The Gornergratbahn cog-wheel railway ascends from Zermatt to the Gornergrat with panoramic views of the Matterhorn and other 400-meter peaks.

Scenic Alps by Rail

Explore the Alps in First Class Rail via the Legendary Mountain Railways of Switzerland.

Courtesy of Switzerland Toursim

We rate this trip as easy to slightly moderate because this is an ACTIVE tour. You should be capable of walking 1-2 miles per day and at least 1/2 mile in one stretch (about 1500 steps and maybe uphill). There are additional hiking and walking options available for those wanting more activity. You should also be able to handle your own luggage to get to the trains when needed. On one day, you will take a mountain railway to an elevation of 11,388 feet and you should be able to handle staying at this elevation for a couple of hours.

Walking: in addition to walking on flat surfaces, you also need to walk on uphills, 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 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 into 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 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.

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Testimonials

Each day's traveling, the excursions we did, the places we stayed, the food we ate, and the people we were around were all so special and will give us memories of a lifetime!!! - J.R. and M.R. - FL

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Lucerne -- Mt. Pilatus

After meeting the other tour members at 12:30 pm, we will take a local train to Alpnachstad and then ascend to the top of the 7000 ft. Mt. Pilatus via the world's steepest cogwheel train. At the top you will enjoy the beautiful Central Swiss Alps panorama and Lake Lucerne below you. We will then descend via a 10 min aerial cableway ride before transferring to a cozy 4-person gondolas for a scenic 10 min ride down to Kriens. A short walk downhill takes us to the main road bus stop for the final bus ride in to Lucerne. Freshen up at the hotel before a 15 min walk on level ground to a historic restaurant for a meal of Lucerne specialities. Overnight in Lucerne. (D)

Day 2 – Through the Historic Heart of Switzerland on the Gotthard Route

Lucerne--Gothard Route -- Lugano

Today we travel through the historic heart of Switzerland, from German-speaking Lucerne on the northern side of the Alps, through the forbidding Gotthard Massif to Lugano, the largest city in the Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of the country. The route combines a ride on a historic Lake Lucerne paddle steamer past the Rütli meadow, the 1291 "birthplace" of Switzerland, and then continues by train through the 9,3 mile first Gotthard tunnel which was the longest tunnel in the world when it opened in 1882, and which was so crucial to the country’s future economic success. Overnight in Lugano. (BD)

Day 3 – Bernina Route - Lugano past northern Lake Como to St Moritz

Lugano -- Bernina Express Bus and Train -- St. Moritz

We begin with a morning bus ride alongside Lake Lugano and into Italy following the northern shores of Lake Como, then through the extensive Veltlin vineyards to the Italian border town of Tirano. After lunch we board the Bernina Express train to traverse the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bernina Railway line. Experience the scenic narrow valley terrain as we climb from 1’200 ft up and over the 7’300 ft Bernina pass summit with the 12’900ft Bernina mountain range surrounding you. The beautiful alpine scenery changes with the many twists and turns of the train along its 122 km/76 mile route, through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges and viaducts. Overnight in St. Moritz. (BD)

Day 4 – Beautiful Swiss Alps, Lakes and Vistas

All Day St. Moritz to relax, discover, and enjoy

This wide Engadine valley is one of the most scenic in Switzerland as you'll see numerous alpine lakes, snowcapped Bernina Mountains, green pastures, and ski slopes all in the same view. You can walk along the paved level of St. Moritz Lake amid thick pine forests and experience the wonderful smells and beautiful sights of this world-famous alpine resort. You will be amazed at the trendy fashions in the store windows and enjoy the "champagne climate" branded by St. Moritz. Only 1% of Switzerland speaks the language of Romansh and you might be able to hear this spoken in this region of Switzerland. Overnight in St. Moritz (BD)

