Discover Switzerland by Rail
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Experience Overview
There’s no finer way to explore Switzerland than aboard the world-renowned trains. Timetables run to the minute, and the glorious views make the journey as much of an adventure as the destination. Guided by a tour leader with unrivalled cultural insight, this adventure is your ticket to discovery, combining scenic journeys, including the famous Gotthard Panorama Express and Centovalli Express, with deep explorations into Swiss culture, cuisine and timeless mountain villages.
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Suitability: There is a reasonable amount of walking on this adventure, so you should read the itinerary carefully to ensure you are comfortable with that. We also travel by train, boat and cable car. There are luggage transfers on days 5 and 6; on other days, you’ll carry your own luggage on and off the trains, with only a short walk to the hotels.
Eating Drinking
Swiss food blends Alpine heartiness and refined European flair, influenced by the cuisines of France, Germany and Italy. Think creamy cheeses, rich chocolates, and warming fondues alongside crisp rösti and delicate pastries.
Please let us know of any dietary requirements you have at least two weeks before the trip starts. Most requirements can be catered for, but halal and kosher dishes are rarely found in this part of the world.
Transportation
There’s no better way to explore Switzerland than by rail. Trains are very punctual and the scenery is outstanding. For most of this trip, we take second-class carriages. However, we ride first class on the Gotthard Panorama Express train. We also travel by boat on this journey and take a cable car to Bettmeralp.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Alexander (Niederdorfstrasse 40, 8001 Zürich) or Central Plaza (Central 1, 8001 Zürich)
Recommended arrival time: There is a welcome briefing around 6pm on Day 1, followed by a welcome dinner
Airport: Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Getting to the start hotel
The easiest way to reach the hotel is by taking the train from Zurich Airport to Zurich HB station. It’s then a six-minute walk to Hotel Alexander or a three-minute walk to Central Plaza.
Catching your return flight
On the final day, we recommend taking the train from Montreux to Geneva Airport (GVA), where you can catch your onward flight.
Please note: Your Swiss Travel Pass is valid for the duration of the adventure, meaning your trains to and from the airport are covered. If you book additional nights, either before or after the main trip, then you can contact us to arrange transport.
Weather Information
In June and September, expect warm and often sunny days. October is cooler, though southern Ticino can still experience a Mediterranean climate. Pack a light jacket for evenings throughout, as nights in Bettmeralp (at 6,390ft/1,948m) can be chilly, even in summer.
Spending Money
For meals not included, allow 30-50 Swiss francs (US$37-US$62) for a meal, 5-6 francs (US$6.20-US$7) for a coffee, and 6-9 francs (US$7-US$11.15) for a beer or wine.
Tipping
Tipping is not necessary or expected in Switzerland, but for exceptional service you may like to give 5%-10%.
Our local staff are paid fairly for their work. Most wish to tip their tour leader in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is not compulsory and depends on the service received. As a starting point, we recommend 20-25 Swiss francs per person for the tour leader.
Highlights
Witness the dramatic beauty of Switzerland by rail, guided by an expert tour leader — Ride the famed Gotthard Panorama Express, a boat and rail adventure — Gaze over the mighty Aletsch Glacier from high up on Bettmerhorn mountain — Sample and sip the best of Swiss food and drink: chocolate, wines and raclette — Join local guides for an insider’s view of timeless towns and villages — Explore Chillon Castle on the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva
Trip Details
Product Code: 40041
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: ttmeralp.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: ASZ
Starts:
Finishes:
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
All accommodation: 2 Premium nights (hotels), 2 Superior nights (hotels), 3 Classic nights (hotels) — All breakfasts, one lunch, two dinners — Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities — Expert tour leader to enhance your adventureAccommodation
A selection of Swiss hotelsWe aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines. The normal accommodations used are noted on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the standout hotels we use on this trip. Upgrade to a deluxe lake-view room on Day 6 and Day 7 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details. Lugano: Hotel Parco Paradiso (nights 3-4) Parco Paradiso occupies a wonderfully scenic spot, overlooking the town to the waters of Lake Ceresio. Head to the Cuban bar, Havana Deck, to enjoy those views with an expertly concocted cocktail. Alternatively, head to the wellness and fitness suite to take advantage of the indoor swimming pool (with a lake view), sauna and Turkish bath. Montreux: Hotel Royal Plaza (nights 6-7) Enjoy more stunning views with our stay at the Royal Plaza, which sits on the shore of Lake Geneva, offering vistas over the waters to the Alps. It's home to a Fait Maison-certified cafe (meaning the food is authentic and high quality), plus two bars, including the Sunset Bar, where you can sip coffee with an exceptional panorama of the lake and mountains. Worth knowing Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $6405 ($801 /day)
Itinerary
Begin your adventure in Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland and a long-time centre for banking, art and innovation. Around 6pm, say grüezi to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Swiss welcome by arranging a three-course group dinner at a local restaurant. Want more time in Zurich? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Board the train (40 minutes) to Lucerne, a lakeside city framed by the Alps. On arrival, we drop our bags at our hotel before joining a local guide for a walking tour of the Old Town, taking in the Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Jesuit Church, and more. After free time for lunch, hop on the train (15 minutes) to a chocolatier, where we learn the history and artistry of Swiss chocolate, taste our way through the exhibition, and even craft our own bar to take home, before returning to Lucerne by train.
Experience an icon of Swiss travel this morning: the Gotthard Panorama Express, a unique journey that combines a boat cruise and scenic train ride. Begin on the boat, gliding across Lake Lucerne to Flüelen, enjoying views of Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. Then board the train southwards, travelling first class through mountain passes, spiralling tunnels, and dramatic valleys. Our final stop is Lugano, where Swiss and Mediterranean cultures combine in a dramatic mountain-and-lake setting.
Today is dedicated to discovering the rural traditions of the region. First, we take the train (35 minutes) to Locarno, a city on the shores of Lake Maggiore, where we meet a local guide to immerse ourselves in the agricultural heritage of the Ticino canton. Then we ride another icon of Swiss travel, the Centovalli train, to the mountain village of Intragna, where we enjoy a guided walk, before heading to Cavigliano. From the railway station, we take a 10-minute stroll past chestnut forests, vineyards and orchards to a local farm, where we learn all about the regional traditions from a farmer and enjoy a rustic spread of polenta, cold cuts, cheese and local wine. After, we return by train to Lugano.
Take the train to Locarno after breakfast, then ride the Centovalli Express to Domodossola in northern Italy, a spectacular journey through deep gorges, vineyards and villages. Pause for lunch in Domodossola before continuing by train to the Swiss Alpine town of Brig, where we have free time to explore and admire the baroque Stockalper Palace. In the afternoon, take the train and cable car up to car-free Bettmeralp, a mountain village perched at nearly 6,560ft (2,000m) with breathtaking views of the Valais Alps. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner at your hotel.
We take the cable car up Bettmerhorn mountain this morning. From the viewing platform, gaze over the mighty Aletsch Glacier, formed of 11 billion tonnes of ice, and visit the Glacier World exhibition (free entry) if you wish. Return to Bettmeralp and travel by rail (25 minutes) to Sierre, where a 15-minute stroll brings us to Château de Villa. Here, we indulge in a traditional raclette lunch, the quintessential Swiss cheese feast. Continue by train (1hr 30min) to Montreux. The evening is free to explore this lakeside town famed for music, flowers and Riviera glamour. Upgrade to a deluxe lake-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Visit Chillon Castle this morning, built on a rocky islet on the scenic shores of Lake Geneva. Its history stretches to the 12th century, when it was owned by the counts of Savoy, who would charge travellers passing the castle on the Via Francigena, an ancient road and pilgrimage route. Explore the fortress at your own pace before continuing by train (15 minutes) to Vevey, where lakeside cafes beckon for lunch. In the afternoon, ride the train (15 minutes) to the Lavaux vineyards. Here, we visit a winery for a tasting of the region’s celebrated wines, before returning to Montreux by rail. Upgrade to a deluxe lake-view room today – speak to your sales representative for more details
You’ve explored Switzerland by rail, gazed over the mighty Aletsch Glacier, and stepped inside the medieval walls of Chillon Castle, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home. Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
