17-day Switzerland, Italy & Austria by train

On a train tour of the Alps, Nordic Visitor takes care of your local transportation, accommodation and excursions for a relaxed self-guided travel experience.

You will follow an itinerary that’s been pre-planned and booked for you before you arrive. This means you can take advantage of Nordic Visitor’s insider knowledge while exploring at your leisure.

On occasion, there may be track maintenance and your route might change or be extended. If this happens, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Ahead of your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information via email, including an itinerary, map and detailed Travel Guide. Plus, during your tour we’re with you every step of the way. You’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline should you need to contact us.

The transfers between your hotel and train stations, cruise ports or airports are not included with this package.

Usually your accommodation will be within short walking distance from train stations or cruise ports. When travelling to airports for flights between destinations, we recommend taking the convenient local public transport. But you could also get a taxi from your accommodation if you prefer.

All Nordic Visitor train tours include train tickets as standard. Your personal Travel Consultant will pre-book this for you, and tickets will be included in your welcome pack. As this your tour will be self-guided, be sure to read all tickets and travel information carefully for a smoother journey.

Not all trains in Europe offer seat reservations. On some – usually quieter, regional trains – you're free to choose whichever seat you'd like at time of boarding. If seat reservations are possible (usually on longer train journeys and those which cross borders) your travel consultant will reserve seats for you and anyone else in your travel party, to make sure you sit together.

Good to know is that we don't have control over whether you will be facing forwards or backwards, or whether you are next to a window. That said, most train journeys in Europe offer incredible views, no matter where you're sitting.

You'll enjoy 1st-class travel on all of your journeys. You can expect comfortable, quiet carriages with nearby bathrooms and luggage storage. On longer journeys, you'll usually be able to purchase food and drink on-board, and can expect a plug socket at your seat as well as free Wi-Fi.

You’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline at all times during your tour. If you miss a connection, you can quickly and easily reach out to one of our team, who will work to book you onto the next available service.

Please note that we cannot guarantee to cover the cost of any additional train tickets due to missing a connection. This would be chargeable to yourself.

Your personal Travel Consultant will keep any necessary connections in mind when booking your train tickets. This should allow you sufficient time to disembark from one train and arrive at the next.

Your personal Travel Consultant will choose the best departure time for you, according to your itinerary. They’ll take care of all the details, so you don’t need to worry about a thing.

If you have a preference of time of day that you’d like to travel, let them know. They may be able to choose a departure time with this in mind, but please be aware that this is not guaranteed.

On longer journeys there will likely be an onboard café for you to purchase meals and snacks. Please note that this may not be the case for shorter journeys. We recommend that you bring snacks and a drink with you for all journeys, in case refreshments are not available to purchase onboard.

On longer journeys you can expect onboard Wi-Fi and power outlets at your seats. Please note that this may not be the case for shorter journeys.

Your personal Travel Consultant will try to book you into central accommodation where possible, within easy reach of the train stations. But please be aware that in peak season, this may not always be possible due to availability.

This is a self-guided tour of the Alps. You’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline should you have any issues during your travels, but you won’t have a guide with you on the tour itself.

During the booking process you can add this extra service to your trip for some legs of the journey. Unfortunately, it is not available at all stages.

Of course! Adding extra nights to your tour allows you to make the most of your stay in the city at the start and end of your trip. You can visit more of the fantastic attractions, or relax after your flight to Europe or before you return home. 

You can customise how many nights you want to stay before and/or after your tour during the booking process.

You can also easily add optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.

The short answer is very easy!

Most countries in Europe are either part of the European Union, the Schengen Area, or both. These are diplomatic agreements that mean visitors to one country can easily cross the border into another.

Chances are you won’t need to pass through any border control after the initial airport inspection in your arrival country. That said, you’ll still need to keep your passport handy, as there may be some spot-checks over borders.

There may be short walks between your accommodation and transfers where you will have to carry your bags. We recommend bringing a case with wheels for ease of travel. All connections will be within easy reach with storage available for your luggage during each leg of the journey. 

During your tour of the Alps, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and personal experience.

Across the Alps region, you can choose from single, double or triple rooms. Please also note that in the countries you’ll be visiting, room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

Italy experiences warm and sometimes humid summers.

From June to August, temperatures typically range from 25–35 °C (77–95 °F), with occasional heatwaves. You might find the cities feel warmer because of urban heat. Due to these temperatures, thunderstorms can occur later in the afternoons, particularly near the lakes and mountains.

