13-Day Grand Tour of Switzerland

If this isn’t your first time visiting Lucerne, consider staying outside the main tourist area to experience a different side of the region. Options include the charming town of Stans, the lakeside village of Weggis, the alpine resort town Engelberg (Angel Town), a mountaintop hotel on Mt. Rigi (Kulm) or the Rigi Kaltbad spa hotel, the luxurious Bürgenstock Resort, the exclusive Villa Honegg with its rooftop infinity pool, or even an overnight stay at the summit of Mt. Pilatus.

Today, you'll board the Luzern–Interlaken Express, one segment of the GoldenPass Line, heading toward Interlaken, located at the foot of the Jungfrau region. This scenic train does not require a seat reservation, and is fully covered by your Swiss Travel Pass.

If you're traveling in a group of more than three and would like to reserve seats, please contact your travel advisor.

Travel tip: Choose a seat on the right-hand side of the train for beautiful lakeside views! Note that the train changes direction midway (the front becomes the back), so sticking to the right side throughout the ride ensures the best scenery.

The town of Interlaken gets its name from its unique location between two lakes – Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Today, Interlaken is a charming Alpine town that combines modern urban life with the charm of traditional wooden chalets. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, the town offers a vibrant city center with nightlife, while just a short walk away, you'll find yourself immersed in tranquil Swiss nature.

Interlaken is world-famous thanks to the Jungfrau region. Today's journey will take you from Interlaken Ost (East Station) to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 meters above sea level, where you’ll have the chance to view the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps.

With its snow-covered peaks, impressive glaciers, and legendary beauty, Jungfrau has long attracted travelers from around the world. Today, there are also various snow activities and attractions at the top, perfect for visitors of all ages to enjoy a fun-filled Alpine experience.

Your itinerary includes a Jungfraujoch ticket from Grindelwald to the summit.

Recommended route:
Take the train up via Kleine Scheidegg and return by the Eiger Express cable car, which is faster and more comfortable—especially suitable for the descent when you might be more tired.

Estimated travel time options:

• Grindelwald – 32 min train – Kleine Scheidegg – 45 min train – Jungfraujoch
• Grindelwald Terminal – 20 min cable car – Eigergletscher – 26 min train – Jungfraujoch

If you'd like to explore the Jungfrau region more deeply, consider staying extra nights in Interlaken to fully enjoy everything the area has to offer. 

[ Click here to download the Jungfrau Region map ]

One of Switzerland’s most iconic castles, Château de Chillon, has long attracted poets and artists such as Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo to Montreux.

Montreux is one of the most beautiful towns along Lake Geneva, and has been a favorite holiday destination for Europeans for centuries. Its lakeside scenery and mild climate give it a poetic and romantic charm.

The must-see attraction in Montreux is undoubtedly Château de Chillon. Originally built in the 9th century, the castle has been modified and expanded over centuries by various dukes. The famous British Romantic poet Lord Byron was so inspired by the religious reform stories that took place here, he wrote “The Prisoner of Chillon.”

The stone-built castle sits right on the edge of Lake Geneva — its ancient walls reflected in the tranquil waters, making it one of the most beautiful and unique castles in all of Switzerland.

Today, you'll take the train to Zermatt, the famous car-free alpine village at the base of the Matterhorn.

If this isn’t your first time visiting Zermatt, here are some recommended nearby spots worth exploring :

From Montreux, take a train and bus to Crans-Montana, a sunny alpine resort town ideal for skiing, hiking, biking, and luxury shopping all year round.

• Montreux – Crans Montana : Train + Bus: 1h40m
• Montreux – Martigny : Train: 30 mins
• Zermatt – Saas Fee : Train + Bus: 1h50m
• Zermatt – Aletsch Arena (Morel) : Train: 2 hrs
  • How to get to the Aletsch Glacier?
    Take the Glacier Express from Chur to Brig, then transfer to a local train to Morel to begin your Aletsch Glacier adventure!

With the Zermatt Peak Pass included in your itinerary, you can explore two iconic mountains in one day. Start your day by ascending to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise — the highest mountain station in Europe. The panoramic views are truly breathtaking and just the beginning of your alpine adventure!

Then, take the cable car to Riffelberg station and hop on the scenic Gornergrat cogwheel train to witness another side of Zermatt’s majestic beauty. Prefer to start from Gornergrat instead? That works too!

