We classify this trip as easy to moderate and active. Expect a fair amount of walking in the towns and Christmas markets. Participants should be in good physical condition and able to walk 1–2 miles per day.
Your Scenic Alps by Rail -Christmas Edition tour begins in Lucerne, located just an hour away from Zurich Airport by train. We’ll provide you with a rail pass and clear directions to your hotel in Lucerne. Guests will gather in the hotel lobby at 12:30 p.m. for an afternoon excursion.
We keep our groups small—typically 12 to 13 guests—to ensure personalized attention and exceptional service. Please note that a minimum of 6 guests is required for the tour to proceed.
Aside from these differences, the two tours are largely the same, with the same hotels, excursions, and activities.
You will travel to Lucerne with your own luggage to reach the first hotel, just two blocks from the train station. For the rest of the tour, we’ll use SBB luggage services to send your suitcases directly to the next hotel, so you only need to carry what’s necessary each day. The only exception is the day we ride the Glacier Express, when we will take our luggage with us on that train.
Since shopping is likely during the tour, you may bring an extra bag to send with your luggage as needed. Please note that all bags must be securely closed, as SBB will not transfer any open bags.
Your tour includes a 15-day 1st-class Swiss Travel Rail Pass, which can be used for pre- or post-tour days. Nine of these days are needed on the tour, leaving six days for independent travel within Switzerland.
The hotels on this tour are 3- and 4-star properties, independently owned and conveniently located in these towns. You can expect comfortable accommodations, warm hospitality, and modern amenities.
Experience the magic of the Christmas season in Switzerland with picturesque towns, festive crèches, and rich local traditions. Highlights of this tour include sparkling Advent lights, charming holiday decorations, and unique local customs. You’ll also enjoy several scenic train journeys, including the panoramic Goldenpass and the legendary Glacier Express, for an unforgettable Alpine holiday experience..
Switzerland’s Christmas markets enchant with twinkling lights, festive treats such as gingerbread, raclette, and mulled wine, handcrafted local goods, and live music, all framed by stunning alpine scenery.
Yes, it’s a good idea to carry some cash when visiting Swiss Christmas markets. While larger shops and restaurants often accept credit cards, many market stalls—especially those selling crafts, food, or drinks—may only accept cash. You will need Swiss Francs, which can typically be withdrawn from ATMs at train stations or near the markets
Snow is common in the Alps and higher mountain regions, including Zermatt and St. Moritz. In towns and valleys, snow is possible but not guaranteed in December. On this tour, you’ll typically enjoy views of snowcapped mountain peaks and may even spot a light dusting of snow in the lakeside towns.
We recommend dressing in layers to stay warm while exploring the towns and to easily remove them on trains, which can be quite warm. Be sure to bring rain gear, a warm knit hat, and gloves. Comfortable, warm, waterproof boots or shoes with good traction are essential for both safety and comfort.
We rate this trip as easy to moderate and ACTIVE. You should be capable of walking 1-2 miles per day and at least 1/2 mile in one stretch (about 1500 steps and maybe uphill). You should be capable of walking about 2 to 4 miles per day, often on cobblestone streets and with potential compacted snow and ice (so be careful). There will be times when stairs can not be avoided, so guests will need the ability to go up and down stairs. On one day, a mountain railway will take you to an elevation of 10,200 feet.
Walking: in addition to walking on flat surfaces, you also need to walk on uphills, on uneven terrain, and on cobblestones. You'll likely not walk this amount all at once, but you need to be able to get to/from train stations, hotels, and excursions. We can accommodate slower walkers, but you must still be able to walk the distance. You should be able to walk a half mile at a time and you may need to walk this amount a few times a day.
Stairs: at train stations when we must change platforms; most of the station platforms only have stairs or ramps -- not elevators. There are often many steps on the walk to the hotels, there are steep steps to get into some trains, and there may even be steps inside the trains before you get to your seat.
Getting on and off trains: be aware that many trains have a few steep steps to negotiate to get on or off. You need to be confident that you can get on and off the trains. Also, note that there may be multiple train transfers on any of the travel routes. It is rare to ride just one train to our next destination on the tour. Some train connections are tight, and the group may need to walk quickly to catch the next train.
Standing time: you need to be able to stand on your feet for at least 10-15 minutes as benches at train stations are not in good supply.
Luggage: before the tour starts, you will travel by train to Lucerne and meet the group at the first hotel. This means you'll need to get your own luggage on/off the trains and to/from hotel rooms once at the hotels (there are elevators in all hotels). During the tour, we hire a company to pick up the bags every day (except 1) and deliver them to the next hotel. Please note that there is one day during the tour when the group will take suitcases on the Glacier Express train with them
