Swiss Alps Ultimate Rail Journey
14 Days of Fondue, Chasselas & 'Baukultur'
Trip Highlights
Trip Details
Trip Breakdown
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Length
14 days / 13 nights
Details
- 30-day cooling-off period applies.
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Private Room for every guest every night.
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Arrival
Hotel 25 Hours, Zurich, Switzerland
Departure
Hotel 25 Hours, Zurich, Switzerland
Group Size
12
Included
- Meals: 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners.
- 15 Day 1st class Swiss Travel Pass.
- All trains and private road transfers as listed.
- Luggage transfers (1 piece of luggage per person) on all transfer days, except days 3 and 11.
- A top-rated and English-speaking Tour Leader.
Not Included
- International Flights and travel insurance (necessary)
- Visa (See FAQs for more information)
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Other personal expenses.
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)
Accommodation
Your Fencox accommodation means having a private room, all to yourself – every single time.
Accommodation Preview
Hotel Saratz, Pontresina
Hotel De La Paix, Lugano
Hotel Rigi Kaltbad, Rigi Kaltbad
Day 1: Welcome to Switzerland!
Touch down in Zurich and kick off your Swiss adventure the way the locals do: efficiently! Our local representative will have your Swiss Travel Pass handy for you (you’ll be inseparable for the next two weeks) when you hop on the train, AKA the easiest way to get into town.
Your hotel for the night is located on Langstrasse, at the heart of one of the city’s edgiest, most happening neighbourhoods. Once you’ve checked in, take a stroll in search of vintage shops and art galleries, before meeting your new Fencox crew this evening over a welcome dinner. The area’s littered with lively bars, speakeasies and trendy nightclubs, so let’s get this party started!
Accommodation: 25hours Hotel Langstrasse (or similar), Zurich
Included: Dinner
Day 2: Zurich – Bern – Interlaken
Pack your bags (but don’t worry – you’ll see them again when they magically reappear at your hotel tonight). Swiss trains really do run like clockwork, no delays here! Press your nose to the glass as you zip through the beautiful Swiss countryside, arriving in Bern this morning. Spend the afternoon wandering through the de facto capital’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, snapping selfies in front of the cathedral, posing with the puppets of the Zytglogge clock tower and of course the city’s most beloved residents, the brown bears. This afternoon, hop on another train, this time bound for Thun, where you’ll stroll up to the castle and have a nose around. Round off the day in style as you develop new friendships and cruise across a jaw-dropping blue lake. Before you know it, you’ll have reached tonight’s digs in Interlaken, where dinner’s on the table at your swanky hotel.
Accommodation: The Hey Hotel (or similar), Interlaken
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3: Hofstetten bei Brienz
It’s time to experience a Swiss PostBus as you make your way to pretty Hofstetten bei Brienz. Step into the past at Ballenberg, the Swiss Open Air Museum. With a backdrop of forested slopes and surrounded by flower-strewn Alpine meadows, you may feel like you’re living in the Sound of Music. Potter around the traditional wooden houses and farm animals while those around you bake bread, churn butter, make cheese, saw wood and practise traditional crafts like weaving. After you’ve had time to find lunch, you’ll cross town to Trauffer, the famous Swiss wooden cow-maker. Under a craftsman’s expert gaze, you’ll learn how to carve and paint your own figure. You and your Fencox crew will be comparing your bovine beauties as you home in on Brienz on the PostBus and then hop on an Interlaken-bound train.
Accommodation: The Hey Hotel (or similar), Interlaken
Included: Breakfast
Day 4: Ooh-La-La – Welcome to French-speaking Switzerland
Today, you’ll swap German-speaking Interlaken for the French-speaking shores of Lake Geneva. All aboard the Golden Pass Express, where, yes, you’ll find more out-of-this-world scenery, but the real thing to get excited about is on your plate, a mountain platter piled high with local cheeses, cured meats and fresh bread. Yum! Add a drink, and suddenly this train ride feels like a five-star adventure of its own. It’s a short hop by bus to Chillon Castle, which perches on a rocky outcrop at the edge of Lake Geneva. From its Gothic dungeons to its fairytale turrets, this fortified landmark has many stories to uncover, so pay close attention as you explore the place with your audio guide. Is that your tummy rumbling? Must be time for dinner! Settle into your new hotel in nearby Lausanne – your base for two nights – and tuck into a plateful of yummy Swiss food as you unpick the day’s events with your new mates.