Day 5 – Mountains, Meadows, and Breathtaking Scenery on the Glacier Express

St. Moritz -- Glacier Express -- Zermatt

The Glacier Express advertises itself as the country’s slowest 'express’ train. It makes its way across the country from East to West on an 8-hour ride described by many as one of the world's best train journeys. The line was laid in the early 1930s and includes 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and many viaducts. It ascends and descends 1,660 ft through varied landscapes and culturally changing mountain valleys before finally arriving at the auto-free resort of Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn. In addition to the awesome scenery, you have earphones to listen to interesting soundbites of background information explaining what you are seeing and experiencing. Please note that lunch is eaten at your seats as there is no separate dining car. Overnight in Zermatt. (BD)

Day 6 – The Matterhorn and The Surrounding Majestic Highest Peaks in Europe -- Gornergrat Cogwheel train

All day in Zermatt to discover and enjoy!

Today is one of the trip's highlights as we take a Gornergrat cogwheel train to 3000m/10000ft and experience the Matterhorn at the same eye level along with a 360-degree view of the surrounding 4000m/13000ft highest peaks in Europe. You are now encircled with incredible mountain and glacier views and have the time to immerse yourself in the awesome alpine snow covered peak scenery. To deepen and enhance your Matterhorn experience, options include easy hiking on signposted paths to and through tiny alpine ponds that offer great photo taking opportunities. For the afternoon, your guide offers the best afternoon Zermatt activities of a historical walk through town and a visit to the Matterhorn museum. We will be in the German speaking region of Switzerland. Overnight in Zermatt. (B) Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on their own in Zermatt tonight.

Day 7 – Lake Geneva and the manicured Préalps - GoldenPass Rail

Zermatt – Montreux -- GoldenPass Rail Line- Gruyères

Today we journey down the valley of the Rhône River into the French-speaking part of Switzerland. After a 3 hour stop in the “Swiss Riviera” resort town of Montreux on the shore of Lake Geneva where you can explore the famous castle of Chillon and then wander around on your own, we continue on to the manicured Préalp area of the French-speaking canton of Fribourg and the quaint medieval village of Gruyères, from where the cheese of the same name comes. Please note that Gruyeres is a car-free medieval town built on a hill with cobblestone streets. Overnight in Gruyères. (BD)

Day 8 – Picture-postcard Swiss Alps scenery on the GoldenPass Rail

Gruyères Castle - Grindelwald

This morning you will have time to walk around the village of Gruyères and explore its 800-year-old castle. After an early lunch at one of the restaurants in the village square, sit back in the GoldenPass train as it travels along alpine valleys, past rolling hills, beautiful green pastures with grazing cows, wooden chalets and picturesque villages, to bring us to Interlaken and on to Grindelwald, one of Switzerland’s oldest and most popular resorts in the UNESCO World Heritage Jungfrau region. Overnight Grindelwald. (BD)

Day 9 – Magnificent Mountains with Aletsch Glacier Experience -- Jungfraujoch

Grindelwald – Jungfraujoch – Zurich Airport

Today caps one of the trip's highlights with three different trains riding up to the top of the 3,400m / 11371ft Jungfraujoch. The complex was built in 1914 between the Mönch & Jungfrau mountains. You can go inside and outside to experience Europe’s largest Aletsch glacier and view mountains, snow, and ice as far as you can see. There’s time to walk outside on the hard-packed snow glacier and be part of the scenery at Europe's highest man-made splendor. Sit on one of the free-standing deck chairs or go exploring in the Ice Palace filled with ice sculptures. Following the visit to the Jungfraujoch will be a group lunch at the Eigergletscher restaurant that sits below the mountain trio with magnificent views. We will then take our final trains to Zurich for our last tour night. Overnight at the Zurich airport hotel. (BL)

Day 10 – Depart Zurich for onward travel

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading out for onward destinations. (B)

Trip Videos

Activity Level

Walking: in addition to walking on flat surfaces, you also need to walk on uphills, 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 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 into 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 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.