Switzerland by Train: A 10-Day Route from Zurich to Lake Geneva
By Ganesh ·
Lakes, glaciers and the Matterhorn, all linked by some of the most punctual trains in the world. Here is our 10-day rail route through Zurich, Lucerne, the Jungfrau region, Zermatt and Lake Geneva.
Switzerland might be the easiest country in the world to see without a car. Trains, boats, buses and mountain railways are timed to connect, stations sit right in the middle of town, and some of the best views in the Alps are out of a train window. This 10-day route runs roughly east to west: you fly into Zurich, head into the mountains, and leave from Geneva. You could also run it the other way round.
Why travel Switzerland by train
The Swiss public transport network covers almost every corner of the country, and it is known for being reliable. Connections are planned so you can step off one train and onto the next, often on the same platform. Zurich and Geneva airports both have their own railway stations, so you can be on a train within minutes of collecting your bags. And Zermatt, one of the highlights of this route, is car-free: you would have to leave a car at Täsch and finish the trip by train anyway.
The route at a glance
- Zurich (1 night): old town, the lakefront and the Limmat river.
- Lucerne (2 nights): the Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne and the mountains above it.
- Interlaken and the Jungfrau region (3 nights): Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Mürren and the Jungfraujoch.
- Zermatt (2 nights): the Matterhorn and the Gornergrat railway.
- Lake Geneva (2 nights): Montreux, Lausanne, the Lavaux vineyards and Geneva.
Suggested day-by-day outline
Day 1: Arrive in Zurich
Take the train from the airport into Zurich Hauptbahnhof. Walk the old town on both banks of the Limmat, climb up to the Lindenhof for the view, and finish with a stroll along the lake.
Day 2: Zurich to Lucerne
Lucerne is a short, easy train ride from Zurich. Spend the afternoon on the wooden Chapel Bridge, at the Lion Monument and on the old city walls, then take an evening walk along the lakeshore.
Day 3: A Lucerne mountain day
Choose one: Mount Pilatus, reached from Alpnachstad on one of the world's steepest cogwheel railways (it usually runs only in the warmer months, and cable cars from Kriens cover the rest), or Mount Rigi, the "Queen of the Mountains", reached by cogwheel train from Vitznau or Arth-Goldau. Both pair nicely with a boat trip on Lake Lucerne.
Day 4: Lucerne to Interlaken
The line over the Brünig Pass to Interlaken is one of the prettiest regular routes in the country, passing lakes and farm villages. Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Once you have checked in, take a boat out on either one.
Day 5: Jungfraujoch or a high viewpoint
The railway up to the Jungfraujoch, called the "Top of Europe", climbs through the Eiger and finishes at the highest railway station in Europe, looking out over the Aletsch Glacier. It is a big outing, so pick a clear day: check the mountain webcams in the morning. If the weather or your budget says no, take the lifts up to Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm or First above Grindelwald instead.
Day 6: Lauterbrunnen and Mürren
Lauterbrunnen is a steep-sided valley with dozens of waterfalls, including Staubbach Falls right beside the village. Take the cable car and train up to car-free Mürren, then walk part of the way back down if your legs are fresh. Grindelwald is a good alternative for gentle hiking.
Day 7: Interlaken to Zermatt
Go through Spiez and Visp. You change at Visp for the narrow-gauge line up the Matter valley to Zermatt. In the evening, with any luck, you will see the Matterhorn lit pink by the sunset from the village.
Day 8: Gornergrat and the Matterhorn
The Gornergrat railway climbs to a ridge facing the Matterhorn and a ring of glaciers. Another option is to ride the lifts towards the Matterhorn glacier area, or to walk part of the Five Lakes trail in summer for the Matterhorn reflected in the water.
Day 9: Zermatt to Lake Geneva
Ride back down to Visp and head west along the Rhône valley to Montreux or Lausanne. The final stretch runs high above Lake Geneva with the French Alps across the water. Visit the Château de Chillon, a medieval castle on the lakeshore just outside Montreux.
Day 10: Lavaux and Geneva
Walk or ride the train through the Lavaux terraced vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site between Lausanne and Montreux. Then continue to Geneva for the Jet d'Eau and the old town before your flight home.
