12 Day Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
This package has the option of adding international airfares to your booking when selecting your departure city.
Explore at your own pace with expertly crafted Independent itineraries that offer both must-see sights and free time, with all accommodation and transportation pre-arranged.
On these packages you will travel from city to city on your own, exploring at your own pace. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ FLY HALF PRICE: Add discounted return international airfares, no code needed – the price shown at checkout already includes your half-price discount.
✓ Add Return International airfares from only $1,300 per person
✓ 11 nights in 3-star accommodation
✓ Airport transfers by train
✓ Daily breakfast
✓ 2nd class rail tickets, including seat reservation on all scenic trains
✓ World-famous scenic train journeys through the Swiss Alps, including the spectacular Golden Pass Express, Gotthard Panorama, Glacier Express, Bernina Express
✓ Guest cards in Zurich, Lucerne, Lugano, Montreux, and Interlaken, providing free local transport and discounted shopping opportunities
✓ Self-guided sightseeing as per itinerary
Looking for the ultimate upgraded rail experience? Click HERE for our 'Ultimate Upgrades' package!
Explore Switzerland by world-famous rail journeys, experience the alpine wonderland of Jungfraujoch – Europe’s highest railway station, explore cosmopolitan cities like Zurich and charming Swiss villages and resort destinations like Lucerne, Lugano, St. Moritz, Montreux and Interlaken at your own pace.
Grüezi! Welcome to Switzerland. Enjoy your first day at leisure. As a lakeside "metropolis of experiences", with a magnificent view of the snow‐capped Alps on the horizon, Zurich offers a unique mixture of attractions.
Start with the beauty of the city’s natural surroundings. If you feel like getting a better view, take the train to the summit of Uetliberg Mountain. From the station, it’s a short walk to the peak and the scenery is incredible over Zurich, the lake and the Alps. Or if you’re in the Old Town and fancy a vantage point, you can walk up Lindenhof Hill for sweeping views over the city.
Special Information:
Today use your Swiss Half Fare card and point to point tickets to travel from Zurich Airport to Zurich HB station. You can take any connection, please check SBB app timetable before travelling. There are direct trains every few minutes, and the duration of travel is approximately 12 minutes.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
If the 4 Star Hotel Upgrade is booked, the hotel will be Marktgasse Hotel or similar.
Wake up to a delicious Swiss breakfast, then take a stroll along the famous Bahnhofstrasse — Zurich's shopping paradise. A quick detour will lead you to the narrower cobbled streets of Zurich's Old Town and its smaller, independent artisan shops. Visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate (self-guided), and take the opportunity to use your included 24-hour Zurich Card for local transport and various discounts across the city. Be sure to not miss the picturesque waterfront promenades!
Special Information:
Today, use your Zurich Card to travel for your visit to Lindt Home of Chocolate.
If the 4 Star Hotel Upgrade is booked, the hotel will be Marktgasse Hotel or similar.
After breakfast, transfer by rail to Lucerne in Central Switzerland, a picturesque town nestled amidst breathtaking lake and mountain scenery. Renowned for its well-preserved old town, charming shops, and vibrant restaurants, Lucerne captivates visitors from around the world. Stroll across the iconic Chapel Bridge, a historic landmark that has withstood the test of time, before embarking on a scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne aboard the elegant Yacht MS Saphir. Relax and take in the panoramic views of the surrounding Alps, adding a touch of luxury to your exploration of this enchanting region.
Special Information:
Today use your Swiss Half Fare card and rail tickets from Zurich to Lucerne. You can take any connection, please check SBB app timetable before travelling. For the cruise on Lake Lucerne, use your Lake Lucerne tickets and Swiss Half Fare Card.
Your travel time today should be approximately 1 hour. This may vary depending of train and schedule changes.
Please note that the maximum luggage allowance is 20 kg due to train compartment restrictions.
If the 4 Star Hotel Upgrade is booked, the hotel will be Hotel Des Balances or similar.
This morning, the Gotthard Panorama Express takes you from the heart of Switzerland, with a journey through Lake Lucerne on a motorboat or steamboat to Flüelen. From there, travel by first-class panoramic train to Lugano, a picturesque lakeside town in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking Ticino region.
