Switzerland for First Timers - 5 Star

Interlaken

Peace of Mind

Freedom of Choice

Exclusive Packages

Highlights

Visit either Mount Rigi, the Queen of the Mountains, or Mount Pilatus, the Dragon Mountain, as part of our included Freedom of Choice activity.

Stroll through the Old Town of Lucerne with its charm, culture and beautiful designed buildings. The Old Town is very easy to walk through with plenty of restaurants and cafes.

Journey along the Golden Pass route, a panoramic train route over the Brünig Pass to Interlaken.

Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau Region. Enjoy a self guided excursion to the Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station where snow and ice awaits.

8 days

From

AUD 7,332

per person, twin share

Download PDF Make an enquiry

Travelling with kids? Read more

All services are subject to availability.

Overview

Discover the heart of Switzerland on this exhilarating, 8-day rail package. Lucerne is a picturesque town located on the banks of Lake Lucerne. Explore the town’s popular landmarks including the Chapel Bridge, one of Europe’s oldest wooden bridges. From Lucerne, enjoy a visit to Mount Rigi, the ‘Queen of the Mountains’ or Mount Pilatus, the ‘Dragon Mountain’. Your epic journey continues as you board the Golden Pass en route to Interlaken.

From Interlaken, journey to Jungfraujoch by rail, Switzerland’s crowning jewel. Enjoy Lake Brienz, set amid spectacular mountain scenery or Schiltorn where you can see the finest views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau!

Your Golden Pass itinerary continues to Montreux, a charming resort town located on the shores of Lake Geneva. Visit the famous landmark, the Chillon Castle or soak in the panoramic views at Rochers-de-Naye.

Inclusions

2 nights in Lucerne in a 5* Hotel

3 nights in Interlaken in a 5* Hotel

2 nights in Montreux in a 5* Hotel

8 Day Swiss Travel Pass in 1st class

Seat Reservation on Golden Pass Line

Daily Breakfast

Jungfraujoch Self-Guided Excursion

50% discount on additional local rail tickets

50% discount on some mountain excursions

Montreux Riviera Card for free local transport and various discounts

Lucerne and Interlaken Guest Card

Freedom of Choice Days

Freedom of Choice

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days.

Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day, as follows:

One "Freedom of Choice" tour on day 2
One "Freedom of Choice" tour on day 5
One "Freedom of Choice" tour on day 7

Expand the itinerary below for more details.

Please note, if more than one room is selected during the booking process, our team will contact you afterwards to discuss options.

Itinerary

Download Itinerary Expand All

Day 1 Lucerne

Arrival in Switzerland. Individual arrival in Lucerne by train.

Lucerne is quintessential Switzerland – the town, the lake, the mountains. A charming unique town where avant-garde architecture and historic monuments stand side by side and hidden paths of the Old Town suddenly open up to reveal the beauty of famous Lake Lucerne itself.

Depending on arrival late afternoon stroll through Lucerne.

Overnight stay in Lucerne in a 5-Star Hotel.

Chapel Bridge, Lucerne

Day 2 Lakes & Mountains

Breakfast at your hotel and enjoy your pre-seletced Freedom of Choice tour.

Overnight stay in Lucerne in a 5-Star Hotel.

Breakfast

Freedom of Choice Options

Mount Pilatus self guided excursion:
A visit to Lucerne’s house mountain, Mount Pilatus, the ‘Dragon Mountain’. By boat across the lake to Alpnachstad and on to the world’s steepest cogwheel railway to Pilatus Kulm. Enjoy the overwhelming mountain panorama whilst soaking up the rays on the sun terrace. Explore the dragon trail or flower path and return by a set of gondolas back down to Lucerne and by bus back to the centre of Lucerne.

Mount Rigi self guided excursion:
A visit to Mount Rigi – 'Queen of the Mountains’. From Lucerne board a vintage paddle steamer (summer) to Vitznau, where you will be taken to Rigi Kulm via the cogwheel railway. The mountain is perfect for walks and mountain hikes with well sign-posted routes. The wonderful Alpine flora and magnificent views will delight. Return by train via Arth Goldau back to Lucerne.

Cogwheel railway, Mount Rigi

Day 3 Golden Pass Route Interlaken

Breakfast at your hotel.

Journey along the Golden Pass Route. The panoramic journey over the Brünig Pass to Interlaken with its beautiful views will make 2 hours fly by. Enjoy the views from the comfort of your seats through panorama windows.

Afternoon – time for a stroll through this famous resort.

Our tip: Away from the popular main road - discover the quieter more historic part of Interlaken called "Unterseen’.

Overnight stay in Interlaken in a 5-Star Hotel.

Breakfast

Interlaken | Credit Ivo Scholz

Day 4 Jungfraujoch Excursion

Breakfast at your hotel.

Famous Jungfraujoch Excursion. Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau Region characterised by flower strewn meadows, crystal clear mountain lakes, the sound of cow bells and snow covered mountain peaks.