Scenic trains, in brief
As well as the everyday lines, Switzerland has several famous panoramic routes. The Glacier Express links Zermatt with St. Moritz and Davos. The GoldenPass route runs from Lucerne via Interlaken to Montreux and fits neatly into this itinerary. The Bernina Express crosses the Alps from Graubünden towards Tirano in Italy. Some panoramic trains need a seat reservation, even if you hold a pass. Seats on popular dates sell out, so check the operator's website well before you go.
Travel passes, in general terms
There are a few ways to pay for Swiss trains. For short trips you can buy single tickets, often cheaper if you book early. A Swiss Travel Pass covers most trains, buses and boats over a set number of days and gives discounts on many mountain railways. A Half Fare Card cuts the price of most tickets, while regional passes cover areas such as the Jungfrau region. Which works out best depends on how much you travel each day and which mountain excursions you plan. What each pass includes and costs changes over time, so compare the current options on the official SBB and Switzerland Tourism websites before you buy.
When to go
- Summer (roughly June to September): high trails, alpine flowers and the most mountain lifts running. Also the busiest season.
- Autumn and late spring: fewer crowds and clear days, but some lifts close for maintenance between seasons.
- Winter: snowy villages, ski resorts and Christmas markets. Trains run all year, though some high routes and trails close.
Mountain weather changes fast at any time of year, so keep one or two flexible days for the high excursions.
Practical tips
- Use the SBB app or website for timetables, platforms and tickets. It covers most operators, not just the national railway.
- Travel light. You will be on and off trains often. Luggage forwarding services exist between many stations; check the current options with SBB.
- Pack layers and sunglasses. It can be cold and very bright up on the glaciers, even in summer.
- Go up early. Mornings are usually clearer and less crowded on the peaks.
- Check entry rules for your nationality on official government sources. Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area.
- Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, not the euro, and cards are widely accepted.
Plan it in Sancharees
Create the trip in Sancharees and add Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt and Lake Geneva to their days so the whole route shows on your map. Forward your flight, train and hotel confirmation emails to your booking inbox, and they will land on the right days automatically. Then share the trip with your travel companions so everyone sees the same plan.
Photos: The Matterhorn by chil (Camptocamp.org), Zacharie Grossen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Chapel Bridge, Lucerne by Simon Koopmann, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Lauterbrunnen valley from Wengen by Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · A train on the Landwasser Viaduct by Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva by Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zürich old town on the Limmat by Thomas Wolf, CC BY-SA 3.0 de (Wikimedia Commons)
Read in: ট্রেনে সুইজারল্যান্ড: জুরিখ থেকে লেক জেনেভা পর্যন্ত ১০ দিনের রুট · Schweiz mit dem Zug: Eine 10-tägige Route von Zürich zum Genfersee · Suiza en tren: 10 días de Zúrich al lago Lemán · La Suisse en train : 10 jours de Zurich au lac Léman · ट्रेन से स्विट्ज़रलैंड: ज़्यूरिख़ से जिनेवा झील तक 10 दिन · 列車でめぐるスイス：チューリッヒからレマン湖までの10日間ルート · ರೆಲಿನಿಂದ ಸ್ವಿಟ್ಜರ್ಲೆಂಡ್: ಝ್ಯೂರಿಕ್ ನಿಂದ ಲೇಕ್ ಜೆನೆವಾ ವರೆಗೆ 10-ದಿನಗಳ ಮಾರ್ಗ · ട്രെയിനിൽ സ്വിറ്റ്സർലൻഡ്: സൂറിക്കിൽ നിന്ന് ജനീവ തടാകം വരെ 10 ദിവസം · रेलने स्वित्झर्लंड: झ्युरिख (Zurich) ते लेक जिनीव्हा (Lake Geneva): 10 दिवसांचा मार्ग · ரயிலில் சுவிட்சர்லாந்து: சூரிக் முதல் ஜெனீவா ஏரி வரை 10 நாட்கள் · రైల్లో స్విట్జర్లాండ్: జ్యూరిక్ నుంచి జెనీవా సరస్సు వరకు 10-రోజుల మార్గం