Switzerland by Rail
Featuring the Glacier Express
August 19 - August 29, 2026Switzerland by Rail
August 19 - August 29, 2026Highlights
- Ride the world-famous Glacier Express train
- Marvel at breathtaking alpine scenery
- Enjoy walking tours in lovely Swiss cities
- View the Matterhorn from a cog-wheel train
- See Chapel Bridge, a covered bridge built in 1333
- Enjoy a boat tour on Lake Zurich
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- And More... See itinerary for details
Activity
Read more about WTT Activity Levels
- 55% Easy
- 45% Moderate (Multiple walking tours and walking to/from train stations. Extensive train travel where you must be able to board quickly. Altitude can also play a factor)
As a solo traveler you are responsible for yourself, your possessions, your physical fitness, and all other aspects related to participation in the WTT tour you have chosen. Be sure to read the itinerary closely to better understand the physical requirements necessary for the tour.
WTT tours are not suitable for anyone whose mobility is challenged or compromised. If you struggle with walking, standing or negotiating stairs or if you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Itinerary
Wednesday, 19 August 2026: Arrive Geneva; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival into Geneva no later than 3:00pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour begins at 6:00pm in the lobby of our hotel, where we'll make introductions and then enjoy a Welcome Dinner to get better acquainted. Overnight Geneva - 2 nights
Thursday, 20 August 2026: Walking Tour; Afternoon at Leisure (B)
Welcome to Geneva! With its humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair, the European seat of the UN and headquarters of the Red Cross is known as the "Capital of Peace." This morning we depart for a guided walking tour of the city. Geneva’s lakefront is one of its greatest assets; the familiar Jet d’eau spouts a column of lake water 450 feet in the air, and on a clear day Mont Blanc is visible. The Jardin Anglais (English Garden) is famous for its flower clock, a reflection of Geneva’s preoccupation with watchmaking. Geneva also has a beautiful Old Town. This afternoon is free to enjoy as you wish. Your WTT Tour Leader will provide suggestions of how to spend this time and help pair travelers with similar interests.
Friday, 21 August 2026: Train to Zermatt (B)
Today begins our train travel. We use a luggage transfer service to transport our bags to the next destination, which means our hands are free and we can better enjoy the journey. We board our first train which travels along the lakeside to Montreaux and through the Rhone Valley to Zermatt, an idyllic Swiss village in the Matter Valley nestled at the base of perhaps the best-known Alp, the Matterhorn. Situated at altitude of 5,300 feet, Zermatt boasts stunning mountain scenery. Be aware that we are in the mountains without transportation, so walking--both uphill and downhill--to reach the hotel and train station is expected. Overnight Zermatt - 2 nights
Saturday, 22 August 2026: Cogwheel Train to Gornergrat for Matterhorn Views (B)
Virtually every region has its “must-do” and in the Alps this is the Gornergrat cogwheel train. This train is a technical masterpiece of 19th-century engineering, having made its maiden trip in 1898. From this vantage point, one of the most breathtaking mountain panoramas in the world opens up as we view the towering pyramid of the Matterhorn plus 29 other 12,000-foot peaks.
Sunday, 23 August 2026: Glacier Express Train to St Moritz (B,L,D)
Today we experience the Swiss Alps in all their magnificence as we board the world-famous Glacier Express, a fascinating full-day rail journey through pristine mountain landscapes, deep gorges, delightful valleys, 91 tunnels and across 291 impressive bridges. From our comfortable seats in the panorama car, we'll see immense vistas of forests, pastures, mountain streams and valleys. Our disembarkation point is St. Moritz, the lovely alpine resort that was the birthplace of winter tourism. Overnight St Moritz - 2 nights
Monday, 24 August 2026: Personal Day in St Moritz (B)
The world-renowned resort of St Moritz is situated on the southern flank of the Swiss Alps and is blessed with what is called a "champagne climate" -- the sun shines 322 days a year, almost guaranteeing great weather. Today is yours to enjoy this cosmopolitan resort. Your WTT Tour Leader will have suggestions for things to do and see and will help pair travelers with similar interests. You will be able to use your Swiss Travel Pass for free transportation on the Swiss Travel Network and free entrance to many museums, castles, gardens and exhibitions.
Tuesday, 25 August 2026: Train to Lucerne; Group Dinner with Folklore Show (B,D)
We're up and traveling by train again, this time for a journey from St. Moritz to Lucerne. There will be a couple of train changes, so be sure to pay attention! Known for its preserved medieval architecture, Lucerne sits amid snow-capped mountains on a lake that shares its name. The unique landmark here is the Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe originally built in 1333. We'll have a some down time once we arrive to rest and rejuvenate. Then we'll regroup to enjoy dinner together along with a Folklore Show that includes traditional Swiss customs such as alphorns, cowbells, national costumes, flag throwing and of course, yodeling. Overnight Lucerne - 2 nights
Wednesday, 26 August 2026: Walking Tour; Excursion to Mt. Pilatus (B)
This morning we explore Lucerne on a leisurely guided walking tour through the maze of small streets, bridges, promenades and plazas that are dominated by countless historical towers, fountains and frescoed buildings. We then embark on a boat ride on crystal-clear Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad where we ascend by the steepest cog railway in the world to 7,000-foot Pilatus Kulm to admire the panorama over the Swiss Alps. This view is simply gorgeous. We will descend by aerial cable car to Fraenkmuentegg, and change to panoramic cable cars that sweep over pine forests and mountain meadows to the village of Kriens. This is a wonderfully scenic day.
Thursday, 27 August 2026: Free Morning in Lucerne; Travel to Zurich (B)
This morning is free to explore Lucerne at your own pace. Take some time to stroll along town walls and towers one last time or enjoy authentic sweets and treats like famous Swiss chocolate at various chocolatiers and bakeries. We board the train this afternoon and travel the short one-hour ride to Zurich. Upon arrival, we enjoy a boat ride on Lake Zurich and take in the city's picturesque views. Overnight Zurich - 2 nights
Friday, 28 August 2026: Free Day in Zurich; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Today is yours to spend as you wish here in Zurich. Your Tour Leader will have suggestions. Perhaps you want to meander through Old Town, see the Grossmünster, with its distinctive twin towers or visit St. Peters with the largest church clock face in Europe. Of course there are opportunities to eat more chocolate as Zurich is home to the Lindt Home of Chocolate. And if you haven't had your fill of train travel yet, consider vistiing Bern, the capital of Switzerland, which is just a 1-hour train ride away. This evening we'll gather for our Farewell Dinner.
Saturday, 29 August 2026: Depart Zurich (B)
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Make your return flight at your convenience. The easiest way to get to the airport is by train from the central station in Zurich. Trains run constantly throughout the day. Your Tour Leader can assist with suggestions if necessary.
Switzerland by Rail
August 19 - August 29, 2026Pricing
Room Share
$6,862.00Single Room
$8,991.00Non-Members
ADD $100.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Luggage transport service between hotels
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport Transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Beverages other than coffee, tea & still water unless otherwise noted
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Visa and/or passport fees
- Any gratuities for the WTT Tour Leader
- Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
You have 3 days to cancel and receive a refund. Thereafter, the amount required at time of reservation is non-refundable and the following cancellation penalties will be enforced.
Friday, 20 Feb 2026: Last day $750 deposit can be converted to a credit for use on a new reservation; thereafter the deposit is forfeited.
Monday, 11 May 2026: Balance Due. Cancellation after this date but before Saturday, 20 Jun 2026 results in a cancellation penalty of 75% of your Total Tour Cost.
Saturday, 20 Jun 2026: Cancellation on or after this date results in a cancellation penalty of 100% of your Total Tour Cost.