Enjoy your flexible, self-guided excursion to the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454m where snow and ice await. We recommend planning in a full day. In the summer – at the top – you can join the snow fun park (supplement), you are also able to stop in the picturesque villages on the way up or down. There is also the choice of going up by train all the way (2 changes) or take part of the journey with the brand new (opening Dec 2020) V-Cableway from Grindelwald to station Eigergletscher.

Overnight stay in Interlaken in a 5-Star Hotel.

Breakfast

Famous Jungfraujoch Excursion

Day 5 Interlaken

Breakfast at your hotel. A day of adventure awaits with your pre-selected Freedom of Choice tour.

Overnight stay in Interlaken in a 5-Star Hotel.

Breakfast

Freedom of Choice Options

James Bond Schilthorn self guided excursion:
It has been over 50 years since the iconic James Bond movie ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ was filmed on the Schilthorn, but the memories are still alive. Experience the 2,970 m high mountain with its 360-degree panoramic views, James Bond memorabilia and interactive displays. Enjoy a spectacular cable car ride to the top, lunch at the revolving restaurant, 007 Walk of fame and interactive indoor attractions. This excursion can easily be combined with at a stop at the spectacular Trümmelbach glacier falls (sup. Payable locally) in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Jetboat on Lake Brienz self guided excursion (Apr-Oct):
Take a seat in Switzerland’s first commercial jetboat, offering an exhilarating ride on the turquoise blue Lake Brienz with a backdrop of snow-covered mountain peaks. See the majestic 500m Giessbach Waterfalls and learn some stories of the regions from your driver. (April - October)

Lake Brienz | Credit Ivo Scholz

Day 6 Golden Pass Belle Epoque Montreux

Breakfast at your hotel.

Continue on the GoldenPass from Interlaken via Zweisimmen to Montreux.

The highlight of the Golden Pass route will take you along the crystal blue lake of Thun and through the green rolling hills of the Simmental before slowly winding down through golden green vineyards to the shores of Lake Geneva. Experience the ‘golden age’ of travel in special carriages decked out in belle époque style.

Overnight stay in Montreux in a 5-Star Hotel.

Breakfast

Golden Pass belle epoque from Zweisimmen-Montreux

Day 7 Montreux

Breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy your pre-selected Freedom of Choice tour.

Overnight stay in Montreux in a 5-Star Hotel.

Breakfast

Freedom of Choice Options

Chillon Castle self guided visit & Wine Tasting at Chexbres:
The Swiss Riviera has much to offer but a visit to this region would not be complete without visiting its famous landmark ‘Chillon Castle’ and to taste some of the delightful wine grown in this area. The Swiss famously do not export their wines as their production just about covers the needs of the local population.

We recommend visiting Chillon Castle in the morning, taking the lake steamer to Vevey and continuing by train to Chexbres in the late afternoon for the wine tasting.

Rochers-de-Naye self guided excursion:
Rochers-de-Naye, Montreux’s local mountain stands at 2,042m above sea level and offers spectacular views over Lake Geneva and the Alps, a species rich Alpine garden with beautiful examples of Alpine flora and a Marmot’s Paradise where you can obvserve these shy creatures. Half day excursion.

Our Tip: Have lunch on the way down at the middle station Haut-de-Caux at restaurant Le Coucou– a typical rustic Swiss mountain restaurant in a chalet-style building with open fire place.

Chillon Castle, Lake Geneva

Day 8 Montreux

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today your journey ends. Individual return to your ending point in Switzerland.

Breakfast

Additional information

We work with a selection of hotels in each location. All bookings are subject to availability, which means our team will confirm your specific hotels upon confirmation and payment of deposit. The package price is based on 4-star accommodation.
Blackout Dates: 25 June 2023 - 11 July 2023
Swiss Travel Pass in 2nd class covers unlimited travel by train, bus and boat from days 1-8
This is a self-guided/independent package.

Excluded

International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
Visa expenses, processing and issuance fees
Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurant or boat staff, etc.
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

FAQs

Who are Entire Travel Group?

Welcome to Entire Travel Group. We offer exceptional travel experiences across our extensive range of Entire Holiday Packages, Entire Group Journeys, Entire Rail Journeys, and Entire Cruise Journeys. With our industry-leading Peace of Mind Booking Plan, you can Book Now with flexibility and confidence.

Entire Travel Group is celebrating over 50 years of passionately delivering unique and memorable travel experiences. We are an Australian, family-owned, award-winning business with a friendly team ready to match your expectations to the perfect holiday experience.

Entire Travel Group used to be known by the individual brands shown in the footer of the website. The company has not changed, but we have amalgamated under one brand - Entire Travel Group.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

Is Entire Travel Group Australian owned and operated?

Entire Travel Group is proudly Australian family owned and operated and as it stands today represents 50 years of experience, progress, and evolution. We proudly support the community with our long-term commitment to many important charity organisations. We were awarded the best operator in our class at the most recent National Travel Industry Awards.

Is Entire Travel Group industry accredited?

Entire Travel Group is both ATAS and CATO Accredited. ATAS is actively administered by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is the trade association representing the land supply sector of the Australian Travel Industry.

Does Entire Travel Group have industry awards?

