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

The real draw here is simple: you get behind the wheel of a Porsche and cross some of the finest mountain roads in Switzerland and northern Italy. The route follows part of the Glacier Express corridor, climbs the famous Stelvio Pass, and links high passes with places such as the Rhine Gorge, Aare Gorge, and Rhone Glacier.

I like the freedom of a self-led trip, backed by a programmed GPS, day-by-day road book, and en route support. I also like the hotel plan, especially two nights at the GrandHotel Kronenhof in Pontresina and one at The Chedi in Andermatt. The main caution is the price: at $11,629.51 for two people, this is a luxury driving holiday, not a bargain road trip. Fuel, parking, meals, admission fees, and local hotel taxes cost extra.

Key details before you book

• Nine serious Alpine passes: The route includes Susten, Grimsel, Furka, Oberalp, Julier, Fuorn, Stelvio, Bernina, Albula, and Klausen, with the exact count depending on how you classify the route.
• A Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0: You drive a roadster designed for winding mountain roads, with all tour mileage and comprehensive car insurance included.
• Luxury lodging is part of the package: Two nights are planned at the Renaissance Zurich Hotel, two at the GrandHotel Kronenhof in Pontresina, and one at The Chedi in Andermatt.
• You set the rhythm: This is private and self-led. Stop for photos, walks, cafés, museums, or mountain views without joining a large group.
• Stelvio is the big driving prize: The Italian pass has 48 numbered hairpins and reaches 2,757 meters.
• The details are handled for you: Car delivery and collection, GPS, a road book, hotel planning, a briefing, and phone or WhatsApp support reduce the usual road-trip fuss.

Why this Porsche road trip costs so much

The advertised price is $11,629.51 per group of up to two people. That number looks steep until you separate the car rental from the rest of the package.

You are paying for 96 hours with a Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 Roadster, comprehensive car insurance, unlimited tour mileage, five nights in four- and five-star accommodation, route planning, GPS, hotel delivery and collection, private transport, and support along the way. The experience is built for a couple celebrating something special, not for someone simply trying to get from Zurich to Italy.

I see the value in the convenience. You do not need to arrange a sports-car rental, research each pass, work out where to sleep, or build a route through several Alpine regions. Stephan’s planning and follow-up are a central part of the service, including the practical details that can otherwise eat up a day.

Still, do the math before booking. Fuel, parking, lunch, dinner, local tourism taxes, travel insurance, and admission charges are not included. The rental also requires a CHF 3,000 credit-card deposit, and the minimum driver age is 23.

Day one in Zurich: a short handoff

The trip begins with a 5 p.m. meet and greet at the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel. This is not a sightseeing day. It is your orientation, briefing, and handoff before the mountain driving begins.

The hotel is in Zurich’s modern western district rather than the old center. That may disappoint you if you want to walk straight from the lobby into historic lanes or a busy restaurant quarter. On the other hand, it gives the trip a practical starting point, and two nights in Zurich provide some breathing room around the car delivery.

A private transfer and the hotel arrangements are included as part of the package. Confirm the exact timing of the car handoff before arrival, especially if you are landing the same day.

Day two: Lake Lucerne, Susten, Grimsel, Furka, and the Rhone Glacier

The first full driving day introduces the rhythm of the trip: scenic roads, short stops, optional walks, and long stretches where the road itself is the attraction.

The approach to Lake Lucerne runs through green meadows and rolling hills before the mountains close in. Near Weggis, you get one of Switzerland’s classic lake and mountain views. The listed stop is only about 20 minutes, so treat it as a photo pause rather than a full lakeside visit.

Then comes Susten Pass, one of the finest roads on the route. It climbs beneath the Gotthard massif, using 26 bridges and tunnels cut through the rock. The road feels engineered for a grand Alpine tour, and the Porsche has room to show what it can do without turning the day into a race. You will want to drive carefully, though. Mountain roads can be narrow, and views are a reason to stop, not a reason to stare while moving.