Accommodation: Hotel Mövenpick, Lausanne
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Lausanne, the Vineyards of Lavaux and Vevey
After exploring Lausanne this morning, it’s time to get acquainted with Swiss wine. Vintners have been working their grape-growing magic in Lavaux for over 800 years. With vines clinging to steep terraces that tumble down to Lake Geneva, the setting is nothing short of “wow”! Naturally, you can’t visit Lavaux without stopping off at a local winery to uncover the secrets behind the region’s crisp whites and rich reds. Then, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for… it’s wine-tasting time! Swirl, sniff, sip and repeat, all paired with platters of cold meats and cheeses. A match made in heaven, if we do say so ourselves. Chug through these UNESCO-listed vineyards on a private Choo Choo charter. There’s one more treat in store: practise your best duck-footed waddle as you tour Vevey, the home of Charlie Chaplin. Did you know this is also the HQ of chocolate giant Nestlé?
Accommodation: Hotel Mövenpick, Lausanne
Included: Breakfast, Grazing Lunch (plate of cold cuts and wine)
Day 6: Zermatt, in the shadow of the Matterhorn
Swap vineyards for vertiginous views as you head to Zermatt, the mountain town that plays host to the mighty Matterhorn. Yep, this Swiss mountain is the one you’ve seen on Toblerone packs and in daydreams of Alpine travel your whole life. As the train climbs higher, the scenery cranks up the drama with every twist and turn. Get ready to trade ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ with your fellow Fencox crew . Once in Zermatt, check in, grab lunch at your leisure, and soak up the mountain town buzz before joining your guide to get busy exploring Zermatt’s history and highlights. The fact that the entire town is car-free just adds to the blissed-out vibes.
Accommodation: Hotel Simi (or similar), Zermatt
Included: Breakfast
Day 7: The Matterhorn Up Close
It’s time to check out Matterhorn from up-close. Views at the Gornergrat ridge are so incredible they’ll knock the breath right out of your lungs (well, the 3,089 metres altitude might be doing its part). Sure, it’s a bit touristy here, but let’s face it: sometimes the touristy stuff is popular for a reason. Soak up this perfect panorama where icy glaciers, towering peaks and that ever-iconic Matterhorn standing proud in the distance create a view you’d never get sick of. The evening is yours to wind down however you like, so prop your feet up in front of the fire to replay today’s Alpine highlights or head out and explore Zermatt’s cosy dinner spots with your Fencox crew. You’re only halfway through the trip, isn’t it wild how you’ve already made new friends and experienced so much?
Accommodation: Hotel Simi (or similar), Zermatt
Included: Breakfast
Day 8: St Moritz
You’ll be bouncing out of bed this morning because the day is finally here where you climb aboard the Glacier Express, Switzerland’s most famous train! Prepare for a day that pulls out all the stops – soaring peaks, plunging valleys and villages so spotless you’d think the mountains have a full-time cleaning crew. Lunch onboard is a three-course feast because, apparently, staring at world-class views burns calories. Try not to spill your soup while gawking at the Rhone Valley. It’s harder than it sounds.
You’ve seen a lot of mountain towns so far, but there’s something about St Moritz that just hits differently. Maybe it’s the crisp air, or the way the light dances off the lakes. The mix of German and Italian cultures means you’ll find schnitzels and espressos in equal measure. This unique vibe is sure to be the topic of conversation over dinner – and your journey to tonight’s hotel in nearby Pontresina.
Accommodation: Hotel Saratz (or similar), Pontresina
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Say Hello to Italy
You’re back on the rails to hop on the Bernina Express bound for… a whole new country! That’s right, why not make a quick day trip to Italy when it’s this close? You don’t need to be a rail lover to appreciate an engineering masterpiece that will have you spiralling over circular viaducts, diving through tunnels carved into the Alps and passing scenes so wild and dramatic they don’t seem real. Just another regular old day on your Swiss Fencox autumn adventure.
By late morning, you’ll roll into Tirano, Italy. Grab a seat at a local trattoria, order whatever catches your eye and let the flavours of northern Italy linger. After lunch, hop on an express bus to Lugano, a town that feels like Switzerland took a holiday in Italy and brought it back home. For the next two nights, you’ll be here, palm trees swaying by the lake, piazzas buzzing with life, and gelato stands calling your name.