Using Parked Credits: If traveler cancels during the 3-day cancel without penalty period, used credits will be re-parked with the original expiration date(s). Thereafter, cancellation will result in forfeiture of the total amount of parked credits used. If applicable, additional cancellation penalties will be assessed based on date of cancellation.
To Cancel: Should you need to cancel after your space on this tour is confirmed, you must use the Cancellation Form. Cancellation penalties are based on the date we receive your cancellation form. No other method of communicating a cancellation will be accepted.
Insurance Reminder
Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance is not included in the cost of the tour. It is your responsibility to determine the amount and type of coverage you require to recoup some or all of your travel investment, whether you cancel, are unable to complete the tour, or the tour cannot operate. Section 4.0 of WTT Terms & Conditions explains what will happen to your payments in the unlikely event that your tour cannot operate.
WTT is not licensed to sell travel insurance. You can purchase travel insurance from any provider you choose. To get an idea of rates, please go to NTA Travel Protection Plan (Enter 206063 for the "Tour Operator Location #") or TravelGuard.
Switzerland by Rail
August 19 - August 29, 2026Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Documents Required for this Tour
Passport: Travelers are required to have a valid passport. Most countries require your passport to be valid up to six months after your RETURN date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
VISA: US Citizens do not need a Visa to enter Switzerland. All other passport holders should check each Country's Embassy website to determine if they need a VISA. VISA requirements are based on your country of residence.
New Online Registration Requirements: All US and Canadian citizens traveling to EU Schengen member countries and/or the UK are now required to register electronically prior to travel. Delayed implementation until 4th QTR 2026.
EU - European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows: When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" or "Multiple Destinations." For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.
Arrival Airport: GVA - Geneva, Switzerland (Geneva Airport)
Arrival Date: Wednesday, August 19th. Arrive no later than 3:00 pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local transportation. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: ZRH - Zurich, Switzerland (Zurich In't Airport)
Departure Date: Saturday, August 29th. At your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Not included. There is easy access to the airport at a reasonable cost from the main train station in Zurich. Trains leave very frequently throughout the day.
When to Book Your Air
Once you have booked your flights (or other transportation arrangements), use the Travel Arrangements Form to send WTT your flight details. Use the same form to update your information should it change.
Airport Transfer Information
When arrival transfers are not included: WTT will provide suggestions to get to the hotel in your Final Travel Instructions about 2-3 weeks before the start of the tour. You'll also be able to see who else is arriving at the same time if you want to coordinate ride-sharing to the hotel.
Don't Worry. We're Expecting You: One of the reasons we ask for your travel arrangements is so we know when you're arriving and can approximate when you should be at the hotel. Your Final Travel Instructions will have instructions on what to do and who to contact if your flight is delayed.
Lodging / Hotels
Geneva: Warwick Geneva
Zermatt: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
St Moritz: Hotel Steffani
Lucerne: Hotel Astoria
Zurich: Hotel Glockenhof
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$288.00 Roomshare pp $575.00 Single Occupancy
Early Arrival Hotel: This tour uses the same hotel used on the first night of the tour.
Switzerland by Rail
August 19 - August 29, 2026Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
On the Reservation Form there are 3 choices regarding room-sharing.
Note: Certain room-types may be unavailable at the time you make your reservation. If a room-type is unavailable the choice will be greyed out.
- Select "Yes, I want to share a room" and WTT will assign you a roommate when Final Travel Instructions are sent.
- You can specify a roommate by entering her name where indicated. If your named roommate is not on the tour, for any reason, WTT will assign you a roommate unless you pay to have your own room, if available.
- Select "No, I do not wish to share a room" if you want to have your own room. Additional costs apply.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
- 55% Easy
- 45% Moderate (Multiple walking tours and walking to/from train stations. Extensive train travel where you must be able to board quickly. Altitude can also play a factor)
As a solo traveler you are responsible for yourself, your possessions, your physical fitness, and all other aspects related to participation in the WTT tour you have chosen. Be sure to read the itinerary closely to better understand the physical requirements necessary for the tour.
