The Grand Tour of the summits (3 swiss panoramic trains)

DAY 1 : ZURICH - LUCERNE (Train)

Flight or train and additional day in Zurich on request
Individual arrival in Zurich, regularly cited as one of the "best cities in the world in which to live".
After this pleasant stopover, take the regular train to Lucerne : the journey taking just 40 minutes (several timetables available),
Lucerne is the gateway to the Swiss mountains, dominated by the foothills of the Alps. Situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne, it is home to some fine examples of medieval architecture: the Chapel Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Europe, and the impressive Musegg wall.
Check-in at the hotel and free time to explore Lucerne.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 2 : LUCERNE - INTERLAKEN (Interlaken cogwheel train)

Departure from Lucerne station on the Luzern-Interlaken Express train in the morning. This 1 hour 50 minute journey follows the shores of 5 lakes, overlooked by a rock face that foreshadows the mountains to come, and several waterfalls, for a most romantic crossing. To cross the Brünig Pass and its steep slope, the Interlaken Express switches to rack-and-pinion traction.

Arrival in Interlaken, the town from which the Interlaken Express takes its name, a popular holiday resort at the foot of the mountains, famous for its beautiful wooden houses and historic steam and paddlewheel steamers.
Possibility of organising the day's timetable to visit the charming town of Thun.
Overnight in hotel. (B)

DAY 3 : INTERLAKEN - ZERMATT (Matterhorn Gotthard train)

(Possibility of visiting Jungfraujoch - Top Of Europe in the morning).

This day's journey takes you up to the alpine resort of Zermatt, at an altitude of 1,600 metres. The timetable is flexible: you take the Spiez - Brig - Zermatt connecting train, which takes you to the summits in 2 hours.
The last stretch between Visp and Zermatt is particularly picturesque, on the Matterhorn-Gothard railway line, with views of the Matterhorn.

Arrival in Zermatt. Check-in at the hotel. Free time to explore Zermatt.

Zermatt is one of Switzerland's most famous winter sports resorts. This village at the foot of the Matterhorn is unique in that it is car-free! Access by vehicle stops 5km from the village, which can only be reached by train, taxi or ... helicopter.
Overnight at the hotel. (B)

DAY 4 : ZERMATT - nature day (Gornergrat Banh train)

Climb to the top of Mount Gornergrat, at an altitude of 3089 m, on board the Gornergrat Bahn train, the highest open-air cogwheel train in Europe. The panoramic journey takes 30 minutes and gives you access to one of the most extraordinary viewpoints in the entire Alps. Mount Gornegrat is surrounded by 29 mountains at over 4,000 m and offers a splendid view of the Matterhorn in particular.
Return to Zermatt on the Gornergrat Bahn
Rest of the day free to enjoy Zermatt and its splendid natural surroundings (marmot walks, etc.).
Overnight at the hotel. (B)

DAY 5 : ZERMATT - SAINT-MORITZ (Glacier Express train)

This day is dedicated to the panoramic Glacier Express train, a real crossing of the Swiss Alps, from glacier to glacier, in the most comfortable conditions.

The famous Glacier Express train departs Zermatt for St. Moritz (8-hour journey) in the morning.
The Glacier Express, humorously referred to as "the world's slowest express" at 36km/h, is one of Europe's most exceptional trains. Since 1930, it has been crossing the Swiss Alps from west to east, covering 291 km and crossing exactly the same number of bridges: 291! As well as 91 tunnels. Its highest point is the Oberalp Pass, at 2033m. The Glacier Express is a modern train with exceptional comfort. The carriages are panoramic, so you can enjoy the scenery to the full. Meals (at an additional cost on board) are served at your seat. Audio-guides in French are available throughout the journey to provide information on the places you will be passing through.

The Glacier Express train arrives in St Moritz in the late evening. Check-in at the hotel. Free time to explore the town of St. Moritz. At the heart of a superb landscape of lakes and mountains, St. Moritz is one of Switzerland's most exclusive historic Alpine resorts. It is even considered to be the cradle of winter tourism (1864) and has twice hosted the Olympic Games. It is also a renowned spa resort, and has been for 3,000 years!
Overnight at the hotel in St Moritz. (PDJ)

DAY 6 : SAINT MORITZ - LUGANO (Bernina Express train)

This day is devoted to another jewel of Swiss rail tourism, the Bernina Express.

