Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
Follow the official scenic rail loop, riding the GoldenPass, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express.
Structured around the official Grand Train Tour, this route starts in Zurich and loops around Switzerland, connecting the GoldenPass Express, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express into a seamless journey without backtracking. With full days dedicated to major stops, the pace is more relaxed than the official minimum itinerary. Skipping the St. Gallen section, it is perfect for train enthusiasts with plenty of time.
The Gotthard Panorama Express runs from mid-April to mid-October; the Glacier Express suspends operations for about two months in autumn.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Zurich Old Town
Zurich（Zürich Hauptbahnhof、Lindenhof、Grossmünster、Lake Zurich）
Take a 10-minute train from the airport to the Main Station, followed by a walking tour of the Old Town.
Stay: Old Town and Niederdorf
Day 2 · Bern Old Town, Transfer to Interlaken
Bern（Zytglogge、Old City of Bern & Arcades、Bern Minster、BärenPark） → Interlaken & Jungfrau Region（Interlaken Town & Höheweg）
Take a 1-hour train from Zurich to Bern. After sightseeing, travel another hour to Interlaken.
Stay: Interlaken
Day 3 · Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe Day Trip
Interlaken & Jungfrau Region（Eiger Express、Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe、Kleine Scheidegg、Wengen）
Travel from Interlaken Ost via Grindelwald, taking the cable car and cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch. Full-day round-trip.
Stay: Interlaken
Day 4 · Waterfall Valley & Schilthorn
Interlaken & Jungfrau Region（Lauterbrunnen、Staubbach Falls、Mürren、Schilthorn）
Take the train to Lauterbrunnen, then ride the cable car up to Mürren and Schilthorn. Return to Interlaken the same day.
Stay: Interlaken
Day 5 · GoldenPass Express to Montreux
Gstaad（GoldenPass Express） → Vevey & Montreux（Montreux Lakeshore & Freddie Mercury Statue、Château de Chillon）
Take the direct GoldenPass Express (approx. 3 hours 15 minutes) via Gstaad, arriving at the lakeside in the afternoon.
Seat reservations are highly recommended. There are about four direct trains daily.
Stay: Montreux
Day 6 · Lavaux Vineyards, Transfer to Zermatt
Vevey & Montreux（Lavaux Vineyard Terraces） → Zermatt & Matterhorn（Bahnhofstrasse Zermatt、St. Mauritius Church & Mountaineers' Cemetery）
Walk through the Lavaux vineyards in the morning, then travel along the Rhone Valley via Visp to Zermatt in the afternoon (approx. 2.5 hours).
Stay: Zermatt Village Center
Day 7 · Matterhorn Viewing Day
Zermatt & Matterhorn（Gornergrat、Riffelsee、Sunnegga / Leisee）
Take the cogwheel train up to Gornergrat. In the afternoon, take the Sunnegga funicular to view the lakes, followed by a walk around the village.
Stay: Zermatt Village Center
Day 8 · Glacier Express Across the Alps
Zermatt & Matterhorn（Glacier Express） → Andermatt（Glacier Express） → St. Moritz（Lake St. Moritz）
Ride the Glacier Express for its full 8-hour journey, passing through Andermatt, the Oberalp Pass, and Chur to St. Moritz.
Seat reservations are mandatory and usually open up to six months before departure.
Stay: St. Moritz Bad
Day 9 · Upper Engadin Mountains & Lakes
St. Moritz（Diavolezza、Morteratsch Glacier、Pontresina）
Take a regional train to the Diavolezza station and ride the cable car. Return via Pontresina.
Stay: St. Moritz Bad
Day 10 · Bernina Express to Lugano
St. Moritz（Bernina Express、Lago Bianco & Bernina Pass、Alp Grüm、Brusio Spiral Viaduct） → Tirano → Lugano（Piazza della Riforma）
Take the Bernina Express to Tirano (approx. 2.5 hours), then connect to the Bernina Express Bus to Lugano (approx. 3 hours).
The bus operates only from Thursday to Sunday during certain periods; check the current seasonal schedule.
Stay: Lugano Centro
Day 11 · Lake Lugano & Morcote
Lugano（Lake Lugano Boat Trips、Morcote、Monte San Salvatore）
Take a scenic boat ride from the pier to Morcote (approx. 1 hour). On the way back, ride the funicular up Mount San Salvatore.
Stay: Lugano Centro
Day 12 · Gotthard Panorama Express to Lucerne
Lucerne（Tell's Chapel、Lake Lucerne、Chapel Bridge）
Take the panoramic train to Flüelen (approx. 2 hours 15 minutes), then transfer to a historic steamboat to Lucerne (approx. 2 hours 50 minutes).
During the off-season, you can take a regular train and transfer at Erstfeld.
Stay: Lakeside and Station Area
Day 13 · Pilatus Golden Round Trip
Lucerne（Mount Pilatus、Lion Monument、Lucerne Old Town (Weinmarkt)）
Take a boat to Alpnachstad, ride the world's steepest cogwheel railway up the mountain, descend by cable car to Kriens, and return to town by bus.
The cogwheel railway is closed in winter; check Mount Pilatus's seasonal opening dates.
Stay: Lakeside and Station Area
Day 14 · Return to Zurich for Departure
Take a direct train from Lucerne to Zurich Airport (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes). You can add a stop in Zurich Old Town.