Switzerland’s Golden Pass Railway, Lake Geneva & Montreux - by Rail

Overview

Switzerland’s Golden Pass Railway, Lake Geneva & Montreux - by Rail

Journey by high-speed train through the stunning European countryside to explore Switzerland's largest body of water, Lake Geneva. Wander the lakeside cities set among gentle hills covered in vineyards, including Geneva, Montreux and Lausanne. Visit the charming Château de Chillon and other places of interest along the shores of the lake. Discover a taste of Switzerland with tastings in Gruyères - home of Switzerland's most famous cheese - and Broc, to visit a local chocolate factory.

The absolute highlight of this trip is a ride on the magnificent Golden Pass Express Train from Montreux to Gstaad. Marvel at spectacular views of the Bernese Oberland through the panoramic windows on an unforgettable train journey. Once in Gstaad, we’ll make the short journey to Col-du-Pilon and ascend 3,000 metres by cable car to Glacier 3000, the highest point of the Vaudois Alps, for incredible views of Switzerland's most iconic peaks.

This is the ideal holiday for those who love to travel by train and are looking to experience everything Switzerland has to offer.

What's included:

Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar
Return standard class reserved seat on TGV
Lausanne transport card
All additional rail journeys and transfers
Ticket on the Golden Pass Express Train
Cruise across Lake Geneva
All visits and tours mentioned
Daily breakfast, 1 lunch & 2 dinners
All local taxes and transfers
The services of a Riviera Travel Tour Manager

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Geneva

We'll journey from London on the Eurostar to Paris, where we board the TGV high-speed train. From the windows of the train, watch the landscapes of Burgundy and the Saone Valley near Macon. The route becomes ever more scenic as we travel east through the Jura Hills towards Geneva, where we'll stay for two nights.

Day 2: Geneva

Beginning as a Roman settlement, Geneva quickly grew into an important trading town in the heart of Europe during the Middle Ages. Due to its strategic locale, the city was a major target of conquest and changed hands several times before eventually establishing itself as an independent republic in 1602.

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll explore the beautiful city of Geneva on a guided walking tour of its most famous landmarks with a local guide. We'll see Geneva's Jet d'eau, the star of Geneva Harbour, a gigantic water fountain with a beautiful story. Enjoy the 12th-century architecture of St Peter's Cathedral and the nearby Flower Clock in Jardin Anglais. We'll see the monuments, art and cultural institutions in Place Neuve, the cultural hub of Geneva, and the formation wall, featuring imposing stone statues of the key figures of the reformation.

Later, we'll embark on a relaxing cruise across Lake Geneva, the largest Alpine Lake in Europe at approximately 580 sqkm. We'll savour a delicious lunch as we sail across the lake's glistening waters enjoying views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Geneva at leisure or relax at the hotel and enjoy the facilities.

Day 3: Montreux

We'll take a scenic train journey along the northern side of Lake Geneva towards Montreux, enjoying picturesque views of the vineyards of Lavaux, the lake, and the stunning Alpine panorama.

Enjoy free time for lunch in Montreux's Old Town, filled with cafés and restaurants where you can sit and watch the world go by.

This afternoon, we'll follow in the footsteps of Montreux's most famous resident, Freddie Mercury. Our guided tour will start with a visit to Queen Studio Experience inside the renowned Casino Barrière de Montreux. Featuring a permanent exhibit of the British group, this recording studio was formerly owned by Queen and retraces one of the most important periods in the band's life - look out for the striking bronze statue of Freddie outside!

Later, we'll take the train to Lausanne, home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters. After checking in to our hotel, enjoy some free time to explore the local area. Lausanne is made up of a medieval labyrinth of cobbled streets lined with traditional shops and, at the centre, is a fine 12th-century Gothic cathedral with an ornate façade. Just a short walk from our hotel is the Eole Wind Vane, and continue along the lakefront to find the Olympic Museum.

Day 4: Chateau Du Chillon & Chexbres

After breakfast, we will take a train to Chateau du Chillon, enjoying more views of Lake Geneva. This striking medieval fortress is dramatically located on a rocky promontory, enjoying exceptional views over the crystal waters. Built in the 12th century, it was once the residence and toll station for the Savoy family and is now one of the most visited historic buildings in Switzerland. Here, we'll enjoy a guided tour with a local expert learning more about its fascinating past and exquisite surroundings.

After free time exploring the Chateau at your leisure, we'll travel to Chexbres. Float along the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva on a cruise from Chateau du Chillon to Vevey, then take a short train journey along the lake from Vevey to Chexbres.

Signature Experience:

The climate around Lake Geneva has been heavily influenced by its waters, which keep the climate mild - perfect for growing grapes. The vast majority of vineyards in this area are family-owned, like the estate we'll visit in Chexbres this afternoon. Here, we'll enjoy a delightful wine tasting before travelling back to Lausanne by train.

Day 5: Golden Pass Experience & Glacier 3000

This morning, we take the train to Montreux, where we board the magnificent Golden Pass Express train, one of the world's greatest rail journeys.

Signature Experience:

Gaze in awe as we travel from the lush Mediterranean landscape of Montreux and through picturesque woodlands. We'll then encounter a steep gradient - an ascent of 1 in 37 - and pass through Jaman tunnel, the longest on the line. Here the village names change from French to German. Sit back and savour the views from the panoramic windows of exquisite mountain scenery. We'll pass sheer mountainsides cloaked with dark pine forests, surging mountain streams and bubbling springs cascading into the valley below. Between the trees, spot picturesque mountain villages nestled into the slopes as we journey over high bridges and through incredibly engineered tunnels.

Once we arrive in Gstaad, we will take a short drive to Col du Pillon, where we'll ascend into the alpine landscape in a cable car. Prepare for jaw-dropping views from all sides as we climb up to the icy summit of Glacier 3000, the highest point of the Vaudois Alps. The summit offers stunning views of the most iconic peaks in the world - the mighty Eiger, Jungfrau and Matterhorn.

Here, there'll be plenty of free time to enjoy lunch and some of the activities offered in this wintery wonderland. Try the exhilarating Peak Walk, a 107-metre suspension bridge and the only one linking the two summits, or a thrilling ride on the Alpine Coaster, the highest toboggan run in the world!

Day 6: Gruyeres & Broc

Today we experience Switzerland's famous local delicacies. This morning, we'll visit a local dairy near the alpine pastures near Gruyères. Twice a day, 22 farmers deliver milk from cows that graze the lush grass of local alpine meadows to the fromagerie. Under the watchful eyes of visitors, the master cheesemakers produce up to 48 wheels of Gruyère cheese a day. During our visit, we'll have the chance to taste and buy some of the products famous in this region of Switzerland.

We'll then head to the medieval village of Gruyères, the namesake for the local cheese, for free time and lunch at your leisure. The picturesque town is pedestrianised so take a gentle stroll through the cobblestoned streets towards the small drinking fountain in the centre.

This afternoon, we'll continue to Broc to visit a local chocolate factory. A sweet adventure awaits you here. Explore the story of their chocolate through a series of interactive, multi-sensorial experiences, and uncover a few secrets along the way. As well as learning about the history of chocolate, you will have the opportunity to witness the production process and, most importantly, sample some of their products.

Day 7: Free Day

After a busy few days, enjoy free time to explore the Lake Geneva area as you wish with your Lausanne transport card. Perhaps visit the Olympic Museum, the largest archive of the Olympic movement in the world, housing countless artefacts related to sport and the Olympics. Enjoy a pleasant stroll along Lausanne’s lakefront or venture out of the city on public transport. Your expert Tour Manager is on hand to advise and assist you.