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Europe
Switzerland by Train
 

Switzerland by Train: Lucerne to Zurich

12 days |  14 days with Lugano extension
12 days |  14 days with Lugano extension
Group size1528 travelers
Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars

91
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OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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Experience rich culture against a backdrop of soaring Alpine peaks.

Whether it’s the mountainous landscapes or lakeside vineyards, impressive views are around every corner in Switzerland. You’ll soak in the scenery aboard trains that will take you from the city to the countryside and back again. See the iconic Matterhorn from Zermatt, pass snow-capped peaks while riding the famed Bernina Express, and cap off your tour in Zurich where you’ll wind your way through the city’s charming streets.

Your tour package includes

  • 10 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 10 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch
  • 4 dinners with beer or wine
  • 1 wine tasting
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Included highlights

  • Interlaken Express train ride
  • Lavaux Vineyards wine tasting
  • Chillon Castle
  • The Matterhorn
  • Glacier Express train ride
Read more
Start planning today

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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Zurich today.

Lucerne Region2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Zurich & transfer to Lucerne Region
Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Switzerland! Transfer to your hotel in the Lucerne region. Then, gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Lucerne
Included meal: Breakfast

A local guide introduces you to the charming lakeside city of Lucerne.

  • Explore Lucerne’s Old Town
  • View the sandstone lion statue commemorating the Swiss Guards
  • Stroll over Chapel Bridge, a 17th-century covered footbridge, for views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps

Enjoy a free afternoon in Lucerne or add an excursion.

Mount Pilatus

From $185 per person

Interlaken2 nights
Day 4: Train to Interlaken
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Take your seat aboard the Interlaken Express and pass spectacular Alpine scenery. Peer out the panoramic window to spot Mount Pilatus, Lake Lucerne, Lake Sarnen, Lake Lungern, and more en route to Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland region.

Upon arrival in Interlaken, set out on a short walk with your Tour Director through the quaint streets worn by time while taking in views of the surrounding alpine vistas.

Later, sit down to an included dinner this evening.

Day 5: Free day in Interlaken
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Interlaken or add an excursion.

Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe

From $299 per person

Lake Geneva Region1 night
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Bern & Lavaux Vineyards
Included meals: Breakfast, Wine tasting, Dinner

Set out for the Lake Geneva Region today, stopping to visit the Swiss capital of Bern and Lavaux Vineyards on the way.

  • Cross the Aare River and head to the iconic Bern Bear Park, home to a community of brown bears
  • Stroll through the UNESCO-recognized Old Town, making your way past the Cathedral of Bern
  • Head to the Lavaux wine region, located on the terraced shores of Lake Geneva
  • Walk through the UNESCO-protected Lavaux Vineyards
  • Step inside the wine cellar to enjoy a wine tasting paired with cheese and sausage

Continue on to the shores of Lake Geneva that’s known for its cultural events and festivals and sit down for an included dinner.

Zermatt2 nights
Day 7: Chillon Castle & train to Zermatt
Included meal: Breakfast

Visit Chillon Castle on the shores of Lake Geneva this morning. Then, pass through the scenic foothills of the Alps to Visp, where you’ll board a train to the car-free mountain town of Zermatt. Upon arrival, follow your Tour Director on a short orientation tour and take in views of the iconic Matterhorn.

Day 8: Free day in Zermatt
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Zermatt or add an excursion.

Gornergrat Railway & Matterhorn Museum

From $179 per person

St. Moritz2 nights
Day 9: Glacier Express train ride
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Board the Glacier Express, a famed train with cars specially designed for scenic viewing. You'll make your way through a picturesque portion of the Alps including the Albula Line, Rhine Gorge, and Oberalp Pass.

Enjoy an included lunch during the ride before arriving in St. Moritz, a prestigious Swiss resort town and hub of wintertime sports.

Day 10: Bernina Express train ride
Included meal: Breakfast

Board the Bernina Express and enjoy a scenic ride on the highest railway across the Alps. You'll wind through bridges and tunnels along the stunning, UNESCO-recognized landscapes en route to Tirano, Italy. Enjoy free time in Tirano before traveling back to St. Moritz.

Please note: You will need to present your passport on board the train when crossing from Italy to Switzerland.

Zurich1 night
Day 11: Transfer to Zurich & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Travel to Zurich and set off on a sightseeing tour to get to know Switzerland’s largest city with your Tour Director.

