Switzerland
"Trains that climb mountains and lakes you can drink from"
Switzerland is expensive and worth it. The scenery does the heavy lifting — glaciers, turquoise lakes, meadows above the treeline — but it's the transport that makes it magic: a single ticket puts you on trains, boats and cable cars that reach places most countries would call inaccessible. Show up, follow the timetable, be amazed on schedule.
Best Time to Visit
June to September for hiking, December to March for snow
Jun – Aug
Hiking season: high trails clear of snow, wildflowers, long daylight.
Sep – Oct
Golden larches, quieter trails, crisp air, harvest festivals in the valleys.
Dec – Mar
Ski season, Christmas markets, and the mountain railways running through snow.
Apr – May
Shoulder season — cheap, green valleys, but many high lifts and trails are closed.
Getting Around
The best public transport network on earth. Trains, postbuses, lake boats and cable cars all run on one integrated timetable.
🚆 Trains
Punctual to the minute and gorgeous — the Bernina and Glacier Express are attractions in themselves.
🚡 Cable Cars & Funiculars
Lift you from valley towns to hiking country in minutes.
⛴️ Lake Boats
Included on most passes; the slow, scenic way between lakeside villages.
🚌 Postbuses
Bright yellow buses reaching the mountain villages the trains can't.
💡 Supermarket picnics from Coop or Migros will save your budget — restaurant meals are eye-watering.
Suggested Itineraries
Arrive Zurich
Old town wander, lakeside evening.
To Lucerne
Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, boat on Lake Lucerne.
Mount Pilatus or Rigi
Full-day mountain excursion with a summit walk.
Jungfrau Region
Train to Lauterbrunnen, cable car to Mürren, waterfall valley walk.
High Alps
Schilthorn or Jungfraujoch, then an easy alpine trail down to Wengen.
Zermatt
Train to the car-free village, Gornergrat railway for Matterhorn views.
Departure
Scenic ride back to Zurich or Geneva.
🗺️ Overwhelmed? Pick your three most-wants and let the rest be delightful maybes. Sparks over stress, always.
Highlights
Must See
- Jungfrau region
- Lucerne & Mount Pilatus
- Zermatt & the Matterhorn
- Lake Geneva vineyards
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
A Swiss Travel Pass pays off from about four travel days — it covers trains, boats, city transport and most museums.
More sparks for Switzerland
Stories, films and books to keep the daydreaming going.
Heidi
by Johanna Spyri · Swiss Alps, Switzerland