Best of Switzerland by Rail

Welcome to your Swiss rail adventure! After landing in this small but mighty European country, make your own way by rail or taxi to your Zürich hotel. 

The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or begin exploring on your own. Zürich is Switzerland's largest city and sits at the northern edge of a beautiful lake that shares its name. With a history stretching back to the Romans, there are many attractions to seek out here. The city is also an art-lovers' paradise. The Kunsthaus displays major works of fine art, modern and Constructivist pieces can be found in Museum Haus Konstruktiv (located inside a former power station), and Cabaret Voltaire is the spiritual home of Dadaism.

This evening, return to your hotel to meet the Tour Manager and traveling companions for a welcome dinner. Overnight Zürich.

• Dinner

Nestled amongst the rolling hills of northeastern Switzerland near to the borders of Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, the historic city of St Gallen is our destination after breakfast today.

Arriving after a short train journey, we embark on a walking tour of its quaint Old Town. Named after a 7th-century Irish monk who founded a hermitage here, St Gallen brims with old-world delights. Colorful buildings with protruding ornate oriel windows line the attractive squares and charming streets, but its main sights can be found around its Baroque cathedral. Set within the grounds of an abbey dating back to the 8th century, this twin-towered 18th-century cathedral is UNESCO-listed. Admire the historic building, including the famous Baroque cathedral, as we learn about the origins of the town. The astonishing abbey library is another World Heritage site, containing a significant collection of works dating from the 8th century. One of the world's oldest and most beautiful libraries, it is decorated in grand Rococo style with arched, frescoes ceilings.

There is time for lunch independently before we return to Zürich this afternoon. Overnight Zürich.

• Breakfast

Leaving Zürich after breakfast, we travel by train to idyllic Lucerne. This medieval city is set on a beautiful lake amidst snowcapped Alps. On arrival, we enjoy a vacation highlight as we view the stunning scenery from lake and mountain.

At the quayside outside Lucerne's train station, we embark on a cruise across Lake Lucerne, taking in the beautiful surroundings. Europe's oldest mountain railway, Mount Rigi Cogwheel Railway, has been carrying passengers up the peak since 1871. Following in their steps, we make the journey to the summit, nearly 5,900 feet above sea level. Truly breathtaking panoramas greet us as we gaze in awe at sharp peaks blanketed by snow and thick forests, while Lake Lucerne glistens below. There is free time to stroll among the alpine meadows and absorb the sensational vistas.

We descend by cogwheel train from Rigi Kaltbad down to Arth-Goldau where you can take the direct train back to Lucerne at your leisure. In Lucerne, there is a free evening to explore this historic city and dine independently. Overnight Lucerne.

*Please note: On some departures, we will stay in Stansstad

• Breakfast

Switzerland's newest iconic train, the GoldenPass Express, is today's highlight. After breakfast, we first enjoy a trip on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, making our way by panoramic train across the scenic Brünig Pass to picturesque Interlaken.

Until 2022, the route connecting Interlaken and the snow-capped peaks of the Bernese Oberland with the palm trees of Lake Geneva required a change of trains in Zweisimmen. Now, however, innovative Swiss technology means the GoldenPass Express can adapt its gauge and complete the route from Interlaken to Montreux direct. Passing Lake Thun, we begin to climb through untamed forests and rolling mountains, with our panoramic carriages providing excellent views enroute. Quaint villages and alpine meadows are scattered across the landscape before we reach the upmarket mountain resort of Gstaad. Beginning our descent to Montreux, we view shimmering Lake Geneva through the sparkling vineyards.

From Montreux, the short final leg of our journey takes us to nearby Vevey. After checking in to our hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight Vevey.

• Breakfast

A free morning in Vevey is yours to spend as you wish. Relax at our hotel or opt to travel independently to Château de Chillon. This fairytale medieval castle appears as if it is floating on Lake Geneva and was formerly occupied by the influential House of Savoy. One of the country's most visited historic sites, it has attracted tourists since the early 1800s, including the likes of Lord Byron and Mary Shelley.

This afternoon, a scenic rail journey sees us travel along the Rhône deeper into Switzerland's stunning mountains. With lush wildflower meadows, thundering waterfalls and rugged mountains, the dramatic Matter Valley guides us to our destination - beautiful Zermatt. On arrival in this car-free town, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Zermatt is full of historic sights and dominated by the mighty Matterhorn - its pyramidal peak can be seen from most parts of the town.

