6-Day Drive 9 Swiss Passes, Glacier Express Route +Stelvio, Italy

The Alps were made for a Porsche.

This six-day self-guided road trip links Switzerland and northern Italy by way of nine high mountain passes, the Glacier Express route, Lake Lucerne, Rhine Gorge, and Stelvio Pass. I like the freedom of setting your own pace, and I like that the hard work of route planning, hotel booking, GPS programming, and car delivery is handled for you. The Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 Roadster also turns every scenic road into part of the attraction.

The trade-off is price. At $11,629.51 per group of two, this is a luxury driving holiday, not a budget tour. Fuel, parking, meals, admission fees, tourism taxes, and travel insurance are extra. I would also confirm the exact hotel sequence before booking, since the route description refers to an Interlaken hotel while the included lodging lists Zurich, Andermatt, and Pontresina.

Key points to know before booking

• Nine major Alpine passes: Drive Susten, Grimsel, Furka, Oberalp, Julier, Fuorn, Stelvio, Bernina, Albula, and Klausen, with the exact total depending on how the route is counted.
• A true self-drive experience: You drive the Porsche yourself, follow a programmed GPS, and choose how long to stop at viewpoints, towns, museums, and walks.
• Luxury hotels are part of the package: Two nights are listed at the Renaissance Hotel Zurich, two at the GrandHotel Kronenhof in Pontresina, and one at The Chedi in Andermatt.
• Stelvio is the big Italian finale: Its 48 numbered hairpins climb to 2,757 meters, or 9,045 feet, over 47 kilometers.
• The route mixes roads with culture: You can visit Disentis Abbey, the Convent of Saint John in Müstair, the Albula Railway Museum, Aare Gorge, and the Rhine Gorge viewpoint.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can cancel the experience, and the pass roads are best suited to confident drivers comfortable with curves, elevation, and changing conditions.

What you are really paying for

The headline price is $11,629.51 for two people. That figure can look startling until you separate the car rental from the hotel package and planning service.

Included are 96 hours with a Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 Roadster, comprehensive car insurance, all tour mileage, delivery and collection at your hotel, a programmed GPS, an English road book, private transport, a personal briefing, and en-route support by phone or WhatsApp. You also receive five nights in listed four- and five-star accommodations, with the named hotels including three five-star properties.

That is a substantial package. You are not simply renting a sports car for six days and finding your own way. The route has been designed around roads that reward driving, and the support system reduces the stress of handling a high-value car in an unfamiliar country.

Still, you should budget beyond the advertised price. Fuel is not included, and a CHF 3,000 deposit is placed on your credit card. Meals, parking, admission charges, hotel tourism taxes, and travel insurance also fall to you. The tour requires a minimum driver age of 23, so check that both drivers meet the rule if you plan to share the wheel.

The value is strongest for a couple celebrating a major occasion, or for someone who would otherwise spend weeks planning a similar route. It is less attractive if your main goal is simply to see the Alps. Switzerland has excellent trains, and a self-planned road trip in an ordinary rental car would cost far less.

Day 1 in Zurich: a practical start, not a sightseeing day

The tour begins with a 5 p.m. meet and greet at the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel. This meeting lasts about 30 minutes and gives you a chance to receive the car, route information, and driving guidance.

The hotel’s location deserves a careful look. It is in Zurich’s industrial section, away from the historic center and many restaurants. One detailed account called the Zurich hotel the low point of an otherwise excellent trip for exactly this reason.

That does not make the hotel unusable. It may be convenient for receiving the car and starting the road route, which is likely the point. But if you want a postcard Swiss city before the mountains, plan extra time in central Zurich before the tour begins or after it ends. Do not assume that the first hotel provides a classic old-town setting.

Day 2: Lake Lucerne, Susten Pass, and the Furka James Bond view

The first full driving day gives you a strong introduction to central Switzerland. The route moves through green meadows and rolling hills toward Lake Lucerne, with mountain roads cut into steep slopes.

Near Weggis, you get one of the best views connected with Lake Lucerne. The listed stop is brief, about 20 minutes, so you will want to keep your camera ready rather than expect a long lakeside visit.

Susten Pass is one of the day’s best roads. It includes 26 bridges and tunnels cut through the rock, with the road climbing below the Gotthard massif. The pass has the kind of flowing bends that make a Porsche feel at home, but you still need to share the road with other vehicles and watch the weather.

The Stein Glacier provides another short stop. You can look across to the ice and high peaks, but the schedule allows about 20 minutes. This is a viewpoint stop, not a glacier expedition.

