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12-Day Grand Train Tour: Ultimate Packing List

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12-Day Grand Train Tour: Ultimate Packing List

Tackle your suitcases with ease with our complete Switzerland grand train tour packing list. Keep track of all your essentials and remove pain of the decision-making.

3-day train tour of Switzerland

Pack Light and Pack Right

Probably many of you are seasoned packers already – years of traveling around the world by plane, car, or ship usually has that effect on a person.

You have likes and dislikes and know exactly what you need in your daily life as a traveler. However, a good packing list is always helpful. Whether for ticking off boxes or as a shot of inspiration, such a list can make your life just a tad easier. We’ve had people thank us for this Switzerland grand train tour packing list.

Our favorite packing suggestion is: less is more. Pack right and pack light, that’s our motto. Although we will have a dedicated luggage transfer throughout our trip, a light suitcase containing only your must-haves packed in order is always easier to handle.

Below, you’ll find a grand train tour packing list for both men and women, information about luggage transfer during our rail tours, essential documents, and other helpful facts.

rail tours of Switzerland for seniors

Important Things to Remember

  • Comfortable shoes. During our rail tour, we will be walking to and from the train stations and our hotels, so you will want to wear comfortable shoes. We recommend taking 2 pairs of shoes: one pair of walking shoes with good traction and one nicer pair for the evening. Sturdy, low-profile tennis shoes with good tread are fine, too. 
  • List of medicines you’re on. It’s always better to come prepared. Especially if you use any drugs continuously, you may want to bring a complete list with names and dosages. Mind you, the drugs available in Switzerland are different than in the US, and many pharmacies do not accept foreign prescriptions. If you need any prescriptions filled, do so before arrival. Pack prescription medication in your carry-on, rather than check-in luggage. Keep the medicine in original containers, if possible, with legible prescriptions. Some medicine requires a special form to be brought into the Schengen area. Check with your doctor if that’s the case. 
  • Adapters. We will lend an adapter to every member of the group. Electric sockets in Switzerland are different than typical European C-type with two round pins. If you need more adapters, you can find them in shops with electronic equipment, for instance, Interdiscount. 
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Grand Train Tour Packing List for Women

Clothing for Women

  • 2 pairs of walking/comfortable shoes (trekking shoes, trainers with a good grip, or comfortable tennis shoes will do).
  • 1 windbreaker/rainproof jacket.
  • 1 fleece/softshell jacket.
  • 2 pairs of shorts/capris.
  • 2 to 3 pairs of pants (one dressy, two casual; cotton blend is recommended: when washed, it dries faster than jeans).
  • 1 swimsuit.
  • Several sets of underwear (polyamide, bamboo, or viscose blends dry faster).
  • 4–6 shirts (long and short-sleeved).
  • 1–2 light cardigans for layering.
  • 1–2 skirts (optional wrinkle-resistant)
  • 1 dress (optional).
  • Hat, scarf, gloves (sometimes it gets cool in the high elevations in St. Moritz, Zermatt & Jungfraujoch).
  •  Sleepwear.
a day on a glacier express

Women’s Toiletries / Personal Care Items

  • Body soap/puff/synthetic washcloth: not all of our hotels supply washcloths.
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss.
  • Shampoo/conditioner (hairdryer is provided in each hotel).
  • Hairstyling products.
  • Skincare and lotion (SPF recommended).
  • Razor (non-electric)/shaving cream or soap.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Prescription drugs (in the original container with your name and your doctor’s name).
  • First aid kit.
  • Feminine hygiene products.
  • Deodorant.
  • Nail clippers/file/tweezers.
  • Spare glasses and/or prescription, or contact lenses and supplies.
  • Hand sanitizer.
  • Vitamins.
  • OTC remedies (whatever works for you): Pepto, decongestants, neosporin.
Pre-Tour Grand Train Tour of Switzerland 12 Days

