Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
- Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano, Lucerne, St. Gallen
- 7 nights / 8 days, prices start from USD$5,000 per person
Embark on an unforgettable train journey through Switzerland, traversing picturesque landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, majestic Swiss Alps, and charming villages all from the comfort of your train cabin. Marvel at technical rail feats, indulge in Swiss cuisine, and explore dreamy storybook towns.
Picture perfect villages with majestic alpine backdrops.
Top Highlights
- Embark on the most technical and beautiful train journeys on earth
- Stay in Switzerlands most splendid towns, visiting regions where you'll hear all four of Switzerland's languages: Swiss German, Swiss French, Swiss Italian and Romansh.
What’s Included
We design unforgettable and luxurious journeys just for you. Our bespoke trips include:
- Double room accommodations
- Breakfast at hotels
- Private transfers
- Private tours and experiences
- Full support from your travel designer and on the ground
Best Time to Visit
Embrace the majestic Swiss Alps on a breathtaking grand train tour! Spring (late May-June) and autumn (September-October) showcase Switzerland’s stunning landscapes in vibrant bloom or ablaze with fall foliage. Comfortable temperatures and clear skies enhance the panoramic train journeys.
Summer (July-August) boasts longer daylight hours for sightseeing, but expect higher crowds and potentially warmer weather on the trains.
Winter (December-February) transforms Switzerland into a wonderland, offering snowy vistas and festive charm on some routes, though some high-altitude journeys may have limited availability.
Choose your season based on your preference for scenery, weather, and crowds.
- Average time to visit
- Good time to visit
- Best time to visit
Itinerary
Interlaken
Begin your journey in Interlaken, known as the adventure capital of Switzerland. Perfect for adrenaline junkies or anyone looking to experience a thrill. Whether you’re into river rafting, canyoning, skydiving or bungee jumping, you’ll find your particular flavour of fun here. Interlaken (meaning “between lakes” in German) is built on a narrow stretch of valley, between the emerald-coloured waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with old timber houses and parkland on either side. Surrounding mountains, dense forests, alpine meadows, and glittering glaciers round out the scene.
You will see what makes Interlaken divine on your train ride over, as you pass romantic waterfalls and ride over the magnificent Brünig mountain pass.
Suggested Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Bellevue
Montreux
Your journey on the GoldenPass Express continues through the wild and romantic Pays d’Enhaut (Highlands), then through scenic villages along the shore of Lake Geneva.
Nestled between the grand Lake Geneva and the snow-capped Alps, Montreux is the perfect place for wine lovers and architectural enthusiasts alike. Walk along the flower-lined promenades to reach a multitude of châteaux along the lake’s edge.
Arrive in Montreux and dine lakeside, overlooking vast vineyards and towering mountains. While you’re there, explore the Charlie Chaplin museum, or–if you’re lucky–catch the joyous Montreux Jazz Festival!
Suggested Accommodation: Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic
Zermatt
Today your train journey takes you from Montreux to Zermatt, in southern Switzerland’s Valais canton. Zermatt is a mountain resort renowned for skiing, climbing, hiking while maintaing a very sophisticated feel. The town, at an elevation of over 1,600m, lies below the iconic, pyramid-shaped Matterhorn peak. Its main street, Bahnhofstrasse, is lined with boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants alongside what is arguably Switzerland’s best après-ski scene.
Enjoy yourself in this elegant town, and don’t miss out an optional excursion to the Gornergrat for the best views of the Matterhorn.You are free to hike the mountain, or take the gondola according to your preference. Whatever you decide, this car-free, walkable town is equal parts inviting and captivating.
Suggested Accommodation: Hotel Schweizerhof
St. Moritz
All aboard the world-famous Glacier Express to St. Moritz, the original Alpine playground enjoyed by royals and celebrities for over 150 years. On your way from Zermatt, you’ll travel over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, overlooking strikingly beautiful peaks, valleys, and the glacial Rhône River.
In St. Moritz, you can choose to walk through luxurious boutique-lined streets and visit the Segantini Art Museum, or relax in hot springs that were discovered 3,000 years ago. While known for its spectacular skiing thanks to its gorgeous vistas, St. Moritz is also a hiker’s paradise as it soaks up sunshine 300 days a year.
Suggested Accommodation: Art Boutique Hotel Monopol
Lugano
Today you will reach Lugano aboard the Bernina Express, travelling across pristine Alpine landscapes such as the breathtaking Bernina Pass and the dramatic Brusio Spiral Viaduct. Wind through tunnels before reaching Tirano in Italy, and then take an express bus to Lugano.
Lugano, situated in southern Switzerland’s Italian-speaking Ticino region, has a Swiss-Mediterranean culture that is closely related to that of Italy’s northern Lombardy region. This mix is reflected in its architecture and delectable cuisine. You won’t want to miss eating at a Grotto and tasting such Lugano specialities as polenta and the world’s best risotto (Ticino canton first perfected the dish!).
While here, you can take an invigorating hike up the nearby mountains or enjoy a scenic boat ride on Lago di Lugano.
Suggested Accommodation: Villa Sassa Hotel Residence & Spa
Lucerne
The Gotthard Panorama Express travels from the Mediterranean south to the traditional heart of Switzerland. You’ll disembark near the pretty lakeside pier of Flüelen for your boat ride over the tranquil Lake Lucerne.
Lucerne is a land that evokes fairytales: with a flower-dotted wooden bridge over the cobalt Lake Lucerne, fresco-lined buildings in the centre of town, and a painted clock tower, the oldest in central Switzerland. Stroll through the car-free Old Town. View the Lion Monument, a lion carved into a rock face which Mark Twain described as “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world”. Walk along the charming shoreline. No matter what you do in Lucerne, you will feel the magic.
Suggested Accommodation: Hotel Wilden Mann
St. Gallen
Onwards to your last stop on this incredible Grand Train Tour of Switzerland aboard the Voralpen-Express. This train line connects Central and Eastern Switzerland via St. Gallen, where you will spend your last night. Before reaching your final destination, enjoy stunning landscapes such as Toggenburg, Lake Zürich and the hill moor of Rothenturm.
Once you arrive in St. Gallen, drop your bags at your centrally located hotel in this picturesque town. Stroll through the pedestrianized streets with beautiful old buildings with the Appenzell Alps providing a gorgeous background year-round.
Suggested Accommodation: Einstein St. Gallen
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something just for you.
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