Accommodation: Hotel De La Paix (or similar), Lugano
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Beautiful Bellinzona
Many European cities boast a castle, but how many have three? Time to duck over to Bellinzona, Switzerland’s most Mediterranean town. As you amble through the Castelgrande courtyard on a guided visit, you’ll immediately see what caught UNESCO’s attention. Soak up more of the atmosphere with a stroll along the cobbled lanes of Bellinzona’s Old Town and a spot of people-watching from one of its charming pavement cafés. Later, you’ll master the art of risotto-making under the guidance of a local chef – name a better way to honour your time in Switzerland’s Italian region! Stirring, sipping and sautéing your way to a masterpiece, it’s now time for the best part: eating it! A glass of local wine seems like the perfect accompaniment, too. It’s hard work, but somebody’s got to do it. Round off a special day with your feet up on a boat trip from Lugano to Gandria and back, gliding past hillside villas and sun-soaked shores.
Accommodation: Hotel De La Paix (or similar), Lugano
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Gotthard Panorama Express & Mountain Stay
All aboard the Gotthard Panorama Express, your front-row seat to Switzerland’s greatest hits. You’d better have packed that nifty overnight bag this morning because you’re about to head way off the map in the afternoon. A cogwheel train (and not just any cogwheel railway – the oldest in Europe, in operation since 1871) will carry you straight up the mountain to Hotel Rigi Kaltbad, your overnight hideaway. Take a deep breath, you’re surrounded by Alpine life here. Not only does the nearby forest tickle the air with a fresh pine scent, but the hotel’s mineral spa calls your name, ready to work its magic on you. Dinner is served at the hotel, so the only thing left to do is soak, savour and soak some more. Challenge accepted!
Accommodation: Hotel Rigi Kaltbad (or similar), Kaltbad
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: Cheese, Cruising and Lovely Lucerne
Your mountain escape comes to an end as you hop back on the cogwheel train for one last wow-worthy descent to Vitznau. But don’t get too misty-eyed – there’s still plenty more adventure ahead, including a yummy encounter with cheese. After a quick inspection of the dairy, a traditional mountain cheese lunch at Rigi Kulm featuring a cheese fondue and raclette tasting is bound to get your tastebuds jumping for joy. From Vitznau, you’ll board yet another lake cruise across the water to Lucerne. On arrival, reunite with your luggage. This afternoon, you’ll trade the rails and waterways of Switzerland for some good old walking, as you explore Lucerne with a local expert. Between the crooked bridges, wonky clock towers and buildings so intricate they look hand-stitched, you’re in for a real treat!
Accommodation: Hotel Astoria (or similar), Lucerne
Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 13: Voralpen Express and St Gallen
It’s almost time to close the chapter on this Swiss adventure, but not before squeezing every last drop out of it. Hop on the Voralpen Express this morning and glide through rolling hills and forested valleys on your way to St Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage city with a history older than your great-great-grandparents. Once the tour wraps up, you’ll have free time to grab lunch in town before heading off back to where it all began – Zurich.
Check in, freshen up and get ready to celebrate in style. Tonight’s farewell dinner is one for the books, with plates of Swiss specialities flying out of the kitchen and an opportunity to share those even-funnier-in-hindsight stories, a whole load of belly laughs and maybe one last round of cheese. It’s the perfect send-off!
Accommodation: 25hours Hotel Langstrasse (or similar), Zurich
Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 14: Farewell Friends…
Enjoy one final breakfast at the hotel before that moment you’ve been dreading… It’s time to say your goodbyes. Swap contact details with your Fencox besties and re-live the trip’s best bits (glacier views, clinking glasses and epic train rides that made every other commute in your life look tragic) as you say your farewells.
It’s the last call for your Swiss Travel Pass, and at this point, you’re basically honorary Swiss. See you next time!
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is a significant variation in the AUD:CHF exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD : 0.57 CHF.
A deposit of 25% of the total trip price is required to secure your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made at least 120 days before trip departure.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a tourist visa for short stays in Switzerland. All travellers need a passport that is valid for 6 months after departure.
Level 1
To enjoy this trip, you’ll need to be able to spend time on your feet and regularly walk for 3-4 hours without assistance, including regular stints walking uphill. Daily activities might include:
- walking on uneven and hilly ground
- getting on and off various forms of transportation
- climbing stairs
You may also encounter over-the-bath showers in some of the accommodations.
It will be impossible to enjoy your trip if you’re not able to do a walking tour for a full afternoon and be able to keep up with the group. Unfortunately, this tour cannot accommodate people requiring a walking aid.
In Switzerland, tipping for services is about rounding up, rather than a percentage of the bill (e.g. if your bill is CHF 23.50, you might pay CHF 25), so there’s no need for a tip kitty on this trip. Your guide will be on hand to assist and will let you know when it makes sense to give a small tip.
For your guide, tipping is not expected but is appreciated. At the end of the trip, if you’d like to give something, the amount is up to you and should be what feels comfortable.
