Tour overview

This 14-day escorted tour takes in the whole of Switzerland, from its lakeside cities to its great Alpine resorts, with a tour director throughout and local experts in the main towns. You travel by luxury coach with extra legroom, and by train for the Glacier Express and the cogwheel railway to Zermatt. You stay in handpicked hotels, including the Astoria in Lucerne and a lakeside hotel in Montreux, and 13 breakfasts and 5 dinners are included, some with wine. Transfers are included on the start and end dates, and the final hotel is at Zürich airport. International flights are not included.

Lucerne is the first base, with its covered wooden bridges, Baroque Jesuit Church and Lion Monument, and a solar-powered open-top cable car to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn. Crossing to French-speaking Switzerland, you see Bern's cathedral, Federal Palace and clock tower with a local guide and stop in the medieval hilltop town of Gruyères before three nights in Montreux on Lake Geneva. A special tour of Chillon Castle, made famous by Byron, a visit to Geneva's Jet d'Eau and Flower Clock and a first-class cruise on the lake follow.

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The route climbs up the Rhône Valley past Martigny's Roman amphitheatre and Sion's hilltop fortresses to Zermatt, reached by cogwheel train, for two nights in the car-free village beneath the Matterhorn. Crossing the Simplon Pass into Italy, you stop at Stresa on Lake Maggiore before a night in Lugano. A local expert shows you the three UNESCO-listed castles of Bellinzona on the way to two nights in glamorous St Moritz, where a mountain railway pass is provided for your free day.

The Glacier Express carries you over the Landwasser Viaduct and through the Oberalp Valley, one of the world's great rail journeys, before you continue through the Schöllenen Gorge to Grindelwald, beneath the Eiger. A free day here allows for the train up to the Jungfraujoch. The tour ends with a visit to the woodcarving town of Brienz, a drive over the Brünig Pass and a farewell dinner in Zürich.

The physical rating is low, with several relaxed starts and full free days in Zermatt, St Moritz and Grindelwald. This tour suits travellers who want to see Switzerland's mountains, lakes and railways in comfort.

Trip highlights

  • Lucerne and the open-top cable car up Mount Stanserhorn (Days 1–2)
  • Bern, Gruyères and three nights on Lake Geneva in Montreux (Days 3–5)
  • Chillon Castle and a first-class Lake Geneva cruise (Days 4–5)
  • Two nights in car-free Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn (Days 6–7)
  • The castles of Bellinzona and glamorous St Moritz (Days 9–10)
  • The Glacier Express and Grindelwald beneath the Eiger (Days 11–12)

Your route

20 stops from Zürich to Zürich

14-day route: Lucerne – Bern – Montreux – Zermatt – Lugano – St Moritz – Grindelwald – Zürich
  1. Zürich Day 1
  2. Lucerne Days 1–2
  3. Mount Stanserhorn Day 2
  4. Bern Day 3
  5. Gruyères Day 3
  6. Montreux Days 3–5
  7. Chillon Castle Day 4
  8. Geneva Day 5
  9. Martigny Day 6
  10. Sion Day 6
  11. Zermatt Days 6–7
  12. Simplon Pass Day 8
  13. Stresa Day 8
  14. Lugano Day 8
  15. Bellinzona Day 9
  16. St. Moritz Days 9–10
  17. Andermatt Day 11
  18. Grindelwald Days 11–12
  19. Brienz Day 13
  20. Zürich Days 13–14

Why choose this tour

Covers every region of Switzerland, including the Italian-speaking south, in two weeks. Generous free days in Zermatt, St Moritz and Grindelwald, with a mountain railway pass in St Moritz.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to Switzerland
  • Rail lovers who want to ride the Glacier Express
  • Travellers who like comfortable hotels and everything arranged
  • Couples and solo travellers who enjoy lake and mountain scenery
The village of Zermatt with the Matterhorn behind

Day-by-day itinerary

14 days from Zürich, Switzerland to Zürich, Switzerland

  1. Day 1 · Zürich, Lucerne Welcome to Lucerne

    On arrival at Zürich airport, transfer to your hotel in Lucerne. In the evening, meet your tour director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    Astoria Lucerne or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Mount Stanserhorn, Lucerne, Chapel Bridge Mount Stanserhorn

    Ride a solar-powered open-top cable car to the summit of Mount Stanserhorn, with views that can stretch to France and the Black Forest. Back in Lucerne, see the Chapel Bridge, the Jesuit Church and the Lion Monument, with the afternoon free.

    Hotel
    Astoria Lucerne or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Bern, Gruyères, Montreux Bern, Gruyères and Montreux

    In Bern, a local expert shows you St Vincent's Cathedral, the Federal Palace and the clock tower with its moving figures. Continue to the medieval hilltop town of Gruyères and its 13th-century castle, then on to Montreux on Lake Geneva.

    Hotel
    Eden Palace au Lac or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Chillon Castle, Montreux Chillon Castle

    Take a special tour of Chillon Castle on the shore of Lake Geneva, former home of the Dukes of Savoy and inspiration for Byron's 'The Prisoner of Chillon'. Look out for the name he is said to have carved. The rest of the day is free in Montreux.

    Hotel
    Eden Palace au Lac or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Geneva, Jet d'Eau, Lake Geneva Geneva and a lake cruise

    After a relaxed start, follow the lake shore to Geneva to see the Jet d'Eau and the Flower Clock. Then enjoy a first-class cruise on Lake Geneva, with the evening free on the Montreux promenade.