At Aare Gorge, the pace changes from driving to walking. You have about two hours here, and admission is not included. The route through the narrow gorge follows the Aare River between tall rock walls. This is one of the few stops where sturdy shoes and a little physical stamina matter. The tour asks for a moderate fitness level, and this is one reason why.

Grimsel Pass continues the day with granite, tunnels, reservoirs, and broad mountain views. It connects naturally with Furka Pass, one of Switzerland’s most famous roads. The stop itself is listed at only ten minutes, but the road is the main event.

At the Rhone Glacier, you can visit a blue ice tunnel and ice chamber cut into the glacier each spring. Admission costs extra. The ice tunnel is easy to access according to the route information, but conditions can change at high altitude, so allow enough time and bring a layer even in summer.

Furka Pass supplies the film connection. The viewpoint recalls the road chase in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, where Sean Connery drove an Aston Martin. You can enjoy your own small movie moment in the Porsche, though the real pleasure is the high road, open views, and sharp turns.

The day also includes a walk through Andermatt’s wooden houses. This is a nice counterpoint to the grand passes. It gives you a glimpse of a traditional Alpine village instead of another quick roadside photograph.

One practical concern needs attention here. The day description refers to a hotel in Interlaken after the Aare Gorge, while the included accommodation list names one night at The Chedi in Andermatt. Ask EPIKdrives to confirm the final overnight location and driving order before you pay.

Day 3: following the Glacier Express route to Pontresina

Day three follows the most scenic stretch of the Glacier Express railway route by road. The high point is Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters, or 6,700 feet.

The road gives you a different view of the famous train journey. Instead of sitting in a panoramic carriage, you can stop when the view opens up, then continue when you are ready. That independence is one of the best reasons to choose this experience over a standard rail excursion.

Disentis Abbey, or the Benedictine monastery at Disentis, is a worthwhile cultural stop. It sits where the Lukmanier and Oberalp passes meet, high in the Vorderrhein Valley. About 45 minutes is allowed, and admission is extra. If you enjoy churches, monasteries, and mountain communities, this stop adds needed variety to a day otherwise centered on roads.

The Il Spir Conn viewing platform looks over the Rhine Gorge and its dramatic horseshoe bend. The stop is short, about ten minutes, but the view is designed for a quick, memorable pause.

Pradaschier adds a more playful option. Its toboggan run is described as the longest in Switzerland, with about two hours available. Admission is not included. This is an especially good choice if you need a break from sitting in the car, though it makes the day harder to complete at a relaxed pace if you also linger at the abbey and viewpoints.

Julier Pass climbs to 2,284 meters, or 7,493 feet, before you reach the Engadine Valley. You can make an optional one-hour stop in St. Moritz to walk beside the lake, have coffee, and look across the mountains.

Pontresina is the listed overnight base, about 20 minutes from St. Moritz. The GrandHotel Kronenhof is a major part of the luxury appeal. Pontresina itself is quieter and less commercial than St. Moritz, with traditional buildings, mountain scenery, and access to hiking trails. If you prefer calm evenings to designer shops and polished resort energy, staying here is a smart choice.

Day 4: Swiss National Park and Stelvio Pass in Italy

The fourth day crosses into Italy through the Fuorn Pass, a fast, sweeping Alpine road that serves as the gateway to the Italian Tyrol.

You can add a stop at the Swiss National Park to learn about local flora and fauna. The park is described as Switzerland’s only national park. The exact stop length is not given, so ask how much time the road book assigns if this is important to you.

The Convent of Saint John in Müstair is a compact but valuable cultural stop. This early medieval Benedictine monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its well-preserved Carolingian art. The visit is listed at about 20 minutes, and admission is extra. That is not long for a major historic site, so you may need to choose between a quick look and a slower visit.

Then comes Stelvio Pass, the driving centerpiece of the trip. The road has 48 numbered hairpins over 47 kilometers and reaches 2,757 meters, or 9,045 feet. The zigzag climb is famous for good reason. You get a huge sense of height, but you also get a road that demands attention.

Do not treat Stelvio as a racetrack. The road is narrow in places, curves are tight, and conditions can shift quickly. The Porsche makes the climb exciting, but your best memories will come from driving smoothly and leaving room for other road users.

The Bernina Pass follows, running parallel to the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway. This gives you another link between the road journey and Switzerland’s celebrated mountain rail routes. At this point, the sheer number of passes can feel almost excessive, but the changing valleys and road shapes keep the drive from becoming repetitive.

Day 5: Albula Railway and the long road back toward Zurich

The final major driving day includes Albula Pass and Klausen Pass. Albula Pass follows the Albula River, with especially fine views on its northern side. Near Bergün, the road climbs beside a cliff through a series of bends, opening onto views of the Albula canyon.

