8D7N Highlights of Switzerland (Daily Departure)

8D7N Highlights of Switzerland

from $2,868 per adult, 2nd class with a Swiss Half Fare Card, 3-star double room.

Note: Additional surcharge / peak surcharges to be advised upon booking 

This journey takes you on the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt and then via Interlaken to Lucerne. Steep mountain railways also take you high up. Unique views that will take your breath away await you on the Gornergrat, Jungfraujoch and Pilatus.

• Spectacular journey on the Glacier Express - the slowest express train in the world
• Lucerne and its picturesque lake
• Excursions high up to the Gornergrat and Pilatus
• Alpine destinations – St. Moritz, Zermatt and Interlaken
• Snow and ice on the Jungfraujoch – 3,344 metres above sea level

Overview

Day 1: Arrival and stay in St. Moritz

Day 2: Journey on the Glacier Express

Day 3: Excursion to the Gornergrat

Day 4: Stay in Interlaken

Day 5: Excursion to the Jungfraujoch

Day 6: Journey on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express

Day 7: Excursion to the Pilatus

Day 8: Return journey from Lucerne

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and stay in St. Moritz

Start your journey from your individual starting point in Switzerland and travel to St. Moritz by public transport.

Overnight stay in St. Moritz

Day 2: Journey on the Glacier Express

Travel on the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt, where you spend the night.

Journey time: approx. 8 hours

Overnight stay in Zermatt

Day 3: Excursion to the Gornergrat

Take the cogwheel railway up to the Gornergrat at an altitude of 3,089 metres. There you can enjoy the view of the Matterhorn.

Overnight stay in Zermatt

Day 4: Stay in Interlaken

Travel by train through the Bernese Oberland to Interlaken. Enjoy the view of the mountains and nature during your journey.

Overnight stay in Interlaken

Day 5: Excursion to the Jungfraujoch

Travel on the Jungfrau Railway through the mountains to the highest railway station in Europe at an altitude of 3,454 metres. Enjoy the impressive view during the journey.

Overnight stay in Interlaken

Day 6: Journey on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express

Travel to Lucerne on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express. Enjoy the view during the journey and discover the beauty of the surroundings.

Journey time: approx. 2 hours

Overnight stay in Lucerne

Day 7: Excursion to the Pilatus

Take the gondola lift to the summit of Mount Pilatus and back. Enjoy the view during the ride and discover the beauty of the surroundings.

Overnight stay in Lucerne

Day 8: Return journey from Lucerne

Travel by public transport from Lucerne to your destination in Switzerland. Or extend your stay to discover even more.

Travel period: January to October

Recommended travel period: June to October

High season: July to September

Important information about the trip

Included services

The from price includes the following services:

• 1 overnight stay including breakfast in a 3* hotel in St. Moritz
• 2 overnight stays including breakfast in a 3* hotel in each of Zermatt, Interlaken and Lucerne
• Rail journey in 2nd class as per itinerary from/to Swiss border/airport/residence
• Swiss Half Fare Card (only applicable to non-residents of Switzerland/Liechtenstein)
• Rail journey in 2nd class on the Luzern-Interlaken Express
• Seat reservation in 2nd class on the Glacier Express
• Mountain excursion to Gornergrat
• Mountain excursion to Jungfraujoch
• Mountain excursion to Pilatus (via Kriens)
• "Digital Swiss Coupon Pass" with more than 100 varied 2-for-1 offers

Booking and travel planning

• Pre-book your lunch on the Glacier Express at the time of booking.
• An upgrade to Glacier Express Excellence Class is possible on request, subject to availability and for an additional charge.
• From May to August, a seat reservation is mandatory for the journey to the Jungfraujoch. Outside this period, seat reservations are not compulsory but are recommended.
• We will book your connection with the Glacier Express depending on seat availability and to suit your travel programme.
• Please note that the seat reservation on the Glacier Express is not yet confirmed after booking.
• Some hotels have a minimum length of stay during the peak travel season, which may limit availability. A longer stay increases your chances of finding a suitable hotel.
• Children's prices are based on a child sharing a room with two full-paying adults and travelling with at least one parent.
• For residents of Switzerland: Prices are based on a Junior Travelcard or Child Co-travelcard for children from the 6th to before the 16th birthday, which must be purchased before departure.
• The travel documents will be sent by e-mail if possible, in exceptional cases by post.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the travel classes on the Glacier Express?

