International · Switzerland
Switzerland
Mountains, by rail, done properly
Overview
Overview
Switzerland is the most quietly efficient country to travel in — trains that leave to the second, cable cars into high alpine silence, and lake towns where nothing is ever out of order.
We avoid the standard coach-tour circuit. Instead: two or three well-chosen bases, first-class scenic rail between them, and days built around the weather forecast rather than a fixed sheet.
When to go
Best time to visit
June to September for hiking, lake swimming and every mountain railway running. December to March for skiing and snow-covered villages.
Alpine summer
Jun – Sep
All passes and cable cars open; wildflowers in July.
PeakSki season
Dec – Mar
Zermatt, Verbier, St. Moritz at their best.
PeakShoulder
Apr – May, Oct
Quiet and good value; some lifts closed for maintenance.
GoodAutumn
Sep – Oct
Golden larch, clear air, exceptional photography.
GoodPractical
Visa, currency, weather and flights
Visa
Switzerland is in the Schengen area. Indian passport holders apply for a Schengen short-stay visa with biometrics. Swiss missions are precise about travel insurance and confirmed accommodation — we supply a complete evidenced file.
Full visa guide →Currency
Swiss Franc (CHF). Cards everywhere. Switzerland is expensive; we plan lunches at mountain huts rather than resort restaurants, which is both better and cheaper.
Weather
Altitude decides everything. It can be 26°C in Interlaken and 3°C on the Jungfraujoch on the same afternoon.
Flights
Non-stop from Delhi and Mumbai to Zurich in about 8h 30m; Geneva usually needs one stop. From Zurich airport the rail network takes over immediately — no transfer required.
| Period | Temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jun – Aug | 18–28°C valleys | Warm below, cool above; ideal hiking |
| Sep – Oct | 10–20°C | Clear, golden, fewer visitors |
| Nov – Mar | -5–6°C | Snow, skiing, Christmas markets |
| Apr – May | 8–18°C | Thaw, waterfalls, some lifts shut |
| Delhi → Zurich | 8h 30m non-stop | Swiss, Air India |
| Mumbai → Zurich | 8h 45m non-stop | Swiss |
| Delhi → Geneva (1 stop) | 11h – 13h | Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates |
Where to stay
Hotels we recommend
St. Moritz · Grand historic
Badrutt's Palace
The original alpine grand hotel, unchanged in the best way since 1896.
Andermatt · Asian-alpine design
The Chedi Andermatt
Open fireplaces, a superb spa and direct access to the Gotthard slopes.
Zermatt · Matterhorn classic
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
Car-free village, Matterhorn from the balcony, horse-drawn transfer.
Lausanne · Lakeside grande dame
Beau-Rivage Palace
Ten acres of gardens on Lake Geneva with two Michelin-starred kitchens.
Bürgenstock · Boutique
Hotel Villa Honegg
That infinity pool above Lake Lucerne, and only twenty-three rooms.
Highlights
Things to do
Glacier Express, first class
Eight hours, panoramic glass, 291 bridges, lunch served at your seat.
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
Europe's highest railway station, timed for a clear-weather morning.
Matterhorn sunrise at Gornergrat
First cog train up, alpenglow on the north face, breakfast at 3,100 m.
Lake Lucerne paddle steamer
A restored 1900s steamer to Vitznau, then the Rigi cog railway.
Cheese and chocolate in Gruyères
The village, the dairy, a Maison Cailler workshop — genuinely good with children.
Suggested route
Our suggested Switzerland journey
- 1
Arrive Zurich
Train to Lucerne. Chapel bridge and old-town dinner.
- 2
Lake Lucerne
Paddle steamer to Vitznau, Rigi cog railway, Bürgenstock spa.
- 3
Interlaken and Jungfrau
Train to Grindelwald, Eiger express, Jungfraujoch.
- 4
Lauterbrunnen valley
Waterfalls, Mürren, Schilthorn if the sky is clear.
- 5
Zermatt
Rail via Visp to the car-free village. Gornergrat at sunset.
- 6
Matterhorn
Sunrise at Gornergrat, hike to Riffelsee, evening in the village.
- 7
Glacier Express
Zermatt to St. Moritz in first class, full day.
- 8
Depart
Rail to Zurich airport.
Gallery
Switzerland in pictures
Questions
Frequently asked
Guest stories
What our travellers say
We had a fixed-sheet coach tour quoted elsewhere. Azulo swapped days around the forecast and we saw the Matterhorn clear on all three mornings.
Mohit & Anjali Verma
Jaipur · Switzerland by rail, 8 nights
Both my parents are over seventy. Luggage moved between hotels without us touching it, every train was step-free. Extremely thoughtful.
Suresh Nair
Kochi · Swiss family journey, 9 nights
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