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Grand Train Tour
of Switzerland

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is the ultimate train journey through Switzerland. It rolls all the famous premium panoramic lines into one spectacular round trip and takes visitors to the most popular sights and landmarks in complete comfort. 

On a total of 1,280 km and 8 sections, visitors explore all the top experiences of Switzerland: charming cities like Lucerne, impressive natural spectacles like the Rhine Falls, and majestic mountains like the Matterhorn and the Jungfraujoch. Travellers can enjoy this one-of-a-kind train journey year-round, and its duration and route can be arranged according to personal preferences.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland App.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland App

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland has its own app that helps guests to plan the perfect route and explore all highlights along the most beautiful train lines of Switzerland.

In addition to push notifications about upcoming sights and landmarks, guests can collect digital stamps and awards. Also, digital coupons offer presents and discounts.

The app is available in German, English, French, Chinese (traditional & simplified), Korean, Japanese and Thai.

Facts

● Sections: Round trip with 8 sections
● Combined tour length: 1,280 km
● Duration: Number of days can be selected individually

Timetable

Timetable information for individual sections of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland can be found here: sbb.ch

Timetable information for premium panoramic trains:

 Interlaken – Montreux (GoldenPass Express)
 Zermatt – St. Moritz (Glacier Express)
 St. Moritz – Lugano (Bernina Express)
 Lugano – Luzern (Gotthard Panorama Express)

Tickets

Ticket: The route is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) and GA travelcard. Travel packages are available here:  Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour

Reservation: A seat reservation is mandatory for Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Gotthard Panorama Express. A reservation on trains of the GoldenPass Line is not mandatory, but recommended.

Reservation Bernina Express
● Reservation Gotthard Panorama Express
● Reservation GoldenPass Line
● Reservation Glacier Express
● Reservation Luzern – Interlaken Express

myGrandTrainTour Booklet – collect stamps along the route

It’s an attractive souvenir that will keep the journey alive for a long time – myGrandTrainTour Booklet. Travellers can collect nine unique stamps along the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. It also contains a wealth of fascinating travel information.

The booklet is available free of charge at the central stations in Basel, Geneva (including Geneva Airport) and Zurich (including Zurich Airport) as well as at many tourist offices along the route. And finally, booklets are also available to order free of charge at: MySwitzerland.com/brochuresGTToS

More information

1,280 kilometres

to travel

10 destinations

to visit

5 premium panoramic trains

to enjoy

11 lakes

to pass

  • Luzern–Interlaken Express
  • Voralpen Express
  • Glacier Express
  • GoldenPass Panoramic
  • Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
  • Bernina Express
  • Thurbo in Schaffhausen
Map: Overview Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Discover the Sections

Zürich – Luzern – Interlaken

From lake to lake, from city to city.

On the ride from the urban centre of Switzerland to Lucerne, a gentler mountain- and hillscape dominates the scenery, with sparkling lakes in between. The train follows the shorelines of Lakes Zug and Rotsee towards Central Switzerland. At Lucerne, guest change to the Luzern–Interlaken-Express. The ride on this Premium panoramic train connects two world-famous destinations. Time flies faster than one would wish – due to mountain scenery, turquoise lakes and numerous waterfalls.

Highlights:

Interlaken – Zweisimmen – Montreux

A panoramic ride between two worlds.

The journey starts in Interlaken onboard the GoldenPass Express, whose travel class “Prestige” sets new standards. The global novelty first takes guests along Lake Thun and then through the Simmen Valley to Zweisimmen. Guests can remain in their comfortable seats as the train prepares for the second stretch of the journey that runs on narrower tracks. The transformation only takes a few seconds but is nothing short of a magic trick. The Premium panoramic train continues from Zweisimmen in the Bernese Oberland towards Montreux, the fashionable city at the shores of Lake Geneva. It runs past magnificent castles as well as peacefully grazing cattle and finally passes the German-French language border. On the last leg, it winds down through the hills – and with the arrival at Montreux visitors become engrossed in the Mediterranean flair of the region.

Highlights:

Montreux – Visp – Zermatt

Up the valley to the “mountain of mountains”.