One piece of luggage per person is included for luggage transfers between destinations.
Bring a day pack that you’re comfortable carrying to pack essentials for the overnight stays in the mountain resorts on days 3 and 11, as your luggage will not follow you on those days.
Switzerland’s train system is impressive, and rather than lugging luggage around, we use couriers to transport it between destinations. It’s a same day service. We include the courier charge for one piece of luggage per guest.
As well as your usual luggage (single case, please), you’ll need a small backpack for overnight essentials at the mountain-resort stay on day 11. There are no luggage courier services on this day because the resort is not part of the well-travelled Swiss tourist route. Your luggage will be waiting for you at the next destination…. A small inconvenience for the pleasure of getting off-the-map!
AUGUST
In August, Switzerland generally enjoys warm and pleasant summer weather, especially in the lowlands and major cities such as Zurich and Geneva. Daytime temperatures usually range between 20-28°C, sometimes climbing close to 30 °C, while nights are cooler, averaging 12-17°C.
In the mountains, conditions are milder and more variable. The Zermatt and St. Moritz regions often see daytime highs of 15-22°C, with nights dropping to around 5-10°C. At higher altitudes above 2,000 metres, daytime temperatures can be as low as 5-15°C, and nights may approach freezing. Rain and afternoon thunderstorms are fairly common in August, but the mix of sunshine and fresh air makes it one of the best months for hiking and outdoor adventures.
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
The weather in September and October is cool and gradually transitions from late summer to autumn.
In September, it is generally mild with a mix of sunny days and occasional rain, with the average temperatures around 10–22°C.
It is getting colder in October, especially in higher elevations. The temperatures are around 5–15°C.
Your accommodation will be private; in other words, no room-sharing with anyone, throughout the entire trip.
Most Fencox travellers tend to be in their mid-50s to mid-70s.
Generally, we have no upper age limit for our trips. But, it’s important for you to know that our trips can be physically demanding and we will chat to you about your suitability. We’ll provide you with details of the health and fitness must-haves for our trips; however, we clearly are not medical experts. We will need you to obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months before you travel for the latest health requirements, vaccination advice and recommendations for your destination.
Age 75+
Guests over 75 years old at the time of travel, or those with pre-existing health conditions may need to have medical clearance to ensure safe travel, and must have a doctor complete a ‘Certificate of Medical Fitness to Travel’ within 30 days of booking confirmation.
Minimum age
While it doesn’t happen often, we do get younger guests joining our trips! As a general rule, the minimum age is 15 at the time of travel. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or be accompanied by someone over the age of 18 appointed by their legal guardian.
International airfares are not included.
Being tour operators (not travel agents), we are not licensed to sell flights. We recommend contacting your trusted local travel agent to book flights if you’re in need of assistance.
There are no direct flights from Australia and New Zealand to Zurich. Travelers typically need to book flights with one or more stopovers (in Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi).
This trip is the rare occasion we have not included private airport transfers. That’s because the train system is so great, it makes sense to commute to Zurich city by train. It’s a very easy process and your hotel is located very close to Zurich’s main train station, but don’t worry, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide and your rail pass before you arrive.
The official currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF).
Our Swiss journeys are designed to include travel on the country’s celebrated panoramic trains in first class. Occasionally, due to scheduling, availability, or smaller group sizes (fewer than 10 guests), we may need to travel on standard train services or in second class instead. These alternatives travel the same routes and still provide excellent comfort and scenic views.
A quick note about the food, as we think it’s worth setting the right expectations. Switzerland isn’t really known for elaborate cuisine. Meals tend to be simple, hearty and traditional, like local cheeses, cured meats, rösti and comforting mountain dishes. It’s quite different from the food scene you might expect in Italy or France, but that’s not what draws most people to Switzerland. It’s the mountains, the train journeys and the little Alpine villages along the way that more than make up for it.
In the unlikely event of a health or security-related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
Fencox was created because we had so many enquiries from men and women who had heard about our amazing Patch Adventures trips for women-only and wanted the opportunity to travel solo in the same way, only in a mixed group.
Fencox caters to both men and women who are solo travellers, have a genuine sense of adventure, are aged 55+, and are physically active and young at heart. Your fellow travel mates on a Fencox trip are inquisitive about the world and love exploring new travel destinations. Fencox travel mates love meeting new people, enjoy a good chat, and are happy to share a table with fellow travel mates for dinner.
If you’re travelling solo but don’t want to feel alone, this is your opportunity to share your travel experiences with other like-minded people. And best of all …. you’ll never pay a single supplement because everyone is guaranteed their own room!