Route included :

• Zermatt – Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Furi – Riffelberg Express – Gornergrat Kulm – Zermatt

Approximate Minimum Ascent Times :

• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise around 45 minutes
  • Furi to suspension bridge : 900 m, +74 m elevation gain
  • Schwarzsee to Trockener Steg : 7 km, +507 m elevation gain
• Gornergrat Summit around 35 minutes
  • Rotenboden to Riffelsee : 450 m, mostly flat

Board the world-famous Glacier Express and enjoy a full-day scenic journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz. Along the way, you’ll pass through sweeping alpine valleys, admire snow-covered peaks, cross rushing mountain streams, and wind past dramatic cliffs. The route also takes you by charming villages and historic castles nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

By the time you arrive at your destination, the Glacier Express will have carried you through high mountain passes, iconic viaducts, tunnels, and gorges — offering a rail experience like no other. It’s truly one of the most unforgettable panoramic train journeys in the world!

Located at 1,856 meters above sea level in the Upper Engadine valley, St. Moritz is famous for its abundant sunshine year-round — often referred to as having "champagne weather."

This itinerary includes a two-day complimentary mountain pass, allowing you to explore some of the region’s most spectacular peaks by cable car or funicular:

• St. Moritz Bad – Signal
• St. Moritz Dorf – Chantarella – Corviglia – Piz Nair
• Pontresina – Languard Chairlift
• Diavolezza (Glacier viewpoint)
• Celerina – Marguns – Corviglia
• Silvaplana – Corvatsch
• Sils – Furtschellas
• Muottas Muragl

Take advantage of this pass to enjoy stunning alpine panoramas, crisp mountain air, and an unforgettable high-altitude experience in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Board the scenic Bernina Express, with reserved seats included in your itinerary, more about Bernina. First, enjoy a 2-hour 12-minute train ride from St. Moritz to Tirano. Then, transfer to the Bernina Express bus for a 3-hour 10-minute journey to Lugano. ( Please note: the Bernina Express bus does not operate in January and December. )

This journey takes you from the shrub-covered Alps to the palm-lined shores of southern Switzerland — a landscape that shifts dramatically before your eyes. You'll travel from the German-speaking region into the Italian-speaking Ticino, where the character of towns, countryside, and cuisine changes completely. Italian charm and flavors await!

If you prefer a more flexible schedule or wish to make stops along the way, you can also take regular trains (non-Bernina Express), which are free to ride with your Swiss Travel Pass and do not require seat reservations.

Today, you'll travel north from Lugano to St. Gallen. Unlike the classic Grand Train Tour route, which includes the Gotthard Panorama Express (formerly William Tell Express), this itinerary features a faster and more direct connection.

Take a 1h10m train ride from Lugano to Arth-Goldau (on the shores of Lake Lucerne), then transfer to the Voralpen Express for a 1h40m journey through the foothills of the Alps to reach St. Gallen.

Alternatively, if you’d like a more scenic and leisurely route, you can opt to travel via the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which adds 3–4 hours but includes a beautiful Lake Lucerne boat ride — another fantastic travel experience!

Welcome to St. Gallen – A Cultural Gem in Eastern Switzerland

Nestled between Lake Constance (Bodensee) and the Appenzellerland region, the charming eastern Swiss town of St. Gallen is best known for the Abbey Library, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Home to over 140,000 works, including precious handwritten manuscripts dating back more than a thousand years, the library is one of the most stunning examples of Baroque Rococo architecture in Switzerland.

But there’s much more to discover in St. Gallen!
Explore the pedestrian-only Old Town, known for its colorful oriel windows (bay windows that protrude from the facades). The city is also rich in culture, with numerous theaters and museums, and is famously the birthplace of the legendary Mummenschanz mime troupe.

Don't miss the St. Gallen Open Air Festival, one of Switzerland’s oldest and largest open-air music festivals, held every June in the nearby Sittertobel valley!

Today, take a direct train from St. Gallen to Zurich, which typically takes around 1 hour. After arriving in Zurich, enjoy your evening exploring Switzerland’s largest city — a global center for finance, culture, and lifestyle.

You’ll have the whole day to wander through the streets of Zurich, perfect for some last-minute shopping or exploring unique local boutiques — from hat shops and grain stores to artisan chocolate shops. Alternatively, you can follow a travel guide for a quick city highlights tour, visiting famous landmarks, churches, and must-see sights before heading to the airport for your flight back to Taiwan.