Use the provided guest card to take full advantage of local transport and explore nearby villages, such as the pretty village of Morcote.
Special Information:
Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, rail tickets and seat reservations for your journey.
Your travel time today should be approximately 5.5 hours. This may vary depending of train and schedule changes.
If the 4 Star Hotel Upgrade is booked, the hotel will be Luganodante Hotel or similar.
Board the Bernina Express bus after breakfast, and enjoy a scenic drive to Italy-based Tirano where you join the Bernina Express panoramic train across the border back to Switzerland. You will travel over circular viaducts and pass through winding tunnels, with highlights including the Brusio Circular Viaduct and a photo stop at Alp Grüm.
Arrive in St. Moritz, a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland’s Engadin valley, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. This luxury alpine resort town, a favourite for celebrities and royals, is surely one of the world’s most famous winter sports resorts. This was the first mountain village in the country to have a ski school, a tram and electric lighting. The Winter Olympics have been held here twice. It’s a renowned ski destination.
Special Information:
Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, rail tickets and seat reservations for this journey.
Your travel time today should be approximately 7.5 hours. This may vary depending of train and schedule changes.
If the 4 Star Hotel Upgrade is booked, the hotel will be Schweizerhof Hotel or similar.
A full day awaits to explore St. Moritz, where guests from all over the world appreciate the modern Alpine lifestyle. Take advantage of your included guest card to visit the local area. We suggest the nearby mountains of Muottas Murgal or Diavolezza for incredible views that are not to be missed. Various sights including the leaning tower, a remnant of the Mauritius Church from around 1500, or the Segantini Museum, offer unique insight into the city’s fascinating history.
Special Information:
If the 4 Star Hotel Upgrade is booked, the hotel will be Schweizerhof Hotel or similar.
Ride the world‐famous Glacier Express to Zermatt today, a gorgeous village near the Italian border. Be enthralled by Switzerland’s spectacular scenery, thanks to oversized, panoramic windows that make for an unforgettable experience. Along the deep Rhone valley, the Glacier Express travels through an incredibly fascinating part of the Alps. The route famously takes you through 91 tunnels and 291 bridges, offering unrivalled views. Make sure to have your camera handy! Optionally, you may wish to dine at your seat with a delicious 3-course meal served on your table (additional charges apply).
Special Information:
Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, rail tickets and seat reservation for this journey.
Your travel time today should be approximately 8 hours. This may vary depending of train and schedule changes.
If the 4 Star Hotel Upgrade is booked, the hotel will be Hotel Aristella or similar.
Zermatt lies at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn peak. The town's touristic development is closely linked to what is arguably the world's most famous mountain. This car‐free resort offers guests an abundance of activities such as visits to the local mountains of Gornergrat or the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It is also home to the highest open-air cog railway in Europe.
Special Information:
If the 4 Star Hotel Upgrade is booked, the hotel will be Hotel Aristella or similar.
Continue by train to Montreux, nestled between steep hills and the lakeside of Lake Geneva. The town's promenade is lined with flowers, sculptures, Mediterranean trees and grand Belle Époque buildings. Nearby attractions include the medieval island castle, Chateau de Chillon and the vineyards of the Lavaux region.
Special Information:
Today use your Swiss Half Fare card and rail tickets to travel from Zermatt to Montreux. You can take any connection, please check SBB app timetable before travelling. There are trains with a change in Visp approximatley every 40 minutes.
Your travel time today should be approximately 3 hours. This may vary depending of train and schedule changes.
If the 4 Star Hotel Upgrade is booked, the hotel will be Eurotel Montreux or similar.
Your journey continues by train on the GoldenPass Express through the wild and romantic Pays d'Enhaut, complete with scenic villages and crystal-clear lakes at every corner.
Interlaken is a laidback resort town, presided over by three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. It makes a great base from which to explore the Bernese Oberland. Unprecedented views of the Swiss Alps give an impression of what is to come during your stay.
Höheweg, the main promenade of Interlaken, is lovely for a stroll. It runs from Lake Brienz to Lake Thun, with flower gardens and parks on one side allowing for a view of the Bernese Alps. On the other side you’ll find high-end hotels, boutiques, cafes and the casino.
Special Information:
Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, seat reservations, and rail tickets for your journey.
