SwitzerlandEurope in 5 nights

Switzerland at an easy pace, entirely by train: two nights in Lucerne by the lake, then three in Interlaken between two lakes, with a mountain day from each. Lucerne comes first because it's an hour from Zurich airport, so you settle in gently before the bigger Jungfrau days. It suits couples, families and parents; the longest train ride is about two hours and the Swiss Travel Pass covers almost everything.

Day 1

Zurich – Lucerne (2 Nights)

About 70 km · 1 hour by train

After immigration and baggage, you walk down to the railway station beneath Zurich airport and take the train to Lucerne, on your Swiss Travel Pass. Your hotel is a short walk or bus ride from the station. Once you've freshened up, you walk across the wooden Chapel Bridge, with its painted gable panels and stone Water Tower, into the old town's squares of painted houses, and up to the Lion Monument carved into the rock. If you're fresh, take an evening boat on Lake Lucerne. Overnight in Lucerne.

• Chapel Bridge and Water Tower
• Lucerne old town
• Lion Monument
• Lake Lucerne boat cruise

• Note: Hotel check-in is usually from 2–3 pm; the hotel will hold your bags if you arrive early.
• Note: The lake boats, trains and Lucerne's city buses are all covered by your Swiss Travel Pass.

Prafull’s tipMany Mumbai flights land early; stay awake until the evening and you'll beat the jet lag in a day.

No meals included today

Day 2

Lucerne: Mount Titlis

About 35 km to Engelberg · 45 minutes by train, then cable cars

A morning train runs along the lake and up the valley to Engelberg. From there a gondola lifts you to Trübsee, then a cable car to Stand, and finally the Rotair, a cable car whose floor turns a full circle as it climbs to the glacier at about 3,020 metres. At the top you walk through the blue-lit glacier cave, step onto the Titlis Cliff Walk suspension bridge, and in summer ride the Ice Flyer chairlift over the crevasses. You're back in Lucerne by late afternoon for a stroll by the lake. Overnight in Lucerne.

• Engelberg
• Rotair revolving cable car
• Glacier cave
• Titlis Cliff Walk
• Ice Flyer chairlift

• Note: There's snow at the top all year; wear warm layers, sunglasses and shoes with grip.
• Note: Mountain lifts close for a few weeks of maintenance, usually in spring and November; we check your dates.

Prafull’s tipTake an early train; clouds often build over Titlis by early afternoon.

Breakfast

Day 3

Lucerne – Interlaken (3 Nights)

About 75 km · 2 hours by train (Luzern–Interlaken Express)

A free morning for the old town's shops or a last walk by the lake, then you board the Luzern–Interlaken Express, part of the GoldenPass route. The panoramic train climbs over the Brünig Pass, past the green waters of Lake Lungern, and runs down beside Lake Brienz to Interlaken Ost. After check-in you walk along the Höheweg, where paragliders land on the Höhematte meadow with the Jungfrau in view. For sunset, the short funicular up Harder Kulm gives a fine view over both lakes and the peaks. Overnight in Interlaken.

• Luzern–Interlaken Express
• Brünig Pass
• Lake Lungern
• Lake Brienz
• Höheweg and Höhematte
• Harder Kulm

• Note: Optional: the Harder Kulm funicular, discounted with the Swiss Travel Pass and paid locally.

Prafull’s tipWith big suitcases, use the Swiss railways' station-to-station luggage service; your bags arrive at Interlaken while you travel light.

Breakfast

Day 4

Interlaken: Jungfraujoch

About 2 hours each way by train and the Eiger Express gondola

Your big mountain day. A train takes you to Grindelwald Terminal, where the Eiger Express gondola lifts you below the Eiger's north face to Eigergletscher. From there the Jungfrau Railway tunnels through the rock to Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 metres the highest railway station in Europe. You walk through the Ice Palace carved into the glacier, step out onto the Sphinx terrace for the long sweep of the Aletsch Glacier, and on clear days play in the snow on the Plateau. You return by train via Kleine Scheidegg and Lauterbrunnen. Overnight in Interlaken.

