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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Treasures of Lake Geneva & GoldenPass Express

Swiss lake and Alpine rail tour from Geneva to Interlaken, nine days

Illustration of Treasures of Lake Geneva & GoldenPass Express

Vacations By Rail's nine-day Treasures of Lake Geneva and GoldenPass Express tour explores Switzerland's lakeside towns and Alpine railways with a professional Tour Manager at the helm. The itinerary is built around two base hotels: two nights in Lausanne and six nights in the small lakeside town of Vevey, where Charlie Chaplin once lived. First Class rail travel links the main experiences, including a wine tasting in the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards on Day 3, a lake cruise from the medieval Château de Chillon on Day 4, a cogwheel railway ascent of Rochers-de-Naye to 6,700 feet on Day 7, and the signature GoldenPass Express journey on Day 8 from Montreux through Gstaad to Interlaken. Along the way, the group visits the Gruyères cheese region and the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc. This tour suits couples and food-lovers who want the structure and company of an escorted group but value the time and freedom of a six-night base in one lakeside town.

What to know before you look closer

  • The base rate does not include flights and airport transfers to Geneva
  • Two dinners are not included; evening meals on days 2, 5, and 6 are independent
  • Hotel de la Paix (Lausanne) is two nights; Astra Hotel (Vevey) is four-star but the remaining accommodations are not named in the operator's materials

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lausanne

    Arriving in Lausanne

    Flight arrives in Geneva; train to Lausanne (under an hour, skirting Lake Geneva). Free time to explore, then meet the Tour Manager and group for dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: Lausanne

    Sightseeing in charming Lausanne

    Guided tour of Lausanne's Old Town, the Cité District's Gothic cathedral and St-Maire Castle, Place de la Palud, and the Olympic Museum. Evening free to dine independently.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Vevey

    Visiting the Lavaux vineyards enroute to Vevey

    Train to Rivaz to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux vineyards for a talk and tasting at Lavaux Vinorama. Continue by train to Vevey for a six-night stay; dinner together.

  4. Day 4overnight: Vevey

    Exploring Montreux and Château de Chillon

    City tour of Montreux following Freddie Mercury's history there, including the Mountain Studios. Visit the Château de Chillon, then cruise across Lake Geneva back to Vevey; dinner together.

  5. Day 5overnight: Vevey

    Exploring Lake Geneva at leisure

    Free day using the Swiss Half Fare Card; options include Chaplin's World near Vevey, Geneva, or the French spa town of Évian-les-Bains.

  6. Day 6overnight: Vevey

    Cheese and chocolate in medieval Gruyères

    Motorcoach to Gruyères to visit the Château de Gruyères museum and enjoy a cheese fondue tasting, then to Broc for the Maison Cailler chocolate factory. Evening free to dine independently.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Vevey

    A journey on the Rochers-de-Naye train

    Rail to Montreux, then the Rochers-de-Naye cogwheel railway to the summit (6,700 feet) for views over Lake Geneva and the Alps. Return to Montreux, free afternoon, then rail back to Vevey for dinner.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Vevey

    The GoldenPass Express to Interlaken

    Board the GoldenPass Express at Montreux for the panoramic journey to Interlaken via the Swiss Highlands and Gstaad. Free time in Interlaken, then rail back to Vevey for the final dinner.

  9. Day 9

    Traveling home

    Vacation concludes after breakfast at the hotel in Vevey.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Wine tasting at Lavaux Vinorama in the UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva
  • Day 4Cruise across Lake Geneva from Château de Chillon back to Vevey after exploring the medieval castle
  • Day 7Cogwheel railway ascent of Rochers-de-Naye to the 6,700-foot summit with views over Lake Geneva and the Alps
  • Day 8GoldenPass Express First Class panoramic train journey from Montreux through Gstaad to Interlaken via the Swiss Highlands

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 5 dinners
  • Swiss Half Fare Card, permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, all rail travel is included, featuring First Class travel on the GoldenPass Express from Montreux to Interlaken and the Rochers-de-Naye cogwheel railway. A Swiss Half Fare Card is provided for discounted travel on free days.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes, a professional Tour Manager leads the group from start to finish, organizing guided tours, excursions, and group dinners.
What is included in the price?
Eight nights in four-star hotels, First Class rail throughout, breakfast each day, five dinners, the Swiss Half Fare Card, all guided tours and excursions, and a lake cruise.
How many nights do I stay in each location?
Two nights in Lausanne and six nights in Vevey, with a day trip to Interlaken on the GoldenPass Express.
What is the activity level?
Mobility Rating 2, which involves city walking tours, guided excursions, and a cogwheel railway ascent to 6,700 feet. Most activities are moderate.
When does the tour run?
Vacations By Rail has not published a departure schedule in the available materials; contact the operator directly for available dates.

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