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The Greatest Train Ride
Private tour

The Greatest Train Ride

chSwitzerland
4 cities
8 days, 7 nights
Day by day
Places you explore
Recommended hotels
Landmarks & Experiences
Day 1 Zurich

Arrival
Welcome to the largest city in Switzerland - Zurich! Upon arrival, your driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to your remarkable hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free, so you can relax in your room, have dinner in a local restaurant and  start exploring the nearby attractions.

Breakfast included
Glockenhof Zürich
Glockenhof Zürich
Sihlstrasse 31, Zürich, ZH, CH, 8001
Comfort Double Room (Chic)
1 room
Up to 2 guests
2 Twin Beds
30 m²
Breakfast included
More amenities
Arrival: Private Transfer Sedan
Day 2 Zurich

Exploring Lucerne Region
Following breakfast, you head to the railway station to take a train to Lucerne. In about 50 minutes you meet your guide at the station of Lucerne.

Then you are invited to take an unforgettable trip with your private guide who shows you the magnificent views of Mount Pilatus and the Lucerne region. The tour starts with a cruise across the Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. There you board the famous cogwheel train that takes you across the world's steepest railway passing through lush Alpine meadows, spectacular rocks and sparkling mountain streams to the top of Mt Pilatus, the altitude of which is 2,132 m (6,995 ft).

For the return journey, you ride a cable car to enjoy the fantastic scenery once again. As the last part of your magnificent tour, you take a 20-minute bus from Kriens to Lucerne. Tickets* for a public boat cruise, cogwheel train, cable car, and bus are included.

Please, note: boat and cogwheel train are available only from middle of May to September. The rest of the year they are replaced with cable car and bus.

After the tour, you take a train back to Zurich. The rest of the evening is free.

Full day
Private Day Trip to Mount Pilatus in Summer
Private Day Trip to Mount Pilatus in Summer
Day 3 Zurich

Zurich City Tour & Departure
After breakfast, you check out from the hotel and leave your luggage in the hotel storage room. Then you meet your private guide and enjoy a perfectly-planned sightseeing tour around the most beautiful landmarks of Zurich.

Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the Old Town for the following 3 hours, walking through its narrow cozy streets and exploring its breathtaking medieval houses, churches and town hall.

After the tour you have a transfer to the station.

Glockenhof Zürich
Address
Sihlstrasse 31, Zürich, ZH, CH, 8001
3h
Zurich Guided Walking Tour
Zurich Guided Walking Tour
Departure: Private Transfer Sedan
Train from Zurich to St. Moritz
Departure
3 h 18 min
Arrival

Description for connection

With 1 train change in Chur

Day 3 St. Moritz

Arrival
You arrive to St Moritz station, walk to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is a leisure to enjoy the magnificent mountain landscape on your own.

Please, note: to have more time to enjoy St Moritz, we recommend you to extend your stay here. Contact your travel specialist for details.

Breakfast included
Hotel Reine Victoria
Hotel Reine Victoria
Via Rosatsch 18, St. Moritz, GR, CH, 7500
Economy Double Room
1 room
Up to 3 guests
1 Double Bed
20 m²
Breakfast included
More amenities
Day 4 St. Moritz

Glacier Express
Following breakfast, you check out from the hotel. Today you enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime railway journey to Zermatt on board the iconic Glacier Express that presents you with fantastic views of the picturesque Swiss Alps taking you through lots of tunnels and over several hundred bridges. The so-called 'slowest express train in the world' snakes its way through valleys, mountains and even canyon. 

Hotel Reine Victoria
Address
Via Rosatsch 18, St. Moritz, GR, CH, 7500
Train from St. Moritz to Zermatt
Departure
8 h 12 min
Arrival

Description for connection

Glacier Express - the legendary train is one of the symbols of Switzerland.
Please note: there are no Glacier Express trains running mid-October to mid-December.

Day 4 Zermatt

Arrival 
Zermatt is famous not only for being a popular ski resort. This lovely village is located in the southern canton of Valais which is home to some of the world's most spectacular mountains, including Matterhorn.

Upon arrival, you walk to your hotel for check-in, and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast included
Wellness Hotel Alpenhof
Wellness Hotel Alpenhof
Matterstrasse 43, Postfach 462, Zermatt, VS, CH, 3920
Deluxe Double No Balcony
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 Queen Bed
23 m²
Breakfast included
More amenities
Day 5 Zermatt

Day Trip to Gornergrat 
After breakfast you walk to the station where you board a cogwheel train equipped with large windows that allow you to enjoy a journey across the highest open-air railway in Europe. The Gornergrat Bahn is the cog railway which was the first in the world to be fully electrified. Nowadays regenerative braking system of this eco-friendly railway generates electricity on the descent and so saves energy.

After about 45 minutes you reach the station of Gornergrat which is considered to be the highest open-air railway station of Europe at an altitude of 3, 090 m (10,135 ft). Gornergrat observation platform is accessible all year round and offers one of the finest panoramas in Switzerland. From there you have a glorious view of more than 20 four-thousand m (13,123 ft) peaks, one of which is Matterhorn. A truly unforgettable experience you cannot miss!

Please, note: it is important to wear something warm and wind/rain protective when going to Gornergrat. The temperature there is usually lower than in the cities even in summer. In case you feel too cold you can always go inside the restaurant which is close to the observation platform. The trains to/from Gornergrat are heated well.

