3-Day Glacier Express Self-Guided Rail Tour: St Moritz to Zermatt

Explore the stunning Swiss Alps on a rail tour from St Moritz to Zermatt aboard the Glacier Express

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Testimonials

Tour Overview

3 Days | From USD 1,665* | Self-Guided Rail Tour | Pick Your Own Dates

Tour Overview

From USD 1,665* | Private Guided or Self-Guided Rail Tour | Pick Your Own Dates

Designed for those with a tight schedule but a desire to experience the essence of Switzerland, the ECHO Rails 3-Day St Moritz and Zermatt Rail Tour offers a captivating journey through some of the country’s most iconic landscapes and cultural highlights.

Embark on an unforgettable 3-day rail tour from the glamorous resort town of St. Moritz to the charming alpine village of Zermatt aboard the world-renowned Glacier Express. Marvel at the breathtaking Swiss Alps, explore St. Moritz’s luxurious boutiques and pristine lakes, and experience the iconic Matterhorn in Zermatt. Enjoy unparalleled scenic views, first-class comfort, and an adventure of a lifetime. Don’t miss this chance to discover the best of Switzerland in style—book your tour today

Highlights

Selected 3/4* hotel
Fully self-guided, travel at your own pace
1st Class Experience on the world-renowned Glacier Express
1st Class Experience on the Gornergrat Cogwheel Train
The Matterhorn peak at hand's reach
Flexible pick up & drop off locations
Flexible easy walks, hikes and other activities
Dedicated helpline available 9 am – 5 pm throughout your trip

Featured Swiss Railways

Self-Guided: 3-Day St Moritz & Zermatt Rail Tour

3-Day Self-Guided St Moritz & Zermatt Rail Tour Itinerary

Everything is arranged in advance so you can travel with complete confidence. Below is your day-by-day self-guided itinerary through the heart of the Swiss Alps — from the luxury of St. Moritz to the drama of Zermatt.

Self-Guided Itinerary

DAY 0: Switzerland Pre-Tour: Stein Am Rhein & Schaffhausen Waterfall

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 St. Moritz 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).

DAY 1: St. Moritz

Welcome to Switzerland! Your journey begins in the picturesque town of St. Moritz, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Bernina Alps, the Engadin Valley, and its sparkling alpine lakes.

Visit the Diavolezza glacier or a stroll around the quaint Pontresina village. Then get ready for tomorrow’s adventure.

Meals included: Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Crystal (or comparable lodging).

St moritz panorama

DAY 2: Scenic Ride on the Glacier Express

Get ready for an unforgettable experience as today you embark on a journey on the world-renowned Glacier Express. This slow express train is a masterpiece of engineering, taking you on a scenic ride through the heart of the Alps for approximately eight hours. During the ride, you’ll pass through 91 tunnels and cross 291 bridges.

With amenities such as power outlets, and free Wi-Fi, each seat is designed for your comfort and convenience. Moreover, the train features a newly built information system that allows you to track your location on the map, along with an audio guide, to learn about the incredible sights you’ll see along the way.

As you travel West up through the Rhine gorge, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Albula tunnel, Landwasser viaduct, and Switzerland’s Grand Canyon. The train will ascend 1000m / 3000 ft from Disentis to Oberalp, where you can enjoy a delicious meal in one of the few dining cars that still serve hot food.

In the evening, you will arrive in Zermatt, where you can relax and unwind in the spa area of your hotel. You’ll also have some time to explore the car-free, picturesque town of Zermatt.

Scenic Journey Duration: approx. 8 hours.

Journey Mode: Glacier Express.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel La Ginabelle (or comparable lodging).

travel with glacier express

DAY 3: Departure

Start your final day with a breathtaking trip to Gornergrat, one of the most stunning mountain destinations in the Swiss Alps. Enjoy panoramic views of the iconic Matterhorn and surrounding peaks as you take in the pristine beauty of the area. Capture unforgettable photos and savor the crisp mountain air.

After your morning adventure, it’s time to bid farewell to the majestic Swiss Alps and make your departure, filled with wonderful memories of your journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt.

We wish you a safe journey and we hope to see you again for another adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Zermatt Private Guided Day Hike

Self-Guided: 3-Day St Moritz & Zermatt Rail Tour

Details and pricing

Rates

Party of two, double room: USD 1,665 pp

Party of three, triple room: USD 1,550 pp

Party of four, two double rooms: USD 1,665 pp

Party of five, two double rooms & one single room: USD 1,665 pp

Party of six, three double rooms: USD 1,665 pp

Single Supplement applies.

If your rooming differs from the above or you are traveling with Kids or Teenagers, please contact our sales team for the adjustment, or simply book, and we will adjust your invoice afterwards.

Included

Selected 4* hotel
1st Class Swiss Travel Pass – 3 Days
Extensive breakfast buffet daily
3 Meals (2 Breakfasts – 1 Dinner)– dinner is a 3-course and includes water.
Dedicated helpline available from 9 am to 5 pm
Complete digital itinerary including all documentations, delivered to you 3 weeks in advance to ensure the smoothest travel experience
Taxes & fees

Not Included

Meet & Greet
Lunches
Dinners (included on the first day only)
Alcohol & soft drinks during meals
Luggage Transfers
Items for personal use
International flights
Travel insurance

Cash and Cards

Visa, Maestro, and Mastercard are commonly accepted in Switzerland. American Express is not very popular and many businesses don’t accept it. The country is becoming more and more cashless with contactless and mobile payments (Google and Apple Pay). Still, it’s useful to have some cash on you while travelling. All banks provide currency exchange services at a favorable rate.

Fitness Level

Reasonable Fitness Required

This is a private tour and the excursions can be adapted to your abilities and wishes. Thus, we cannot estimate the average number of steps per day. A rough minimum would be around 3000 steps per day.

However, this tour is based solely on public transportation. This means you will be walking up and down train platform stairs or ramps to make the connection platform changes. These connection times can range from 7 to 15 minutes and are usually close to another, so a regular walk pace is all that’s needed.

How to Book

Click on any of the “Book now” buttons on the page.
You will be redirected to our dedicated booking platform.
Choose a desired date for your trip and add number of participants. Click continue.
Fill out the form with all travellers’ details and click “Confirm booking”.
Once we receive your booking request you will be sent an email with payment instructions from our partner Flywire.
Follow the instructions in the email.
Once the payment is processed, your booking is confirmed.

Cancellation Policy

See our Cancellation Policy for more details.

Travel Insurance

For reliable travel insurance, we are proud to partner with a top-notch company, ensuring your peace of mind on every journey. Check out our Travel Insurance Partner and get in touch for a quotation.

Self-Guided: 3-Day St Moritz & Zermatt Rail Tour

Questions? Talk to Our Experts

We specialize in designing personalized Rail Journeys in Switzerland and we are ready and happy to help.

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Testimonials

"We were able to arrange the trip with the help of Monika Ryser--located in the US-- who created something that worked beautifully to get us from a family wedding event outside of Munich to our flight home from Zurich. All the connections for our 3-day rail tour of Switzerland were worked out in advance, including hotel and restaurants, and most importantly, the sites and the sights we encountered were just gorgeous (yes, pun intended). Highlights were: a) the cog rail up to the Gornergrat to view the Matterhorn; and b) our entrancing train rides with beautiful views and cruising Lake Lucerne, and, c) our wonderful guide, Dave Harpur , who provided both logistical help and fantastic commentary including the history of Switzerland. Of particular note was his description of the primacy of Swiss local politics on the governance of the country and its intersection with the path to citizenship for outsiders. He was excellent company who clearly seemed to enjoy interacting with us, and went over and above the call of duty. Overall, a great experience that we highly recommend."

