Swiss Mountain Snow Train Adventure

There’s something magical about Switzerland in the snow. Frozen waterfalls, snow-capped Alpine peaks, and glistening lakes are what you can expect as you ride through mountains and valleys on this railway adventure. It all begins once you board the Eurostar in London, spending a night either side of our stay in Hergiswil in Strasbourg and Basel for a more relaxed travelling experience. Then in the heart of Central Switzerland, you’ll head out on jaw-droppingly scenic trips including a railway ride to the top of Mount Rigi – known as the Queen of the Mountains – and the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the Glacier Express route. We’ll also marvel at Lake Lucerne from above and from the water, and glide over the mountaintops in cable cars, including the world’s first revolving gondola, Titlis-Rotair.
What you’ll love
- Travelling on the Interlaken Express, Engelberg Express, and Titlis-Rotair Cable Car
- Visiting the spa town of Interlaken
- Soaking up the scenery on a boat trip across Lake Lucerne
- Riding the Rigi Mountain Railway
- Staying on the shores of Lake Lucerne in a family-run hotel
- Spending a night in Basel and Strasbourg en route to Hergiswil
What’s included
- Return rail travel from London to Hergiswil
- Fully escorted travel with an HF Holidays Tour Manager
- Excursions guided by a local leader
- 7 nights in Hergiswil and overnight stays in Strasbourg & Basel
- 9 breakfasts & 9 dinners
- All rail and cable car journeys
- Local transport pass
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
Gallery
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Meet your HF Holidays Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras International railway station. After check-in, baggage checks, and passport control, we’ll wait for our train.
We’ll board the Eurostar to Paris, and watch the scenery unfold as we speed through the Channel Tunnel and continue through the farmland and villages of Northern France towards Paris. Here, we’ll disembark and leave Gare du Nord to walk the short distance to the Gare de l’Est (about 800m). At Gare de l’Est we’ll join the high-speed TGV service and travel eastwards from Paris to Alsace and the charming city of Strasbourg.
In Strasbourg, we’ll walk a short distance (about 350 metres) to our hotel. We’ll have time to stretch our legs and stroll around the old town, much of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.
In the late morning we’ll make our way back to Strasbourg railway station to board a regional train travelling through Alsace and across the border into Switzerland. In Basel we’ll change trains and continue into central Switzerland. A final change in Lucerne will take us to Hergiswil in the late afternoon. Here we can walk the short distance (about 500m) to Seehotel Pilatus, which boasts a stunning lakeside location and leisure facilities. Hergiswil is our base for the next seven nights.
Today we’ll hop on a regional train from Hergiswil to Sarnen and board the Interlaken Express along the scenic Golden Pass line. We’ll firstly climb towards Lake Lungern (657m above sea level) then to the snow-covered Brünig Pass (1,000m above sea level) to then descend into the famous Bernese Oberland. We’ll pass Meiringen and Brienz, famous for its wood carvings, towards the spa town of Interlaken. Nestled between the blue lakes of Brienz and Thun, the setting couldn’t be more idyllic. From here we’ll travel by narrow-gauge railway to Grindelwald where you’ll encounter the world-famous Eiger, first conquered by a four-man rope team in 1938. We’ll have some time to explore before heading back to Hergiswil.
We’ll travel by train from Hergiswil to the monastery village of Engelberg. In Stans, we’ll swap to the Engelberg Express, travelling through steep and rugged mountains. After the shuttlebus to Titlisbahn station, a high-speed gondola will take us flying above the ground to 2,400m above sea level. We’ll then board the world’s first revolving cable car, the Titlis Rotair, to reach the summit offering far-reaching views over the Titlis glacier and peaks of Central Switzerland. Here, we’ll delve into the ice grotto and test our nerves walking over the highest suspension bridge in Europe. Once we’re back in Engelberg we’ll have time to explore before making our way back to Hergiswil.
Enjoy a day at leisure to enjoy the hotel’s facilities and lake surroundings or take the opportunity to visit Lucerne with its famous Kapellbrucke covered wooden footbridge and Swiss Museum of Transport. You'll be given a local transport pass to visit the sights in the local area.
