We would like to spent 8-10 days in the fall of 2025 traveling in Switzerland by train starting in Zurich. Can any one recommend a tour company that would offer a similar trip? Looking for an itinerary that would include several of the iconic trains like Glacier Express; am concerned about train schedules and especially any luggage restrictions as we will be coming off about 18+ days of travel prior to arriving in Zurich and have large duffels etc. Thx, Jim s. Chicago
Posted by
Adelaide, Australia
55 posts
Hi Jim, we did a similar thing last year and it was very easy to arrange everything ourselves. I used the MySwitzerland and SBB websites to research, plan and book our trip. We did a variation on the Grand Tour described on both sites. We bought Swiss Travel Passes which for us were great value, includes lots of extras such as boats and museum entrance. One thing to note that if calculating point to point ticket costs, the listed prices assume that you have a half-fare card. Happy travelling.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6677 posts
I agree with Helen. This trip is easily done on your own. We also used a Swiss Travel Pass. There are many Swiss train experts on this forum. You can get help on this forum for anything that you can't figure out on your own. On two separate trips, I have done the Bernina Express and the Golden Pass train routes.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2586 posts
The only luggage restrictions are what you can carry yourself. If you get a Swiss train pass, you can travel on any train, anytime. Just hop on the next train going where you want to go. There are scenic routes (like the Glacier Express). Regional trains travel this route with no reservations required. If you want the panoramic train cars, you would pay extra for those reservations (10€?). But the actual ticket is covered by the train pass. Train travel doesn’t get any easier or more efficient than in Switzerland.
Download the SBB Mobile app for train/gondola/boat info.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17601 posts
Seat reservations on the Glacier Express are 49 CHF. If you want to avoid that and take regional trains on the same route (same tracks, same scenery), you will have to change trains several times along the way. The track type/gauge changes and only the dedicated Glacier Express trains can handle both types of track.
SBB does offer some packages that include scenic train (ticket and seat reservation) and hotel, like these for the Glacier Express:
https://switzerlandtravelcentre.com/en/che/round-trips/scenic-rail-journeys/glacier-express-holidays?
I do not know how cost effective they are. But if you are planning to ride the Bernina Express route as well, you could book the 1-night GE package with hotel in Chur. Then the next day take the Bernina Express the whole way, to Tirano. Seat reservations required here too, for the named BE train, but with regional trains you can more easily make a short or overnight stop along the way to explore. Lots of people like Pontresina for this purpose; it is smaller and less “glitzy” than pricy St. Moritz.
Or if you would like a planned tour by train, SBB. Offers this Grand Tour with overnights in historic hotels in Chur,Zermatt, Montreux, Brienz (the lovely Grandhotel Giessbach), and Luzern.
https://switzerlandtravelcentre.com/en/che/offer/grand-train-tour-switzerland-historic-tour