Trip Overview
If your dream is to sit back in luxury while the world's most dramatic alpine scenery rolls by, this is your itinerary. This 8-day journey strings together the absolute best of the "Grand Train Tour of Switzerland." You will travel from the flower-lined bridges of Lucerne to the towering peaks of Interlaken, ride the legendary Glacier Express to the glitz of St. Moritz, and traverse the UNESCO-listed Bernina Pass into the Italian-speaking palm trees of Ticino.
Day 1 Arrival in Zurich & Transfer to Lucerne
Arrive at Zurich Airport (ZRH). Your Swiss Travel Pass begins today. Board a direct, comfortable train from the airport station straight to Lucerne (approx. 1 hour). Check into your hotel. Spend your first afternoon exploring the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, walking across the iconic Chapel Bridge, and enjoying a peaceful dinner alongside the pristine waters of Lake Lucerne.
Day 2 The Luzern-Interlaken Express
Check out and board the first of your premium panoramic trains: The Luzern-Interlaken Express (part of the GoldenPass Line). Take your reserved seat as the train climbs the Brünig Pass, passing five crystal-clear mountain lakes and cascading waterfalls. Arrive in Interlaken, the adventure capital of the Bernese Oberland. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon taking the funicular up to Harder Kulm for sweeping views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.
Day 3 Valais Region & Arrival in Zermatt
Enjoy breakfast and board the train towards the canton of Valais, riding through the massive Lötschberg Base Tunnel. Your destination is Zermatt, a spectacularly beautiful, car-free village situated at the base of the mighty Matterhorn. Check into your alpine chalet. In the afternoon, explore the boutique-lined Bahnhofstrasse and visit the Matterhorn Museum to learn about the dramatic history of the early alpinists.
Day 4 Gornergrat Summit & Matterhorn Views
Today features an incredible excursion. Board the historic Gornergrat Bahn, Europe’s highest open-air cog railway. The 33-minute steep ascent takes you to 3,089 meters. Step out onto the viewing platform to witness a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of 29 peaks over 4,000 meters, with the iconic pyramid of the Matterhorn taking center stage. Enjoy lunch at the summit before descending back to Zermatt for a relaxing evening.
Day 5 The Legendary Glacier Express
Prepare for the journey of a lifetime. Board the world-famous Glacier Express, often dubbed the "slowest express train in the world." For the next 8 hours, you will sit beneath massive panoramic skylights as the train crosses 291 bridges, passes through 91 tunnels, navigates the sweeping curve of the Landwasser Viaduct, and climbs the 2,033m Oberalp Pass. Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch served directly at your seat before arriving in the glamorous resort town of St. Moritz.
Day 6 The Bernina Express to Tirano & Lugano
Check out of your St. Moritz hotel and board the striking red carriages of the Bernina Express. This UNESCO World Heritage route is a masterpiece of railway engineering. You will climb past the massive Morteratsch Glacier up to Ospizio Bernina (2,253m) before descending dramatically via the famous circular viaduct at Brusio into Tirano, Italy. After a quick Italian pizza for lunch, board the Bernina Express Bus, driving past Lake Como to arrive in Lugano, Switzerland's Mediterranean-style southern city.
Day 7 Lugano, Lake Cruises & Return North
Wake up to palm trees and the warm climate of the Ticino region. Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring the lakeside promenade of Lake Lugano or take the funicular up Monte San Salvatore. In the afternoon, use your Swiss Travel Pass to board the fast train traveling through the Gotthard Base Tunnel (the longest railway tunnel in the world), bringing you swiftly back to Zurich for your final night in Switzerland.
Day 8 Departure from Zurich
Enjoy your final Swiss breakfast. Zurich's main station (Hauptbahnhof) provides rapid, 10-minute train connections directly to the terminals at Zurich Airport (ZRH). Transfer to the airport at your convenience, concluding an epic 8-day circumnavigation of the Swiss Alps.