Mountain Railways of Switzerland
- 8
- £1,799
- Switzerland
- Travel out to Switzerland by rail, via picturesque Strasbourg in the Alsace Region
- The Mountains: Gornergrat, Jungfrau and Brienzer Rothorn
- Scenic rail journeys between destinations in Switzerland
- Return via Cologne, featuring the UNESCO Rhine Gorge route
- 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
THIS HOLIDAY IS AVAILABLE FOR DEPARTURES BETWEEN JUNE & OCTOBER
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 7 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Gornergrat Mountain Railway from Zermatt
- Jungfrau Mountain Railway
- Brienzer Rothorn Mountain Railway (Steam Train)
- Cruise on Lake Brienz
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
Suggested Itinerary
Leave London St Pancras this morning aboard the Eurostar, bound for Paris or Lille. If you are travelling via Lille you make an easy platform-change on to your TGV to Strasbourg. If Paris is your staging-post, take the short walk between Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est to pick up your TGV across to the Alsace.
On arrival in Strasbourg, make your way across the square in front of the station to the Hotel des Vosges (or similar) for your first overnight stay.
You have ‘open’ journeys today, meaning that you can choose to leave Strasbourg whenever you feel like it and take the train down into Switzerland. You’ll change in Basel and Visp en route to Zermatt, high in the Swiss Alps. The last part of this journey is the most spectacular as the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn service takes you up to 5,275 feet above sea level, at the foot of the distinctive peak of the Matterhorn.
On arrival in Zermatt, check in at the Hotel Pollux (or similar) for a 2-night stay. Zermatt is a car-free village so most of the hotels are either within easy walking distance of the station, or offer a complimentary shuttle service by electric buggy.
Today’s highlight is undoubtedly the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, the highest open-air cog railway in Europe, with fabulous views over the surrounding peaks from the summit – including the Matterhorn. Your ticket entitles you to hop on and hop off, so feel free to sample the restaurant at Riffelalp or snap the perfect picture of the Matterhorn reflecting on Riffelsee lake.
Later on, you may like to experience Zermatt’s ‘après ski’ scene with a wide range of bars and restaurants open year-round (not just during ski season!).
Your travel today takes you from the shadow of one iconic mountain, the Gornergrat, to the shadow of another, the Jungfrau. Take the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn back down to Visp, and then through the Lötschberg Tunnel on an express train to the town of Spiez and onwards to Interlaken.
Once you arrive at the capital of the Bernese Oberland, its time to take the boat across the tranquil and azure waters of Lake Brienz, to the historic Grand Hotel Giessbach, dating back to 1874 and alongside the famous Giessbach Falls. Check in at the hotel for a 3-night stay. Ask one of the team about room upgrades overlooking either the waterfall or the lake.
Looming on the opposite side of Lake Brienz is the impressive Rothorn mountain. Equally impressive is the steam-hauled mountain railway that operates from the picturesque town of Brienz up to the summit of the Rothorn. You have a round-trip included to the summit, where there are some walking routes and also a restaurant and cafeteria from which to enjoy the spectacular views.
This is the grand finale to your mountain railway holiday! From the Grandhotel Giessbach, take the boat back across to Interlaken, where you board the train that takes you to the mountain.
The highlight of the journey is the final leg of the train ride, where the train passes through a tunnel carved into the mountain and emerges at the top of the Jungfraujoch. The views from the top are incredible, with panoramic views of the surrounding Alps and the Aletsch Glacier. Once you reach the summit, there are a plethora of activities to enjoy, including the Ice Palace, where you can see ice sculptures, and the Sphinx Observatory, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountain range.
Take the boat from the majestic Grandhotel Giessbach one final time through to Interlaken, where you board a convenient lunchtime direct train all way to Cologne in the comfort of First Class. This journey also includes an hour or so of stunning scenery on the UNESCO Rhine Gorge route as the train twists and turns in time with the River Rhine around Loreley Rock.
Exit the station and you’ll be right next to the city’s famous twin-spired cathedral on the River Rhine. Your hotel for the night is the Mondial MGallery am Dom (or similar), within walking distance of the station. There’s plenty of time to have a stroll around the Old Town area and enjoy an evening meal this evening.
Take a civilised late-morning German ICE train across to Brussels where you connect with ample time onto your Eurostar back to London. You will then have plenty of time to return back to your home station that evening.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Strasbourg
Conveniently located on the Place de la Gare, opposite Strasbourg’s main station, the Hotel des Vosges offers comfortable, modern accommodation in a refurbished Art Deco building. Bedrooms are furnished in a relaxed, classic style with en suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi access and coffee & tea making facilities. The hotel also offers a cocktail bar and a well-equipped gym.
Zermatt
The welcoming Hotel Pollux in located the centre of Zermatt, within easy reach of the train station. Bedrooms are furnished in an Alpine style with complimentary Wi-Fi, tea & coffee making facilities and a flat-screen TV. There are three restaurants to choose from, including a vegetarian restaurant.
Brienz
Grandhotel Giessbach is situated in a stunning natural setting, surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and forests. It features a classic, grandiose architectural style, with turrets, gables, and ornate carvings and details. Inside, the hotel is elegantly decorated, with antique furnishings, fine art, and chandeliers.
Cologne
Hotel Mondial am Dom Cologne MGallery by Sofitel is located right in the centre of Cologne, close to the famous cathedral and the main station. All of the modern bedrooms feature air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, minibar and satellite TV. The hotel also boasts a restaurant overlooking the cathedral, a sauna, a steam room and a fitness room.
Possible hotel upgrade options
Strasbourg
The Sofitel Strasbourg Grand Ile is a modern, comfortable hotel located on a quiet square just a short walk from the city’s historic Cathedral and medieval centre. All bedrooms come with Sofitel MyBeds, flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Tuck in to French and Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant or enjoy a nightcap in the 1940s style bar.
Zermatt
First opened in 1879, the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is one of Zermatt’s top luxury hotels, located right in the centre of town. Guestrooms all boast panoramic mountain views, Nespresso coffee machines, complimentary mineral water and soft drinks . There are also three restaurants to choose from as well as a spa area with swimming pool, sauna and treatment rooms.
Cologne
Occupying a great location opposite the famous cathedral in the centre of Cologne, the Excelsior Ernst is one of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, with a history dating back to 1863. The Michelin starred Taku restaurant has an Asian-inspired menu and innovative French cuisine is served in the Hanse Stube restaurant. Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property.
Extend your stay in Switzerland, with a visit to Lucerne and experience more mountain railways, such as Mt Pilatus or Mt Rigi. Alternatively, you may prefer to take in some scenic rail journeys such as the Bernina Express or Glacier Express. Ask one of the team for more details.
