About Switzerland
Switzerland rewards travelling by train more than by car. The Swiss Travel Pass covers rail, boats and most mountain railways, and the scenic routes are destinations in themselves rather than transfers between them.
Best time to visit
June to September for hiking and clear mountain views. December to March for skiing. Late April and early May are the shoulder, when some mountain railways are closed for maintenance.
Top attractions
- Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe
- Matterhorn from Gornergrat above Zermatt
- Glacier Express between Zermatt and St Moritz
- Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus
- Lauterbrunnen valley and its waterfalls
- Car-free villages at Zermatt, Wengen and Murren
Travel tips
- Book the Swiss Travel Pass before arrival, it is cheaper than point-to-point tickets
- Mountain excursions are weather-dependent, keep a spare day
- Reserve seats on scenic trains in advance during summer
- Supermarket lunches keep costs down sharply
