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Central Switzerland Rail tours

Our most recommended Central Switzerland Rail tours

Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

1. Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

***For travel dates from 18 May to 4 June 2023: Please note the information under "Important Information" regarding the changed itinerary. The reason for the programme adjustment is the postponement of the planned season start of the new cogwheel railway.*** Embark on a day trip from Lucerne and ascend Mount Pilatus by cable car. Go on a hike and kick pack on the panorama terrace, descended the mountain by cogwheel railway, and complete your experience with a return journey by boat. Depart Lucerne and relax aboard a comfortable coach on the drive to Kriens. Then, climb aboard the panoramic gondolas and journey to Fräkmüntegg to board the aerial Dragon Ride cable car up the mountain. Get magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks from the panoramic windows. Arrive at the top of Mt. Pilatus, 2,132 meters above sea level and feel like a bird as you survey your surroundings. Hike to the summit or venture down the Dragon Trail where dragons with healing powers were thought to live in the Middle Ages. Relax on the panoramic terrace and take in the magnificent vistas of the mountains and lakes. Eat at one of the restaurants to enjoy lunch on top of the world. Get ready for the ride of a lifetime as you descend the mountain on the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Arrive in Alpnachstad to embark on a one-hour cruise back to Lucerne on the beautiful "Lake of the 4 Cantons" (only during summer).

From Milan: Lake Como, St. Moritz & Bernina Train Day Trip

2. From Milan: Lake Como, St. Moritz & Bernina Train Day Trip

Board a luxury coach and head to the historic town of Lecco before making your way to the shores of Lake Como. Board a private boat and cruise across the calm water just after sunrise. During the cruise, enjoy the view of picturesque villages like Bellagio and Varenna and of some famous villas. Continue to St. Moritz by coach and get stunning views of the valleys and breathtaking landscapes like Chiavenna and Bregaglia. Pass through the Alpine valleys of Graubünden and the dramatic Maloja Pass through the Swiss Alps. Arrive in St Moritz and get some free time to explore and enjoy lunch or a snack at your own pace. Browse the upscale fashion stores, go for a promenade along the lake or sip a hot chocolate in one of the village cafés. Then, board the Bernina Red Train and take a breathtaking ride along one of the most beautiful rail routes in the world. Arrive at the village of Tirano to cross the Valtellina on the way back to Milan.

From Zurich: Guided Day Trip to Jungfraujoch with Train Ride

3. From Zurich: Guided Day Trip to Jungfraujoch with Train Ride

Explore the snow-capped mountains of Jungfraujoch, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2007 for its stunning High Alps scenery, and as the site of Europe’s largest glacier and highest train station. Take a scenic bus journey along the Brünig Pass and the shores of Lake Brienz to the Bernese Oberland. After a break in Interlaken, board the cable car at the Grindelwald Terminal for a spectacular 15-minute ride to the Eiger Glacier by gondola. Change to a cogwheel train that will take you to the peak of Jungfraujoch. Enjoy stunning views of the triple peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau as you ride. Immerse yourself in the High-Alpine wonderland of ice, snow, and rock at the top. Learn more about the history of the Jungfrau Railways on the "Alpine Sensation” discovery tour, marking the 100-year anniversary of the Jungfrau Railway. Visit the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau for the most breathtaking views of the Aletsch Glacier. Stroll through the tunnels of the Ice Palace in the heart of the glacier for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Descend via the car-free resort of Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, from where the bus takes you back to Zurich.

Swiss Travel Pass: Swiss All-in-One Pass on Train, Bus, Boat

4. Swiss Travel Pass: Swiss All-in-One Pass on Train, Bus, Boat

Explore the beauty of Switzerland as you travel with a Swiss Rail pass, valid all over the country. Have the benefit of unlimited usage of public transport and free entrance to over 500 museums across the country.  This ticket offers hassle-free and unlimited travel throughout Switzerland on the Swiss Train Network, buses, and public boats. This pass includes the Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, Bernina Express, and others. This pass includes museum admission, boat rides, and discounts on many mountain excursions. Choose between a 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, or 15-day pass and discover the beauty of Switzerland in your own way. 

From Lucerne: Day Trip to Grindelwald and Interlaken

5. From Lucerne: Day Trip to Grindelwald and Interlaken

Depart Lucerne and journey to the magnificent mountains of the Bernese Oberland by coach. Marvel at the splendid countryside as you drive to the beautiful resort town of Interlaken in the Jungfrau region.  After an orientation stop in Interlaken, continue to the village of Grindelwald, more than 1,000 meters above sea level. Get stunning views of the surroundings, including the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains.  Use your leisure time to ride the funicular to the terrace of Grindelwald First (optional, not included). Go for a walk or rent a Trotti bike (a scooter-like bike without a seat) and experience the dramatic scenery from a different perspective. Then, take a scenic - unescorted - train ride back to Interlaken, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Browse the shops or go to the Harder Kulm viewpoint by funicular for stunning views of the surrounding area (optional, not included).  Breathe in the fresh mountain air before meeting your guide again for the return journey to Lucerne and the end of the tour.

