3-Day Zermatt & Gornergrat Rail Tour

Are you coming to Switzerland one day earlier?

Upon landing in Zurich, you’ll check in and rest at your comfortable airport hotel — the ideal way to recover from your international flight before your adventure begins.

For the next day, we’ve designed a wonderful Pre-Tour Option: a full-day excursion to Stein am Rhein & the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen. After the tour, your guide will accompany you back to Zurich to collect your luggage and then escort you to the train station, ensuring you comfortably continue to your next destination.

Please note that this is a full-day tour, and if you choose to join it, you’ll travel to Zermatt in the late afternoon, arriving at your hotel around 9 pm. In winter, the train ride takes place after sunset, so you won’t see all the mountain scenery along the route — but it’s still a smooth, comfortable, and beautifully atmospheric journey through the Alps. It makes for a longer day, but an incredibly rewarding start to your Swiss adventure!

If this sounds like the perfect start to your journey, simply contact our Travel Experts — we’ll seamlessly add it to your 3-Day Rail Tour and handle all the arrangements for you. 

Accommodation: Zurich Airport Hotel Hyatt Regency or Place (or comparable lodging).

Your guide will meet you at the point of your arrival, be it airport, train or bus station. Together you’ll travel by train to Zermatt. Depending on your arrival time, you can take a stroll around the picturesque village and admire the breathtaking views of Matterhorn. You’re also welcome to enjoy wellness services at your hotel. In the evening, you will savor an authentic Swiss dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

Accommodation: Resort La Ginabelle (or comparable lodging).

Today you will see the Matterhorn at your hand’s reach. If the weather is good, you will hop on the famous Gornergrat Bahn, the highest open-air railway on the continent, which will take you to the summit of Gornergrat. This cogwheel train climbs up to 10,134 feet (3089 meters). Here you will have a chance to enjoy breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and other peaks.

On top of Gornergrat, you can choose to hike to a 360-degree platform area providing a spectacular panoramic view of 29 alpine peaks higher than 13,123 feet (4000 meters)–including the iconic Matterhorn.

Depending on your fitness level and interest, you can embark on a 1 to 2 hour long guided hike across an alpine nature reserve. This hike includes awe-inspiring views of the Matterhorn mirrored in pristine alpine lakes. Along the way, you’ll learn about the origins of Zermatt and the people who live in the canton of Valais (French-speaking) or Wallis (German-speaking).

In the afternoon you can stroll around town, find souvenirs and enjoy the wellness amenities in your hotel.

Scenic Journey Duration: approx. 1 hour.

Journey Mode: Gornergrat Cogwheel Train.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Resort La Ginabelle (or comparable lodging).

In the morning you’ll depart from Zermatt on the legendary Glacier Express bound for Andermatt.

Important: Bear in mind that Glacier Express connections are suspended for the maintenance period between mid – October and mid – December. You could travel on the Glacier Express route, however it would include several additional transfers and much longer travel time. 

Enjoy the unparalleled beauty of the Zermatt and Goms Valleys, surrounded by sky-high peaks. After changing train in Andermatt, you will arrive in Fluelen, where you’ll board the 100-year-old steamer bound for Lucerne. Find comfortable seating in the first class and prepare for the leisurely, 3-hour-long cruise on Lake Lucerne featuring stunning views of Mt. Pilatus and Mt. Rigi.

Lunch will be available on either the Glacier Express or during Lake Cruise.

In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Lucerne. Our guide will provide with information on connections to your next destination and bring you to the train station, hotel or other place of choice.

Scenic Journey Duration: approx. 7 hours.

Journey Mode: Glacier Express, Train & Cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast.