Switzerland is one of the most scenic places in the world filled with natural beauty and exceptional transport system. It’s located in west-central Europe and shares borders with Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. It’s known for its Alps, Cheese, Chocolates, crystal clear lakes and Swiss Hospitality. We visited this paradise for 10 nights and 11 days in September 2024. We flew from Mumbai to Zurich via Emirates with a stopover in Dubai. Tip: Though Emirates is great, I would personally recommend taking a direct flight with Swiss Airlines. The overall time to reach from Mumbai to Zurich is really long and you get exhausted by the time you reach your final destination. Book a direct flight early!
We booked Swiss Travel pass 15 days continuous (Incudes all train, bus, tram, ferry within Switzerland) via Klook and its quite convenient. You can buy it at the train station too from the help desk. Make sure to have good travel insurance. We booked Niva Bupa for Rs. 750 with a coverage of USD 2,50,000. We applied for our visa via VFS two months in advance and it took around 14 days for the visa to arrive. We used Vodafone International roaming to stay connected and for Rs. 1500 you get around 150 mins of calling time and 2 GB data for around 10 days. You can also buy Swisscom sim card from the Airport Mall as you exit Zurich Airport. It will roughly cost you 20 CHF for 10 days. Download SBB app for train schedules and getting around in Switzerland. For Zurich, Download ZVV app for local transport. For weather updates, download Meteo Swiss. It is important to check the weather before going to the high mountain areas. We booked our flight and Hotels in Zurich and Zermatt through Explorus Travels. Carry CHF or forex card. Euro will attract higher conversion rate and hence CHF is preferable.
Cities we Explored?
We took a direct train (IC81) from Zurich Flughafen station to Interlaken West station. It takes roughly 2 hours. The train ride is comfortable and our Airbnb Villa J87 by Natalie was around 15 minutes’ walk from the station. We were put up in the sky villa. It is a two floor villa in a quiet locality. The nearest bus stop (bus no 104) is Matten B.I Hotel Regina and it’s a 3 minute walk from there. The villa is extremely comfortable and Natalie has equipped the home really well. They have a garden villa too in the other part of the house. People with mobility issues can book the garden villa. We used Interlaken as a base and did day trips to different villages and towns. There are quite a few Indian eateries in Interlaken West and Ost. We ate vegetarian but not necessarily Indian Cuisine. For all veggie lovers there is a McDonalds with Veggie burger in Switzerland. Do try Funky Chocolate Club at Interlaken West. The vibe is electric and they have some really delicious Nachos and Strawberry chocolate. Walk the Bahnofstrasse and Hoheweg and shop some extra-ordinary chocolates from Vanini and Swiss Chocolate Chalet. The Coop at Interlaken OST is huge and they have some good deals on chocolates and local biscuits.
Day 2 morning we went to Aare Gorge. From Interlaken West take a train or bus no 21 to Interlaken OST. Due to the flash floods in August the train services to Meiringen were not functional and hence we took the bus to Meiringen and then train to Aarechlucht train station. From there it’s a ten minute walk to the west entrance. Tickets to the gorge are 12 CHF and it takes around 1.15 hours to walk the entire gorge. Though it’s a nice calm place, after a few minutes it gets boring and repetitive. Moreover, to get back from the East side of Aare gorge you need to walk for another 15-20 minutes to reach the train station and then the train back to Aare gorge west entrance. The whole trip would easily take 3-3.5 hours and it’s really not worth the effort. There are cafes on both sides to chill and refresh tired feet.
Later in the afternoon we went to Iseltwald and did the cruise on Lake Brienz. Take bus no 103 to Iseltwald Dorfplatz. Walk around the beautiful town, take some chic photos on Crash Landing site, grab a bite at Lake Lodge and then take the ferry on lake Brienz to Interlaken. The ferry ride is one of the highlights and the water is emerald green in color. It was raining and the vibe was so peaceful and refreshing.
Day 3 we explored Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. From Interlaken west take the train to Grindelwald station and then walk to Grindelwald FirstBahn. It roughly takes 20-25 minutes to walk to the lowest valley station where you can buy your tickets from. With the Swiss pass it will cost you 34 CHF for a return ticket. Hop on to the Gandola and there the adventure begins! To our surprise and disappointment, it was snowing heavily on the top. Though it was fun to experience snow in the Swiss Alps but we couldn’t ride any of the activities at Grindelwald First and dearly missed the flyer and mountain cart. There is excellent food at Grindelwald first restaurant on the Summit. Do try Veg Burger and Thai curry-rice. To make the best out of our visit we got off at Bort station while returning to the valley. It was such a nice place. Epic viewpoint and some fun garden area to refresh childhood memories.
