After the Rhine, at Basel

Lucerne and the Glacier Express

The ship ends where the Alps begin. Two nights on the lake, then the slowest express train in the world from Zermatt to St. Moritz.

See the days
Length5–6 nights
SeasonRhine cruises run March to December. The Glacier Express operates year-round except for some weeks in late autumn. The Bernina Express also runs year-round, on a reduced winter schedule.
StaysBürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne; Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern; Mont Cervin Palace; Riffelalp Resort 2222 m; Badrutt’s Palace Hotel; Kulm Hotel St. Moritz; Suvretta House
Budget$630 – $1,000 USD per day per person

Why this page exists

Beyond the classic Amsterdam–Basel Rhine cruise lies the ultimate alpine extension. Instead of heading straight home from the river, step onto the famous Glacier Express. Our custom itinerary brings you to Lucerne first so the Alps unfold beautifully before you. You’ll ride the entire historic rail line in a luxury panoramic carriage—turning an eight-hour journey into the definitive highlight of your European holiday.

First-hand

Switzerland is Marc’s second home, where he often goes hiking in the summer and skiing in winter

Excellence Class is booked months ahead — Marc holds the dates

December and March sailings land in ski season: Zermatt or St. Moritz, and SkiDomain picks which

Illustrated route map of Switzerland: Basel, Lucerne, Rigi, Zermatt, then the Glacier Express via Andermatt and the Oberalp Pass to St. Moritz, ending in Zurich

Illustrative route, not to scale.

Day by day

From Lake Lucerne to the Engadine: A Six-Day Swiss Journey

Day1Basel to LucerneDisembark the ship and take a smooth, one-hour train ride into Central Switzerland. Spend your afternoon wandering the historic old town and the iconic Chapel Bridge, before settling into a hotel right on the lake.
Day2The RigiBoard a paddle steamer across the water to Vitznau, then ride the historic cogwheel railway right to the summit. With the whole of central Switzerland laid out below you, return to the lakeshore just in time for dinner.
Day3To ZermattA scenic three-hour train ride takes you through Bern and up into the deep Mattertal valley, arriving in the quiet, car-free village of Zermatt. Enjoy views of the Matterhorn right from your hotel terrace—if the afternoon clouds allow.
Day4The Glacier ExpressThe definitive day of the journey. Travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz over eight hours, crossing 291 bridges, passing through 91 tunnels, and climbing the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres. Travelling in Excellence Class means a guaranteed window seat, an exclusive bar, a dedicated concierge, and lunch served at your seat. You will arrive in St. Moritz just as the evening light begins to fade.
Day5St. MoritzExplore the lake and the traditional Engadine villages, or ride the funicular up to Muottas Muragl for a spectacular view down the valley. Alternatively, choose to do nothing at all and enjoy the quiet luxury of the historic Kulm Hotel.
Day6ZurichConclude the trip with a direct three-and-a-half-hour train ride to Zurich. Alternatively, if you are flying out of Italy, you can take the spectacular Bernina Express south across the border to Tirano and onward to Milan.

A second night in Zermatt, with the Gornergrat railway, is the six-night version and the one worth taking if the weather forecast is good.

“This trip gets you on the legendary Glacier Express, but it’s just one of Switzerland’s iconic panoramic rides. With world-class rails everywhere, we can easily weave in other famous scenic trains to build your perfect mountain journey.”
— Marc Vitria · Expeditioner Travel

Ready when you are

Tell Marc where the ship starts and where it stops.

He’ll take it from there.

Plan this with Marc
Previous

Egypt — beyond the river
Next

Rhône — Burgundy north, Provence south