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The activity level on a self-guided rail tour in Switzerland is generally easy to moderate, but it does require some physical effort and mobility. Here’s what to expect:
Walking: You’ll need to walk between train stations, hotels, and sightseeing spots. Some towns and stations have cobblestone streets, slopes, or stairs. We generally book hotels convenient to the train stations or include directions on how to have the hotel pick you up at the train station if needed.
Luggage: You are responsible for carrying your own luggage onto trains and between accommodations. Some trains and stations have steps, so lifting bags may be necessary. There are elevators at the hotels.
Stairs and Standing time: most of the train station platforms have stairs or ramps -- not elevators. Some train connections are tight, and you may need to walk quickly to catch the next train. 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.
Flexibility: Because it’s self-guided, you can adjust your pace and choose lighter or more strenuous activities according to your preference.
On a self-guided tour, you’ll travel independently—without a guide—but we will supply a detailed daily itinerary, Swiss rail pass, hotel reservations, and essential local travel information. Our self-guided tour does not include luggage transfers, so you’ll need to bring your luggage with you on all train journeys throughout your trip. Additionally, this version stays in Montreux instead of Gruyères, offering a slightly simpler itinerary than the guided tour. Excursions are not included in our self-guided tour; however, we’ll provide detailed information on how to purchase tickets once you’re in Switzerland. For our self-guided folks, we can also arrange hotel upgrades, an Excellence Class upgrade on the Glacier Express, and even add extra days to customize your experience. On a self-guided tour, you can enjoy the flexibility and freedom of travelling on your own, without the planning.
Yes, it is possible to start on any date between May and October as long as you don't request the same dates as one of our guided rail tours. Please note that some of the specialty scenic trains do not run in some winter months, so this is why we offer this tour from spring to fall.
We include a 1st-class 15-day Swiss Travel Rail pass for this tour. Nine of the days will be used on the tour, but you have 6 extra days in case you want to extend your time in Switzerland. This rail pass provides unlimited travel on Switzerland’s trains, buses, and boats for a set number of days, making it a convenient and flexible way to explore the country. In addition, the Swiss Travel Pass includes free or discounted entry to over 500 museums across Switzerland. This rail pass will also provide discounts on most mountain excursions in Switzerland, such ast Mt. Pilatus, Gornergrat, Jungfraujoch, etc. This gives travelers access to a wide range of art, history, castles, and cultural museums throughout the country.
Seat reservations are not required on most Swiss trains, except specialty scenic routes such as the Glacier Express, GoldenPass, and Bernina Express—which we’ll arrange for you. With your pre-activated rail pass, you can simply board any regular train whenever you’re ready. Just keep your passport handy, as conductors may occasionally ask to see it along with your rail pass.
Only if you are traveling solo and plan to stay in the hotel room by yourself. Our tour prices are based on double occupancy, meaning the cost of a hotel room is shared between two guests. If a room is booked for single occupancy, an additional fee applies to cover the full cost of the room.
We usually book small, family-owned 3- and 4-star hotels that showcase the charm and hospitality of the local alpine communities. The only exceptions are the hotel in Montreux and the final night in Zurich, which are larger properties but situated in prime locations. Our selected hotels combine excellent locations, high standards of comfort and quality, and great value for our guests. On a self-guided tour, you also have the option to upgrade your accommodations if desired.
Yes, you should plan to carry your luggage with you on the trains each day. Be aware that some trains have steps, so you should be comfortable lifting your bags when necessary. Most trains provide a luggage rack at the end of the car for storing your belongings during your journey. While arranging luggage transfers through a local company is possible, it can be quite costly, but we can organize it upon request.
Swiss Francs are the currency in Switzerland. You can easily stop at an ATM in the airport, train station, or grocery store to withdraw Francs cash. ATMs typically provide the best currency exchange rate, and most places accept credit cards.
At this time, you do not need a special visa to enter Switzerland because they are part of the European Union, accepting the Schengen visa. You WILL need to have a current passport to enter Switzerland, and it must not expire within 3 months of your trip. Make sure it will still be current. 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 will provide you with an emergency contact number to use during your tour if needed. You can also feel free to email or call your travel specialist (during regular office hours) for any additional questions or concerns.
Refer to our Terms & Conditions for details on cancellations. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect against unexpected changes. While we don’t provide trip insurance and it isn’t required, we highly recommend purchasing coverage. Insurance can protect you if you need to cancel due to illness or injury before your trip, and it can also help cover unexpected expenses if you become sick during your visit. Insuremytrip.com is a broker that lets you compare different plans and their coverage, making it easy to find one that fits your needs.
Contact us to plan your itinerary and choose dates. You can book a self-guided tour about a year in advance; however, in some cases, we may not be able to book select hotels until about 6-8 months prior. Keep in mind that it is best to book a self-guided rail tour more than 3 months before your travel date. Accommodations can become quite limited, and seat reservations on specialty trains (like Glacier Express) open to the public to book 90 days prior to your travel date. When you are ready, you can book this trip directly on our Alpenwild website under Rail tours with a $700 per person deposit. Your final payment is due 120 days before the tour, and we will email you a reminder when the time is near.
We rate this trip as easy, but ACTIVE. You should be capable of walking about one to two miles per day. You should also be able to handle your own luggage to get to the trains and to/from your hotels. On two days, you will take a mountain railway excursion to an elevation of over 10,000 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 slow walkers, but you must still be able to walk the distance.
Stairs: at train stations when we have to change platforms; most of the station platforms only have stairs or ramps -- not elevators. Some train connections are tight and the group may need to walk quickly to catch the next train.
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.
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: You need to be able to get your own bags on and off the trains and to/from each hotel.
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