Your travel time today should be approximately 3.5 hours. This may vary depending of train and schedule changes.
Note: if you have selected the 4* hotel upgrade, you will be staying at Interlaken instead of Wilderswil (Metropole Swiss Quality Hotel or similar).
Your penultimate day in Switzerland packs another highlight! This morning you will embark on a self-guided excursion to the Jungfraujoch, also known as the highest railway station in Europe. You may choose to go via Grindelwald Terminal on the technical marvel that is Eiger Express cable car, or take the traditional route by train from Grindelwald via Kleine Scheidegg. Highlights include the world’s highest Lindt Chocolate Shop and the Ice Palace with its impressive ice sculptures.
Special Information:
For today’s excursion, please use your Interlaken Card to travel to Interlaken Ost. Have your Swiss Half Fare card and Jungfraujoch tickets for your journey. You can take any connection, please check SBB app timetable before travelling.
For travel during May to August, a seat reservation will be required for travel to Jungfraujoch. All bookings during this period will receive a complimentary seat reservation voucher. This voucher, featuring a unique QR code, will be provided with your final documentation approximately 14–30 days before travel, allowing you to select your preferred travel time.
Your travel time today should be approximately 4 hours. This may vary depending of train and schedule changes.
Note: if you have selected the 4* hotel upgrade, you will be staying at Interlaken instead of Wilderswil (Metropole Swiss Quality Hotel or similar).
Today marks the end of your magnificent and unforgettable tour through Switzerland. We hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your inspiring trip.
Special Information:
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. Use your Swiss Half Fare card and rail ticket to travel to Zurich Airport. You can take any connection, please check SBB app timetable according to your departure. Trains via Lucerne typically depart every hour.
Should you book a post-tour accommodation, note it will be in Zurich.
4 Star Hotel upgrade ($1,445 per person on double basis, and $2,247 per person on single basis)
Select this supplement if you would like to upgrade your hotel to 4-star.
1st Class Rail
Select this supplement if you would like to upgrade your itinerary to 1st class rail on all sectors, including seat reservation on the scenic trains. Upgrade for $364 per person. First Class has dedicated carriages offering a higher level of comfort with spacious seats and less passengers per carriage. Some trains will have larger windows in First Class.
Glacier Express 3-Course Lunch
As you gaze out at the stunning alpine panorama, enjoy a freshly prepared 3-course meal on board and served at your seat. Upgrade for $130 per person.
Chocolate, watches, art and more – the ‘Little Big City’ has so much to offer visitors, before and after your tour 1. For art The largest art museum in Switzerland, Zurich’s Kunsthaus boasts a collection from the 13th century to the present. There are rooms dedicated to Swiss artist and sculptor, Alberto Giacometti,...
Wine, jazz, medieval castles and pristine swimming spots are all the things that make Lake Geneva, in Switzerland’s south-west corner, a perfect blend of culture and calm. Crystal-clear, shimmering Lake Geneva, or Lac Léman as it’s known to the locals, gives life to the villages, towns and cities dotted along its sho...
Switzerland is so much more than fondue and chocolate. Join us on a journey through some of the nation’s finest – and often overlooked – culinary delights With culinary powerhouses France and Italy on its doorstep, it’s no surprise that Swiss cuisine often fails to emerge from the shadows cast by its more illustrious n...
It’s not all cuckoo clocks and sound financial advice: from fine wine and Alpine views to parading cattle and the discovery of the illusive ‘God Particle’, here are 10 things you (probably) didn’t know about one of Europe’s most picture-perfect nations 1. It has four official languages Spend even the shortest amount of...
‘Come for the views and stay for the wine’, should be your motto as your travel through one of Switzerland’s most picturesque lake-side spots, discovering some of its most iconic vintages along the way Though a mere stone’s throw from some of the most famous wine-making regions in the world – think Burgundy, Champagne,...
There’s a whole lot more to an Alpine adventure than photo ops and skiing. Here are seven quintessentially Swiss experiences you can only find in the Alps From celebrating cows in a town famous for its cheese and soaking in thermal baths, to hiking with St Bernards (yes, the dogs) and crossing the world’s largest suspe...
{{details.header}}
Australia
United States
Canada
India