• Eiger Express
• Jungfraujoch
• Ice Palace
• Sphinx Observation Terrace
• Aletsch Glacier
• Kleine Scheidegg

• Note: At this height some people feel breathless or light-headed; walk slowly and drink water.
• Note: Seat reservations on the Jungfrau Railway are needed in peak season; we book them with your ticket.

Prafull’s tipWe check the summit webcam with you each morning; if it's cloudy, we swap this day with tomorrow.

Breakfast

Day 5

Interlaken: Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald

Short train rides of 20–40 minutes, plus the Grindelwald First gondola

A morning train takes you into the Lauterbrunnen valley, where sheer rock walls rise on both sides and dozens of waterfalls pour down, Staubbach Falls the most famous of them. A short bus ride up the valley brings you to Trümmelbach Falls, glacier water thundering through gorges inside the mountain, reached by a tunnel lift. After lunch you continue to Grindelwald and ride the gondola up to First, where the Cliff Walk clings to the rock face. Fit walkers can hike about an hour to the Bachalpsee lake. Overnight in Interlaken.

• Lauterbrunnen valley
• Staubbach Falls
• Trümmelbach Falls
• Grindelwald
• Grindelwald First Cliff Walk
• Bachalpsee

• Note: Trümmelbach Falls is open roughly from April to early November; entry is paid locally.
• Note: Optional at First: the First Flyer zip-line and mountain carts, paid locally.

Prafull’s tipFor parents, Lauterbrunnen's valley floor is flat and lovely to walk; skip the Bachalpsee hike and enjoy the view from First's terrace.

Breakfast

Day 6

Interlaken – Zurich Airport – Departure

About 150 km · 2–2.5 hours by train

Breakfast and a last look at the peaks from Interlaken, then you check out and take the train to Zurich airport, usually with one easy change at Bern, still on your Swiss Travel Pass. The line runs past Lake Thun and through the green farmland of the Swiss plateau. Zurich airport's station is directly beneath the terminal, so you wheel your bags straight up to check-in. Allow about three hours before an international flight, and keep your passport and boarding pass handy for the Schengen exit check. Your holiday ends here.

• Lake Thun from the train

• Note: Swiss trains run to the minute, but leave a margin; we suggest a train that reaches the airport at least three hours before your flight.

Prafull’s tipSpend leftover francs on Swiss chocolate at the station shops; airport prices are higher.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels are confirmed when you book. If a hotel is full, we give you one of the same category in the same area, and tell you before you pay.

Optional add-ons

Not in the price. Prafull can book them for you or you can pay locally.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• You need a Schengen visa, applied for through the Swiss consulate. Apply 6–8 weeks before travel; summer appointments in Mumbai fill fast. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you return.
• Jungfraujoch (3,454 m) and Titlis (about 3,020 m) are high. Most people are fine with slow walking, but check with your doctor if you have heart or breathing conditions.
• Even in summer, carry a warm jacket, gloves and sunglasses for the summits, and comfortable walking shoes.
• Pack light: one medium suitcase per person. You lift bags on and off trains, though Swiss stations have lifts and luggage trolleys.
• Lucerne and Interlaken both have Indian restaurants, and supermarkets stock vegetarian ready meals; we list pure-veg and Jain options in your notes.
• Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF); cards work almost everywhere. India is 3.5 hours ahead in summer. Swiss sockets take Type J plugs; carry a universal adaptor.

When to go

May to September. Long days and open mountain railways in summer. April and October are quieter and cheaper; December to March suits snow lovers in Switzerland.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Cancellations must be sent in writing, on email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Flights, trains, visa fees and non-refundable hotel or activity bookings are refunded only as their own rules allow.
• Date changes are free when made 30 days or more before travel, subject to hotel availability and any difference in price.
• Refunds are paid within 14 working days of us receiving them from the hotels and suppliers.
• No refund is possible for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.

Questions about this holiday