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Bernina Express

Grand Tour of Switzerland by Rail

13-day tailor-made rail holiday from £3,865 pp incl. flights

Summary

Short description

Breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps, along with the rich history and culture, seen from some of Europe's most scenic train journeys

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Highlights

  • Enjoy the comfort of the Goldenpass Express and Glacier Express
  • View the snow-covered mountain peaks from the Bernina Express
  • Experience the cog-railways to Rochers de Naye and Gornergrat for unmatched mountain and glacier views
  • Enjoy the scenery from Lugano to Lucerne on the Gotthard Panorama Express

In Brief

  • 1 Night Zürich
  • 2 Nights Interlaken
  • 2 Nights Montreux
  • 1 Night Zermatt
  • 1 Night St Moritz
  • 2 Nights Lugano
  • 2 Nights Lucerne
  • 1 Night St. Gallen

About

Recommended for:
City | History & culture | Natural world | Rail holidays

This spectacular holiday includes four great Swiss rail experiences: the GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express and the Gotthard Panorama Express. Combining them all with a trip to the highest train station in the world at the top of the Jungfaujoch and a cruise on a turn-of-the-century steamer on Lake Lucerne. Or, head directly to the snowfields at the foot of one of Europe's most famous mountain – the Matterhorn in Zermatt. And, where the rail tracks end, a bus will be waiting to carry you to the country's smallest village. It's a journey to savour.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
London to Zurich

After enjoying complimentary airport lounge access, fly to Zurich and transfer to the Hotel Marktgasse, a 15th century building in the midst of the picturesque old town, close by to the river Limmat, Lake Zurich and the main train station. Spend the rest of the day admiring the lake and mountain views, or perhaps take an optional sightseeing tour with a private guide and driver.

Stay: Hotel Marktgasse or similar, Zurich (Superior)

Days 2-3
Lucerne and the Golden Pass Express to Interlaken

Take the morning train to Lucerne before boarding the Golden Pass railway to Interlaken. Leaving Lucerne, the Golden Pass train skirts the Pilatus mountain and two lakes (the Sarnersee and Lungernsee) before climbing to the Brünig Pass at 1,008m. A 413m descent on a cogwheel track brings you down to Meiringen, from where you follow the Hasli valley to serene Lake Brienz and Interlaken for a two-night stay.

Stay: Superior Hotel, Interlaken

Days 4-5
Golden Pass Express

After breakfast, your journey continues with the GoldenPass Line taking you past Lake Thun and Zweisimmen, reaching Gstaad before continuing through the wild and romantic Pays d'Enhaut with scenic villages along the shore of Lake Geneva, before reaching your overnight stop in descending to Montreux on a dramatic, sinuous track that offers wonderful views of Lake Geneva.

During your stay board the vintage cog railway to Rochers de Naye, the highest point overlooking Montreux, with views of the Swiss and French Alps; from Eiger to Mont-Blanc and down to Lake Geneva.

Stay: Superior accommodation Montreux


Meals: B

Day 6
Montreux to Zermatt

Breakfast at your hotel is followed by travel from Montreux to Zermatt. Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn and offers plenty of things to explore. Enjoy The Gornergrat Bahn, the world's first fully electrified cog railway reaching 3,100 metres above sea level with constant views of the Matterhorn with mountains and glaciers as far as the eye can see.

Stay: Superior accommodation, Zermatt

Meals: B

Day 7
Glacier Express

Today take the world famous Glacier Express for a thrilling ride in the panorama carriage to St. Moritz. Enjoy some of the spectacular scenery Switzerland has to offer. Along the deep Rhone valley, the Glacier Express travels through an incredibly fascinating part of the alps. The journey is narrated explaining the amazing engineering feat in overcoming extreme altitude variations by train. 

Stay: Superior accommodation, St.Moritz

Meals: B

Days 8-9
Bernina Express

After breakfast, board the narrow-gauge Bernina Express at St.Moritz station and enjoy one of the most impressive scenic rail journeys of Switzerland. Climbing over the spectacular Bernina Pass to more than 2253 metres, you pass snow-covered mountain peaks and glaciers to descend to Poschiavo. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes each way. Upon arrival in southern Tirano in Italy. Change to the Bernina Express bus which takes you onwards to Ticino.

Stay: Superior accommodation: Lugano

Meals: B

Days 10-11
Gotthard Panorama Express

After breakfast, join the Gotthard Panorama Express which travels from the Mediterranean south to the traditional heart of Switzerland. From Fruelen you will have a boat ride over Lake Lucerne. On arrival in Lucerne board the "World's steepest train" to Pilatus.

Stay: Continental Park Hotel, Lucerne

Meals: B

Day 12
Voralpen-Express

Breakfast at the hotel, then join the Voralpen Express for a 2.5 hour journey which connects Central and Eastern Switzerland reaching St. Gallen

Stay: Superior accommodation. St Gallen

Meals: B

Day 13
St. Gallen - Zurich/UK

Board the morning train to Paris Gare du Lyon, then transfer to Gare du Nord for the evening Eurostar to London.


Map

Pricing

Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Accommodation rating: Superior

13-day tailor-made rail holiday
from £3,865 pp incl. flights

Superior with 2nd class on Scenic trains

Valid for travel: Apr - Oct

Includes

  • Complimentary UK departure airport lounge access
  • Return flights between UK and Zurich
  • 12 nights accommodation in Superior accommodation on a BB basis
  • 2nd class rail ticket Zurich to Interlaken / St. Gallen to Zurich
  • GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux with seat reservation
  • Cog railway excursion from Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye
  • Montreux to Zermatt train ticket
  • Cog railway excursion from Zermatt to Gornergrat
  • Glacier Express from Zermatt to St.Moritz in 2nd class with seat reservation
  • Bernina Express train from St.Moritz to Tirano, and Bernina Express coach from Tirano to Lugano with seat reservations
  • Gotthard Panorama Express from Lugano to Lucerne in 2nd class with seat reservation
  • Excursion from Lucerne to Pilatus on "the world's steepest railway"
  • Seat Reservation on the Voralpen-Express from Lucerne to St. Gallen in 2nd class

    Swiss Coupon Pass

    50% discount for most trains, buses, boats and mountain railways

    Detailed itinerary and travel documentation

Terms & Conditions

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.

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At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0618 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

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