12 Day Grand Train Tour Of Switzerland

Grüezi! Welcome to Switzerland. Enjoy your first day at leisure. As a lakeside "metropolis of experiences", with a magnificent view of the snow‐capped Alps on the horizon, Zurich offers a unique mixture of attractions. Start with the beauty of the city's natural surroundings. If you feel like getting a better view, take the train to the summit of Uetliberg Mountain. From the station, it's a short walk to the peak and the scenery is incredible over Zurich, the lake and the Alps. Or if you're in the Old Town and fancy a vantage point, you can walk up Lindenhof Hill for sweeping views over the city. Special Information: Today use your Swiss Half Fare card and point to point tickets to travel from Zurich Airport to Zurich HB station. You can take any connection, please check the SBB app timetable before travelling. There are direct trains every few minutes, and the duration of travel is approximately 12 minutes. Please note: If you choose to arrive early and arrange your own accommodation before the tour begins, your airport train fare will not be included. If you add pre-tour accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, your Swiss Half Fare Card will be valid on arrival for travel by train from Zurich Airport to Zurich.

Wake up to a delicious Swiss breakfast, then take a stroll along the famous Bahnhofstrasse — Zurich's shopping paradise. A quick detour will lead you to the narrower cobbled streets of Zurich's Old Town and its smaller, independent artisan shops. Visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate (self-guided), and take the opportunity to use your included 24-hour Zurich Card for local transport and various discounts across the city. Be sure to not miss the picturesque waterfront promenades! Inspiring Highlights Lindt Home of Chocolate Special Information Today, use your Zurich Card to travel for your visit to Lindt Home of Chocolate.

After breakfast, transfer by rail to Lucerne in Central Switzerland, a picturesque town nestled amidst breathtaking lake and mountain scenery. Renowned for its well-preserved old town, charming shops, and vibrant restaurants, Lucerne captivates visitors from around the world. Stroll across the iconic Chapel Bridge, a historic landmark that has withstood the test of time, before embarking on a scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne aboard the elegant Yacht MS Saphir. Relax and take in the panoramic views of the surrounding Alps, adding a touch of luxury to your exploration of this enchanting region. Inspiring Highlights Lake Lucerne scenic cruise Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour, depending on the schedule you choose. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card and rail tickets from Zurich to Lucerne. You can take any connection, please check the SBB app timetable before travelling. For the cruise on Lake Lucerne, use your Lake Lucerne tickets and Swiss Half Fare Card. Please note that the maximum luggage allowance is 20 kg due to train compartment restrictions.

This morning, the Gotthard Panorama Express takes you from the heart of Switzerland, with a journey through Lake Lucerne on a motorboat or steamboat to Flüelen. From there, travel by first-class panoramic train to Lugano, a picturesque lakeside town in Switzerland's Italian-speaking Ticino region. Use the provided guest card to take full advantage of local transport and explore nearby villages, such as the pretty village of Morcote. Inspiring Highlights Gotthard Panorama Express Special Information Your travel time today should be approximately 5.5 hours. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, rail tickets and seat reservations for your journey.

Board the Bernina Express bus after breakfast, and enjoy a scenic drive to Italy-based Tirano where you join the Bernina Express panoramic train across the border back to Switzerland. You will travel over circular viaducts and pass through winding tunnels, with highlights including the Brusio Circular Viaduct and a photo stop at Alp Grüm. Arrive in St. Moritz, a luxury alpine resort town in Switzerland's Engadin valley, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. This luxury alpine resort town, a favourite for celebrities and royals, is surely one of the world's most famous winter sports resorts. This was the first mountain village in the country to have a ski school, a tram and electric lighting. The Winter Olympics have been held here twice. It's a renowned ski destination. Inspiring Highlights Bernina Express Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 7.5 hours. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, rail tickets and seat reservations for this journey.

