1-877-929-7245
Tour Search



Austria & Switzerland

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Save
You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
202520262027
11 days From $4,005 $3,805 per person
4.6 stars(67 reviews)
Gallery
Map

Travel through Switzerland by rail and take in its spectacular countryside while staying in beautiful Swiss towns along the way.

Travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary
Cyber Event

Cyber Event: Save up to $500 per person for a limited time on tours departing in 2025

View Terms and Conditions

2025 Tour code: WE-GTSS-25

About the tour

Discover the diverse regions of Switzerland on this 11-day vacation. This trip, which takes you on a variety of Swiss rail lines, is a train lover's dream. Filled with twists and turns along rivers and mountainsides, you can relax and enjoy stunning views only available via rail.

You'll view stunning landscapes such as the Bernese Oberland, Simmen Valley, Lake Geneva, the Rhine Gorge and, of course, the Matterhorn. As you travel from city to city, there is plenty of free time to explore each area and immerse yourself in Swiss culture.

Highlights

View Dates & Pricing

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Zurich

Arrive in Zurich and settle into your hotel. Your day is free to discover the world-famous shopping mile Bahnhofstrasse or stroll along the banks of Lake Zurich. Overnight Zurich.

Day 2 - Train to Wengen/Grindelwald

Today board the train for a beautiful trip to Lucerne, which is filled with medieval architecture. The train takes you over the Brunig pass into the Bernese Oberland, where it winds along the lovely Lake Brienz. After a short journey, you arrive in Grindelwald or Wengen.

The Eiger village of Grindelwald is embedded in a welcoming and green hollow, surrounded by a commanding mountainscape with the majestic view of Eiger north face and the Wetterhorn. Wengen is a holiday resort area that lies on a wind-protected sun terrace at the foot of the Jungfrau, 400 meters above the Lauterbrunnen Valley at an altitude of 1274m. The tradition-imbued, car-free holiday resort offers family-friendly activities and plenty of hiking and biking opportunities. Overnight Grindelwald or Wengen*.

*April, May, & October departures will overnight in Grindelwald. June - September departures will overnight in Wengen.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - Excursion to Jungfraujoch

Take the train to the mountain pass of Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the famous Eiger. Here you will board the Jungfrau Railway and ride via Eiger Gletscher to the Jungfraujoch - the highest railway station in Europe at 3454m. Take in the breathtaking views of the largest glacier in the Alps, Aletsch Glacier, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overnight Grindelwald or Wengen*.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - GoldenPass Panoramic Train to Montreux

Your journey on the Golden Pass Panoramic continues today. Along the shores of Lake Thun you reach the Simmen Valley with the quaint village of Zweisimmen and the world-renowned holiday resort of Gstaad. You'll continue to travel through the wild romantic Pays d'Enhaut Highlands with the scenic villages of Chateau d'Oex and Montbovon. Pass through a tunnel before the panoramic view of Lake Geneva and Montreux opens in front of you. Overnight Montreux*.

*During the Montreux Jazz Festival, accommodations will be provided in nearby Lausanne.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - Train to Zermatt

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then travel to Zermatt, which lies at the foot of the amazing Matterhorn. Zermatt is a car-free zone and has preserved its original character. You have free time here to take in the local shops and restaurants with a magnificent backdrop. Overnight Zermatt.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 - Optional Excursion to Gornergrat

Today you have the opportunity to take a non-guided excursion to the Gornergrat. You will ride Europe's highest open-air cogwheel train to the summit and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and the Matterhorn. Overnight Zermatt.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 7 - Glacier Express

In the morning, board the Glacier Express for a thrilling ride in the panoramic carriage, where you can take in some of Switzerland's most dramatic scenery. Along the deep Rhone Valley, the Glacier Express travels through an incredibly fascinating part of the Alps as it drives over the Oberalp Pass and through the impressive Rhine Gorge. After an exhilarating trip, you will arrive in Chur, Switzerland's oldest city, which will charm you with its fine mountain setting, twisting alleys and historic buildings. Numerous boutiques, restaurants, bars, museums and galleries in the largely traffic-free Old Town create a Mediterranean-style atmosphere. Overnight Chur.* 

*Passengers traveling in Excellence Class will overnight in St. Moritz.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 - Bernina Express

Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express and enjoy one of the most impressive scenic rail journeys Switzerland offers. Travel over the impressive Brusio Circular Viaduct and pass through 55 winding tunnels before reaching Tirano, Italy. Change to the Bernina Express Bus, which takes you onwards to Ticino. The journey ends in Lugano, Southern Switzerland's largest town. Overnight Lugano.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 - Excursion to Monte Bre or Boat Ride to Gandria

Today you have a chance to journey up to Monte Bre, the sunniest mountain in Switzerland, or take a boat ride to the picturesque town of Gandria. On the excursion to Monte Bre, ride a cable car to the summit at 933 meters and admire the magnificent Alpine foothills from a sunlit terrace overlooking Lake Lugano. Gandria is a fishermen village perched at the bottom of Monte Bre, famous for its romantic atmosphere. The tranquil town's center is closed to traffic and features tiny streets and stairways with views of gorgeous landscapes. Should you not wish to purchase either of these optional excursions, you will have a day at leisure in Lugano to explore this southern city at your own pace. Overnight Lugano****. 