"My husband and I went on a 3-day tour. Our private tour guide, Petr Pospisil, was excellent: very knowledgeable, reliable, personable, and caring, sensitive to the needs of his clients and oftentimes went out of his way to please his clients. We strongly recommend him as a tour guide!"

"We were lucky to have Rene as our guide on our three day guided tour! We were able to see a lot of what Switzerland had to offer, without feeling rushed. He allowed us to customize our hikes in Gornergrat and see the beautiful Matterhorn! We also got to ride on the Glacier Express and take a cruise on Lake Lucerne. Rene made us feel super comfortable, relaxed, and safe. We didn't have to think or stress about anything, especially train times and transfers because Rene had it all handled which was so helpful! We learned so much about Switzerland from him and we never would have had such a smooth trip without Rene and Echo! We would highly recommend a guided tour with them. We can't wait to come back and experience a different tour!"

Jennifer B

July 8, 2026

FABULOUS trip of a lifetime We tend to be very careful with our pennies. We decided to splurge on a trip for our 40th Wedding Anniversary. We both agree that this trip was worth every single penny. We have never experienced a guided tour, and this tour was the BEST. Our guide, Walter was beyond wonderful. He guided us seamlessless through incredible scenery, very comfy hotels and delicious meals. Can't say enough positive things!

Shelley R

July 5, 2026

Exceeded Expectations The Escorted Grand Rail Tour of Switzerland by Echo Rails was fantastic. The communication by the staff was good, with Zoom meetings prior to departure, and Apps during the tour to keep us informed. Staying in each hotel for two nights was perfect. The size of our group was also great, allowing us to form good relationships with each other and our guide, Walter. Walter was very observant and his ability to adapt to different situations (train delays, extreme weather, and different member abilities) allowed us to experience everything on the itinerary without feeling rushed. He also had great suggestions for lunch. I will definitely consider touring with Echo Rails again in the future.

Sue S

July 4, 2026

Train travel to the mountains of Switzerland We did the 9 day Grand Rail Tour with Walter as our guide. Echo Rails/My Mountains provides an excellent itinerary to visit many of Switzerland's highlights with the use of trains and other forms of transportation. There were many details that made this trip easy and more enjoyable as we didn't have to worry about them - 2 nights in the same hotel, breakfasts and dinners included and luggage transfer. The small size of the group was great and Walter was good natured, efficient, adaptable and knowledgeable. There was time to explore on our own and we were able to do the level of activity that was comfortable for us. It is a somewhat fast paced tour but well worth it if you are in good physical condition. The hotels and food provided were all very good. Before booking we spoke with Loredana in the US who answered all the questions we had and was extremely prompt with email replies. We appreciated the pre-trip video calls that were offered as the owner and staff provided a wealth of information and answered all questions. Itinerary details and documents were provided prior to the trip and the owner even met with us in Switzerland prior to our departure on this adventure. I highly recommend this trip and wish we could have done the 13 day one.

Brad W

July 3, 2026

13 day Grand Rail Tour It was our First time to Switzerland, it was amazing and beautiful to see . Gabriella was our guide she was amazing and very knowledgeable on everything. She did a great job to make sure everyone had a memorable trip . Looking forward to another amazing trip in the future with Echo and hopefully be able to have Gabriella as our guide again. Thomas ( Brad ). Whitlock

Venture52387386404

July 1, 2026

Switzerland delights Echo Rails did a fantastic job of introducing me to fabulous Switzerland. On my first visit there I got to see many of the countries' highlights. Our guide, Lou, was superior and deserves the highest rating for having kept our tour organized and informed about all of our activities. Having a great guide made all the difference in getting the most out of a relatively short visit. In addition, the company was great in assisting me in extending my visit on my own, making reservations and giving advice.

Bruce D

June 27, 2026

Unbelievable Experience on the Rails Trains, hotels, meals and guides fantastic

Wanderer817863

June 23, 2026

Majestic views, amazing itinerary and great food Our trip was absolutely delightful. The group was small, the itinerary was planned to perfection, and the sites we visited were amazing. Lou, our guide was so knowledgeable and friendly. She was always in the best disposition to help make our trip memorable. She had very interesting facts and stories to share that made the trip even more enjoyable.

james l

9-Day Rail Tour of Switzerland with Echo Rails Our tour is not well described in your selections available. It was the 9-day train/boat/cog rail/venicular/Gondola, etc. of Switzerland. I can't imagine having a better tour guide. Lou Stone was a wealth of knowledge and always very aware of group needs/dynamics. Everything ran like "clockwork" which is very appropriate approach for a tour of Switzerland. Lou is a priceless treasure for you company. The logistics of luggage and planned trip by the Echo Rails staff was phenomenal. Our luggage was delivered and picked up in a timely manner. Can't really offer any suggestions when you have already acheived perfection! Fair winds and following seas...

Kenneth F

Switzerland & Echo Rails Everything was A+. Leadership, 1st class trains, food, wine, Alps and it was Switzerland. Extra bonus no carrying of the suitcases.

Jan B

June 22, 2026

Breathtaking Journey: 5-Star Experience with Echo Rails and Lou! The Echo Rails Grand Rail Tour of Switzerland was an absolutely unforgettable experience! The scenery throughout the journey was breathtaking—every train ride offered stunning, postcard-perfect views of mountains, lakes, and charming villages. Our guide, Lou, was exceptional. Lou's expertise, organization, and warm personality made the entire trip seamless and incredibly enjoyable. If you want a stress-free, beautiful way to see the best of Switzerland, I would recommend this tour highly!

Jose C

Beautiful views - seamless rail transfers We recently completed the 9-day Echo Rails tour of Switzerland, and it was exceptional from start to finish. The tour support was top-notch; being able to travel between trains without hauling luggage was absolutely priceless. Even when we faced a train delay out of Zermatt, the support team seamlessly coordinated alternative routes with our guide so we wouldn't miss our final group dinner. The accommodations and included meals were all of very high quality. Be prepared for a moderately active itinerary, as we averaged between 8,000 and 16,000 steps a day. Our guide, Lou, was truly amazing. As an experienced mountaineer, she shared fascinating stories during our excursions and was incredibly knowledgeable, always finding the answers to our questions. She went out of her way to cater to all 9 people in our group and even helped me find perfect photography spots—including a breathtaking reflection of the Matterhorn on a mountain lake. Highly recommended!

Jack P

Beautiful country, phenomenal tour by train. I was on the 9-day grand tour of Switzerland with a small group consisting of 9 guests and a guide. Leo Vetterli was the guide on the pre-tour and Lou Stone was the guide on the 9-day tour. Both guides did a fantastic job. They are knowledgeable , enthusiastic, professional, and provided a wealth of information on each area that we visited. The entire trip was a phenomenal experience. You get to see the beautiful country using Switzerland’s excellent public transportation system. This tour included travel by regular trains, panoramic trains, cogwheel trains, buses, boats including a steamboat, gondolas, and cable car. Food was fantastic. All breakfasts and almost all dinners were included. Best of all, your luggage is transported for you to each new destination so you don’t have to lug your luggage around the country. It’s the perfect way to visit a number of destinations Switzerland in a short time.

David B

5 Star Memorable Trip - Great Guide A phenomenal trip! The itinerary was meticulously detailed and perfectly full, truly maximizing my time in Switzerland. Our hotels were fantastic and perfectly located—the balcony views in Zermatt and Grindelwald were truly spectacular. Staying two nights at each stop was a great choice, and the luggage transfers were flawless. The food was excellent as well, especially being able to order à la carte for select dinners. Our group was perfectly sized at just 9 very interesting people, and we had fantastic weather, but the real highlight was our guide, Lou Stone. She was the heart and soul of the experience. Extremely knowledgeable and competent, Lou worked so hard to make everything effortless for us. She took the time to understand our individual needs and interests, making personal accommodations along the way.

Melanie M

June 20, 2026

My first European trip was EPIC My recent trip to Switzerland with Echo Rails and Trails was EPIC! From the hotels to the food to the beautiful scenery which was amazing to discover via trains, boat, and bus. The transit system was always on time and we never had to transport our luggage- Echo did it for us. Many kudos to our tour guide- Walter who set the bar high with his historical knowledge of the places we visited, his flexibility when plans had to be changed, and his sensitivity to our group’s needs due to age and physical ability. He made the trip very special! Thank you Echo and thank you Walter for making my first European trip wonderful and one that will be a hard act to follow! I will share my memories and refer your service to all my family and friends!

Sharon W

June 19, 2026

Fabulous Tour!! This was a wonderful, wonderful tour of Switzerland that far exceeded expectations! The scenery is absolutely magnificent, and also includes a variety of things including chocolate making! Mealtimes spent together were very enjoyable and bonding! Andrea, the owner and the other guides, Jesus. and Sabrina are so personable and extremely helpful! Kudos to them! I highly recommend these guided tours!!

Nancy B

June 17, 2026

Awesome Grand Train Tour Across Switzerland! I recently returned from Echo Rails 9-Day Grand Train trip. What an amazing experience! Echo Rails is a fantastic company that provides train trips all over Switzerland. The activities were well organized, varied and beyond enjoyable! Our guide, Walter, was incredible! His kind spirit, amazing knowledge, and great sense of humor made for a most enjoyable trip. Walter guided us every step of the way and we explored so many of Switzerland's treasures! They handled all the luggage, the meals were delicious, the accommodations in great locations, and the train travel to the hotels and activities flawless -- in First Class train seats! Our group was small with only 7 people so we were able to move around easily! I would highly recommend this trip, with Walter as your guide!

Donna G

June 12, 2026

The Best Guided Trip I’ve Ever Taken Echo Rails & Trails exceeded every expectation and delivered one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had! From the moment the trip began, every detail was thoughtfully arranged, allowing me to simply relax and enjoy the journey, I never had to worry about where to be, when to be there, transportation, luggage or logistics-everything was handled seamlessly. The small group size created a wonderful sense of camaraderie and allowed for a much more personalized experience than larger tour companies. The hotel accommodations were beautiful, comfortable, and perfectly located. Each day brought incredible scenery, unique experiences, and hidden gems that I would never have known to book on my own. The dinners were absolutely fabulous, some were set menus and others were al la carte. What truly sets Echo Rails & Trails apart, however, are the people. The guides were knowledgeable, professional, caring, and genuinely outstanding human beings. Their passion, expertise, and attention to every traveler made the trip feel special from beginning to end. This journey was filled with unforgettable sights, meaningful experiences, and stress-free travel. If you are looking for a company that goes above and beyond, Echo Rails & Trails is a 10+ in every category. I highly recommend them and look forward to traveling with them again.

Michelle B

December 21, 2025

10 Day Trip through Switzerland Amazing! We had a wonderful 10 day trip to Switzerland. The Echo Rails & Trails team was incredible to work with - they plans our trip, booked all our train reservations (including the Glacier Express and some VIP reservations). We especially loved the two days that we had a personal guide join us in Lucern & Zermatt. The team did a fantastic job crafting the trip for our family and making it fun for our teens, but doable for my mom who is in her 80’s. We would highly recommend working with the Echo Rails & Trails team.

Ann D

December 20, 2025

Perfect tour of Switzerland I have been traveling internationally since 1985, and have been on lots of tours. This one was the BEST yet! Switzerland was breath taking, but it was the organization and planning of the trip that made it outstanding. Everything was on schedule and done first class. That wasn’t easy for so many moving parts. The group size of 12 was perfect and the length of the visit was as well. The best part of the trip was having an exceptional guide in Gabriella Deplano. She was the ultimate professional and yet personable and fun!!! She took us to spots for lunches and dinners that were her favorites and exceeded our expectations. I loved the gondola hopping and the lunch spot she choose. Gabriella was flexible, approachable at all times, and so organized. In my professional career, meeting planning was part of my job for 15 years, and so I speak with some experience in working with groups. I would definitely ask for Gabriella when booking another tour with Echo Trails and Rails. She is a real asset to your organization.

steve braswell

December 19, 2025

Echo sets the standard high for guided tours This is the second trip we have taken with Echo and we are very pleased with the experience. Our first tour of Switzerland was in Sept. 2021 and our most recent trip was in Dec. 2025 to see the Christmas Markets in several cities in Switzerland and a day trip to a Christmas Market in Germany.The staff is excellent and our guides have been very helpful and knowledgeable. They were attentive to our needs and offered events and activities that best showcased the highlights of the country. If you are considering a Switzerland tour, we highly recommend this company.

Patsy H

December 18, 2025

Christmas Market Tour Gabrielle was an excellent tour guide on the Christmas Market Tour. Very personable and knowledgeable. Lots of communication to keep everyone informed of the schedules. I understand that the tour will begin in Zurich next year which I think will be very helpful for ones who are not familiar with the train system. Loved the tour!

Joan V

December 14, 2025

Christmas markets and trains We were a small group of ten, plus our guide for a Christmas markets train trip. Beautiful scenery of Switzerland, wonderful trains, and great guide Lisa

Tom E

October 5, 2025

Ten day Echo Tour in Switzerland We did the 10 day rail tour. It was excellent. We saw major attractions and the exceptional Bernini Express and Glacier Express. The guides provided for three days were just great.

eileen m

September 29, 2025

Magnificent mountian experience My husband and I enjoyed the experience of traveling Switzerland by all the different modes of transportation. The beauty of this country and it's mountains are beyond words. This 13 day trip was well designed to to see as much as possible. Thomas and Domenico were outstanding tour guides. They both went above and beyond trying to meet everyone's needs. Unfortunately half or more of the people on the trip could not meet the physical demands of all the walking. Echo tours clearly states the activity level required for this trip. Umapped had the itinerary for each day given to us before we left, but people didn't use it.

Richard K

September 27, 2025

Great train tour of Switzerland! My wife and I did the 13 day grand train tour of Switzerland, and that’s exactly what it was. It’s a great way to see different cities and regions of Switzerland, and to experience train travel at its best. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to see more of Switzerland, and who enjoys train travel. This tour is relatively rigorous, with early starts most mornings, and lots of walking in train stations when changing platforms for a different train. We stayed at 6 hotels, each for two nights, so there’s a lot of coming and going. The hotels were lovely, except for the one in Andermatt which was a bit spartan, and I recommend that the company change it. We started with a group of 19 and two guides, both of whom we liked a lot, and the group later separated because some had signed up for a 9 day tour. September was a good time to go, as the weather was mostly good and the crowds of summer were diminished.

Esther J

September 22, 2025

Great tour for getting to know beautiful Switzerland I loved the Grand Rail Tour of Switzerland. It was a unique experience to see the beautiful Switzerland from a wide variety of trains. I really enjoyed the beauty of the mountains, green landscapes with happy cows and the cities and towns on the edges of stunning lakes. Viewing all of this while seated in a boat or riding on the trains was peaceful and let me admire the the endless beauty. Every day was a new and exciting adventure. Our guide Thomas Moser was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and a great leader with an excellent sense of humor. I am grateful to him for doing such a fantastic job introducing me to the beautiful Switzerland.