On the Glacier Express, you have a choice of three travel classes: Excellence Class, 1st Class and 2nd Class. The main difference between the classes lies in the seating and the service. Excellence Class offers the highest level of comfort with exclusive service and a guaranteed window seat in tables of two. The seating is arranged in tables of two and four in 1st class and only tables of four in 2nd class. In 1st and 2nd class, an at-seat lunch service is also offered, which you can add on when making a booking. All travel classes have the same panoramic windows.

Can I choose my seat on the Glacier Express in advance?

On the Glacier Express, you can specify your seat preferences during the booking process using the comments field. As the panoramic coaches can change direction of travel, it is not guaranteed that your seat preferences will always be met. We will endeavour to allocate you the best available seat and inform you if no window seat is available. The view is always impressive, regardless of your seat.

What dining options are available on board the Glacier Express?

You can choose between a daily menu or à la carte dishes. The options are displayed when you book. The meal is not included in the price of the seat reservation. We recommend that you make your choice at the time of booking.

Where does the Glacier Express start and how do I get from the railway station to the hotel and back?

The Glacier Express connects Zermatt with St. Moritz. The route can be done in both directions – the choice is yours.

In the booking process, the distance to each station is displayed when you choose a hotel. This allows you to choose nearby accommodation as required.

Some hotels offer practical transfer services. For details about the transfer, please contact your hotel directly.

How do I get to the Jungfraujoch and how long does the journey take?

From Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen you can reach the Jungfraujoch with the Wengernalp Cogwheel Train. This takes you to Kleine Scheidegg, where you change to the Jungfrau Cogwheel train. The total travel time from Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen is around 90 minutes each way.

Alternatively, you can take the Eiger Express cable car from Grindelwald Terminal, which will take you directly to the Eigergletcher station in around 15 minutes. There you change to the Jungfrau Railway, which will take you to the Jungfraujoch in around 30 minutes. In total, the journey takes around 45 minutes each way.

For your stay on the Jungfraujoch, allow around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, not including lunch.

The journey there and back from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen takes about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the connection, and should also be taken into account.

Tip: Combine the trip as a round trip – use the Wengernalp Cogwheel Railway for the outward journey and the Eiger Express for the return journey.

Can I make longer stops on the journey to the Jungfraujoch?

Yes, you can make longer stops at various stages such as Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg or Eigergletcher. On the route between the Eiger Glacier and the Jungfraujoch, there is only one photo stop at the Eismeer station and a longer stay is not possible there.

Do I need a seat reservation for my journey to the Jungfraujoch?

Seat reservations are not required for regional trains in Switzerland.

Seat reservations are compulsory when travelling to the Jungfraujoch between May and August. This applies to both routes Grindelwald Terminal-Eigergletscher-Jungfraujoch and Kleine Scheidegg-Jungfraujoch or vice versa. The earlier you book, the more likely it is that your preferred timings will be available. Reservations are recommended but not compulsory for the rest of the year. Seat reservations are not included in the package cost.

Is there 1st class on the route to the Jungfraujoch?

There is no 1st or 2nd class on the journey to the Jungfraujoch. All passengers travel in the same seating area on the Wengernalp and Jungfrau Cogwheel Railways.

However, if you choose 1st class for your journey, you can experience this on the trains from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen before changing to the Wengernalp or Jungfrau Railway.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. Demand is particularly high for the high season (see above). 

Is the journey accessible?

For accessible holidays, we recommend that you contact us directly. This way, we can check the best options together and ensure that your travel needs are taken into consideration.