Scenic Switzerland: Rail Journey through the Mountains

12 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Experience the majesty of Switzerland in 11 magical nights. Take the train from city to city, watching as the notoriously beautiful countryside glides by. Start in the capital of Zurich and explore it with a tour through its historic and beautiful streets. Find the balance the city strikes between its heritage and the modern age before making way for the cha...
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Zurich City Tour
    • Day Trip to Jungfraujoch

What's this trip about?

    Experience the majesty of Switzerland in 11 magical nights. Take the train from city to city, watching as the notoriously beautiful countryside glides by. Start in the capital of Zurich and explore it with a tour through its historic and beautiful streets. Find the balance the city strikes between its heritage and the modern age before making way for the charming city of Interlaken. Here you'll get to see a bit more of traditional Switzerland, with a city tucked into the mountains, and even visit the top of Europe, Jungfraujoch. After you've enjoyed Interlaken, begin your train ride through Zweisimmen, Tirano, Bellinzona, and Fluelen, with overnight stays in Montreux, Zermatt, St. Moritz, Lugano, and Lucerne. Enjoy a whirlwind of lake-side cities, mountains, stunning scenery, medieval castles, boarder cities with beautiful palaces, and more! Finally, you'll slow down with a stay in charming Lucerne. Here you can visit beautiful churches, historic buildings, the oldest covered bridge in Europe, and pick up some sweet souvenirs. Head back to Zurich for a final night before taking your plane home.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CitySwitzerland
End CitySwitzerland

Travel Themes

  • Climbing & Mountaineering
  • Cultural
  • Local Immersion & Homestays
  • Train & Rail Journeys

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Switzerland

Attractions

  • Bellinzona
  • Lucerne
  • St. Moritz
  • Zermatt
  • Zurich

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Trains & Rail

Trip includes

    • Round-trip economy class airfare to Zurich (ZRH)
    • Private arrival airport transfer from Zurich airport (ZRH) to Zurich hotel 2 nights in Zurich at the Hotel Sternen Oerlikon, or similar
    • Zurich City Tour
    • Standard-class train ticket from Zurich to Interlaken 2 nights in Interlaken at The Hey Hotel, or similar
    • Train ticket for Jungfraujoch Standard-class train ticket on Golden Pass Line through Zweisimmen to Montreux
    • 1 night in Montreux at the Hotel Splendid, or similar Standard-class train ticket from Montreux to Zermatt
    • 1 night in Zermatt at Hotel Bristol, or similar Standard-class Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St. Moritz
    • 1 night in St. Moritz at the Hotel Europa St. Moritz, or similar
    • Standard-class Bernini Express train from St. Moritz to Lugano
    • 1 night in Lugano at the Hotel International au Lac, or similar
    • Gotthard Panorama Express train from Lugano to Lucerne* (Regular train from Lugano to Bellinzona,Gotthard Panorama Express to Fluelen, steamboat to Lucerne) 2 nights in Lucerne at the Alstadthotel Krone, or similar Standard-class train ticket from Lucerne to Zurich
    • 1 night in Zurich at the Hotel Sternen Oerlikon, or similar Breakfast daily *Gotthard PanoramaExpress operates from May 1 - October 24, Tuesday through Sunday. At the other times of year and every Monday, thisroute will be taken by regular train.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Switzerland!

Land in beautiful Switzerland and start off in the country's capital, Zurich! Check into your hotel to drop off your bags, and spend the rest of the day exploring as you like!

Day 2 Zurich

Embark on a tour through the extraordinary city of Zurich. From fascinating museums and amazing clocks to lovely parks and villas, Zurich is a stunning city. 

When in Switzerland, be sure not to leave without trying the fondue, and what better place to go for it than the country's capital?

Day 3 Zurich – Interlaken

Catch your train to the city of Interlaken, tucked away into the mountains. This small city offers breathtaking views of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, both of which rest at the foot of Jungfrau, Monch, and Eiger Mountains. 

Day 4 Interlaken - Jungfraujoch- Interlaken

Today, you'll get to explore the Top of Europe: the Jungfraujoch. As one of the must-see destinations of Switzerland and a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Jungfraujoch is a magical sight encased in ice and snow. Be sure to seek out the Ice Palace carved into the heart of a glacier as well.

Day 5 Golden Pass Line:Interlaken - Zweisimmen - Montreux

Make way for Montreux, with a stop in at Zweisimmen to board the Golden Pass Line. Watch as some of the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland drifts by your window on this comfortable train ride.

Day 6 Montreux – Zermatt

Catch your train out of Montreaux, waving goodbye to beautiful Lake Geneva, to Tasch, where you'll change trains and board one set for Zermatt. This town rests at the foot of the massive Mount Matterhorn. Here, you'll be unable to find a single car, since the city has banned them to preserve the original infrastructure.

Day 7 Glacier Express: Zermatt - St. Moritz

Enjoy breakfast in the shadow of the Matterhorn, then board the anything but chilly Glacier Express. Enjoy magnificent views of the Swiss Alps on your way to St. Moritz. This city dazzles during any time of year, either blanketed with snow and stocked with cozy activities, or offering beautiful views over the water with patches of green and summer flowers.

Day 8 Bernina Express: St. Moritz - Tirano – Lugano

Begin your travels in the morning and make way for Tirano, Italy. Stop in to see the charming 17th and 18th century palaces, as well as the Marian Shrine. 

Then, continue on to Lugano, where amazing scenery unfolds beneath the city. Look out over stunning mountains and hills, and glittering waters.

Day 9 Gotthard Panorama Express: Lugano - Bellinzona - Flüelen – Lucerne

Head towards Lucerne in the morning, with stops in Bellinzona and Fluelen. Be sure to have your camera ready to capture the stoic medieval castles adorning Bellinzona, before lightening the mood with a visit in the lovely Fluelen on the banks of Lucerne Lake. Once you've had the chance to explore a bit, board a steamboat to Lucerne and enjoy the incredible scenery that drifts by.

Day 10 Lucerne

Walk the charming cobbled streets where thousands of visitors have before you. Find the oldest covered bridge in Europe, visit stunning baroque churches, stop in at historic houses, and more as you take the day to explore all you can of this popular and beautif...

Day 11 Lucerne – Zurich

After breakfast, board the train from Lucerne to return to Zurich. Its your last night in Switzerland, so be sure to try anything you didn't find the time to!

Day 12 Depart Switzerland

Pack away your watches, chocolate, and cheese, its time to head to the airport and catch your flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,805
Price per day$484
Last Updated: 7/13/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Value Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Accommodation

,Hotel Sternen Oerlikon City Oberland Hotel Hotel Splendid Hotel Bristol Hotel Europa St. Moritz Hotel International au Lac Altstadt Hotel Krone Luzern
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