WTT tours are not suitable for anyone whose mobility is challenged or compromised. If you struggle with walking, standing or negotiating stairs or if you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
What is the Group Size?
You will be introduced to the WTT Tour Leader when you receive your Final Travel Instructions, about 2-3 weeks before the tour begins.
Learn about your fellow travelers after final payment by visiting MyWTT. Room sharing assignments will be listed in the Final Travel Instructions.
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
Each day of the itinerary lists the included meals for that day (B,L,D,O). When a meal is not included, the WTT Tour Leader will have suggestions for where to eat.
You do not have to dine alone unless it is your personal choice. You'll most likely be dining with new acquaintances you've made, or you can join the Tour Leader.
Dietary Restrictions on International Tours: WTT has limited to no control over food selections or variety from meal-to-meal, especially at hotels. While we do our best to accommodate dietary requests and ensure variety of options, we cannot guarantee either.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
For This Tour You May Want—
- Things to do to pass time while aboard the train (WiFi may not be available while aboard)
- Warm jacket
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Smart-casual wear if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners
- Swimsuit, some hotels have pools and/or hot tubs.
Good Packing Habits—
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping aids, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use, the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their belongings without assistance and the restrictions imposed by other forms of transportation such as trains.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret that they have packed too much.
- You may bring one suitcase plus one carry-on. We recommend your suitcase be no larger than 26 inches high as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle to make it easy for you to handle yourself.
- To enjoy traveling by train in Switzerland we employ a luggage transfer service that transports one piece of luggage per person from hotel to hotel. Be sure you always understand where your bag should be left each morning we change hotels and how it should be tagged, otherwise you risk leaving it behind. You are responsible for managing your belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the lobby to your room and bring them back to the lobby for the Luggage Transport Service on days we change hotels.
- You must be able to move quickly with your carry-on bag and without assistance to board and exit trains. Swiss trains run on time and do not wait long in stations, so be certain you can manage your possessions with one hand, leaving your other hand free to hold onto a railing or your train ticket.
- We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient.
- Steps exist at most hotel entrances. On occasion, the coach must unload passengers and luggage some distance from the hotel entrance.
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
- You should understand what your current cell phone plan includes in terms of data and minutes. Some, like certain T-Mobile plans, include an international package.
- Contact your cell phone service provider before departing about adding an international calling plan. Most carriers have flat daily rates which will allow your US-based phone to be functional upon arrival in a foreign country.
- Managing data while traveling internationally is important. Using WiFi when available and communicating through apps like What's App help you manage data usage while traveling.
- Learn how to make an international call BEFORE you leave. Consult your cell provider and check out the website www.HowtoCallAbroad.com.
What are the electricity requirements for this tour?
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: whether the country you are visiting is a cash-based society, the number of meals you are responsible for, your individual shopping interests and habits, and tipping expectations.
- Switzerland's official currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). The Euro and US Dollar are often accepted but the rate of exchange will vary considerably depending on the establishment.
- ATMs are found in most cities and tourist areas and are typically the best way of obtaining cash. ATMS of major banks will often give much better exchange rates than currency-exchange kiosks.
- If using a debit card, it is good practice to limit the amount of cash available in the account and simply transfer money from another account if you need more at any point on tour. Always use caution when withdrawing money.
- Many travelers feel more comfortable having local currency before they depart for the tour. You can order local currency from your bank or AAA.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although many cards charge a foreign transaction fee. Be sure to investigate your card of choice as there are many that do not impose these fees and are better suited for international travel.
- If a merchant gives you the choice between making your transaction in USD or the local currency, always choose the local currency, to avoid dynamic currency conversion which includes a conversion fee.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
- In Switzerland, there is generally no obligation to tip in restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, etc. Swiss Federal law requires all service charges to be included in published prices and waitstaff do not depend on tips for their livelihood. However, many in Switzerland do add a small tip as a token of appreciation for good service.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

Our Promise to You
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