Grand Train Tour Packing List For Men

Men’s Clothing

  •  5-6 shirts (short-sleeved or long-sleeved).
  •  2-3 pairs of pants. (lightweight cotton and super-lightweight pair).
  • 1 pair of shorts/bermudas.
  • Several sets of underwear and socks (cotton, nylon, bamboo, viscose blends dry faster).
  • 1 windbreaker/waterproof jacket.
  • 1-2 sweaters or fleece jackets.
  • Hat, scarf, gloves: sometimes it gets cool in the high elevations in St. Moritz, Zermatt & Jungfraujoch.
  • 1 swimsuit. 
  • Sleepwear.
grand rail tour of switzerland

Men’s Toiletries/Personal Care Items

  • Each bathroom has soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hand lotion. However, you may wish to bring your own.
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss.
  • Deodorant.
  • Shaving foam, razor, or electric razor.
  • Aftershave.
  • Tweezers/nail clippers.
  • Medicine and vitamins. 
  • First-aid kit. Our guide has a complete first aid kit.
  • Glasses/contacts/sunglasses. Contact lens solutions are widely available in local stores. Carry your lens prescription, as well as extra glasses, in a solid protective case.
  • Special medications with your name and your doctor’s name on it.  
Switzerland private rail tour 5 days

Money, Documents, and Travel Info

Money

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc, not the Euro. Most of the tour features are included in the price, so you do not need to carry much cash. Your daily expenses will probably round up to 50 Francs you will spend on lunch, drinks, and souvenirs. Switzerland is increasingly more cashless, and you’ll be able to pay by card in almost every store and restaurant. You can also withdraw the money from the ATMs at the train station or at the airport. Check for any additional withdrawal and conversion fees beforehand.

Money belt or neck wallet

Your grand train tour packing list wouldn’t be complete without a money pouch. This flat, hidden, zippered pouch worn around your waist (or like a necklace) and tucked under your clothes — is practical for the peace of mind it brings. Wallets in zipped pockets are a good idea. Optional money belts or fanny packs are good things to think about using, too.

Documents

  • Passport.
  • Plane tickets.
  • Driver’s license.
  • Insurance card.
  • Photocopies of your passport and a couple of passport-type photos.
  • List of contacts for health or travel insurance.
swiss gotthard military fortress

List of Electronics

  • Smartphone. Good to call your service provider to learn about Swiss roaming and data options.
  • iPad/computer
  • Camera, extra memory card, extra battery.
  • Reading materials: iPad or Kindle are a good alternative to paper books. 
  • Headphones/earbuds. 
  • Chargers and batteries. Bring each device’s charger, or look into getting a charger capable of charging multiple devices at once.
  • Plug adapters. We give you adapters in Lucerne during the briefing.
grand train tour packing list

Optional Extras

  • Refillable bottle of water. Tap water in Switzerland is safe to drink.
  • Small binoculars. For the spectacular Swiss scenery – a good idea.
  • Sealable plastic baggies. Two or three might come in handy.
  • Hand wipes / sanitizer / purse-size Kleenex packets 
  • Washcloth. Not all the hotels provide a washcloth.
  • Earplugs. It’s a good idea to bring your own set. 
  • Inflatable pillow or neck rest. These are great for snoozing in planes, trains, and automobiles.
  • Address list.

Additional Information

  • The luggage is transferred from hotel to hotel for you. You will receive the luggage tags before starting the trip.
  • Your detailed itinerary will be mailed to you at least 2 weeks in advance of the trip so you will have all the specific hotel contact information available as a leave behind for family members to see and have.
  • To help you with your clothing decisions for your grand train tour packing list, here are some elevation ranges we will be experiencing. Where we stay in the Lucerne, 1,320 ft to St. Moritz 6,000 ft are the hotel overnight ranges. During the day, the highest summits we ride up to include Jungfraujoch 11, 400 ft where you arrive indoors and are able to go outside as well.
  • Stores in Switzerland – You will find the local stores have everything you can find in the USA. So if you forget something, it will be easy to purchase en route.
  • Most of the trains will have smartphone plug-ins.
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