Beth G

September 17, 2025

ECHO Rails Knows Their Stuff! We had a marvelous time on ECHO Rail's 9-day Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. The itinerary was excellent and well-planned, but our great experience was primarily due to the talents of the main guide, Thomas, and his assistant guide-in-training, Sari. Thomas made sure all the people and luggage made it from one stop to another and juggled the diverse wants and needs of our group of 19 that went from experienced hikers looking for long walks and a person with a walker and two with canes. We all got what we wanted out of the trip, and I appreciated Thomas (and Sari's) advice on where we could strike out on our own for a nice hike or to do some fast & more thorough sightseeing on our own when the rest of the group was going slower than our desired pace. We often stuck with the group, though, especially in the cities/towns, to benefit from Thomas and Sari's knowledge. We felt very well taken care of. There were only two minor scheduling snafus from the main office that resulted in 1/2 - 1 hour waits for our cheese making briefing and chocolate making workshop, but both occurred and both were great! Thomas made sure our visits to Junfrau and the Matterhorn were timed for the clearest time of the day, so we got great photographs. This company and its guides really know what they're doing, and it will save you a lot of hassles and wasted time on your own if you take their tour!

Terry F

September 13, 2025

Outstanding Swiss tour with Echo Rails My husband and I did the 9 day tour. Tour participants ranged in age from 60 to very active 80 somethings! Our guides, Leo and Thomas, were very organized and had a wealth of information to share throughout the tour. Their individual strengths truly complemented each other and made for a memorable trip. This tour runs like clockwork with every precise connection between trains and buses and boats etc. It is timed down to the minute with all the public transportation schedules. If you are a person who does not like being on a specific schedule, this tour is not for you! The various types of trains we took were exceptionally clean and comfortable and all tickets were in first class. Restrooms were very clean, much cleaner than other countries we have traveled in, and easily accessible. Our tour group of 17 were all very friendly interesting people and we all got along very very well. We were so pleased as this was our first time to do a group tour vacation. All of the hotels were very good and it was a huge plus to stay 2 nights in each, so as not to have to pack up and move every day of the tour. Our Zermatt hotel balcony looked out on the Matterhorn, a stunning view. There are optional hikes offered for those who enjoy hiking in the mountains. My husband took advantage of these and truly enjoyed them. The incredible vistas of the Swiss Alps from high elevations was breathtaking to say the least. We experienced the Top of Europe Jungfrau and its ice glacier with stunning approx. 12,000 ft elevations. Sledding on the glacier was a fun experience! The “interior” waterfalls of Trummelbach with their powerful water flowing inside the mountain were accessed by many steps up through the inside of the mountain. Mind blowing. Everything about the famous Matterhorn was beautiful and more than one could imagine seeing and experiencing. There were only a very few negatives. I feel the details should be a bit more specific as to when the tour begins. We arrived a day earlier than necessary, because the start date of the tour listed online turned out to be the actual day everyone should arrive, rather than the date the tour began the next morning. This confusion for us caused an extra day of hotel expense not included in the tour package price. Secondly, we felt a couple of the restaurant dinners in the package were below expectations. Specifically the Grindelwald Derby Q hotel restaurant’s dinner was not good. And although it was delicious, the portion sizes at La Ginabelle restaurant in Zermatt were very small. We all agreed the duck entree was amazing but it could have easily been twice the size and still been considered small. Finally I would like to point out the tour website states you should expect and be capable of walking 5000-10,000 steps per day. This number is low. I never walked less than 10,000 steps in a day. My highest day was just short of 16,000 steps, and I did not do any of the longer hikes. I did not do any of the optional extra hikes at all. My point being if you are not physically able to walk this amount in a day, this tour is not for you. However I will say I amazed myself being able to do as many steps as I did with my fitness level or lack of it! A few times on the tour when the weather was quite warm, it was a challenge though. To end this lengthy review on a positive note, we would like to praise Thomas and Leo for their expert guidance on this once in a lifetime tour experience. They always told us well ahead of time what to expect at each moment of each day. There were rarely any surprises in the schedule unless it was out of their control. i.e. a city bus route last minute change. They were always pleasant and easy to talk to and we felt we got to know them personally and vice versa. This tour is not for people who go on vacation to relax and chill out but that is not us! It is a full schedule every day combined with public transportation and activities and hikes. We loved the experiences and brought home many new memories, incredible photos, and our own hand made chocolate from our chocolate- making day in Interlaken. We highly recommend Echo Rail tours if an active vacation is your preference!

ronald h

September 1, 2025

Wow! A once in a lifetime immersive experience. Walk out our hotel room on to our balcony. Look up and there’s the Matterhorn! First class train rides through fantasy mountain meadows and villages. Cogwheels up steep slopes of mountainous rock and timber. Dizzying heights and breathtaking views around every bend and reaching down through never ending valleys. Blue skies with views beyond belief. Knowledgeable, experienced guides to fill in the gaps of what our eyes were taking in. And one to return and retrieve a backpack I left behind. We shared a beer together. A gondola ride like no other and the sound of cowbells ringing in peaceful pastures. Cheese and chocolate making. Hiking. Glacier lakes. Boat rides. Historic towns. And at times challenging moments for our guides to call an audible on transportation venues. Patience is a virtue. Lots of pork and sausage. Lots of laughter. New friends made. And stories shared. Walks that challenged previous levels of endurance. Pictures and videos that never truly capture what the eye and heart are seeing and feeling. So thankful to God for sharing all of this with our guides, Cristina and Thomas and especially siblings and spouses. But, a word of caution if ordering a hamburger. And if weather is hot ask front desk for two fans. Most hotels don’t have air conditioning. 8 generations ago my ancestors left this place for America. For me it was a homecoming. Wow! Thanks for the memories Echo Rails! Ron H.

Shaina Lee

August 30, 2025

recommends

We had the BEST time on our trip! Monika was our tour guide and she was wonderful. She shared so much about Swiss culture, history, and mountaineering. The lodging was amazing, views and hikes were more than we could have hoped for, and everything on our trip felt safe, fun, and truly a once and a lifetime experience. We did a lot of research on tour companies and My Mountains/ECHO Rails far exceeded our expectations. Monika took us on custom tours, gave us great tips for dinners and shopping, and the trip was the perfect balance of breathtaking hiking and cultural experiences in the towns we stayed in. You also cover so much of Switzerland by foot, train, gondola, bus, and boat. It was truly a once in a lifetime trip.

Shaina Chandler

Cynthia B

Luxury Train Tour of Switzerland 13 Days - EXCELLENT! I really enjoyed this luxury train tour of switzerland including the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express. Going first class definitely makes the difference! Hotels, trains, organization, guiding (two guides - Criss and Thomas) and food were excellent. Scenery was fantastic. Seeing the Matterhorn and Mt rigi from high up was an excellent experience.

Shaina M

The BEST trip we have ever taken! We had the BEST time on our trip! Monika was our tour guide and she was wonderful. She shared so much about Swiss culture, history, and mountaineering. The lodging was amazing, views and hikes were more than we could have hoped for, and everything on our trip felt safe, fun, and truly a once and a lifetime experience. We did a lot of research on tour companies and My Mountains/ECHO Rails far exceeded our expectations. Monika took us on custom tours, gave us great tips for dinners and shopping, and the trip was the perfect balance of breathtaking hiking and cultural experiences in the towns we stayed in. You also cover so much of Switzerland by foot, train, gondola, bus, and boat. It was truly a once in a lifetime trip.

