A GLOBUS UNDISCOVERED TOUR
Scenic Switzerland by Rail
Experience the beauty of Switzerland by train as you travel through breathtaking mountains, charming towns, scenic lakes, and famous rail routes including the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gornergrat cog railway, and Golden Pass Panoramic train, with overnight stays in Zurich, Lucerne, Lausanne, the Zermatt area, and St. Moritz.
DEPARTURE COUNTDOWN
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THE JOURNEY
9 DAY TOUR FROM ZÜRICH TO ZÜRICH
This Scenic Switzerland by Train tour is the perfect way to see Switzerland’s breathtaking mountains, charming mountain resorts, fascinating old towns, and beautiful lakes—all while you relax aboard Switzerland’s famous trains. You’ll overnight in Zurich, Lucerne, Lausanne, the Zermatt area, and St. Moritz. One of the highlights of this Switzerland train tour is the train journey aboard the Glacier Express from Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the majestic Matterhorn, to glitzy St.Moritz, one of the world’s most famous resorts. From your carriage windows, marvel at the thundering waterfalls, impressive snow-capped peaks, glacial ice fields, lush meadows, and picture-perfect villages. On this Switzerland train tour, you’ll also love the journey aboard the Bernina Express (aka, the red train) from St Moritz to Tirano, Italy. Traveling on the highest railway across the Alps, you’ll witness glistening glaciers, stunning mountain streams, and alpine scenery, through tunnels and over bridges that are engineering masterpieces! But that’s not all…in Zermatt you’ll also experience the Gornergrat cog railway, Europe’s highest. You’ll cross remarkable bridges, pass through tunnels along rocky ravines and beautiful lakes. The views of the Matterhorn from the top are nothing short of spectacular! Another celebrated rail journey you’ll experience on this tour through Switzerland is aboard the Golden Pass Panoramic train to Montreux, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and known as the “Swiss Riviera.” You’ll feel immersed in the landscapes passing you by. Stunning scenery and thrilling train rides…there’s no better way to see scenic Switzerland! So, grab your camera and get ready for an amazing, value-minded adventure!
Your Journey at a Glance
- Zürich, Lucerne, Interlaken & Lausanne
- Montreux, Zermatt area & St. Moritz
- Tirano, Italy
- GoldenPass Panoramic train to Montreux
- Gornergrat excursion with Matterhorn views
- Glacier Express journey to St. Moritz
- Bernina Express excursion through the Alps to Tirano
- Free time in Zürich, Lucerne, Zermatt, and St. Moritz
- Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes
Gallery
THE JOURNEY
Your Full Itinerary
Pre-Tour Travel Days
Fly Out & Arrive in Zürich
Fly out on Wednesday, May 12 for your overnight flight to Switzerland. Arrive in Zürich on Thursday, May 13 and enjoy time to settle in before the official 9-day Switzerland rail tour begins.
Wed, May 12 – Thu, May 13
Arrive in Zürich, Switzerland
No meals included
DAY 1 — FRIDAY, MAY 14
Free Day in Zurich
Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day free to explore Zürich with the help of the CosmosGO app. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travel companions.
Zürich, Switzerland
Hotel in Zürich
Dinner included
DAY 2 — SATURDAY, MAY 15
Zurich to Lucerne by Train
Board the train for your journey from Zürich to Lucerne, one of Switzerland’s most idyllic medieval cities, surrounded by a beautiful lake and nestled amid snow-capped Alps. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Lucerne’s charming town center, famous wooden bridge, and scenic lakefront.
Zürich → Lucerne
Hotel in Lucerne
Breakfast included
DAY 3 — SUNDAY, MAY 16
GoldenPass Panoramic Train to Lausanne
Depart Lucerne on the Lucerne–Interlaken Express, crossing the Brünig Pass en route to Interlaken. Spend time exploring the quaint streets or consider an optional excursion before continuing aboard the GoldenPass Panoramic train to Montreux, then onward to Lausanne.
