Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

12 days
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Group Tour
Discover the diverse regions of Switzerland on this 12-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, L...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • GoldenPass Panoramic
    • Board the Glacier Express for a thrilling ride in the panoramic carriage
    • Board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express and enjoy one of the most impressive scenic rail journeys Switzerland offers
    • Gotthard Panorama Express
    • Enjoy a relaxing cruise across Lake Lucerne
    • Excursion to Mount Jungfraujoch, an UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • Swiss Coupon Pass providing attractive offers in 11 destination

What's this trip about?

    Discover the diverse regions of Switzerland on this 12-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.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityZurich
End CityZurich

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Train & Rail Journeys

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Switzerland

Attractions

  • Zermatt
  • Zurich

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Nature
  • Short Cruise
  • Trains & Rail

Trip includes

    • Hotel accommodations for 10 nights
    • 11 meals, including lunch onboard the Glacier Express

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: International Travel

Make your way to Zurich, Switzerland using your preferred airline for the overnight flight. (Flights not included in tour cost).

Day 2: 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 3: GoldenPass Panoramic Train

Meals: Breakfast

Today board the GoldenPass Panoramic 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 jou...

Day 4: 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*. (B)

Day 5: Train to Montreux

Meals: Breakfast

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 wi...

Day 6: Train to Zermatt

Meals: Breakfast

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.

Day 7: Optional Excursion to Gornergrat

Meals: Breakfast

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.

Day 8: Glacier Express

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

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 incredibl...

Day 9: Bernina Express

Meals: Breakfast

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...

Day 10: Excursion to Monte Bre or Boat Ride to Gandria

Meals: Breakfast

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 magnifi...

Day 11: Gotthard Panorama Express

Meals: Breakfast

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 Switzerlan...

Day 12: Departure

Meals: Breakfast

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

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,559
Price per day$213
Last Updated: 5/7/2019

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Vacations By Rail.

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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Vacations By Rail Reviews & Ratings

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E

Ellen

May 2019

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We were very pleased with the accommodations

We were very pleased with the accommodations, itinerary and train travel. Also, Vacations by Rail was very prompt about making adjustments to our air travel. Our tra...

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Dec 2023

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So Helpful

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Dec 2023

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Online reservation clear and easy

Online reservation clear and easy. And phone representative clear, personable, and professional when taking payment. Plus went the extra mile to assure dates are cor...

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Dec 2023

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Very easy website. Good customer service first experience.

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About Vacations By Rail

Vacations By Rail is the trusted authority on rail vacations. Vacations By Rail offers the largest selection of independent rail vacations, escorted rail tours, luxury rail journeys and custom train vacations to destinations in North America, Europe and beyond, as well as a comprehensive selection of European Rail Passes and European City to City train tickets.

Vacations By Rail provides its customers with expert, independent advice when planning rail vacations. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the allure of rail travel and the knowledge required to plan and enjoy a rail vacation. We strive to provide customers with frank, candid information based on prior customer feedback, in-depth product knowledge and first hand rail travel experience. Our Rail Specialists act as advisors and educators assisting customers with researching, planning and booking rail vacations best suited for the individual travelers.

Vacations By Rail was founded by travel industry professionals with a combined 25 years in the specialty of booking train travel and rail vacations. Vacations by Rail quickly became a leader and trusted authority on rail vacations because of its in-depth knowledge of rail travel and first-class customer service.

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Logistics

Accommodation

,Train and Hotel Accommodations 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 second 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 second class. Upgrades to first class are available upon request. Hotels are subject to availability, substitutes will be of similar quality and amenities. Goldenpass Panoramic Ride in modern train cars on the Goldenpass Panoramic that provides panoramic views of cities and scenery. You might want to visit one of its wine cellar coaches to enjoy a drink or snack as you relax. The Goldenpass Panoramic is all about ease of comfort and blending into the surrounding landscape. This smooth ride will make you feel like you are a part of nature Glacier Express This train winds its way through the Swiss Alps, travelling through 91 tunnels, and crossing 291 bridges. Relax and enjoy the view through the panoramic windows at your seat, or take in a drink at the bar. You'll have views of snow-capped mountains, canyons, narrow valleys, and rushing waters. Bernina Express Depart Switzerland and cross the border into northern Italy. The route passes through a variety of terrain including orchards, chestnut trees and vineyards on its way to Tirano. Cross the famous Brusio Circular Viaduct on this narrow-gauge train that begins in the mountains and winds down to street level. Pass through the town of Tirano as you reach the city's station. The train includes refreshments and the commentary of a tour guide. Gotthard Panorama Express Previously named the Wilhelm Tell Express, the Gotthard Panorama Express is a wonderful piece of railway engineering with many spiral loops, bridges and tunnels. The journey includes travel by train and boat offering very diverse scenery with snowcapped mountains and palm trees along the way.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

10 Breakfasts and 1 Lunch

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
vacati1-GraTraVac

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