Cars winding their way between Alpine peaks and turquoise lakes, panoramic windows framing the iconic Matterhorn at 4,478 metres above sea level like a painting, the soothing clatter of the rails, far from the stress of honking horns... This is the magic of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland - Classic a spectacular 7-day, 6-night trip to discover the most beautiful landscapes in Switzerland and the Alps aboard legendary panoramic trains.
Departing from Lucerne, you'll discover villages of wooden chalets, the palm trees of Lugano in Ticino, life at altitude in the resort St. Moritz the emblematic Glacier Express or the terraced vineyards and breathtaking views of the sparkling banks of the Lake Geneva.
If you love train travel and nature, and want to take in the sights around every bend without a car, without stress and without without having to worry about logistics then this is the tour for you. Focus on one of Europe's most beautiful train journeys: the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.
Firstly, with 29,000 kilometers of railroads, roads and boat lines, Switzerland has the densest public transport network in the world. Even its most remote valleys and highest peaks are effortlessly accessible. Above all, the country boasts one of the most punctual and scenic rail networks in the world.
Thanks to the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland so you can cross the whole country without ever renting a car You don't have to worry about routes or parking. Swiss trains literally take you from lake to lake, from summit to summit, from city to city effortless.
By train, the journey is an integral part of the trip. Not only do you not need to spend two hours at the airport for a domestic flight, or waste time searching for parking lots and running out of petrol, but you can also enjoy this rolling cocoon to read, contemplate the landscape or photograph the marmots around the bend. All without blowing your top. carbon footprint (by train, you save around 220 kg CO₂ eq / person on the circuit compared with the plane - i.e. around 80% reduction - and 50.6 kg CO₂ eq / person compared with the thermal car - i.e. almost 61.5% reduction!).
In fact, rail accounts for just 0.2% of transport-related CO 2 emissions in Switzerland, thanks to renewable energies and energy efficiency gains.
Zentralbahn AG - Simon Kim
Then, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is the anti city trip express: you take your time. Visit slow travel and comfort premium, you travel on legendary panoramic trains with wide seats, large panoramic windows and sometimes even service at the seat. In short, it's another way to travel A softer, more conscious approach that's more in tune with the local environment.
Above all, this turnkey tour includes travel panoramic train rides (including the famous Glacier Express and Bernina Express), as well as hotel nights with breakfast included. Enough to leave you with unforgettable memories.
Before we give you the full itinerary, what are we talking about? In a few figures, the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland Classique is :
You'll travel along some of Switzerland's most spectacular scenic routes:
And for a 5% discount, use the code " AFFHOURRAIL" at the time of booking!
Departure is from Lucerne. From there, you'll make the following loop: Interlaken - Montreux - Zermatt - Saint-Moritz - Tirano - Lugano - Lucerne.
Tour details - © switzerlandtravelcentre.com
The trip lasts a week and is divided as follows:
To live the experience, count CHF 1,430 (i.e. Approx. €1,450) in 2ᵉ class with Swiss Half Fare Card. A small sum, but still very competitive against separate bookings for a 7-day tour, since the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland Classique includes booking of journeys, including panoramic train journeys (GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express train and bus, Gotthard Panorama Express) and nights in a 3-star hotel with breakfast r (in Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, St-Moritz, Lugano and Lucerne).
Swiss Travel System
To get the most out of your trip, we advise you to go to between June and October (The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland Classique is available from April to October). Beware, demand is particularly high during the high season (July to September): we advise you to book as early as possible (especially if you want to enjoy the panoramic view from a window seat)!
Your journey begins in Lucerne - the jewel of German-speaking Switzerland, with its wooden bridge and peaceful banks - easily accessible by train. From Paris takes around 4h35, with a connecting train (usually to Basel or Zurich).
You then board the Luzern-Interlaken Express which links the two cities by 2 hours through landscapes of lakes and forests. On the way, you pass along the Lake Lungern you cross the valleys and see the peaks approaching.
In the evening, you fall asleep in Interlaken between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, at the foot of the Jungfrau.
This is one of the country's most emblematic lines. Visit 3 hours the GoldenPass Express takes you from the Bernese Oberland to the Vaud Riviera. A journey through golden vineyards, alpine pastures, forests and perched chalets.
Practical info: on board the GoldenPass Express, you can choose from a range of aperitif trays (the choice is made at the time of booking).
You get to Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva, where you'll spend the night. On site, we recommend a stroll along the lake or a visit to Chillon Castle.
Read also: GoldenPass Express: 4 days to discover Switzerland on a luxury panoramic train
Head for the mythical mountains. The train drops you off at Zermatt - car-free village dominated by the imposing Matterhorn (Switzerland's famous natural "Toblerone") - where you'll spend the day exploring the resort and surrounding area on your own before spending the night. A shorter journey, but a spectacular finish.
The highlight of the show: 8 hours aboard the famous Glacier Express nicknamed "the world's slowest express train". It crosses 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, crosses the Oberalp Pass at an altitude of 2033 metres, and offers you breathtaking views over gorges, forests, villages and breathtaking viaducts. Multilingual audio commentary accompanies you along the way.
Glacier Express AG - Stefan Schlumpf
Practical info: on board the Glacier Express, you can choose between a daily menu and à la carte dishes (the options are presented at the time of booking, but meals are not included in the fare).
In the evening, you fall asleep Saint-Moritz a chic resort in Graubünden.
Read also: Switzerland by train: 4 days aboard the legendary Glacier Express and Bernina Express
Then head south, aboard the Bernina Express by panoramic car to Tirano (Italy), over the Alps to the Bernina Pass at 2253 m above sea level. From glacier to palm tree, in just 4 hours. Special mention for the Brusio spiral viaduct a true masterpiece of engineering.
Practical info: please note that there are no dining cars on board. (For the record, we're talking about a car, not a dining car, the term wagon being reserved for freight trains), but a mobile minibar with snacks and drinks. Feel free to pack your own lunch for the trip.
Then you take the Bernina Express bus to Lugano. All in all, the journey takes about 5h40.
Switzerland Tourism, 2019, André Meier
You fall asleep Lugano a charming Swiss town with an Italian flair, in the canton of Ticino.
You continue in the 1st class panoramic car of the Gotthard Panorama Express to Flüelen - a historic line famous for its spiral tunnels and hanging villages - before crossing the Lake Lucerne on board the steamer to Lucerne.
Practical info: snacks and drinks are available on board, including some regional specialties. On the boat, you can enjoy your lunch in the restaurant (reservations are recommended, by phone or e-mail). online).
In the evening, you fall asleep Lucerne the circle is complete.
For this last day, you can start your return journey or extend your stay with public transport. We recommend that you take at least the morning to stroll through the medieval streets, climb the Musegg wall (a vestige of the city's medieval ramparts) or enjoy a last rösti on the terrace.
To embark - and receive a 5% discount with the code "AFFHOURRAIL" at the time of booking - click here:
This article was written in partnership with Switzerland Travel Centre. To find out more, visit their website: switzerlandtravelcentre.com !
This guide is produced in partnership with the tourism office:
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
