The Ultimate Packing List
Tackle your suitcases with ease with our complete Switzerland grand train tour packing list. Keep track of all your essentials and remove pain of the decision-making.
If you’re joining us for the full 13 or 9-day adventure, this guide will be extremely useful.
Let’s dive in.
What to Pack for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland?
Probably many of you are seasoned packers already – years of traveling around the world by plane, car, or ship usually has that effect on a person.
You have likes and dislikes and know exactly what you need in your daily life as a traveler. However, a good packing list is always helpful. Whether for ticking off boxes or as a shot of inspiration, such a list can make your life just a tad easier. We’ve had people thank us for this Switzerland Grand Train Tour packing list.
Our favorite packing suggestion is: less is more. Pack right and pack light, that’s our motto. Although we will have a dedicated luggage transfer throughout our trip, a light suitcase containing only your must-haves packed in order is always easier to handle.
Below, you’ll find a grand train tour packing list for both men and women, but before starting, you may want to check the most important part: the essential pre-departure checklist. So you won’t forget about important documents and other useful tools to make the best out of your rail tour.
Grand Train Tour Packing List for Women
Clothing for Women
- 2 pairs of walking/comfortable shoes (trekking shoes, trainers with a good grip, or comfortable tennis shoes will do).
- 1 windbreaker/rainproof jacket.
- 1 fleece/softshell jacket.
- 2 pairs of shorts/capris.
- 2 to 3 pairs of pants (one dressy, two casual; cotton blend is recommended: when washed, it dries faster than jeans).
- 1 swimsuit.
- Several sets of underwear (polyamide, bamboo, or viscose blends dry faster).
- 4–6 shirts (long and short-sleeved).
- 1–2 light cardigans for layering.
- 1–2 skirts (optional wrinkle-resistant)
- 1 dress (optional).
- Hat, scarf, gloves (sometimes it gets cool in the high elevations in St. Moritz, Zermatt & Jungfraujoch).
- Sleepwear.
Women’s Toiletries / Personal Care Items
- Body soap/puff/synthetic washcloth: not all of our hotels supply washcloths.
- Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss.
- Shampoo/conditioner (hairdryer is provided in each hotel).
- Hairstyling products.
- Skincare and lotion (SPF recommended).
- Razor (non-electric)/shaving cream or soap.
- Sunscreen.
- Prescription drugs (in the original container with your name and your doctor’s name).
- First aid kit.
- Feminine hygiene products.
- Deodorant.
- Nail clippers/file/tweezers.
- Spare glasses and/or prescription, or contact lenses and supplies.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Vitamins.
- OTC remedies (whatever works for you): Pepto, decongestants, neosporin.
Grand Train Tour Packing List For Men
Men’s Clothing
- 5-6 shirts (short-sleeved or long-sleeved).
- 2-3 pairs of pants. (lightweight cotton and super-lightweight pair).
- 1 pair of shorts/bermudas.
- Several sets of underwear and socks (cotton, nylon, bamboo, viscose blends dry faster).
- 1 windbreaker/waterproof jacket.
- 1-2 sweaters or fleece jackets.
- Hat, scarf, gloves: sometimes it gets cool in the high elevations in St. Moritz, Zermatt & Jungfraujoch.
- 1 swimsuit.
- Sleepwear.
Men’s Toiletries/Personal Care Items
- Each bathroom has soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hand lotion. However, you may wish to bring your own.
- Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss.
- Deodorant.
- Shaving foam, razor, or electric razor.
- Aftershave.
- Tweezers/nail clippers.
- Medicine and vitamins.
- First-aid kit. Our guide has a complete first aid kit.
- Glasses/contacts/sunglasses. Contact lens solutions are widely available in local stores. Carry your lens prescription, as well as extra glasses, in a solid protective case.
- Special medications with your name and your doctor’s name on it.
Optional Extras
- Refillable bottle of water. Tap water in Switzerland is safe to drink.
- Small binoculars. For the spectacular Swiss scenery – a good idea.
- Sealable plastic baggies. Two or three might come in handy.
- Hand wipes / sanitizer / purse-size Kleenex packets
- Washcloth. Not all the hotels provide a washcloth.
- Earplugs. It’s a good idea to bring your own set.
- Inflatable pillow or neck rest. These are great for snoozing in planes, trains, and automobiles.
- Address list.
Helpful Facts to Know About ECHO Rail Train Tours:
- The suitcase is transferred from hotel to hotel for you. (Except on Self-Guided Rail Tours) This service consists of one piece of suitcase per person plus whatever you bring on as carry-on in the plane. This needs to be placed on top of your suitcase and is considered 1 piece of luggage. You will receive two luggage tags during the Tour Briefing in Switzerland. (Each piece must not exceed 23 kg/50 lbs; for further details check the Terms & Conditions)
- Your detailed itinerary will be sent electronically to you at least 3 weeks in advance of the trip so you will have all the specific hotel contact information available as a leave behind for family members to see and have. If you wish there is a PDF version that you can print, however, we do not recommend printing it as we may need to still do changes in the itinerary.
- All Small-Group Guided Tours have guaranteed fixed departure dates, so you can book with confidence knowing your tour will run as scheduled. In the unlikely event that a group does not reach the minimum of six guests, a small-group surcharge may apply. You will be informed well in advance and offered alternative options to ensure your experience meets your expectations. For complete details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
- To help you with your clothing decisions for your grand train tour packing list, here are some elevation ranges we will be experiencing. Where we stay in the Lucerne, 1,320 ft to St. Moritz 6,000 ft are the hotel overnight ranges. The highest summit we ride is the Jungfraujoch 11,400 ft where you arrive indoors and are able to go outside as well.
- Medical care – Switzerland has excellent medical care. In every place we have designated medical Dr.’s who speak excellent English. Our guides always available to help you if anyone ends up needing medical care.
- Stores in Switzerland – You will find the local stores have everything you can find in the USA. So, if you forget something, it will be easy to purchase on route.
- Most of the trains will have smartphone plug-ins and WIFI.
