ONE MORE SCENIC TRAIN IN 2027!
PLEASE NOTE: TravelMaven has added something new for 2027! The Centovalli (100 vallley) Railway is a historic mountain link between Locarno in southern Switzerland and Domodossola, Italy. The ride is slow through remote villages, but the scenery is awesome!
Switzerland is made for train travel, and on this two-week TrainTour, the journeys are as memorable as the places we visit. We’ll travel from the rolling countryside of St. Gallen and Appenzell to the peaks of the Jungfrau Region, the vineyards of Lake Geneva, the Mediterranean feel of Lugano, and finally beautiful Lucerne. Along the way, we’ll explore towns and mountain villages and cruise on four of Switzerland’s lakes.
Major train journeys include the Voralpen Express, the Luzern–Interlaken Express, the GoldenPass Express, the Centovalli Railway, and the Gotthard Panorama Express. Plus, we'll ride a variety of cog railways, funiculars and cable cars in the Jungfrau Region. Travelling by public trains and boats lets us experience Switzerland much as the Swiss do, with the scenery unfolding right outside our windows.
TravelMaven’s TrainTours are designed for travelers who want authentic experiences and the freedom to move like locals. That means using public trains and boats to reach not only Switzerland’s headline sights but also its hidden corners. To make this journey work, guests must be comfortable managing their own luggage through stations and onto trains. With the right bags—one daypack and one medium-size wheeled suitcase—you’ll be ready for an amazing adventure through one of the world’s most scenic countries.
DETAILS
LAND PACKAGE: $9,780
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $3,240
TYPE: TrainTour
HOTELS: 3 & 4 star
GROUP: Max 12 Guests (8 remaining)
DURATION: 12 nights
TravelMaven may increase the group size to 14 guests if a second tour director accompanies the tour.
Begins in Zurich: Sun Sept 12, 2027
Ends in Zurich: Fri Sept 24, 2027
Regions of Switzerland
St. Gallen / Appenzell
Eastern Switzerland is known for rolling green countryside, traditional villages and a strong sense of Swiss heritage. St. Gallen is home to a UNESCO listed abbey complex, while the nearby town of Appenzell is known for its colourful buildings and Alpine traditions.
St. Gallen · 2 nights
Interlaken / Jungfrau
The Jungfrau Region is home to some of Switzerland’s most famous Alpine scenery, with Interlaken sitting between two lakes and mountain villages like Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald tucked high above the valleys.
Wengen · 4 nights
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva stretches through French speaking Switzerland, with vineyards climbing the hills and the Alps visible across the water. The region is also dotted with historic towns, castles and waterfront promenades.
Lausanne · 3 nights
Lake Lugano
Lake Lugano sits in Italian speaking southern Switzerland, surrounded by steep green mountains and towns with a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Italian food, palm trees and warmer weather all add to the charm.
Lugano · 2 nights
Lake Lucerne
Lucerne sits where the mountains meet the lake, with a compact medieval Old Town, waterfront promenades and the famous Chapel Bridge. It’s one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities.
Luzern · 1 night
Train Experiences
Voralpen Express
The Voralpen Express travels through the rolling countryside and foothills of the Alps in eastern Switzerland.
St. Gallen → Lucerne · 2 hrs 15 mins · Day 3
Luzern-Interlaken Express
The Luzern–Interlaken Express is a panoramic train that passes turquoise lakes, waterfalls and mountain scenery as it crosses the Brünig Pass.
Lucerne → Interlaken · 1 hr 50 mins · Day 3
Jungfrau Region
The Jungfrau Region is connected by an incredible network of mountain and cogwheel railways, making the trains themselves part of the experience.
Multiple train rides throughout the Jungfrau Region · Days 4-6
GoldenPass Express
The GoldenPass Express is one of Switzerland’s signature panoramic trains, travelling through the mountains and valleys to Lake Geneva.
Interlaken → Montreux · 3 hrs 15 mins · Day 7
Lake Geneva & Rhone River Valley
We will pass along the north shore of Lake Geneva before entering the Rhone River Valley and climbing to Brig.
Lausanne → Brig · 2 hrs · Day 10
Centovalli Railway
The Centovalli Railway winds through the “Hundred Valleys,” crossing bridges and passing waterfalls, forests and small mountain villages.
Domodossola (Italy) → Locarno · 2 hrs · Day 10
Gotthard Panorama Express
The Gotthard Panorama Express follows the historic Gotthard mountain route through the Alps, complete with corkscrew twists and tunnels.
Lugano → Flüelen · 2.5 hrs · Day 12
Boat Excursions
Lake Brienz
Cruise across brilliant turquoise waters surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and small lakeside villages.
2.5 hrs · Day 6
Lake Geneva
Travel from Lausanne to Chillon Castle, taking in views of the vineyards, lakeside towns and surrounding Alps along the way.
1.5 hrs · Day 9
Lake Lugano
Cruise across Lake Lugano to Morcote, the picturesque lakeside village known as the “Pearl of Ceresio”.
3 hrs · Day 11
Lake Luzern
We’ll cruise from Flüelen to Lucerne across Lake Lucurne, passing lakeside villages and taking in the surrounding mountain scenery.