Charlotte H

August 25, 2025

Introduction to Switzerland Echo Rails did a wonderful job. The guide, Leo, met us at train station and walked us to hotel to drop off luggage. He taught us how to use the phone apps to get around. Then he guided us all around Chapel Bridge in Lucerne and told us Interesting history stories. He was delightful with a strong passion and love for Switzerland. I dont think anyone could do any better! A great experience and introduction to Switzerland!

deanjoycebliss

August 23, 2025

The best way to see Switzerland. The tour was called 9 days of train tour of Switzerland. The guides (Lisa and Christina) were wonderful, knowledgeable, kind and patient. The scenery was magnificent. The tour was more rigorous than I understood from the description about the trip. I ended up staying with the group only because I rented a wheel chair and my husband pushed me. Please put more emphasis on the need for a LOT of walking . Andrea was so helpful in arranging the chair. The variety of activities was terrific and the pace was doable. Hotels were very comfortable and the food was delicious.

Hank Anderson

July 22, 2025

ECHO Rails and Trails 13-day tour of Switzerland The ECHO Rails and Trails 13-day tour is a wonderful way to see Switzerland and enjoy their famous scenic trains. ECHO is different from many other tours in that the tour groups are very small (max of 16) and the personal touch is very evident. The ECHO president, Andrea, actually meets with each group at the start of the tour and he and the Operations Manager joined the group for dinner in Lucerne, where the company is headquartered. Andrea also held several very worthwhile video calls prior to the tour to share information and answer questions about the tour. The itinerary is very well thought through and covers a large part of the country so that you experience the different cultural regions. It includes many of the famous sights and gives insights into rural areas and small villages as well as the larger cities. The hotels are centrally located and good quality with excellent breakfast buffets and the restaurants for the evening meal are varied and very pleasant. On a number of evenings, we just ordered al a carte from the regular menu. One nice feature is that each hotel stay is two nights except for the first and last day in Zurich. ECHO provides an app for your phone called Umapped which describes each day of the trip and gives a detailed daily schedule. The entire trip is via public transportation using a whole array of trains, cable cars, gondolas, cog wheel trains, funiculars, post buses, and lake steamships that operate like clockwork. For the railfan, the tour provides a very comprehensive experience of the amazing Swiss rail network. Included are several of the most famous Swiss trains such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express and there is even a heritage steam cogwheel train ride over Furka Pass. We enjoyed a superb dining experience on board the Glacier Express. The restaurant car is beautiful and we could view the passing scenery through the large panoramic windows as we enjoyed our meal. An excellent feature of the trip is that the luggage is shipped separately from hotel to hotel and does not have to be hauled on and off trains, etc. All that you need to carry is a day pack. ECHO provides a 15-day first class Swiss Travel Pass for each tour member which can also be used if you stay a few extra days on your own like we did. Our guide Leo was excellent. He smoothed the way and always kept things on track. He was especially good at navigating through the crowds at the most famous attractions and finding us seats on the trains. He also helped arrange personal side experiences during free time. As a Swiss native, he was more than willing to share his perspectives on Swiss culture. ECHO is a small company but based on our experience you can be assured of a high quality tour. We found the material on their website and Facebook page to be a very accurate portrayal of the tour. But it is the intangible feeling you get from being part of a small group that sets the tour apart. This makes the group flexible, easy to manage, and efficient and fosters comraderie among the tour members. We highly recommend this tour.

Gail A

Echo Rails and Trails 13-day tour is a wonderful way to see Switzerland and enjoy their famous trains. The ECHO Rails and Trails 13-day tour is a wonderful way to see Switzerland and enjoy their famous scenic trains. ECHO is different from many other tours in that the tour groups are very small (max of 16) and the personal touch is very evident. The ECHO president, Andrea, actually meets with each group at the start of the tour and he and the Operations Manager joined the group for dinner in Lucerne, where the company is headquartered. Andrea also held several very worthwhile video calls prior to the tour to share information and answer questions about the tour. The itinerary is very well thought through and covers a large part of the country so that you experience the different cultural regions. It includes many of the famous sights and gives insights into rural areas and small villages as well as the larger cities. The hotels are centrally located and good quality with excellent breakfast buffets and the restaurants for the evening meal are varied and very pleasant. On a number of evenings, we just ordered al a carte from the regular menu. One nice feature is that each hotel stay is two nights except for the first and last day in Zurich. ECHO provides an app for your phone called Umapped which describes each day of the trip and gives a detailed daily schedule.The entire trip is via public transportation using a whole array of trains, cable cars, gondolas, cog wheel trains, funiculars, post buses, and lake steamships that operate like clockwork. For the railfan, the tour provides a very comprehensive experience of the amazing Swiss rail network. Included are several of the most famous Swiss trains such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express and there is even a heritage steam cogwheel train ride over Furka Pass. We enjoyed a superb dining experience on board the Glacier Express. The restaurant car is beautiful and we could view the passing scenery through the large panoramic windows as we enjoyed our meal. An excellent feature of the trip is that the luggage is shipped separately from hotel to hotel and does not have to be hauled on and off trains, etc. All that you need to carry is a day pack. ECHO provides a 15-day first class Swiss Travel Pass for each tour member which can also be used if you stay a few extra days on your own like we did.Our guide Leo was excellent. He smoothed the way and always kept things on track. He was especially good at navigating through the crowds at the most famous attractions and finding us seats on the trains. He also helped arrange personal side experiences during free time. As a Swiss native, he was more than willing to share his perspectives on Swiss culture.ECHO is a small company but based on our experience you can be assured of a high quality tour. We found the material on their website and Facebook page to be a very accurate portrayal of the tour. But it is the intangible feeling you get from being part of a small group that sets the tour apart. This makes the group flexible, easy to manage, and efficient and fosters comraderie among the tour members. We highly recommend this tour.

Jim S

July 16, 2025

Great scenic tour of Switzerland via trains and more We took the Echorails small group "13-day Grand Train Trip of Switzerland" during early-mid June 2025. This was a wonderful trip, first class from start to finish, featuring days of enjoying the ultimate in Alpine scenery while utilizing seamless Swiss public transportation and excellent hotels. The guides were great, luggage was transferred, and many dinners of Swiss specialties were included. We enjoyed quite a variety of Swiss Alpine transportation infrastructure - trains (with tunnels and viaducts galore), cogwheel lines, funiculars, gondolas, buses and boats. It was one amazing experience after another, including some stunning alpine walks. Very highly recommended!

jcoxie

July 12, 2025

We are so glad we chose Echo Rails as our way to experience the majestic alps of Switzerland! We took the 13 Day Rail Tour. What a great way to experience the beauty of Switzerland! Our guide, Leo, was terrific. He was very knowledgable about the geography and the geology of Switzerland as he guided us by train, cable cars, funiculars and ferries around the lovely countryside. The trip was perfectly coordinated and we are very pleased with how much ground we covered. We got in a few good hikes as well that provided us with even more amazing views!

Susan B

July 7, 2025

Amazing 1st time Switzerland trip. Echo Rail Tours was an excellent experience. Our born and raised Swiss guide, Thomas, provided historical and informative information but made us laugh hourly. For anyone who wants to see the best of Switzerland travel modes we experienced mass transit trains, funiculars, cable cars, gondolas, cogwheel trains and lake cruises! We stayed in lovely hotels with beautiful views and ate Swiss meals throughout. The highlights for us were seeing the Matterhorn for 2 days and the Alps. Trip of a lifetime for us. We highly recommend.

judid07

June 26, 2025

WOW! AMAZING! Highly recommend! This 13 Day Rail Tour had to be the most amazing and memorable experiences of all my trips!First class hotels,trains and restaurants where we had the opportunity to try local foods. Luggage transfers were definitely a plus! A small touring group allowed us to become an Echo close knit, lively and friendly group. But besides the breathtaking mountains, amazing scenery, and incredible Falls, our Guides made the trip exceptional! Andrea, Grazia, and Thomas were fun, energetic, and had a great sense of humor. They provided interesting information unique to where we were visiting. In addition, they provided the opportunity for optional hikes. Andrea is a master in calmly addressing glitches with Plan B’s and provided some additional amazing experiences.We always felt well taken care with the morning meetings as to the itinerary of the day and the nightly information as to weather, changes, etc. No stress on this vacation!He has the ability to really know his group members! OK, I have to admit I did have a few moments of stress in going on gondolas BUT Andrea’s support and that of our group alleviated my fear and now I am a seasoned gondola rider ,I could go on and on about why to go on this trip with ECHO! I would love to follow the RED CAPS again on another adventure. I will spread the word!Thank you Andrea, Grazia,and Thomas for the adventure of a lifetime! Judi

Heulwen F

June 24, 2025

Great railway trip around Switzerland with ECHO Trains A lively and energetic tour based on Switzerland's marvelous trains. We enjoyed watching the scenery while sitting in first class compartments on pristine trains that were always (ok, nearly always) on time with smooth connections and someone else took care of the luggage . A variety of other experiences spiced the trip. Our guides were always fun, informative, caring and had a Plan B. Highly recommended!!

wallingf

June 23, 2025

13 Day Guided Rail Tour - Trip of a Lifetime Just returned from a 13 day guided rail tour of Switzerland with Echo. Definitely would recommend them to anyone considering the trip. Switzerland truly lends itself to a rail tour, as the scenery from the trains is as breath-taking as it comes. But why did I choose Echo? I initially chose them based on solid reviews and their itinerary. I wanted to ride the Golden Pass, Glacier Express, and Bernina Express. I also wanted to see the Matterhorn, Jungfrau and some “small town” Switzerland. They offered it all.Why would I go with Echo again? Understandably some people don’t like “guided tours” – but this was different than the massive tours you see. We were given LOTS interesting facts along the way, but never had to stand in a group of 30+ people and listen to an hour-long lecture. Our group was small (15 people) and we were always going somewhere, seeing something different and new. We had a morning briefing of the day’s adventure, nightly briefings of the next day’s adventure, and a nightly message sent for reference. We always knew what was happening, without having to worry about 3 days ahead. We knew it was taken care of for us.If a “glitch” came up (and they did - trains diverted/cancelled for rock slides or avalanches), ECHO never missed a beat. An alternative plan was there to keep us moving and experiencing Switzerland. They took care of everything and on one occasion I didn’t even realize we had shifted plans. It was nice to not have to deal with problems on a vacation for once. I just followed the red hat 😊Meals were excellent and surprisingly varied. In hindsight, I can tell they had put some significant thought into where we would dine in the evening to get a variety of experiences. The hotels were very good, especially the view of the Matterhorn from our balcony.I could go on and on, but bottom line is I would absolutely do it again with Echo.

Betty V

June 21, 2025

Memorable 55th Anniversary My husband and I are celebrating our 55th Anniversary this year and decided to do a 13 day Train Tour with Echo Tours. It was amazing!! The beauty is indescribable and pictures don’t do it justice. We were blessed with beautiful weather, awesome guides, lovely places to stay and yummy restaurants. Definitely 5 star. Best of all you don’t have to handle your luggage!! Thanks Echo Tours for making our 55th memorable!!

Jeannie L

June 20, 2025

The BEST Way to See Switzerland The 13 day Grand Train Tour was amazing! Because of Echo Rails and Trails' fabulous guides, Andrea, Thomas and Grazia. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and incredible attention to details, big and small, made the entire trip very enjoyable with NO stress or anxiety. Andrea was a mastermind when it came to handling glitches that always seem to come up when traveling by rail, such as, rock slides, and train delays. Echo Rails and Trails truly made Switzerland come alive to us! We highly recommend them!

Laszlo H

June 16, 2025

Beauty of nature and exemplary organization The 9-Day Grand Train Tour of Switzerland with ECCO Railways and Trails was a practically perfect showcase of turism: the beauties of the Swiss Alps were waved together into an unforgettable memory by Andreas, the enthusiastic tour leader, and his capable crew.

Ehopp

9 days Grand train tour of Switzerland It was a fabulous trip. Kudos to the organization of the trip. We had average 3 trains transfer a day. It was seamless. Thank you ECHO rails team.

Edward McDevitt

A fun filled tour of the majestic Alps by rail This is a fantastic tour of the Swiss Alps! A small group tour that is extremely well organized you fill each day with great experiences. We were fortunate to have the owner Andrea lead our tour with great assistance from Grazia and our Sherpa Thomas Roth. The hotels were great, the food terrific and the company of our tour mates wonderful. You have a great breakfast every day and fun dinners each day. I am a vegetarian and never had a problem getting my meals. The train rides are scheduled so that you are never waiting at the station. You are always on the move There is a lot of walking to the various locations. The guides were very attentive to my wife who has a bad knee and cannot walk quickly. One of the best items for us is the company transports your luggage to the various hotels. That is a winning form for us! Pack lightly. The dress is always casual. We were on the 9 day tour but which we had taken the 14 day tour as did most our tour mates We have been on Viking, Tauck, Rick Steves, Trafalgar and Road Scholar tours. Each has its plus’s and minus’s. My wife said this was her favorite tour of all. High praise. You will be very pleased with this professional friendly tour company.

LWD17

June 11, 2025

Best Ever! An Amazing 7-Day Rail Tour that will leave you wanting to return again and again! Amazing! We were a small group with Monika our guide. We've taken a lot of tours over the years, but this was different. We really felt like we were visiting friends instead of being tourists. Monika wanted us to have a great time, a unique experience and it worked well. She gave us lots of information about each town, each of the 5 trains, etc that we would be seeing each day. On the free afternoons we took her suggestions and really enjoyed ourselves. The hotels were unique and very Swiss. Our hotel in Lugano even had a view of the lake. We took walks in the evening at each hotel. The food was excellent. Most included dinners let us explore local cuisine. We never left the table hungry.The Matterhorn was spectacular with a cogwheel train taking us to the top. Somehow hot chocolate tastes better at the top of the mountain. And we treasure our Swiss army knives engraved with our names - Monika's suggestion. Besides seeing the sights we really enjoyed talking with Monika at our lunches and dinners. We got insights into Swiss life as she is a Switzerland native. She was so easy to talk to and was always handy to answer questions.I think the highlight of the trip was the Glacier Express. We were on the train for 8 hours and saw some of the most spectacular scenery ever. And we come from Colorado! The Swiss put tunnels through mountains like it was just a natural thing. On the Gotthard Panorama Express we went through a 9-mile tunnel. It's an engineering marvel! Nonstop scenery, nonstop views of waterfalls, alpine villages. I think we even saw Heidi!Our only issue was the Bernina Express. We had been told there was construction on part of the railroad but a bus would take us on the same route for that part of the trip, seeing the same scenery. However the bus had those ads all over the windows so we couldn't see out. Monika was furious and let them know this was unacceptable. This was another nice thing about her. She tackled problems for us so we didn't have to. We highly recommend Echo Rail Tours and Monika. The company has a detailed itinerary with a lot of varied experiences ranging from trains, cogwheel trains, boats, and even a bus ride along Lake Como. We hiked, we strolled through villages, all while enjoying local stories. Nothing stressful as all details were handled by our great tour guide. We shall return!

Stephanie M

December 5, 2024

Do the dairy tour with Livia! This was an excellent way to spend an afternoon! Incredible views, a good easy walk, and great company. Livia was so attentive and kept us engaged and intrigued the entire time. She is an excellent host and guide. She planned ahead and tailored our visit to our requests. Her knowledge of the area and recommendations were also very helpful. We would recommend booking Livia again and again!

