Lake Constance and the Glacier Express
- 7
- £1,199
- Switzerland Germany
- Glacier Express across Switzerland from Brig to Chur
- A 3-night stay in Konstanz on Lake Constance
- Ferry and train to Stuttgart
- Spend extra nights in Switzerland
- Stay in other places on Lake Constance such as Lindau or Bregenz
- Stop for a night en route in Paris or Basel
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 6 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection
Suggested Itinerary
Catch the Eurostar to Paris today and then cross over to the Gare de Lyon and board a high-speed TGV service, bound for Lausanne. From Lausanne, a domestic Swiss service takes you to Brig, where you check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel Ambassador (or similar).
TMR RECOMMENDS: If you’re coming from locations beyond London and the Home Counties, you may want to break this journey with a night in Paris, Dijon or Lausanne. Let us know if you would like to do this.
Leave the pretty town of Brig today aboard the world-famous Glacier Express, which will take you through some of the best scenery of Switzerland and climbing up to an altitude of 2,033 metres (6,670 feet) above sea level at the Oberalp Pass and then descending into Chur, where you have an overnight stay at the ABC Swiss Quality Hotel (or similar).
Chur is the oldest town in Switzerland, with a charming Altstadt centre and a medieval Cathedral containing paintings by Albrecht Dürer and Hans Holbein.
After breakfast this morning, leave Chur on a regional service to the historic city of St Gallen. You might like to stop here for lunch (there are luggage lockers available) or continue your journey to Konstanz. You can decide this on the day as both rail tickets are ‘open’, meaning you’re not tied to a particular service.
On arrival in Konstanz, check in for a 3-night stay at the Hotel Hirschen (or similar).
Enjoy two full days at leisure on lovely Lake Constance from your base in Konstanz. This historic city dates back to the Stone Age and its proximity to Switzerland meant that its Old Town area was saved from allied bombing during WWII. You can get panoramic views from the tower of the Münster or, on a clear day, take in the sweeping views over the Swiss and Austrian Alps from a bar in the harbour.
We recommend taking a boat trip to explore other places on the lake. During spring and summer, Mainau Island is a beautiful place to see a profusion of flowers or you might like to visit the lovely Austrian city of Bregenz, which hosts an impressive opera festival annually from June to August.
Leave Konstanz this morning and catch a ferry (payable locally) across the lake to Friedrichshafen. We recommend a stop here to have lunch and perhaps visit the modern, fascinating Zeppelin Museum. Later, head for the station and catch a direct train to Stuttgart. Again, this is a regional service and doesn’t require seat reservations so you can leave Friedrichshafen whenever you like.
On arrival in Stuttgart, check in at the Arcotel Camino (or similar) for an overnight stay.
Depending on where you are heading back to this evening, you can spend some time this morning discovering the city of Stuttgart with its choice of museums and two castles. At lunchtime, return to the station and catch a service via Mannheim back to Paris.
It’s a short walk from the Gare de l’Est to the Gare du Nord for your Eurostar back to London St Pancras.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Brig
This small, family-owned hotel enjoys a quiet and central location only 300 yards away from the train station in Brig. The hotel features an excellent restaurant serving French and Swiss specialities. The rooms combine a traditional ambience with modern comfort, and sound proof windows.
Chur
This 4-star hotel is located just 400 yards from the railway station and offers a sauna and a steam room on site. With a pleasant bar/lounge, you’ll find the perfect place to have a drink. Guests are also welcome to make use of the free high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout the property.
Konstanz
This traditional, family-run hotel is located close to the main station in Konstanz and within easy reach of the city’s attractions. The bedrooms are decorated in neutral colours with wooden furniture and amenities including free Wi-Fi, a TV and private bathroom with hairdryer. There’s also a restaurant serving local dishes. The Swiss border is just 200 metres away!
Stuttgart
Offering soundproofed with internet, spa facilities, and fine Swabian cuisine, this stylish, 4-star superior hotel is just a 5-minute walk from . WiFi is available in all areas. The hotel provides spacious, air-conditioned rooms and apartments with flat-screen TV and a laptop safe. The pa area features a Finnish sauna, rain forest shower, and steam room.
