward Lugano.

Included

  • Free upgrade to First Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 10 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. First Class rail travel with seat reservations is included throughout, plus free UK rail from your local station to London. The from-price covers the full rail journey.
Which trains does this route use?
Eurostar (London to Paris), TGV (Paris to Lyon), then Swiss regional and named trains: the Golden Pass Express, Glacier Express route, and Bernina Express route. On the return, trains via Gotthard Pass and Eurostar back to London.
What hotels are included?
Ten nights at handpicked three and four-star hotels: Mercure Lyon Centre in Lyon, MONA Montreux (4-star) in Montreux, Ambassador Hotel in Brig, ABC Swiss Quality Hotel (4-star) in Chur, Hotel Admiral in Lugano, and Hotel des Vosges in Strasbourg. Breakfast is included.
Is this escorted or independent?
Self-guided. Tailor Made Rail provides comprehensive travel documentation, directions to hotels, and ticket despatch, but you travel independently without a tour guide.
When does this trip run?
Year-round. Low season pricing (January to April, October to December) starts at 1,799 GBP; high season (May to September) starts at 1,899 GBP, both per person on a twin/double share basis.
How much walking is involved?
Day-to-day walking is moderate, covering city exploration and hotel transfers. Optional activities include a cable car to Brambuesch near Chur, a cog railway to Gornergrat near Zermatt, and hiking in surrounding mountains.

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