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Wilhelm Tell Express
Take the train from London to the Swiss border and spend 2 nights seeing the sights of Lucerne. Then catch the Wilhelm Tell Express - a paddle-steamer across Lake Lucerne and then a panoramic train across the Alps to the Italian speaking region of Ticino. Here you'll spend a night on Lake Lugano before returning to London via the cultural city of Basel.
From $1,106 per person
Choose your holiday: Price per person
Prices are shown in United States Dollars $
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Free upgrade to first class for all rail travel within Switzerland in May, September, October and November 2012. Prices are based on two people travelling.
Itinerary - 4 Night Holiday by Rail
Days 1 and 2
London to Lucerne
Travel from London to Paris by Eurostar, before transferring onto the TGV service to Basel with an onward connection to Lucerne. On arrival check in at the Waldstaetterhof Hotel for your 2 night stay.
Located in the heart of Switzerland, Lucerne is an ideal stop due to its magnificent views across Mount Pilatus and Rigi in the Swiss Alps. Visit the 14th Century Chapel Bridge, the impressive Jesuit Church and the historic Old Town which borders the River Reuss. Enjoy the classic Swiss architecture from elegant spires to covered bridges and the energetic markets on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Alternatively take an excursion to the highest point in Central Switzerland: Mount Titlis. Experience a ride in the Rotair, the first revolving aerial cable car in the world, and enjoy a breathtaking 360° panoramic view.
Day 3
Wilhelm Tell Express to Lugano
Travel from German-speaking Switzerland to Italian-speaking Ticino. Depart Lucerne on a historic paddle-steamer and enjoy a traditional lunch onboard (included in the price). Transfer to a panoramic rail coach on the Gotthard Railway for your journey over the Gotthard Pass, with spectacular mountain scenery all the way to Bellinzona. From here, take your connecting train onto the beautiful town of Lugano.
On arrival in Lugano, check in at the International au Lac Hotel Lugano for your overnight night stay.
This idyllic lakeside town has plenty to offer. Visit the Swiss Miniature Village, take a stroll through the Old Town and don’t miss a trip on the funicular railway to the top of Mount Sant Salvatore. Relax in one of the charming cafés or treat yourself to some designer retail therapy.
Day 4
Basel
Take the train to Basel and check in at the Swissotel Le Plaza Basel for a 1 night stay.
Spanning three national borders, Basel truly is a cosmopolitan city and is one of the cultural centres of Europe. As well as a wealth of galleries and an annual art festival, the city boasts almost forty museums and twenty-five theatres, among them the Fondation Beyer and the renowned Stadtcasino concert hall. There is also a huge range of restaurants and bars as well as some excellent shopping.
Day 5
Basel to London
Spend another morning in Basel before catching the high speed TGV to Paris (journey time is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes) and transferring onto your Eurostar back to the UK.
Lucerne
Waldstaetterhof Hotel
Wilhelm Tell Express
International au Lac Hotel Lugano
Lugano
Swissotel Le Plaza Basel
Railbookers recommends
- Extend your stay by adding nights by the lake in Lugano for an opportunity to go mountain biking and hiking through the numerous rustic trails.
- Take the connecting Postbus from Lugano to Tirano and then the Bernina Express for extraordinary mountain scenery.
- Please call our Travel Consultants for details
Lucerne
Lucerne is a picturesque city in the centre of Switzerland, set on Lake Lucerne and offering lovely views of the distant Alps. There is plenty of classic Swiss architecture to see from the half-timbered houses of the Old Town, to the elegant spires of the city’s churches and the medieval wooden bridges, the most famous of which is the Chapel Bridge, originally built in 1333. There is also a great market on Tuesdays and Saturday mornings, set in arcades along the River Reuss.
Lugano
Lugano is the end of the Wilhelm Tell Express route. Lugano is a charming sophisticated Swiss town, with a real Italian flavour, surrounded by stunning Alpine scenery. Take the scenic funicular railway to the nearby mountain of Sant Salvatore.
