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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Ultimate Swiss Cities & Lakes With Swiss Travel Pass

15-day Swiss independent rail circuit through four Alpine cities with travel pass

Illustration of Ultimate Swiss Cities & Lakes With Swiss Travel Pass

Vacations By Rail's Ultimate Swiss Cities & Lakes With Swiss Travel Pass is a 15-day independent rail vacation spanning Zürich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Montreux. Each city serves as a multi-night base, allowing you to settle in and explore without constant packing and moving. The trip opens in Zürich with four nights to discover the Old Town, museums and lake cruises. You then travel independently by train to Lucerne for three nights, where the Swiss Travel Pass unlocks mountain rail excursions and Lake Lucerne cruises. On Day 8, the Lucerne-Interlaken Express carries you over the Brünig Pass to Interlaken, set between two lakes in the Bernese Oberland, for three nights of optional alpine hiking and mountain rail adventures. The journey concludes with four nights in Montreux, the Swiss Riviera destination on Lake Geneva, where you can visit the Lavaux Vineyards or take day trips to nearby towns. Breakfast, hotels and the comprehensive Swiss Travel Pass are included; you decide each day whether to join optional excursions or explore freely. This suits independent travelers who want rail comfort and logistics handled but crave the freedom to move at their own pace.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers the package and Swiss Travel Pass but flights are not included and must be booked separately
  • Many optional excursions including mountain rail journeys are available at a supplement; the base package includes free time in each city with pass-covered local travel and museum entry
  • Hotel ratings vary from 3 to 4-star; confirm your specific accommodation tier and properties before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zürich

    Arriving in Switzerland's financial center, Zürich

    Arrive in Zürich and travel by rail from the airport to the city center to check in for the next four nights, with your 15-day Swiss Travel Pass ready to use.

  2. Day 2overnight: Zürich

    Discovering Zürich or further afield

    Explore Zürich's Old Town, the Bahnhofstrasse shopping avenue and museums included with the Swiss Travel Pass, including the Landesmuseum, FIFA World Football Museum and Migros Museum. A scenic boat cruise on Lake Zürich is also included.

  3. Day 3overnight: Zürich

    Discovering Zürich or further afield

    Travel further afield using free public transportation to Rhine Falls or Rapperswil, the 'Town of Roses', or book an optional excursion at a supplement.

  4. Day 4overnight: Zürich

    Discovering Zürich or further afield

    A final day at leisure in Zürich, with optional excursions including an e-bike tour and the Lindt Home of Chocolate.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Lucerne

    Traveling to Lucerne

    Travel independently by rail from Zürich to Lucerne, a journey of under an hour, then check in to your hotel for the first of three nights.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Lucerne

    Uncovering Lucerne or mountainous central Switzerland

    Explore Lucerne's Altstadt, the Chapel Bridge and included museums, or use the Swiss Travel Pass to cruise Lake Lucerne, travel to Engelberg beneath Mount Titlis, or take the Gotthard Panorama Express. Optional excursions bookable at a supplement.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lucerne

    Uncovering Lucerne or mountainous central Switzerland

    A further day in Lucerne, with optional excursions including Mt. Pilatus, Mt. Rigi, Mt. Titlis and the Legends of Lake Lucerne steamboat experience.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Interlaken

    The Lucerne-Interlaken Express to Interlaken

    Board the Lucerne-Interlaken Express for a two-hour scenic rail journey via Lake Sarnen and the Brünig Pass to Interlaken, tucked between Lakes Thun and Brienz, then check in for a three-night stay.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Interlaken

    Discovering the sensational Bernese Oberland

    Explore Interlaken's Höheweg promenade, take a Swiss Travel Pass cruise on Lake Thun or Brienz, or travel by train to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen or Zermatt. Optional excursions bookable at a supplement.

  10. Day 10overnight: Interlaken

    Discovering the sensational Bernese Oberland

    A further day in the Bernese Oberland, with optional excursions including the Jungfraujoch, Brienzer-Rothorn, Harder Kulm and Schilthorn.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Montreux

    Aboard the GoldenPass Express to the Swiss Riviera

    Travel from Interlaken to Montreux aboard the GoldenPass Express, passing Lakes Thun and Brienz and villages including Gstaad, Château-d'Oex and Montbovon before Lake Geneva comes into view. Check in for four nights in Montreux.

  12. Day 12overnight: Montreux

    At leisure aside Lake Geneva in Montreux

    Explore Montreux's lakeshore promenade, home to a statue of Freddie Mercury, and its old town, or use the Swiss Travel Pass to cruise Lake Geneva or visit the UNESCO-listed Lavaux Vineyards.

  13. Day 13overnight: Montreux

    At leisure aside Lake Geneva in Montreux

    Venture further afield by public transportation to Lausanne, Vevey or Gruyères, or take an optional excursion such as Chateau de Chillon or Glacier 3000.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Montreux

    At leisure aside Lake Geneva in Montreux

    A final day in the Swiss Riviera, with optional excursions including the Olympic Museum Lausanne, Chocolate Train and Rochers-de-Naye.

  15. Day 15

    Tour conclusion

    Check out of your hotel and use the Swiss Travel Pass for a final time to begin your onward journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Explore Zürich's Old Town and Bahnhofstrasse shopping avenue, or take a scenic boat cruise on Lake Zürich included with the Swiss Travel Pass
  • Day 8Day 8: Board the Lucerne-Interlaken Express for a two-hour scenic journey via Lake Sarnen and the Brünig Pass to Interlaken
  • Day 11Day 11: Travel the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux, passing Lakes Thun and Brienz and villages including Gstaad and Château-d'Oex
  • Day 12Day 12: Explore Montreux's lakeshore promenade on Lake Geneva, or use the Swiss Travel Pass to visit the UNESCO-listed Lavaux Vineyards

Included

  • 14 nights' 3 or 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • First and Standard Class rail options available
  • Breakfast each day
  • Swiss Travel Pass, featuring free transportation by bus, rail and boat, admission to more than 500 museums, and select included mountain rail excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Arrival and departure flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The 15-day Swiss Travel Pass includes unlimited travel by train, bus and boat throughout Switzerland, plus admission to 500-plus museums and select mountain rail excursions.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is self-guided. Vacations By Rail provides a well-planned itinerary, but you travel on your own and explore each city at your own pace.
Which trains are featured?
The trip includes the Lucerne-Interlaken Express between Lucerne and Interlaken, and the GoldenPass Express between Interlaken and Montreux. Additional rail excursions from each base city are available.
What hotels are included?
The package includes 14 nights in 3 or 4-star hotels: 4 nights in Zürich, 3 nights in Lucerne, 3 nights in Interlaken and 4 nights in Montreux.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included each day. Lunch and dinner are not included.
What is not included?
Flights to and from Switzerland, optional excursions beyond those covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, and cancellation and travel insurance are not included.

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