FAQ- Scenic Alps by Rail Tour

What is the Activity level on this tour?

Alpenwild tours are designed for people who are energetic, active, and filled with a spirit of adventure. We rate this trip as easy, but ACTIVE, and you should be capable of walking about 1-2 miles per day and at least 1/2 mile in one stretch (about 1500 steps and maybe up hills). There are additional hiking and walking options available for those wanting more activity.

Walking: in addition to walking on flat surfaces, you also need to walk up hills, on uneven terrain, and cobblestones. You'll likely not walk this amount all at once, but you need to be able to get to/from train stations, hotels, and excursions. We can accommodate slower walkers, but you must still be able to walk the distance. You should be able to walk a half mile at a time and it is possible that you may need to walk this amount a few times a day.
Stairs: at train stations when we must change platforms; most of the station platforms only have stairs or ramps -- not elevators. There are often many steps on the walk to the hotels, there are steep steps to get onto some trains, and there may even be steps inside the trains before you get to your seat.
Getting on and off trains: be aware that many trains have a few steep steps to negotiate in order to get on or off. You need to be confident that you can get on and off the trains. Also note that there may be multiple train transfers on any of the travel routes. It is rare to ride just one train to our next destination on the tour. Some train connections are tight, and the group may need to walk quickly to catch the next train.
Standing time: you need to be able to stand on your feet for at least 10-15 minutes as benches at train stations are not in good supply.
Luggage: before the tour starts, you will travel by train to Lucerne and meet the group at the first hotel. This means you'll need to get your own luggage on/off the trains and to/from hotel rooms once at the hotels (there are elevators in all hotels). During the tour, we hire a company to pick up the bags on most days. Please note that there is one day during the tour when the group will take suitcases on the Glacier Express train with them.

Where does Alpenwild’s Scenic Alps by Rail tour start?

Upon your arrival in Switzerland you will take a train to Lucerne, where this tour will start. The group will meet in the hotel lobby at 12:30 PM for an orientation and afternoon excursion to Mt. Pilatus. There will also be a welcome dinner that evening. Lucerne is 1 hour by train from Zürich and trains will depart every hour. The hotel we are staying at is conveniently located; just a couple of blocks from the train station and we will provide a map with instructions on how to get there.

What is the typical group size?

We keep our group size small-typically between 14 and 15 guests-so that you can receive the highest level of service and attention. If you already have a full group that you would like to travel with, we can accommodate them on a private guided tour.

Will I have to carry my luggage everywhere?

This is probably the most frequently asked question for this tour. You will need to get your own luggage to the hotel in Lucerne where the tour starts, but Alpenwild has arranged for assistance with luggage handling for most of this tour. On one day, (Glacier Express train day) you will assist with getting luggage on and off the train... although we do have hotel porters that will help get the bags to/from the train station. On all other days, your luggage will be picked up at the hotel in the morning and delivered directly to the hotel we are traveling to. This way all you need to take with you is a daypack to carry the items you may need for the day. We encourage you to bring only one checked suitcase (50 lb. max and preferably not larger than 25 inch) that can roll and a day pack/bag to take with you each day on the trains.

Will our tour guide be with us during the whole tour?

Yes! You will be met by an Alpenwild guide at your hotel in Lucerne on the day the tour starts. Our tour guides will be with you during the entire tour to share their insight and knowledge about Switzerland culture and attractions. You will enjoy daily train rides, excursions, and meals together, although it is common in the afternoons to have a bit of free time before meeting back up with the group for dinner.

What is included on this tour?

This tour includes 9 hotel nights, all transportation during the tour, excursions, luggage transfers, and an expert Alpenwild guide to provide you with the best Swiss experience possible. We include breakfasts and most dinners on this tour, however on the second to last day of the tour, the group will have a farewell lunch together instead of dinner. Note that these are marked by BLD on our website’s daily itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Although lunch isn’t included on this tour, your guides will provide recomendations for lunch. On some days you will be able to have a quick stop somewhere to eat and other days you will need to purchase something to take with you to eat on the train. Please note that on the Glacier Express train, there is NO "special dining car." Lunch is eaten at your regular seats. You will need to bring your own lunch with you on this train.

Can you accommodate special dietary needs?

Yes! You'll find the Swiss diet is based around dairy products, with a good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer season. Just let Alpenwild know of your dietary preferences beforehand and we will try to find excellent meals that satisfy your preferences. Over the years, we have successfully accommodated guests with celiac disease, nut allergies, lactose intolerance, vegetarians, and many other specific allergies. We can accommodate a vegetarian diet, but since Alpine cuisine is centered around dairy products, accommodating a vegan diet is difficult. You’ll have plenty of whole grain and fresh fruit options at breakfast. For dinner our hotels will have vegetarian options, but not necessarily vegan.

What types of hotels do we stay in?

We typically stay in small, independently owned 3- and 4-star hotels which reflect the character and hospitality of the surrounding alpine community. We choose hotels that offer a great location, a high standard of comfort and quality, and a solid value to our guests. These inns offer a superbly satisfying mix of a welcoming atmosphere, traditional cuisine, and authentic Swiss charm. The only exception is the final hotel night in Zurich which is a prime location in the airport. Be aware that most hotels in Switzerland do not have air conditioning and it is possible to be warm at times during the summer months. Also most hotels have deep bathtubs with showers in them. It is extremely rare to get a walk-in shower at the hotels.

1st or 2nd class trains?

