Swiss Alpine Adventure by Rail 2027

This morning after breakfast, we’ll head off on a fully guided walking tour of the city’s atmospheric Old Town. Zurich’s origins trace back to its founding by the Romans in 15 BC, and the city’s growth accelerated in the Middle Ages, as Zurich became an important centre for commerce and craftsmanship, laying the foundation for its current status as a global financial hub. Our knowledgeable local guide will share many colourful stories and anecdotes while introducing us to some of the highlights, including Bahnhofstrasse, Niederdorf, Grossmünster Cathedral, Lindenhof, and more. 

After some time for a snack or early lunch at leisure at the train station, we’ll travel by local train to the lakeside village of Arth Goldau, where we’ll transfer to the quirky little Rigi cogwheel train, operating on Europe’s first mountain railway – for the rail enthusiasts, this line has a 7% incline (1 in 14). Our destination is the summit of Mount Rigi, one of the most iconic and accessible peaks in the country, famous for its stunning 360-degree panoramic views that include up to 620 alpine peaks, 13 lakes, the Swiss lowlands, parts of Germany and France, and cities like Lucerne and Zug.

We’ll return via the stunning views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains to Vitznau and board a ferry to the charming city of Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque and beloved cities. You’ll have plenty of time here to explore at your own pace – walk the iconic Chapel Bridge, Europe’s oldest covered wooden bridge, dating back to the 1330s; reflect at the Dying Lion Monument, a poignant rock-carved sculpture honoring Swiss Guards killed in the French Revolution; stroll the well-preserved Old Town (Altstadt) with colorful medieval buildings, frescoed facades, guild houses, and charming squares. You may wish to pay a visit to the Swiss Transport Museum and experience the history of various forms of transportation used in bygone times, encapsulating planes, trains, boats, and automobiles.

You can either travel back to Zurich with your tour leader in the late afternoon or linger longer in Lucerne and enjoy dinner in one of the many charming lakeside restaurants – there are regular trains to whisk you back to Zurich at whatever time you like. 

Dinner tonight is at leisure. 

Overnight: Central Plaza Hotel or similar, Zurich (B, L) 

This morning after breakfast, passing our bags to our courier, and checking out, we’ll walk to the station and board a train to the charming town of Montreux on beautiful Lake Geneva. As if yesterday wasn’t enough, this journey gives you another taste of the breathtaking scenery this country has to offer. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer directly to our hotel, right on the lake and directly opposite the train station, and check in. 

After some lunch at leisure we’ll regroup and catch the ferry across to the magnificent Chateau de Chillon, a beautifully preserved medieval fortress strategically nestled between the mountains and the lake. While this iconic site has been occupied since the Bronze Age, the current structure largely dates back to the 12th century, when it was built and expanded by the Counts of Savoy. Consisting of over twenty buildings and three courtyards protected by a ring wall, its medieval halls, dungeons, towers, and living quarters are well-preserved and give insight into life in the Middle Ages. Our expert local guide will take us on a journey through the most interesting history of this ‘must see’ jewel of Switzerland and paint a picture of the life and legends inside this labyrinth of rooms, dungeons, and halls. 

We’ll return to our hotel by train and collect our luggage that would have been delivered during the afternoon. After some time to freshen up, we’ll head out for a very special dinner. We’ll take a cogwheel train from Montreux station up to Haut de Caux for dinner at the nearby iconic restaurant, Le Coucou, located at 1150 metres with panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. 

Overnight: Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux (B, D) 

After breakfast this morning, we’ll walk across to the station and take our first class seats on the Golden Pass Belle Epoque train for the scenic uphill journey overlooking Lake Geneva and across the renowned Golden Pass to the beautiful old town of Gruyeres Ville, the home of the famous cheese factory. Today is yours to spend as you wish – visit the castle, towering majestically above the town; tour the cheese factory, located right near the train station; or just soak up the picture-book village. Your tour leader will facilitate any of your preferences. 

Mentioned for the first time in the archives in 1244, Gruyeres Castle is one of the most prestigious and historically significant in Switzerland. Built in the 13th century as the main residence of one of the most important noble families of western Switzerland in the Middle Ages – the Counts of Gruyère – the castle borrowed an architectural plan known as the “Savoyard square”, a military model developed by the House of Savoy, of which the counts were vassals. You may see some similarities with Chateau de Chillon in this sense.

La Maison du Gruyère, the home of the king of cheeses, Gruyère AOP, offers a fascinating insight into how one of the most famous cheeses in the world is made. Twenty-two farmers deliver their milk to the dairy twice a day, from cows grazing on the fragrant grass in meadows at altitudes of 800 to 1600 metres above sea level. If you’re there before lunch, you can closely watch the cheesemakers and their team produce up to 48 wheels of Gruyère cheese in a morning. 

