Quick itinerary overview
If you follow the schedule I propose, this is how you'll travel per day:
- Zurich to St. Gallen, St. Gallen to Lucerne by Voralpen-Express, Lucerne to Interlaken by GoldenPass
- Interlaken-Jungfraujoch return trip
- Interlaken-Montreux by GoldenPass
- Montreux to Zermatt, return trip Zermatt-Gornergrat
- Zermatt to St. Moritz by Glacier Express
- St. Moritz to Lugano by Bernina Express train and bus
- Lugano to Lucerne by Gotthard Panorama Express train and boat, Lucerne to Zurich
Day 1: Voralpen-Express and GoldenPass northern leg
You’ll first take a regular train from Zurich to St. Gallen. Then change to the Voralpen-Express for a scenic ride across the pre-Alps to Lucerne. Finally, you will take the GoldenPass route to Interlaken Ost. The whole trip will take nearly 6.5 hours.
Day 2: Highest rail station in Europe: Jungfraujoch
From Interlaken Ost, you will take the spectacular railway to Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg, and finally reach the highest rail station in Europe: the Jungfraujoch.
After enjoying the view and the snow up here, you descend back to Kleine Scheidegg. Then you’ll take another route down to Grindelwald, passing the impressive Eiger North face. Alternatively, you can use the quicker Eiger Express cable car from the rail station of Eigergletscher to Grindelwald Terminal in the valley. From Grindelwald, you’ll take a direct train to Interlaken Ost. This day trip takes about 6 hours.
It is not worth going up the Jungfraujoch if it’s cloudy up there. Check our Interlaken page for bad weather activities.
Day 3: GoldenPass southern leg
You’ll make a magnificent trip from Interlaken Ost via the GoldenPass line to Montreux on Lake Geneva. The trip takes about 3h40.
If you choose to arrive early, there’s still time left to travel up to Rochers-de-Naye by cogwheel train. A visit to Chillon Castle is another good option for the late afternoon.
Day 4: Montreux to Zermatt
The train ride to Zermatt takes about 2.5 hours. That leaves time to do something extra, like a boat trip from Montreux to Lausanne. From Lausanne, you can take the train to Zermatt. This adds about 3 hours to today’s activities.
Another option is to arrive early in Zermatt and make a trip into the mountains, for a good view of the Matterhorn.
Day 5: Glacier Express
You’ll board the famous Glacier Express to enjoy the 6-hour ride up the Oberalp Pass and across the Rhine Valley to the historical town of Chur. Worrying whether you can get seats for this popular train? Read Annika’s reservation hacks here.
Day 6: Bernina Express
Another famous train: the Bernina Express offers a scenic ride across a varied landscape. The train takes you to Tirano, just across the Italian border.
From Tirano, the special Bernina Express bus takes you back into Switzerland, to the town of Lugano. This bus route is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. In winter, there’s no bus. You can use regular trains via Monza in Italy instead. These are not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.
This journey takes about all day. You’ll arrive in Lugano around dinnertime.
Day 7: Gotthard Panorama Express
This is the last time you will cross the Alps this week. From the Italian-like climate and atmosphere in southern Switzerland, the Gotthard Panorama Express will take you back north. First, you’ll travel by train to Flüelen. There you will change to the boat to Lucerne.
The Gotthard Panorama Express operates from mid-April to mid-October. In other months, you can take regular regional trains, called “Treno Gottardo”, across the Gotthard mountain route. There are regular boats from Flüelen to Lucerne as well. Alternatively, you can take a train from Flüelen to Lucerne.
In Lucerne, you’ll take a train to Zurich. The complete trip of this day takes about 6.5 hours.
Practical tips to use and adjust this tour
Basic planning tips
- The itinerary of this tour can be booked as displayed here. Use the shopping list to arrange all bookings that you need.
- Of course, you can do this journey in reverse order.
- We advise planning each segment of your trip with the timetable.
How to extend this journey
You can book extra nights in Zurich, Lucerne (to split day 1 or 7), Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, Chur, and Lugano. If you have time, I strongly recommend spending a couple of extra days in one or more of these towns. Each of these regions offers a lot to explore. This way, you can even create a 2- or 3-week Switzerland holiday!
Alternatives if you have less than 7 days available
- You can get back to Zurich (or any other departure town in Switzerland) at the end of most travel days. For example: travel from Montreux to Zurich after day 3, from Zermatt after day 4, from Chur after day 5 (this is just a 1h15-journey), and so on.
