Rail Holiday: Glacier Express and Scenic Switzerland
Rail holidays have become popular. The wide network of rail routes across Europe makes train holidays the ideal way to explore many destinations. Train holidays are as much about the journey as the enticing destination that awaits you. With many different destinations to choose from in Europe and beyond, there is sure to be a railway holidays for you. Rail travel is a greener way to travel. It gives you the chance to slow down and relax while you take in the ever-changing scenery as you are whisked towards your destination.
One fantastic rail holiday is a trip to scenic Switzerland by Rail. Marvel at the magnificent array of scenery from alpine meadows to striking lakes and beautiful towns and villages.
Begin your Swiss rail holiday strolling through London’s stunning St Pancras station. Then sit back and relax, as you watch the countryside glide past as you travel by Eurostar to Brussels at speeds of up to 186mph. While on the way to France, enjoy a range of food and beverages served to you before changing trains at Midi station. Here you change trains and board the high-speed service to Cologne.
Once you have arrived in Cologne, take a short walk to your hotel for the evening. The hotel should be close to the station and the cities imposing gothic cathedral.
On the second day, head southwards, leaving Cologne and Germany behind you. You ride aboard the Eurocity train, along the Rhine Gorge via Basel into Switzerland before arriving in Chur. Here you change trains and join the regional train for the beautiful journey to St. Moritz. This is your destination for the next three days.
Make the most of your Swiss-Pass. It lets you travel the entire Swiss Travel System, taking in the wonderful sights in and around gorgeous St. Moritz.
Board the Bernina Express in St. Moritz for fabulous and spectacular views from the panoramic carriage as you travel over bridges and viaducts, through tunnels carved into the rock, past waterfalls, ravines and rushing mountain streams. The route twists and turns from the Engadine Valley before climbing more than 7,000ft to the Bernina Pass.
Bid farewell to St. Moritz and travel westwards on board the iconic red and white Glacier Express. The slowest ‘express’ train in the world takes you through the delightful Engadine valley. You then continue up the Rhône Valley, past mountain peaks and tiny hamlets as your train zigzag upwards and snakes its way over the Oberalp Pass at 6,670ft. Lunch will be served on board before arriving at Brig where you take an onward journey to the elegant lakeside town of Montreux. The hotel for your next three nights should be a few steps from the station with amazing views of the lake.
Why not take a trip to the magical Schilthorn – take an exciting combination of cogwheel railways, funiculars, and cable cars to reach the summit. The revolving Piz Gloria restaurant sits at the top where you can enjoy magical views of the Swiss Alps. On the way back take the Golden Panoramic Express train. It snakes alongside Lake Thun and climbs to more than 4,000ft above sea level!
On the last full day of your rail holiday, the ‘chocolate train’ takes you on a delightful journey from Montreux to Gruyeres, home to the well-known cheese. Wander around the cheese factory and the world famous Nestle chocolate factory, with the opportunity to sample some of the produce!
One fantastic rail holiday is a trip to scenic Switzerland by Rail. Marvel at the magnificent array of scenery from alpine meadows to striking lakes and beautiful towns and villages.
Begin your Swiss rail holiday strolling through London’s stunning St Pancras station. Then sit back and relax, as you watch the countryside glide past as you travel by Eurostar to Brussels at speeds of up to 186mph. While on the way to France, enjoy a range of food and beverages served to you before changing trains at Midi station. Here you change trains and board the high-speed service to Cologne.
Once you have arrived in Cologne, take a short walk to your hotel for the evening. The hotel should be close to the station and the cities imposing gothic cathedral.
On the second day, head southwards, leaving Cologne and Germany behind you. You ride aboard the Eurocity train, along the Rhine Gorge via Basel into Switzerland before arriving in Chur. Here you change trains and join the regional train for the beautiful journey to St. Moritz. This is your destination for the next three days.
Make the most of your Swiss-Pass. It lets you travel the entire Swiss Travel System, taking in the wonderful sights in and around gorgeous St. Moritz.
Board the Bernina Express in St. Moritz for fabulous and spectacular views from the panoramic carriage as you travel over bridges and viaducts, through tunnels carved into the rock, past waterfalls, ravines and rushing mountain streams. The route twists and turns from the Engadine Valley before climbing more than 7,000ft to the Bernina Pass.
Bid farewell to St. Moritz and travel westwards on board the iconic red and white Glacier Express. The slowest ‘express’ train in the world takes you through the delightful Engadine valley. You then continue up the Rhône Valley, past mountain peaks and tiny hamlets as your train zigzag upwards and snakes its way over the Oberalp Pass at 6,670ft. Lunch will be served on board before arriving at Brig where you take an onward journey to the elegant lakeside town of Montreux. The hotel for your next three nights should be a few steps from the station with amazing views of the lake.
Why not take a trip to the magical Schilthorn – take an exciting combination of cogwheel railways, funiculars, and cable cars to reach the summit. The revolving Piz Gloria restaurant sits at the top where you can enjoy magical views of the Swiss Alps. On the way back take the Golden Panoramic Express train. It snakes alongside Lake Thun and climbs to more than 4,000ft above sea level!
On the last full day of your rail holiday, the ‘chocolate train’ takes you on a delightful journey from Montreux to Gruyeres, home to the well-known cheese. Wander around the cheese factory and the world famous Nestle chocolate factory, with the opportunity to sample some of the produce!
Kalyan Panja
Kalyan Panja is a photographer and a travel writer sharing stories and experiences through photographs and words
