Switzerland, Italy & Austria Trams

Day 1 – Frankfurt

A mid-morning departure by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Frankfurt where we stay for 1 night.

Day 2 – Onward to Basle

We have a morning departure by train to Basle, where we stay for 3 nights. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore.

Day 3 – Basle Trams

We have a full day at leisure to explore the 12 lines of the Basle Tram System. The Basle tram network is over a century old and is part of Basle’s heritage. 

Day 4 – Bern Trams

A morning departure to Bern. Once we arrive you are free to explore the Bern tram system which opened in 1890 and presently has five lines.

Day 5 – Basle to Zürich

After breakfast we travel to Zürich, Switzerland’s largest city where we stay for 2 nights. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, or you may wish to visit the popular Zurich Tram Museum.

Day 6 – Zürich Trams

A full day to travel on Zürich’s tram system following major construction work in 2026 and the biggest timetable update in VBZ history. We will also take a trip to Liestal to join the Waldenburgerbahn, which is the only 750mm gauge line in Switzerland and enjoy an early evening lake cruise.

Day 7 – To Milan

Morning departure by train for Milan, the regional capital of Lombardy in Northern Italy. The afternoon is free for you to explore Milan’s 18-line tram network which covers 113 miles, or you may wish to visit the iconic Gothic Duomo de Milano Cathedral or one of the many art galleries and museums. We stay here for 2 nights.

Day 8 – Milan Trams

A full day to explore Milan’s extensive tram network not covered yesterday. The tour leader will lead an excursion to ensure we travel over as much of the network as possible. The trams in Milan have been running since 1876, although at that time they were horse drawn. Even today some of the trams in circulation are relics and more than 80 years old.

Day 9 – To Padua

A morning departure to Padua, where we stay for 3 nights. If you want to explore a city that is historically rich, culturally vibrant and beautifully preserved, Padua will not disappoint. This afternoon we have an excursion to Venice. We travel on Mestre’s Translohr tram network, a rubber tyred tramway forming part of the public transport system in Venice.

Day 10 – Padua to Trieste

This morning we travel to Trieste. The Opicina is a one-of-a-kind tram that has been in operation in Trieste since 9 September 1902, connecting the centre of Trieste with Opicina, on the Karst plateau. Currently, the line is undergoing maintenance, and we are hopeful it will be operational in time for our visit.

Day 11 – Padua to Florence

This morning we travel to Florence to explore the city’s tram system which consists of two operational lines. It is one of the easiest and most efficient ways of getting around the city.

Day 12 – To Innsbruck

After breakfast we travel to Innsbruck where we stay for 2 nights. The rest of the day is free to explore.

Day 13 – Innsbruck Tram System

A full day to explore Austria’s fifth largest city. Your tour leader will be on hand to lead an optional excursion, which is likely to be a ride on tram line 6. This panoramic line travels from Innsbruck through small villages south of the city. It takes a leisurely climb part way up Patscherkofel mountain reaching rural areas where quaint houses line the streets and cows and sheep graze in the surrounding Alpine meadows.

Day 14 – To Frankfurt

Today we travel to Frankfurt for an overnight stay and an evening at leisure.

Day 15 – Homeward Bound

Direct ICE to Brussels, where we continue to London via Eurostar, arriving mid-afternoon.