    Hotel
    Eden Palace au Lac or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Martigny, Sion, Zermatt Martigny and Sion to Zermatt

    Travel up the Rhône Valley to Martigny's Roman amphitheatre and the town of Sion, with its two hilltop fortresses, cathedral and old town hall. Complete the journey by cogwheel train to car-free Zermatt, with dinner at a choice of restaurants.

    Hotel
    Resort Alex or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Zermatt, Matterhorn Zermatt at leisure

    A free day in Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn. Walk the Alpine trails, take the cable car towards the Klein Matterhorn, or simply relax with coffee and cake in the village.

    Hotel
    Resort Alex or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Simplon Pass, Stresa, Lugano Simplon Pass and Lake Maggiore to Lugano

    Drive over the Simplon Pass, at 2,005 m, with views across the Alps, and stop in the Italian lakeside town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore, perhaps for an optional trip to the Borromean Islands. Continue to Lugano in Switzerland's Italian-speaking south.

    Hotel
    Hotel de la Paix or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Bellinzona, St Moritz Bellinzona to St Moritz

    Meet a local expert at Bellinzona to explore its three UNESCO-listed medieval castles, then continue through the mountains to the elegant resort of St Moritz.

    Hotel
    Crystal Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · St Moritz, Bernina Pass St Moritz at leisure

    A free day in St Moritz, with a mountain railway pass provided by your tour director. Ride up to the peaks around the resort, walk beside the lake, or take an optional train journey over the Bernina Pass.

    Hotel
    Crystal Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Glacier Express, Landwasser Viaduct, Andermatt, Grindelwald The Glacier Express to Grindelwald

    Board the Glacier Express, one of the world's great rail journeys, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and running through the Oberalp Valley to Andermatt. Rejoin the coach and continue through the Schöllenen Gorge to Grindelwald in the Bernese Alps.

    Hotel
    Sunstar Grindelwald or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · Grindelwald, Jungfraujoch Grindelwald at leisure

    A full free day in Grindelwald beneath the Eiger. Take the train up to the Jungfraujoch for views over the Aletsch Glacier, or walk the mountain trails around the village.

    Hotel
    Sunstar Grindelwald or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Brienz, Brünig Pass, Zürich Brienz to Zürich

    Drive along the lake to Brienz to visit a woodcarving centre and learn about a craft practised here since the early 19th century. Cross the Brünig Pass to Zürich for a farewell dinner.

    Hotel
    Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Zürich Tour ends in Zürich

    The tour ends after breakfast. Your hotel is a short walk from the airport terminal, so no transfer is needed.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A red train crossing the Landwasser Viaduct in Switzerland

Where you stay

  • Lucerne (2 nights) Astoria Lucerne or similar
  • Montreux (3 nights) Eden Palace au Lac or similar
  • Zermatt (2 nights) Resort Alex or similar
  • Lugano (1 night) Hotel de la Paix or similar
  • St Moritz (2 nights) Crystal Hotel or similar
  • Grindelwald (2 nights) Sunstar Grindelwald or similar
  • Zürich Airport (1 night) Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 13 nights in hotels
  • Meals 13 breakfasts and 5 dinners, including a welcome dinner in Lucerne and a farewell dinner in Zürich
  • Transport luxury coach, the cogwheel train to Zermatt and the Glacier Express
  • Guided visits Lucerne, Mount Stanserhorn, Bern, Gruyères, Chillon Castle, Geneva, Martigny, Sion, Bellinzona's castles and Brienz
  • A first-class Lake Geneva cruise and a mountain railway pass in St Moritz
  • Airport transfers on the start and end dates
  • Tour director throughout, with local experts

Not included

  • International flights to and from Zürich
  • Meals not listed
  • Optional excursions, such as the Jungfraujoch railway or the Bernina Pass train
  • Travel insurance
  • Single supplement, tips and personal spending
Chillon Castle on the shore of Lake Geneva

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want flights included — they are not
  • You prefer a small group — this is a coach tour of up to 40 guests
  • You want most meals included — 13 breakfasts and 5 dinners
  • You want strenuous hiking — this is a sightseeing tour, with optional walks

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Italy · UK FCDO travel advice for Switzerland
The Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £5,198 per person, twin share, tour only. 28 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Are airport transfers included?

Yes, if your flights arrive and depart on the tour's start and end dates. The final hotel is at Zürich airport, a short walk from the terminal.

Is the Glacier Express included?

Yes. You ride the Glacier Express on Day 11, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and the Oberalp Valley before rejoining the coach at Andermatt.

How much free time is there?

Plenty: full free days in Zermatt, St Moritz and Grindelwald, a free day in Montreux and free afternoons and evenings elsewhere.

Will I see the Matterhorn?

You spend two nights in Zermatt, beneath the Matterhorn. Views depend on the weather, but the mountain is visible from much of the village on a clear day.

How much walking is involved?

The physical rating is low. Expect walking in towns, sometimes on cobbles and slopes. Mountain walks on free days are optional.

What meals are included?

13 breakfasts and 5 dinners, including a welcome dinner in Lucerne, dinner in Montreux, a choice of restaurants in Zermatt, dinner in Grindelwald and a farewell dinner in Zürich.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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