Private Tour
St. Gallen & Appenzell Tour – Culture, Cheese and Scenic Railways
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Join me on an unforgettable journey by public transport through Eastern Switzerland. Your adventure begins in St. Gallen, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Stiftsbezirk and the world-famous Abbey Library – a treasure of history and culture.
From there, we glide up the hillside on a charming funicular, then continue by train into Appenzell’s rolling green hills. Along the way, we stop at a traditional cheese factory to see how the region’s world-renowned cheese is crafted – and taste it!
In the afternoon, we stroll through Appenzell’s picture-perfect old town with its colorful painted houses. Highlights continue with a mountain railway and cogwheel train ride, offering spectacular views of the Alps and valleys.
To round off the day Swiss-style, we enjoy a delightful meal aboard a train restaurant, combining local flavors with the magic of traveling on rails. This tour blends culture, tradition, and breathtaking landscapes – all accessible by public transport.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Cheese factory inclusive tasting
Personal guide Dave: Swiss local, qualified geographer & teacher
All train rides of this tour (including buses, funiculars and cogwheel trains).
Cheese tasting
UNESCO Abbey library
Drinks and food can be purchased along the way, but you can also bring your own. For dinner, there is the possibility to eat in an exclusive train restaurant on the way back.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
What To Expect
St. Gallen
⛪ Step inside the Cathedral – a masterpiece of baroque architecture with soaring ceilings, richly decorated stucco, and frescoes that leave visitors in awe. ️ Walk through history – the former Benedictine monastery, founded over 1,200 years ago, was once a major center of learning in Europe. Guests will learn how monks copied manuscripts, preserved knowledge, and shaped the culture of an entire region. Enjoy the peaceful courtyards and alleys – strolling through cobblestone paths surrounded by historical buildings, travelers experience the calm and timeless atmosphere of this sacred place.
Abbey Library of St Gall
Enter the “Philosophers’ Hall” – a breathtaking baroque library filled with carved wood, frescoed ceilings, and shelves holding thousands of leather-bound books. The atmosphere feels like stepping into a fairytale. See priceless manuscripts – including medieval illuminated texts, early musical notations, and documents dating back to the 8th century, when the monastery was a center of knowledge in Europe. Learn the story of UNESCO heritage – discover how the Abbey of St. Gall became a hub of scholarship that preserved and spread knowledge across the continent, earning its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ✨ Admire the famous mummy – the library’s small cabinet of curiosities also holds extraordinary pieces, including an Egyptian mummy, rare globes, and medieval artworks. ️ Feel history come alive – walking on creaking wooden floors under painted ceilings, visitors will experience the library as monks and scholars once did centuries ago.
Options
Excluding Train Ticket
Self-purchase required!: For Swiss Travel Pass holders or if you prefer buying your own ticket commission-free: 100 CHF (50<16y). I’m happy to help.
Pickup included
Including Train Ticket
One Payment - All Covered: Select this option for the convenience of having your train ticket arranged and added to your booking (including Viator fee).
Pickup included
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Operated by Dave