Early departure from St. Moritz on the Bernina Express train. The Bernina Express panoramic train is one of the highlights of Swiss rail tourism. In this region of Graubünden, it has the highest line in the Alps (2253 m), which it crosses from north to south, from St Moritz to Tirano. This section of the railway is also a World Heritage Site, for its exceptional route and its technical feats, such as the Busio helical viaduct and the Montebello bend. From St Moritz, the Bernina reaches Tirano, 61km away, in 2h30min.

The Bernina Express train arrives in Tirano in the late morning. Free time to explore Tirano, and lunch break.

Departure of the special Bernina Express Panoramic Bus to Lugano in the afternoon.

Arrival in Lugano in the late evening. Check-in at the hotel in Lugano. Free time to explore the city.

The city of Lugano, located in the extreme south of the country, retains the character of a small, ancient town, but has become a major business centre in modern Switzerland. It has a surprisingly Mediterranean atmosphere.
Overnight at the hotel. (B)

DAY 7 : LUGANO - LUCERNE (Gotthard Panorama Express train)

Departing from Lugano, the Gotthard Panorama Express train takes you to the historic heart of Switzerland, travelling up the Alps from south to north, from Lugano to Flüelen, through breathtaking mountain scenery, including the famous St Gotthard Tunnel (1882).
Crossing the land of William Tell, the train passes from Italian-speaking and Mediterranean Switzerland (Ticino) to the German-speaking and traditional Switzerland of the Lake Lucerne region, taking in no fewer than 433 tunnels, including 5 spiral tunnels and 22 bridges.

Early departure of the Gotthard Panorama Express train from Lugano station.

The train arrives in Flüelen in the late morning.

At midday, board for the crossing of Lake Lucerne to Lucerne. This lake crossing by steamboat is an opportunity to admire several of Switzerland's most emblematic landmarks, including the Rütli meadow, Tell's Chapel and Schiller's Rock.

Your steamboat arrives in Lucerne in the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel and free time in Lucerne.
Overnight at the hotel. (B)

DAY 8 : LUCERNE - ZURICH and back (Train)

Free morning in Lucerne. If you didn't have time at the start, discover the city's pretty squares. Linked by a network of pedestrian streets, they will lead you to the Dying Lion, the emblematic national statue, which pays tribute to the Swiss soldiers massacred during the French Revolution in 1792.

Departure by train for the return journey to Zurich in the early afternoon. Arrival in Zurich.
End of your train journey in Switzerland.
(B)

Additional night, flight or return train on request.

REGULAR TRAINS AND SWISS PANORAMIC TRAINS

On this tour, take several regular trains and three special trains, including the Glacier Express (see our selection of unusual trains in Europe).

• Regular Swiss train
  Zurich > Lucerne (40 minutes)
• Interlaken Express
  Lucerne > Interlaken (1h50)
• Regular Swiss trains
  Interlaken > Zermatt (2h)
• Gornergrat Banh train (cogwheel)
  AR from Zermatt (33 min)
• Glacier Express train (panoramic view and restaurant)
  Zermatt > Saint-Moritz (8h - full journey)
• Bernina Express train (panoramic)
  St. Moritz > Tirano (2h30)
• Bernina Express bus
  Tirano > Lugano (3h10)
• Gotthard Panorama Express train (panoramic)
  Lugano > Flüelen (2h30)
• Boat
  Flüelen > Lucerne (2h)

THE PRICE INCLUDES

• Swiss Travel Pass 2nd class
• Ticket for the Gornegrat Bahn tourist train to Zermatt (ticket to be collected from the ticket office in Zermatt)
• Bernina Express booking
• Glacier Express booking
• Reservation for Tirano - Lugano on the Bernina Bus (subject to availability) or by regular Italian train
• Booking Gotthard Panorama
• Ticket for the Lake Lucerne Cruise from Fluelen to Lucerne
• Tickets for public transport in all the towns along the route (bus, ferry, tram, etc.)
• Accommodation in city-centre hotels of the chosen category
• Breakfasts (B)
• French-speaking assistance from Discovery Trains teams

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Hotel taxes (to be paid locally)
• Lunches and dinners
• Guide for excursions
• Private transfers between stations and hotels if necessary (most of the time the hotels are located not far from the station)
• Any insurance
• 1st class train supplement
• Morning visit to Jungfraujoch - Top Of Europe, day 3: from €165 per person