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7-Day Switzerland Itinerary by Train: The Grand Scenic Rail Tour
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Trip curated by Roman Karin
ExpertThe Zurich to St. Moritz to Zermatt sequence is deliberately escalating, and that arc is the structural reason I designed this rail itinerary in this direction. Each leg moves deeper into the alpine core, and by the time the Matterhorn appears at the end of the Matter Valley, the visual buildup over three days gives it genuine weight. The Glacier Express panoramic car is non-negotiable; crossing the Rhine Gorge, climbing to the Oberalp Pass, and descending into the Matter Valley in one eight-hour journey makes every other form of alpine transport feel like a missed opportunity. In Zermatt, the Gornergrat rack railway at first light gives you the Matterhorn north face in its clearest morning shadow before anyone else reaches the ridge.
The Zurich to St. Moritz to Zermatt sequence is deliberately escalating, and that arc is the structural reason I designed this rail itinerary in this direction. Each leg moves deeper into the alpine core, and by the time the Matterhorn appears at the end of the Matter Valley, the visual buildup over three days gives it genuine weight. The Glacier Express panoramic car is non-negotiable; crossing the Rhine Gorge, climbing to the Oberalp Pass, and descending into the Matter Valley in one eight-hour journey makes every other form of alpine transport feel like a missed opportunity. In Zermatt, the Gornergrat rack railway at first light gives you the Matterhorn north face in its clearest morning shadow before anyone else reaches the ridge.
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Zurich
Day 1 - 2
Zurich, or 'Zuri' as it is fondly known by its multicultural inhabitants, lies in northern Switzerland at the meeting point of a beautiful lake and river, with the magnificent snow-capped Swiss Alps standing guard high above it. This fairy tale city is renowned for its beauty, cleanliness, efficiency, and heritage. Explore medieval alleyways peppered with quirky corner cafes, steepled churches, trendy taprooms, and world-class galleries and restaurants. A day in Zurich can include browsing the unrivalled selection of luxury stores on it’s famous shopping strip, the Bahnhofstrasse; riding the Polybahn, the 19th-century funicular up a steep hill to admire the spectacular view; or ‘renting’ a free bike or skateboard to meander along the banks of picturesque Lake Zurich. The venerable palace of art at the Kunsthaus is also a major drawcard, containing numerous world-famous masterpieces.
Your accommodation
Central Plaza Hotel
A stay at Central Plaza Hotel places you in the heart of Zürich, within a 10-minute walk of Swiss National Museum and Bahnhofstrasse. This hotel is 0.5 mi (0.7 km) from Lindenhof and 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Zürich Opera House.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as a health club or take in the view from a terrace. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a television in a common area.
Make yourself at home in one of the 103 guestrooms featuring espresso makers. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Your activity
Walking tour incl. Cruise & Museum
Explore Zurich on a comfortable coach tour, passing landmarks such as the Swiss National Museum, the famous Bahnhofstrasse, and the bustling financial district. Pause at Enge Harbour for photo-worthy views of Lake Zurich, then continue along the lakeside past the Zurich Opera House to the elegant Zürichberg neighborhood. Take in panoramic views of the city, the lake, and the distant Alps before arriving in the historic Old Town for a guided walk through its medieval streets, featuring historic guild houses, the Town Hall, and renowned churches.
After the city tour, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Limmat River and board a relaxing 30-minute boat cruise on Lake Zurich. A short walk along the shore brings you to the Lindt Home of Chocolate, where you can explore the interactive museum, marvel at the world’s tallest chocolate fountain, and enjoy unlimited chocolate tastings. Stop by the Lindt Café and browse the extensive chocolate shop for souvenirs.
Your guide will accompany you back to Zurich Main Station using public transport, completing a full day of sightseeing and chocolate delights.
