--- title: "Grand Train Tour of Switzerland (2026): Route and Costs" description: "The 1,280 km Grand Train Tour of Switzerland section by section: 2026 reservations, Swiss Travel Pass costs, seasonal gaps and our 13-day day-by-day itinerary." url: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/grand-train-tour-of-switzerland" image: "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/_astro/01M5J4124RFK888F4MA91Q96HR.BFdSrq04_mEpE4.jpg" --- 1. [Home](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/) 2. [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) 3. Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: The 8 Sections, Costs and a 13-Day Itinerary [Travel insights](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) # Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: The 8 Sections, Costs and a 13-Day Itinerary The 1,280 km Grand Train Tour of Switzerland section by section: 2026 reservations, Swiss Travel Pass costs, seasonal gaps and our 13-day day-by-day itinerary. By [Valentine Julien](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/valentine-julien), Global Manager · Published on October 22, 2026 · 8 min read ![Glacier 3000 and Chillon, Switzerland by Train in 12 Days: Lavaux, Jungfraujoch, Glacier Express](/_astro/01M5J4124RFK888F4MA91Q96HR.BFdSrq04_ZMWyCt.webp) The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is not a train and not a ticket. It is a 1,280 km loop of eight official sections, defined by Switzerland Tourism, that strings together the country's panoramic trains: the Luzern-Interlaken Express, the GoldenPass Express, the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express and the Gotthard Panorama Express, plus regional lines through eastern Switzerland. The official classic version takes seven days; we build it over 12 to 14 days, and the whole loop is covered by a Swiss Travel Pass, with only seat reservations to add (about CHF 160, or $200, per person in 2026). Here is the route section by section, what each one costs to reserve, when the full loop is possible in the year, and the day-by-day itinerary we use. ## The eight official sections | # | Section | Train | Time (official) | Reservation in 2026 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Zurich to Lucerne to Interlaken | InterCity, then Luzern-Interlaken Express | about 2 h 45 min | Optional, CHF 16 (May to Oct), CHF 12 (winter) | | 2 | Interlaken to Zweisimmen to Montreux | GoldenPass Express | about 3 h 15 min | Optional CHF 20, Prestige CHF 49 | | 3 | Montreux to Visp to Zermatt | InterRegio, then Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn | about 2 h 30 min to 2 h 45 min | None | | 4 | Zermatt to St. Moritz | Glacier Express | about 7 h 45 min to 8 h | Mandatory, CHF 54 | | 5 | St. Moritz to Tirano to Lugano | Bernina Express, then Bernina Express bus | about 6 h 45 min with the connection | Mandatory, CHF 32 train, CHF 16 to 18 bus | | 6 | Lugano to Flüelen to Lucerne | Gotthard Panorama Express (train, then boat) | about 5 h 30 min | Mandatory, CHF 24 supplement, 1st class only | | 7 | Lucerne to St. Gallen | Voralpen-Express | about 2 h 20 min | Not possible (free seating) | | 8 | St. Gallen to Schaffhausen to Zurich | Regional trains along Lake Constance and the Rhine | half a day with stops | None | Along the way you see 11 large lakes, five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, among them the Albula and Bernina railway lines, and pass through all four language regions. There is also an official bus alternative from St. Moritz to Lugano over the Maloja Pass. ## Tickets: the Swiss Travel Pass and the reservations Switzerland Tourism states that the entire Grand Train Tour is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. You still pay the reservations and supplements on three trains where they are mandatory (Glacier, Bernina, Gotthard Panorama) and, if you want a guaranteed seat, on the GoldenPass Express and the Luzern-Interlaken Express. **2026 pass prices (CHF, adult):** | Pass | 2nd class | 1st class | | --- | --- | --- | | Swiss Travel Pass 8 consecutive days | 439 (about $545) | 697 (about $865) | | Swiss Travel Pass 15 consecutive days | 499 | 787 | | Swiss Travel Pass Flex 8 days in a month | 459 | 729 | **Reservations for the full loop, per person:** Luzern-Interlaken Express CHF 16, GoldenPass Express CHF 20, Glacier Express CHF 54, Bernina Express CHF 32 (from St. Moritz), Bernina Express bus CHF 18, Gotthard Panorama Express CHF 24. That is CHF 164 in peak season. Add CHF 590 per person if you choose Glacier Express Excellence Class, or CHF 29 more (CHF 49 instead of CHF 20) for Prestige on the GoldenPass Express. Two rules decide the class: Glacier Express 1st class and Excellence need a 1st class pass, and the Gotthard Panorama Express train is 1st class only, so 2nd class pass holders pay an upgrade on that section. For a loop of this length we recommend 1st class. Our [Swiss Travel Pass calculator](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/tools/swiss-travel-pass-calculator) shows whether a consecutive pass, a Flex pass or the Half Fare Card works out cheaper for the version you choose. ## When the full loop is possible This is what most guides skip. The eight sections are not all running at the same time of year: - **Gotthard Panorama Express:** April to mid-October only. After its 2026 season it is back on April 17, 2027, with bookings from January 2027. - **Glacier Express:** annual break, in 2026 from October 11 to December 4. The winter timetable runs from December 5, 2026, to May 7, 2027. - **Bernina Express bus (Tirano to Lugano):** daily from late March to late October, Thursdays to Sundays from late February to late March and in November, and not at all from late November to late February. So the complete loop with every panoramic train works from **mid-April to early October**, and our favorite windows are late May to June and September. In winter, the tour still works with substitutes: the Treno Gottardo (Lugano or Bellinzona to Lucerne over the historic Gotthard line, hourly, free reservation) replaces the Gotthard Panorama Express, and an Italian train or a private transfer replaces the bus from Tirano. Switzerland Tourism publishes a dedicated "Winter Magic" version of eight days or more. ## Our 13-day Grand Train Tour itinerary The official classic tour fits the loop into seven days, with a 7 h 45 min day followed by a 6 h 45 min day and a 5 h 30 min day. We prefer to sleep at least two nights in the places worth seeing, and to ride the long trains on days with nothing else planned. This is the version we design most often, clockwise from Zurich. ### Days 1 to 2: Zurich and Lucerne Land at Zurich, take the train straight to Lucerne (about an hour from the airport). Two nights on the lake: the Chapel Bridge, the old town, a boat to Vitznau and the cogwheel to Rigi, which the Swiss Travel Pass covers in full. ### Days 3 to 4: Luzern-Interlaken Express to the Jungfrau region Section 1, the second half: 1 hour 50 minutes over the Brünig Pass, past Lake Sarnen and Lake Brienz. Sit on the right-hand side in the direction of travel, as the operator recommends. Two nights in Interlaken, Grindelwald or Wengen, with a day on the Jungfraujoch or the Schilthorn. The Jungfraujoch is the classic, the Schilthorn the better value with a pass. ### Days 5 to 6: GoldenPass Express to Montreux Section 2: the 9:11 a.m. GoldenPass Express reaches Montreux at 12:25 p.m., with the gauge change at Zweisimmen. Details are in our [GoldenPass Express guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/goldenpass-express-guide). Two nights on Lake Geneva: Chillon Castle, a walk through the Lavaux terraces, or the Chocolate Train to Gruyères in season. ### Days 7 to 8: Zermatt Section 3: about 2 hours 45 minutes with changes in Visp, along the Rhône valley, then up the Matter valley. Two nights in car-free Zermatt, with the Gornergrat railway in the morning (33 minutes to 3,089 m, 50 percent off with the pass). ### Day 9: Glacier Express to St. Moritz Section 4: the full day, about eight hours over the Oberalp Pass and the Rhine Gorge, ending on the Albula line. Lunch at your seat. Everything about classes and Excellence is in our [Glacier Express guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/glacier-express-guide). ### Day 10: St. Moritz A rest day in the Engadin, with a walk around the lake or the funicular to Muottas Muragl. This day is what makes the next two long days pleasant. ### Day 11: Bernina Express and bus to Lugano Section 5: the 9:17 a.m. Bernina Express reaches Tirano at 11:32 a.m., lunch in Tirano, then the 2:20 p.m. Bernina Express bus along Lake Como to Lugano (5:30 p.m.). See our [Bernina Express guide](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/bernina-express-guide). ### Day 12: Lugano Italian-speaking Switzerland: the lakefront, Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore, and an evening grotto dinner. ### Day 13: Gotthard Panorama Express to Lucerne, then Zurich Section 6: the 1st class panoramic train from Lugano over the old Gotthard line, past the church of Wassen that you see three times from three angles, then the