Tour highlights:
Glacier Express – The World’s Slowest Panoramic Train
Matterhorn excursion – High alpine adventure
Charming medieval city of Lucerne
Lakeside fortress of Chillon Castle
The Bernina Express & Landwasser Viaduct
From lakeside cities and medieval battlements to glacier views and vineyard terraces. With every turn of the track, spectacular landscapes unfold before you. Experience Switzerland’s everchanging scenery from the carriages of the Lucerne-Interlaken Express, the Golden Pass Express, the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. Enjoy wine tasting in Lavaux and the cold mountain air in the shadow of the Matterhorn and create your own bar with an experienced chocolatier. This is Switzerland as seen through its most iconic railways.
This superb new tours takes us to Switzerland to view its magnificent alpine landscape in the best possible way – by train. Immaculately maintained and operated as only the Swiss can, travelling by train here is an experience not to be missed. A constant ever-changing vista of magnificent scenic backdrops punctuated with picture-postcard-perfect towns, villages and cities make this one of the most appealing scenic tours that Travel Editions have ever offered. An added bonus is that baggage is transferred between hotels in Switzerland, leaving you free to enjoy the wonderful vistas.
Available Departures |
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| 29 - June - 2026 | £ 4195.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings London Heathrow Departing: 29th June 2026 at 14:00 Returning: 07th July 2026 at 16:25 |
Day 1: Travel to Lucerne
Fly from London Heathrow to Zurich then transfer to Lucerne by coach.
Day 2: Lucerne
Begin the day with a guided city tour of Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque destinations. You will be introduced to key landmarks such as the medieval Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and the elegant buildings surrounding the Old Town squares. You’ll also see the serene lakeside promenades and learn about Lucerne’s long history as a gateway to the Alps. Later, take part in a workshop at a local chocolatier, where you’ll learn about traditional Swiss chocolate‑making techniques and create your own handcrafted treats to take away. Evening welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Lucerne to Montreux
Today we enjoy two beautiful panoramic train journeys. Depart Lucerne aboard a panoramic train, travelling through the rolling landscapes of Central Switzerland before the scenery shifts dramatically as you enter the Bernese Oberland, surrounded by high peaks, expansive pastures, and deep valleys. The journey pauses in Interlaken, giving you free time for lunch in this famous resort town nestled between Lakes Thun and Brienz. Afterward, connect with the renowned Golden Pass Express. This beautifully designed train will carry you through ever‑changing scenery as you cross into the French‑speaking region of Switzerland. By late afternoon you arrive in Montreux, set along the shores of Lake Geneva and known for its lakeside elegance.
Day 4: Montreux and Rivaz
This morning you will visit Chillon Castle, one of Switzerland’s most significant medieval fortresses. Set on a rocky island along Lake Geneva, the castle served as a residence and toll station for the Counts of Savoy for nearly 400 years. Explore courtyards, great halls, dungeons, and lakeside views as you learn about its strategic importance and long history. In the afternoon, take a short scenic train ride to Rivaz, located in the heart of the Lavaux vineyard terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will visit Lavaux Vinorama, where you’ll discover the region’s unique wine‑growing traditions and enjoy a guided tasting featuring local varieties grown on the steep terraced slopes above the lake.
Day 5: Montreux to Zermatt
Travel today from Montreux to Zermatt via Visp, a route that steadily climbs into the high Alps. The journey offers a mix of alpine valleys, glittering lakes, traditional villages, and views of snow‑dusted peaks. By early afternoon you arrive in Zermatt, a car‑free mountain town renowned for its wooden chalets, crisp mountain air, and dramatic surroundings.
Day 6: Zermatt
This morning embark on a breath-taking mountain excursion aboard the cogwheel railway to reach an altitude of 3,100 metres. At the summit, you will enjoy panoramic views dominated by the iconic Matterhorn, along with a spectacular chain of 28 surrounding peaks rising above 4,000 metres. The expanse of the Gorner Glacier, one of the largest in the Alps, unfolds below you. Take time to absorb the landscape, visit viewing platforms, and enjoy the crisp high‑altitude environment before descending back to Zermatt for a relaxed afternoon at leisure.
Day 7: Zermatt to St Moritz
Today we will experience the slowest panoramic train in the world - the Glacier Express. With its overhead panoramic windows, the Glacier Express opens unobstructed views of unique landscapes, starting with views of the jagged peak of the Matterhorn and Bis Glacier. On the way, we travel through Rhine Gorge (often called the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'), the highest point of the Oberalp Pass, and a UNESCO World Heritage section featuring spiral tunnels and viaducts. Another highlight is the 65-metre-high curved Landwasser Viaduct - a limestone bridge that leads directly into a mountain tunnel. Our destination is the glamorous resort of St Moritz at 1856 metres, scene of the legendary Cresta Run and one of the most famous and historic ski resorts in the world, frequented by the rich and famous. Its ski school is the oldest in the world, dating from 1927. Its setting is spectacular, surrounded by mountains and overlooking the lake, enhanced by its elegant resort architecture.
Day 8: St Moritz to Lugano
Morning on the Bernina Express, taking in spectacular views of glaciers, lakes, and snow-covered peaks as we cross the Alps. The route is renowned for its steep gradients, operating as an adhesion railway without cogwheels. Highlights include the remarkable 360-degree Brusio Circular Viaduct, Montebello Curve - a famous panoramic curve with dramatic views of the Piz Bernina mountain, and Poschiavo Valley which has a Mediterranean-like climate in contrast to the alpine landscapes. We stop at Tirano for free time before transferring to Lugano.
Day 9: Lugano to Zurich
Take the train from Lugano to Zurich airport for return flight to London Heathrow.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 30 passengers.
Tour Grading: Please note that this tour is graded as moderate due to the number of trains included on the itinerary, and the activities included on the tour. Please note that your luggage will be transferred by coach to each hotel, so you only need to take a day-pack with you each day.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Hotel Astoria, Lucerne – 2 nights
Hotel Astoria Lucerne, a Herzog & de Meuron–designed gem, boasts a rooftop terrace with panoramic Swiss Alps and city views. Enjoy award‑winning restaurants, a serene lounge, and a tranquil setting just steps from Chapel Bridge, historic Old Town, the lake, and cultural landmarks—an ideal base for relaxed exploration.
Hotel Website
Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux – 2 nights
Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, a Belle Époque lakeside gem in Montreux, offers serene spa, wellness areas, and stunning Alpine‑Geneva vistas—perfect for peaceful cultural exploration.
Hotel Excelsior, Zermatt – 2 nights
Hotel Excelsior Zermatt is a welcoming family-run retreat, quietly set near the lively centre yet offering stunning Matterhorn views. Its cosy lounge, bar, and terrace are ideal for unwinding after gentle mountain walks or valley trails. With personal service and a warm atmosphere, it’s a comforting base for relaxed Alpine exploration.
Hotel Steffani, St Moritz – 1 night
Hotel Steffani, nestled in elegant St. Moritz, blends family-run warmth with Swiss alpine charm. Its spa oasis boasts an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, infrared and fitness studio, complemented by attentive therapies and Martina’s salon. Refined dining, cozy lounges, and proximity to mountain railways make it an ideal, unhurried Alpine retreat.
Hotel De La Paix, Lugano – 1 night
Hotel De la Paix in Lugano offers a refined and restful stay just steps from Lake Lugano’s shimmering shores. Guests can unwind in the serene pool and lush garden, admire contemporary art in the on‑site gallery, and enjoy personalised concierge service—ideal for exploring lakeside promenades, local villages, and panoramic Alpine vistas.
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