A full day awaits to explore St. Moritz, where guests from all over the world appreciate the modern Alpine lifestyle. Take advantage of your included guest card to visit the local area. We suggest the nearby mountains of Muottas Murgal or Diavolezza for incredible views that are not to be missed. Various sights including the leaning tower, a remnant of the Mauritius Church from around 1500, or the Segantini Museum, offer unique insight into the city's fascinating history. Inspiring Highlights St Moritz

Ride the world‐famous Glacier Express to Zermatt today, a gorgeous village near the Italian border. Be enthralled by Switzerland's spectacular scenery, thanks to oversized, panoramic windows that make for an unforgettable experience. Along the deep Rhone valley, the Glacier Express travels through an incredibly fascinating part of the Alps. The route famously takes you through 91 tunnels and 291 bridges, offering unrivalled views. Make sure to have your camera handy! Optionally, you may wish to dine at your seat with a delicious 3-course meal served on your table (additional charges apply). Inspiring Highlights Glacier Express Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, rail tickets and seat reservation for this journey.

Zermatt lies at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn peak. The town's touristic development is closely linked to what is arguably the world's most famous mountain. This car‐free resort offers guests an abundance of activities such as visits to the local mountains of Gornergrat or the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It is also home to the highest open-air cog railway in Europe. Inspiring Highlights Zermatt

Continue by train to Montreux, nestled between steep hills and the lakeside of Lake Geneva. The town's promenade is lined with flowers, sculptures, Mediterranean trees and grand Belle Époque buildings. Nearby attractions include the medieval island castle, Chateau de Chillon and the vineyards of the Lavaux region. Inspiring Highlights Montreux Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card and rail tickets to travel from Zermatt to Montreux. You can take any connection, please check the SBB app timetable before travelling. There are trains with a change in Visp approximately every 40 minutes.

our journey continues by train on the GoldenPass Express through the wild and romantic Pays d'Enhaut, complete with scenic villages and crystal-clear lakes at every corner. Interlaken is a laidback resort town, presided over by three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. It makes a great base from which to explore the Bernese Oberland. Unprecedented views of the Swiss Alps give an impression of what is to come during your stay. Höheweg, the main promenade of Interlaken, is lovely for a stroll. It runs from Lake Brienz to Lake Thun, with flower gardens and parks on one side allowing for a view of the Bernese Alps. On the other side you'll find high-end hotels, boutiques, cafes and the casino. Inspiring Highlights GoldenPass Express Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours. Today use your Swiss Half Fare card, seat reservations, and rail tickets for your journey. If you have selected the 4* hotel upgrade, you will be staying at Interlaken instead of Wilderswil

Your penultimate day in Switzerland packs another highlight! This morning you will embark on a self-guided excursion to the Jungfraujoch, also known as the highest railway station in Europe. You may choose to go via Grindelwald Terminal on the technical marvel that is Eiger Express cable car, or take the traditional route by train from Grindelwald via Kleine Scheidegg. Highlights include the world's highest Lindt Chocolate Shop and the Ice Palace with its impressive ice sculptures. Inspiring Highlights Jungfraujoch Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. For today's excursion, please use your Interlaken Card to travel to Interlaken Ost. Have your Swiss Half Fare card and Jungfraujoch tickets for your journey. You can take any connection, please check the SBB app timetable before travelling. For travel during May to August, a seat reservation will be required for travel to Jungfraujoch. All bookings during this period will receive a complimentary seat reservation voucher. This voucher, featuring a unique QR code, will be provided with your final documentation approximately 14–30 days before travel, allowing you to select your preferred travel time.

Today marks the end of your magnificent and unforgettable tour through Switzerland. At a suitable time make your way to the Zurich airport. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours, depending on the connections you take. To avoid an early departure, we recommend booking flights that depart after 1pm or adding post-tour accommodation. If you choose to book post-tour accommodation as part of your package, it will be in Zurich. Departure transfers are included as part of your package. Use your Swiss Half Fare card and rail ticket to travel to Zurich Airport. You can take any connection, please check the SBB app timetable according to your departure. Direct trains from Interlaken or via Bern typically depart every 30 minutes.