By rail · BASEL TRAIN TOURS
Every trip has one free day too few. These 11 basel train tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Ride a 1920s motor carriage or the open-top summer carriage on a 75-minute Basel city tour. A live guide provides commentary in English or German, while the old tram’s 30 km/h pace, wooden seats, bumpy track, and period sounds make the city feel wonderfully old-fashioned.
Spend about 10 hours moving through Switzerland by rail, from Basel to Chur, aboard the Glacier Express to Andermatt, then onward to Lucerne. Guides such as Jean, Rose, Ana, and Georgina have led this route. Expect big views, several train changes, and a compact Lucerne walk.
“Train ride was fantastic. Our tour guide-Ana was extremely knowledgeable and the best. We did feel rushed at stopping points. Also the start time for our tour was delayed which was a bit confusing and resulted us seeing Lucerne in the dark which was the one key point we really looked forward to having seen in the daytime. We felt the price was a bit high for not providing a meal as well. Also get clear directions as to the meeting point and the time to meet to ensure you arrive timely. The glazer express views were incredible . Confusion as well to the premium railway pass regarding a meal.…”
Travel by Swiss trains from Basel to Zermatt, walk through the old village, visit the mountaineers’ cemetery, and ride the Gornergrat railway to 3,135 meters. Guides such as Michael, Emil, Fehsal, and Peter are praised for clear logistics and local insight. Expect an 11 to 12 hour day.
“The Matterhorn. Eddie was wonderful. He was knowledgeable, very pleasant navigated the complicated transportation connections. We highly recommend him!”
Start at Basel SBB at 8:40 am for a full day through Lucerne and Interlaken. A private local guide leads both city visits, while your reserved panoramic train seat covers the scenic route from Lucerne to Interlaken. Expect a small group of up to 15 people, free time, and a long but well-planned day.
“We had a fantastic day out exploring Lucerne and Interlaken. The scenery from the trains are beautiful (not just the panoramic train but the return journey too). The day was long, but felt effortless, all planned and ran smoothly by our warm and welcoming guide, John. We learnt a lot about the Swiss towns, had some scrumptious chocolate, and enough free time to wander. We really enjoyed our day and would highly recommend Viva tours and John. Note that if you have suitcases/luggage that you don't want to take with you, there is luggage storage in Basel train station. Very easy to use and cost us 8 chf for the…”
Join an English-speaking guide, including Gina on some departures, for a 12-hour rail journey from Basel through Chur and Andermatt to Lucerne. You get a reserved Glacier Express seat, Alpine views, and a guided Lucerne walk, but meals cost extra and winter substitutions need careful checking.
“I cannot tell you how disappointed this experience has been. This tour was not at all what was advertised and what I booked on September 2025. A tour advertised at the time of booking as an 8 hour day that promised to be a “luxury tour” with food available turned into a 12 hour marathon on 6 different trains. NO food provided or even available for purchase. Not to mention the text message we received the night before the tour after 8 pm (less than 13 hours before we were to meet our guide at 9:15) telling me the Glacier Express was overbooked and we were cancelled! After exchanging many…”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Basel SBB at 8:30 a.m. and travel to Zermatt for a village visit and the Gornergrat rack railway. You’ll reach 3,089 meters for views of the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Dufourspitze, and Gorner Glacier. The small group is capped at 15 people.
“Our guide Jonas made the day. While we were initially upset that we were not going to be able to take the trip that we had anticipated, he discussed our options with us and came up with something much better! We are public transport neophytes; Jonas handled all logistics that got us from Basal to Grindewald with no issues. Grindewald was more than I expected, a perfect day in the mountains, a perfect last day in Switzerland.”
Travel from Basel to Chur, ride the Glacier Express to Brig in a reserved second-class seat, enjoy a three-course lunch, and return by train. Your private guide handles connections and explains the Rhine Gorge, Oberalp Pass, Andermatt, and Alpine towns such as Chur and Brig.
“What a surprise! We had our own guide. We would have missed so much, including the train, without our friendly and knowledgeable guide. This was a marvelous journey. We will never forget the beauty of the Alps and the background of Switzerland.”
Board Basel’s vintage tram at Centralbahnplatz for a 75-minute bilingual tour through the city. Your guide covers 2,000 years of history while authentic sounds, a bumpy ride, and a top speed of 30 km/h recreate travel from a century ago. The tour begins and ends at the same stop.
“A bit noisy, uncomfortable seats, and very uncomfortable headphones but a ball nonetheless. It was clear as our driver and guide took us around the city that many people had not seen the vintage tram before with many people stopping to watch the tram and point it out to Read more”
Travel from Basel to Jungfraujoch with a private English-speaking guide, reserved Jungfrau Railway seats, the Sphinx Observatory, Ice Palace, Lindt shop, and a short Lauterbrunnen stop. Guides such as Michael, Mike, Ulrich, David, and Emil have led this long but well-organized mountain day.
“Very friendly guide that knows his way around Switzerland. He was able to get us past long waiting lines and catch trains that we would have missed had we not been with him.”
Travel from Basel to Jungfraujoch by rail and Eiger Express, with stops in Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and Interlaken. Your English-speaking guide handles the rail connections, shares Alpine history, and leads you to the 3,466-meter Top of Europe. Guides may include Leighton, Juliana, Jonas, or Ray.
“Our guide Leighton Facey, did a superb job. He was very knowledgeable, gracious,and patient with us.”
Meet your private guide at Basel SBB for a full Swiss rail day. Ride to Chur, take the Glacier Express to Brig with an optional three-course lunch, then visit Brig and Bern before returning to Basel. Juliana is praised for her warm, informed guiding.
“Spectacular trip through the Swiss Alps. The train is very comfortable and has great service. The views are amazing! What made our trip very special was our tour guide Juliana. She is pleasant, knowledgeable and truly enjoys her job. Be sure to ask for her for a wonderful day”
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