  • Walk through Altstadt, the Old Town, and soak in views of Lindenhof park
  • Pass by St. Peter Church and the town hall
  • Walk over the Münsterbrücke

Celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner this evening.

Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to Zurich Airport for your flight home or continue on to Lugano.

Extension to Lugano
Spend a few more days alongside your Tour Director as you explore Lugano, a prominent Swiss city.
Lugano2 nights
Day 12: Train to Lugano & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast

Board the EuroCity train and pass through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the world, en route to Southern Switzerland's Italian-speaking region of Ticino.

Then, arrive in lakeside Lugano. Explore the city near the Italian border on a scenic walking tour.

  • View the botanical gardens of Ciani Park
  • See the church of Santa Maria degli Angioli, home to the largest Renaissance fresco in Switzerland
  • Stroll past the Church of San Rocco, Piazza della Riforma, and the Via Nassa shopping center
Day 13: Free day in Lugano
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Lugano or add an excursion.

Raise a glass and toast to your trip with a farewell drink this evening.

Lake Maggiore & Grotto Lunch

From $175 per person

Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer across the border into Italy to Milan-Malpensa Airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars

Overall rating 4.4 out of 5

Based on 91 authentic traveler reviews
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    3 out of 5 stars

    Not EF’s finest.
    10/7/23 by 3rd-time traveler Patricia

    My trip to Switzerland was my 3rd with EF and by far the worst. Our tour guide, Steffan was wonderful and worked diligently to address all that was wrong. He is caring and kind. He had to help most of us arrange new flights as ours were cancelled/changed. Another headache. He did all this and m...

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    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/13/23

    Thank you for leaving a review. Reliable and effec...

    Read more +

    4 out of 5 stars

    Switzerland by Railroad
    9/20/23 by 2nd-time traveler Rose Ann

    Overall wonderful experience. The views from the railroads were spectacular. Be prepared , the Glacier Express ride is an 8 hour journey thru very beautiful country. The hotels were all very nice. I particularly enjoyed The Carlton in Interlaken and the Derby in Zermatt which was centrally located....

    Read more +

    1 out of 5 stars

    Switzerland tour
    10/7/23 by 2nd-time traveler Gail

    Absolutely the horrific tour. Bus driver was unreliable, did not know how to drive, and put us in u safe conditions. He also smoked on the bus. Tour guide was nice but u knowledgeable of the country. Most days we were late or lost because of driver. Goahead tours should reimburse everyone on the to...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/13/23

    Thank you for leaving a review. Reliable and effec...

    Read more +
    Show more reviews

    Traveler photos

    Hotels, flights & FAQ

    Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

    Hotels

    We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
    Grand Hotel Europe
    Grand Hotel Europe

    This Belle Époque hotel is located near the lake promenade. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and outdoor terrace. Nearby, you’ll find Lake Lucerne, Cha...

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    Carlton Europe Hotel
    Carlton Europe Hotel

    This Art Nouveau-style hotel is located in Interlaken. Guests enjoy a spa, on-site restaurant serving traditional Swiss dishes, and the wellness area....

    Read more +
    Hôtel du Grand Lac Excelsior
    Hôtel du Grand Lac Excelsior

    This Belle-Epoque style hotel is located in the heart of Montreux, Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva. Guests enjoy the semi-Olympic size pool, ...

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    Hotel Butterfly
    Hotel Butterfly

    This Alpine-inspired hotel is located in Zermatt Village Center. Guests enjoy a Finnish sauna, Turkish steambath, and a hotel bar. Nearby, you'll find...

    Read more +
    Hotel Laudinella
    Hotel Laudinella

    This rustic hotel is located in the Upper Engadin Valley of St. Moritz. Guests enjoy a restaurant, pool, and spa with turkish bath. Nearby, you’ll fin...

    Read more +
    Crowne Plaza Zurich
    Crowne Plaza Zurich

    This sophisticated hotel is located minutes away from the city center of Zurich, Switzerland. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, garden lounge, and extensi...

    Read more +
    Hotel De La Paix Lugano
    Hotel De La Paix Lugano

    This stylish hotel is located in Lugano, Switzerland overlooking Lake Lugano. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, library, and art gallery. Nearby you’ll f...

    Read more +

    Flights

    Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
    Add our airfare package and you'll get:
    • Round-trip flight for your tour
    • Airport transfers at your destination
    • A great price locked in today
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
    • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
    • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
    • Find out more about flights

    FAQ

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