Through the fertile Rhone Valley, it is only a stone’s throw from fashionable Montreux to Visp. From here, the journey continues on the narrow-gauge railway network of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway through the Nikolai Valley, the deepest-incised valley of Switzerland, to Zermatt. Before the “mountain of mountains” – the Matterhorn – comes into view, the train has to overcome more than 900 metres in altitude, partly with the help of cogwheel technology.

Highlights:

  • Montreux: Vineyards of Lavaux, Chillon Castle, Chaplin’s World, mountain excursion to Rochers-de-Naye
  • Train line: Ride with Matterhorn Gotthard Railways through the Nikolai valley
  • Zermatt: world famous car-free village with a view to Matterhorn, mountain excursions to Gornergrat and Matterhorn glacier paradise

Zermatt – Chur – St. Moritz

The slowest express train in the world.

The luxurious paragon of panoramic trains travels across the Alps and connects fashionable Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn with the equally sophisticated St. Moritz. On its eight-hour ride through the mountainous Cantons of Valais, Uri and Grisons, it dives through 91 tunnels and balances over 291 bridges. From the comfort of the coach, ceiling-high panoramic windows offer unobstructed views of an imposing mountainscape, tradition-rich health resorts, deep ravines and picturesque valleys – scenic splendour at its finest.

Highlights:

  • Zermatt: world famous car-free village with a view to Matterhorn, mountain excursions to Gornergrat and Matterhorn glacier paradise
  • Train line: Glacier Express
  • St. Moritz: chic destination on 1.822 m a.s.l., surrounded by mountains and lakes, mountain excursions to Diavolezza and Muottas Muragl

St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano

From glaciers to palm trees.

The Bernina Express inspires a sense of delight and bridges language regions as well as cultures. One highlight follows hot on the heels of the next: the sparkling Morteratsch glacier and, at 2,253 metres altitude, the Lago Bianco. Embedded in the Alpine landscape, the vibrant turquoise of the lake stands out beautifully. From the UNESCO World Heritage route of Rhaetian Railways, the train winds its way over the Bernina Pass and down through the scenic Val Poschiavo towards Tirano in Italy.

The journey continues on the Bernina Express Bus through the Valtellina Valley via Lake Como to Lugano. In winter, the journey leads alternatively from St. Moritz on the Palm Express over the spectacular, serpentine road of the Maloja Pass down the Val Bregaglia and finally – also along Lake Como – to Lugano.

Highlights:

  • St. Moritz: chic destination on 1.822 m a.s.l., surrounded by mountains and lakes, mountain excursions to Diavolezza and Muottas Muragl
  • Train and bus line: Bernina Express
  • Lugano: mediterranean town at the lake, mountain excursions to Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè

Lugano – Flüelen – Luzern

The panoramic journey by train and boat.

The Gotthard Panorama Express presents Switzerland from its most diverse side: The 1st class panoramic train takes guests from the Mediterranean-style Ticino along the world-famous Gotthard panorama route and through the mighty Reuss Valley of the Canton of Uri to Flüelen. During the train ride, passengers hear fascinating tales and background information about the unique Gotthard region. Flüelen is the point where travellers change from the panoramic train, with personal travel guidance, to a steam boat or a motor vessel. In a leisurely fashion, the boat then glides over Lake Lucerne through the traditional Swiss heartland surrounded by imposing mountains to Lucerne.

Highlights:

Luzern – St. Gallen

Over gentle hills with a view of the Alps.

Matterhorn, Titlis or Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – these high peaks are certainly the stars of the Swiss Alps. However, the green hillscape and gentler mountain scenery that spread out before the high-Alpine mountain chain are full of charms as well. Here’s where the Voralpen-Express runs between Lucerne and St. Gallen. It starts at Lake Lucerne against the backdrop of the prominent Alpine panorama of Central Switzerland, among which are Pilatus, Bürgenstock and Rigi, to name a few. The Voralpen-Express rides along the Rothenthurmer upland moor and crosses Lake Zurich. Shortly before arriving at St. Gallen, another highlight awaits: the Sitter Viaduct, with 99 metres Switzerland’s highest railway bridge.

Highlights:

St. Gallen – Schaffhausen – Zürich

The “maritime” side of Switzerland.