Kathy L

October 3, 2024

Magical Switzerland Echo Rails and Trails did not disappoint! Our guide was exceptional in every way possible; from providing interesting historical information about the region to guiding us through trains, buses, boats and more trains keeping to a busy schedule! The tour was well organized and customized to accommodate everyone’s individual needs..Hotel accommodations were lovely and the food a culinary delight. Switzerland is indeed a magical place to visit with soaring mountains, rich history and beautiful scenery.

TerryV

October 1, 2024

Fantastic Swiss Train Tour! What a wonderful time we had on our Grand Tour of Switzerland with Echo Rails & Trails. The scenery was simply spectacular at every turn. The Echo Rails itinerary provided the opportunity to explore Switzerland using all forms of public transportation which worked very well together – panoramic trains, normal trains, busses, trams, funicular, cog-wheel trams, cable cars, boats, etc. Our guides, Gabriella and Leo, did a terrific job of coordinating the group while taking into consideration everyone’s individual needs and preferences. They were knowledgeable, professional, and fun to be with. We learned a lot and experienced many things we would have missed had we been traveling on our own. Echo Rails & Trails handled everything very professionally -- from the original contact with Monika months ago to answer all our questions, to our tour kickoff meeting with Andrea, and finally the tour itself with our excellent guides. The small group format worked very well, and meeting and sharing the journey with our fellow travelers was an added plus.

Cheryl H

September 24, 2024

Nothing less than incredible I've had the trip of a lifetime! My holiday with Echo Rails & Trails has been nothing less than incredible. The small group format allowed me to get to know my tour mates well and allowed our guides to provide personal service in a way I'd never experienced before. Guides, Gabriella and Leo, knew the locations well and always assured that we were well informed about what to expect, what sights to look out for, and that we made our transport connections in plenty of time. The variety of trains, buses, funiculars, gondolas, and boats added a lot of interest to the tour.Overall, I can't recommend this company, and this tour highly enough. It's the personal touch that made such a big difference. Thank you, Gabriella, Leo and the Echo Rails Team. I wish I could give you more than 5 stars.

Maria M

Amazing tour in Lucerne! We cannot express our gratitude enough for Amalia’s great tour. She showed us a side of Switzerland we wouldnt have been able to see on our own. She knew so much about Lucerne and was able to answer all of our questions. The views were immaculate and Amalia kindly took our photos in front of the beautiful scenic views. The cheese was amazing and we got to see so many cows!! My friends and I loved this unique experience and it was worth every penny!

Freedom25620572552

September 22, 2024

Truly Grand! Highly Recommend! We just returned from an amazing Echo Rails and Trails 12-day tour “Grand Train Tour.” We zoomed all over gorgeous Switzerland -- using the remarkable, much admired Swiss public transportation system. Our guide, Denise was extraordinary – her charm, extensive knowledge of Switzerland, and flawless management ensured that every day of our trip was perfect. From anticipating and solving potential issues to seamlessly coordinating connections, Denise made the logistics of our journey effortless.The number of trains, boats, buses, gondolas, funiculars, and trams we traveled on, and the logistics to ensure everything flowed perfectly was incredible. We were up early and on the move most days – but still had time to enjoy our hotels, spas, walking tours, and amazing meals. The convenience of having our suitcases transferred between locations and the use of the helpful apps Umapped and WhatsApp made everything even easier.There were so many tour highlights – it is hard to capture everything. Early in the tour, we returned to Lucerne on a beautifully restored steam paddle boat following an amazing presentation at a family-run mountain cheese dairy that we reached by a local bus. Another standout was our trip on the antique – restored -- Furka steam cogwheel train which was astounding. Throughout the tour, all of the famous, Swiss first-class modern trains more than lived up to their fantastic reputation as did the gorgeous, iconic Swiss scenery.The hotels we stayed in were excellent – each offering wonderful breakfasts. The other meals were impressive. Highlights included a memorable lunch in Tirano at the Parravicini Restaurant and Wine Bar and a spectacular dinner at the glorious Panorama Muottas Muragl Restaurant at the top of the Punt Muragle Funicular just outside of St. Moritz. The quality of our dining options surpassed our expectations.The small size of our tour group allowed for flexibility, and when snow forced a detour over a high mountain pass, we enjoyed a delightful unscheduled tour of Bern. There, we had the rare opportunity to view the medieval clockwork mechanism inside the famous Bern Clock Tower, thanks to Domenico, an additional guide who joined us in Zermatt. It turns out he is one of only four official clockwinders in Bern. His knowledge and access to the tower were a special treat.This was an amazing tour. We are grateful for all of the information Monica provided before the tour. Denise and Domenico were exceptional guides and the entire Echo team working behind the scenes delivered a truly remarkable tour experience. Our thanks to everyone who made this tour so extraordinary.

Lowell K

September 19, 2024

Spectacular 3-day ECHO Trails glacial Express tour to Zermatt, Lucerne Pete was an extremely personable and fun tour guide who met us (4 couples) at our disembarkation point in Basel and spent the next 3 days guiding us on the ECHO Trails tour. He handled all of the rail connections to Zermatt on the 1st day and the dinner reservation for that evening. While remaining reachable (he lives locally) and, after giving us several tips and ideas, he left us on our own for exploring the city in the evening. He met us promptly each morning, as arranged, and guided us up the Gornergrat train for the exploration of the mountain and hike on our 2nd day. He was extremely knowledgable of the local flora and an experienced photographer, which was valuable in obtaining several spectacular group photos. Don't miss the view of The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Riffelsee! The hike itself was on sometimes uneven path, but mostly downhill, at about the 8000-9000 ft elevation, so only moderately difficult (we are all late 60's-early 70's with good fitness).Again, on the 3rd day, he had coordinated all the 1st class rail passes and connections on the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Lake Lucerne and the scenic boat tour of the lake. Finally in Lucerne, he coordinated the transportation for us to our final destination. This was an extremely interesting and fun tour, largely because of Pete's guide skills and knowledge, plus his personality. All 8 of us who have traveled Europe together several times in the past 10 years, rated it as one of the "Best. Tour(s). Ever!" Highly recommended!

cubs S

September 13, 2024

Exceptional Our tour with Sabrina was the best tour experience, we’ve ever had! She was passionate, knowledgeable & experienced! The views from the top of the hill, were incredible & the walk, beautiful! She took us to 2 farms, where we were able (through her translating) to communicate with the farmers & were even provided with a tour of their entire operation ❤️My goal on our trip to Switzerland was to see the countries very special cows & possibly get a cowbell! Sabrina was able to share my thoughts with the farmer & before I knew they allowed us to purchase one of their bells! Sabrina is an incredible tour guide that I’d highly recommend to anyone! She will always hold a special place in our hearts! ❤️

Dan F

September 11, 2024

Echo train tour Great guides! A couple of us had some issues walking and they always took care of us and made sure we stayed part of the group. Saw wonder sights while traveling first class. This included train rides , boat rides, hotels, food, etc. Only suggestion might be to add that couple of days to extend your trip.

Frenglish

September 8, 2024

Nice tour, tricky hike, overpriced but great guide. Fun tour, four stars only because in my opinion, the tour is way overpriced. Livia was a great guide (loved the story about Wilhelm Tell) the visit to the cheese factory and barbecue was OK, the owner was a little rude because we didn't speak German, also, I do understand it is a farm, but they were pumping and spreading the cow menure right next to the restaurant. Livia did a great job with lunch and the BBQ. I would recommend but I'd cut the price by at least 30%.

