France, Italy & Switzerland: Alpine Rail Journey

Morning Welcome to the Alps. After landing at Geneva Airport, train or bus connection from the airport carries you into the mountains. The 1 - 1.5 hour journey follows the Arve valley, and the landscape grows steeper and wilder with each kilometre until the white dome of Mont Blanc comes into view. Sit back, enjoy the scenery, and let the journey begin.

Afternoon Check in to your centrally located hotel in Chamonix and freshen up. Then take a gentle first stroll through Chamonix. Wander the pedestrian centre with its Alpine chalets and mountaineering shops, follow the Arve river, and look up at the Mont Blanc massif rising above the valley floor. There is nothing on the schedule today except settling in.

Evening We suggest you to take a Dinner at a cosy Alpine café or restaurant with mountain views. Try the regional comfort food of Savoie: melted-cheese dishes like fondue or raclette, hearty tartiflette, and local wines are all good choices after a day of travel. Early night, with big days ahead.

Morning Start the day with a relaxed, leisurely breakfast at your hotel, with fresh pastries, local cheeses and strong coffee, before heading to the cable car. Today is the iconic Chamonix experience. Ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car, a roughly 20-minute ascent that climbs from the valley to a rocky spire at about 3,800 metres. From the summit terraces you are face to face with Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest peak, with glaciers, ice ridges and a sea of summits spread in every direction. Go early in the day when skies are clearest, and bring warm layers, sunglasses and sun cream, because it is far colder and brighter up high than in town.

Afternoon Back in the valley, take the little red cogwheel Montenvers train about 20 minutes each way and through the forest to the edge of the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. The viewpoint and ice world exhibits give a vivid sense of the glacier’s scale. This is optional, so skip it if you would prefer a long lunch and some time to explore Chamonix’s shops and cafés.

Evening A free evening. Enjoy a relaxed dinner wherever takes your fancy, or stroll the town’s lit-up streets and riverside paths.

Morning Enjoy a slow, unhurried breakfast at your hotel, a good chance to check the mountain forecast over coffee. Ride the cable car (about 15 minutes) up to Le Brévent or La Flégère, both of which offer the classic head-on view across the valley to Mont Blanc and its glaciers. The two lifts are on the opposite side of the valley from the big peaks, so you see the whole range laid out in front of you.

Afternoon Choose your own adventure. The gentle option is a walk along the Grand Balcon Sud, a panoramic trail with wide views and manageable gradients. For keen walkers, there is a longer hike (around 2.5 to 3 hours one way) to Lac Blanc, a mountain lake that mirrors the Mont Blanc range on calm days. This day also doubles as a weather buffer: if the Aiguille du Midi was clouded in on Day 2, you can swap the two around.

Evening A relaxed dinner in Chamonix. After a day on the trails, you will have earned it.

Morning Begin with a wonderful hotel breakfast, then stroll to the station for your day out. Take the train or bus to Annecy (about an hour each way) and leave the high mountain scenery for a softer, sunnier kind of beauty. Annecy sits on the edge of one of Europe’s cleanest lakes, ringed by hills and criss crossed by canals.

Afternoon Explore the medieval old town: pastel coloured houses, flower draped bridges, arcaded streets and the photogenic Palais de l’Île, a former prison that sits on a tiny island in the canal. Then walk along the shore of Lake Annecy and enjoy a leisurely lakeside lunch, with a swim or a pedalo if the weather is warm.

Evening Return to Chamonix (about an hour) for your final night in the Mont Blanc area. Enjoy a quiet dinner and an early night.

Morning Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your Chamonix hotel, then check out at your leisure. Say goodbye to France and cross into Italy by bus through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, a short and scenic ride of about 1 to 1.5 hours in total to Aosta. The change is instant: Italian espresso, a different language on the signs, and a lighter, more relaxed feel. Tonight’s stay is a handpicked, centrally located 4★ hotel in Aosta

Afternoon Explore Aosta, often called the “Rome of the Alps,” where Roman gates, an arch and a theatre stand among mountain-backed streets. Alternatively, head out to a medieval castle: Fénis Castle, with its dramatic towers and battlements, or the quieter Sarre Castle. The Aosta Valley has more castles per square kilometre than almost anywhere in Italy.

Evening A relaxed dinner in Aosta. This is a good night to try Aostan specialities such as fontina cheese, hearty polenta dishes and regional red wines.

