A Week in Switzerland by Train: St. Moritz, Zermatt & Interlaken
9 days | 11 days with Bern extension |
- Group size
- 12–22 travelers
Travel by train through the heart of the Swiss Alps.
There’s nothing quite like a journey through a European country by rail, and when you throw the breathtaking scenery and storybook grandeur of the Swiss Alps into the mix, you have the makings of a week you’ll never forget. On this guided tour, Alpine majesty unfolds in every direction. As a passenger aboard several of Switzerland’s most scenic, historic, and highest railways, you’ll take in spectacular views and roll into the elegant heart of three Swiss gems: St. Moritz, Zermatt, and Interlaken. (Add the extension, and you’ll add Bern to that list.) Whether you’re a fan of culture, unforgettable scenery, or simply the romance of a railway adventure, this epic Alpine tour is for you.
Your tour package includes
- 7 nights in handpicked hotels
- 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners with beer or wine
- 3 sightseeing tours, from Zermatt’s car-free streets to Zurich’s Old Town
- 1 expert Tour Director, your guide to all things Swiss—on the rails and off
- 1 local guide, your key to Zurich’s storied neighborhoods and hidden corners
- Pre-booked transportation, including 5 scenic train rides and a private deluxe motor coach
- Entrances to museums, landmarks, and more—so you can skip the lines
Included highlights
- Riding the Glacier Express through 181 miles of valleys, ravines, and snowcapped scenery
- Crossing the famed Landwasser Viaduct and disappearing into a cliffside tunnel aboard the UNESCO World Heritage Albula Line
- Watching the Matterhorn fill the frame from Zermatt—all 14,692 feet of it
- Cresting the Lotschberg Pass and spotting the iconic peaks of Jungfrau, Monch, towering over the Bernese Oberland
- Stepping into Albert Einstein’s apartment in Bern, where the theory of special relativity took shape (if you add the tour extension!)
Itinerary
Overnight flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Zurich today.
Zurich2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Zurich
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to Switzerland! After touching down, make your way to your hotel and get settled in. Tonight, you’ll get to know your Tour Director and groupmates during a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Zurich
Included meal: Breakfast
Zurich’s efficient tram and rail network is practically an attraction in its own right—so it’s only fitting that you’ll use it to kick off today’s exploration. Hop aboard with your local guide and head into the heart of the city, where centuries of history are packed into a surprisingly walkable footprint.
- Climb to the Lindenhof, a hilltop square with sweeping panoramic views over the rooftops of the Old Town and the winding Limmat River below—making it a favorite perch of Zurich locals for good reason.
- Step inside the Fraumunster, where Marc Chagall’s luminous stainedglass windows cast the nave in jewel-toned light, before crossing the river to view the iconic twin towers of the Grossmunster, one of Switzerland’s most recognizable landmarks.
- Stroll the length of Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s elegant main boulevard, and wind through the cobblestoned Niederdorf quarter before finishing with a leisurely walk along the shimmering promenade of Lake Zurich.
After the tour, the afternoon opens up—and we’d encourage you to make the most of it with our optional excursion to the Rhine Falls and Schaffhausen. Europe’s largest waterfall is a thundering, mist-shrouded spectacle that has to be seen to be believed. A stop at the nearby medieval city of Schaffhausen, crowned by the Munot Fortress, makes for a perfect Swiss pairing. Prefer to linger in Zurich? The city’s gallery-dotted streets and lakeside paths are more than enough to keep you occupied.
St. Moritz1 night
Day 4: Alpine city of Chur & train ride to St. Moritz
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Your morning belongs to Chur—Switzerland’s oldest city, settled more than 5,000 years ago. Wander the pedestrian Altstadt, where painted facades and medieval architecture set an unhurried tone. Seek out the late-Gothic Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption and pass beneath the Obertor city gate before pulling up a chair at one of the cafes on the Arcas Square or along the Reichsgasse for a leisurely lunch on your own.
Then, board a regional train for one of the Alps’ great rail journeys—the UNESCO-listed Albula line. Take in unforgettable views as the train climbs through the lush Domleschg valley and into the heart of the Albula Alps, while the scenery grows more dramatic with each passing mile. The undisputed showstopper is the Landwasser Viaduct: a curved, six-arch stone bridge soaring 213 feet above the gorge below, which vanishes—almost impossibly—straight into the mouth of an opening carved into the cliff face. Beyond it, the train corkscrews through spiraling tunnels before descending into the broad, light-filled sweep of the Engadin valley.
