Explore the best of Switzerland by train in just 8 days!
Switzerland is famous for its snow-capped Alps, majestic landscapes, and scenic panoramic train rides! Whether you're looking for a romantic escape into nature or a thrilling adventure, Switzerland offers endless options.
The Glacier Express is one of the most scenic train rides in Switzerland.
There's no better way to explore all Switzerland has to offer than riding its world-renowned train system that brings you up mountain tops and through stunning valleys. But with so many must-visit places in Switzerland to choose from, we know planning for this trip can be overwhelming.
Read on to find out how to cover all these top attractions and sights in our Switzerland itinerary to maximize your Swiss Rail Pass!
What is the Swiss Travel Pass?
The Swiss Travel Pass also includes public transport in more than 90 towns across Switzerland.
The Swiss Rail Pass is an all-in-one pass that allows you to travel on trains, buses, and even boats across Switzerland as long as they fall under the Swiss Travel System! You won’t have to go through the hassle of buying single-trip tickets, saving you both time and money.
Enjoy these awesome benefits with the Swiss Travel Pass
- Unlimited travel by train, premium panorama trains, bus, and boat (excluding seat reservations and/or surcharges)
- Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns & cities
- Up to 50% discount on many other mountain excursions
- Free admission to more than 500 museums
- Free Swiss Family Card for free travel for all children aged 0-16 accompanied by an adult with a valid Swiss Travel Pass
- Flexible cancellation - fully refundable up to 1 day prior to the first date of validity
Klook Tip: If you aren’t entirely sure which dates you’ll be traveling and prefer flexibility during your trip, check out the Swiss Half Fare Card instead! Enjoy up to 50% off tickets for Switzerland's public transport systems for one calendar month and travel around Switzerland with ease.
Best 8-Day Switzerland Itinerary
Day 1: Zürich
Photo courtesy of @chanwon92
Zürich is famous for being the cultural and economic center of Switzerland, and also its largest city! Home to beautiful architecture, rich history, and the most luxurious shopping streets in the world, this city is definitely a must-visit.
Getting to Zürich: Take the train from Zürich Airport to Zürich Main Station in just 10 minutes.
Best things to do in Zürich
- Explore Zürich's Old Town, Altstadt
- Go on a Limmat River cruise
- Visit religious sites — Grossmünster, Fraumunster
- Take the train up Uetliberg Mountain
- Shopping at Bahnhofstrasse
- Stroll along Lake Zürich
- Visit art museums — Rietberg, Kunsthaus Zurich
- Visit the world's largest Lindt Chocolate Shop
Best places to stay in Zürich
Day 2 & 3: Lucerne
Take time to explore the beauty of Lake Lucerne. Photo courtesy of @arielinpink
Known for its medieval architecture and snow-capped mountains, Lucerne is one of the most popular Swiss cities to visit. If you’re a history buff, be sure to check out the colorful Altstadt (Old Town) or the famous Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge). If you prefer the great outdoors, Lucerne is the gateway to the famous Mount Titlis, Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, and Jungfraujoch.
Getting to Lucerne: Take the train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof to Lucerne in under an hour.
Best things to do in Lucerne
- Ride the world’s first rotating cable car up to Mount Titlis
- Descend Mount Pilatus on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway
- Walk across Kapellbrücke, the famous Chapel Bridge
- Go on a sightseeing cruise or boat ride on Lake Lucerne
- Explore Lucerne's Old Town, Altstadt
- Visit museums — Swiss Transport Museum, Sammlung Rosengart, Gletschergarten
- View the dying Lion of Lucerne rock monument
Best places to stay in Lucerne
Mount Titlis
Don't miss out on the world's first rotating cable car for a 360° view of Mount Titlis.
Ride the world’s first rotating cable car Rotair up to the top of Mount Titlis, the tallest mountain in Central Switzerland. Step inside the cable car and admire the spectacular sight of your icy and snowy surroundings, featuring 360-degree views of the deep crevasses below and snow-covered mountains in the distance.