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 10 - Gotthard Panorama Express

Travel by first class panorama carriage from Lugano to Fluelen via Bellinzona, the lowest point in the route the train reaches via amazing spiral loops. The train journey takes you from the Mediterranean south right into the heart of Switzerland via the Gotthard tunnel which was built in 1882. In Fluelen, board a historic paddle steamer and enjoy a relaxing cruise across Lake Lucerne. Overnight Lucerne.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 11 - Departure

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel before traveling back to Zurich city center or airport for your onward journey. 

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Pricing Plans

Moderate
Hotels commonly used are the Hotel Adler, Zurich, Hotel Alpenrose Wengen, Tralala Hotel, Montreux, Hotel Adonis, Zermatt, Hotel Post, Chur, Hotel Colorado, Lugano, and Hotel Alpina, Lucerne. Rail reservations are in standard class. Upgrades to first class are available upon request. 

Superior 
Hotels commonly used are the Glockenhof Zurich, Sunstar Alpine Hotel Wengen, Hotel Eden Palace au Lac, Montreux, Schlosshotel Life & Style, Zermatt, Romantik Hotel Stern, Chur, Hotel De la Paix, Lugano and Hotel Des Balances, Lucerne. Rail reservations are in standard class. Upgrades to first class are available upon request.

Excellence
Excellence Class travelers will enjoy the same hotel accommodations as Superior Class, with first-class rail reservations. In addition, travelers will experience Excellence Class on the Glacier Express for the journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz. This is the newest class of service on the famous Glacier Express and the luxurious experience is available on the train's full route between the resort towns of Zermatt and St. Moritz. Guests in Excellence Class enjoy comfortable lounge seating beside large panoramic windows, exclusive access to the Glacier Bar, and a first-class dining experience during the entirety of the journey, including an elegant five-course meal featuring seasonal cuisine paired with wine. 

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
Gotthard Panorama Express

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Elevate Your Adventure
Extend your stay

Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 67 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (46)
  2. 4 stars
    (16)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

GLENN ANDIS

5 stars

Submitted 16/Oct

We had a great time on our Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. Excellent selection of train routes, hotels (all with friendly and helpful staff), cities/locations to visit and fun excursions. We were able to go at our own pace and tailor visits to what we wanted to see. The itinerary was easy to follow and the Swiss rail system is easy to use. The Glacier, Bernina, and Gotthard Panoramic Expresses were all very scenic and memorable experiences. The cog wheel train trips up the steep mountain tops of Gornergrat and Jungfraujoch were highlights of the trip. As were the boat cruise excursions on Lake Lugano and Lake Lucerne. This is a “can’t miss” train tour.

Collected by Trustpilot

Linda Keehfuss

5 stars

Submitted 14/Oct

Trip was great except for funicular in Lugano and hidden hotel. Couldn't find funicular at train station . Bus driver only spoke Italian and was no help. We had to roll our suitcases down wet, slick street. Then google maps said " you have arrived " and we didn't see hotel hidden behind what turned out to be bottom of funicular. Directions from VBR should state that funicular is down the escalator in the train station and to the right.

Collected by Trustpilot

Linda Keehfuss
View Gallery

DEBORAH ANN SIEGFRIED

5 stars

Submitted 7/Oct

The scenery of the country thru train was beautiful. We enjoyed the cities on the tour and the hotels/staff were very friendly and helpful.

Collected by Trustpilot

DEBORAH ANN SIEGFRIED
View Gallery

CARLA FISHER

5 stars

Submitted 7/Oct

This was a wonderful trip by rail in Switzerland. The trains were scenic and comfortable. We upgraded to first class which had beautiful large windows to admire the scenic mountains. Our hotels were also upgraded to superior. Benefits were comfortable hotels close to the train stations and with buffet breakfasts included which were substantial enough to power us into the day. Thank you VBR!

Collected by Trustpilot

STEPHEN ALLEN BURSON

5 stars

Submitted 5/Oct

Wonderful trip! Andrew made sure everything was put together right!

Collected by Trustpilot

GILBERT TESSIER

5 stars

Submitted 4/Oct

Perfectly planned and straightforward. Location of hotels are most of the time close to the train stations. Hotels are very good and the itinerary was great.

Collected by Trustpilot

Show 6 more reviews
Related inspiration from our journey blog