St. Moritz greets you at 5,978 feet—crisp air, Alpine elegance, and a well-earned sense of arrival. After checking in and settling into your surroundings, gather with your fellow travelers for an included dinner paired with beer or wine.
Brig2 nights
Day 5: Glacier Express train ride to Brig
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Take your seat and grab your camera: Today, you’re riding the Glacier Express. Stretching 181 miles through verdant valleys, over rocky ravines, and among the skyscraping peaks of the Swiss Alps, this storied train needs little introduction—and its panoramic cabins make sure you won’t miss a single jaw-dropping moment. Settle in as St. Moritz slips away behind you and the Alps unfurl in every direction.
Lunch is included on board, a welcome mid-journey pause as the scenery rolls past your window. Keep your eyes peeled between bites: The Glacier Express has a way of serving up its most dramatic vistas right when you least expect them.
By the time the train pulls into Brig, tucked into the upper Rhone Valley at the crossroads of some of Switzerland’s most storied Alpine passes, you’ll arrive inspired and excited to enjoy every bit of the evening ahead. Check in, breathe in the mountain air, and let the day’s extraordinary journey settle in.
Please note: Depending on availability, the Glacier Express may be replaced with a regional train and bus transfer. Lunch on the train is a one-course set meal; drinks, including water, are available for purchase.
Day 6: Train to Zermatt & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Car-free, mountain-ringed, and anchored by one of the most recognizable silhouettes on earth, Zermatt has a way of stopping you in your tracks. Today, board a regional train from Brig for the short journey into the valley, where your Tour Director will lead an orientation walk through this storied Alpine village before the afternoon opens up for you to explore on your own terms.
- Stroll the length of Bahnhofstrasse, Zermatt’s lively main thoroughfare, where chalet-style boutiques and bakeries hum with the energy of a town that takes its mountain setting seriously.
- Wander into the Hinterdorf quarter, where centuries-old, blackened larch wood hay barns—called stadels—balance atop stone mushroom discs, unchanged since the 16th and 17th centuries. It’s a remarkably preserved pocket of alpine vernacular architecture.
- Pass the Matterhorn Museum, a subterranean tribute to Zermatt’s mountaineering heritage and the daring souls who first conquered the peaks above.
- Arrive at your first panoramic viewpoint of the Matterhorn—all 14,692 feet of it—framed by the sweeping walls of the Mattertal valley.
- With free time in hand, consider boarding the Gornergrat Railway for a train ride to one of the highest open-air stations in Europe, where the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and a glittering sweep of glaciers fill the horizon in every direction.
Hop back aboard a train to Brig and enjoy an evening to yourself—a quiet end to a day that was anything but.
Interlaken region2 nights
Day 7: Stockalper Palace, train to Spiez & transfer to the Interlaken region
Included meal: Breakfast
Begin the day at a leisurely pace in Brig, with time to soak up one last big of this compact Alpine crossroads before the train carries you north into the Bernese Oberland. Your final stop: the sun-drenched Interlaken region, where lakes and mountains vie for your attention in equal measure.
- Wander Brig’s cobblestone Stadtplatz and Sebastiansplatz before turning your gaze to the gleaming, gold-domed Stockalper Palace—a 17th-century merchant's castle that remains one of the grandest private buildings in Switzerland.
- Board a regional train northbound over the Lotschberg Pass, threading through a series of tunnels and viaducts—including the soaring Luogelkin Viaduct—before plunging into the Lotschberg Tunnel, a nine-mile passage carved more than a century ago beneath the Alps. The train emerges into the light at Kandersteg, where the broad, Kander Valley opens up and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland rise in full, dramatic view.
- Descend through the Kander valley as the landscape softens and opens, arriving at Spiez on the turquoise shore of Lake Thun. Take in the postcard-perfect scene: the turreted Spiez Castle and its vineyard terraces tumbling down to the glittering water below.
Continue to your hotel in the Interlaken Region, where the evening is entirely yours to shape. Choose to unwind at your own pace or set out on the optional Lake Thun cruise and dinner—gliding across those same shimmering waters as the Bernese Alps glow in the fading light will make this night a fitting end to the day.