From Lucerne: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

6. From Lucerne: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

Explore the snow-capped mountains of UNESCO-listed Jungfraujoch, the site of Europe's largest glacier. Get immersed in the stunning panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks and Aletsch Glacier from the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau. Your 10-hour excursion begins with a scenic coach journey from Lucerne, along the Brünig Pass and the shores of Lake Brienz to the Bernese Oberland. After a break in Interlaken, board the cable car at the Grindelwald Terminal for a spectacular 15-minute ride to the Eiger Glacier. From there, change to a cogwheel train that will take you to the peak of Jungfraujoch. From the top of Jungfraujoch, you’ll marvel at the High-Alpine wonderland of ice, snow, and rock. Experience the Alpine Sensation adventure tour, marking the 100th anniversary of the Jungfrau Railway. Visit the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau for breathtaking views of the Aletsch Glacier. Walk along the tunnels of the Ice Palace into the heart of the glacier for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Descend via the resort of Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, where your coach will be waiting to take you back to Lucerne.

From Zurich: Lucerne & Mount Pilatus Day Tour

7. From Zurich: Lucerne & Mount Pilatus Day Tour

Discover the beauty of Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus on a day trip from Zurich. Reach the summit via bus, cable car, boat, and cogwheel train. For the return journey, hop on a boat cruise across Lake Lucerne. Leave from Zurich Main Station in the morning and enjoy the bus ride through the countryside along the Lake of the Four Cantons to Lucerne. Make a stop at the Lion Monument of Lake Lucerne (traffic permitting).  Continue to Kriens and take a panoramic gondola and cable car to the summit of Mount Pilatus (2128 m above sea level). Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Swiss Alpine landscape and the surrounding lakes. Then, ride on one of the steepest funiculars down to Alpnachstad. Afterward, relax on a tranquil boat trip across Lake Lucerne back to Lucerne. From there, get on a bus to Zurich.

From Milan: Interlaken & Swiss Alps Day Trip

8. From Milan: Interlaken & Swiss Alps Day Trip

Depart Milan on a high-speed train for the town of Domodossola, the last Italian frontier before the Swiss border. Here, begin your adventure on the “Green Train of the Alps.”  Journey through the Simplon pass, one of the most beautiful crossings in Switzerland. Cutting between the Alps, your knowledgeable English-speaking guide will introduce you to the secrets of mountains and the valleys as they appear before your eyes. After around 2-hours of breathtaking panoramas, you will arrive in Spiez, on the shores of Lake Thun. Here, stop for lunch (not included), before departing on your cruise to Interlaken on a state of the art steamboat.  While crossing the lake, take a moment to snap some pictures of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, 3 famous mountains whose recognizable shapes are reflected in the light blue water of the lake. Once in the Interlaken, enjoy time to explore the picturesque architecture or take a walk around the shore, where you will be able to marvel at the hang gliders peacefully soaring over the snow capped Alps in the distance.  Aside from the beautiful views, don’t forget to try some of the world’s finest Swiss chocolate at the one of the many local specialty chocolatiers that dot the town. In the late afternoon, take a train back to Domodossola before returning to Milan on an air-conditioned coach.

From Zürich: Guided Day Trip to Rigi and Lake Lucerne

9. From Zürich: Guided Day Trip to Rigi and Lake Lucerne

Take in the astonishing Swiss Alps on this partially guided tour. Relax on the bus trip from Zürich before an exciting, enchanting adventure through breathtaking Swiss scenery by cable-car, cogwheel train, and boat. Traveling through the Albispass, your tour will reach Lake Lucerne, the fourth-largest lake in Switzerland, lying on the border between four cantons. Enjoy fantastic views of the lake from its eastern shore, in the small resort-town of Weggis, nestled right at the foot of the Rigi. The view can only get better as you ascend in the cable-car up the Rigi, known as "the Queen of the Mountains," to the perfectly situated baths and spa on its slopes. The sight of the 13 lakes that surround the mountain, and of the scenery of central Switzerland mountains, is sure to enchant you. Take souvenir photographs to treasure forever as you make your leisurely ascent into the mountains. In the summer you can explore the Rigi on foot; in winter there is a chance to uncover its secrets by sleigh. Enjoy a unique journey on the oldest funicular in the world, built in 1871, to Vitznau. Travel onwards in the picturesque style, by boat over the waters, back to Lucerne. View the Rigi from a new angle while resting in the charming old town before taking the bus back to Zürich.

Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip Small Group Tour from Luzern

10. Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip Small Group Tour from Luzern

Travel from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus on a view-laden circuit that includes a lake cruise, cogwheel train, and an aerial cableway. Let your guide show you the changing landscape and answer your questions about the country and its people. Head to the massive multi-peaked Mount Pilatus which looms over Lucerne. Take a lake boat from Lucerne across to Alpnachstad. Next, hop aboard the Pilatus Railway, the world's steepest cogwheel railway which is in operation from May to November. Go back down on the aerial cableways from Kriens which operate all year round. Snap pictures of the panoramic views from the cableways. Return to Lucerne by bus.

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What people are saying about Central Switzerland

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 4 reviews

The tour is well paced and you have a good opportunity to see Lake Como, Bellagio by boat, from Varenna. The highlight was definitely St. Moritz by the Bernina express train and the beautiful road trip down by coach! Very friendly tour guide and great driver too!

Fun trip with amazing guide Monica. While Jungfraujoch may not be the tallest Mt in Switzerland, the sights and experiences at the ‘Top of Europe’ were highlights of our holiday.

Fantastic day out. The guide was excellent and the bus driver made the trip safe and comfortable

Was an exceptional experience and the guides were so good and helpful, and friendly

Nice guide and having nice and full experience of visiting Jungfraujoch