Lucerne → Interlaken → Montreux → Lausanne
Hotel in Lausanne
Breakfast included
DAY 4 — MONDAY, MAY 17
Lake Geneva to the Zermatt Area
Discover the Swiss mountain region of Zermatt, with a stop in Montreux along the shores of Lake Geneva. Enjoy free time or consider an optional visit to Chillon Castle before continuing by train to the Zermatt area. 75 mi / 120 km
Lausanne → Montreux → Täsch → Zermatt area
Hotel in the Zermatt area
Breakfast & Dinner included
DAY 5 — TUESDAY, MAY 18
Zermatt & Gornergrat Excursion
Take an included excursion to the famous Gornergrat aboard Europe’s highest rack railway. From the summit, enjoy unforgettable views of the Matterhorn before spending the rest of the day at leisure in Zermatt.
Zermatt → Gornergrat → Zermatt
Hotel in the Zermatt area
Breakfast included
DAY 6 — WEDNESDAY, MAY 19
Glacier Express to St. Moritz
Board the legendary Glacier Express for one of the most scenic highlights of the tour. Travel through dramatic alpine landscapes, mountain valleys, bridges, and picture-perfect villages as you journey from the Zermatt area to St. Moritz.
Zermatt area → St. Moritz
Hotel in St. Moritz
Glacier Express rail journey
DAY 7 — THURSDAY, MAY 20
Bernina Express Excursion to Tirano
Ride the famous Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy, traveling across one of Europe’s most spectacular alpine rail routes. Along the way, enjoy glaciers, mountain streams, tunnels, bridges, and dramatic scenery before returning to St. Moritz.
St. Moritz → Tirano, Italy → St. Moritz
Hotel in St. Moritz
Bernina Express excursion
DAY 8 — FRIDAY, MAY 21
St. Moritz to Zurich by Train
Leave St. Moritz for the journey back to Zürich. After arrival, enjoy time at leisure to stroll through the city center, sample Swiss chocolate, or follow the Limmat River toward Lake Zürich. 137 mi / 220 km
St. Moritz → Zürich
Hotel in Zürich
Breakfast included
DAY 9 — SATURDAY, MAY 22
Zurich Departure
Your Switzerland rail vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Depart Zürich with unforgettable memories of Switzerland’s alpine scenery, scenic trains, charming towns, and world-famous rail journeys.
Zürich, Switzerland
Departure day
Breakfast included
WORLD HERITAGE
UNESCO Sites on This Tour
UNESCO World Heritage Rail Journey
Take the Bernina Express train (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to Tirano and back for one of Europe’s most spectacular and breathtaking train rides. Travel across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina, witnessing an array of beautiful mountain streams, glaciers, and alpine scenery along the way.
PRICING & INCLUSIONS
Pricing & What’s Included
TOUR PRICE
$4,249
per person, starting price
Pre-tour arrival in Zürich
9-day Switzerland rail tour
Hotels in Zürich, Lucerne, Lausanne, Zermatt area, and St. Moritz
Glacier Express rail journey
Bernina Express excursion to Tirano, Italy
GoldenPass Panoramic train experience
Gornergrat excursion in Zermatt
Select meals included per itinerary
One piece of luggage transferred between hotels
Taxes and required charges included
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Prices are in USD and based on the starting tour rate. Travel insurance, extra nights, airport transfers, and airfare are additional.
This package includes 11 total travel days, with the official 9-day Switzerland rail tour beginning in Zürich. A full quote will be provided after receiving the registration form, and the reservation is confirmed once the quote is approved and the deposit is paid.
Deposit (non-refundable)
$250 / person
Due at registration
FINAL PAYMENT
Remaining balance
Due March 15, 2027
DEPARTURE
Fly to Zürich
May 12, 2027
YOUR GUIDE
Meet Your Tour Director
Fiorenza Vable
IMPORTANT NOTES
Before you register
This rail tour requires guests to walk between hotels and train stations. Uneven terrain and stairs in some train stations and included experiences may pose challenges for guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs. High altitudes may be challenging for some guests. Maximum elevation is 10,100 ft. (3086 m) at Gornergrat and 5,978 ft (1,822 m) at St. Moritz.
To make your train journey more comfortable, one piece of luggage will be transferred from one hotel to the next.