Day 8: Free day in the Interlaken region
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Trade the valley floor for the 9,750-foot summit of the Schilthorn on today’s optional excursion. Add it to your itinerary to enjoy a taste of the Alpine village of Murren, as well as a ride on the world’s steepest cable car, and panoramic views of more than 200 peaks from a 9,744-foot summit. Or, hang back and spend your free day roaming at your own pace. Cross the Aare River and board the Harderbahn funicular for a swift climb above Interlaken—a short walk from the top leads to an open observation deck where the valley, the twin lakes, and the jagged Bernese skyline spread out in one sweeping, lung-filling panorama.
Raise a glass to the journey at tonight’s farewell dinner—a final toast to the rails traveled, the peaks admired, and the moments shared along the way.
Flight Home
Day 9: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Zurich airport for your flight home this morning, or climb aboard one last train and carry your journey a little further to Bern.
Bern extension
Travel past turquoise shores and hilltop castles before arriving in the beating heart of the Swiss capital, Bern. There, you’ll tour the medieval city center, visit the apartment where Einstein developed the theory of special relativity, and wander arcaded Old Town avenues where slow evenings in cozy taverns beckon.
Bern2 nights
Day 9: Transfer to Bern & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
The journey north to Bern follows the shores of Lake Thun and through the rolling green hills of the Bernese Mittelland. Enjoy watching the Swiss countryside glide by in every shade of green before the capital comes into view. On arrival, a local guide takes the reins.
- Cross the Aare River to appreciate Bern’s remarkable setting—a medieval city built on a peninsula cradled in a sweeping horseshoe bend, its sandstone skyline rising dramatically above the water below.
- Set out along the Lauben, Bern’s network of sandstone arcades stretching nearly four miles through the Old Town—the longest covered shopping promenade in Europe and one that has sheltered pedestrians through Alpine winters for centuries.
- Pause at the Zytglogge, an astronomical clock tower dating to 1530 that still keeps perfect time. Arrive four minutes before the hour and catch the mechanical figures spring to life in their charming, centuries-old performance.
- View the Bundeshaus, the grand seat of the Swiss federal government, and the soaring Bern Minster—Switzerland’s tallest cathedral, climbing 328 feet above the Old Town rooftops.
- Step inside 49 Kramgasse, where a young Einstein once lived and worked. It was here, in 1905, that he developed the theory of special relativity—making it arguably the most consequential apartment in the history of science.
The rest of the day unfolds at your own pace—so feel free to wander deeper into Bern’s medieval lanes, linger over a coffee, or simply let the city reveal itself on its own terms.
Day 10: Free day in Bern
Included meal: Breakfast
How will you spend your last day in Switzerland? To squeeze one final rail adventure out of your trip, our optional excursion to Lucerne is well worth the short journey. Board a train and arrive in one of Switzerland’s most beloved lakeside cities, where the flower-draped Kapellbrucke spans the Reuss River and the snowcapped peaks of the Bernese Alps frame every glance toward the water. Roam the medieval Old Town, take in the iconic Lion Monument, and soak up the kind of effortless charm that has drawn travelers to Lucerne for centuries before a train carries you back to Bern as the afternoon winds down.
Prefer to stay put? Wander back down the Old Town’s arcaded lanes at your own rhythm, duck into a museum, track down a cafe that caught your eye yesterday, or simply follow the city wherever it leads. However you choose to spend it, make the most of every last moment. Tomorrow, the journey home begins.
Flight Home
Day 11: Train to Zurich & departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Your journey comes full circle this morning as you board a train back to Zurich, the Swiss countryside making one final, unhurried pass outside your window. On arrival, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Reviews
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.
Zurich - Courtyard Zurich North
This modern hotel is located in Zurich. Guests enjoy a gourmet on-site restaurant, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a cozy bar for evening relaxation. Nearby, you'll find the Zurich Oerlikon Train Station, the...
St. Moritz - Hotel Reine Victoria
This elegant hotel is located in St. Moritz. Guests enjoy a cozy on-site restaurant, a welcoming bar, and a sun-drenched terrace perfect for soaking up the alpine scenery. Nearby, you'll find the shimmering Lake St. Moritz, the...
Brig - Hotel Europe Brig
This charming hotel is located in Brig. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and terrace. Nearby, you'll find Stockalper Palace, the Brig Old Town, and the Saltina Gorge.
Interlaken - 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. Nearby, you'll find the Jungfrau region, as well as the recreation area...
Bern - Kreuz Bern Modern City Hotel
This contemporary hotel is located in Bern. Guests enjoy a restaurant, fitness center, and bar. Nearby, you'll find the Bern Minster, the Bear Park, and the Rose Garden.
