8D7N Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Classic Jungfrau

About this tour

• Panoramic journey on the Glacier Express through breathtaking alpine landscapes
• Snow and ice on the Jungfraujoch – 3,454 metres above sea level
• Beautiful vineyards and landscapes on the shores of Lake Geneva
• Zermatt – home to the iconic Matterhorn
• Ride on the Bernina Express on the highest train tracks in Europe

– Itinerary –

This is a self-guided tour — we’ll provide the necessary tickets and a recommended itinerary, but you’re free to explore on your own way.

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN ZURICH

Day 2: LUCERNE-INTERLAKEN EXPRESS & EXCURSION JUNGFRAUJOCH

• Breakfast at the hotel. Train ride via Lucerne to Interlaken along the shores of crystal-clear lakes, past romantic waterfalls and over the magnificent Brünig mountain pass. Excursion to the Jungfraujoch, which is the highest railway station in Europe. Overnight stay in Interlaken.

Day 3: GOLDENPASS EXPRESS

• Breakfast at the hotel. Discover a world of breathtaking landscapes, charming villages and alpine vistas on your journey along the GoldenPass Line to Montreux. Marvel at the scenery as your train climbs up the Simmental and down to the shores of Lake Geneva. Overnight stay in Montreux.

Day 4: MONTREUX-ZERMATT

• Breakfast at the hotel. Travel from Montreux to Zermatt. Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn and offers plenty of things to explore. Enjoy a leisure day on your own and don’t miss out an excursion to the Gornergrat (optional tour). Overnight stay in Zermatt.

Day 5: GLACIER EXPRESS

• Breakfast at the hotel. Take the world-famous Glacier Express to St. Moritz. Enjoy some of the spectacular scenery Switzerland has to offer. Along the deep Rhone valley, the Glacier Express travels through an incredibly fascinating part of the Alps. Overnight stay in St. Moritz.

Day 6: BERNINA EXPRESS

• Breakfast at the hotel. Board the Bernina Express, travel over circular viaducts and pass through winding tunnels before reaching Tirano in Italy. Change to the Bernina Express bus which will take you onwards to Ticino. Overnight stay in Lugano.

Day 7: GOTTHARD PANORAMA EXPRESS

• Breakfast at the hotel. The Gotthard Panorama Express travels from the Mediterranean south to the traditional heart of Switzerland. From Flüelen you will have a boat ride over Lake Lucerne. Overnight stay in Lucerne.

• Gotthard Panorama Express Lugano – Lucerne:

  Panoramic journey with the Gotthard Panorama Express

  From Lugano you travel in the Gotthard Panoramic Train in 1st class including seat reservation to Flüelen, accompanied by a guide. From there, a boat will take you in 1st class across Lake Lucerne to Lucerne. A table Reservation on the boat can be made directly via +41 41 367 67 67 or info@lakelucerne.ch.

  Luggage service You have the option of handing in your luggage at the “Gotthard Panorama Welcome Desk” in sector D on the platform in Lugano before boarding the train. You can collect it from the luggage counter at the train station in Lucerne. A weight limit of 23 kg per piece of luggage applies.

  Timetable:
  Departure by Gotthard Panorama Express train from Lugano: 09:18h
  Arrival in Flüelen: 11:38h
  Departure by boat from Flüelen: 12:00h
  Arrival in Lucerne: 14:47h

Day 7: DEPARTURE FROM LUCERNE TO AIRPORT/SWISS BORDER

• Breakfast at the hotel. Individual return journey to your ending point in Switzerland.

– Hotel –

• 3 Stars
• 4 Stars

*Please note that you cannot choose the hotel  but only choose the level of the hotel. We’ll do our best to provide the suitable one for you.

-FAQ-

Q: Can I choose my seat on the panoramic trains in advance?

A:On the panoramic trains, you can specify your seat preferences during the booking process using the comments field. As the carriages can change direction of travel, it is not guaranteed that your seat preferences will always be met. We will endeavour to allocate you the best available seat and will inform you if a window seat is not available. The view is always impressive, regardless of your seat.

Q: Can I eat on board the panoramic trains?

A:Glacier Express: You can choose between a menu of the day and a la carte dishes. The options will be displayed during the booking process and the choice is not included in the price of the seat reservation. We recommend that you specify your order at the time of booking. Bernina Express: There is no dining car, but there is an at-seat trolley with snacks and drinks. You can also bring your own food and enjoy it during the journey. GoldenPass Express: On board, you can choose from various appetiser platters, combined with mineral water, wine or beer. The selection is made during the booking and the food is served directly at your seat. Gotthard Panorama Express: The Panorama Train offers snacks and drinks that are served directly at your seat, including regional specialities such as a cold platter. On the boat you can enjoy your lunch in the restaurant. A table reservation is recommended and can be made by telephone on +41 41 367 67 67 or online at Lakelucerne.ch.

Q: Where do the panoramic routes start and how do I get from the railway station to the hotel and back?

A: The Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz. The train route of the Bernina Express runs between St. Moritz and Tirano. A bus runs from Tirano to Lugano. The GoldenPass Express runs between Montreux and Interlaken Ost/West. The journey on the Gotthard Panorama Express starts in Lucerne with a boat trip from the station quay (5 minutes’ walk from the station). In Flüelen you board the Panorama Train to Lugano. The Lucerne-Interlaken Express runs between Interlaken Ost and Lucerne. The route can be started in both directions the choice is yours. In the booking process, the distance to each station is displayed when you choose your hotel. This allows you to choose nearby accommodation as required. Some hotels offer practical transfer services. For details about the transfer, please contact your hotel directly.

Q: How do I get to the Jungfraujoch and how long does the journey take?

A:From Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen you can reach the Jungfraujoch with the Wengernalp Cogwheel Train. This takes you to Kleine Scheidegg, where you change to the Jungfrau Cogwheel train. The total travel time from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen is around 90 minutes each way. Alternatively, you can take the Eiger Express cable car from Grindelwald Terminal, which will take you directly to the Eigergletcher station in around 15 minutes. There you change to the Jungfrau Railway, which will take you to the Jungfraujoch in around 30 minutes. In total, the journey takes around 45 minutes each way. For your stay on the Jungfraujoch, allow around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, not including lunch. The journey there and back from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen takes about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the connection, and should also be taken into account. Tip: Combine the trip as a round trip – use the Wengernalp Cogwheel Railway for the outward journey and the Eiger Express for the return journey.

Q:Do I need a seat reservation for my journey to the Jungfraujoch?

A:Seat reservations are not required for regional trains in Switzerland. Seat reservations are compulsory when travelling to the Jungfraujoch between May and August. This applies to both routes Grindelwald Terminal-Eigergletscher-Jungfraujoch and Kleine Scheidegg- Jungfraujoch or vice versa. The earlier you book, the more likely it is that your preferred timings will be available. Reservations are recommended but not compulsory for the rest of the year. Seat reservations are not included in the package cost so you can choose your preferred timings independently and reserve your seat directly online at Jungfrau.ch.

Q:How far in advance should I book?

A:We recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. Demand is particularly high for the high season (see above). You can book your package online at the touch of a button or via our travel experts.

Q:Is the journey accessible?

A:For accessible holidays, we recommend that you contact us directly. This way, we can check the best options together and ensure that your travel needs are taken into consideration. Feel free to contact us by email or phone the contact details can be found below.