Minibus Services Across Switzerland

Day trips by minibus: lakes, falls and panoramic trains

The best Swiss days often mix road and rail. Your minibus drops you at a cog railway, a boat or a panoramic train, then waits at the far end. With a small group and your own driver, you can linger where you like and skip what you don't.

Days that suit a small group

From Zurich, the Rhine Falls are about 55 minutes away and Stein am Rhein about an hour: an easy pair for one day. From Lucerne, the Pilatus cog railway at Alpnachstad is about 25 minutes and the Rigi railway at Vitznau about 45. From Montreux, Chillon is ten minutes along the shore, the Lavaux vineyards at Cully about 30, and Gruyères, for cheese, about 45.

Setra high-capacity coach, exterior
Setra high-capacity coach, exterior

Meeting a panoramic train

A favourite pattern is to ride one leg by train and the other by road. Your vehicle can meet the Glacier Express at Brig, Andermatt or Chur, the Bernina Express at Tirano, or the GoldenPass Express at Interlaken Ost, Gstaad or Montreux.

Book the train first. Glacier Express seats must be reserved, and for both that train and the Bernina Express a party of ten or more books through the RhB Railservice. The Glacier Express also takes a yearly break from mid-October to early December, so an autumn plan needs another train.

Worth knowing before the day

  • Short Glacier Express sections (St. Moritz-Chur, Chur-Andermatt, Andermatt-Brig, Brig-Zermatt) are possible only in the summer timetable, on certain trains
  • GoldenPass Express (Interlaken Ost-Gstaad-Château-d'Oex-Montbovon-Montreux, about 3 h 15 min) changes track gauge on the way with adjustable bogies; seat reservations are compulsory in Prestige class and strongly recommended in 1st and 2nd class
  • In Luzern, coaches may stop at Schwanenplatz, Löwenplatz and Kasernenplatz only with a voucher booked online in advance; the Inseliquai stopping place needs no voucher

Stopping in Lucerne

Lucerne controls stops in the old town. A vehicle with more than nine seats needs an online stop permit for Schwanenplatz, Löwenplatz or Kasernenplatz, booked ahead for that day and that number plate, while the Inseliquai by the KKL needs none. A van with nine seats or fewer may not use these stops at all, so your driver uses a public car park instead.

Questions travellers ask

Which passes are open in winter?

High passes such as the Grimsel, Furka and Susten close for the winter. The Julier, Maloja, Bernina, Brünig and Simplon stay open all year, which keeps Engadin and Ticino days possible.

Do we need train tickets as well?

Yes, for every rail, boat or cable-car leg. Book these yourself or through the railway's group service; the vehicle booking covers the road part of the day.

Can we change the plan on the day?

Small changes can often be agreed with the driver, within the hours booked and the driver's legal limits. A new destination goes through the operator.

More places for your group

Other vehicles with a driver

Plan your day out

Tell us where you are staying, the date, the size of the group and the places on your wish list. A licensed partner operator provides the minibus and driver for the day.

Request a quote or call 35227647770