Single Centre Holidays by Rail

Our Swiss rail programme features a collection of six single centre holidays, each beginning with rail travel, but with the option of flying into Switzerland offered as an alternative. With a particular focus on the merits of each of the individual destinations, these seven night holidays afford visitors the opportunity to learn about each region in depth. We include cultural, natural, and sporting suggestions to help you make the most of your long stay. Choose from the holidays below to explore two of the most iconic Swiss lakes, the chocolate-box villages of the Bernese Oberland, the chic beauty of Valais and the Engadine, or the lesser-known, romantic landscape of the Saanenland.

By Rail to Lake Lucerne
Spend seven nights exploring the area around Lake Lucerne, crossing into the cantons of Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. Stay in the waterside village of Weggis, a quiet destination that allows you to soak up the beauty of the scenery, perhaps ascending Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus or taking a lake cruise, while also granting easy access to the cultural city of Lucerne.
Download a PDF itinerary here.

By Rail to Saanenland
In Schoenried, a village on the so-called ‘sun terrace’ above prestigious Gstaad, enjoy a seven night stay in one of Switzerland’s most romantic areas. Dine in Gstaad’s gourmet restaurants, or a mountainside lodge serving Swiss raclette or fondue; hike at Rellerli and on the Rinderberg; swim in idyllic Lake Lauenen; and retire at the end of each day to your authentic chalet hotel.
Download a PDF itinerary here.

By Rail to Swiss Lake Maggiore
On the border between Switzerland and Italy, stay in waterside Ascona, just a stone’s throw away from colourful and lively Ascona and Lugano. A Mediterranean climate pervades in the southerly region of Ticino, where palm trees grow by the lake shores and waterfalls trickle down into the rivers. Hiking opportunities abound on Monte Tamaro, water sports offer an up-close experience of Lake Maggiore, and Italianate towns boast of medieval castles.
Download a PDF itinerary here.

By Rail to the Bernese Oberland
Grindelwald, a picturesque village occupying a narrow valley near the Eiger and the Jungfrau, awaits visitors to the Bernese Oberland. During your seven night holiday, take a journey on the Jungfraubahn up to the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, to admire the sensational views. Seek out the other picturesque chalet villages that sit within the valleys below Interlaken, and navigate the varied local landscape by funicular railway and cable car.
Download a PDF itinerary here.

By Rail to the Engadine
In the Engadine, spend seven nights in the exclusive resort of St Moritz. Enjoy the views across Lake St Moritz, Lake Silvaplana, and Lake Sils, or partake in some thrilling or gentle water sports, before venturing out into the mountains either on foot, by rail, or by cable car. Boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants line the streets of St Moritz, giving you plenty of respite after a day of exploration.
Download a PDF itinerary here.

By Rail to the Valais
At the foot of the Matterhorn lies Zermatt, a popular winter destination and a veritable jewel amongst the mountains in the summer. Seek out the flourishing vineyards, uncover the historic secrets of the towns in northern Valais, hike around little-known lakes, and ascend one of Switzerland’s most famous cogwheel railways: the Gornergratbahn. Make the most of the exceptionally high concentration of gourmet restaurants to enjoy some Swiss specialities, and stay in a luxurious, traditional hotel.
Download a PDF itinerary here.

All of our single centre holidays can be adapted to your own particular requirements, with multiple hotel options in most of the overnight destinations. First class travel can be arranged within Switzerland, and rail travel to/from Switzerland can be upgraded or replaced with flights, depending on your itinerary and time constraints. You may also consider combining two of these holidays for a two-week stay, or appending a trip on one of the iconic rail journeys to the end of the holiday.