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from $3,081
SwitzerlandZurich
1+
6 days, 5 nights private tour
Rating 4.9/5

Swift Glacier Express

Discover Switzerland's alpine majesty on this private 6-day tour at a moderate pace. Journey from Zurich's medieval Old Town to Geneva's elegant lakefront, with standout experiences including a scenic ascent of Mount Pilatus via cogwheel train and cable car, plus an exploration of the enchanting Chillon Castle in Montreux. Perfectly suited for travelers seeking iconic Swiss landscapes paired with cultural immersion and comfortable scenic rail connections between destinations.Read more

Swift Glacier Express
Swift Glacier Express

Zurich, Switzerland

4 days
Zurich
Day 1

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, start exploring the nearby attractions or join our carefully planned optional tour.

Day 2

Zurich City Tour


After breakfast, you meet your private guide in the hotel lobby 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 return to the hotel and have the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 3

Trip to Mount Pilatus


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

*Please note: The boat and cogwheel train are available only from mid-May to mid-October. During the other months, they are replaced by a 20-minute bus ride to Kriens. There, you board a cable car and travel via the Dragon Ride cableway to the summit. For the return journey, you take the cable car back down and then return to Lucerne by bus from Kriens. 

Day 4

Departure


Following breakfast, you check out from the hotel, and your driver takes you to the station. Enjoy the most scenic landscapes of Switzerland on your way to the amazing city of Geneva!  

ZurichZürich HB
Travel time3 hClass2nd Class Seat
GenevaGenève Central

Train from Zurich to Geneva

Description

Seats are arranged in a 2+2 configuration, offering adequate comfort for standard travel. Facilities include power outlets, reading lamps, and access to onboard restrooms.
 

Geneva, Switzerland

3 days
Geneva
Day 4

Arrival and Geneva Sightseeing


Upon arrival, head to your centrally-located hotel. Later you meet your guide and start exploring the highlights of Geneva, the second-most populous city of Switzerland and 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 lakefront. 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.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax, spend time enjoying views of Geneva Lake or continue exploring Geneva on your own.

Day 5

Day Trip to Montreux & Chillon Castle

In the morning you walk to the station for a 1-hour train ride to amazing Montreux. Upon arrival, you meet your guide and start a walking city 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.

Your next destination for today is the most recognizable historic monument in Switzerland - Chillon Castle, dating back to the medieval ages. Its charming architectural style and rich history inspired such literary geniuses as Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Lord Byron. First, you take a public ferry cruise* on Lake Geneva and admire the exterior of the castle from the water. Upon disembarkation, you meet your guide inside the castle and have a private tour around the most spectacular parts of Chillon.

Following the tour, you return to Geneva by train.

*Please note: From mid-October to mid-April, the ferry cruise is replaced by a train or bus ride.

Day 6

Departure


This is the final day of your tour. Following breakfast, you check out from the hotel and have a transfer to Geneva airport. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future vacations!  

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 and more
Entrances to Zurich Old Town - Altstadt and more
Tickets and intercity transportation as per itinerary
Professional meeting services at the airport
Dedicated support team before and during your trip