Switzerland, ideal destination for the Swiss themselves
Switzerland offers incredible landscape diversity over 41,000 km²:
- Alps (Valais, Graubünden, Engadin, Ticino)
- Lakes (Geneva, Lucerne, Constance, Lugano)
- Plateau (vineyards, agriculture, cities)
- Jura (forests, trails, cheeses)
The Grand Tour of Switzerland
Touring route of 1,643 km launched in 2015, to drive, ride or e-bike:
- 22 lakes, 5 alpine passes, 13 UNESCO sites
- 4 language regions
- Key stages: Lausanne → Bern → Lucerne → St. Gallen → Engadin → Bellinzona → Lugano → Andermatt → Brig → Zermatt → Geneva
Recommended duration: 7–14 days. Modular routes on grandtour.myswitzerland.com.
Panoramic trains
Glacier Express
- Slowest train in the world: 290km in 8h
- Zermatt - St. Moritz route
- Panoramic cars with roof windows
- Onboard restaurant (CHF 50–80 for menu)
- Price: CHF 159–280 by class (booking mandatory)
Bernina Express
- Chur - Tirano (Italy)
- 4h, crosses UNESCO viaducts and tunnels
- Stunning alpine scenery
- Continues by bus to Lugano (1 day)
- Price: CHF 65 train + panoramic supplement
GoldenPass Express
- Montreux - Interlaken - Lucerne
- Since 2022, direct trip without change
- "Belle Époque" and panoramic cars
- 5h for full trip
Gornergrat Bahn
- Zermatt → Gornergrat (3,089m)
- Spectacular Matterhorn view
- 35 minutes
- Price: CHF 100 return (50% with AG or half-fare)
Pilatus
- Lucerne → Pilatus (2,128m)
- World's steepest cog railway (48%)
- Combine boat + cable car for "Golden Round Trip"
Lakes and cruises
Lake Geneva
- Mont Blanc backdrop
- CGN boats between Lausanne, Geneva, Montreux, Évian
- Lavaux UNESCO visible from boat
- Full tour: 6–8h
Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee)
- Cradle of the Confederation
- Boat Lucerne → Flüelen via Rütli
- Wilhelm Tell Express combined
Lake Lugano
- Mediterranean atmosphere
- Funiculars Monte Brè, Monte San Salvatore
- Cruises to Morcote, Gandria
Lake Constance
- Swiss-German-Austrian border
- Mainau Island (German side)
- Historic Stein am Rhein
Lesser-known alpine lakes
- Oeschinensee (Bern): turquoise water, spectacular view
- Caumasee (Graubünden): emerald colour
- Lake Tanay (Valais): altitude, hiking
- Lago di Poschiavo (Graubünden): wild, Italy at the doorstep
Alpine resorts for summer
Zermatt
- Emblematic Matterhorn
- Car-free (CO2-free)
- Hiking, MTB, climbing
- Glacier Paradise: Europe's highest station (3,883m)
St. Moritz / Engadin
- Engadin Skimarathon renowned
- Lakes, hiking, golf, riding
- St. Moritz Glamping: mountain luxury
Verbier, Crans-Montana, Davos
- Multi-season resorts
- Varied outdoor activities
Lauterbrunnen and Jungfraujoch
- Valley of 72 waterfalls
- Train to Jungfraujoch "Top of Europe" (3,454m)
- Price: CHF 245 return from Interlaken
Must-see cities
Bern (UNESCO)
- Magnificently preserved medieval old town
- 6km of arcades, Bärengraben (bear pit)
- Saturday market at Federal Square
Lucerne
- Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)
- Lake and views of Pilatus, Rigi
- KKL for classical concerts
Geneva
- Emblematic Jet d'eau
- Old Town, Saint-Pierre Cathedral
- UN, International Red Cross Museum
Zurich
- Bahnhofstrasse, Niederdorf
- Kunsthaus, local MoMA
- Lake quays
Basel
- 40 museums (Beyeler Foundation, Kunstmuseum, Tinguely)
- Art Basel in June (global contemporary art fair)
- Old town on Rhine
Swiss holiday budget
Economy (hostels, camping, public transport)
- CHF 100–180/day/person: 2–3 hostel/camping nights + breakfast + transport + activities
- 5 days for 2: CHF 1,500–2,500
Comfort (3–4-star hotels)
- CHF 250–400/day/person
- Hotels, transport, mid-range dining, activities
- 5 days for 2: CHF 4,000–6,000
Luxury (5-star, starred dining)
- CHF 800–2,000+/day/person
- 5 days for 2: CHF 15,000–40,000+
Tourist passes
- Swiss Travel Pass: unlimited train + 75% on cable cars (CHF 250–500 by duration)
- Half Fare Card: 50% off everything, CHF 185/yr
- Saver Day Pass: 1 unlimited day from CHF 52
- Berner Oberland Pass: Oberland transport, from CHF 230
Tips
- Book panoramic trains weeks ahead
- Travel off-season: April-June and September-October = fewer crowds, often better weather
- Combine public transport + e-bike: maximum comfort, eco-friendly
- SBB Mobile app essential for all journeys
- Hotels: prices vary hugely summer (July-August) vs rest of year
- Visit "secret" regions: Jura, Pays-d'Enhaut, Val Müstair, Val Verzasca