It’s good to note that not all hotels in Italy have air conditioning. Most do offer fans to try to keep you cool.

For milder weather, consider visiting during the shoulder season. May sees pleasant temperatures around 18–25 °C (64–77 °F) and blooming landscapes. Following summer, September remains warm (20–28°C / 68–82°F) but with fewer visitors. These months are ideal for sightseeing and enjoying al fresco dining without the peak summer heat.

During your visit to Austria, you may travel to both lowland and high-altitude regions.

In higher mountain villages, average daily temperatures in summer are between 12°C – 26°C (54°F – 79°F). In lower-altitude towns and cities, close to lakes and at the foot of the mountains, temperatures in the summer months can reach 17°C – 28°C (63°F – 83°F).

While Austria can often be sunny, it doesn’t guarantee there won’t be any rain on your trip! And you’ll need to be prepared for chillier weather if you’re boarding mountain gondolas.

During your tour of Switzerland, you’ll be travelling through both lowland and high-altitude regions. As you might expect, the temperatures can differ between these regions.

In the city of Zürich, the average temperature in summer is around 19°C (66°F). While in the mountain region of Zermatt, the average temperatures are closer to 15°C (59°F). It’s worth noting that these are average temperatures, and the highs can reach mid-20s in some regions.

Many regions of Switzerland are famed for their many days of sunshine, especially Visp and the Rhône valley. But that doesn’t guarantee there won’t be any rain on your trip! And you’ll need to be prepared for chillier weather when you’re boarding mountain gondolas.

As you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, it’s a good idea to come prepared for a combination of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:

• A warm jumper or fleece
• A waterproof jacket
• Hiking clothes and good walking shoes or boots
• Light scarf or thin jumper
• An umbrella
• Reusable water bottle
• Lip balm and moisturiser
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sunhat

There are limited laundry facilities in the countryside, though you’ll find laundrettes in the larger cities and towns. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.

It’s good to be aware that you may require different currencies during your Alps and Europe trip. Germany, Austria and Italy have the Euro (€) as their local currency.

That said, Switzerland and Liechtenstein both have the Swiss franc (CHF, ₣) as their currency, Czech Republic has Czech koruna (CZK) and Hungary has Hungarian Forint (HUF Ft).

In Germany, Switzerland and Austria tipping is not mandatory, but welcomed. It is usually based on the quality of service. Locals often add around 10% or simply round up their bill.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, please let your travel consultant know at the time of booking. They'll see what they can do to accommodate you. 

If you prefer, you can begin your tour in a different city in the region. Just ask your travel consultant and they can let you know the options in terms of train travel or rental car fees. We’ll be happy to try to rearrange your itinerary so it works for you. 

Yes! We offer tours in and around many enchanting cities in Central Europe. That means you might be able to begin or end your adventure in a different location than the ones listed on this tour.

If you have another destination in mind, please get in touch with one of our travel consultants who will be happy to help you plan the perfect trip.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

During your tour, there will always be a regional travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

You’ll be spending time in a few different regions on your tour. All of these are part of the Schengen area, which is a zone of free movement. The European countries that are part of Schengen are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

If you are visiting from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or another EU state, you won’t need a visa for short-term travel (less than 90 days) to a Schengen area country.

Visiting from another country? Please look up the official websites of the Nordic Visitor destinations you’ll be visiting. On them you’ll find the complete lists of countries whose nationals require visas to enter. You’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa via the country where you will be spending the most time.

Good to know: Liechtenstein does not issue visas. If you enter via Switzerland, you’ll see there is no border control. The same visa requirements apply between both countries.

Your passport needs to be valid for the entirety of your stay in Europe, and for at least 6 months after your departure date. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us. 

When you book this tour, we’ll ask for a 10% deposit to secure your spot. Then you’ve got plenty of time – the rest is due 30 days before you arrive.

Here’s a tip: if you pay a 20% deposit instead, we’ll include our cancellation protection at no extra cost. It's there to give you breathing room if your plans need to change.

Booking last minute? If it’s less than 30 days until your trip, we’ll need the full payment upfront.

Want to know more? Check out our payment and cancellation terms or just get in touch – we’re here to help.

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.

Upon arrival, you’ll receive a welcome package with hard copies of your itinerary, accommodation and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Alps Travel Guide and more.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching public transport or a taxi to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Euros (EUR), the local currency in Germany, Italy and Austria.

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.