Morning Wake up to an Italian-style breakfast at your hotel, with cornetti, fresh fruit and proper espresso, then check out and head for the station. A comfortable train from Aosta to Milan (about 2 hours) carries you out of the mountains and across the plains of northern Italy. Watch the landscape change from snowy peaks to vineyards and farmland.

Afternoon Change trains in Milan and continue to Como (about 40 minutes). Check in, then expat a handpicked, centrally located 4★ hotel in Como, close to the lakefront and the old townand explore Como town. Visit the Duomo di Como, a beautiful marble cathedral that blends Gothic and Renaissance styles, and wander the old town’s lanes and squares.

Evening Stroll the lakeside promenade as the light softens over the water, then enjoy an Italian dinner overlooking the lake. A very good first evening on Lake Como.

Morning Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your Como hotel, a relaxed start before the ferry. Board a ferry to Bellagio for about an hour ride, known as the “Pearl of the Lake.” Wander its cobbled stepped lanes, browse the boutiques and silk shops, and take coffee on the waterfront with views across to the mountains.

Afternoon Take a short ferry about 15 to 20 minutes across to Varenna, a pastel painted fishing village that is one of the loveliest on the lake. Have lunch beside the water and stroll its lakeside promenade and narrow alleys.

Evening Ferry or train back to Como which take about 30 minutes to 1 hour and a relaxed evening at your leisure.

Morning Start with a wonderful breakfast at your hotel. There is no need to rush, as the ferry timings suit a gentle morning. Take the ferry to Tremezzo about 1 to 1.25 hours and visit Villa del Balbianello, one of Italy’s most romantic lakeside estates, with terraced gardens, loggias and sweeping water views. Advance booking is recommended.

Afternoon Continue to Menaggio about 15 minutes for lunch in a charming lakefront town. If you would prefer a change of pace, you can swap this for a day trip to Lugano in Switzerland which may take about 1 hour from Como, a lakeside city with elegant arcades and a pleasant promenade.

Evening Ferry back to Como which take about 1 to 1.25 hours, watching the sun go down over the lake. Dinner is at your leisure

Morning Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your Como hotel, then check out and head for the station. A scenic rail journey from Como via Lecco and Sondrio to Tirano which take about 2.5 to 3 hours in total. The train follows the shore of the lake and then climbs the Valtellina valley, with vineyard terraces and mountains on either side.

Afternoon Arrive in Tirano and checking in a handpicked, centrally located 4★ hotel in Tirano, a short walk from the station, a small Italian town at the foot of the Bernina Pass. Wander the old town and visit the Basilica della Madonna di Tirano, a handsome pilgrimage church. Tirano is also the southern terminus of the Bernina Express, so you can see the red train waiting at the station for tomorrow.

Evening A quiet dinner in Tirano. Local specialities include pizzoccheri, a buckwheat pasta from the Valtellina, and regional cheeses. Early to bed, as tomorrow is one of the great train rides of the world.

Morning Begin with a good, early hotel breakfast in Tirano to fuel a day of window gazing, then walk to the station for the Bernina Express. Board the Bernina Express in Tirano for one of the most scenic rail journeys in the Alps, taking about 2.5 hours to St Moritz. This UNESCO listed railway crosses the Alps without any rack and pinion assistance, climbing past spiralling viaducts, alpine lakes and glaciers. Sit by the large panoramic windows and keep your camera ready, because the scenery changes every few minutes.

Afternoon Arrive in St Moritz and check in a handpicked, centrally located 4★ hotel in St Moritz, with easy access to the lake and the town centre. Then take a stroll along the shore of Lake St Moritz, with the town’s elegant hotels above and mountains all around.

Evening Dinner in this famously glamorous Alpine resort town. It is a good night for a special meal, or simply a relaxed dinner and a walk by the lake at dusk.

Morning Start with a relaxed breakfast at your St Moritz hotel, then check out for a long, scenic day on the rails. Today is a day of train travel through some of Switzerland’s most beautiful scenery, taking around 5 to 6 hours via Chur and Visp. The route follows much of the Glacier Express corridor, passing through the Rhine Gorge and then up the Rhône Valley. Bring a book, a picnic and a camera.

Afternoon Arrive in Zermatt, a car-free village and Check in a handpicked, centrally located 4★ hotel in Zermatt village, and then catch your first glimpse of the Matterhorn, the most iconic mountain in the Alps, which dominates the end of the village.

