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Vacations By Rail · Independent luxury rail vacation

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Glacier Express and Bernina Express

Alpine rail journey through Switzerland and Italy, ending on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Paris

Illustration of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Glacier Express and Bernina Express

Vacations By Rail offers a nine-day self-guided luxury rail journey connecting the Alpine resorts of Zermatt and St Moritz with Venice and Paris via four celebrated trains. The trip begins in Zürich, where you take a scenic train to Zermatt, home to views of the Matterhorn. Day two includes a ride on the heritage Gornergrat Mountain Railroad, which has operated since 1898 and ascends over 10,000 feet. The Glacier Express then carries you to St Moritz, crossing the UNESCO-listed Albula Line and passing the Landwasser Viaduct. From St Moritz, the Bernina Express descends through a UNESCO World Heritage route to Italy, passing the Palü Glacier and the Brusio spiral viaduct before continuing to Venice. After a private walking tour of Venice, you board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for an overnight journey to Paris, dining in a restored restaurant car. The itinerary is independent, not escorted, and hotels range from four-star to five-star properties in each city.

What to know before you look closer

  • This package is independent and self-guided; there is no escorted tour leader or group.
  • The from-price of USD 9,095 applies to the base package; your choice of hotel (4-star or 5-star options are listed) affects the final cost.
  • Flights to Zürich and from Paris are not included; only airport transfers in Paris are covered.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt

    Arrive in Zürich and take the train via Visp up the Matter Valley to the car-free village of Zermatt, with views of the Matterhorn, then transfer to your chosen 4-Star or 5-Star hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    Zermatt and the Gornergrat Mountain Railroad

    A journey on the heritage Gornergrat Mountain Railroad, running since 1898, climbing to over 10,000 feet for panoramic Matterhorn views, before returning to Zermatt.

  3. Day 3railovernight: St Moritz

    Glacier Express

    Board the Glacier Express for a panoramic journey the full length of the route to St Moritz, crossing the Oberalp Pass, the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', Chur, and the UNESCO-listed Albula Line with the Landwasser Viaduct.

  4. Day 4overnight: St Moritz

    St Moritz

    A free day in St Moritz, with walking trails and nearby lakes to explore, or optional excursions such as Muottas Murgl or a guided walking tour of the town.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Venice

    Bernina Express to Italy

    Travel south on the UNESCO World Heritage Bernina Express through the Engadine Valley and over the Bernina Pass, past the Palü Glacier and the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio, crossing into Italy to Tirano, then on to Milan and Venice for a two-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Venice

    Discovering Venice

    A private orientation walking tour of Venice, visiting the Bridge of Sighs and attractive squares before concluding at the Rialto Bridge.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Train (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express)

    Venice Simplon Orient Express

    Board the Venice Simplon Orient Express in your historic cabin for a four-course dinner in the restored restaurant car and live piano music in the bar car.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Paris

    Arriving in Paris

    Breakfast aboard the Orient Express before arriving in Paris around 1pm, then transfer to your hotel in the Latin Quarter.

  9. Day 9

    Paris

    Free time after a leisurely breakfast before a private transfer to the airport, concluding the trip.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The heritage Gornergrat Mountain Railroad, running since 1898, climbs over 10,000 feet for panoramic views of the Matterhorn.
  • Day 3The Glacier Express traverses the Oberalp Pass and the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and descending through Chur.
  • Day 5The Bernina Express passes the Palü Glacier and the corkscrew viaduct at Brusio before crossing into Italy on a UNESCO World Heritage route.
  • Day 7Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express between Venice and Paris, a four-course dinner is served in the restored restaurant car with live piano music in the bar car.

Included

  • 7-nights' hotel accommodation (Bed and Breakfast)
  • 1 night fully inclusive on the Venice Simplon Orient Express
  • First Class rail travel in Switzerland and Italy
  • Panoramic carriage journeys on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express
  • Stay in a Historic cabin on the Venice Simplon Orient Express between Venice and Paris

Not included

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

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Gornergrat Mountain Railroad (Zermatt to Gornergrat), Glacier Express (Visp to St Moritz in Panoramic carriage), Bernina Express (St Moritz to Tirano in Panoramic carriage and First Class), and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Venice to Paris in a Historic cabin). All rail travel in Switzerland and Italy is First Class.
Is this a guided tour?
No. Vacations By Rail describes this as self-guided; you travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary. A private walking tour of Venice is included, and optional guided excursions are available in St Moritz.
What meals are included?
Hotel breakfast is included at all seven hotel stays. A four-course dinner and breakfast are included aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Lunches are not included at the hotels.
What is the physical activity level?
A private walking tour in Venice covers central landmarks; optional walking trails and guided walks are available in St Moritz. Mountain railway rides involve boarding and ascending by train, not hiking.
When does this trip depart?
The operator does not publish specific departure dates in the available information; contact Vacations By Rail directly to confirm availability and book.
How many nights are in hotels versus on the train?
Seven nights in hotels (two each in Zermatt, St Moritz, and Venice; one in Paris) and one night in a Historic cabin aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

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