15 Day | Winter Grand Tour Of Switzerland

Dramatic winter scenes & spectacular rail journeys crossing Switzerland’s high Alps in style

Lucerne in winter
Obertor, Chur
Glacier Express near Andermatt in winter

This is one of our 'Scenic Touring' holidays, offering you the chance to experience the full diversity of the Swiss landscape and enjoy a good number of scenic rail journeys. You'll stay in a variety of lakes and mountains resorts across the country. There are plenty of day trips to enjoy - free or heavily discounted with your Swiss Travel Pass - or you could simply relax amidst the beautiful scenery. The holiday can be adapted in various ways to suit you, including upgrading your hotel room or adding more resorts and rail journeys.

Please call 0800 619 1200 for help with planning or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

 

"An unforgettable fortnight spent in the magical Swiss winter lakes and mountains scenery! Journeys include the Glacier and Bernina Express, Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express and the Treno Gottardo and stays in no less than 6 scenic resorts."

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Contact us to book your holiday

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com


Day 1 - Arrive and explore lakeside Locarno

Fly from the UK to Zurich in under 2 hours with connecting rail travel to Locarno. Welcome to your hotel and enjoy your first views of Locarno and Lake Maggiore.

Day 2 - Enjoy the Ticino region and the Centovalli Line

Locarno is situated south of the Alps - an ideal place to enjoy the dolce vita with the famous Piazza Grande boutique shops and an inviting Mediterranean-style café culture. Your free Ticino Ticket gives you free travel on local transport including to the beautiful lakeside resort of Ascona and Bellinzona with its famous castles. Alternatively, with your Swiss Travel Pass enjoy free return travel on the stunning Centovalli Line to Domodossola in Italy.

Day 3 - Travel on the Treno Gottardo line to Flüelen, with a cruise on to Lucerne

The Treno Gottardo travels slowly via the old Gotthard tunnel on looping mountain tracks, with some fabulous winter scenery to enjoy. On arrival in Flüelen you join the lake boat for a scenic cruise along the whole length of the lake to historic Lucerne. Consider upgrading to 1st class on the upper deck!

Day 4-5 - Lakeside Lucerne and the mountains of Central Switzerland

With your Swiss Travel Pass, Lucerne is the perfect spot from which to enjoy free travel around the dramatic scenery of Central Switzerland. The famous old cog railway to the stunning snowy peak of Mount Rigi with winter walking trails, and the Stoos funicular are also included with your Swiss Travel Pass. Mount Pilatus and other mountain railways and cable cars are available at a 50% reduction.

Day 6 - Scenic Luzern-Interlaken Express journey to Interlaken

This striking 2 hour journey is a joy as you travel along a very scenic winter landscape including the fabulous Brünig Pass, the resort of Meiringen and a final run alongside Lake Brienz and into Interlaken.

Day 7-8 - Explore the glorious Bernese Oberland

With your Swiss Travel Pass you can enjoy free travel on cruises around the lake of Thun and travel into the stunning Jungfrau mountains at Wengen, Mürren or Grindelwald. You may like to consider a trip on the mountain railways or cable cars with a 50% discount to Schilthorn-Piz Gloria or 25% discount to Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe.

Day 9 - GoldenPass Express to Montreux - an exceptional scenic journey

A day to look forward to, with the GoldenPass Express all the way to Montreux. Enjoy views of Lake Thun as you head into the mountains and the Simmen Valley to Zweisimmen. Here, the train switches track and travels on to the alpine winter resort of Gstaad, before the descent into Montreux, with fabulous views of Lake Geneva.

Day 10 - In and around Montreux on the beautiful Swiss Riviera

Montreux is fascinating town, with a wonderful promenade which you can follow to the romantic Chillon Castle – entry is free with your Swiss Travel Pass, as are mainline trains so you can visit Geneva for the day, or perhaps Lausanne passing through the vineyards at Lavaux. The mountain railway to Les Rochers-De-Naye at 50% reduction is highly recommended for spectacular snowy views.

