9 Day Premium Swiss Rail Winter Wonderland
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.
Good quality properties chosen for their modern facilities and amenities, typically ideally located, offering easy access to the city centre.
Hotel stars are based on local ratings provided and the expected standard may differ depending on the destination. Hotels listed within the itinerary are indicative of the typical hotel we intend to use for that package but is subject to change.
✓ Incredible sightseeing! Experience a journey on the renowned Swiss scenic trains as they traverse snow-capped mountains, embark on a serene boat excursion across the pristine waters of Lake Lucerne, and delight in the flavours of a delectable cheese fondue, savouring every moment
✓ Enjoy the flexibility of independent travel with all arrangements made for you
✓ 8 nights handpicked, premium 4-star accommodation
✓ Arrival airport train transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Breakfast daily, 1 lunch including cheese fondue
✓ World-famous scenic train journeys through the Swiss Alps, including the spectacular Glacier Express and Bernina Express
✓ Dedicated rail ticket in 2nd class, as per the itinerary, including seat reservation on all scenic trains
✓ Self-guided excursion to Mount Rigi including a stunning cogwheel train ride and boat ride on Lake Lucerne
✓ Return airport transfers by train
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Grüezi! Welcome to Switzerland.
Take an included rail transfer to Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland and a hub of both its economic and cultural vitality. The charming pathways of the central Altstadt, flanking the Limmat River, offer glimpses into its ancient origins. Riverside promenades like Limmatquai guide the way along the river, leading to the 17th-century Rathaus, or town hall. Enjoy an overnight stay in Zurich.
Arrival airport train transfers are included as part of your package.
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. In the early morning, board a train for your journey to Lucerne. Your itinerary includes a visit to the "Queen of the Mountains." Commence your adventure at Lucerne Pier, where you'll embark on a crossing of Lake Lucerne, heading towards Vitznau. At Vitznau, you'll find the cogwheel train ready to transport you upwards through snow-kissed landscapes. Ascend to the mid-station, Rigi Kaltbad, where you can relish a delectable cheese fondue experience (the location, either at Rigi Kaltbad Hotel or the local Cheese Dairy, depends on the date). Continue your ascent to the pinnacle, Rigi Kulm, and conclude your circular expedition by journeying up to Arth-Goldau, where a regional train will whisk you back to Lucerne.
Embark on a train journey to Interlaken through the captivating route via Lucerne, which forms a segment of the renowned GoldenPass Line. Your arrival in Interlaken is scheduled for the afternoon. This charming town is nestled within the heart of the Bernese Oberland and the majestic Swiss Alps. Serving as the entrance to the Jungfrau region, Interlaken provides access to the iconic peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Graced by its location between the serene Thun and Brienz lakes, Interlaken rests at the base of the imposing Jungfrau massif.
Proceed further by train to Zermatt and enjoy a leisurely day.
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.
Zermatt offers an array of captivating activities for every traveller. From the dramatic backdrop of the Matterhorn to the charming village streets, this Alpine paradise caters to all interests. Embark on exhilarating hikes or take scenic train rides like the Gornergrat Railway. Explore the cultural gems at the Matterhorn Museum, savour alpine cuisine in local eateries, and relish the serene pleasure of stargazing. Zermatt's diverse activities promise an unforgettable journey amidst the breathtaking Swiss Alps.
Embark on a remarkable journey today as you uncover the myriad highlights along the Glacier Express route. The passage from Zermatt to St. Moritz is an indelible experience. Enveloped by a breathtaking mountain panorama, the route stretches eastward into the Upper Rhone valley, reaching a peak of 1366m at Oberwald. It then winds through Andermatt and ascends to the Oberlap Pass, the apex of the journey at 2034m. Descending, the route continues through the Rhine valley to reach its lowest point at Chur, 595m. The landscape undergoes a marvellous transformation, especially in the dramatic Rhine gorge.
Take a regional train to Pontresina and switch over to the Bernina Express panoramic train bound for Tirano. Appreciate the wintry scenes unfolding through your window as the train traverses the Upper Engadine Valley. The journey continues, guiding you through the loftiest peaks of Canton Graubunden and past the Morteratsch Glacier, marking the initiation of the ascent up the Bernina Pass. Amidst this seasonal backdrop, Lago Bianco appears, its surface adorned with snow. Shortly after, you'll reach the pinnacle at 2253m, Ospizio Bernina, before the thrilling descent via Alp Grum commences. This leg affords you magnificent vistas of the Palu Glacier. Your voyage concludes in the charming northern Italian town of Tirano. Later, return to St. Moritz using the regional train service.
Commute via train to Zurich for your ultimate overnight stay. Enjoy one final evening to explore and experience the city at your leisure. Why not treat yourself to a visit to the Lindt Chocolate Museum?
At the appropriate time, catch a train transfer to Zurich Airport for your onward flight. We trust you had a delightful and inspiring experience during your stay in Switzerland!
Airport train transfers are included as part of your package.
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades , you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?”
By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can assist with flying the airline of your choice to turn your booking into a flight inclusive package.
We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:
We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorized as a ”3”
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $2,550.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://www.safetravel.govt.nz for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation in Zurich
Post Tour Accommodation in Zurich
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
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 $487 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 $123 per person.
Glacier Express Excellence Class + 1st class rail supplement
A panoramic trip through the Swiss Alps aboard the Glacier Express is now even more spectacular with guaranteed window seats and panoramic views. The new Excellence Class sets standards that are as high as the mountain peaks along the legendary route. Along the way you will be served a refined regional 5-course menu with accompanying wines. For an aperitif, some delicious cocktail or to exchange with fellow travellers the Glacier Bar is the perfect place to visit. Thanks to the compass on the ceiling none of the many turns will be missed.
During the entire journey, you will be taken care of by a concierge. Be it with culinary delights, answers to personal concerns or exciting anecdotes and information about nature, culture and people along the journey.
Upgrade for $1,639 per person, which also includes 1st class rail as per the itinerary.
As this service is on request, this adjustment will be reflected in your confirmation invoice.
Complementary Services in Excellence Class
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