Mid-May, 2026
Scenic Switzerland
by Rail
A nine-day tour of the gorgeous Swiss Alps
The best way to enjoy Switzerland: By rail with friends
One of the most popular YMCA Alumni Travel Club trips ever was the sold-out "Colorado's Historic Trains" adventure in 2022. By popular demand, we'll hear that "All aboard" sound again as we tour the gorgeous Swiss Alps in mid-May 2026.
On our nine-day tour, we'll marvel at the scenery as we roll along from Zurich to Lucerne, Lausanne, Zermatt, and trendy St. Moritz, returning to Zurich. We'll take daily train trips—the farthest is only 175 miles—and there will be plenty of time to explore the cities and countryside each day. Our nights will be in hotels close to the city centers and a short walk from the train stations. Your luggage is handled for you.
Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore in smaller groups with expert Cosmos Tour Directors, Local Guides, and complimentary headsets.
To make your train journey more comfortable, one piece of luggage will be transferred from one hotel to the next. Use your CosmosGO mobile app to enhance your free time and explore like a local!
You'll have plenty of choices of activities and excursions. Seven breakfasts and three dinners are included, so you can sample Swiss cuisine at your leisure and on your budget.
Exact dates and final pricing for Cosmos 2026 trips will be announced later this fall as soon as available.
Day-by-Day in Switzerland
Day One: Zurich --Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Zurich using the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
(D)
Day Two: Zurich to Lucerne -- Board the train for your journey from Zurich to Lucerne. Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s most idyllic medieval cities, surrounded by a beautiful lake and nestled amidst snow-capped Alps. The rest of the day is spent at leisure to discover this charming city's delights, such as the famous wooden bridge or the picturesque town centre. Alternatively, sign up for an optional excursion, such as a cruise on sparkling Lake Lucerne or a folklore evening. Today’s Distance: 37 mi/ 60 km (B)
Day Three: Lucerne to Lausanne -- Depart on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express. Cross Brunig Pass enroute to Interlaken and spend some time strolling through the quaint streets. From Interlaken, take the GoldenPass panoramic train for your unforgettable journey to Montreux, then continue to Lausanne. Today’s Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (B)
Day Four: Lausanne, Montreaux-Tasch, Zermatt area -- Depart for Zermatt's delightful Swiss mountain region. En route, stop to visit the town of Montreux, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, surrounded by vineyards against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. Enjoy some free time or join an optional guided excursion to Chillon Castle before continuing by train to Zermatt. Today’s Distance: 109 mi/ 175 km (B/D)
Day Five: Zermatt-Gornergrat -- An included excursion takes you to the famous Gornergrat, traveling on board Europe’s highest rack railway. The views of the Matterhorn from its summit are nothing short of spectacular. The rest of the day is spent at leisure in Zermatt, which has interesting shops, cafés, bars, and picturesque streets to explore. (B)
Day Six: Zermatt Area, Glacier Express, St. Moritz -- The train journey today aboard the spectacular Glacier Express is, without a doubt, one of the main highlights of the tour. Enjoy unforgettable views as you go through the unspoiled natural beauty of the Alps on the direct route to the world-famous mountain resort of St. Moritz. This picture-perfect town is more than just a holiday resort. It was also the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism (in 1864) and has twice hosted the Winter Olympics. Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km. (B/D)
Day Seven: St. Moritz, Bernina Express to Tirano, Italy -- Take the Bernina Express train (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to Tirano and back for one of Europe’s most breathtaking train rides. Travel across the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina, witnessing an array of beautiful mountain streams, glaciers, and alpine scenery. Today’s Distance: 75 mi/ 120 km (B)
Day Eight: St. Moritz to Zurich -- Leave St. Moritz for the journey back to Zurich. Enjoy some time at leisure and take a stroll around the city center. Indulge in some chocolate tasting or follow the course of the river Limmat until it reaches the banks of Lake Zurich.
Today’s Distance: 137 mi/ 220 km (B)
Day Nine: Zurich. Our Swiss adventure ends this morning with breakfast together.
More about our trip...
What will it cost?
The estimated price for 2026 is $3,599 per person. Prices and exact dates will be confirmed later this fall.
Cosmos includes hand-selected hotels, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations, designed for value-minded travel lovers.
Explore in smaller groups with expert Cosmos Tour Directors, Local Guides, and complimentary headsets.
One piece of luggage per passenger will be transferred from one hotel to the next to make your train journey more comfortable.
Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
Fun fact: 90 percent of the Swiss rail network’s energy comes from hydroelectric power, making train travel a climate-friendly form of transportation.
About Cosmos
Cosmos, a part of the Globus International Tour Family, offers tour packages with included sightseeing and a choice of optional excursions; many included meals plus the freedom to indulge in local fare on a whim; a dynamic blend of transportation as well as clean and comfortable pre-selected hotels.
Since inventing the budget vacation more than 60 years ago, Cosmos has refined the concept of low-cost travel packages. And, nine in 10 travelers think we’re doing worldwide getaways right, saying we’ve met or exceeded their expectations.
We have chosen Cosmos for our Swiss rail adventure so we can offer an affordable vacation, done correctly.
All aboard!
Our hotels
Cosmos has hand-picked our hotels in ideal locations.
Zurich: Ibis Zurich City West -- In a trendy part of the city with convenient access to the airport and the train station.
Lucerne: Garni Hotel Drei Koenige -- Situated in the heart of Lucerne, it offers comfortable and spacious rooms. The train station and the old town are close by.
Lausanne: Alpha Palmiers -- Located in the city center of Lausanne and a 5 minute walk from the train station and 15 minutes from the lake.
Zermatt: Hotel Holiday -- A quiet location just an 8-minute walk from Zermatt's center.
St. Moritz: Hotel Barren -- The family-run hotel near the Olympic Bob Run welcomes its guests in spacious rooms with a cozy atmosphere and an open fireplace.
Register
The registration process is simple. Just click on the Go Travel button in the box below. Fill out the form and make your deposit. An expert Go Travel representative will contact you and answer your questions.
They can also get you the best fares and airline routes. Go Travel Representatives will help you with pre-and post-visits as well. Go Travel's Bob Cook is the expert consultant to the YMCA Travel Club Committee, and Go Travel is the booking agent for our trips
Your YMCA Alumni Host
Jean Carmichael of the Schreiner Chapter is your YMCA Alumni Host for our "Scenic Switzerland by Rail" adventure. Jean, immediate Past President of YMCA Alumni, participated in our "Colorado's Historic Trains," "British and Irish Grandeur " and "Scottish Dream" trips. She hosted our recent Mackinac Island motor coach tour in 2023. Jean has also lived abroad in Spain.