Day 11-12 - Travel along the Rhône Valley to Brig and a great choice of trips

You have 2 nights in historic Brig. With your Swiss Travel Pass you can take your pick of stunning visits, including free travel to the Matterhorn village of Zermatt - maybe even plan a trip on the Gornergrat railway (50% reduction). Alternatively, you can head for the amazing Aletsch Glacier where we recommend buying a local pass for walks with truly awesome views. You will be spoilt for choice!

Day 13 - Glacier Express to Chur including lunch

Sit back and relax in your reserved seat on this leisurely 4 hour Glacier Express winter experience to Chur. You will be served lunch while travelling through the picturesque Goms Valley en route to the highest point of the journey - the Oberalp Pass. Then it’s a spectacular finale to your journey travelling alongside the Rhine and through the Grand Canyon of Switzerland to Chur.

Day 14 - Chur and the wonderful Rhaetian Railway

Chur lies at the heart of the scenic railways. The Bernina Express to Tirano is an unbelievable journey – a full day (4 hours each way) travelling through the high Alps via fantastic bridges, viaducts and tunnels with dramatic scenery to enjoy. Time for a quick Italian lunch in Tirano before your spectacular return to Chur. An alternative shorter journey is the route to St. Moritz, or the attractive Arosa Line.

Day 15 - Last day in Switzerland

A last look around historic Chur before you board the train to Zurich for your flight to the UK.

 

2025 pricing

2 nights in Locarno, 3 nights in Lucerne, 3 nights in Interlaken, 2 nights in Montreux, 2 nights in Brig and 2 nights in Chur

Available: all year except 12 October-5 December but particularly suitable for winter

Guide prices from £2,322 per person in 3 star hotels or from £2,619 per person in 4 star hotels

Upgrade to 1st class Swiss Travel Pass from just £216 per person

Include half board from £615 (3 star, except Montreux) or £515 (4 star, except Montreux and Interlaken) per person


 

Your holiday price includes

Booking Conditions
  • Scheduled return flights from London to Zurich including taxes and hold baggage (flights are available from around the UK)
  • 15 day Swiss Travel Pass covering all rail journeys described and many more (2nd class)
  • 14 nights’ hotel accommodation bed and breakfast as described based on two people sharing
  • Treno Gottardo and lake cruise Locarno-Lucerne (2nd class)
  • Reserved seats on the Luzern-Interlaken Express (2nd class)
  • Reserved seats on the GoldenPass Express Interlaken-Montreux (2nd class) and regional rail Montreux-Brig (2nd class)
  • Reserved seats and lunch on the Glacier Express Brig-Chur (2nd class)
  • Reserved return seats on the Bernina Express Chur-Tirano (2nd class)
  • Ticino Ticket offering free bus and train travel around the Locarno region and Riviera Card in Montreux offering free local buses and reductions on local places of interest
  • Personalised full detailed itinerary sent with all tickets
  • Financial protection ATOL 3148
The Swiss Travel Pass is valid on trains, PostBuses, boats and scenic trains. Travel on mountain railways and cable cars is up to 50% reduction. Suggested excursions operate year round. Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com
 

Request your holiday quotation

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

Swiss Trail Pass
 

Your holiday includes a Swiss Travel Pass, covering the rail journeys below as well as many scenic excursions

GoldenPass Express

Your scenic train journeys

You can discover more about the scenic routes by clicking below

 
 
 
 
 

Winter scenic rail video


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Idyllic villages on the route of the Luzern-Interlaken Express

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Build your own scenic itinerary

Glacier Express on the Landwasser Viaduct
Not quite the perfect holiday? We can tailor make it to suit you:
  • Change the direction of travel
  • Add extra nights along the way
  • Add on lakes & mountains excursions
  • Include dinner on a half board basis
  • Upgrade to superior hotel rooms
  • Upgrade to 1st class rail for extra comfort
  • Bespoke prices available 2025
Request a scenic holiday quote
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