14 Days Grand Rail Tour of Switzerland
14 Days Grand Rail Tour Of Switzerland
Day 1 - Arrive and explore
Flight from the UK to Zurich airport with rail travel to Lucerne.
Check in to your hotel for your 3 night stay and enjoy your first look around the town.
Day 2-3 - Lucerne and Central Switzerland
Lucerne has an Old Town with a cuckoo clock feel and beautifully preserved buildings featuring their original painted façades. You will enjoy a cruise along the length of Lake Lucerne with your Gotthard Panorama Express journey, so today perhaps explore Mount Rigi, and the unique opentop CabriO cable car to Stanserhorn which are included in your Swiss Travel Pass.
Day 4 - Gotthard Panorama Express to Lugano
Your next adventure is at a leisurely pace on the Gotthard Panorama Express. This unforgettable journey starts with a 2½ hour cruise on the elegant MS Diamant motor boat, criss-crossing beautiful Lake Lucerne all the way to Flüelen. Then join the rail section of the route for the spectacular journey past the Devil’s Bridge and through the original Gotthard Tunnel before meandering down into the Ticino region and a first glimpse of Lugano, your base for the next 2 nights.
Day 5 - Lugano and the Ticino region
Your second resort is Lugano, where the Italian influence affects all aspects of life from the architecture to what you eat, and of course the shopping. Situated on stunning Lake Lugano, the town is also well placed for enjoying the mountains - use your Swiss Travel Pass or Ticino Ticket for discounts. This delightful area also includes the region’s historical capital, Bellinzona, with its fabulous Saturday market and three historic castles to explore.
Day 6 - Bernina Express to St. Moritz
Time to travel on the Bernina Express, which starts with the distinctive red Bernina Express Bus that makes its way around the northern part of Lake Como en route for Tirano. Here you’ll pick up the panoramic train to St. Moritz and enjoy spectacular views as you cross the Alps. Highlights of the journey include mountain streams, gorges and viaducts - and the stunningly dramatic Bernina Pass at over 2,223m. After two memorable hours on the train, you’ll arrive in St. Moritz for a 2 night stay.
Day 7 - St. Moritz and the Upper Engadin region
Your visit to St. Moritz and the region is greatly enhanced by the Engadin Card, with FREE transport including mountain railways, buses and cable cars, giving you unlimited access to wonderful walks and excursions such as the excellent panoramic walk at Alp Languard with views over the Bernina massif. Other ideas include the funicular to Corviglia and the cable car to Piz Nair at 3,057m.
Day 8 - Glacier Express to Zermatt
Join the leisurely Glacier Express train to the high alpine resort of Zermatt. This wonderful journey takes 7½ hours in the comfort of special panoramic coaches where a 3 course lunch is served at your table and refreshments are available throughout your trip. Highlights of this classic route through the mountains include the Landwasser Viaduct, the Rhine Gorge and Oberalp Pass. A 2 night stay in Zermatt awaits you on arrival.
Day 9 - Zermatt and the Valais region
Zermatt is surrounded by awesome mountains, the most famous being the Matterhorn, which dominates this traditional alpine village. Be sure to experience one of the unmissable mountain journeys with the 50% reduction offered with your Swiss Travel Pass, such as the network of cable cars to Klein Matterhorn - which at 3,883 metres is the highest sightseeing point in Europe. Try an alternative view from the idyllic lake of Schwarzsee, or take the cog railway to the Gornergrat.
Day 10 - Regional rail Visp-Montreux
A trip on the regional railway via Visp for your journey along the lush Rhone Valley to Lake Geneva and Montreux where you’ll stay for 2 nights.
Day 11 - Montreux and Lake Geneva
Montreux is one of the oldest resorts in Switzerland, with cafés and shops and a wonderful promenade which you can follow round the bay to the romantic Chillon Castle. After spending several days in the mountains, enjoy a trip on a lake steamer included in your Swiss Travel Pass.
Day 12 - GoldenPass Line to Interlaken
This scenic journey has many highlights. Leaving Lake Geneva behind, you’ll climb steadily passing the beautiful countryside around Saanen and the alpine resort of Gstaad. From Zweisimmen there are more scenic views of lush pastures and a gentle descent to beautiful Lake Thun. You’ll have great views of the Niederhorn before arriving in Interlaken, where you’ll enjoy a 3 night stay.
Day 13-14 - Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland
With your Swiss Travel Pass, Interlaken is the perfect spot from which to enjoy FREE travel around the classic Swiss scenery of the Bernese Oberland. The lakes of Brienz and Thun both have wonderful cruises to idyllic lakeside villages or you may like to visit the Schilthorn-Piz Gloria. Take a trip to Harder Kulm with its stunning views over Interlaken or the scenic Schynige Platte & Alpine Garden. On these and most scenic mountain railways you get a 50% reduction including the Brienzer Rothorn steam train, a real treat for any train enthusiast.