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Planet Rail · Tailor-made escorted rail holiday

Venice at Christmas by First Class Rail

Seven-day first-class rail circuit from London to Venice at Christmas

Illustration of Venice at Christmas by First Class Rail

Planet Rail operates this seven-day Christmas rail journey for travellers seeking first-class comfort and the unique atmosphere of Venice during the festive season. You depart London St Pancras on Eurostar Standard Premier, travel through France and Switzerland on the TGV, cross the Gotthard Base Tunnel through the Swiss Alps on the Euro City train, and arrive in Venice after four days of rail travel. The itinerary then opens into three full free days exploring Venice's canals, Christmas markets, basilicas, and squares before returning via Montreux on Lake Geneva and Eurostar back to London. All rail travel is First Class, accommodation is in four-star hotels with daily breakfast, and private transfers handle the logistics in Paris and Venice. The trip suits repeat rail travellers drawn to named trains and alpine scenery, couples seeking romantic gondola rides and lakeside settings, luxury-seekers expecting premium hotels and service, and history enthusiasts who want to visit St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and optional day trips to the lagoon islands. The pace is balanced, with one overnight in Zurich, four in Venice, and one in Montreux.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel in Venice is chosen by tier; the package lists seven options including Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, Hotel Bucintoro, Canal Grande, and others, and your final hotel depends on availability and the tier selected.
  • Water taxi transfer in Venice is not included if you are booked at Canal Grande Hotel, which is only 400 yards from the station.
  • Gondola rides, visits to Murano, Burano, and Torcello, and entry to Château de Chillon are all optional extras available locally or as add-ons.
  • Only one departure date is currently listed: December Christmas period at GBP 2,395.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zurich

    By rail to Switzerland

    Depart from London St Pancras International on the Eurostar in Standard Premier Class, enjoying included drinks and light meal. Travel through Kent and France, arriving at Gare du Nord. Private taxi transfer to Gare de Lyon, then board the TGV through north-east France into Switzerland. Arrive in Zurich and stroll across the River Limmat to the Hotel Helmhaus (4 star).

    Meals: Light meal on Eurostar

  2. Day 2railovernight: Venice

    Through Switzerland to Milan and onwards to Venice

    Optional morning stroll around Zurich, visiting the Old Town, Grossmünster, Fraumünster, Predigerkirche, St Peterkirche and Bahnhofstrasse. Board the Euro City train from Zurich along the Gotthard route through the Swiss Alps and Gotthard Base Tunnel (world's longest tunnel), across the Swiss border through the Italian Lakes to Milan. Change trains for the Eurostar Italia service to Venice. Arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia station and transfer by private water taxi to the hotel in the Cannaregio district.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Venice

    Venice at Christmas

    Free day to explore Venice at Christmas. Stroll along canals, across ornate stone footbridges and through campi (squares). Enjoy Christmas markets, gondola rides along the Grand Canal, and Christmas concerts in the city's basilicas. Optional boat trip to the islands of Murano and Burano.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Venice

    Venice at Christmas

    Second full free day in Venice. Continue exploring the city's unique Christmas atmosphere, visiting St. Mark's Square, the Doges Palace, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal. Optional excursions available.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5overnight: Venice

    Venice at Christmas

    Third full free day in Venice. Further exploration of the city and its surroundings, including optional trips to the lagoon islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6railovernight: Montreux

    Venice to Lake Geneva

    Transfer by water taxi to Venice station. Board the Eurostar Italia service back through Italian countryside to Milan, then continue by Euro City service through dramatic mountain scenery of snow-topped peaks and crystal clear rivers and lakes to Montreux. Check in to the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic (4 star superior) with splendid views across Lake Geneva.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7rail

    Free-time in Montreux – Montreux to London – Homeward bound

    Morning free to wander along the shores of Lake Geneva. Optional short journey by trolley bus to the Château de Chillon (payable locally). Return to Montreux station for the Inter Regio service along Lake Geneva to Lausanne, then TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon. Private taxi transfer to Gare du Nord. Board Eurostar Standard Premier service back to London St Pancras International.

    Meals: Breakfast, Light meal on Eurostar

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar departs London St Pancras in Standard Premier, with included drinks and light meal, then TGV through north-east France into Switzerland.
  • Day 2Euro City crosses the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest tunnel, through the Swiss Alps and Italian Lakes to Milan, then Eurostar Italia to Venice.
  • Day 3First full day exploring Venice at Christmas; stroll along canals, cross ornate stone footbridges, visit Christmas markets, and attend Christmas concerts in basilicas.
  • Day 6Water taxi from Venice to the station, then Eurostar Italia to Milan and Euro City through dramatic snow-topped peaks and crystal clear rivers to Montreux on Lake Geneva.
  • Day 7Inter Regio service from Montreux along the shores of Lake Geneva to Lausanne, then TGV to Paris and Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Venice and return via Zurich and Montreux
  • Standard Premier service on Eurostar (Eurostar's 1st class for leisure travellers) including drinks and light meal
  • 6 nights' hotel accommodation in 4-star hotels with breakfast each day
  • 4 nights in a double room at one of: Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente, Hotel Bucintoro, Maison Venezia UNA Esperienze, Ruzzini Palace, Canal Grande, Locanda Orseolo or Hotel Al Ponte Antico in Venice
  • Overnight stay in double room at Hotel Helmhaus, Zurich
  • Overnight stay in double room at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux
  • Private taxi transfers in Paris (Gare du Nord to/from Gare de Lyon)
  • Private water taxi transfers in Venice (note: water taxi transfer not included to Canal Grande Hotel as it is only 400 yards from the station)

Not included

  • Gondola rides (available as optional extra)
  • Visits to islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello (available as optional extra)
  • Entry to Château de Chillon, Montreux (payable locally)
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all First Class rail travel from London to Venice and return, covering Eurostar (Standard Premier Class), TGV, Euro City, Eurostar Italia, and Inter Regio services, plus private taxi transfers in Paris and water taxi transfers in Venice (except for Canal Grande Hotel guests).
Is this escorted or independent?
Planet Rail describes this as a tailor-made escorted rail holiday. You have free days to explore Venice on your own, but the package is structured around pre-booked trains and hotels.
How many nights do I spend in Venice?
Four nights, with three full free days to explore Venice at Christmas. You stay in one of seven four-star hotels.
What is included in the price?
First Class rail travel from London to Venice and return; Eurostar Standard Premier with included drinks and light meals; six nights in four-star hotels with breakfast each day; private taxi and water taxi transfers; and one night each in Zurich and Montreux.
When does this trip depart?
December, during the Christmas period. Only one departure date is currently published.
What is not included?
Gondola rides, island trips to Murano, Burano, and Torcello, entry to Château de Chillon, travel insurance, and personal expenses. Water taxi transfer is not included for Canal Grande Hotel guests.

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