Paris to Rome by Rail

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
Paris to Rome by Rail
10 Days
From AUD $6160
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


 (3 reviews)

Paris to Rome by Rail

Paris to Rome by Rail

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
3.5
3 Reviews
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Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Take a ten-day rail-only adventure from Paris to Rome. You’ll start in the City of Lights, then you’ll zoom to Switzerland for a mountain getaway.

Highlights

  • Choose a slower-paced European journey on a comfortable rail-only trip – as well as travelling like the locals on domestic trains, you’ll also hop aboard the Gotthard Panorama Express and take the Mount Pilatus Silver Circle tour (which includes an aerial cableway)!
  • Watch a cooking demonstration using fresh, locally harvested produce, then sit down to lunch during a visit to The Intrepid Foundation partner, Cooperativa Coraggio, who work to regenerate 22 hectares of unused public land to create local jobs and produce organic food in Italy.
  • Walk along the Musegg Wall and the nine Musegg Towers of Lucerne – an old fortification surrounding the city that is now home to endangered plants and wildlife like bats and birds. This is one of the best ways to see Lucerne like the locals!
  • Take a scenic hike in Bellinzona to make the most of the incredible views – surrounded by the Swiss Alps, Bellinzona also features not one, not two, but three medieval castles.
  • The Silver Circle tour is one of the best ways to make use of your time in Lucerne. Scaling the impressive Mount Pilatus, you’ll travel by railway, cogwheel railway, aerial cableway and then jump on panorama gondolas for incredible views of the surrounding Alps and Lake Lucerne.

Trip Details

Duration

10 days

Transportation

Train,Metro,Local Bus,Private Vechicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Paris, France

Finishes

Rome, France

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer, Rail & Cruises

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Paris
Bonjour! Welcome to France. Your adventure begins in Paris – the City of Lights, known for its romance, delicious cuisine and amazing art scene. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, followed by a leader-led orientation walk to experience the buzz of Paris as night falls. If you arrive early, why not explore the city at your own pace. Maybe grab a traditional baguette, a buttery croissant and some local meats and fruits and have a picnic by the Eiffel Tower. If you’d like to tick off bucket list sites like the Louvre or walking the Champs-Elysees, today is also your best opportunity. After tonight's meeting, you have the option to head out for a welcome dinner with your group to get to know each other better and be introduced to the wonderful local food.

Included Activities:

  • Paris - Orientation Walk
  • Paris - Welcome Meeting

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Lausanne
Today, you have a free morning in Paris. Maybe grab some iconic baked goods and stroll along the River Seine or get to know Montmartre and why this district has attracted artists for generations. After a chance to grab some lunch, you’ll board the train to Lausanne in Switzerland – sitting on the banks of Lake Geneva, this French-speaking city is home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters. When you arrive, walk to your hotel and depending on the group’s interests, maybe head out on an orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings. Tonight, you’re free to explore the city after dark – your leader will have some great recommendations for dinner.

Optional Activities:

  • Paris - Hidden Montmartre Urban Adventure (35 EUR)
  • Paris - Palace of Versailles (20 EUR)
  • Paris - Louvre Museum (must be prebooked in advance) (22 EUR)
  • Paris - Arc de Triomphe (16 EUR)
  • Paris - Musee d'Orsay (16 EUR)
  • Paris - Rodin Museum (14 EUR)
  • Paris - Napoleon's Tomb & Les Invalides Army Museum (15 EUR)
  • Paris - Eiffel Tower (from - must be prebooked in advance) (23 EUR)
  • Paris - Da Vinci Code Walking Tour (25 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Lausanne
After breakfast this morning, head to the Lausanne Cathedral – seen as one of the most beautiful gothic art monuments in Europe, this cathedral overlooks the city. After wandering around and heading to the top for some great city views, you’ll head to a bakery to sample a delicious local pastry. Then, you have a free afternoon for lunch and further explorations. Maybe take a boat tour this afternoon on the Leman Lake or visit the Olympic Museum to learn the history of the games. Maybe head to Lavaux Vineyards – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and indulge in a wine tasting. You could also book a chocolate-tasting tour (the Swiss are known for their chocolate)!

