Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Travelzoo: Lake Maggiore via the Gotthard Pass

Travelzoo: Lake Maggiore via the Gotthard Pass, a rail journey with Tailor Made Rail

A Travelzoo rail break combining a night in Strasbourg, five nights on Lake Maggiore in Locarno, and the scenic Gotthard Panorama Express to Lucerne, with a stop in Basel on the way home.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg (BW Plus Monopole Metropole or similar)

    Your local station to Strasbourg

    Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel, connecting with a TGV on the rapid LGV Est line to Strasbourg, arriving in time for dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Locarno (La Palma au Lac or similar)

    Strasbourg to Locarno

    Regional service into Switzerland, then the Treno Gottardo, a modern train with large picture windows, over the Gotthard Pass and down into Ticino, ending at Locarno on Lake Maggiore.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Locarno (La Palma au Lac or similar)

    Locarno

    Free day on Lake Maggiore - boats depart along the lake to towns including Stresa, with a Ticino Ticket giving free local bus and train travel.

  4. Day 4overnight: Locarno (La Palma au Lac or similar)

    Locarno

    Explore further afield - the Verzasca Valley or colourful Ascona along the lakefront.

  5. Day 5overnight: Locarno (La Palma au Lac or similar)

    Locarno

    Further time at leisure in Locarno and the surrounding Lake Maggiore region.

  6. Day 6overnight: Locarno (La Palma au Lac or similar)

    Locarno

    Optional day trip south towards Lake Como, with a small supplement for the stretch across the Italian border.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Basel (GAIA Hotel or similar)

    Locarno to Basel via the Gotthard Panorama Express

    The celebrated Gotthard Panorama Express climbs the original Gotthard Pass to Flüelen, then continues by boat across Lake Lucerne to Lucerne (with lunch available on board, payable locally), before continuing by rail to Basel. On April, November and December departures the panoramic train does not operate; the lake cruise still runs and the rail leg is by Treno Gottardo direct from Locarno to Flüelen.

  8. Day 8rail

    Basel to your local station

    High-speed TGV Lyria to Paris, transferring to the Gare du Nord for the Eurostar under the Channel to London, with onward First Class UK rail included.

Included

  • All rail journeys, in first class
  • Seat reservations where required
  • 7 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation
  • Despatch of tickets by email
  • Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions

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