Flights
Make your journey to and from your tour as smooth as possible by letting our travel experts handle your round-trip flights. We’ll select the best itinerary for you at a great rate, thanks to our airline partnerships.
Your Go Ahead flight package includes:
- A round-trip flight for your tour from your preferred home airport
- An EF representative waiting for you on arrival to whisk you to your hotel
- Your lowest price locked in, so you don’t have to track airfare
- 24/7 on-tour support from our dedicated flights team
- Complimentary luggage retrieval services through Blue Ribbon Bags
- Dedicated flight experts to help arrange early arrivals, longer stays, or upgrades, so every detail fits your travel style
- Stress-free rebooking if your tour itinerary changes
Find out more about flights
FAQ
- In order to enter Switzerland, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code STT.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Zurich.
- Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Zurich, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign bearing your name. If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to regularly be on the move throughout your trip.
Tour Pacing
This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- One one-night stay
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by train
- Some transportation by motor coach and public transit
- Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk two to three miles per day across city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- In spring (April-May), expect cool and variable conditions across all destinations, with highs in the mid-40s F to low 60s F and lows dipping into the 30s F. Snow remains possible at higher elevations like Zermatt, making layers and a waterproof jacket essential.
- In summer (June–August), lower-elevation destinations like Zurich and Bern warm into the mid-70s F to low 80s F, while Alpine resorts remain refreshingly cool with temperatures in the 60s F and crisp evenings in the 40s F. Afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon in the mountains.
- In early fall (September), highs settle into the low–to–mid 60s°F at lower elevations and the 50s F in Alpine resorts. Days are generally pleasant and clear, though cooler mornings and the possibility of early snowfall at altitude signal the shift toward autumn.
- Please be aware that you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 11,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a steady pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
Transportation by Train
- Rail travel is a defining feature of this tour. Included train rides cover the trips from Chur to St. Moritz, St. Moritz to Brig, between Brig to Zermatt, and Brig to Spiez. The tour extension also includes a train ride from Spiez to Bern.
- European train stations operate much like airports, with baggage and body scanners common at many terminals. Platforms can span large distances and may require managing your luggage on escalators or stairs—porterage is not available on train transfers. Keep in mind that trains may stop at stations for only a few minutes, so boarding and deboarding quickly is essential. For full details on what to pack and how to pack it, see the Baggage Allowance & Expectations section of the FAQ.
Other Transportation
- All other included transfers throughout the tour are handled by private motor coaches and public transit, which use steps for boarding and do not generally offer ramps or lifts.
- Travelers will utilize public transit trams/metro during the sightseeing tours of Zurich and Bern.
- Across all modes of transportation on this tour, you may encounter raised platforms or steps when boarding.
- As this tour relies on trains for the majority of your transportation, please pack with mobility in mind. Travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item per person, as storage on trains and motor coaches is limited.
- Make sure all bags are clearly labeled, and always keep valuables, medication, and important documents in your carry-on.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout the tour, as porterage is not guaranteed—this includes at hotels, airports, and train stations.
- Contact your airline(s) directly for baggage size and weight restrictions prior to travel.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. You are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Train Baggage Allowances & Expectations
- Luggage storage on trains is extremely limited, and often requires travelers to lift their suitcases onto storage racks, sometimes above the seats.
- Only personal items like backpacks and purses are permitted on board.
- Larger bags will be shipped ahead to each hotel. It is strongly recommended that travelers bring an overnight bag or backpack for use during train journeys.
- Porterage is not provided at any station along the way; travelers are responsible for managing their own bags on and off the train and throughout the station.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single-use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without one built-in.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three to four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- Switzerland operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C or J plugs with two round pins or three round pins, respectively.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least three days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Please be aware that you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 11,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
- Even healthy travelers may sometimes experience altitude sickness, a temporary condition featuring symptoms like headache, fatigue, nausea, and light-headedness. Until your body acclimates to the higher altitudes, we suggest that you drink plenty of fluids and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our Customer Experience Team. Please note that, at this time, not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- This tour includes one lunch and three dinners: They may be set menus, buffet-style, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Swiss food is varied and sophisticated, and some popular dishes include sausages, breaded veal fillets, freshwater fish, and cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette. Be sure to try Swiss chocolate, which is among the world’s finest.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10 - $12 USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $4 USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2 USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the Swiss franc on tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each day's activities, and support travelers while on-tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is having access to our 24/7 Emergency Support Team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help this dedicated team anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On-Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- Switzerland is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
- When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6p.m. on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormously beneficial socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
