Overview
One of the highlights of this Switzerland train tour is the train journey aboard the Glacier Express from Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the majestic Matterhorn, to read more glitzy St.Moritz, one of the world’s most famous resorts. From your carriage windows, marvel at the thundering waterfalls, impressive snow-capped peaks, glacial ice fields, lush meadows, and picture-perfect villages. On this Switzerland train tour, you’ll also love the journey aboard the Bernina Express (aka, the red train) from St Moritz to Tirano, Italy. Traveling on the highest railway across the Alps, you’ll witness glistening glaciers, stunning mountain streams, and alpine scenery, through tunnels and over bridges that are engineering masterpieces!
But that’s not all…in Zermatt you’ll also experience the Gornergrat cog railway, Europe’s highest. You’ll cross remarkable bridges, pass through tunnels along rocky ravines and beautiful lakes. The views of the Matterhorn from the top are nothing short of spectacular! Another celebrated rail journey you’ll experience on this tour through Switzerland is aboard the Golden Pass Panoramic train to Montreux, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and known as the “Swiss Riviera.” You’ll feel immersed in the landscapes passing you by. Stunning scenery and thrilling train rides…there’s no better way to see scenic Switzerland! So, grab your camera and get ready for an amazing, value-minded adventure!
9 Days
Zurich
Zurich
Classic
3 - 3.5 Star
Affordable
5-99 Years
47
Fully Guided
6010
Itinerary
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Zurich with the help of the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D)
Board the train for your journey from Zurich to Lucerne. Lucerne is one of Switzerland's most idyllic medieval cities, surrounded by a beautiful lake and nestled amidst snow-capped Alps. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the delights of this charming city such as the famous wooden bridge or the picturesque town centre. Today's Distance: 37 mi/ 60 km (B)
Depart Lucerne on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express. Cross Brunig Pass en route to Interlaken and spend some time strolling through the quaint streets or aim a little higher with an optional excursion by funicular to the Harder Kulm for lunch and magnificent views of the legendary Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. From Interlaken, take the Golden Pass panoramic train for your unforgettable journey to Montreux, then continue to Lausanne. Today's Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (B)
Discover the delightful Swiss mountain region of Zermatt. En route, stop to visit the town of Montreux, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, surrounded by vineyards against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. Enjoy some free time or consider an optional guided excursion to Chillon Castle. standing as solid as its rocky island on which it has endured on the water's edge for nearly four centuries. Enjoy a wine tasting of local wine before continuing by train to Zermatt. Today's Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km (B/D)
An included excursion takes you to the famous Gornergrat, traveling on board Europe's highest rack railway. The views of the Matterhorn from its summit are nothing short of spectacular. The rest of the day is at leisure in Zermatt—with a variety of interesting shops, cafés, bars, and picturesque streets to explore. (B)
The train journey today aboard the spectacular Glacier Express is without a doubt one of the main highlights of the tour. Enjoy unforgettable views as you make your way through the unspoiled natural beauty of the Alps on the direct route to the world-famous mountain resort of St. Moritz. This picture-perfect town is more than just a holiday resort. It was also the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism (in 1864) and has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. Stretch your legs this evening, and admire the beautiful chalets decorated with gorgeous geraniums. Today's Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km (B/D)
Take the Bernina Express train (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to Tirano and back for one of Europe's most spectacular and breathtaking train rides. Travel across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina, witnessing an array of beautiful mountain streams, glaciers, and alpine scenery along the way. Today's Distance: 75 mi/ 120 km (B)
Leave St. Moritz for the journey back to Zurich. Enjoy some time at leisure and take a stroll around the city center. Perhaps indulge in some chocolate tasting or follow the course of the river Limmat until it reaches the banks of Lake Zurich. Tonight enjoy a farewell drink at your hotel to say goodbye to your travelling companions. Today's Distance: 137 mi/ 220 km (B)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Gloden Pass Panoramic train to Montreaux
- Orientation tour of Montreaux, the “Swiss Riviera”
- Scenic Glacier Express train
- Bernina Express train from St. Moritz to Tirano
- Visit to Lucerne
- Gornergrat cog railway ride Scenic orientation tour of Interlaken
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore in smaller groups with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and complimentary headsets. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app.