Basel
Situated on the banks of the River Limmat where it meets the northernmost tip of Lake Zürich, the city of Zurich is Switzerland’s culture capital with excellent museums and great shopping, particularly along the famous Bahnhofstrasse. Discover one of the city’s many galleries such as the Kunsthaus Zurich which houses one of Switzerland’s most important art collections. In the evening, relax in one of the lakeside restaurants and cafés or explore the lively Old Town area.
Waldstaetterhof Hotel 
The Waldstaetterhof Hotel has 78 comfortable ensuite bedrooms. The hotel is situated opposite the railway station in the centre of Lucerne, offering easy access to all of the city's main sights, attractions, bars and restaurants.
Hotel Facilities
- Laundry
Room Facilities
- Cable/Satellite TV
- Hairdryer
- Room Service
Some facilities may be subject to an additional charge at the hotel.
International au Lac Hotel Lugano
The International au Lac Hotel in Lugano is a historic hotel, which has been granted a UNESCO award. The hotel retains much of the character of the 19th century "grand tours". The hotel has a restaurant, the Blues Bar, and a garden with a swimming pool and a terrace (don't miss a game on the giant chessboard and the table tennis table.) The Hotel boasts a unique location: the lake just in front of the hotel's door, the old town just around the corner and with numerous shops just a stone's throw away.
Hotel Facilities
- Swimming Pool
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Garden
- Terrace
Room Facilities
- Safe
- Air Conditioning
- Cable/Satellite TV
- Hairdryer
- Non-smoking Rooms
Some facilities may be subject to an additional charge at the hotel.
Swissotel Le Plaza Basel 
The Swissotel Le Plaza Hotel in Basel is a modern hotel with 238 bedrooms and suites. Visit the Plaza Restaurant and Bar to sample Swiss cuisine, or work up an appetite in the Amrita Wellness Centre. The hotel is in the centre of Basel, and is within walking distance of many of Basel's main sights and attractions.
Hotel Facilities
- Bar
- Fitness Centre
- Restaurant
- Sauna
- Steam Room
Room Facilities
- Safe
- Air Conditioning
- Cable/Satellite TV
- Minibar
Some facilities may be subject to an additional charge at the hotel.
4 Night Holiday by Rail
This package includes Eurostar travel from London to Paris, onward train travel from Paris to Lucerne, a 4 day Swiss Rail pass, 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lucerne, Wilhelm Tell excursion, 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Lugano, 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Basel, train travel from Basel to Paris, and Eurostar travel from Paris to London.
More dates and
prices available
Add extra nights to your holiday, stop off en route, or book train travel from a European train station.
Call us on (646) 770 2894, and let us help you plan your perfect holiday.
Prices are shown in United States Dollars $
Price per person for 4 night holiday:
2012
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AprilOn Request
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Mayfrom $1,185
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Junefrom $1,343
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Julyfrom $1,343
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Augustfrom $1,343
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Septemberfrom $1,185
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Octoberfrom $1,185
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Novemberfrom $1,106
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DecemberOn Request
2013
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JanuaryOn Request
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MarchOn Request
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AprilOn Request
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MayOn Request
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JuneOn Request
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JulyOn Request
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AugustOn Request
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SeptemberOn Request
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OctoberOn Request
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NovemberOn Request
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DecemberOn Request
2014
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JanuaryOn Request
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FebruaryOn Request
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MarchOn Request
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AprilOn Request
Terms
Holidays can be tailor-made for you (including stopovers or additional nights) call us on (646) 770 2894.
Prices are subject to availability, based on 2 people sharing a twin / double room and based on best priced seats on trains.
Supplements may apply if best price travel not available. Supplements will apply for single occupancy.
Hotel and room facilities may be subject to an extra charge or are on request.
We accept all major credit and debit cards. If you pay by debit card there is no extra charge; if you choose to pay by credit card a 2% surcharge applies.
Holidays including flights are operated by our sister company Railbookers Signature Holidays, a trading name of Travel Definitions Limited which is ATOL protected, number 9040.
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Waldstaetterhof Hotel
“ Comfortable contemporary hotel located close by the railway station in Lucerne - perfect for a stopover. ”
Matthew - Mar 2008
“ Superb little hotel which could not be better located for the train station and exploring picturesque Lucerne. ”
Christian - Mar 2011