Despite being landlocked, Switzerland is by all means able to radiate true maritime flair. Lake Constance is a case in point: Between the Rhine and the “Swabian Sea”, the leading role during the ride from St. Gallen to Zurich is nicely divided up. From the history-steeped city of St. Gallen, the train winds through a pastoral hillscape towards the lake and then rolls along its shoreline for 40 kilometres. Afterwards, it follows the Rhine downstream to Schaffhausen, where the Munot Fortress towers as the town’s landmark. Schaffhausen is also famous for harbouring Europe’s largest waterfalls: the Rhine Falls. After crossing the imposing railway bridge of Eglisau, the train soon arrives at Zurich, financial metropolis of Switzerland.

Highlights:

  • St. Gallen: Abbey District and Abbey Library (UNESCO World Heritage)
  • Train line: ride along Lake Constance and the Rhine Falls
  • Schaffhausen: medieval town at the Rhine Falls
  • Zürich: Switzerland’s metropolis

Alternative: Chur – Zürich

​Taking the direct connection from Chur back to Zurich rewards travellers with magnificent views of the Bündner Herrschaft (dominion of the Grisons), the Churfirsten, and Lake Walensee as well as Lake Zurich.

Railjet at Lake Walensee

Alternative: Spiez – Domodossola (IT) – Locarno

​​An alternative leg that is worth taking: the RegioExpress Lötschberger and the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway take travellers to fabulous views. While the Kander Viaduct and the view of the Rhone Valley amaze passengers on the Lötschberg mountain route, the Centovalli (“100 valleys”) offers stunning vistas of deep ravines and rugged mountain ranges.

Alternative: St. Moritz – Lugano (by bus)

​The Palm Express is an alternative connection from the Engadin to the Ticino. In contrast to the Bernina Express Bus, this connection operates year-round. On the stretch from St. Moritz to Lugano, the famous yellow PostBus tackles the Maloja Pass and then winds its way down through the Bregaglia Valley to Italy. It’s a journey that includes glaciers as well as palm trees.

Palm Express - PostAuto

Travel Suggestions

Several travel suggestions offer routing ideas for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. Some tours take no longer than three days to explore. Packages at special B2B conditions are available for all journeys. However, travellers may also experience the suggested routes individually with the Swiss Travel Pass.

General information for all travel suggestion routes
 Start and endpoint, places of overnight stays, and travel direction are freely selectable
 Mountain excursions and other excursions can be combined with the routing according to the client’s wishes
 Routes can be travelled individually with the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex)
 Tailor-made tickets for all six routes are available for AgenturClient system partners
 Journeys are available as bookable packages for event organisers/agents via Railtour Suisse and Switzerland Travel Center (STC)

Original

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Original

Map: Original Tour (Grand Train Tour of Switzerland)

Whether fascinating panoramic lines or relaxed boat cruises: Switzerland by train, bus and boat is always a wonderful experience. Just so with the Grand Train Tour. On the “Original” tour, you are travelling on the panoramic trains to all the highlights and sights Switzerland has to offer. Get in, lean back and enjoy – whenever and wherever you wish.

Sections:
 Zürich/Genève*/Basel – Luzern – Interlaken (Luzern–Interlaken Express), from 2 h 51 min
Interlaken – Zweisimmen – Montreux (GoldenPass Express), 3 h 12 min
 Montreux – Visp – Zermatt, 2 h 31 min
 Zermatt – St. Moritz (Glacier Express), 7 h 46 min
 St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano (Bernina Express), 6 h 46 min
 Lugano – Flüelen – Luzern (Gotthard Panorama Express), 5 h 30 min
 Luzern – St. Gallen (Voralpen-Express), 2 h 17 min
 St. Gallen – (Stein am Rhein** –) Schaffhausen  – Zürich/Genève*/Basel, from 2 h 34 min

*the suggested starting and ending point for travellers from Geneva is Montreux.
**option to take the boat between Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen

Duration: from 8 days / 7 nights

Ticket suggestion:
 Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) 8 days / Tailor-made ticket available (please contact your Market Manager)

Packages: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour
Contact for agents: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour

Classic

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Classic

Map: Klassiker (Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Whether a perfect view of the Matterhorn from Zermatt, the ride on the Glacier Express or a walk across the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne – on this journey, each classic follows hot on the heels of the next. The “Classic” tour offers something of everything: picturesque towns, breathtaking train rides, thrilling mountain excursions.