We’ll board the train to Lucerne and change to Arth-Goldau and Erstfeld, taking in Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug, and Lake Lauerz. In Erstfeld we’ll take the old Gotthard railway route, where unique spiral tunnels will allow us to climb past the Wassen church three times before reaching the village of Göschenen, which sits amongst some incredible mountain scenery. The Schöllenenbahn takes us through Schöllenen Gorge, famous for the Devil’s Bridge, to Andermatt (1,450m above sea level).
It’s then time to ride the Matterhorn-Gottardbahn railway on the famous Glacier Express Route which sweeps over snowy valleys to the Oberalp Pass, the highest point - we go on the Glacier Express Route. Here we’ll switch to a cable car towards Schneehüenerstock (2,600m above sea level) before returning to Andermatt.
Once we’ve reached Lucerne by train, we’ll board a boat to cross the widest, deepest part of Lake Lucerene. At Vitznau we’ll take the first mountain railway in Europe, which has been graced with kings, emperors, and writers, to the ‘Queen of the Mountains’, Mount Rigi. The higher we climb, the better the view over Lake Lucerne and Alpine peaks. At the highest station (Rigi Klum, 1,797m above sea level), you’ll be treated to 360-degree panoramic views. After taking the cog railway to Vitznau, we’ll enjoy a boat ride back to Lucerne before catching the train to Hergiswil.
This morning we’ll board the Voralpen-Express, which connects Lucerne to the city of St Gallen. With views of Lake Zug and Lake Lauerz we’ll climb to snow-covered Rothenthurm and wind up in the pilgrimage site of Einsiedeln. It’s famous for its huge monastery established in the 10th century, which has the largest frescoed ceiling in Switzerland. After some free time we’ll return to the hotel.
We say farewell to Hergiwsil and Lake Lucerne and travel to Basel by train, changing in Lucerne en route. On arrival in Basel we’ll walk to Hotel Schweizerhof, located across the road from the station. Arriving in the early afternoon, we’ll have time to wander and see the sights. You’ll receive a BaselCard from the hotel, which gives complimentary travel on local public transport. In the evening we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
After breakfast we’ll walk back to the railway station and board the high-speed TGV train for Paris. At the Gare de Lyon we’ll transfer across Paris by coach to the Gare du Nord station. Sit back and relax on the Eurostar from Paris to St Pancras International railway station.
Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil
This 4-star family-run hotel features a standout location on the shores of Lake Lucerne in Hergiswil, a short train journey from Lucerne. Surrounded by mountain vistas, there’s plenty to please here, including a host of wellness facilities like an indoor pool, whirlpool, Finnish sauna, sundeck, and direct access to the lake.
Hotel Schweizerhof, Basel
Located just opposite the train station, Hotel Schweizerhof is a short walk into the centre of Basel. It dates back to 1864 with four generations of the same family running it since 1896. Rooms are modern with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, TV, tea and coffee maker, and free Wi-Fi.
Best Western Plus Monopole Metropole, Strasbourg
This 4-star hotel’s location near the train station makes it an ideal base for exploring the city. Rooms are contemporary with en-suite bathrooms, plus it’s an eco-responsible hotel, certified by Green Key International. There are two lounges to relax in, one with a pool table, plus there’s free Wi-Fi throughout. (Swiss Mountain Snow Train Adventure 21 March 2025 departures and Swiss Big Five Mountain Railway Adventure 16 May & 5 September 2025 departures only)
Essential information
It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Insulated jacket/top
- Walking clothing
- Walking socks (plus spares)
- Sunhat
- Gloves/mitts and warm hat
- Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)
- Headtorch
- High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)
- Sunglasses with a dark lens
- Rucksack (15-30 litres)
- Mobile phone
- Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.)
- Passport
- Visa (if applicable)
- Copy of your travel insurance policy
- UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC)
Recommended
- Collapsible walking poles
- Swimwear and travel towel
- Snacks
- Dry bags
- Rubbish bags
- Insect repellent
Optional extras
- Camera
- Sit mat
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Gaiters
- GPS device
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
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Rail Inclusive Prices
Advertised rail prices are based on trains departing from London St Pancras.
Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
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2025 | ||||||||
21 Mar - 30 Mar 2025 9 nights |
Itinerary Rail from London St Pancras International Station
Single Call to Enquire
Double Call to Enquire
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Call to Enquire | Call to Enquire |
Trip Notes
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