boat from Flüelen across Lake Lucerne. From Lucerne, Zurich is under an hour by train for a final night near the airport. ### Optional days 14 to 15: St. Gallen and Schaffhausen Sections 7 and 8 complete the official loop: the Voralpen-Express from Lucerne to St. Gallen (2 hours 18 minutes, free seating, a bistro car), the Abbey Library in St. Gallen, then regional trains along Lake Constance to Schaffhausen and the Rhine Falls before Zurich. These are quiet, pretty sections, and we include them for travelers who want to complete the loop or who already know the classic sights. ## Pacing, luggage and the hard days Three long days follow each other in the original loop: Glacier Express, Bernina Express with the bus, and the Gotthard Panorama Express. In our version they are separated by a rest day and a free day in Lugano. Other things we plan for: - **Luggage:** space is tight on the Glacier Express (the operator recommends one suitcase plus hand luggage) and on the Bernina Express. We send big suitcases ahead with the SBB service and keep a daypack on board. Our guide to [luggage on Swiss trains](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/luggage-on-swiss-trains) explains the two-day delivery timing. - **Booking order:** Glacier Express reservations open 93 days before travel, Bernina Express reservations with the timetable period, and the Gotthard Panorama Express from January. We lock the Glacier Express first, then build the rest around it. - **Direction:** clockwise or counterclockwise, the scenery is the same. Clockwise puts the Glacier Express in the middle of the trip, when jet lag is behind you. ## Accessibility on the Grand Train Tour The loop is possible with reduced mobility, but each train has its own rules. The GoldenPass Express and the Luzern-Interlaken Express have low-floor cars with wheelchair spaces. On the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, wheelchair places must be booked by phone with the operators (RhB Railservice for the Bernina, +41 81 288 65 65). Boarding help across the network is booked through the SBB Contact Center Handicap (0800 007 102, at least an hour ahead), and Zermatt is car-free but has electric taxis. We check each hotel and transfer before it goes into the itinerary. ## Shorter trips built on parts of the loop Our [Switzerland by Train in 12 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/switzerland-12-day-scenic-train-rides-moutains-lakes-and-chocolate) covers the western half and the Glacier Express, and [Legendary Swiss Trains](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/legendary-swiss-trains) concentrates the Glacier, Bernina and Gornergrat into seven days. Both stretch easily into the full loop described here. If you would like the Grand Train Tour at your pace, with reservations secured and luggage sent ahead, [ask one of our travel designers](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/plan-your-trip) for a custom version. More guides: [Switzerland by train](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/swiss-trains)[Itineraries](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/topics/itineraries) ## Related destinations - [Switzerland](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/countries/switzerland) ## Contents Written by ### [Valentine Julien](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/valentine-julien) Global Manager · Based in Villefranche-sur-Saône Grew up between the French and Swiss Alps; designs our scenic train and mountain itineraries and has strong opinions about hotels. [More about Valentine](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/valentine-julien) ## Trips for this guide - [![Switzerland : 12 day scenic train rides, mountains, lakes and chocolate](/_astro/01M5J4124NCCP82JJ7FY8RXAQ4.CeI7SiQJ_Z1oIPLB.webp)**Switzerland by Train in 12 Days: Lavaux, Jungfraujoch, Glacier Express**From €3,499 · 12 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/switzerland-12-day-scenic-train-rides-moutains-lakes-and-chocolate) - [![Legendary Swiss Trains](/_astro/01M5J4124NCZ8M7GK939T8W5Z8.DuO0OEHt_2ePJvK.webp)**Legendary Swiss Trains: Glacier Express, Bernina & Gornergrat, 7 Days**From €2,199 · 7 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/legendary-swiss-trains) - [![From Switzerland to Italy : medieval towns, outdoor fun and italian riviera](/_astro/01M5J4124QMGRZKA4DGVWAAVSG.CZhi2FDY_ZKyIQy.webp)**Switzerland to Italy by Train: Alps, Lucerne & Lake Como in 14 Days**From €5,499 · 14 days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/from-switzerland-to-italy-medieval-towns-outdoor-fun-and-italian-riviera) When you’re ready, we’re ready ## Let us help you plan a trip that feels right Tell us what you’re dreaming about: dates, pace, who you’re traveling with, and what would make it special. A real person will get back to you with thoughtful ideas, not a generic pitch. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many days do you need for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland? The official classic tour takes seven days, but it stacks three long train days in a row and leaves almost no time in the places you pass. We recommend 12 to 14 days for the full loop, with two nights in Lucerne, the Jungfrau region, Montreux, Zermatt and Lugano. A shorter five-day version can cover the Glacier and Bernina Express only. ### How much does the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland cost? There is no single ticket. With a 15-day Swiss Travel Pass in 2026 (CHF 499 in 2nd class, CHF 787 in 1st class) plus about CHF 164 of reservations per person, the trains are covered. Glacier Express Excellence Class adds CHF 590. Hotels, meals and mountain excursions come on top. ### Can you do the Grand Train Tour in winter? Partly. The Glacier Express stops from mid-October to early December, and the Gotthard Panorama Express only runs from April to October. From December to March you can ride the Glacier and Bernina Express, and replace the Gotthard section with the Treno Gottardo over the same historic line. Switzerland Tourism publishes a Winter Magic version. ### Is the Grand Train Tour covered by the Swiss Travel Pass? Yes, Switzerland Tourism states that the whole loop is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass Flex. You pay only seat reservations and supplements: mandatory on the Glacier Express, Bernina Express and Gotthard Panorama Express, and optional but recommended on the GoldenPass Express and Luzern-Interlaken Express. ## Plan this trip Day by day, with prices. Each one is reshaped around you. [All itineraries](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages) ![Switzerland : 12 day scenic train rides, mountains, lakes and chocolate](/_astro/01M5J4124NCCP82JJ7FY8RXAQ4.CeI7SiQJ_Z2aYD41.webp) 12 days / 11 nights ### [Switzerland by Train in 12 Days: Lavaux, Jungfraujoch, Glacier Express](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/switzerland-12-day-scenic-train-rides-moutains-lakes-and-chocolate) Eleven nights by train from Montreux to Zurich: Lavaux, the Chocolate Train, Jungfraujoch, Zermatt and the Glacier Express to St. Moritz. Well-placed 3-star hotels keep the price down; we upgrade one or two stops on request. From **€3,499** per person ![Legendary Swiss Trains](/_astro/01M5J4124NCZ8M7GK939T8W5Z8.DuO0OEHt_1szWel.webp) 7 days / 6 nights ### [Legendary Swiss Trains: Glacier Express, Bernina & Gornergrat, 7 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/legendary-swiss-trains) Six nights by train from Interlaken to Lucerne, with the GoldenPass, the Gornergrat, the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, in 4-star hotels beside each station. For first-time visitors who want the big views without a car. From **€2,199** per person ![From Switzerland to Italy : medieval towns, outdoor fun and italian riviera](/_astro/01M5J4124QMGRZKA4DGVWAAVSG.CZhi2FDY_Z1wOw8X.webp) 14 days / 13 nights ### [Switzerland to Italy by Train: Alps, Lucerne & Lake Como in 14 Days](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/packages/from-switzerland-to-italy-medieval-towns-outdoor-fun-and-italian-riviera) Thirteen nights from Zurich to Milan by train: Rhine Falls, kayaking on Lake Brienz, the Schilthorn, a via ferrata, Rigi, Lugano, Lake Como and the Borromean Islands. Central 3-star hotels; an active trip with full days. From **€5,499** per person ## More to read [All articles](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles) ![Zermatt](/_astro/01M5J4124RDNK5HEDK1S4SGWJP.BgRGYhwm_Z1Ic176.webp) Switzerland ### [Where to Stay in Switzerland: The Best Bases, Region by Region](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/where-to-stay-in-switzerland) Where to stay in Switzerland: Lucerne, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Wengen, Zermatt or Montreux? Our Alps designers match each base to your trip and length. ![Gruyères](/_astro/01M5J4124R4BE58HHC3508AV4M._aLDk73f_f1u3O.webp) Switzerland ### [Switzerland Off the Beaten Path: 9 Quiet Places Beyond Zurich and Geneva](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/hidden-gems-in-switzerland-beyond-zurich-and-geneva) Switzerland off the beaten path: Appenzell, Guarda, Val Müstair, Sils, Soglio, Ticino valleys, Lavaux and Kandersteg, with train times, seasons and nights. ![Lindt](/_astro/01M5J4124Q3YE08ASYAEGGHGQ0.EUhBp82D_1iv5uM.webp) Italy ### [Italy and Switzerland Itinerary: 14 Days from Lake Como to the Matterhorn by Train](https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/italy-and-switzerland-lakes-and-mountains-itinerary) Milan, Lake Como, Lugano, the Bernina Express, St. Moritz and the Glacier Express to Zermatt: 14 and 10-day versions with 2026 fares, times and seasons. Tailor-made, from France ## Let us help you plan a trip that feels right Tell us what you’re dreaming about: dates, pace, who you’re traveling with, and what would make it special. A real person will get back to you with thoughtful ideas, not a generic pitch. 1. 1Share your dates and wishes 2. 2Get a priced itinerary within 48 hours 3. 3Refine it together, then travel 9 travel designers in Lyon and Nice reply to every request themselves. ★★★★★ > “A wonderful travel partner” Carol W., Seattle, WA · 4.8/5 on 273 reviews - [US+1 607 354 8896](tel:+16073548896) - [Europe+33 4 26 30 36 82](tel:+33426303682) - [contact@mobeeinternational.com](mailto:contact@mobeeinternational.com) Two minutes, three steps. Free and without obligation. ## Contact Plan a tailor-made trip in Europe with Mobee International: https://tally.so/r/nWplRv — e-mail contact@mobeeinternational.com — phone +33 4 26 30 36 82 (Europe) or +1 607 354 8896 (US). ## Données structurées ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "TravelAgency", "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#organization", "name": "Mobee International", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com", "logo": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/images/brand/mobee-international.png", "description": "Mobee International is a Destination Management Company (DMC) based in France: tailor-made trips and packages in France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Belgium, designed by local travel experts for travelers, travel agencies and tour operators.", "telephone": "+33426303682", "email": "contact@mobeeinternational.com", "areaServed": [ "US", "CA", "FR", "CH", "DE", "IT", "BE" ], "knowsLanguage": "en", "legalName": "MOBEE INTERNATIONAL", "vatID": "FR33824986947", "foundingDate": "2016", "sameAs": [ "https://www.kimkim.com/o/mobee-international", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobee-international", "https://www.instagram.com/mobeeinternational/", "https://www.youtube.com/@MobeeInternational", "https://www.trustpilot.com/review/mobeeinternational.com" ], "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "206 rue Alexandre Richetta", "postalCode": "69400", "addressLocality": "Villefranche-sur-Saône", "addressCountry": "FR" }, "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer service", "telephone": "+16073548896", "areaServed": "US", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer service", "telephone": "+33426303682", "areaServed": "FR", "availableLanguage": [ "English", "French", "Spanish" ] } ], "parentOrganization": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "MOBEE INTERNATIONAL", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com", "vatID": "FR33824986947", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "206 rue Alexandre Richetta", "postalCode": "69400", "addressLocality": "Villefranche-sur-Saône", "addressCountry": "FR" } } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#website", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com", "name": "Mobee International", "inLanguage": "en", "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Article", "headline": "Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: The 8 Sections, Costs and a 13-Day Itinerary", "description": "The 1,280 km Grand Train Tour of Switzerland section by section: 2026 reservations, Swiss Travel Pass costs, seasonal gaps and our 13-day day-by-day itinerary.", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/articles/grand-train-tour-of-switzerland", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Valentine Julien", "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/valentine-julien#person", "url": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/team/valentine-julien" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/#organization" }, "datePublished": "2026-10-22T00:00:00.000Z", "dateModified": "2026-10-22T00:00:00.000Z", "image": "https://www.mobeeinternational.com/_astro/01M5J4124RFK888F4MA91Q96HR.BFdSrq04_mEpE4.jpg", "inLanguage": "en" } ] } ```