Are you brave enough to walk 500m above the cliff?
Once you're at the top, test yourselves by crossing the Cliff Walk, a suspension bridge 500 meters off the ground, making it the highest suspension bridge in Europe. You can also take a ride on the Ice Flyer for breathtaking views of the Alps. If you’re traveling with family, take the little ones down to Glacier Park where you can go snowtubing down the slopes.
Getting to Mount Titlis: The easiest way to enjoy a fun-filled time at Mount Titlis is with a half-day tour from Lucerne. This way you won’t have to worry about tickets and not finding your way to the mountains. Alternatively, you can take a train from Lucerne to Engelberg, which is covered by your Swiss Travel Pass. You will then have to buy your own tickets for the cable car ride, which you'll also enjoy 50% off by flashing your Swiss Travel Pass.
Day 4: Interlaken
Soak in the beauty of Interlaken on a must-do paragliding experience! Photo courtesy of @arielinpink
Interlaken is paradise for those who love the great outdoors. Apart from the stunning alpine landscapes, there is a huge variety of adventure sports in this Swiss playground. Imagine paragliding through the skies while taking in views of the Alps! If that doesn’t sound like paradise, we don’t know what else will.
Photo courtesy of @arielinpink
If you’re not into extreme sports but still like being outdoors, there are many hiking routes available on the Schynige Platte near Wilderswil. Take the cog railway up and the mountain station is the beginning of most hiking trails.
Photo courtesy of @arielinpink
Getting to Interlaken: Take the Luzern–Interlaken Express and you'll thoroughly enjoy the 2-hour ride soaking in the scenic panorama, turquoise lakes, and numerous waterfalls you'll spot along the way.
Best things to do in Interlaken
- Enjoy panoramic views from Harder Kulm
- Go paragliding from Beatenberg to Interlaken
- Join a sunset cruise on Lake Thun
- Take a railway ride up to the Schynige Platte
- Kayak or paddle board across Lake Brienz
- Visit St. Beatus Caves
- Explore the picturesque town of Spiez
Best places to stay in Interlaken
Day 5: Jungfraujoch
Photo courtesy of @arielinpink
An old Swiss tale speaks of the Jungfraujoch as having been blessed by an angel. Though initially hard to believe, many wonder if this tale has some truth to it once they experience its beauty. After all, Jungfraujoch is known as the Top of Europe and home to the world’s highest train station.
Jungfraujoch Ice Palace is carved through a glacier and features ice sculptures.
Once you’re up there, experience the Alpine Sensation tour, the Ice Palace, the Plateau, and jaw-dropping views at the Sphinx Observation. You can also find the UNESCO-listed Aletsch Glacier — one of the largest in the Alps. This is a day trip from Interlaken you can't miss when you're in Switzerland!
Getting to Jungfraujoch: Take a train from Interlaken to Grindelwald Bahnhof, which your Swiss Travel Pass covers.
At Grindelwald, you'll then have the option to take the train up to Kleine Schedidegg or the new Eiger Express cable car, which will cut your journey shorter by 47 minutes. Once you're up, you'll then have to catch the last leg of the cog railways that'll whisk you in a tunnel through the mountains to Jungfraujoch. Your Swiss Travel Pass will entitle you to 25% off for this portion of the journey.
Alternatively, you can book yourself a Jungfraujoch day tour from either Interlaken, Lucerne, or Zurich. It'll come complete with a guide and all transportation required. So you'll have nothing to worry about but to soak in the sights and capture all the memories!
Best things to do in Jungfraujoch
- Take a train ride to the top of Europe
- Visit the beautiful Ice Palace
- Enjoy panoramic views from the Sphinx Observatory
- Buy chocolates at Lindt Chocolate Shop
Day 6: Montreux
Cruise on Central Europe’s largest inland lake to see the beauty of Switzerland from another angle.