John L

September 2, 2024

Echo Grand Rail Tour of Switzerland is the trip of a lifetime What an incredible experience! Switzerland is an amazing country and our 12-day rail journey showed us beauty at every turn. First class rail travel on every train, delicious meals, and photo ops galore made this truly a trip of a lifetime. Our guides, John and Deb were a great team, combining knowledge of local history and culture (Deb) with first hand experience of the physical terrain (John). You'll have plenty of opportunities to get your steps in, too. Most of the walks are on even terrain, so if you're able to comfortably walk your neighborhood you should have no trouble. A pair of good, sturdy, comfortable walking shoes is all you really need.Be sure to try the local specialties like rösti and raclette. And many Swiss wines are excellent and pair nicely with local cheeses.The hotels were all comfortable and our rooms had some breathtaking views. As a train buff I especially loved the Furka steam train ride as well as the cog and funicular cars up the mountains. Swiss trains are comfortable, well appointed, and on time, and Deb took care of all the travel arrangements. I especially appreciated the small group size and the fact that our luggage was seamlessly transferred between destinations. Echo left me with nothing to worry about: all I had to do was enjoy the rides, the food, and the fellowship.

Allen D

April 4, 2024

Worth the experience Worth the money to spend time with a private local guide and see the beautiful countryside overlooking Lucerne. We enjoyed meeting the farm cows and visiting the farm shop. We also got some pro tips from our guide to better enjoy our stay in Lucerne. It's nice to see the area through the eyes of a Swiss local. Highly recommend.

Lynne H

September 29, 2023

Spectacular Views Our private tour of the Alps was an incredible experience! Our guide, Livia, met us at the train station and led us on an excellent adventure tailored to our wishes. After a train ride and short bus ride, we ascended a mountain on a cable car. We hiked along trails, visited a cheese making farm and ate an authentic Swiss lunch surrounded by mountains. The scenery was unbelievable, from snow capped mountains to beautiful waterfalls. Livia was very accommodating and friendly, making our tour even more enjoyable!

Mick McDonald

August 3, 2023

My family very much enjoyed our afternoon with Andrea. He escorted us to several dairy farms on the outskirts of Lucerne where we met many friendly cows, cats, and rabbits. Along the way he pointed out mountains, lakes, and city landmarks, and told us about the history of Lucerne and Switzerland. At the farms he talked about the different kinds of cheeses they make, and some of the cow varieties we saw. At one of the farms he showed us the farm’s little shop, from which he procured fresh milk, apple juice, fruits, and, of course, a variety of cheeses based on our tastes. We hiked a little further to a beautiful viewpoint where we ate cheese and drank juice. Very delicious! After that was the walk back into Lucerne and a bus ride back to the city centre. We were very happy with this walking tour. Andrea was very friendly and a great conversationalist. Our 13 year old son had a lot of fun and learned quite a bit too.

Mick M

An Excellent Walking Tour of Dairy Farms My family very much enjoyed our afternoon with Andrea. He escorted us to several dairy farms on the outskirts of Lucerne where we met many friendly cows, cats, and rabbits. Along the way he pointed out mountains, lakes, and city landmarks, and told us about the history of Lucerne and Switzerland. At the farms he talked about the different kinds of cheeses they make, and some of the cow varieties we saw. At one of the farms he showed us the farm’s little shop, from which he procured fresh milk, apple juice, fruits, and, of course, a variety of cheeses based on our tastes. We hiked a little further to a beautiful viewpoint where we ate cheese and drank juice. Very delicious! After that was the walk back into Lucerne and a bus ride back to the city centre.We were very happy with this walking tour. Andrea was very friendly and a great conversationalist. Our 13 year old son had a lot of fun and learned quite a bit too.

Cat M

July 26, 2023

Lovely farm walk with cheese tasting Our guide Livia was kind, welcoming, & flexible with both the weather (rain) situation and accommodating to our accessibility needs. She was knowledgeable and great to chat with as well. Views were beautiful. Found through Air B&B experiences- we got to see an area near Luzern that we wouldn’t have thought to see without a professional guide!

Julie E

March 20, 2023

Breathtaking views, adorable farm tours, and delicious cheese! What a unique experience, so much more interesting than your typical tourist spot! It was so refreshing to be in the countryside. The farm tours were gorgeous, and you can tell how welcoming and collaborative the farmers are, allowing open tours and offering goods and cheese for sale on the “honor system.” I loved learning about dairy farming, meeting the adorable animals, and of course cheese tasting against the most magnificent alpine backdrop. Eve was such a lovely and knowledgeable guide. Highly recommended tour!

Dollybaby

October 22, 2022

Great Swiss Farm Tour Loved everything but especially the cows and calves. Young John originally from Scotland was a wonderful guide. I got to see great views, cows and calves, miniature horses, farmland, farm store, have lunch of fresh farm cheese and raspberries, walk a forest trail, and see a hotel that looked like a castle. Thank you My Mountains and young guide John.

Lisa

October 18, 2022

Very enjoyable day trip into the foothills of the mountain side with farmland surrounding you. Loved getting to visit the cows & tasting the yummy cheeses & fresh apple cider from the farm house. Our guide, John, was knowledgeable, personable & fun. Andrea was easy to communicate with and meet up options were easy & flexible!

Mary

October 10, 2022

Perfect way to get a glimpse into the local farming community near town in an intimate non typical tour atmosphere. John was my guide today and he was incredibly knowledgeable. I feel like I know so much more about the history of the world now!

jkbp

April 19, 2022

Great farm tour! Glenn was a fabulous tour guide. He is very knowledgeable about Lucerne. We walked a couple miles, touring 3 farms. It was exciting to see the baby calves and try the local cheese and meats from the farms. Thank You Glenn for the fun day!

April 18, 2022

I really enjoyed the farm tour. Glenn is very knowledgeable about Lucern. We saw farm animals and enjoyed eating cheese and meats from local farms.

Fabio Nardo

August 21, 2020

I absolutely recommend MyMountains as one of the best experience provider in Switzerland!!! I spent a full day around Lucerne with Andrea and it is amazing how passionate he is about this territory and the great knowledge he has and sheres with you. We have been together around Sonnenberg area and he guided me for a mountain path, we crossed a wood where he showed me an hidden pond (a family of turtles lives there, apparently!!!), and finally we ended up in a very typical Swiss farm, with cows and little baby calves! On top of that, he also arranged a pic-nic with cheeses and veggies he bought from the farm and fresh bread he personally baked - a dream for any nature lover or simply food lover as I am!!! I am sure I will be part in the next adventures he organizes, hungry for more curiosities about this slice of heaven and possibly to learn how to ski like a pro 😁

Fabio N

Such a great Swiss day!!! I absolutely recommend MyMountains as one of the best experience provider in Switzerland!!!I spent a full day around Lucerne with Andrea and it is amazing how passionate he is about this territory and the great knowledge he has and sheres with you.We have been together around Sonnenberg area and he guided me for a mountain path, we crossed a wood where he showed me an hidden pond (a family of turtles lives there, apparently!!!), and finally we ended up in a very typical Swiss farm, with cows and little baby calves!On top of that, he also arranged a pic-nic with cheeses and veggies he bought from the farm and fresh bread he personally baked - a dream for any nature lover or simply food lover as I am!!!I am sure I will be part in the next adventures he organizes, hungry for more curiosities about this slice of heaven and possibly to learn how to ski like a pro 😁

3-Day Glacier Express Self-Guided Rail Tour: St Moritz to Zermatt

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Tour Overview

Tour Overview

From USD 1,665* | Private Guided or Self-Guided Rail Tour | Pick Your Own Dates

Highlights

Featured Swiss Railways

Self-Guided: 3-Day St Moritz & Zermatt Rail Tour

3-Day Self-Guided St Moritz & Zermatt Rail Tour Itinerary

Self-Guided Itinerary

Self-Guided: 3-Day St Moritz & Zermatt Rail Tour

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Self-Guided: 3-Day St Moritz & Zermatt Rail Tour

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