Swiss Lakes & Mountains by Rail
- 12
- £2,699
- Switzerland
- Travel out to Switzerland by rail, via historic Cologne
- The Mountains: Schilthorn, Matterhorn and Eiger
- The Lakes: Lucerne, Lugano and Geneva
- Scenic rail journeys on the famous Glacier & Bernina Express – and more!
- 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
- 11 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Schilthorn excursion from Grindelwald
- Cruise on Lake Lucerne
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- 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. An arrival in the French capital, connect to the Gare de l’Est, a short walk away, where you’ll catch a direct TGV service to Strasbourg.
Exit the station and head for your hotel, the conveniently located Hotel des Vosges (or similar), where you have an overnight stay. There’s plenty of time to have a stroll around the lovely historic centre of Strasbourg and perhaps enjoy a meal this evening.
After breakfast at your hotel this morning, return to the station for your onward journey into Switzerland. Cross the border at Basel and change onto a regional train to Interlaken.
Arrive into Interlaken and hop on a local service for the short transfer to Grindelwald. You’ll be spending the next 3 nights here at the Hotel Sunstar (or similar).
Enjoy two full days in the beautiful Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. You have a Swiss Pass included with your holiday, which allows you unlimited access to the rail network along with other public transport. You might like to visit the pretty town of Wengen or spend some time in Interlaken. On one of your free days you’ll also have a trip to the top of the Schilthorn mountain, by way of a series of cablecars, with attractions at each stop. At the top of the Schilthorn, you can take in the breathtaking views, visit a Bond Museum (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was filmed here) or enjoy a meal or snack in the Piz Gloria restaurant.
Today you’ll take a stunning journey from the German-speaking Bern region to the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. The route includes a beautiful rail journey from Interlaken up through central Switzerland to Lucerne and then a boat ride across the lake to Flüelen. Here, you’ll pick up the panoramic carriages of the Gotthard Panorama Express, taking you through spectacular mountain scenery down to the palm trees and mediterranean atmosphere of Lugano, where you have a 2-night stay at the Villa Sassa Hotel & Spa (or similar).
There’s plenty to see and do on your free day in Lugano. You can use your Swiss pass to travel around Lake Lugano to the lovely waterfront town of Ascona, or take the train to Locarno for pizza in a piazza and beautiful views from endlessly photogenic Monastero S. Caterina, accessible by funicular railway. There’s also lovely Morcote, overlooking Italy on the other side of the lake.
In Lugano itself, you can take in the views from the San Salvatore and Brè mountains (both with their own funicular railways), stroll along the lakefront or enjoy a rest in pretty Parco Ciani.
You’ll dip briefly into Italy today, leaving Lugano this morning for Monza and then continuing to Tirano. There’s time for an Italian meal here before you join the panoramic carriages of the Bernina Express for a wonderful rail journey up to Chur, including the famous Landwasser Viaduct.
You’ll arrive into Chur this evening and check in at the Hotel Stern (or similar) for an overnight stay. Why not enjoy dinner in the historic centre of Switzerland’s oldest town?
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before returning to Chur station for an unforgettable journey aboard the Glacier Express to Brig. This is one of the most famous rail journeys in the world, reaching its highest point at the Oberalp Pass 6,706 feet (2,044 metres) above sea level and following the ‘Grand Canyon of Switzerland’, along another gorge of the River Rhine.
Arrive into Brig mid-afternoon and check in for a 2-night stay at the Hotel Ambassador (or similar).
You have a free day today to explore using your Swiss Pass. If you would like, you can travel to Zermatt at the foot of the distinctive Matterhorn mountain, completing the full route of the Glacier Express (though on a normal train for this section). Zermatt is chock-full of bars, restaurants and boutiques and there’s also the opportunity to take one of the hiking trails there or pay a supplement to go up to the peak of the Gornergrat mountain by train, with great views over the Matterhorn.
Back in Brig, you might also like to visit the 17th-century Stockalper Castle or relax and enjoy the outdoor thermal baths at Brigerbad.
A direct, 2-hour journey from Brig brings you to Lausanne, where you have 2 nights at the Best Western Plus Hotel Mirabeau (or similar).
Lausanne is a buzzing city, draped over seven hills overlooking Lake Geneva. You can wander along the waterfront at Ouchy and visit the fascinating Olympic Museum or take a boat (or train, or bus) using your Swiss Pass to other places on the lake such as Montreux, with its waterfront Chillon Castle or elegant Vevey where you can wander into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lavaux vineyards. Also well worth a visit is Charlie Chaplin’s former home, which has now been made into a museum celebrating his life.
Leave Lausanne this morning and take a direct TGV Lyria service to Paris. A direct RER (rapid metro) service will bring you to the Gare du Nord where you pick up your return Eurostar for the journey back to London at the end of your Switzerland adventure.
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.
Grindelwald
The Sunstar Hotel & Spa Grindelwald occupies a central location in the village, across the road from the First cable car station, with stunning views of the Eiger and Wetterhorn. The spacious bedrooms are furnished in a traditional style with superior rooms boasting balconies overlooking the mountains. The wellness area is equipped with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, Roman baths and massage showers. You can also enjoy a wide range of dishes in the hotel’s restaurant or relax with a drink in the lobby bar with its open fireplace.
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.
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.
Lausanne
Located within walking distance of the main station and the centre of the city, the Hotel Mirabeau is a comfortable base to explore Lausanne. The tastefully furnished bedrooms offer cable TV, a minibar and free Wi-Fi internet access. There is also a restaurant serving international cuisine along with fish from Lake Geneva.
