Switzerland is perhaps best experienced slowly, at your own pace. The country may have perfected precision timekeeping, but it also celebrates a slower, more intentional way of life. Thanks to the world-renowned, efficient rail network, it’s easy to settle into unhurried discovery, letting trains whisk you seamlessly from francophone lakeshores to German-speaking mountain villages.
On Lake Geneva, sip local wine and watch regal white swans glide across shimmering turquoise waters, their graceful necks creating elegant silhouettes against the dramatic Alpine backdrop. From Lucerne, take a mountain railway to a nearby summit, then pick your path. Inhale the crisp alpine air infused with wildflowers and exhale any stress or worry. Switzerland offers a fresh adventure every day. Take a train to a nearby mountain summit and explore new trails—and follow in the footsteps of one of the most famous U.S. authors.
With a Swiss Travel Pass in hand, you can craft a 15-day journey that unfolds naturally. An adventure like this takes you to Switzerland’s most iconic destinations in style—and you’ll travel some of the world’s most scenic train routes, including the new GoldenPass Express and Lucerne-Interlaken Express. Linger at a medieval castle when it captures your imagination, spend an extra morning watching sailboats and swimmers from a lakeside café as you write your postcards home, or return to an incredible Alpine viewpoint because once simply wasn’t enough. Plan your trip for fall to experience fewer crowds and spectacular autumn colors. Switzerland rewards those who take the time to truly see it.
Discover medieval history and the Mediterranean-like Montreux
The medieval fortress of Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva.
Courtesy of Montreux Riviera.
Your slow, low-impact adventure begins in Montreux, where the Mediterranean atmosphere of Lake Geneva seems worlds away from the country’s Alpine stereotypes. Swaying palm trees and subtropical flowers line the famous promenade, filled with live jazz each summer, and the air carries hints of sweet, ripe grapes from the vineyard-covered hillsides toward the lake.
Visit the medieval fortress of Chillon Castle, perched on a rocky islet where Lord Byron once walked and wrote The Prisoner of Chillon, describing it as “a double dungeon wall and wave.” The castle’s approximately 900-year-old stone walls have seen centuries of history, and you can feel that weight as you explore its chambers and dungeons overlooking the lake.
Ride a jet boat in Interlaken, Europe’s adventure capital
Thrill meets scenery on Lake Brienz—with 360-degree spins and epic views on a jetboat ride.
Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.
In Interlaken, the heart of Switzerland’s majestic Alps, adventure beckons from every direction. Zip across the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz on a heart-pounding jet boat ride, where speed and splashes meet stunning, blood-pressure-lowering alpine scenery, including 14 waterfalls. Up at Grindelwald First (7,112 feet above sea level), a Tissot cliff walk, zip line, hiking trails, and mountain cars offer high-altitude adventure against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
The Jungfraujoch—Top of Europe, Europe’s highest train station at 11,332 feet, has snow year-round.
Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.
Europe’s adventure capital, Interlaken, also serves as the gateway to the legendary Jungfraujoch–Top of Europe, a year-round wonder of snow and ice at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.” For a scenic escape, take a 10-minute funicular ride from Interlaken Ost to the 4,337-foot-tall Harder Kulm, passing forest and a wildlife park. At the summit, sweeping views stretch over Lakes Brienz and Thun and the Swiss Alps’ iconic trio of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
Explore Lucerne and ascend Mount Pilatus
Lucerne’s iconic Chapel Bridge is thought to be Europe’s oldest covered bridge.
Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.
Charming Lucerne, the poster child of Swiss scenery, welcomes you with Europe’s oldest covered bridge, painted buildings reflected in the lake’s mirror-like surface, and snow-dusted peaks rising on the horizon. As you stroll the city, it quickly becomes obvious why Lucerne is a standout stop on any Swiss journey.
Not far away, Lucerne’s very own peak awaits. Mount Pilatus (6,948 feet) is one of the Alps’ most accessible peaks, with four ways to reach it: gondola, cable car, trails, and aboard the world’s steepest cog railway (it leaves from Alpnachstad). From the summit, enjoy 360-degree views of Switzerland’s famous peaks, stretching as far as the Jura in France and Germany’s Black Forest.
Explore several easy peak-to-peak hikes that reveal the mountain’s stunning landscapes–and its rich folklore. According to medieval mythology, dragons once lived in Pilatus’ rugged crevices, adding an enchanting layer to your adventure. The classic way to travel there, dubbed “The Golden Roudtrip Pilatus,” is by taking the steamer from Lucerne to the red cog railway to the summit, and then returning by cable car.
Sample chocolate and walk in Zürich West
Under Zürich West’s old railway viaduct, 36 arches now bustle with boutiques, galleries, and local food stalls
Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.
Your journey culminates in Zürich, where cobblestones and centuries-old guildhalls meet contemporary culture. The Zürich West neighborhood pulses with art galleries, converted industrial spaces, a container tower, and innovative restaurants beneath arched viaducts. Here (as in, in all of Zürich), you can trace Switzerland’s evolution from traditional Alpine nation to modern European hub.
Explore the city’s delicious chocolate scene, particularly its approximately 30-foot chocolate fountain, at the Lindt Home of Chocolate for a delightful way to experience a defining Swiss flavor. You can make your own chocolate, shop in the 5,000-square-foot boutique, and more.
Travel from Zürich to Montreux
Travel by the Lucerne Interlaken Express.
Courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.
This route works equally well in reverse, starting in Zürich and ending in Montreux. The beauty of slow travel is that there’s no wrong way to experience it—only your way, with your Swiss Travel Pass as the key to endless possibilities.