At Stein Glacier, you pause for views of the ice and high peaks. The stop is short, but it breaks up the drive nicely.

The Aare Gorge offers the day’s main walk. Allow about two hours for the gorge stop, and remember that admission is extra. A short route through the rock formations gives you a welcome change from the driver’s seat. It is also one of the better places to stretch your legs before more mountain roads.

Grimsel Pass follows, with granite slopes, tunnels, reservoirs, and broad bends. It connects naturally with Furka Pass, so the scenery keeps changing instead of feeling like a series of unrelated photo stops.

Near the Rhone Glacier, you can visit the blue ice tunnel and ice chamber, cut into the glacier each spring since around 1870. Admission is not included. Conditions at high altitude can change, and the glacier visit is best treated as an optional stop rather than the central reason to book the trip.

Furka supplies the movie connection. The road and views recall the James Bond sequence in Goldfinger, where Sean Connery’s Aston Martin crossed the pass. You can also stroll through Andermatt, a small mountain town with wooden houses, before settling into the evening.

The day is packed. If you stop at every suggested point, the schedule will feel full, especially once you add meals, fuel, photos, and weather delays.

Day three: the Glacier Express route without the train

This day follows the most scenic stretch of the Glacier Express corridor by car. You climb Oberalp Pass to 2,033 meters, the highest point on the famous rail route.

The road gives you a different view from the train. You control the stops, but you also have to handle the turns and traffic yourself. Oberalp is a good place to pause for mountain air and photographs before descending toward Disentis.

The Benedictine monastery at Disentis is worth considering if you want culture alongside the driving. The monastery sits where the Lukmanier and Oberalp routes meet, and admission is extra. Allow about 45 minutes.

Next comes the Il Spir viewing platform above the Rhine Gorge. The platform is known for its view of the gorge and its horseshoe bend. The listed stop is short, so do not expect a long hike. It is one of those places where ten minutes can produce a memorable view if the weather cooperates.

Pradaschier changes the mood again. Its toboggan run is described as the longest in Switzerland, and the stop is planned for roughly two hours. Admission is extra. This is a good choice if you want a little fun after several hours of road work, though it may not appeal if your priority is reaching the next hotel quickly.

Julier Pass takes you into the Engadine Valley at 2,284 meters. The route then brings you toward St. Moritz and Pontresina.

You can spend about an hour in St. Moritz, walking by the lake, sitting in a café, and taking in the polished resort atmosphere. Pontresina, where the package provides two nights at the GrandHotel Kronenhof, offers a quieter base. That is an important distinction: St. Moritz is the famous name, but Pontresina gives you a calmer place to sleep while keeping the Engadine close at hand.

Day four: Swiss National Park and the Stelvio challenge

Day four crosses from Switzerland into Italy and delivers the route’s most famous driving test.

The Fuorn Pass is a fast, sweeping road and a gateway toward the Italian Tyrol. There is also an optional stop connected with the Swiss National Park, where you can learn about local plants and animals. The park is the only national park in Switzerland, but the schedule does not set aside a long visit, so you will need to choose between a park stop and keeping the day moving.

In Val Müstair, the Convent of Saint John gives the day a strong cultural counterpoint. This early medieval Benedictine monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its well-preserved Carolingian art. Admission is extra, and the listed visit is about 20 minutes. That is enough for a quick look, but not enough for a slow examination of every detail.

Then comes Stelvio Pass, the star of the trip. The road climbs to 2,757 meters and includes 48 numbered hairpins over about 47 kilometers. This is not a smooth expressway. It is a concentrated series of tight bends, dramatic slopes, and changing weather.

The Porsche makes the climb special, but the car does not remove the need for patience. You will share the road with other vehicles, and the hairpins require careful positioning. The reward is the sense of crossing one of Europe’s great mountain roads under your own control.

Bernina Pass follows, running near the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway. The stop is brief, but the road offers another high-altitude section before you return toward the Engadine area. This is a demanding day, so the luxury hotel at the end matters. A comfortable room is not decoration here. It is recovery time.

