Each day's traveling, the excursions we did, the places we stayed, the food we ate, and the people we were around were all so special and will give us memories of a lifetime!!! - J.R. and M.R. - FL
This tour is rated easy, but active, since there is a fair amount of walking on this tour. It’s ideal for travelers with a spirit of adventure and the ability to walk 1–2 miles per day, including stretches of at least ½ mile at a time (about 1,500-2,000 steps), sometimes uphill or on uneven surfaces. Regrettably, the tour cannot accommodate guests using walkers or wheelchairs.
You’ll need to be prepared to:
Walk on hills, cobblestones, and uneven paths.
Navigate stairs at train stations, on trains, and possibly inside hotels.
Confidently get on and off trains with 1-2 steep steps.
Stand for 10–15 minutes at a time (seating is limited at most train stations).
Carry your luggage to and from the train on arrival day and also on the Glacier Express travel day.
We can accommodate slower walkers, but you must be able to walk these distances multiple times throughout the day. Additional optional walks and hikes are available for those wanting more activity.
The tour begins in Lucerne, Switzerland. You’ll travel there independently by train (just 1 hour by train from Zurich Airport) and meet the group at 12:30 PM in the hotel lobby for an orientation and an excursion to Mt. Pilatus. A welcome dinner follows that evening. We’ll provide you with detailed arrival instructions and a hotel flyer with a map. We recommend flying in and out of Zurich Airport.
We keep our group size intimate—typically 14 to 15 guests—to ensure personalized attention and exceptional service. Please note that a minimum of 8 guests is required for the tour to be confirmed.
9 hotel nights
1st-class rail and all tour transportation
Daily excursions
Luggage transfers (except for the Glacier Express day)
Daily breakfast, most dinners, and one farewell lunch
Lunches are not included, but your guide will offer recommendations or advise you when to pack a picnic—especially on travel days like the Glacier Express (note: there is no dining car; lunch is eaten at your seat).
Approximately 30 days before the tour, you’ll receive digital tour documents through the Vamoos app. These will include: arrival instructions, hotel contact list, packing list, 15-day 1st class Swiss travel rail pass, etc.
Only on the first travel day to Lucerne and on one day during the tour (the Glacier Express day). For the rest of the tour, Alpenwild arranges luggage transfers from hotel to hotel. You’ll just carry a small daypack for daily essentials. We recommend one rolling suitcase (max 20 kg/44 pounds, ideally 25-26 inch size) plus your day bag.
Yes! Your expert Alpenwild guide will meet you at the hotel in Lucerne and accompany you throughout the tour—on trains, excursions, and meals. You’ll also have some free time most afternoons before regrouping for dinner.
You’ll enjoy 1st-class seats on nearly all trains and boats. A few scenic excursion trains (e.g., Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat) only offer one class. Occasionally, we may ride in 2nd class if seat availability requires it. Please be aware that in rare situations, it is possible for a group to not get seat reservations on the scenic trains like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express. In this case, the group may need to ride regular trains along these same scenic routes.
This tour offers much more than train rides! You’ll explore Switzerland through scenic train routes and exciting activities such as mountain excursions in Lucerne, St. Moritz, Zermatt, and Grindelwald. We also visit castles in Montreux and Gruyères, and will ride a boat on Lake Lucerne. Expect multiple train transfers each day, as direct routes are uncommon—part of what makes this such an immersive experience!
We stay in 3- and 4-star, independently owned Swiss hotels known for their charm, comfort, and excellent locations. Expect warm hospitality, alpine character, and authentic cuisine.
Please note:
Most hotels do not have air conditioning, though windows often open for ventilation.
Bathrooms typically have deep tubs with a hand-held shower rather than walk-in showers.
The final night is at a hotel conveniently located at Zurich Airport for ease of departure.
The Lucerne and St. Moritz hotels do not have twin beds that can be pulled apart. Although it is possible to get a room with twin beds in the same frame with separate bedding.
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). ATMs are widely available and often offer the best exchange rates. Most shops and restaurants also accept credit cards, so cash needs are minimal.
Yes, with advance notice. We’ve successfully accommodated guests with allergies and special diets, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and lactose-free needs. Vegan options are limited, but breakfasts typically include fresh fruit and whole grains, and most dinners will offer a vegetarian option.
Absolutely! Many guests choose to arrive early or stay after the tour ends. The tour comes with a 15-day Swiss Travel rail pass. 9 days will be used on the tour, but this allows you up to 6 additional days beyond the tour. This rail pass can only be used within Switzerland. Our office is happy to help with hotel suggestions, itinerary ideas, and logistics.
You’ll only need a valid passport with at least 3 months remaining past your return date. If you have a passport from another country, besides the U.S./Canada, check out this link to see if you are required to have a visa.
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 mountain railway to an elevation of 11,388 feet, and you should be able to stay 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 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 on most days. Please note that there is one day during the tour when the group will take their suitcases on the Glacier Express train with them.
