2024 Escorted Swiss Mountain Rail Tour:
Alps, Glaciers and Lakes…
Ride Switzerland's world famous mountain trains: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gornergrat Railway, Golden Panoramic Express, Rothornbahn, Rigi Bahn.
13 Days ‘Book with Confidence’ Guarantee
Fully Booked. Wait List only.
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Book with Confidence Guarantee:
Our European inbound operators have guaranteed that, should there be travel restrictions imposed by our government, the deposits paid will be rolled over to the same tour the following year, with guaranteed seats.
Welcome to Switzerland - Chur [D]
Day 1, Friday, May 24th
On arrival in Zurich Airport (or in Zurich railway Station) you are met and transferred to our hotel in Switzerland’s oldest town, Chur, for a three night stay. Rest from the flight or wander through Chur’s historic quarter until we gather for our Welcome Dinner [D].
Chur [B]
Day 2, Saturday, May 25th
A day-trip rail journey – across the iconic Landwasser Viaduct - to Switzerland’s highest town Davos, famous from the nineteenth century as a ‘Wellness’ centre, and now a venue for international economic conferences. It is a very trendy ski resort in Winter, favoured by the British Royals. Watch out for the corgis.
Bernina Express - Chur [B]
Day 3, Sunday, May 26th
One of the world’s great rail journeys today on the Bernina Express across the Alps to Tirano in Italy. We cross the stunning Landwasser Viaduct, and later “loop the loop” as the Bernina Express descends to the Italian border. So stunning is the scenery that one section of the route has been classed a UNESCO World Heritage site. We retrace our steps into the Alps and our home in Chur.
Glacier Express to Zermatt [B] [D]
Day 4, Monday, May 27th
Our luggage is taken on ahead today as we join the world’s favourite little red Swiss mountain train, the Glacier Express. Enjoy breathtaking views from your panorama car as you cross the Alps through the Oberalpass at 7,000 feet. Lunch is served at your seat with million dollar views. Arrive in the late afternoon in the beautiful village of Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn.
Gornergrat Railway - Zermatt [B]
Day 5, Tuesday, May 28th ^ Top ^
Today we ride the Gornergrat railway – Europe’s first electrified rack railway and still the highest in the open air (that is, not through a tunnel) to 2,600 metres. There are stunning views of the Matterhorn during the journey and from the restaurant.
This afternoon there is free time to explore the beautiful (and traffic-free) village of Zermatt.
Zermatt [B]
Day 6, Wednesday, May 29th
We take a cable car today to Kleines Matterhorn, the highest cable car station in Europe (3,883 m). The views of the highest mountains in Italy, France and Switzerland – and fourteen glaciers - are breathtaking. There is a restaurant here for lunch with a view. Back in the village of Zermatt this afternoon, we take a short hike to the Gorner Gorge.
Brig - Interlaken [B] [D]
Day 7, Thursday, May 30th
Our rail journey today takes us firstly to the historic town of Brig where there is time for a walk about and lunch, before we take the train again under the Alps through the world’s longest land tunnel, to arrive in our waterfront hotel in Interlaken, our home for 3 nights.
Golden Panorama Express - Interlaken [B]
Day 8, Friday, May 31st
Today the Golden Pass Panoramic train takes you from the Bernese Oberland to Lake Geneva. There is time in Montreux for lunch on the lakefront esplanade or on a steamer on the lake. Home to Interlaken and our hotel.
Interlaken [B]
Day 9, Saturday, Jun 1st
A quiet day to take a steamer on the lake, or to pay a visit to the beautiful Alpine village of Grindelwald. It is possible to take an optional excursion to the top of the Jungfrau at 11,330 feet.
[Tour members with respiratory or heart conditions - should seek medical advice before deciding to join today’s excursion].
Alternatively, you may prefer to take a train into Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and financial capital, nestled on Lake Zurich.
Brienzer Rothorn - Lucerne [B]
Day 10, Sunday, Jun 2nd ^ Top ^
Skirting the lake this morning, we ascend the Brienzer Rothorn (steam train) for magnificent views to the Eiger. We arrive in lakeside Lucerne for some shopping time in the cobble stone medieval quarter.
Pilatus - Lucerne [B]
Day 11, Monday, Jun 3rd
Trains and boats and cable car - to the top of Mount Pilatus for unsurpassed views to Lake Lucerne below. Legend says that Pontius Pilate (Pilatus in German) fled to Switzerland and became a hermit on this mountain after washing his hands of Jesus.
Rigi Kulm - Lucerne [B] [D]
Day 12, Tuesday, Jun 4th
Our last day in the Swiss Alps today, and perhaps the best mountain train ride saved till last. Using Europe’s first ever cog-wheel railway, we climb to the top of the ‘Queen of the Mountains’ for 360 degree Alpine views. Our farewell dinner tonight.
Auf Wiedersehen [B]
Day 13, Wednesday, Jun 5th
The tour ends after breakfast today. There is a transfer to Zurich Airport for those flying on or home today.
Tour costs:
$AUD 10,900 per person Twin Share.
Land Content only (Zurich to Zurich).
Single supplement $AUD 1,400
What’s included? Top
- All stops 3 nights
- 4 star city centre hotels and historic village inns with buffet breakfasts
- 4 dinners
- First Class rail travel in reserved seats with full luggage handling
- An Australian historian Tour Director
The TOUR COST does NOT include: Top
- Hotel incidentals (eg. Mini-bars, telephone calls, laundry), airport and departure taxes, local transport in any city,
- Meals other than breakfast and the one restaurant dinner in each city - the first night in each new city, except Lucerne where it takes the form of a farewell dinner.