Evening A free evening to explore the village, with its wooden chalets, cosy restaurants and the Matterhorn glowing at sunset.

Morning Enjoy a wonderful breakfast at your Zermatt hotel, with the Matterhorn often visible from the village, before heading to the Gornergrat station. Ride the Gornergrat cogwheel railway which take about 35 minutes up to the famous viewpoint for a face on panorama of the Matterhorn, with the Gorner Glacier and a ring of 4,000-metre peaks all around. It is one of Switzerland’s most memorable mountain views.

Afternoon Enjoy some easy alpine walking around Riffelsee, the lake that gives the famous Matterhorn reflection on calm days. Or simply head back down and enjoy a relaxed lunch in the village.

Evening Dinner in Zermatt, with plenty of restaurants to choose from, from traditional Swiss to international.

Morning Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your Zermatt hotel, then check out and take the train down the valley. Take the train via Visp and Spiez to Interlaken which take about 2.5 to 3 hours. The final stretch runs along the shore of Lake Thun, with views across the water to the mountains.

Afternoon Arrive in Interlaken, the town between two lakes. Walk beside the turquoise Aare River and settle in to a handpicked, centrally located 4★ hotel in Interlaken, within easy reach of the river, the shops and both stations

Evening For sunset views, take the Harder Kulm funicular (about 10 minutes each way) up to a viewpoint high above Interlaken, looking across both lakes to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. This is optional, but very much worth it in clear weather.

Morning Begin with a wonderful hotel breakfast in Interlaken before heading to the station. Take the train to Lauterbrunnen which take about 20 minutes, a dramatic valley of sheer cliffs and waterfalls. Visit Staubbach Falls, which drops almost 300 metres from the valley wall.

Afternoon Take the train and cable car up to Mürren which take about 30 minutes, a car free village on a high ledge. Enjoy panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, a walk through alpine meadows, and lunch with a view.

Evening Return to Interlaken which take about 1 hour and enjoy a relaxed dinner.

Morning Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your Interlaken hotel, then check out and board the scenic train to Lucerne. A scenic train to Lucerne which take about 2 hours) passing lakes, hills and traditional Swiss villages and checking in to a handpicked, centrally located 4★ hotel in Lucerne, close to the lake and the Old Town

Afternoon Visit the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, Lucerne’s best-known landmarks, then explore the Old Town, with its painted buildings, small squares and shops.

Evening Walk along the shore of Lake Lucerne as the lights come on, and enjoy dinner in the Old Town.

Morning Start with a relaxed hotel breakfast, then walk to the lake for the boat. Take a boat across Lake Lucerne which take about 1 hour, then ride the cogwheel train normally take about 30 minutes up Mount Rigi, the “Queen of the Mountains,” where the line runs through meadows and forest with the lake spread out below.

Afternoon Take in the panoramic views, enjoy some easy walks along the ridge, and have lunch at a mountain restaurant with a view.

Evening Return to Lucerne normally take about 1.5 hours for a relaxed evening and dinner.

Morning Enjoy a wonderful final Lucerne breakfast, then check out and take the short train to Zurich. A direct train to Zurich which take about 45 minutes. Checking in to a handpicked, centrally located 4★ hotel in Zurich, convenient for the Old Town, the lake and the station. Drop your bags at the hotel and set out.

Afternoon Wander Zurich’s Old Town, with its narrow lanes, historic guildhalls and churches, and stroll Bahnhofstrasse, one of Europe’s best known shopping streets.

Evening Unwind beside Lake Zurich, then enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the journey.

Morning Enjoy a relaxed farewell breakfast at your Zurich hotel, with no alarm clocks and no rush. A free morning for last minute shopping, a final coffee, or one more stroll through the city.

Afternoon A short train transfer take about 15 minutes takes you to Zurich Airport (ZRH). Switzerland’s trains make this one of the easiest airport transfers in Europe.

Evening Fly home, with a head full of mountains. This is not goodbye. It is simply, "until we meet again."

Over eighteen days, you have watched the sun rise over Mont Blanc, drifted across the still waters of Lake Como, and stood face to face with the Matterhorn. We are honoured to have been part of your journey, and we hope these memories stay with you long after you have unpacked.

The mountains will always be here, waiting for your return. We hope you will come back soon and join us for more breathtaking tours with JetAlps.

Until then, we wish you a safe flight and a smooth journey home.

With warm wishes, your friends at JetAlps