Included Activities:

  • Lausanne - Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

  • Lausanne - Visit to Unesco-listed Lavaux vineyards and wine tasting (including return local trains) (23 CHF)
  • Lausanne - Boat tour on the Leman Lake (38 CHF)
  • Lausanne - Visit to the Olympic Museum (20 CHF)
  • Lausanne - Chocolate tasting tour (29 CHF)
  • Lausanne - Visit to Plateforme 10 museum (15 CHF)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Lucerne
Walk to the station to catch a train from Lausanne to Lucerne. Watch the gorgeous Swiss scenery pass you by from the comfort of your carriage and arrive in time for lunch. Lucerne is known for its medieval architecture, colourful Old Town and views of snowcapped mountains and it’s a bit of a foodie’s paradise so you’ll have plenty of great options. After, take a walk on the Museggmauer Walls surrounding Lucerne with your local leader. Dominating the skyline, the Musegg Wall and the nine Musegg Towers formed part of the town’s fortifications, and today, walking along the ramparts is a popular activity for locals and visitors. Stop for a drink at the Hinter Misegg farm – an organic farm right in the heart of the city. Look out for the resident alpacas, Highland cattle, mini pigs, hens and goats, then enjoy a free evening. Maybe rent a paddle boat on the lake or hop on the Cityboat, one of the most popular ways to see the city.

Included Activities:

  • Lucerne - Walk on the Museggmauer Walls

Optional Activities:

  • Lucerne - Swiss Museum of Transport (62 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Fondue lunch or dinner (27 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Boat tour on the lake (30 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Paddle boat on the lake (40 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Gletschergarten Luzern Museum (22 CHF)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Lucerne Mount Pilatus
Today, you’re in for a treat as your group heads to Lucerne’s Mount Pilatus for the 3-hour Silver Tour. One of the best ways to see the surrounding peaks, your tour takes you on a journey by railway, cogwheel railway, aerial cableway and panorama gondola for incredible views of Mount Pilatus and the Swiss Alps. Departing from the main railway station in Lucerne, the central railway train will take you along the shores of Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. There, you’ll hop on the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, riding all the way up to the summit of the mountain. Here, you can find fine dining options, hiking options, a concert space and amazing panoramic views of the Alps and the Alpine massif. You’ll then take the aerial cableway and gondolas on the ‘Dragon Ride’ to the valley. After an incredible morning, you have a free afternoon to take up any optional activities you didn’t get a chance to complete yesterday.

Included Activities:

  • Lucerne - Mount Pilatus Silver Circle Tour

Optional Activities:

  • Lucerne - Swiss Museum of Transport (62 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Guided tour of the Sonnenberg Bunker (350 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Boat tour on the lake (30 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Paddle boat on the lake (40 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Gletschergarten Luzern Museum (22 CHF)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Ticino Region Gotthard Panorama Express
Enjoy a leisurely morning before leaving Lucerne and making your way to Ticino Region on the Gotthard Panorama Express. You will first take a regional train (approx. 30 min) to Arth-Goldau before boarding this scenic train offering more than just transit from one place to another. Travelling from central to southern Switzerland, you'll pass mountain vistas, blue lakes, sleepy villages and rolling hills. When you arrive in Bellinzona in the late afternoon, take a quick orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings, then your evening is free. Known for its three imposing medieval castles and surrounding views of the Alps, the atmosphere is perfect for a self-paced walking tour. If you’re looking for a cosy spot for dinner, just ask your expert leader for the best recommendations.

Included Activities:

  • Bellinzona - Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

  • Lucerne - Swiss Museum of Transport (62 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Boat tour on the lake (30 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Paddle boat on the lake (40 CHF)
  • Lucerne - Gletschergarten Luzern Museum (22 CHF)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Ticino Region
Take another excursion up into the mountains today. Take a bus to the starting point of an easy hike, then head out on the trail for some unbeatable views of the Alps and a bird’s eye view of the city. Take some time to wander around, then head back to the city. Your afternoon is free, so you might like to visit the Castle of Bellinzona or The Municipal Museum of Villa dei Cedri – this suburban villa features gardens, historical architecture and regional art from the 19th century to present day works.

