Lake Lugano by Rail
- 7
- £1,199
- Switzerland
- Catch a train to Basel and stay the night in this Swiss culture capital
- Travel through alpine scenery to the shores of Lake Lugano
- Spend 4 nights in Paradiso on the lake shore
- Return with a night en route in pretty Dijon
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- 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 from our London office
Suggested Itinerary
Catch a Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Paris and connect onto the high-speed TGV Lyria service to Basel. Arrive in the early evening and check in for an overnight stay at the Hotel Gaia (or similar).
Settle in at your hotel and then perhaps enjoy a meal in Basel’s pretty Old Town area, with its striking Town Hall and cathedral. The Pfalz terrace behind the cathedral offers striking views over the city and River Rhine.
If you like, you can have a free morning in Basel before your onward journey today. The city is full of fascinating history and countless museums.
When you’re ready, head back to the station for your journey along the Gotthard Alpine Route to Lugano. Along the way, you’ll travel along the shores of Lake Lucerne and through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel, completed in 2016. On arrival in Lugano, take a regional service for the 4-minute journey around the lake to Paradiso. Disembark here and check in for a 4-night stay at the Admiral Hotel (or similar).
Spend a full three days enjoying Lake Lugano. There’s plenty to see and do here, whether you want to take in the sweeping views from the top of Monte Bré or San Salvatore or take a boat to the stunning villages of Morecote and Gandria. Alternatively, you can just relax along the lakefront promenade, enjoy an Italian meal in a pretty piazza or take a dip in one of the area’s many lidos.
Return to the station after breakfast this morning and catch a train north to Zurich. Here, switch to a high-speed TGV service which will take you across the French border and up to Dijon, where you have an overnight stay at the Oceania le Jura (or similar).
After a leisurely morning in Dijon, it’s time to check out of your hotel and make your way back to the station.
Your return journey takes you via Paris to the UK. If you would like to stay longer in the area or have an extra stop en route to break your journey home, just let us know.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Basel
The Gaia is a family-run hotel with an historic façade and contemporary interior, located opposite the main SBB station. There are 86 non-smoking bedrooms, all with free Wi-Fi and a complimentary minibar. Guests can also make use of the hotel’s relaxing spa area and welcoming bar.
Lugano
Hotel Admiral Lugano is located in the Paradiso suburb of Lugano, within walking distance of the lake and the San Salvatore funicular station. Bedrooms come with free Wi-Fi internet access, mini-bar, coffee machine and en suite bathroom with luxury toiletries. The hotel also has an indoor and outdoor (seasonal) rooftop pool as well as a restaurant.
Dijon
Hotel Le Jura occupies a convenient location, close to the main train station and within easy reach of Dijon’s main attractions. Rooms are soundproofed with free Wi-FI and a view over the gardens. You can also relax with a drink in the welcoming bar, take a dip in the indoor heated swimming pool or work out in the hotel’s fitness room.
Upgrade your accommodation
Basel
Situated in the heart of the Old Town, on the banks of the Rhine, the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois is one of Europe’s oldest city hotels, where the likes of Napoleon, Pablo Picasso, Thomas Mann and HRH Queen Elizabeth have stayed. There are three on-site restaurants including the Michelin-starred Le Cheval, a games room and a cigar lounge.
Lugano
Surrounded by a large park, Villa Sassa Hotel, Residence & Spa offers a spacious spa area and panoramic views over Lake Lugano, and the surrounding mountains. Each of the comfortable rooms comes with a balcony, satellite TV and a minibar. The bathrooms come with amenities such as free toiletries, a hairdryer and bathrobes.
Dijon
The Grand Hotel la Cloche Dijon MGallery is conveniently located in the centre of the city, offering easy access to all the sights and attractions of Burgundy. All bedrooms are decorated in a modern but classic style with Wi-Fi internet access. Enjoy Burgundian specialities in the hotel’s restaurant or a relaxing sauna.
