Swiss Panoramic Rail Grand Tour: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Zermatt
A masterfully planned 7-day Swiss rail journey. Connecting Zurich’s lakeside promenades, Lucerne’s wooden Chapel Bridge, the GoldenPass route over the Brunig pass into Interlaken, and the car-free alpine wonderland of Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn.
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Intercity route legs
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Zurich and Limmat Stroll
ZurichArrive at Zurich Airport. Take the 10-minute S-Bahn to Zurich HB. Walk along the Limmat river, through the Altstadt, and picnic along Lake Zurich.
Scenic Train to Lucerne and Chapel Bridge
LucerneTake the 41-minute train to Lucerne. Walk across the 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge, visit the Lion Monument, and take an afternoon lake steamer.
Mount Rigi Queen of the Mountains Excursion
LucerneTake the paddle steamer to Vitznau and cogwheel train up to Mount Rigi summit (100% free with Swiss Travel Pass). Hike along panoramic alpine ridges.
GoldenPass Panoramic Train to Interlaken
InterlakenBoard the Luzern-Interlaken Express across the Brunig Pass past turquoise lakes into Interlaken. Take the local train into Lauterbrunnen valley to see waterfalls.
Grindelwald and First Cliff Walk
GrindelwaldTake the BOB train to Grindelwald. Walk the suspended metal First Cliff Walk by Tissot and hike out to postcard-perfect Bachalpsee lake.
Train to Car-Free Zermatt and Matterhorn
ZermattTake the train via Spiez and Visp up to car-free Zermatt. Walk to Kirchbrucke bridge for your first glimpse of the iconic Matterhorn pyramid peak.
Gornergrat Railway and Alpine Reflections
ZermattAscend to 3,089m on the Gornergrat cogwheel train. Photograph Matterhorn reflections in Riffelsee lake before taking the afternoon train back to Zurich.
✂️ What I Would Cut If Short on Time
Drop Zermatt to focus entirely on Zurich, Lucerne, and the Bernese Oberland for a 5-day trip.
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