On this tour, we will ride in 1st class on the trains and boats. The only exception is on a couple of excursion trains that only have one class, such as the Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat. Also note that there is a rare possibility to have to ride in 2nd class due to seat availability issues. Some of the scenic trains that you will ride on this tour include: Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass Line, and along the Gotthard Panorama route.

Do we just ride trains all day or do we get to see other sights?

You will get to travel like a local on a variety of Swiss trains and transportation every day of this tour. In addition to riding trains, we have an assortment of fun mountain excursions included in this tour. Starting on the very first day, you will travel to the top of Mt. Pilatus for amazing views of Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. The next day, you will travel by paddle steamboat on Lake Lucerne to then train along the Gotthard panorama train route. In Zermatt, you will ride the Gornergrat train for the best views of Matterhorn Mountain. In Gruyères, you can visit the cheese dairy showcase, and the medieval Gruyères Castle. In St. Moritz, you will have several mountain excursions to choose from and in Grindelwald, we will travel by train to the Jungfraujoch which is the highest railway station in Europe. You can also walk on the Aletsch glacier which is the longest glacier in the Alps. Be assured that there are plenty of breathtaking sights to see and visit on this tour. Please note that many days involve several train transfers as direct trains to our destinations are not common. Be prepared for getting on and off multiple trains on any given day.

When will we receive tour documents and rail passes?

About 30 days prior to the start of the tour, we will email out tour documents for your trip. On our Vamoos App, you will receive arrival instructions, a list of hotel accommodations and contact info, packing list, hotel map for Lucerne, rail passes, etc.

Can we travel back later/travel out earlier and extend our tour?

Certainly! Our Alpenwild office staff would be more than happy to assist you with any pre-or post-tour plans you may have. Many of our guests will arrive a day or two before the tour and others will stay on for a few days after the tour. We can provide you with suggestions on where to stay and what to do during these extra days. Your tour includes a 15-day 1st class Swiss Travel Rail pass so you are able to use it for extra pre and post-tour days if needed (9 of the days will be used during our tour). Just be sure to let us know how we can help.

What currency will I need?

Swiss Francs is the currency in Switzerland. You can easily stop at an ATM machine in the airport, train station, or grocery store to withdraw Francs. ATM machines typically provide the best currency exchange rate as well. Most places do accept credit cards so you won’t need to have much cash on hand.

What about Visa and Passport requirements?

You do not need a special visa to enter Switzerland because they are part of the European Union accepting the Schengen visa. You can travel to any of these countries for up to 90 days without a special visa (ETIAS Visa will be required starting in 2025). You WILL need to have a current passport to enter Switzerland. Be aware that it cannot expire within 3 months of your trip. Most airlines will not let you board the plane to Switzerland if your passport will expire in less than 3 months. Plan ahead and make sure it will still be current.

What should I pack?

The most important thing to remember for train travel and walking around towns and villages is casual comfort. Wear comfortable walking/tennis shoes with GOOD TRACTION, and clothes that are easy to pack and wear, and hand wash if needed. In the evening, we'll be eating dinners in the hotel or at restaurants nearby. You may want to wear something other than what you've been wearing during the day, but it still casual and not super dressy. While we make some specific recommendations on our Alps Walking and Sightseeing tour packing list, your own personal preference, experience, and comfort - is ultimately the most important factor in deciding what to bring. Try not to pack too much as we are hoping our guests will only bring one checked size suitcase.

How do I make a booking?

You can book this trip directly on our Alpenwild website under Rail tours with a $500 per person deposit. You can also feel free to call the office and we can help guide you through the booking process. Once you have booked this tour with Alpenwild, we will email you a deposit confirmation letter and invoice. Your final payment is due 90 days prior to the tour and we will email you a reminder when it is time.

What is a Single Supplement?

The single supplement is an additional charge for someone that is staying by themselves in a single occupancy room. We always calculate our tour prices based on double occupancy rooms. This means that the price of the hotel room is then split between 2 people. However, if only 1 person is in that room, then we need to charge an extra fee to cover the price for the other half of the room. (Example: If a double room = $300 then it would be $150 per person for sharing. That same room would be $300 for 1 guest, so we would need to charge an extra $150 as a single supplement to cover the price of the whole room).

We try to book double rooms for all our single guests where possible. But some hotels have a true single room and will only give those rooms to our single guest. If this happens, then the price for that single room is usually a little less than a double room. We’ve already factored this into the total price of the single supplement. A solo traveler many not always have the same size room as our guests sharing a room but be assured that our solo guests are paying for what each hotel has provided for rooms.

How to ride the trains in Switzerland

Be assured that train travel in Switzerland is extensive and relatively easy to navigate and after a couple of times riding the Swiss trains, you'll be a pro! You can find some extra tips in this Switzerland Train Travel Tips article. You can also watch this video about Riding the Trains in Switzerland.

Do I need Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance can give peace of mind in the event of the unexpected occurring. Alpenwild recommends Insuremytrip.com travel insurance, but you can use any travel insurance company you prefer.

Is it appropriate to tip the trip leaders?

Alpenwild trip leaders go out of their way to make sure your trip is enjoyable and successful--everything you want it to be. While not mandatory or obligatory, tips recognizing their efforts are appreciated. The common practice is to hand the tip to the trip leaders at the conclusion of the trip. If your trip leader has met the high standard of service expected at Alpenwild, 5-10% of your tour price is a standard tip.