Surrounded by vineyards and nestled in a breathtaking backdrop of the snow-capped alps, the city of Montreux is a beautiful day trip to take and unwind. Some of the most iconic names in show business like Freddie Mercury and Charlie Chaplin have lived and continue to live on the Vaud Riviera.
The Chateau de Chillon, known as the pearl of the lake is the medieval fortress that sits on Lake Geneva. Go back in time and understand the daily life of the Court of Savoy and the Bernese bailiffs.
The GoldenPass Line will bring your pass Lake Geneva before descending and ending in Montreux.
Getting to Montreux: Take the famous GoldenPass Line train from Interlaken to Montreux, which will take slightly over 2 hours.
Best things to do in Montreux
- Visit the historical Château de Chillon
- Stroll along the lakeside promenade
- Go hiking on the Narcissus Trail
- Canoe or sail on Lake Geneva
- Take photos with the Freddie Mercury statue
- Attend the Montreux Jazz Festival
- Visit the Montreux Noël Christmas fair
Best places to stay in Montreux
Day 7: Zermatt
Explore Zermatt on foot and spot the Matterhorn, the famous Swiss mountain peak that inspired the logo for Toblerone. Photo courtesy of @arielinpink
Zermatt is a holidaymaker’s dream come true. With the majestic Matterhorn in the backdrop, no-car policy, and heaps of activities to try throughout the year, the town is basically made for good times with the whole gang.
Photo Credit: @wanderchu
In the winter, hit the slopes and make the most out of the area’s powdery snow. You might even find yourself skiing alongside national athletes who are training for competitions. For something a bit different, you can also try heli-skiing and paragliding.
Getting to Montreux: Take a train to Visp, then catch a connecting train to Zermatt. The journey will take around 2.5 hours.
Gornergrat
One of the best things to do is definitely take the cog railway up to Gornergrat which stands proudly at 3,089m above sea level. It is here you'll find the best view of the Matterhorn and stunning panoramic views of the entire region.
Getting to Gornergrat: Take the Gornergrat Railway located directly opposite Zermatt railway station. The journey will take slightly over half an hour. Swiss Travel Pass holders will enjoy a 50% discount for tickets.
Best things to do in Zermatt
- Go skiing in winter
- Cycle through the valleys in summer
- Hike along the Gornergrat
- Take the Gornergrat Railway to the summit
- Spot the famous black-nosed sheep
- Catch the world-famous Matterhorn reflection on Lake Riffelsee
Best places to stay in Zermatt
Day 8: Geneva
Most will recognize Geneva as the city where the United Nations convenes and makes world-changing decisions. Nestled in between Alpine peaks, this French-speaking city by the bay is home to old-character-filled streets and urban business centers.
The symbol of the city is the Jet d’eau — a fountain with a 140m high water jet in the middle of Lake Geneva. Also worth a visit is the Palais Des Nations — the European headquarters of the United Nations. They are open daily and provide guided tours for you to walk through the very hallways that policymakers take.
Getting to Geneva: Take a train to Visp, then catch a connecting train to Geneva. The journey will take around 3.5 hours.
Best things to do in Geneva
- Visit the Place du Bourg-de-Four
- Spot the Horloge Fleuri — large flower clock
- International Museum of the Red Cross
- Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
- Sauna at Bains des Pâquis
Best places to stay in Geneva
Get your Swiss Rail Pass on Klook today!
Photo Credit: Victor He
Buy your Swiss Travel Pass now on Klook at some of the best prices! The Swiss Travel Pass is available for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days — in both Consecutive and Flexible options for you to plan your ultimate Switzerland trip!
Does your itinerary include areas outside of Switzerland? We've got you covered!
If you're traveling from one place to another but only part of the way is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, you can book your tickets for routes (including other European countries — just in case!) not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass directly on Klook!
Make sure to check the map that’s included in your pass to know which routes are covered under the Swiss Travel Pass.
