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Grand Train Tour of Switzerland in Winter

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5 stars(5 reviews)
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Mountains, valleys, waterways and scenic railways: Switzerland offers stunning vistas and grand adventures at every turn on this 11-day tour.

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
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11 days Sold out
Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary

2023 Tour code: WE-GSWR-23

About the tour

The very best sites and attractions of Switzerland lie ahead on this incredible wintertime journey. You will enjoy a look at the lands from all angles as you cruise the beautiful waters of Lake Lucerne and ascend some of the region's most iconic mountains, including Mt. Rigi and Mt. Schilthorn. You will experience historic cities, resort towns, quaint villages and everything in between. Your time here begins in and ends in Zürich and continues to Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt and St. Moritz. Each destination brings wonderful sightseeing opportunities and full immersion in Swiss culture. You will have time to explore on your own, as well as to embark on well-planned excursions as you move through the country. In addition to everything else this tour provides, your trip is rounded out by scenic rail journeys aboard the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. A true winter wonderland awaits.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Zürich / Lucerne

Arrive in Zürich and travel by train to Lucerne. Check in to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy this lakeside town. Overnight Lucerne. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 2 - Mount Rigi Excursion

Start the day with a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Then comes the venerable Mt. Rigi Railway, which has been taking visitors up the "Queen of the Mountains" from Vitznau since 1871. At Rigi Kulm you'll find a majestic 360-degree panorama with views of the Swiss plateau and as far as the Black Forest, the Vosges mountains and the ring of mountains from the Glarus Alps to the Bernese Alps. After the journey back down by cogwheel railway to Arth-Goldau, travel by train back to Lucerne. Overnight Lucerne.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - GoldenPass Panoramic to Interlaken

Starting in the German speaking Lucerne region, today's train journey takes you over the Brünig Pass into the Bernese Oberland and past Lake Brienz. Interlaken lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The vacation destination, which is presided over by the three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, is the starting point for numerous activities. Overnight Interlaken.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Excursion to Schilthorn

At 2970 meters, the Schilthorn attracts visitors with a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view of the Swiss skyline, including Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Since 1967, the aerial cableway makes its way from Stechelberg in the Lauterbrunnen valley up to the summit in four legs. Visitors can follow in James Bond's footsteps by visiting the interactive adventure exhibition Bond World 007 or on the new 007 Walk of Fame. Overnight Interlaken.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - GoldenPass Line to Montreux

Your journey on the GoldenPass Line continues today as you travel along the shores of Lake Thun to the Simmen valley and the world-famous holiday resort of Gstaad. Continue further on through the wild romantic Pays d'Enhaut with the scenic villages of Château d'Oex and Montbovon before reaching Montreux. Overnight Montreux.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 - Montreux / Zermatt

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before traveling by train from Montreux to Zermatt or Brig, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn and is quite possibly the world's most famous mountain. Overnight Zermatt. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Gornergrat Excursion

Today you have the chance to take an unguided mountain excursion aboard one of Europe's highest cogwheel trains up to the Gornergrat and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and the Matterhorn. Overnight Zermatt.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 8 - Glacier Express to St. Moritz

This morning, board the world-famous Glacier Express for a thrilling ride in the panorama carriage to St. Moritz. Take in Switzerland's dramatic scenery as you travel along the deep Rhone valley, over the Oberalp Pass and through the impressive Rhine Gorge. St. Moritz is more than just a holiday resort. It is also the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism and has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. Overnight St. Moritz. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 - Bernina Express

Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express and enjoy one of the most impressive scenic rail journeys Switzerland offers. Travel over circular viaducts and pass through winding tunnels en route to Tirano, Italy. Have a quick lunch before the return journey to St. Moritz aboard a regional train. Overnight St. Moritz.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 10 - St. Moritz / Zürich

After breakfast, take the train to Zürich. With a magnificent view of the snowcapped Alps on the horizon, Zürich offers a unique mixture of attractions - over 50 museums and more than 100 art galleries, international fashion labels and Zurich designs, and the most flamboyant and lively nightlife in Switzerland. Overnight Zürich. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 11 - Departure

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel before your trip comes to an end. 

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Moderate hotels commonly used are the Hotel De la Paix, Lucerne, Hotel Crystal, Interlaken, Tralala Hotel, Montreux, Hotel Gami Sarazena, Zermatt, Unique Hotel Eden, St. Moritz, and Hotel Adler, Zurich. Hotels are subject to availability, substitutes will be of similar quality and amenities. Train accommodations are in second class. Upgrades to first class available upon request.

Superior hotels commonly used are the Ameron Hotel Flora Luzern, Lucerne, Hotel Bellevue, Interlaken, Hotel Eden Palace au Lac, Montreux, Hotel Aristella swissflair, Zermatt, Hotel Reine Victoria, St. Moritz, and Glockenhof Zurich, Zurich. Hotels are subject to availability, substitutes will be of similar quality and amenities. Train accommodations are in second class. Upgrades to first class available upon request.

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Trains

Bernina Express
The Glacier Express
The GoldenPass Line

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Reviews

5 stars5 / 5 · 5 reviews

  1. 5 stars
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  2. 4 stars
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  5. 1 star
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JAMES JOSEPH PASELA

5 stars

Submitted 25 Mar 2023

A wonderful experience. Would do it again. Thank you.

Collected by Trustpilot

Wally

5 stars

Submitted 20 Mar 2023

It was very organized ..which we loved…they gave us suggestions on where to go and how to get there..but they should have told us to take a taxi to the hotels which were farther away from the train station..we learned a lot about traveling on the trains..they are cleaner and easier then planes

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KATHRYN ROTHWELL

5 stars

Submitted 11 Feb 2023

This was an amazing tour. -----worth it in every way but--we did not receive our tickets until three days before the tour which was really stressful. After several requests they finally arrived but we were enroute and concerned about access to printing. It would have been great to really review and research destinations if we had the tickets earlier. Also the company assumed we were arriving by plane for that tour only, when we were already in the country before the tour started. Hotel arrangements ranged from exceptional to adequate. For the most part, proximity to train stations was great. Overall this is an amazing trip not to be missed.

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RONALD LEROY PACKARD

5 stars

Submitted 29 Jan 2023

Enjoyed our trip

Collected by Trustpilot

RONALD LEROY PACKARD
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JOHN GARRY

5 stars

Submitted 24 Dec 2022

This was a wonderful tour, all well-planned and accessible for the independent traveler, a great itinerary with all the benefits of an “escorted” tour combined with the satisfactions of traveling independently. Great destinations, precise and easy travel instructions, lovely excursions and fine hotels. A lovely trip, thanks.

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JOHN GARRY
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