Entire Travel Group was honoured at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards with Most Oustanding Wholesaler - Product / Service.

As our team works tirelessly to deliver exceptional holiday experiences, it was exciting to have this acknowledged with the highest recognition. The award is also a testament to the quality of our partners around the globe, and we take this opportunity to thank them for their tremendous support of our customers.

Are the Entire Travel Group holiday packages exclusive?

In some cases, we are the sole representative in Australia for the overseas travel operator. In other circumstances the product developed has been exclusively built for Entire Travel Group and can’t be found elsewhere.

What’s unique about Entire Travel Group Holiday Packages?

They are not group tours with set departures - they are pre-designed, purpose built, independent holiday packages full of unique and memorable experiences.
Our holiday packages have been exclusively built for us in collaboration with our handpicked suppliers, who also offer full on-ground support for the clients.
We are offering unique travel experiences which cannot be found elsewhere.
Many packages include our “Freedom of Choice” options which allow you to tailor the holiday experience. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.
They include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan.
A wide selection of our packages are compliant with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Covid Safe Travels.

Our motto for Independent Holiday Packages is start your holiday when and with who you want!

Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Group Tours have specific set departure dates, and of course, you are travelling with unknown passengers in a coach. These tours are great for certain travellers and there are many reputable tour operators providing a wide range of options around the world.

At Entire Travel Group, our focus is Independent Holiday Packages. Available daily, they are pre-designed, purpose built, packaged itineraries full of memorable experiences delivered by our hand-picked local partners.

Our holidays suit every demographic, from couples to singles, to retirees to families and everyone else in between.

Why travel with Entire Travel Group?

Of Entire Travel Group's attributes, we have settled on "When Experience Matters" as the quality we believe adds the most value to our customers. We have the experience to ensure your itinerary makes the dream holiday possible. Our continually enhanced technology allows our team to provide a quality customer service experience, and our partnerships with outstanding operators ensure we are confident of the on-ground experience for our customers.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

How does the Peace of Mind Booking Plan work?

Our Peace of Mind Booking Plan allows you to book with confidence in the new international travel environment. With low deposits, a cooling off period and a flexibility period where you can cancel and rebook later, we really do have you covered.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

Is there a cooling-off period?

Look for packages with our Peace of Mind Booking Plan logo on the website.

We understand that occasionally plans may change, so we give you the confidence to proceed with a cooling off period.
You may cancel for any reason within 7 days, where you will receive a 100% refund of your $100 per person deposit.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

What is Freedom of Choice?

At Entire Travel Group we understand that our customers have their own personal tastes and interests - so throughout our packages look for “Freedom of Choice” which gives you the ability to tailor your holiday from the various experiences offered on selected days. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.

The Freedom of Choice options are included in the package price, and the price remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days in the itinerary.

Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day in the itinerary.
The price of the package remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

For more details please visit - Freedom of Choice | Entire Travel Group

What is Book Now?

Book Now offers you the ability to make a reservation on our website for Holiday Packages that include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan. But it’s not just a static offer – you have complete flexibility from travel dates, passenger numbers, single supplements, room upgrades, optional extras, flexible booking terms and more.

Our team will contact our overseas suppliers and confirm all arrangements.
A Confirmation from our reservation system will be sent in the coming days.
The Booking Number on this confirmation supersedes the website reference.

What forms of payment can be used at Entire Travel Group?

To confirm a booking using our on-line Book Now process, a credit card must be used to pay the refundable deposit.
For additional payments on the booking, Entire Travel Group supports bank transfer, credit card, TravelPay B2B, PaymentGate.
For further details please visit our Payments page.

How secure is the Entire Travel Group's on-line payment portal?

Entire Travel Group have partnered with TravelPay to ensure secure on-line credit card payments.
TravelPay is a level 1 PCI DSS compliant, which gives you peace of mind that your payment card data is in safe hands.
Entire Travel Group does not store any credit card information.

For more details please visit - Security and Compliance - TravelPay

Can you book my international airfares?

On some Islands Holiday Packages (e.g. Fiji), it is practical to include flights, so where we have done this it is indicated by the plane icon.

However, on the majority of our Holiday Packages, we do not include international flights.

We found that many customers may prefer to:

Travel on a specific airline of their choice
Have the flexibility to book flights with Frequent Flyer points
Select flight dates that may be different to our Holiday Package start/end dates
Use a Travel Credit already held with the airline
Use their travel agent for this service

We are able to assist with flights on any Holiday Package, so please just notify us during the Book Now process or contact our team.

Should I take travel insurance?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. During the Book Now process please confirm you require assistance, and our team will be in contact with you.

What should I do before travelling?

Before you travel it is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate documentation including visas. If you are travelling on a passport other than Australian or New Zealand, you will require a permit to re-enter Australia. It is your responsibility as the traveller and/or travel booker to meet all government entry requirements.

For more information please visit - Before you travel | Entire Travel Group

How does a Travel Agent make a booking?

Please visit the Entire Travel Group's Agent Portal. We are here to support our industry partners with a range of informative updates, marketing collateral for campaigns and a reward & recognition program.

How do I start a Booking?