Grand Train Tour Switzerland
Come with me to fulfill the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.
This little red "passport” gives you the opportunity to collect 9 awesome stamps of 9 great cities.
A detailed map shows you great train routes to take and lets you experience all of Switzerland.
Every page shows some details of what the city has to offer and also comes with some coupons.
Info Grand Train Tour
Day 1
Destination: Arnhem – Zürich
Travelpass: Interrail
Early in the morning, I arrive at Arnhem central station (Netherlands) and I'm taking my first train, the ICE to Frankfurt. In Frankfurt I take my next train towards Basel.
In Basel I had some time to spare, so I headed into town for a little break.
After my coffee and sweet treat, I headed back to the station and took the train to Zürich.
In the main hall of Zürich station, you'll find all you need, shops, groceries, clothing and many more.
There is a bank where you can exchange your currency into Swiss Franks (SBB Reisezentrum, ground floor).
In this same hall, you can obtain your stamp book and get your very first stamp (Tourismusbüro Zürich).
At this same büro, I bought a Swiss Travel Pass Flex, this pass gives you the opportunity to travel all day with train, boat, bus, metro without booking anything in advance.
It also gives you 3 free rides up to the mountains of Rigi Kulm, Stoos and Stanserhorn and free access to over 500 museums.
This way I combined the Interrail and Swiss Travel Pass to make a full week of fun and travels.
I personally chose the Flex pass, to adjust my daily plan according to the weather.
To make my trip more affordable, I had my own, complete BnB in Zürich and this is where I started every morning.
(Will be more detailed in another story about expenses)
I'm absolutely fan of Zürich, even when it is the busiest town, it feels so welcoming.
Friendly people and overall, a good vibe.
Here are some of my highlights to visit:
. Chinese Garden
. Landesmuseum Zürich
. Seilbahn Rigiblick (nice look out point)
. Polybahn (takes you up to the university and museum)
. Grossmünster
. Fraumünster
. Bahnhofstrasse (shoppingstreet)
. Zürich Bürkliplatz (for a roundtrip on Zürichsee)
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Day 2
Destination: Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall - St.Gallen - St.Moritz
Travelpass: Interrail
Today starts early in the morning.
I take the train from Zürich to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall, a very small station on the base of this castle. The castle is situated next to Europe's largest waterfall.
Upon arriving, there are hardly any tourist around (okey, maybe 08:15 is a bit early, but this way I had the waterfall almost completely for myself).
A cliff walk with railings, guide you lower and lower to the waterfall. This gives you an amazing view on this force of nature. Take your time to admire this waterfall, while you walk towards the water taxi pier.
I did not check the opening hours for the water taxi (apparently 09:30), so I had to take the wonderful walk to the other side of the waterfall, where the next stamp can be collected
This walk starts at the entrance of the castle, down to the Rheinbrücke bei Laufen, a bridge where the train crosses the Rhein.
My second stamp is collected (Rheinfallquai 3) and from here another great view on the waterfall.
After a steep walk up the hill, you arrive at station Neuhausen Rheinfall and off to the next stop: St.Gallen.
*side note
The stamp is called Schaffhausen, but the stamp post is near the waterfall.
Schaffhausen on its own is a very lovely town to visit. You can take the train from Neuhausen Rheinfall or take a lovely walk.
St. Gallen is welcoming and close to nature. With its cathedral, the abbey library and its old town, it brings history and culture together.
From the station, it's an easy walk to town, to get to my third stamp (Bankgasse 9).
Here are some of my highlights to visit:
. St.Laurenzen (check out this colorful roof)
. Fürstabtei
. Stiftsbibliothek (an amazing, old library)
. Roter platz (an impressive red floor in town)
After a lovely morning in St.Gallen, its time to head to the station and head off to the last stop: St.Moritz.
This train takes 2,5 hours to get there, so a good opportunity to enjoy my lunch while looking outside.
I brought a small cooling bag with a rvs container (3 layers), filled with local cheese, dried meat, eggs and fruit. Saves money and time.
The route between Chur and St.Moritz, is part of the Bernina Express (St.Moritz - Tirano, IT) and the Glacier Express (St.Moritz – Zermatt).
These routes will take trough amazing areas and the famous Landwasserviaduct.
The Glacier Express train has one special cabin where all windows can be opened, this allows you to take some amazing pictures during the ride.
Sit on the right side (facing forward) to see the most.
St. Moritz is one thing above all thanks to its art, culture, shopping and the many events: it is diverse. The sun-drenched resort town will inspire you with its alpine ambience, its glamour and the outdoor activities in the beautiful nature.
At the station itself, I got my fourth stamp.
Here are some of my highlights to visit:
. Grand Tour of Switzerland Photo spot (Via Dimlej 6)
. Segantini Museum
. Chesa Futura
. Terrasse Panoramique
With this last stamp of the day, I make my return trip to Zürich.
Wich allows me to be on the Glacier Express again and take some more photos.
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Day 3
Destination: Zermatt - Gornergrat
Travelpass: Swiss Travel Pass Flex
Information: Gornergrat
Today a long, beautiful journey, with only one destination; Gornergrat.
The route starts very early in the morning in Zürich, passing Bern, Visp all the way down to Zermatt.
The ride from Visp to Zermatt takes you over some breathtaking views and scary high cliffs. Sit on the left side (facing forward) to see the most.
Zermatt is a very touristic town and you will notice that as soon as you get off the train.
My fifth stamp was collected at the station and from here I crossed the street to the Gornergrat Bahn ticket office.
In combination with the Swiss Travel Pass, I got a discount on my return ticket for this ride (CHF66 instead of CHF132).
This ride is absolutly amazing, all windows can be openend and from the start till the end, you want to be on the right side (facing forward).
The Matterhorn is so amazing to see!
*side note
Be aware that this location is very crowded. But if you are already sleeping in town, you can take the first ride up and enjoy some quietness.
From July till end September, Gornergrat Bahn offers a sunrise trip. Book the earliest train and see the sunrise on the Matterhorn.
Nothing beats a well deserved lunch on top of the Gornergrat. You can enjoy hiking here or an easy lunch/dinner at the Kulmhotel.
After a good noon on top of the world, I went back to Zürich.
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Day 4
Destination: Stoos - Lugano
Travelpass: Swiss Travel Pass Flex
Information: Stoos
Today a hike at Stoos is planned.
For this journey, I used a Swiss Travel Pass day.
The train from Zürich to Schwyz, brings you past a beautiful lake called Zugersee.
Sit on the left (facing forwards) to enjoy this amazing view.
In Schwyz you take the bus (501) to Stoos Bahnen, where you can buy your ticket.
Stoos offers you the utmost in relaxation. Europe’s steepest funicular will take you up to the car-free mountain village in Central Switzerland.
The Swiss Travel Pass offers a free ride up and down to Stoos.
For the roundtrip from Fronalplstock – Chlinenbergstock, you have to pay an additional CHF34.
Without any discount, this daytrip will cost CHF56.
You can take a chairlift from either starting point in Stoos. This will bring you to the top and from this point you have an amazing view during a 5km hike on the ridge.
Bring some good shoes, drinks and food for an amazing hike.
At the end of the hike, I took the funicular ride back down.
Iff it's not too busy, try standing in the front and enjoy the steep ride down.
With soms hours left in the day, I decide to take the bus back to Schwyz, followed by a train to Arth-Goldau.
From here I took the train to Lugano, passing the Gotthardtunnel. Within an hour you'll find yourself in a lovely, Italian town (still Switzerland).
The Ticinese city of Lugano is sunny, Mediterranean and very pleasant.
My sixth stamp was available on the station and from this place you could take the stairs down into the city center and Lago di Lugano.
I took the same train back to Zürich, but if you find yourself with extra time, take the Gotthard Panorama Express. This train will take you through amazing surroundings in 5,5 hours from Lugano to Luzern
Here are some of my highlights to visit:
. Cathedral of Saint Lawrence
. Fontana Moccetti
. Parco Ciani
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Day 5
Destination: Montreux – Interlaken Ost – Luzern
Travelpass: Swiss Travel Pass
My last day of the Grand Train Tour and this one will take me towards the French side of Switzerland. All the way to Lake Geneva.
From Zürich to Montreux is a long and beautiful ride, especially the last bit where your ride along the side of the lake.
Montreux has the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival and sights such as Chillon Castle.
Across the station I obtained my seventh stamp and walked straight to the lake after.
Here are some of my highlights to visit:
. Château de Chillon
. Statue de Freddie Mercury
. Montreux Corniche
*side note
The location for the stamp has been moved to a new address: Avenue de Alpes 45. This is not corrected in the book yet.
Next stop is Interlaken Ost.
In a bit more than 2 hours, the train will take you to Interlaken.
Interlaken can be found in the west of Switzerland, in the Bernese Oberland between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. It is known worldwide for the range of adventure sports available here and for its many top excursion destinations.
The eight stamp was a bit trickier to find, in the middle of the town, hidden on the first floor of a (tourist) shop, was the stamp (Höheweg 35).
Because of the central location of the stamp, you have the opportunity to explore the town and enjoy the sight of paragliders coming down.
Here are some of my highlights to visit:
. St. Beatus Caves
. Yash Chopra Statue
. Monastery and Interlaken Castle
From here, I take the most scenic train route to Luzern, with the Luzern – Interlaken Express.
Sit on the left (facing forward) for the best views.
With the sun slowly going down, the lakes and mountains looked so beautiful and surreal. It made me happy that I have seen it all.
My ninth and last stamp I found at the station of Luzern.
Here are some of my highlights to visit:
. Kapellbrücke (famous, wooden bridge)
. Spreuerbrücke
. Museggmauer
. Löwendenkmal
After my visit to Luzern, I returned to Zürich and enjoy my last part of the trip there.
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You can do this trip in 4 days, collecting only stamps and making quick visits to the cities, but if you can, stay longer in places, take that scenic train, soak up the languages and nationalities you come across.
Switzerland will be there, whatever season you visit. Beautiful as always.