The Albula Railway Museum in Bergün is a smart stop for anyone interested in engineering or rail travel. The railway runs near the pass, and with good timing you may see a train crossing one of the stone viaducts. The museum takes about an hour, and admission is extra.

Klausen Pass provides one last major road challenge. It connects Altdorf in Uri with Linthal in Glarus, climbs to 1,948 meters, or 6,391 feet, and covers 46 kilometers with 136 curves.

Its location makes it useful for the final day because it is only about an hour from Zurich when approached from the city. The listed stop is only ten minutes, but, as with the other passes, you are really there for the drive and the views rather than a formal attraction.

The route ends back at the Zurich meeting point. Day six is described as a leisure day followed by departure for your next destination, so confirm when the car is collected and how much free time remains.

Driving freedom, support, and the Porsche factor

This is a private trip for your group alone. That matters because you are not waiting for a bus full of people at every viewpoint. You can stop for a photograph, skip a museum, or spend longer at Lake Lucerne without negotiating with strangers.

The self-guided format also means you need to be comfortable making decisions. The GPS and English road book help, and phone or WhatsApp support is available en route, but this is not a chauffeur-driven tour. You are responsible for the car, timing, fuel, parking, and daily energy levels.

The Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 Roadster is central to the experience. It is not just transport. The open-top design suits the passes, and the car gives the road itself a sense of occasion. A range of cars is available through EPIKdrives, according to the feedback provided, so ask about alternatives if the Boxster is not your first choice.

The car comes with comprehensive insurance, but the CHF 3,000 credit card deposit remains important. Make sure your card has enough available credit and that you understand the insurance terms before collecting the vehicle.

Who will enjoy this route most

I would recommend this trip to a couple who wants a polished Alpine holiday with driving at its center. It suits confident drivers, sports-car fans, and people who enjoy changing scenery more than spending several days in one town.

It also works well for a milestone celebration. One detailed account described a two-week Porsche 911 holiday arranged by Stephan of EPIKdrives, including car delivery, hotel reservations, GPS directions, and pandemic paperwork. That points to the company’s strength: careful coordination and follow-up, not simply handing over a set of keys.

You should think twice if you dislike tight curves, high roads, or long days behind the wheel. The physical demands are moderate rather than extreme, but Aare Gorge, glacier access, and optional outdoor activities require more than sitting in a car.

The route is also not ideal for someone seeking a slow cultural tour. You will see monasteries, villages, railway sites, and lakes, but many stops are brief. The main attraction is the movement between them.

Practical details that affect the experience

The tour lasts six days and uses a mobile ticket. The start point is the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel at Turbinenstrasse 20 in Zurich, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Fuel, parking, meals, admission fees, local hotel taxes, and travel insurance are not included. Admission charges apply at places such as Aare Gorge, the Rhone Glacier ice tunnel, Disentis Abbey, Pradaschier, the Convent of Saint John, and the Albula Railway Museum.

A full refund is available when you cancel at least six full days before the start time. Cancellation two to six days before departure receives a 50 percent refund, while cancellation less than two days before departure is nonrefundable. Poor weather can also cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

I would pay close attention to the season and road conditions. A high mountain route depends on weather, and the experience provider specifically requires good weather. Before booking, ask which passes are expected to be open for your dates and how the route changes if conditions interfere.

Should you book this Porsche Alpine tour?

Book it if you want the Alps as a driving experience, not just a backdrop. The combination of a Porsche, luxury hotels, independent timing, Glacier Express scenery, and Stelvio Pass is unusual and well suited to a special occasion.

Do not book it simply because the price includes a fancy car. You still pay for fuel, meals, entry fees, taxes, and other trip costs, and you need to be an active driver for much of each day.

My advice is to request the final hotel plan, the expected pass openings, the insurance terms, and a realistic daily driving schedule before committing. If those details suit you, this is an exciting and carefully supported way to see the Swiss and Italian Alps in six days.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel, Turbinenstrasse 20, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts six days and includes five nights of accommodation.

What car is included?

The package includes 96 hours with a Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 Roadster. The minimum driver age is 23.

Is the tour guided?

This is a private, self-guided driving tour. You receive a personal briefing, a programmed GPS, an English road book, and en-route support by call or WhatsApp.

Which hotels are included?

The listed hotels are two nights at the Renaissance Hotel Zurich, two nights at the GrandHotel Kronenhof in Pontresina, and one night at The Chedi Hotel in Andermatt.

Are meals and admission fees included?

No. Fuel, parking, local tourism taxes, admission fees, travel insurance, lunch, and dinner are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.