Choose between a deluxe option with distinctive inns, 4 and 5-star hotels and a 1st class railpass, or our standard option with more modest inns, 3-star hotels, and a 2nd class railpass. We'll take care of all the details: get you the most appropriate rail pass, find the best hotels, recommend our favorite sights, and link them together in an itinerary that gets the most out of your time in Switzerland.

As always, you can count on your hotels being the best in their class - charming, family run inns with perfect locations, great food, and professional service. Your typical day will start with a buffet breakfast at your inn - delicious fresh baked bread, local cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice - giving you a good start for a full day of sightseeing. Then you'll be out, seeing the sights such as Lucerne's Chapel Bridge or Mount Pilatus, Switzerland's highest train station - the Jungfraujoch, or breathtaking Gornergrat in Zermatt. Many days will include a scenic train ride between villages such as the Bernina Express and Glacier Express routes (reservation fees not included).

In the mountains and countryside you'll finish with a multi-course dinner at your hotel restaurant, while in the cities we've left evenings free for you to explore some of the many restaurants around. There are a total of 4 dinners on your own in Lucerne, Lugano and Zurich, a great chance to get out and follow your own bliss!

Day 1 Arrive in Switzerland, and transfer by train to Zermatt, the atmospheric mountain village nestled up at the foot of the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is Switzerland's most recognizable monument, a massive and distinctive mountain surrounded by dozens of fine, glacier-clad peaks. Ride a cablecar up to stunning viewpoints, or just enjoy the ambiance of the village with great restaurants and hotels, and a lively shopping district. Stay in Zermatt.
Day 2 You have a second day in Zermatt to take in the sights. The historic cogwheel train ride of up the ridge at Gornergrat is a must, with gorgeous views of Monte Rosa (Switzerland's highest mountain), the Gorner glacier, Matterhorn and more. If you want to get out, there are many walks from easy strolls to challenging hikes to choose from. Stay in Zermatt.
Day 3 Connect up with the Glacier Express train to Pontresina in the Engadine region. Pontresina is my favorite village in the Upper Engadine, a quiet and sophisticated alternative to St. Moritz, and a great base in this region of gorgeous mountain views, alpine lakes, beautiful architecture, and strong local traditions. Stay in Pontresina.
Day 4 A second day in Pontresina gives you a chance to explore this beautiful and peaceful region. There are great hikes from your hotel, stunning lakes near St. Moritz, or quaint villages to be explored throughout the valley. Stay in Pontresina.
Day 5 The Bernina Express route is one of Switzerland's prettiest rides and brings you from Pontresina down to Lugano, Switzerland's sun-drenched, lakeside pearl. This Italian-speaking region brings a distinctly mediterranean feel, with charming outdoor markets on narrow, cobblestoned streets. Enjoy a swim in Lake Lugano and a night of la Dolce Vita! Stay in Lugano.
Day 6 Another beautiful train ride along the William Tell route brings you to Lucerne, perhaps Switzerland's prettiest city. We put you in the heart of Lucerne's historic Old Town center, where you can see the Chapel Bridge, the Lion of Lucerne, museums, or perhaps take the cablecar and cogwheel train up to the views from Mount Pilatus. Stay in Lucerne.
Day 7 An extra day in Lucerne give you a chance to further explore. Take a boat ride along Lake Luzern and visit the nearby mountain village of Engelberg, with magnificent views from the Titlis cablecar. Finish with a romantic riverside dinner in Lucerne's Old Town center. Stay in Lucerne.
Day 8 A beautiful 4 hour train ride brings you to the Bernese Oberland to the Jungfrau region, where you'll stay in your choice of car-free villages, Wengen or Mürren. Wengen is slightly larger and more convenient to the Jungfraujoch, an unforgettable train ride that tunnels through the Eiger to upper reaches of the Jungfrau mountain. Mürren is quieter, with slightly better mountain views, and the perfect place to unwind and slow down. Stay in Wengen or Mürren.
Day 9 A second day in either Wengen or Mürren gives you a chance to fully appreciate this incredible region, my favorite in Switzerland. This is the Swiss Alps of fairy-tales, with soaring mountains, flower-munching cows, quaint villages and countless waterfalls. Ride the Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn cablecar, see the Yosemite-like Lauterbrunnen valley, or take a beautiful alpine walk. Stay in Wengen or Mürren.
Day 10 Take the train back to Zurich, Switzerland's main city with a surprisingly quaint and walkable city center. Lose yourself in a maze of narrow, winding streets filled with shops, cafes and restaurants, and enjoy a fantastic dinner on your last night in Switzerland. Stay in Zurich.
Day 11 A 10-minute train ride from the city center brings you to the airport for your post-tour destination.

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Our self-guided prices are per person, based on two people sharing a standard double room. This tour includes 10 nights prepaid hotels, breakfast each day, 4 dinners, 6-day Swiss Saver flexipasses (good for 6 free days of rail travel and free museum entrance in a 30 day period plus 50% discounts on most other trains and cablecars), trail maps and detailed route descriptions for optional hikes, sightseeing suggestions for each stop, Glacier Express reservations, Bernina Express reservations, train schedules, and lots of useful information to help ensure a successful trip.

Not included are lunches, drinks with dinners, dinners in Lucerne, Lugano or Zurich, extras (such as laundry, phone calls from the room, etc), the cost of Glacier and Bernina Express reservations (about $40 per person), or transportation not covered by your railpass.

We also offer Self-guided 13-day Swiss Sampler tours and Self-guided 8-day Swiss Sampler tours. If you'd like to lengthen or shorten any of these tours, add destinations, or create a customized tour of Switzerland from scratch, let us know. We have extensive experience all over Switzerland, and will be happy to work with you to build the vacation that best suits your needs.

Learn more about custom and self-guided tours