After some free time in Gornergrat you have a train ride back to Zermatt. The rest of the day is free.

Half day
Trip to Gornergrat
Trip to Gornergrat
Day 6 Zermatt

Train to Montreux
In the morning after breakfast you check out from the hotel, walk to the  station and depart from Zermatt. 

Wellness Hotel Alpenhof
Address
Matterstrasse 43, Postfach 462, Zermatt, VS, CH, 3920
Train from Zermatt to Montreux
Departure
2 h 30 min
Arrival

Description for connection

With 1 change of trains in Visp.

Day 6 Montreux

Trip to Chillon Castle & Montreux Sightseeing
Welcome to the traditional resort town of Montreux located on the shores of Geneva Lake! Upon arrival, you walk to your centrally-located hotel for check-in.

The same day you take a public boat cruise* on Lake Geneva to reach the most recognizable historic monument in Switzerland - Chillon Castle which dates back to medieval ages. Its charming architectural style and rich history inspired such literary geniuses as Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Lord Byron. First you admire the exterior of this historical monument from water. Upon disembarkation you have a private guided touring around the most spectacular parts of Chillon Castle.

Following Chillon you head for Montreux where you meet your guide and have a private walking tour.  

You learn about the history and culture of charming 'Swiss Riviera' strolling along the lake shores where the summer Jazz Festival takes place. On the way up to the old town you enjoy stunning views over the lake and pass by the oldest house in Montreux, dating back to the 16th century. 

While you walk the little streets of this charming town, your guide shares with you the stories of the famous expats in Montreux such as Vladimir Nabokov and Freddie Mercury. You see the statue of Freddie Mercury and have a chance to visit the Queen: The Studio Experience exhibition located in the original Mountain Studios, part of the Montreux Casino. Queen recorded a total of seven albums here at Mountain Studios in Montreux, which the band owned between 1979 and 1996, including the final album Made in Heaven. 

During the tour you also find out how fire at the Montreux Casino inspired Deep Purple's classic "Smoke on the Water." Since then the casino has been beautifully rebuilt, so have a great chance to visit it in the evening. 

After the tour you return to your hotel.

*Please, note: cruises are available from mid-April to mid-October; in winter season they are replaced with train rides.

Breakfast included
Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Autograph Collection
Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Autograph Collection
45 Avenue Des Alpes, Montreux, VD, CH, 1820
Superior Room, 1 Queen Bed, City View
1 room
Up to 2 guests
1 Queen Bed
Breakfast included
More amenities
Full day
Tour of Chillon Castle and Montreux Sightseeing
Tour of Chillon Castle and  Montreux Sightseeing
Day 7 Montreux

Day Trip to Geneva
Following breakfast, you walk to the train station for a 1-hour train to Geneva.   

Upon arrival, you meet your guide and start exploring the highlights of Geneva, the second most populous city of Switzerland and a capital of Romandy, the French-speaking region. Being the European seat of the UN and headquarters of the Red Cross, Geneva is known as the «capital of peace». 

You start discovering Geneva sights by the lake front. You take a short water tram ride on lake Geneva and see one of the most famous landmarks, the Jet d'Eau fountain of 140 m (460 ft) and enjoy the view of the mountains.  

Then you proceed to the astonishing Old Town and see St. Peter Cathedral, the English Garden with Flower Clock, Ile Rousseau and Castle Tour-de-l'ile. Here you also see the city council building where the first Geneva Convention was signed, in the Alabama Room, as it is now called, and learn about the beginning of international Geneva. You also visit the grounds of the University of Geneva to see the Reformation Wall that features statues of the four Geneva luminaries and learn about the role Geneva played in the Reformation in the 16th century. 

Finally, you have a short ride by public transport to view the international district of Geneva and its heart - United Nations Office located in the Palace of Nations. 

After the tour you return to Montreux by train.

Full day
Geneva Trip
Geneva Trip
Day 8 Montreux

Departure from Geneva
This is the final day of your tour. Following breakfast, you check out from the hotel and have a direct train ride to Geneva airport.

We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future vacations!

Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Autograph Collection
Address
45 Avenue Des Alpes, Montreux, VD, CH, 1820
Train to Geneva Airport (1st Class Seat)
Train to Geneva Airport (1st Class Seat)

What's included

Exceptional downtown hotel accommodations
Guided sightseeing tours with expert English-speaking guides
Delicious breakfasts at your hotels
Entrances to Zurich Old Town - Altstadt, Chillon Castle and more
Entrances to Zurich Old Town - Altstadt, Chillon Castle and more
Tickets and intercity transportation as per itinerary
Professional meeting services at the airport
Dedicated support team before and during your trip

Reviews

As you prepare for your travels, we proudly highlight our 99.8% customer satisfaction rate. Below are reviews from travelers who have enjoyed our award-winning service. Thank you for choosing us—your extraordinary journey awaits!
4.9 / 5
Excellent
962 Reviews
This was a dream trip for me, and they helped make it a dream come true.
The guides Firebird works with are top-notch.
We had a “trip of a lifetime,” thanks to Firebird.
I was extremely pleased with Firebird's personalized service.
chZurich
2 nights
chSt. Moritz
1 night
chZermatt
2 nights
chMontreux
2 nights