Best of Switzerland (for international guests)
On this breathtaking train journey with the Bernina Express, Glacier Express and the GoldenPass Line, you will be shown the most beautiful places in Switzerland. Mountain landscapes, the most impressive alpine scenery, glaciers, lakes and picturesque towns make this train journey to a real highlight.Best of Switzerland shows you the most beautiful, highest and best of Switzerland.
Enjoy the contrasts between city and country. Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, is a class of its own. Lucerne with its medieval architecture is the perfect city with an impressive combination of water, mountains and city. St. Moritz, the glamorous mountain village in the Grisons. Zermatt the village at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most photographed mountain in the world. Lugano, a charming paradise on the shores of Lago di Lugano. Palm trees, a romantic lake promenade and a beautiful old town. With its almost Mediterranean climate, Montreux is a beautiful place on Lake Geneva and Interlaken is the gateway to the three mighty mountains: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and nestles between Lakes Thun and Brienz.
Is there any better way to discover the magnificent landscape of the Swiss Alps than by train? We believe not.
Highlights
-
The Glacier Express, often referred to as the world's slowest express train, traverses some of Switzerland's most spectacular scenery at a leisurely pace. On its eight-hour journey, it connects Zermatt with St. Moritz, crossing 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and offering breathtaking views of majestic Alpine panoramas, deep gorges and idyllic valleys.
-
The highest railroad line across the Alps, the Bernina Express, runs along a spectacular route from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy. On its way, it crosses the Bernina Pass at an altitude of 2,253 meters and offers breathtaking views of glaciers, mountain lakes and untouched nature. This UNESCO World Heritage route is one of the most picturesque rail journeys in the world and impresses with bold viaducts, narrow hairpin bends and dizzying heights.
-
The GoldenPass Express runs along Switzerland's royal route, connecting Montreux on Lake Geneva with Interlaken, crossing picturesque landscapes, from vineyards to charming villages and alpine panoramas. This train journey not only offers luxurious comfort, but also spectacular views of the Swiss mountains and the glittering lakes of the region.
-
Imposing mountain ranges, rustic valleys and the largest contiguous glaciated area in the Alps. The World Heritage Site is one of the most spectacular high mountain landscapes in the world.
-
The two unique railroad lines blend harmoniously into the enchanting landscape with spectacular engineering structures such as viaducts and helical tunnels.
-
Le site de Lavaux, inscrit au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO, impressionne par ses vignobles en terrasses qui s'étendent de manière pittoresque le long du lac Léman. Ce paysage unique, marqué par des siècles de culture viticole traditionnelle, offre non seulement des vues à couper le souffle, mais aussi une riche offre de vins régionaux et de délices culinaires qui séduisent les visiteurs.
Travel details
Travel programm
-
1
1
1ˢᵗ day: Arrival in Lucerne
Arrival in Lucerne by train and time at leisure. Overnight in Lucerne.
-
2
2
2ⁿᵈ day: Lucerne
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure in Lucerne. We recommend the following optional excursions: Titlis with its famous revolving gondola, the Golden Round Trip on Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi, the Queen of the Mountains. Overnight in Lucerne.
-
3
3
3ʳᵈ day: Lucerne – Lugano (1h40)
Breakfast at the hotel. Train journey from Lucerne to Lugano. Experience the Gotthard Base Tunnel - at 57 kilometers the longest railroad tunnel in the world. It takes just 17 minutes to reach Ticino on this fast route under the Alpine massif in the heart of Europe. Optional add the Gotthard Panorama Express (with supplement, a 1st class train ticket is required). Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Lugano.
-
4
4
4ᵗʰ day: Bernina Express Lugano – St. Moritz (5h45)
Breakfast at the hotel. The Bernina Express bus takes you to Tirano (Italy). There you board the panoramic train Bernina Express to St. Moritz. Enjoy an alpine serpentine journey that takes you from the waving palms of Ticino and Italy to the towering glaciers. The Bernina Express is the highest railway line across the Alps. Overnight in St. Moritz.
-
5
5
5ᵗʰ day: Glacier Express St. Moritz – Zermatt (8h30)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you board the Glacier Express for one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world. The world's slowest express train takes you over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp Pass at 2'033 meters. Travel in comfort through the untouched natural beauty of a landscape rich in ancient, fragrant mountain forests, tranquil alpine meadows, rushing mountain streams and mountain valleys, steeped in tradition and centuries-old culture. Overnight in Zermatt.
-
6
6
6ᵗʰ day: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Breakfast at the hotel. An incomparable experience awaits you today. The Zermatt mountain railroads will take you up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe's highest cable car station at 3'883 m. For a small fee, you can take the Crystal Ride cabins from Trockener Steg to the summit, an unbeatable experience. The 360° panorama is unique and many highlights are waiting to be discovered by you. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Zermatt.
-
7
7
7ᵗʰ day: Zermatt – Montreux (2h40)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you travel by regional train through Valais, which is known for its excellent wines, to Montreux. We recommend a visit to Chillon Castle, a moated castle on the shores of Lake Geneva. Overnight in Montreux.
-
8
8
8ᵗʰ day: Montreux – Interlaken (3h15)
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel with the GoldenPass Express to Interlaken. Optionally, you can take the GoldenPass Panoramic or Belle Époque to Zweisimmen and from there regional trains to Interlaken. You will find yourself between Alpine forests, bubbling mountain springs and picturesque mountain villages. Possibility in Gstaad for an optional excursion to Glacier 3000. Overnight in Interlaken.
-
9
9
9ᵗʰ day: Jungfraujoch
Breakfast at the hotel. Another highlight of your visit to Switzerland awaits you. Enjoy a trip to the Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe, the highest railway station in Europe at 3'454 metres. Don't miss the following attractions: Alpine Sensation, Sphinx, Jungfrau Panorama, Lindt Chocolate Heaven, Ice Palace and Snow Fun. Overnight in Interlaken.
-
10
10
10ᵗʰ day: Interlaken – Zurich (2h)
Breakfast at the hotel. Train journey along the lake of Thun to Bern and possiblity for a stopover to discover Switzerland's beautiful capital. Continue to Zurich and time at your leisure to discover the city. Overnight in Zurich.
-
11
11
11ᵗʰ day: Zurich and return journey
Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure and individual return journey.
This tour can also be booked in the opposite direction.
Do you have any questions?
Impressions
Services
Included in the price
- Swiss Travel Pass Flex 15 days in 2nd class
- Seat reservation in the Bernina Express, Glacier Express and GoldenPass Express
- Excursion to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Jungfraujoch
- 2 nights each in Lucerne, Zermatt and Interlaken, 3* hotel, standard double room with breakfast
- 1 night each in Lugano, St. Moritz, Montreux and Zurich, 3* hotel, standard double room with breakfast
- 50% discount on most mountain railways, free entry at more than 500 museums (only valid on a selected travel day)