Spend as much or as little time in the town as you’d like and make your way back to Montreux whenever it suits you by local rail using your Rail Pass. If you’d prefer to stick with your tour leader and travel back to Montreux with them, then that’s fine too. 

Overnight: Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux (B) 

Today, we say goodbye to Montreux. After breakfast, luggage drop and check out, we’ll travel back over the Golden Pass, this time on the Golden Panoramic Express, to the lakeside town of Interlaken, enjoying a light lunch on the train along the way. Our route reveals stunning views of Lake Geneva and the ‘teeth of the Midi’, one of Switzerland’s most dramatic ranges. 

Interlaken, a charming jewel in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is nestled between the breathtaking turquoise waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and is the gateway to the iconic Jungfrau region, home to peaks like the Jungfrau (4,158 m), Eiger (3,967 m), and Mönch (4,107 m), plus the UNESCO-listed Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch area with its massive glaciers – offering some of the most breathtaking scenery in Switzerland – perhaps the world. 

Upon arrival, we’ll make the short walk from the station to our hotel to our hotel located directly on the river where every room has a balcony with magnificent views of the river, the countryside or the mountains. For those interested, after checking in, there’ll be an opportunity to take a round trip ferry cruise on the picturesque Lake Brienz, set amid the spectacular mountain scenery- a truly memorable experience. 

Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. 

Overnight: Boutique Hotel Bellevue, Interlaken (B, L, D) 

This morning after breakfast, we’ll make the short rail hop from Interlaken West to Interlaken Ost before continuing by local train service to the beautiful town of Lauterbrunnen.

Arriving in Lauterbrunnen, nestled between sheer rock walls, it is easy to see why it is often described as the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls”. From here, the ascent continues by rack railway to Kleine Scheidegg. This section is operated by the Wengernalp Railway, celebrated as the world’s longest continuous cog railway, and still serving both visitors and the car-free village of Wengen along the way. 

At Kleine Scheidegg, we’ll connect to the Jungfrau Railway for the final, dramatic climb to Jungfraujoch. Opened in 1912, this pioneering mountain railway runs largely through tunnels bored into the Eiger and Mönch to reach Europe’s highest railway station, where the breathtaking Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland’s largest and longest glacier, spreads out below. 

There’ll be time at leisure for lunch and to enjoy the facilities at the summit before we begin our descent, returning via Eigergletscher and then travelling by the Eiger Express gondola down to Grindelwald Terminal. From here, we’ll rejoin the railway for our return to Interlaken – again, you can travel back with your Tour Leader, or spend more time in the charming village of Grindelwald. 

This evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Boutique Hotel Bellevue, Interlaken (B) 

Today is yours! After breakfast at the hotel, and with your Swiss Rail Pass in hand, there’s a lot of options with marvellous cities like Bern just an hour away on any of the 41 daily trains to Bern from Interlaken station. 

Or you may prefer to stay in town and explore all it has to offer – take the cable car to the top of Schilthorn Mountain, (made famous by James Bond’s 1969 movie ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’), ride the bus from Lauterbrunnen to the Trummelbach subterranean waterfalls, or jump on the Harder Kulm Funicular, a 100-year old inclined railway that will take you up to the Harder Kulm at 1322 metres above sea level in less than 10 minutes for stunning views over the lake.

Overnight: Boutique Hotel Bellevue, Interlaken (B)

After a leisurely breakfast start this morning, we’ll drop our luggage for separate transfer, check out and take the Kandertal railway route through the Kander Valley and the original Lotschberg Tunnel, before a thrilling descent of the Rhone Valley down to the car-free charming medieval town of Brig, nestled at the foot of the Simplon Pass. Brig serves as a gateway to both Italy and the stunning Swiss Alps and is renowned for its well-preserved baroque architecture, particularly the magnificent Stockalper Palace, a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The first building dates back to 1532 and remained relatively unchanged until the rise of Kaspar Stockalper, a wealthy silk merchant of Brig, who took to developing it with vigour! Between 1630 and 1678 the Palace expansion under his supervision was the largest private construction in Switzerland at the time. However, he didn’t get to enjoy much of it – you’ll learn why when you visit!

Upon our arrival just after noon, we’ll walk from the station directly to our centrally located boutique hotel and check in. The afternoon is then yours to explore this fascinating town in your own time – have some lunch at leisure in one of the cafes located directly on the town square outside our hotel; take a stroll through the town’s quaint streets where traditional Swiss charm meets vibrant local culture; pay a visit to the Stockalper Palace; and drop into the very interesting Simplon Pass Museum. 

Early this evening we’ll regroup for dinner at our hotel. 

