Travel Type
Rail itineraries
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
Country
Switzerland
 

Experience the ultimate Swiss rail adventure aboard the country’s most iconic panoramic trains. Travel through breathtaking alpine landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, charming mountain villages, and elegant resort towns as you journey from Interlaken and Montreux to Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano, Lucerne, and St. Gallen. Highlights include the world-famous GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express, and Voralpen-Express, each offering unforgettable views of snow-capped peaks, scenic valleys, and remarkable engineering feats. Combining spectacular scenery, diverse cultures, and legendary train journeys, this itinerary is the perfect way to discover the very best of Switzerland.

Inclusions

– 7-night accommodation: 1 night in Interlaken, 1 night in Montreux, 1 night in Zermatt, 1 night in St. Moritz, 1 night in Lugano, 1 night in Lucerne and 1 night in St. Gallen
– 7 meals: 7 breakfasts
– Guest Card: Riviera Card in Montreux and Ticino Ticket in Lugano offering free public transport and discounts on attractions
– Rail ticket in 2nd class for rail travel as per itinerary
– 50% discount on additional rail tickets (local transport) and some mountain excursions
– Seat Reservation on: GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux; Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz; Bernina Express train from St. Moritz to Tirano; Bernina Express bus from Tirano to Lugano; Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Lucerne in 1st class
– Journey on the Voralpen‐Express from Lucerne to St. Gallen

Exclusions

Flights – Lunch, dinner, and beverages – Optional excursions – City tax to be paid locally in Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St Moritz, Lugano, Lucerne, and St Gallen – Optional train passes – Any other items not mentioned in the Inclusions.

Additional Information

Note

– Itinerary bookable in reverse.
– Extension nights possible.
– Combinable with other arrangements (pre-post tour extension).
– All activities mentioned on this tour that are not listed in the Inclusions section, are for suggestion only.
– Seats with fixed times are reserved for you on the panoramic trains.
– For itineraries with the Bernina Express – occasionally due to availability being restricted and train/bus schedules, leisure time may not be possible in Tirano.
– The times for all other trains are freely selectable.
– Itinerary is based on starting and ending in Zurich. Other starting and end points are possible – a surcharge may apply.

IMPORTANT

This is in individual program therefore we suggest you pack light. The hotels are never far from the train stations but you might have to walk a few minutes (or take taxi at your own charge). A light luggage on wheels is recommended. If ever you need information at destination, our office located in Switzerland is opened 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. Feel free to call them to ask for information during your trip.

1

DAY 1 ARRIVAL SWITZERLAND – INTERLAKEN

Arrival in Zurich. If you are not familiar with the train system, once you arrive at the train station, you can go to the information counter and someone will explain how it works (connection, classes, when to show your ticket, how to find the direction and so forth.) Individual travel via Lucerne to Interlaken along the shores of crystal-clear lakes, past romantic waterfalls and over the magnificent Brünig Mountain pass. After a short journey, you arrive in Interlaken. The city lies in the Bernese Oberland on an alluvial plain, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The vacation destination is presided over by the three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Accommodation : Interlaken for 1 night

2

DAY 2 GOLDENPASS EXPRESS

Your journey continues with the GoldenPass Express through the wild romantic Pays d’Enhaut with the scenic villages of Château d’Oex and Montbovon, continues the journey through a tunnel before the panoramic view of the Lake Geneva and Montreux is in front of you.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Montreux for 1 night

3

DAY 3 MONTREUX – ZERMATT

There is plenty to see in the Lac Leman area, visit the Chillon Castle, go for wine tastings in beautiful vineyards, take a city tour of Lausanne or visit Charlie Chaplin interactive museum ($). Then travel from Montreux to Zermatt. Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn and offers plenty of things to explore. The vacation destination is a car-free zone and has preserved its original character. After arriving in Zermatt, you have the opportunity to do a non-guided excursion to the Gornergrat ($). A trip up the exhilarating open air Gornergrat railway is not to be missed, for unrivalled views over the 4000m peaks surrounding Zermatt. Enjoy free time to go hiking and do some souvenir shopping.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Zermatt for 1 night

4

DAY 4 GLACIER EXPRESS

In the morning, you take the world-famous Glacier Express for a thrilling ride in the panorama carriage to St. Moritz. Take in some of the dramatic scenery Switzerland has to offer. Along the deep Rhone valley, the Glacier Express travels through an incredibly fascinating part of the Alps. The train drives on over the Oberalp pass (2,033 m / 6,670 ft) and through the impressive Rhine gorge. Pre-book a 3-course lunch menu onboard the Glacier Express ($) for a complete experience. After an exhilarating trip, you will arrive in St. Moritz.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : St. Moritz for 1 night

5

DAY 5 BERNINA EXPRESS

Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express in St. Moritz station and enjoy one of the most impressive scenic rail journeys Switzerland has to offer. Climbing over the spectacular Bernina pass to more than 2253 m, you pass snow-covered mountain peaks and glaciers then descend towards Poschiavo and Brusio. After travelling over spiral viaducts and through winding tunnels, you reach Tirano in Italy, which is the end of the Bernina line. Change to the Bernina Express Bus which will take you onwards to Ticino. Overnight in Lugano.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Lugano for 1 night

6

DAY 6 GOTTHARD PANORAMA EXPRESS

With the Gotthard Panorama Express you will travel from the Mediterranean south to the traditional heart of Switzerland. The journey takes you along the spectacular Gotthard route, an unforgettable trip through impressive countryside. You will travel by 1st class panorama carriage from Bellinzona to Flüelen. Passengers will be accompanied in the panorama railcar by a travel guide. Passengers will also be entertained with special effects and additional information on the region such as its sights, mythology, and mystique. From Flüelen you will have a boat ride over Lake Lucerne.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Lucerne for 1 night

7

DAY 7 VORALPEN-EXPRESS

Optional unguided excursion to Mount Pilatus ($) This is a fantastic excursion to enjoy beautiful views of the Lake Lucerne region. Short cruise across the lake to Alpnachstad. Change here to the steepest cogwheel train in the world. For the return journey chose between co wheel train or gondola to Kriens. Back to Lucerne by bus. Then onward with the Voralpen Express to St. Gallen. Enjoy the beautiful 2.5h journey which connects Central and Eastern Switzerland. After a last lingering glance into the picturesque scene of Lucerne and its beautiful lakes, you will move on to the impressive Rothenthurmer upland moor and charming Rapperswil. The journey continues over the gently undulation Toggenburg hills and the sitter viaduct regarded as Switzerland’s highest railway viaduct (99 meters high), finally arriving at St. Gallen, one of eastern Switzerland’s urban centers. The beautiful Abbey district is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : St. Gallen for 1 night

8

DAY 8 DEPARTURE FROM ST. GALLEN

After breakfast, journey from St. Gallen to Zurich airport on your own to catch your international flight or add an extension to you trip.

Meals : Breakfast

 

Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy

Land Rates

Departures 20273* Hotels4* Hotels5* Hotels
May 1 – September 2535404395On request
Supplement
Upgrade to first class375

Product Code: STC

Dates on Request:

Montreux Jazz Festival: July 4 – 19
ICML Lugano: June 12 – 14

**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

*** PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS. ***

Grand Tour of Switzerland – Original – Detailed Itinerary
Grand Tour of Switzerland – Original – Detailed Itinerary