Looking for the 5-star version of this trip? See Switzerland Excellence Class.

Day 1

Travel by Eurostar to Paris, then continue by TGV Lyria to Switzerland and on to Lucerne. Overnight stay in Lucerne.

Day 2

Travel along the historic Gotthard route from Lucerne to Lugano. At Lucerne station, board the boat across Lake Lucerne to Flüelen. Enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery from the deck or the restaurant on board. Continue on the Gotthard Panorama Express to Lugano in Mediterranean Ticino. 2 nights in Lugano.

Day 3

Enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere in Lugano. You may wish to take a walk along the Lake Lugano promenade, or an excursion to Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore.

Day 4

Today you travel on the Bernina Express. First, take the PostBus from Lugano to Tirano along a scenic route past Lake Lugano and Lake Como and through the Valtellina. If the bus is not running or is fully booked, travel by train via Monza to Tirano instead. From Tirano, continue by panoramic train to St. Moritz.

Day 5

Free day in St. Moritz, with a choice of excursion options. Overnight stay in St. Moritz.

Day 6

Travel on the Glacier Express, the slowest express train in the world, crossing 291 bridges, passing through 91 tunnels and over the 2,033-metre Oberalp Pass to Zermatt. 2 nights in Zermatt.

Day 7

Free day in Zermatt. You may wish to take the train excursion to the Gornergrat. Overnight stay in Zermatt.

Day 8

Travel via Brig and the scenic Lötschberg route to Basel. Continue by TGV Lyria to Paris, then by Eurostar to London or your preferred railway station in Great Britain.

9-day rail tour

Compared with the 8-day rail tour:

• 1 overnight stay in Basel to break the return journey