Included Activities:

  • Bellinzona - Leader led hike

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Rome
Travel to ‘The Eternal City’ of Rome. Leaving Switzerland behind, board a morning train to Milan, where you’ll then change for the capital of Italy. Today’s a bit of a travel day, so take the opportunity to get to know your group a little better or grab a window seat and watch the scenery change from the mountains of Switzerland to the oranges and terracotta hues of Italy. When you arrive in Rome, you’ll head out with your leader for an orientation walk of the city. Home to popular sites like the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – there is no shortage of things to see and do in Rome. With your free afternoon and evening, you might like to take a tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, visit the Pantheon, tour Vatican City or walk through the trendy areas within Trastevere in search of the best pasta, sandwich, gelato, homemade pizza or glass of vino.

Included Activities:

  • Rome - Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

  • Vatican City - Vatican Museum (25 EUR)
  • Rome - Pantheon One Hour Guided Tour Urban Adventure (35 EUR)
  • Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo (19 EUR)
  • Rome - Christian Catacombs (10 EUR)
  • Rome - Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill (19 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Rome
Wake up to the exciting buzz of Rome and head out to visit an Intrepid Foundation partner – Cooperativa Coraggio. Set in the serene countryside, this organisation addresses the various social and environmental needs of Italian communities by regenerating unused public lands with organic, sustainable agriculture. Learn what they do here and watch a short cooking demonstration using fresh, locally harvested products that you’ll then sit down and enjoy for lunch. Return to Rome, where your last evening is free to visit the Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti, Piazza Venezia, St Peter's Basilica or anywhere you didn’t get a chance to see yesterday. Don’t forget to do as the Romans do and sip an espresso at one of the tiny streetside cafes! Tonight, why not head out for a final dinner with your group and toast to your adventures with a glass of wine?

Included Activities:

  • Rome - Cooperativa Coraggio (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

Optional Activities:

  • Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator (10 EUR)
  • Rome - Pantheon (5 EUR)
  • Rome - Galleria Borghese (17 EUR)
  • Rome - Venezia Palace (17 EUR)
  • Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House (6 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Rome
With no further activities planned, your trip ends after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your adventures, maybe consider booking yourself onto ZMSV as well and extend your rail journey across Europe. If you’d like to stay on in Rome, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $6,160
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 10 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Take a ten-day rail-only adventure from Paris to Rome. You’ll start in the City of Lights, then you’ll zoom to Switzerland for a mountain getaway.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 23 Jun 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
3.0
Chip
Traveled, June 2022

07/03/2022

Good, but there was definitely a lack of information given to folk on the tour. As in what to wear, how strenuous it's going to be ... etc.

3.0
Loren
Traveled, October 2024

10/15/2024

First the positive. Olbia, Maddalena, and Bonifacio are beautiful. The waters are crystal clear. The sailing is amazing. The approach to Corsica is particularly stunning. The captain was extremely competent and we always felt safe. We only had 3 people plus the captain on the boat, which made the accommodations comfortable enough (8 people would have been way too many for me). On the not so positive side, the beaches were just ok and the snorkeling was unimpressive. We did not experience any walking trails nor much wild life. Breakfasts and lunches were all on the boat, as were 4 dinners. It was not our understanding that, literally, the captain’s only responsibility was to sail the boat. He didn’t help with paying for, preparing, or cleaning up after meals. With only the 3 passengers, this meant that on our vacation, we took care of him. We called him when lunch/dinner was ready and cleaned his dishes when we were all done. He didn’t seem particularly appreciative nor did he reciprocate in any way. He didn’t offer tips on walking trails or comment on wild life opportunities. He took the zodiac out once, on request. Basically, he dropped anchor and we were on our own. Overall, it was a beautiful trip but it didn’t totally live up to the expectations set by the itinerary.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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