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Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Zurich & the Swiss Alps

Seven-day Swiss rail loop from Lucerne through Zurich and Chur on scenic trains

Illustration of Zurich & the Swiss Alps

Marvellous Escapes' 7-day Zurich and the Swiss Alps holiday is a tailor-made rail journey connecting three Swiss cities: Lucerne, Zurich, and Chur. The trip begins with flights from the UK (or an alternative train route from London St. Pancras) and concludes in Chur. You travel between cities by scenic Swiss trains, equipped with a Swiss Travel Pass. The itinerary includes two nights in each destination, with breakfast at your hotel each morning. On day two, you take a steam cruise on Lake Lucerne and ride the Mount Pilatus cogwheel railway, the world's steepest, from Alpnachstad to the summit. Days three and four in Zurich feature a guided walking tour of the Old Town, a Lake Zurich cruise, and a cable car to Felsenegg. In Chur, a medieval city and Switzerland's oldest settlement, you spend day six on the celebrated Bernina Express roundtrip to Tirano in Italy, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct through alpine scenery and glaciers. This package suits first-time rail travellers who want structured guidance alongside scenic highlights, as well as repeat rail enthusiasts seeking mountain railways.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights are included from a UK airport, or you may substitute a roundtrip train journey from London St. Pancras; confirm your preferred option when booking.
  • The package is tailor-made; confirm final hotel names and any activity substitutions with Marvellous Escapes before departure.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Lucerne

    Lucerne

    Fly from London to Zurich (or roundtrip rail via Paris), then head onwards to Lucerne with your Swiss Pass.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Lucerne

    Lucerne

    Steam cruise on Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then a cogwheel railway (or aerial gondola) ascent of Mount Pilatus, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, with views from the summit and the Pilatus Kulm Hotel.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Scenic Swiss train journey from Lucerne to Zurich. Explore the Old Town and landmarks including the Grossmünster.

  4. Day 4overnight: Zurich

    Zurich

    Guided walking tour of the Old Town, including the Fraumünster Church and Bahnhofstrasse, followed by a Lake Zurich cruise and a cable car ride to Felsenegg.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Chur

    Chur

    Picturesque Swiss train journey from Zurich to Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, with time to explore its medieval Old Town and Chur Cathedral.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Chur

    Chur

    Roundtrip on the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano and back, crossing viaducts and glaciers and descending into Italy, including the Landwasser Viaduct.

  7. Day 7

    Return home

    Head to Zurich airport from Chur for your return journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Steam cruise on Lake Lucerne followed by the cogwheel railway ascent of Mount Pilatus, the world's steepest cogwheel railway, with summit views.
  • Day 4Guided walking tour of Zurich's Old Town, including the Fraumünster Church, and a cable car ride to Felsenegg.
  • Day 6Roundtrip on the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and descending into Italy with views of viaducts and glaciers.

Included

  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Lucerne with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Zurich with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Chur with breakfast included
  • Flights to and from the UK (or a roundtrip train journey from London St. Pancras)
  • Bernina Express roundtrip Chur to Tirano
  • Travel in comfort throughout your journey with a Swiss Travel Pass
  • Day trip to ascend Mount Pilatus
  • Zurich walking tour
  • Cruise on Lake Zurich

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes flights from the UK (or a train option from London St. Pancras), a Swiss Travel Pass covering rail journeys, the Bernina Express roundtrip, and all scenic train legs between Lucerne, Zurich, and Chur.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is tailor-made. You have a guided walking tour in Zurich and a guided Mount Pilatus day trip, but other exploration is independent.
What is the highlight train journey?
The Bernina Express roundtrip from Chur to Tirano on day 6, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and descending through the Alps into Italy.
What are the hotels and how many nights?
Two nights in Lucerne, two in Zurich, and two in Chur, each with breakfast included. Hotel names are not specified in the package description.
What is not included in the price?
The evidence does not detail exclusions. Confirm with Marvellous Escapes what is not covered, such as meals beyond breakfast or optional activities.

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