2 hrs 45 mins · Day 12
*Train and boat journey times are approximate*
Daily Agenda
Day 1 (Sun Sept 12)
Arrive in Zurich, Train to St. Gallen & Abbey of St. Gall
Today, guests will arrive at Zurich Airport and take the train to St. Gallen. After dropping off our bags, we’ll visit the UNESCO-listed Abbey of St. Gall for a guided tour of its church and library. After checking into our hotel, we will gather for our Welcome Dinner.
Meals Included: Dinner | Overnight: St. Gallen
Day 2 (Mon Sept 13)
St. Gallen & Appenzell Day
Today we’ll visit Appenzell, a small town known for its colourful painted buildings, winding streets, and mountain scenery. We’ll walk through the town together, exploring its highlights, then have time to browse the shops and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to St. Gallen.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch | Overnight: St. Gallen
Day 3 (Tue Sept 14)
Voralpen Express & Interlaken Express to Wengen
This morning, we’ll board the Voralpen Express, travelling past lakes and Alpine foothills. We’ll then take the Luzern–Interlaken Express before continuing up to the mountainside village of Wengen. After checking into our hotel, we’ll have time to relax before a group dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner | Overnight: Wengen
Day 4 (Wed Sept 15)
Lauterbrunnen Valley Day
On our first day in the Jungfrau region, we'll enjoy an unforgettable adventure. We'll start with a journey along the valley floor before ascending the world's steepest gondola on our way up to the top of Schilthorn Mountain. Afterwards, we'll stop in beautiful Mürren before returning to the valley floor to walk through Lauterbrunnen to see Staubbach Falls. We will return to Wengen for a free evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Overnight: Wengen
Day 5 (Thu Sept 16)
Klein Scheidegg and Grindelwald
Today, we will take the train up to Kleine Scheidegg before continuing to Grindelwald. From there, we will travel by gondola up and over Männlichen Mountain, enjoying spectacular alpine views along the way, before returning to Wengen. The rest of the day is free to relax by the pool.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Overnight: Wengen
PLEASE NOTE: This is the day for the optional visit to Jungfraujoch. Ask Barry for booking details.
Day 6 (Fri Sept 17)
Lake Brienz & Schynige Platte
Today, we’ll begin our day with a cruise across the turquoise matters of Lake Brienz before riding the historic cogwheel train up to Schynige Platte, climbing through alpine scenery to a viewpoint overlooking the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. In the evening, we’ll gather for a group dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner | Overnight: Wengen
Day 7 (Sat Sept 18)
Golden Pass Express & North Shore of Lake Geneva
After checking out of our hotel in Wengen, we’ll travel down to Interlaken and board the GoldenPass Express. The train winds through mountain valleys and picturesque villages on its way to Montreux. From there, we’ll continue along Lake Geneva to Lausanne, where we’ll walk through the Old Town before enjoying a group dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner | Overnight: Lausanne
Day 8 (Sun Sept 19)
Winery Tram & Olympic Museum
We’ll begin with a short train ride to Lutry, where we’ll board the Lavaux Wine Tram for a tour through the UNESCO World Heritage vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva. Midday, we’ll have lunch together before visiting the world renowned International Olympic Museum. The evening is free in Lausanne.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch | Overnight: Lausanne
Day 9 (Mon Sept 20)
Chillon Castle & Montreux
We will begin the day with a ferry ride on Lake Geneva from Ouchy to historic Chillon Castle. After a guided visit, we’ll continue to Montreux, where guests will have free time to explore the town and, if they wish, visit the Queen Studio Experience (Freddie Mercury Museum in Queen’s former recording studio).
Meals Included: Breakfast | Overnight: Lausanne
Day 10 (Tue Sept 21)
Centovalli Railway to Lugano via Domodossola
After checking out, we’ll travel by train to Domodossola, Italy, where we’ll have some time to explore and enjoy lunch. Then we’ll board the scenic Centovalli Railway to Locarno, passing through deep valleys and mountain villages. From there, we’ll take a final train to Lugano, check into our hotel, and enjoy a free evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast | Overnight: Lugano
Day 11 (Wed Sept 22)
Lugano Day
This morning we’ll take a boat across Lake Lugano to Morcote, a picturesque village often called the “Pearl of Ceresio.” After returning to Lugano, the afternoon is free to relax or explore the city’s shops, gardens, and lakeside promenade. This evening, we’ll gather for a group dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner | Overnight: Lugano
Day 12 (Thu Sept 23)
Gotthard Panorama Express & Lake Luzern Cruise
After checking out, we’ll board the Gotthard Panorama Express, winding through the Alps on a historic railway of bridges and looping tunnels. In Flüelen, we’ll board our boat and cruise across Lake Luzern into the city. After checking into our hotel, guests will have some free time before our Farewell Dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner | Overnight: Luzern
Day 13 (Fri Sept 24)
Departure Day
After breakfast, guests will make their way to the Zurich Airport to catch flights home. (Guests also have the option to add an additional night or two in Lucerne. Ask us for details.)
Meals Included: Breakfast
