The Big Five versus The Stoosbahn 2026

Duration

8 Days

Departure Dates

13th June 2026, 15th August 2026

Prices from

£2,095 Per person

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Discover magnificent mountain scenery and breathtaking views on this tour to Switzerland featuring six unique rail excursions. Journey on the Stanserhorn Railway, the Pilatus Railway, the Hammetschwand Lift, the Titlis Rotair, and the Rigi Railway plus a visit to the remarkable Stoosbahn! Experience the best of Switzerland rail from a beautiful hotel on the shores of Lake Lucerne.

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Hergiswil ©iStock

8 days from £2,095

DEPARTS

Saturday 13 June 2026

Saturday 15 August 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Journey through cable car history at Stanserhorn
Discover the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway
Visit the remarkable Stoosbahn, the world’s steepest funicular railway
Marvel at incredible views on the Hammetschwand Lift
Enjoy a breathtaking ride on the Titlis Rotair, the world’s first revolving cable car
Experience the Rigi Railway, Europe’s first mountain railway
Stay in a beautiful lakeside hotel with outstanding leisure facilities and fabulous views

Also included in your Tour Fare:

7 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal
Local Transport Pass
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then onwards to Hergiswil and our hotel for seven nights, the Seehotel Pilatus, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we travel by rail to Stans where we take an exciting journey up the Stanserhorn starting with a nostalgic trip on the timber carriages of the funicular railway before continuing on the unique CabriO cable car. The world's first double-decker aerial cable car, the CabriO has no roof on the top deck offering fantastic panoramic views alongside insights into the remarkable engineering. On return to the hotel, we enjoy our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 3

Today, we enjoy the drama and thrills of the famous Pilatus Railway! This amazing round trip provides the best of mountain railways as we ride the steepest cogwheel railway in the world through woods and tunnels, along alpine meadows, and rocky outcrops to the top of this rugged pre-Alpine peak. After free time at the summit, we enjoy breathtaking views on the aerial cable car and the panorama gondola as we travel to Lucerne, Switzerland's prettiest city.

B, D

DAY 4

Today, we spend the day at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore at your own pace. You may wish to make use of the hotel's spa facilities, visit Lucerne, or join our Tour Manager on a visit to the Stoosbahn, the world's steepest funicular railway. The distinctive barrel-shaped carriages combat a height difference of 744 metres over 1.7km of track, with a maximum gradient of 110%.

B, D

DAY 5

After breakfast, we travel to Stanstad and take a short bus journey up to Bürgenstock where we enjoy the fresh mountain air on a walk to the Hammetschwand Lift, the highest outdoor lift in Europe. For over 100 years the lift has taken passengers up 153m providing stunning views of Lake Lucerne and we enjoy these views from the panoramic terrace at the summit before making the return journey.

B, D

DAY 6

Today, a fantastic experience awaits us as we ascend Mount Titlis on the world's first revolving cable car - the 'Titlis Rotair'. The cable car completes one full 360° rotation during its ascent providing breathtakingly beautiful panoramas as we soar to the mountain station at an altitude of just under 3,000 metres above sea level.

B, D

Day 7

After breakfast today, we will experience the historic Rigi Railway, Europe's first mountain railway transporting visitors from all over the world to the top of the 'Queen of the Mountains' since 1871. The Rigi's unique location and panoramic views made it a famous destination for writers and heads of state during the 'Belle Époque' era, and even Queen Victoria journeyed to the peak.

B, D

DAY 8

We bid farewell to Hergiswil and to Switzerland, returning by rail to Paris, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTEL

Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil

Standing directly at the lakeshore on Lake Lucerne in the village of Hergiswil, the Seehotel Pilatus is surrounded by majestic mountain views just a short train journey from Lucerne itself. The hotel offers a beautiful ambience in the restaurant with fantastic views of the Lake and the Alps plus a host of leisure facilities including a Wellness Resort featuring a large indoor pool, saunas, whirlpools, a sun garden, and gym. The stylish bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

FARES

From London St Pancras International:
Standard Class rail travel to/from Switzerland, including Eurostar Standard	£2,095
Supplement for Eurostar Plus upgrade	£200
First Class rail travel to/from Switzerland, including Eurostar Plus	£2,345
Join & Leave at Hergiswil	£1,725
Single Traveller Supplement	£185
Deposit	£210

August Departure Supplement £50

7 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal

Eurostar and rail travel to and from Switzerland in the class of your choice

All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Local Transport Pass

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Moderate Tour Suitability Table

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

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Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
13th June 2026	£2,095 Per person	Book Now	Callback
15th August 2026	£2,145 Per person	Book Now	Callback

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Seehotel Pilatus, Hergiswil

Rigi Mountain Railway

Stanserhorn Cable Car ©AdobeStock

Pilatus Railway ©SwissImage

Pilatus Cable Car ©Sommer Nah

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The Big Five versus The Stoosbahn 2026

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What our customers say

Sounds like the holiday for you?

Why Book with Railtrail

Unique Experiences

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Award Winning Team