- Group size / Maximum number of people: 25
St Moritz
Day 3
Located in the southern Alps of Switzerland alongside an aquamarine lake, and surrounded by magnificent emerald forests and towering snow-capped peaks, St. Moritz is the star-studded epitome of exclusive, luxurious, ski resort towns. The quality and diversity of outdoor sports facilities are virtually unrivalled. Snow lovers flock here in winter for excellent skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, horse riding, curling, ice skating, ice cricket, and the world’s only Cresta run. This same crowd returns in summer to indulge in swimming, sailing, windsurfing, mountain biking, hiking, polo, tennis, and luxury shopping followed by a relaxing soak in the famously fizzy mineral springs. Whiskey lovers will enjoy a visit to Devil’s Place Bar, the most extensive whiskey bar in the world (listed in the Guinness Book of Records) - with 2500 varieties.
Your accommodation
Hotel Reine Victoria
When you stay at Hotel Reine Victoria in St. Moritz, you'll be near ski lifts, within a 10-minute walk of Lake St. Moritz and Ovaverva Pool and Spa. This hotel is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Engadin Valley and 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Signalbahn.
Relax and unwind with massages, body treatments, and facials. This Victorian hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and ski storage.
Make yourself at home in one of the 147 guestrooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have bathtubs or showers and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and electric kettles.
Zermatt
Day 4
Set in southern Switzerland’s Valais canton, at the foot of the mighty and jagged Matterhorn, one of the most recognizable mountains in the world, lies the quaint town of Zermatt. This popular tourist resort plays host to a combination of extreme sports enthusiasts, tour groups, backpackers and fur-clad socialites who use it’s ramshackle mazots and gorgeous wooden chalets as a base for exploring. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, hiking and climbing the peaks of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, or explore the depths of the ancient geological marvel that is the Gorner Gorge. Indulge in Zermatt’s delicious cheese fondue served with a refreshing glass of Valais wine while floating past the Matterhorn on one of the city’s famous gondolas. History lovers will delight in the multimedia displays and artefacts at the Matterhorn Museum.
Your accommodation
Mont Cervin Palace
With a stay at Mont Cervin Palace in Zermatt (Zermatt City Centre), you'll be steps from Zermatt-Matterhorn Ski Paradise and Matterhorn Museum. This family-friendly hotel is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Zermatt-Furi Gondola and 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Zermatt - Furi.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. You can take advantage of recreational amenities such as an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a sauna. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and babysitting (surcharge).
Make yourself at home in one of the 150 guestrooms featuring minibars and espresso makers. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Geneva
Day 5 - 7
Fringed by the Alps and Jura Mountains, and set at the southern end of the magnificent Lake Geneva, Geneva is a French-speaking Swiss city with plenty to offer every type of traveller. The City’s postcard-perfect old town, lined with a maze of cobbled alleys and sprinkled with historical monuments, charming antique stores and quaint cafes, appeals to history buffs, eager shoppers and foodies alike. A slick, modern cosmopolitan city surrounds this old-world charm, housing a thriving community of international expatriates, world-class restaurants, famous luxury jewellers and enough chocolate shops to satisfy even the most avid chocoholics. Geneva specialises in the finer things in life. The selection is overwhelming and makes for some great window shopping, which is practically a national sport in Switzerland.
Your accommodation
Eastwest Hotel by Malone
With a stay at Eastwest Hotel by Malone, you'll be centrally located in Geneva, within a 5-minute drive of Jet d'Eau Fountain and United Nations European Headquarters. This luxury hotel is 3.4 mi (5.5 km) from Palexpo and 4.9 mi (7.9 km) from CERN.
Don't miss out on recreational opportunities including a sauna and a 24-hour fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a banquet hall.
Make yourself at home in one of the 41 guestrooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Your activity
Annecy - Venice of the Alps
Escape to Annecy, often called the “Venice of the Alps,” on a scenic day trip from Geneva. After a comfortable coach ride across the border, enjoy a guided stroll through Annecy’s postcard-perfect old town—past pastel façades, lively squares, and canals fed by the River Thiou—then make the most of your free time to browse local markets, visit the château area, or simply relax with lunch by the lake. In the afternoon, return to Geneva for a panoramic city tour to discover the city’s essential landmarks and lakeside atmosphere. Complete the day with a boat cruise on Lake Geneva, a beautiful way to admire the shoreline and iconic Jet d’Eau from the water before the tour ends.
- Group size / Maximum number of people: 45
