Switzerland
£1227pp—Swiss rail adventure from your local station
Amy Groves
Deal Expert
Watch as the scenery evolves from alpine peaks to deep-blue lakes and palm trees
Why We Love This Deal
This rail route through Switzerland is "pure cinema", says The Guardian. Take the train from the UK to Locarno—with first-class tickets throughout—then spend five nights by the lake. Though this is an independent trip, it's all booked in advance by experts.
This offer is £1199 per person. Tourist taxes apply at the hotels. You'll pay 2.86€ (£2.47) in Strasbourg; CHF22.50 in Locarno (£21.51); and CHF4.20 (£4.02) in Basel**. This adds £28 to the price, bring the total to £1227 per person.
What's included
- 1st-class rail travel from your local UK station, including Eurostar to France
- One night at the Best Western Plus Monopole Metropole, Strasbourg
- Five nights at La Palma au Lac, Locarno
- A steamboat ride on Lake Lucerne
- One night at the GAIA Hotel, Basel
- Daily breakfast
When
Depart on 11 April; 14 November; 12 December, 2026. Start the journey from any local station for no additional cost, as long as you can reach London St Pancras the same day to catch the Eurostar.
It's an extra £100 per person to depart on 16 May; 6 June; 25 July; 15 August; 19 September; 10 October, 2026.
For more information, see our partner's website.
Itinerary
Tailor Made Rail provides a suggested itinerary in each destination. The plan is flexible, and you're free to do your own thing at your own pace and savour the romance of slow travel. Just make sure to reach each hotel in time to check in for the evening.
On the first day, travel from your home station to Strasbourg via London St Pancras. The hotel is right next to the station.
Next, ride from Strasbourg to Locarno, Switzerland's lowest-altitude town. It is on the shore of Lake Maggiore and famous for its near-Mediterranean climate. You'll spend five nights at a lakefront hotel with top reviews. The station is less than 10 minutes' walk away, and so is the town centre.
Next, travel back across Switzerland. From November–April, you'll take regular local trains, and from May–October, you'll take the Gotthard Panorama Express tourist train. Both routes use the classic route over the Gotthard Pass (rather than using the Gotthard Base Tunnel), so you can appreciate the glorious scenery. All dates include a scenic steamer boat ride on Lake Lucerne.
You'll spend a final night in Basel, at a hotel opposite the station, before continuing home the next morning.
Other options
- Solo travellers can book the same holiday for an extra £500
- Stay in a Lake View Room at the Hotel La Palma au Lac for an extra £200 per person
- Stay at the 5-star Belvedere Hotel instead in Locarno for an extra £400 per person
- Add extra nights in Strasbourg for an extra £80 per person
- Add extra nights in Basel for an extra £90 per person
Transfers & baggage
Rail travel is included from your local station. Take as much baggage as you can carry.
This offer is booked through, and is therefore subject to, the travel or entertainment provider's terms and conditions, including but not limited to refund and cancellation policy. Become a member to see all offer details and learn how to book.