Our Swiss Rail Adventure tour is an in depth look at Switzerland by Rail. Each traveler will receive a first class Swiss Rail Pass for use during the tour. This is a tour aimed at the railfan traveler, train rider, and mileage collector. General tourism is limited, but the trip does include some of the most famous tourist rail experiences. We have chosen the hotels for this tour because they are close to the railway stations in most cases. Some are in very small towns far from the usual tourist areas. In all cases we are staying in good tourist class hotels. Maximum group size will be 35.
Saturday September 20: (L-D) Independent morning arrival at Zurich airport. Your guide, Dr. John Kirchner will meet the group at the Zurich airport at 10:30AM for the transfer into the city. The first point of interested to be visited will be the Tramway Museum, followed by a ride on a chartered tram over portions of the city's extensive street railway system. Overnight in Andermatt at the Hotel Monopol and welcome dinner after check-in.
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| | Hotel Monopol in Andermatt |
Sunday September 21: (B-L) Today we ride the Furka Bergstrecke steam rack train, powered by an 80-year old cog locomotive, along a scenic route that takes us into alpine scenery, well above the tree-line. Overnight in Andermatt.
Monday September 22: (B-L) This morning we join the famed Glacier Express Andermatt - Zermatt line, including a spectacular ride to Gornergrat by cog wheel railway (3089 meters above sea level) Overnight in Zermatt at the Hotel Gornergrat. B-L
Hotel Gornergrat in Zermatt
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Tuesday September 23: (B-L-D) The day starts with a Swiss Rail train ride from Zermatt to Berne using the old or new Lötschbergtunnel. We then board the Bernese steam tramway for a ride over parts of the city tram system. In the afternoon we travel by train from from Berne to Pré-Petitjean, switching en route to a 1913 electric railcar on the meter gauge Chemins de fer du Jura. Overnight in Pre-Petitjean at the Hotel Gare.
Wednesday September 24: (B-L-D) Today it's all-day steam action with chartered double-headed tank Mallets over the scenic rails and grades of the CdefduJ. Overnight Pré-Petitjean.
Thursday September 25: (B-L) Transfer from Pré-Petitjean to Locarno via Gotthard tunnel, a relaxing day of train riding and great scenery. Overnight in Locarno at the Hotel Garni Montaldi. B-L
Friday September 26: (B-L) The wonderful Centovalli Railway takes us from Locarno, in Switzerland, to Domodossola in Italy. We then continue from Domodosssola to Montreux, on beautiful Lake Geneva, via the famous Simplon tunnel. Overnight in Montreux at the Hotel Helvetie.
Hotel Helvetie in Montreux
Saturday September 27: (B-L) Our adventure today takes us by steam over the Blonay-Chamby museum railway. Overnight Montreux.
Sunday September 28: (B-L) Next is Montreux - Interlaken - Brienz via the Golden Pass There we connect with the Brienz Rothorn Bahn steam railway. Overnight in Interlaken at the Carlton Hotel.
Carlton Hotel in Interlaken
Monday September 29: (B-L) Today we enjoy one of the continent's most famous rail trips-Jungfraujoch to the "Top of Europe." 2nd night at the Carlton Hotel in Interlaken.
The above photos were taken in the Interlaken area
Tuesday September 30: (B-L) Transfer from Interlaken via Brünig to Lucerne, followed by a steam boat ride on Lake Lucerne to Vitznau. There we join the Rigi Railway rack line for the steep climb into the Alps. Transfer back to Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne at the Hotel Drei Konige.
Hotel Drei Konige in Lucerne
Wednesday October 1: (B-L) It's off on the Voralpenexpress from to Pfäffikon. We then transfer Pfäffikon - Chur - Samedan. Overnight in Samedan at the Hotel Terminus.
Above photo of the Terminus Hotel in Samedan
Thursday October 2: (B-L) Our adventure takes us over the Bernina railway (2253 meters above sea level) Overnight Sameden.
Friday October 3: (B-L-D) Transfer Samedan - Chur - St. Gallen - Herisau to the Appenzellerbahnen. Overnight in Herisau at the Hotel Herisau. (farewell dinner)
Saturday October 4: (B) Independent transfers via high speed train from Herisau to the Zurich airport. Trains take 1 hour to make this trip and they depart from Herisau every 30 minutes starting at 5:37AM.
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