- You can take out the side trip to Jungfraujoch on day 2, and immediately move on to Montreux instead.
- You can skip the Glacier Express and Bernina Express on days 5 and 6. Instead, travel from Zermatt to Locarno via the Centovalli Railway. Pick up the Gotthard Panorama Express from nearby Lugano or Bellinzona.
- If you have just a couple of days, look into our 3-day Glacier Express journey.
A multiple-day train tour in winter
This train journey can be made in winter too, although you’ll have to make some adjustments to the Gotthard Panorama Express segment and the Bernina Express bus journey. Alternatively, check our winter train itinerary.
Map of the entire train route
This map provides a general overview of the route. For detailed routes, you can review the maps on each of our scenic train pages.
Prices and shopping list
Price indication
This tour costs about CHF 1435 per person, based on all items on the below shopping list. Details:
- I assume a 2nd class 8-day Swiss Travel Pass.
- I used Glacier Express and Bernina Express seat reservation fares for the high season. Reservations are cheaper in the low season.
- A reservation and the obligatory upgrade ticket to 1st class for the Gotthard Panorama Express are included.
- The other scenic trains in this itinerary do not require reservations.
- My estimate is based on 2-person rooms in 3-star hotels in Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, Chur, Lugano, and Zurich. I assume prices in high season including breakfast.
- Children under 16 travel for free: simply order a free Swiss Family Card when getting your Swiss Travel Pass.
- Expenses for food, drinks, souvenirs and additional activities, that aren't fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, are not included.
The amount you'll actually pay depends on the choices you make and the season in which you travel. It can be higher or lower than my estimate.
Shopping list
If you make the tour as described, this is what to book:
To book | Details and prices |
---|---|
The 8-day Swiss Travel Pass includes free traveling between all towns, even by scenic trains. Mountain trips are discounted. | Swiss Travel Pass |
Seat reservations for the Glacier Express | Glacier Express |
Seat reservations for the Bernina Express | Bernina Express |
Seat reservations and upgrade to 1st class for the Gotthard Panorama Express | Gotthard Panorama Express |
25% discounted return ticket between Wengen/Grindelwald and Jungfraujoch | Jungfraujoch |
Hotel in Interlaken, 2 nights | Hotels Interlaken |
Hotel in Montreux | Hotels Montreux |
Hotel in Zermatt | Hotels Zermatt |
Hotel in Chur | Hotels Chur |
Hotel in Lugano | Hotels Lugano |
Optionally: hotel in Zürich | Hotels Zurich |
The best months for this train journey
This tour can be made year-long. The best months in my opinion are:
- Mid-April to mid-October to make the tour exactly as described. This is when nearly all of the trains, buses and boats operate.
- January and February for a winter experience. You'll likely see snow on the high-altitude segments of this journey, such as the excursion to Jungfraujoch and the ride over the Bernina Pass.
In other months than mid-April to mid-October, you'll have to make some adjustments to the route:
- You'll have to take regional trains on the Gotthard mountain route, instead of the Gotthard Panorama Express train.
- The Bernina Express bus isn't available, so you'll have to take regional trains via Monza in Italy.
Travel packages you may like too
If you're interested in this train tour, you may like these Swiss train packages as well:
Offered by Official SBB shop: swissrailways.com
- Official webshop of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), operated by Switzerland Travel Centre (STC)
- Instant delivery through e-mail in 5 minutes
- Free cancellation until 1 day before travel, if you choose the FLEX OPTION. No questions asked.
- Extra Support: MySwissAlps can answer most questions regarding your order as well.
Offered by Official SBB shop: swissrailways.com
- Official webshop of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), operated by Switzerland Travel Centre (STC)
- Instant delivery through e-mail in 5 minutes
- Free cancellation until 1 day before travel, if you choose the FLEX OPTION. No questions asked.
- Extra Support: MySwissAlps can answer most questions regarding your order as well.
Offered by Official SBB shop: swissrailways.com
- Official webshop of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), operated by Switzerland Travel Centre (STC)
- Instant delivery through e-mail in 5 minutes
- Free cancellation until 1 day before travel, if you choose the FLEX OPTION. No questions asked.
- Extra Support: MySwissAlps can answer most questions regarding your order as well.
Offered by Viator: www.viator.com
- Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
- Lowest Price Guarantee: Viator will refund the difference if you find a better price.
- Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
Offered by Viator: www.viator.com
- Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
- Lowest Price Guarantee: Viator will refund the difference if you find a better price.
- Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.