Sections:
 Zürich/Genève*/Basel – Luzern – Interlaken (Luzern–Interlaken Express), from 2 h 51 min
Interlaken – Zweisimmen – Montreux (GoldenPass Express) 3 h 12 min
 Montreux – Visp – Zermatt, 2 h 31 min
 Zermatt – St. Moritz (Glacier Express), 7 h 46 min
 St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano (Bernina Express), 6 h 46 min
 Lugano – Flüelen – Luzern (Gotthard Panorama Express), 5 h 30 min
 Luzern – Zürich/Genève*/Basel, from 45 min

*the suggested starting and ending point for travellers from Geneva is Montreux.

Duration: from 7 days / 6 nights

Ticket suggestion:
 Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) 8 days
 Tailor-made ticket for packages available (please contact your Market Manager)

Packages: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour
Contact for agents: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour

Top Attractions

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Top Attractions

Map: Top Attraktionen (Grand Train Tour of Switzerland)

A route packed with Swiss highlights – that’s the “Top Attractions” tour. It takes travellers to Interlaken, Lucerne, Montreux and Zermatt. World-famous mountains as well as numerous top sights and landmarks wait to be explored here. Of course, the journey itself holds plenty of charm as well: you enjoy unobstructed views of imposing glaciers, turquoise lakes and peacefully grazing cattle – from the complete comfort of your train seat.

This tour comprises: 

 5 travel stages, starting from 5 days/4 nights
Scenic rides on the Luzern–Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, and Glacier Express
 Visits to Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, and Chur
 Top sights such as Chapel Bridge, Jungfrau Region, Lavaux, Chillon Castle, Matterhorn and Rhine Gorge
 Choice of 14 top mountain excursions, e.g. Titlis, Rigi, Pilatus, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Gornergrat

Sections:
 Zürich/Genève*/Basel – Luzern, from 45 min
 Luzern – Interlaken (Luzern–Interlaken Express), 1 h 49 min
Interlaken – Zweisimmen – Montreux (GoldenPass Express), 3 h 12 min
 Montreux – Visp – Zermatt, 2 h 31 min
 Zermatt – Chur (part of Glacier Express) – Zürich/Genève*/Basel, from 7 h 31 min

*the suggested starting and ending point for travellers from Geneva is Montreux.

Duration: from 5 days / 4 nights

Ticket suggestion:
 Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) 8 days
 Tailor-made ticket for packages available (please contact your Market Manager)

Packages: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour
Contact for agents: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour

Glaciers & Palm Trees

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Glaciers & Palm Trees

Map: Gletscher & Palmen (Grand Train Tour of Switzerland)

This tour delivers on its promises: Starting from temperate regions, the train climbs to more than 2,000 metres altitude. First, imposing glaciers take turns with sparkling mountain lakes in front of the ceiling-high windows. Shortly afterwards, the train winds its way down to Italy, from where guests can continue to Lugano by bus. Palm trees, vineyards and mild temperatures dominate this stretch. Perfect for immersing yourself in a little “dolce vita” before tackling the historic Gotthard Line back towards Zurich the following day.

This tour comprises:

4 travel stages, starting from 4 days/3 nights
Scenic rides along the Bernina and Gotthard panoramic routes
Visits to Chur, St. Moritz, Lugano, Lucerne and Zurich
Top sights such as UNESCO Rhaetian Railway with the Landwasser and Brusio Viaducts, UNESCO Three Castles of Bellinzona, Chapel Bridge
Choice of 10 top mountain excursions, e.g. Diavolezza, Monte Brè, Rigi, Stanserhorn

Sections:
Zürich/Genève/Chur – Chur – St. Moritz, from 3 h 21 min
 St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano (Bernina Express), 6 h 46 min
 Lugano – Flüelen – Luzern (Gotthard Panorama Express) – Zürich, 5 h 30 min
 Luzern – Zürich/Genève/Chur, from 45 min