Day five: Albula railway country and Klausen Pass

Day five mixes rail history with one last major Swiss pass.

Albula Pass follows the Albula River, then climbs through bends toward Bergün. The northern part is especially scenic, with views over the Albula canyon. This is a slower, more intimate road than Stelvio, and you may find it easier to appreciate the surroundings without the same pressure from tight hairpins.

The Albula Railway Museum in Bergün is an optional one-hour stop, with admission extra. The railway runs near the road, and if timing works, you might see a train crossing one of the stone viaducts. The museum is a smart addition if you enjoyed the Glacier Express connection and want context for how railways cross this difficult terrain.

Klausen Pass then connects Altdorf with Linthal. It rises to 1,948 meters and stretches about 46 kilometers with 136 curves. The pass is close enough to Zurich to serve as a first Alpine drive, yet it works well here as a final flourish after the larger passes of Graubünden and Italy.

The route description gives Klausen a short stop, but do not mistake that for the total driving time. Allow time for the road itself, fuel, photographs, and any delays. The day ends with leisure and later departure for your next destination.

The Porsche, route notes, and support

You receive a Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 Roadster for 96 hours. All tour mileage is included, and the vehicle is delivered to and collected from your hotel. Comprehensive car insurance is also included, subject to the rental terms and the CHF 3,000 deposit.

The programmed GPS matters more than it may seem. Alpine roads can cross several cantons and countries in one day, and a wrong turn can cost more than time. The English-language road book gives you a second layer of guidance, with the flexibility to stop when you see a view worth chasing.

This is not a convoy tour. Your group drives alone, with a personal briefing and support by phone or WhatsApp. That arrangement suits confident drivers who want independence but do not want to plan every hotel, pass, and detour themselves.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The driving itself is the main activity, but the Aare Gorge, glacier visit, monastery, viewing platform, and toboggan run add walking and stairs.

Who should book this Alpine driving holiday?

I would choose this trip for a couple who values a special car, polished hotels, and a ready-made route. It is particularly well suited to an anniversary, milestone birthday, or first major European driving holiday.

You should also enjoy being behind the wheel for long stretches. This is not a relaxed sightseeing tour with someone else doing the driving. You control the Porsche, manage the mountain roads, and decide how long to linger.

It is less suitable if you want a low-cost trip, a full schedule of guided museum visits, or a slow holiday in one valley. It is also not ideal if you dislike hairpin turns, changing weather, or making daily choices about which optional stops fit into the schedule.

The small group size is a real advantage. For two people, the road book and support system give you independence without making you responsible for every detail. Just confirm the exact hotel sequence and daily driving times before paying, since the route includes many stops and the road conditions can affect what is realistic.

Final verdict: a high-end road trip for serious Alpine scenery

Book this tour if the idea of driving a Porsche across Stelvio, Furka, Susten, Oberalp, Julier, Bernina, Albula, and Klausen feels more exciting than spending the same money on a conventional guided vacation.

The strongest parts are the route planning, luxury hotel base, private format, and freedom to set your pace. Stephan’s hands-on organization is useful for a trip with this many moving parts. The main weakness is value for anyone who does not care deeply about the car or the mountain roads. At this price, the experience needs to be the point, not just a way to reach Switzerland’s sights.

For the right couple, it is a polished, memorable Alpine driving holiday with enough structure to keep you on course and enough freedom to make it your own.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins at the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel, Turbinenstrasse 20, 8005 Zürich. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How old must the driver be?

The minimum driver age is 23 years old.

What car is included?

The package includes a Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 Roadster for 96 hours. A CHF 3,000 deposit is required on a credit card.

Are fuel and meals included?

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

Is this a guided group tour?

No. It is a private, self-led activity for your group only. You receive a personal briefing, a programmed GPS, an English-language road book, and phone or WhatsApp support while on the route.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Because the experience requires good weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund if it is canceled due to poor weather. For a customer cancellation, a full refund is available when you cancel at least six full days before the start time.