Switzerland by train
26/01/2016 · By Peter Liney
Explore stunning Switzerland by train with Great Rail Journeys. Read our blog for insider tips on the best scenic routes and unforgettable experiences.
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See in the New Year on this idyllic seasonal holiday in the beautiful Bernese Oberland, staying in the picturesque town of Interlaken, surrounded by panoramic views, sparkling lakes and snow-capped peaks.
Ascend Grindelwald First Mountain on a spectacular New Year's Eve excursion, looking out across the twinkling valley and visiting the traditional alpine village of Grindelwald, before a gala dinner at our hotel. Start your New Year with a breathtaking ride on the Jungfrau Railway to the highest train station in Europe, and enjoy a day trip to charming Lucerne.
Unforgettable Experiences
What’s included on the tour?
Itinerary
Your festive holiday begins at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar service to Brussels. Here we change trains and continue to the bustling cathedral city of Cologne where we spend the night.
After checking in, dinner is served at our hotel this evening.
Additional information
Hotel
More information on the different trains that are used on this tour.
The high-speed Eurostar trains link St Pancras International in London with Paris and Lille in France as well as Brussels in Belgium.
The route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, comprises three different railways. The first leg from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen is on the Bernese Oberland Railway, continuing to Kleine Scheidegg on the Wengernalp Railway. From Kleine Scheidegg, the Jungfrau Railway climbs to Eigergletscher, before entering the 4.43-mile tunnel that ends in the underground station at Jungfraujoch. During the journey through the tunnel, the train makes a short stop at the Eiger Wall for view through the picture window from the north face of the Eiger down to Grindelwald.
Enhance your holiday
Your holiday begins the moment you meet your Tour Manager at St Pancras International and board the Eurostar train for mainland Europe. If you wish to get your holiday off to an extra special start, why not consider upgrading your on-board accommodation from Standard Class to Plus Class?
As well as all the amenities enjoyed in Standard Class, Plus Class travellers benefit from extra spacious, comfortable seats, complimentary newspapers and magazines and a light snack with drinks served at your seat during the journey. Before 11am, the light snack comprises breakfast pastries, yoghurt, fruit juice and tea or coffee. After 11am there is a choice of 2 main dishes and a dessert, accompanied by soft drinks, wine or beer and tea or coffee.
Prices for an upgrade from £110pp each way. Please call us for more details.
Many of our holidays include a final stopover in Cologne en route to London. Why not extend your holiday by enjoying an extra night or two in this attractive city, returning to London in your own time?
The Wyndham Cologne or TRYP by Wyndham Cologne City Centre, Cologne
Both hotels are well appointed 4-Star hotels with a bar, lounge and restaurant. Room facilities include en suite bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities (available on request), minibar with free soft drinks, cable TV, hairdryer and telephone. A laundry service is available at both hotels.
Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.
We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.
Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.
We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.
For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.
Enjoy hassle-free travel to and from Switzerland with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £269 per bag.
The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel in Switzerland. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.
If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag. If flying to or from your destination, you will take your own luggage with you on the flight.