Duration: from 4 days / 3 nights

Ticket suggestion:
 Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) 4 days
 Tailor-made ticket for packages available (please contact your Market Manager)

Packages: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour
Contact for agents: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour

Stunning Waters

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Stunning Waters

Map: Faszination Wasser (Grand Train Tour of Switzerland)

On this tour, travellers discover all shapes and sorts of the precious element of water. From small to large, from deep blue to sparkling turquoise, from straight to winding: Every body of water can be marvelled at from the train – including, of course, Europe’s largest waterfall: the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen. Those who like to enjoy the water from up close, complement this unique route with a comfortable (river) boat cruise. Cruises are actually included in the “Stunning Waters” ticket, as are the train rides.

Sections:
 Zürich/Genève/Basel – Luzern, from 45 min
 Luzern – St. Gallen (Voralpen-Express), 2 h 17 min
 St. Gallen – (Stein am Rhein* –) Schaffhausen – Zürich/Genève/Basel, from 2 h 34 min

*Option to take the boat between Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen

Duration: from 3 days / 2 nights

Ticket suggestion:
 Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) 3 days
 Tailor-made ticket for packages available (please contact your Market Manager)

Packages: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour
Contact for agents: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour

Hidden Treasures

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Hidden Treasures

Karte: Verborgene Schätze Tour (Grand Train Tour of Switzerland)

This route builds bridges between cultures: From the urban centre of Zurich, the “Hidden Treasures” tour leads over the picturesque, lesser-known Lötschberg Line down to “Bella Italia”. The journey comfortably continues from Domodossola through the Centovalli, the “100 valleys”, and then along the historic Gotthard Line back to the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Three days of urban charm, rolling countryside, and Mediterranean grotti – semplicemente perfetto,

Sections:
● Zürich/Genève/Basel – Luzern–Interlaken (Luzern–Interlaken Express), from 2 h 51 min
● Interlaken – Spiez – Brig (Lötschberger) – Domodossola – Locarno (Centovalli), 4 h 50 min
● Locarno – Bellinzona – Luzern (Gotthard Panorama Express) – Zürich/Genève/Basel, from 6 h 44 min

Duration: from 3 days / 2 nights

Ticket suggestion:
 Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) 3 days
 Tailor-made ticket for packages available (please contact your Market Manager)

Packages: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour
Contact for agents: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour

Winter Magic

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Winter Magic

Karte: Winter Magic Tour (Grand Train Tour of Switzerland)

Glaciers, powder snow and frozen lakes: high time for beautiful landscape and snow fun – on the “Winter Magic” tour. Starting at Lucerne, the journey proceeds to Interlaken and finally Zermatt right to the world-famous Matterhorn. After that, the Glacier and Bernina Express trains take guests through the heart of the Swiss winter wonderland to St. Moritz – across landscapes that are cut off from all other traffic in the colder months. For the ultimate snow experience.

This tour comprises:

● 5 travel stages plus 2 adventure days, starting from 7 days/6 nights
● Scenic rides on the Luzern–Interlaken Express, Lötschberger, Glacier Express and Bernina Express
● Visits to Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Chur, St. Moritz und Zurich
● Top sights such as Chapel Bridge, Jungfrau Region, Matterhorn, Rhine Gorge, Landwasser Viaduct
● Choice of 12 top mountain excursions, e.g. Rigi, Jungfraujoch, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Diavolezza

Sections:
● Border/Airport – Luzern, from 1 h (e.g. from Zurich Airport)
● Luzern – Interlaken (Luzern–Interlaken Express), 2 h
● Interlaken – Spiez – Brig – Zermatt, 2½ h
● Zermatt – St. Moritz (Glacier Express), 7¾ h
● St. Moritz – Chur (Bernina Express) – Border/Airport, from 3¾ h (e.g. Zurich Airport)

Duration: from 8 days / 7 nights (2 overnights each in Interlaken, Zermatt and St. Moritz)

Ticket suggestion:
 Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) 8 days
 Tailor-made ticket for packages available (please contact your Market Manager)

Packages: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour
Contact for agents: Switzerland Travel Centre / Railtour

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