Overnight: Hotel Londres, Brig (B, D) 

This morning after breakfast we’ll board a local train and travel along the valley and up the gorge to Zermatt at the base of the awe-inspiring Matterhorn. It may not be Switzerland’s highest mountain, but it’s certainly its most iconic. Here, we’ll board the famous historic Gornergrat Railway, opened in 1898, the first electric rack railway to be built in Switzerland, and the second highest railway in Europe after the Jungfrau up the mountain to the shoulder of Monte Rosa, situated at 3,135 metres.

From the spectacular viewing platform here, you’ll have breathtaking views across 29 of the highest peaks of the Alps and the vast Gorner Glacier below. Enjoy this time at what feels like the top of the world before returning on one of the regular trains to Zermatt for a leisurely look around, including some time to enjoy lunch at leisure before returning to Brig. Guests from past tours over the years have loved this day and some even took the cable car all the way up to the Matterhorn – such is the freedom of having a Swiss Rail Pass in your hand and a flexible itinerary!

Dinner tonight is at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Londres, Brig (B) 

This morning after breakfast, handing our luggage over and checking out, we’ll take the famous Glacier Express for a run over the Oberalp Pass to Chur. You’ll be glad this is the world’s slowest express train – it allows you to savour every minute of the stunning views of rugged cliffs, crystal-clear mountain lakes and quaint, picture-perfect villages, and the array of remarkable railway engineering feats, while enjoying lunch and expert commentary along the way. This is truly one of the greatest rail journeys of the world! 

Upon arrival in Chur, we’ll wander up from the station to our hotel located in the Old Town and check in to our home for the next few nights. To orient ourselves quickly to this historic city we’ll embark on a guided walking tour of this fascinating city, through the old town and into the area of the Bishop’s Palace and the historic 12th-century Cathedral, including a look at Saint Martin’s Church, the oldest church in Chur; and the Town Hall. 

The oldest city in Switzerland, Chur boasts a history spanning 5,000 years and is a captivating blend of historical richness and alpine charm. The Old Town is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with well-preserved medieval buildings, quaint boutiques, and inviting cafes, many of which we’ll explore in our time here. 

After time to relax and freshen up we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel Stern, Chur (B, L, D)

A once-in-a-lifetime rail trip is scheduled today to Tirano in Northern Italy and back. 

We’ll have return tickets on board the world-famous Bernina Express with the route ascending through the picturesque Albula Valley, crossing towering viaducts and winding through helical tunnels. As you climb higher, the scenery transforms into a winter wonderland, with snow-capped peaks, glistening glaciers, and verdant alpine meadows. This scenic train ride, one of the most spectacular in the world, passes through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bernina Range, reaching the highest point at the Ospizio Bernina station, over 2,253 metres above sea level. 

The descent into Italy is equally stunning, with views of the Poschiavo Valley and the iconic Brusio spiral viaduct. There will be time in the charming town of Tirano, with its wonderful collection of cafés and restaurants, and traditional Alpine architecture for lunch at leisure before once again immersing yourself in the spectacular scenery on this stunning railway line on the return journey to Chur. 

This evening is at leisure. 

Overnight: Hotel Stern, Chur (B) 

This morning is at leisure. After sending your luggage down for private transfer, you’re free to relax at the hotel or get out and explore some more of Chur. After lunch at leisure, we’ll regroup at the railway station and board a handy cross-country service to St Galllen, situated between Lake Constance and the Appenzell Alps, close to the German and Austrian borders in the northeastern part of the country. 

Upon arrival, we’ll check in to our hotel ahead of a couple of hours at leisure before regrouping for dinner in a classic St Gallen “first-floor tavern” just beside the Abbey District. The house is steeped in old-town stories, including an association with Reformation-era scholar Johannes Kessler, and today it remains a well-loved address for regional fare in an atmospheric, timbered setting. 

Overnight: Einstein St Gallen, St Gallen (B,D) 

After breakfast this morning we’ll board a local train for a relaxed morning run along the Hochrhein (High Rhine). This stretch of the Rhine River is the lake’s outflow, threading west from Lake Constance and, for long sections, forming the natural frontier between Switzerland and Germany with water meadows and wooded slopes give way to tidy riverside villages, all shaped by the river’s trade routes and shifting borders.

Upon arrival at Stein am Rhein we’ll take a short walk to a riverside restaurant for lunch before embarking on a private guided walking tour to reveal why Stein am Rhein feels like a living picture book. Many of the old-town buildings are famed for their painted façades, where Renaissance-era frescoes and decorative murals depict everything from biblical scenes to secular allegories, turning the market squares and lanes into an open-air gallery. The town hall and surrounding houses are particularly notable, with richly detailed painting and ornament that rewards slow looking. 

Afterwards, it’s back on the rails for the return journey to St Gallen via Winterthur, an important junction on Switzerland’s north-eastern rail grid.

This evening is at leisure. 

Overnight: Einstein St Gallen, St Gallen (B,L)

Today is yours to enjoy whatever you’d like to do – a free day! With your Swiss Rail Pass in your pocket there are a number of rail journey options on offer – take an easy rail trip to Schaffhausen to see the mighty Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall by volume, or cross into neighbouring Germany for a change of flavour on Lake Constance, including Friedrichshafen and its excellent Zeppelin Museum, which tells the story of the region’s pioneering airship era on the very shoreline where the Zeppelins once flew.

Alternatively, you may want to stay put and explore this historic and culturally rich city. Founded around a hermitage established by the Irish monk Saint Gall in the early 7th century, it grew into one of Europe’s most important medieval monastic centres, known for its intellectual and artistic contributions.

The absolute highlight is the Abbey of St. Gall (Stiftsbezirk), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This remarkable complex, rebuilt in magnificent Baroque style in the 18th century, includes the Cathedral of St. Gall with its twin towers, ornate facade, clocks, and stunning interior featuring elaborate frescoes, stucco work, and a grand organ; and the world-famous Abbey Library, one of the oldest and most significant monastery libraries in the world – its Rococo hall is breathtaking and often called one of the most beautiful library rooms in the world. 

The surrounding Old Town is equally enchanting with winding streets lined by colorful historic buildings from the 16th–18th centuries, cozy squares, cafes, boutiques, and a lively atmosphere. If you’re interested in exploring St Gallen’s world-renowned embroidery tradition, you might want to do the St. Gallen Textile Trail highlighting historic buildings from the industry’s heyday, many with Art Nouveau influences tied to textile wealth and visit the The Textile Museum – founded in the late 1800s, it preserves this legacy with one of Switzerland’s most important textile collections featuring historical embroideries, pattern books, machines, and global examples.

Overnight: Einstein St Gallen, St Gallen (B)

ST GALLEN TO ZURICH 

This morning after dropping our luggage, having some breakfast and checking out, it’s time to head back to Zurich. As you can imagine, in Switzerland on a Railway Adventures tour, there are numerous options to get there. To give you the most out of your rail pass, this day is at leisure to give you the freedom of returning to Zurich in your own time via whichever route (or combination of trains) takes your fancy. Alternatively, if you’d prefer, you can stick with your tour leader and travel with them all the way, arriving in Zurich around lunchtime. 

For those who are happy to explore on their own, one option is to make the journey an experience in itself by travelling from St Gallen to Lucerne on the wonderfully scenic Voralpen-Express, an hourly service that links eastern and central Switzerland via Rapperswil’s Seedamm crossing of Lake Zurich and the upland moorlands near Rothenthurm, before continuing on to Zurich.

Another option is to take the “back way” through Appenzell, trading the mainline for a wonderfully local rail experience. From St Gallen, travel on the Appenzeller Bahnen into the gentle hills of Appenzell Innerrhoden, a narrow-gauge journey that feels a world away from the big trunk routes, with rolling pastures, tidy villages and classic timber farmhouses along the way. Enjoy some time to stretch your legs in Appenzell itself, perhaps for a coffee and a glimpse of its colourful traditional streetscape, before continuing by rail to rejoin the standard gauge network at Gossau. From here, connect with Zurich-bound services, arriving in the city around lunchtime with a fresh slice of “everyday Switzerland” added to the journey.

For those back in Zurich by lunchtime, the afternoon and evening is at leisure for you to explore more on your own.

Overnight: Central Plaza Hotel or similar, Zurich (B) 

Today, our last full day together, we’ll meet in the late-morning and jump on a train to Basel, Switzerland’s great border city where French, German and Swiss influences meet. Historically, tracing back to a Celtic settlement around 120 BC before becoming a Roman fort and growing into a major mediaeval centre, Basel combines a beautifully preserved medieval Old Town with world-class art, modern architecture, and a lively cultural scene, leading to it being fondly referred to as Switzerland’s cultural capital.

On arrival, the time will be yours until we regroup for the return to Zurich and our farewell dinner celebrations. Basel is an exceptionally walkable city – you may wish to start in the Old Town with its winding lanes, colorful historic houses, over 200 charming fountains, and the striking red-sandstone Basel Minster – a Gothic masterpiece with twin towers, panoramic Rhine views from the top, and an ornate interior.

Those drawn to art might like to include a visit to the Kunstmuseum Basel, while modern and kinetic art lovers can make their way to Museum Tinguely, set on the banks of the Rhine in a building designed by Mario Botta and home to the world’s largest collection of works by Swiss artist Jean Tinguely.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll regroup at the station for the return to Zürich and a celebratory farewell dinner at a lively French-style brasserie inspired by a famous Paris restaurant, known for its Belle Époque ambience and classic brasserie dishes.

Overnight: Central Plaza Hotel or similar, Zurich (B, D) 

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. Being across the road from the railway station means your onward travel is easy. For guests returning home or flying onward, Zurich airport is a short distance by train and the number of regular services means you don’t need a reservation.

(B)