Dinner is on your own tonight and Zermatt is a great place to experience a taste of authentic Switzerland. Overnight Zermatt.

• Breakfast

Today begins with a mountain adventure after breakfast as we journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway.

More than 125 years old, this charming heritage train is Switzerland's original electric cogwheel railway and first carried travelers the six miles up the mountain in August 1898. As we make our way up to the summit over the course of 33 minutes, we ride across picturesque valleys and through lush alpine forests to an altitude of more than 10,000ft above sea level. The spectacular views from the top are utterly jaw-dropping, and on a clear day an astonishing 29 mountaintops are visible. We have time to soak in these spellbinding vistas, including Monte Rosa and the best view of the majestic Matterhorn. This famous mountain is an iconic symbol of Switzerland, and its striking shape also provided the inspiration for the design of Toblerone.

After descending the mountain to Zermatt, there's a guided tour of the time as we wander amongst the 17th-century wooden chalets bedecked with blooms of geraniums on Hinterdorfstrasse before dinner this evening. Overnight Zermatt. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Regularly considered one of the world's best train journeys, we board the iconic Glacier Express after breakfast for a spectacular day of travel.

Enjoying an unforgettable eight-hour journey the full length of its route, the 'slowest express train in the world' winds through breathtaking Swiss scenery on the way from Zermatt to the resort town of St Moritz. Watching on as the Matterhorn fades into the distance and some of the region's other tall peaks come into view, we pass through the steep Rhône Valley. After crossing the Furka Pass, we enter a nine-mile-long tunnel and traverse the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the route. With lunch served at our comfortable seats, we can relax and marvel at dramatic scenery including the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. Twisting and turning along the UNESCO-listed Albula Line, the last leg of this scintillating journey sees us snake across deep ravines and impressive viaducts on the approach to St Moritz.

On arrival, we check in to our central hotel where the rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight St Moritz. 

• Breakfast, Lunch

One of Europe's most jaw-dropping train trips awaits after breakfast today as we cross the Alps aboard the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express.

Known as Switzerland's best-kept secret by rail experts, this astonishing journey follows the highest route in the Alps and highlights the country's unique regions. Reaching the summit at more than 7,300 feet above sea level, we pass the turquoise waters of Lago Bianco before crossing the Bernina Pass. Pausing to view the spectacular Palü Glacier beside the tracks at Alp Grüm, we then wind down the mountains, spiraling round the remarkable corkscrew viaduct at Brusio. Our destination is the Italian town of Tirano. Free time here allows you to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and characterful piazzas.

Returning to St Moritz, the rest of the day is at leisure. Located immediately outside our central hotel, the Via Serlas is one of the world's most famous shopping streets and brims with upmarket fashion boutiques. Dining independently this evening, St Moritz boasts a wide array of cuisines, including authentic local food such as raclette or hearty pizzoccheri pasta. Overnight St Moritz. 

• Breakfast

Departing St Moritz after breakfast this morning, we embark on our final rail adventure of the tour, this time returning to Zürich. The sensational Albula Line puts on a scenic show on the way to Chur, while views of sparkling lakes can be admired en route to Zürich.

Upon arrival, we get acquainted with the city during a guided sightseeing tour. Switzerland's largest city is beautifully located on the banks of two rivers and a lake. This historic and cultural city is famed as a financial center and boasts many impressive sights, including the Opera House and the castle-like building that houses the National Museum. Dating from the 13th century, Fraumünster Church is an icon of Zürich and the city's skyline. Here, Marc Chagall's five-piece stained-glass windows flood the chapel with light and color.

After time at leisure to continue your explorations, we gather at our hotel for a farewell dinner. Overnight Zürich.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Switzerland is rightly famed for its beauty and warm hospitality. Our exploration of the country has revealed all this and more through its iconic trains, mountainous scenery and charming towns. A round-trip beginning and ending in Zürich has taken us to medieval St Gallen and Lucerne to glamorous Montreux, Zermatt and St Moritz. Astonishing views have been experienced on rail trips to the peaks of Mount Rigi and the Gornergrat, where we marveled at the symbolic Matterhorn. Travel is part of the experience in Switzerland, and we have journeyed on world-famous trains including the Glacier Express, Bernina Express and GoldenPass Express, admiring spectacular landscapes enroute.

As your tour of Switzerland comes to a conclusion this morning, you return to Zürich Airport by rail. The Tour Manager will provide your train ticket and hotel departure time details based on your return flight schedule.

• Breakfast