Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne

Holiday Highlights

  • Ascent of two mountains by train (Rigi and Pilatus)
  • Three lake cruises (Vitznau, Alpnachstad and Flüelen)
  • Brünig and Gotthard Passes by rail
  • Explore the historic city of Lucerne
  • 8 days from £2,245pp
BOOK NOWTailor this tour for independent travel

Tour Dates:
Thursday 12 September to Thursday 19 September 2024

Lucerne boasts glorious Alpine scenery and is an ideal destination for a rail holiday. This tour has a variety of escorted excursions to enjoy from our base on the glistening shores of Lake Lucerne.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – London to Aachen

We depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels and connect to a high speed train for Aachen. We have a short walk to our hotel where dinner is included.

Day 2 – Relax in Lucerne

Our rail journey follows the course of the Rhine by train as we head south to Basle, then onwards to the beautiful lakeside city of Lucerne. The afternoon is free to explore. The famous Kapellbrücke is just minutes from our hotel, or you may wish to visit the excellent Swiss Museum of Transport. Your Tell Pass is valid for free travel on all public transport including boats and cable cars.

Day 3 – Explore the Rigi by Boat & Train

After a morning at leisure in Lucerne, enjoy an afternoon boat trip on the lake to Vitznau to take the mountain rack railway ascent of the Rigi. We then return via Arth Goldau and main line train to Lucerne.

Day 4 – Interlaken

A relaxing two hour train journey over the Brünig Pass, through beautiful mountain and lake scenery, brings us to the famous resort of Interlaken where there is time to explore.

Day 5 – Pilatus

No holiday to Lucerne is complete without one of our favourite Alpine excursions. We begin by taking a lake steamer to Alpnachstad, then travel by mountain railway to Pilatus’ summit. Our descent is by cable car to Kriens and we return to Lucerne by trolleybus.

Day 6 – The Gotthard Pass

Today begins with an enjoyable 3-hour cruise on a Lake Lucerne paddle steamer along the lake to Flüelen. We then travel by train up the famous Gotthard route with its amazing hairpins to Göschenen. Finally, board the rack railway to travel up through the Schöllenen Gorge to the resort of Andermatt. Return to Lucerne by train.

Day 7 – Bonn

By main line train to Basle where we change for our service to Bonn, following the Rhine route once more. Overnight in Bonn

Day 8 – Homeward Bound

Travel by high speed train to Brussels before boarding Eurostar back to London St Pancras, arriving early afternoon.

Tour Route

Tour route map

Selected Hotels

Ibis am Marschiertor, Aachen

Hotel Waldstätterhof, Lucerne

InterCityHotel, Bonn

Please note - hotels can be subject to change

Price Includes

  • Rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Seat reservations on international outward and return journeys and, where available, in Switzerland
  • Tell Pass for unlimited travel within the Lucerne region (includes mountain railways and lake steamers)
  • Excursions as specified
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Welcome dinner
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Price per person

Escorted holiday: £2,245
Single room supplement: £270
Deposit for this holiday: £200

Booking form

Download your tour booking form here.

Download

Why Choose Ffestiniog Travel?

  • UK's first rail tour operator to run an overseas escorted rail holiday in 1974
  • Created for people who love rail holidays and exploring the world’s heritage railways
  • Dedicated rail holiday specialist - great destinations, sightseeing and unparalled railway content
  • Train ticket supplier for worldwide rail operators - we can plan and arrange your rail journey to anywhere
  • Knowledge of the world’s rail routes makes us leading specialists in escorted and Tailor Made rail holidays
  • Over 60% of our existing rail tour travellers return to holiday with us year after year
  • Committed to supporting rail travel and heritage railways around the world
  • Our profits support the continued preservation of the famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
  • Small, dedicated rail holiday travel team offering an award winning personal service

Logos Pharos Response ABTOT AITO Quality Charter

Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr