Group Rail Tours to Switzerland
Holiday Highlights
- Half board in hotel close to the station, steamer quay and city
- Ascent of two mountains by train (Rigi and Pilatus)
- Three lake cruises (Vitznau, Alpnachstad and Flüelen)
- Brünig and Gotthard Passes by train
- The historic city of Lucerne
Switzerland has so much to offer - majestic mountain views, lakeside landscapes and picture postcard cities and towns. Ffestiniog Travel has a special connection to Switzerland as our very first overseas escorted tour was to the Swiss Alps back in 1974 and we have continued to explore the country by train several times each year ever since.
We have the knowledge and expertise to help groups get the best out of their visit to this wonderful country which boasts stunning, natural landscapes and amazing railways that slice through the Swiss Alps and valleys. There are many breathtaking train journeys that span the majestic Swiss Alps and provide access to some unforgettable panoramic spectacles. A rail holiday to Switzerland has become a ‘must do’ for many who want to explore the Swiss mountains without the hassle and often fear of negotiating hair pin bends by car or coach.
Sit back and view stunning scenery from the comfort of the train and experience world renowned Swiss engineering at its very best. Ride the unforgettable iconic rail routes of the Glacier Express, Bernina Express trains or the lesser known Golden, Brünig or Gotthard Pass routes – train journeys that surpass all expectations.
We run a number of escorted tours to Switzerland throughout the year that can be adapted for Private Group Tours:
- Swiss Lake & Mountain rail touring holidays in Spring & Autumn
- ChristmasTours to the Swiss Alps
- Specialist Steam & Train Tours for Rail Enthusiasts
- One-centre based tours to specific regions
Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne
Below is just one sample itinerary of a Swiss tour based in Switzerland’s beautiful Lake Lucerne which boasts glorious mountain and lake scenery, an ideal destination for a family or private group rail holiday with a variety of escorted excursions to enjoy – even shopping!
Itinerary
Day 1 – London to Freiburg
Morning Eurostar to Brussels, then high speed connection via Cologne to Freiburg in southern Germany. Arrive at your hotel, next to the station, in time for your evening meal.
Day 2 – Relax in Lucerne
Within two hours, you arrive in the beautiful lakeside city of Lucerne. Afternoon is free to explore. The famous wooden Kapellbrücke is just two minutes from the hotel or use your Tell Pass for free travel on all public transport including boats and cable cars.
Day 3 – Explore the Rigi by Boat and Train
Morning at leisure in Lucerne. Afternoon boat trip on the lake to Vitznau for mountain rack railway ascent of the Rigi. Return via Arth Goldau and main line train to Lucerne.
Day 4 – Interlaken
A relaxing two hour train journey over the Brünig Pass, through beautiful mountain and lake scenery, brings you to the famous Alpine resort of Interlaken where there is time to explore. Return to Lucerne by train.
Day 5 – Pilatus
No holiday to Lucerne is complete without one of our favourite Alpine excursions – lake steamer to Alpnachstad, mountain railway to Pilatus Summit, cable car descent to Kriens and trolleybus back to Lucerne.
Day 6 – The Gotthard Pass
Take a 3 hour cruise on a Lake Lucerne paddle steamer along the lake to Flüelen. Train journey up the famous Gotthard route with its amazing hairpins to Göschenen. Finally you board the rack railway to travel up through the Schöllenen Gorge to Andermatt. Return by train to Lucerne.
Day 7 – Aachen
Mid-morning train departure from Lucerne via Basle and Frankfurt to Aachen for your final overnight stop.
Day 8 – Via Brussels to London
High speed train to Brussels with connection to London, arriving early afternoon.
Selected Hotels
IntercityHotel, Freiburg
Hotel Waldstätterhof, Lucerne
Ibis am Marschiertor, Aachen
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Rail travel as specified in standard class
- Seat reservations on international outward and return journeys and, where available, in Switzerland
- Tell Pass for unlimited travel within the Lake Lucerne region (includes mountain railways and lake steamers)
- Accommodation in good quality hotels
Price per person
Price available upon request
24/7 Support
Ffestiniog Travel provides 'out of hours' support for all independent travellers in the event of an emergency.
