The Next Journey on your rail adventure. Legendary rail excursions, lake cruises, and breathtaking mountaintops.

Scenic Alps by Rail Track 2

Explore the Alps in First Class Rail, lake cruises, and mountaintop excursions in Switzerland and France.

Rhine Falls - Switzerland Tourism

We rate this trip as easy to slightly moderate because this is an ACTIVE tour. 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). There are additional hiking and walking options available for those wanting more activity. You should also be able to handle your luggage to get to the trains when needed. One day, you will take a cable car to an elevation of 12,600 feet, and you should be able to handle staying at this elevation for a couple of hours.

Walking: In addition to walking on flat surfaces, you also need to walk on uphills, uneven terrain, and 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 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.

Book This Trip Now

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland – Part 2

If you’re one of the hundreds of enthusiastic guests who have been on our popular Scenic Alps by Rail tours over the past 10 years, then Scenic Alps by Rail – Track 2 is your next great adventure. We pick up where Scenic Alps by Rail left off and add an additional country to the journey—France!—as well as spending more time in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking region as so many have requested.

On Scenic Alps by Rail – Track 2 we’ve included the best railway excursions, lake cruises, and mountaintop cableways that dot the Alps—highlights you might have missed on the original Scenic Alps by Rail—such as Rhine Falls, a lake steamer cruise on the Brienzersee, the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix France, Lauterbrunnen Valley and the Schilthorn, or the Stanserhorn ascent on the open-air CabriO cableway.

Imagine soaking in the spectacular Alpine scenery through the panoramic vista windows that run from your elbow to the ceiling while you sit comfortably in your first-class Swiss rail seat, on classic Swiss, French, and Italian trains like the GoldenPass Express, Mont Blanc Express, Centovalli Express, or the Voralpen Express. Your eyes wander with ease across the stunning Alpine peaks, shimmering lakes, flower-filled meadows, storied castles, deep glacial valleys, sun-drenched vineyards, rushing whitewater streams, and mystical mountains framed by towering glaciers. You'll enjoy this all in first-class comfort. We cap each tour at 14-15 guests, and the tours fill quickly. Be sure to check out our Scenic Alps by Rail FAQ, which also includes the activity level expected for this tour.

Unrivaled Rail Travel Across Europe

Switzerland’s legendary trains rank among the world’s finest, a testament to the nation’s mastery of mountain travel. With a brilliantly engineered network of trains, rack railways, trams, and funiculars, the Swiss make even the most remote alpine heights effortlessly accessible—bringing you face-to-face with Europe’s highest peaks and its most awe-inspiring glaciers.

All in the comfort of First Class

Experience the breathtaking Swiss Alps from the comfort of your first-class rail car, accompanied by seasoned Swiss rail experts. Along the way, you’ll uncover the stunning landscapes, rich history, and remarkable engineering that have made Switzerland’s railways among the world’s most admired and celebrated. We do our best to book 1st class seat reservations, but please note that at times, due to availability, it is possible to ride in 2nd class.

Trip Videos

Overview Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival | Luzern | Stanserhorn

Day 2 – Rhine Falls | Schaffhausen| Voralpen Express

Day 3 – Luzern-Interlaken Express | Lake Brienz Cruise | Giessbach Falls

Day 4 – Schilthorn excursion | Trümmelbach Falls | Lauterbrunnen Valley

Day 5 – GoldenPass Express | Mont Blanc Express to Chamonix France

Day 6 – Chamonix France | Aiguille du Midi

Day 7 – Rhone Valley | Centovalli Express through Italy

Day 8 – Lago Maggiore Cruise | Mountain cable car to Cimetto

Day 9 – Zürich | Lindt Home of Chocolate

Day 10 – Zürich | Departure

View Detailed Itinerary

Tour Price

$6,395 USD per person, double occupancy

$1,395 single supplement

Reserve your place on this tour with a $500 per person deposit

Trip Dates

13 August 2025 - 22 August 2025

26 June 2026 - 05 July 2026 Sold Out

07 September 2026 - 16 September 2026

Or, book a private departure

Trip Highlights

Ride legendary alpine railway journeys such as the GoldenPass Line, Voralpen Express, Mont Blanc Express in France, and the Centovalli Railway through Italy.
Scenic mountain excursions on the Stanserhorn with its open-air tram, the Aiguille du Midi on Mont Blanc—the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world—and the Schilthorn, filming location for James Bond.
Brienzersee lake cruise to Giessbach Falls
Europe’s largest waterfall, Rhine Falls, with a boat excursion below the falls