- Buffet breakfasts daily; 3 dinners
- Zurich: Ibis Zurich City West (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Lucerne: Drei Koenige (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Lausanne: Alpha Palmiers (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Zermatt: Holiday Hotel (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Zermatt: Porta Cervino (First-Class)
- Zermatt: Pollux (First-Class)
- St. Moritz: Hotel Baeren (Superior Tourist-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- To make your train journey more comfortable, one piece of luggage will be transferred from one hotel to the next.
- This rail tour requires guests to walk between hotels and train stations. Uneven terrain and stairs in some train stations and included experiences may pose challenges for guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
- High altitudes may be challenging for some guests. Maximum elevation is 10,100 ft. (3086 m) at Gornergrat and 5,978 ft (1,822 m) at St. Moritz.
Operator
Enjoy inside visits to Europe's the must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their vacations, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (21)
Cosmos brochure stated that the highlight of the tour would be travelling on the Glacier Express read more and Bernina Express. We did not step foot on the Bernina Express, no explanation given, very disappointing. Eight hour day on the Glacier Express was very long, not allowed to wander anywhere to stretch our legs or take photos except in our carriage. Thank goodness for the amazing scenery. We read that the bar/dining carriage has special non-glare windows so you could take clear photos of the amazing scenery - we were not allowed to enter that carriage so photos from our seats were not as good as they could have been - we asked different train staff members if we could just sit there to take photos, did not want any service... no not allowed.
The day before our 8 hour journey on this train we were told there would be no food service on board so we needed to shop for our lunch and snacks the day before leaving Zermatt. Strange for such a prestigious train not to serve lunch etc. On the day however train staff came through our carriage to take orders for lunch and was told we all had already purchased our food the day before. Train staff were confused and disappointed - as we were as there was obviously food service available - would have been much nicer than a day old sandwich.
Tour accommodation started very nicely at Novotel Zurich, most hotels after that were obviously chalets for skiers than general tourists. Had a bad back by the end of our tour due to old beds that needed replacing. Special mention of the accommodation at Zermatt: half the group stayed in the listed hotel, the other half were taken across the road to a different building. During conversation on the train the next day it was discovered that those travellers 'across the road' had a coffee machine, kettle, fridge... the rest of us had nothing but a bed and bathroom. No fridge to put our food for the train trip - was told by hotel staff to put our bag of food on the ledge outside our window, will be cold enough! Agro hotel staff were not helpful or sympathetic at all.
Cosmos needs to book a different hotel in future. Also this hotel was the provider of the second group dinner as part of our tour package. It was the most disgusting meal we have ever had. McDonalds two doors down the road did a booming trade that night. The third dinner in the tour package was supposed to be the farewell dinner on our arrival back in Zurich - it did not happen and no explanation or apology was given. The obvious attempt to cut corners did nothing but damage the Cosmos brand. There are lots of tour companies that run Swiss rail tours, Cosmos needs to lift their game.
Reply From Cosmos: We certainly regret to learn of the disappointment experienced due to unforeseen operational circumstances resulting in the Glacier Express and Bernina Express being unavailable on this specific departure. We sincerely apologise for any miscommunication that may have occurred in this regard, and in addition, for any disappointment experienced as a result. We are not aware of any further operational circumstances that may impact remaining 2023 departures. Furthermore, please be assured that our European operations team constantly review our contracted Hotels, taking on feedback provided by our guests. Specifically, your feedback concerning the ‘Derby’ Hotel in Zermatt, has been duly noted. We trust you will appreciate that the problems you have encountered in this instance are extremely rare and we sincerely hope that this experience does not deter you from travelling with us again.
I am so so pleased I found Global Journey’s .. would highly recommend. Thank you so much
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Cosmos Europe (2026)
Enjoy handpicked hotels, the insight of skilled Tour Directors, guided more explorations led by knowledgeable Local Guides, and worry-free transportation - all curated to ensure each journey is effortless and enriching. From legendary landmarks to stunning natural wonders, now is the perfect time to explore Europe’s treasures—without stretching your budget. Travellers trust Cosmos for seamless planning and incredible value, so all that’s left is to pack and simply say, “Let’s go!”
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
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