Grindelwald village is very charming and there are many shops. Do try Eigerbean Coffee Roastery in the village. They serve some really nice coffee with hazelnut and caramel toppings. Tip: Do carry enough woolens. The weather is unpredictable and it does get very cold on the top especially if its snowing or raining.
We took the train from Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen and then walked the valley on foot. Stroll around, see the mighty Staubbach Waterfalls. To get the best view over the village, leave the main street on a footpath and walk along to Chalet Pironnet. You’ll find a bench put on the hill looking south towards the Bernese Alps. We did visit Trummelbach falls but it can easily be skipped. It consists of ten glacial waterfalls and you can take the elevator to the 6th floor and then climb 3 floors upwards. It’s slippery so be careful if you do visit. Entrance fee is 15 CHF and take bus no 141 from the train station. We were tired so we skipped Wengen but instead of the waterfalls you can easily visit Wengen which is much more scenic.
Day 4 we headed to the jazzy Montreux. We took the Golden pass express from Interlaken to Montreux and explored the town on foot. The waterfront promenade is extremely beautiful with lovely flowers all along the shore. The entire lake front area is around 6 kms and you will also visit the famed Chillon castle on the path. Do check out the Montreux Casino and don’t forget to carry your original passport for the entry. We had some lip smacking pizza and Lebanese kebabs at a local eatery.
Day 5 started with some hot coffee and some theplas at our Airbnb. The Airbnb was equipped with a Nespresso machine and that was such a boon. With the caffeine boost we were ready to explore the James Bond Mountain aka Schilthorn! Head to Lauterbrunnen and then take bus no 141 to Stechelberg. From Stechelberg walk for 2 minutes to the cable car station and buy the tickets via swiss pass for 42.80 CHF. A series of cable cars will take you to the summit. Before going to the summit, alight at Birg station and enjoy the yummiest hot chocolate at 8783 Ft. The pasta was good too and the view was spectacular. The snow looks all over like cotton castle. Tip: Do carry sunglasses as the sun is strong and visibility becomes low. Head to the summit and enjoy the breathtaking view. There is a revolving Piz Gloria restaurant which needs reservation. We had a cupcake and cappuccino at the self-serve café and it was really chocolaty. After having some fun in the snow, head downwards via cable car and alight at Murren. Its one of the most beautiful idyllic villages in Switzerland and take a leisurely walk from Murren to Gimmelwald. The path is downwards and very well paved. It’s easy but takes around 1.15 hours to get to the cable car station to reach Stechelberg. Do check the honesty store in Gimmelwald. The store doesn’t have any manager and it works on the principle of honesty. It’s a long day with a lot of walking so treat yourself to some cheesy fondue or warm wood-fire pizza.
Day 6 It was time to depart from Interlaken and head to my dream destination Zermatt! It’s located in Southern Switzerland in the Valais Canton and is a world famous mountain resort with some of the best luxury properties. The town lies below the Majestic Matterhorn. It’s a high altitude town and a fairy tale destination. From Interlaken take the train to Zermatt and there will be 3 changes on the route. It’s totally worth the effort. We were put up at Hotel Metropole and Spa as recommended by a local Hambagahle on Trip Advisor forum. There are rooms with Matterhorn view but we were in the Junior Suite without Matterhorn view. You can get some epic views from the swimming pool and dining area. The breakfast is mostly Omelet, boiled egg, cereals, fruits and bread. Do try cheese fondue for dinner. It was one of the best cheese fondues that we ever had. The hotel allows complimentary pick to and-drop from the train station. It’s a stone’s throw distance from the main train station and Kirchbrücke viewpoint. We were parked in Zermatt for 3 nights but two nights would be more than enough to explore the entire area. Soak in the vibe and sunbathe at Zermatt Rosteri café while enjoying some nice coffee. Bahnhofstrasse has many cafes like Petit Royal and Fuchs Bakery for some drool-worthy desserts and bakery items. There is a McDonalds too. The vibe is laid back and enjoying the comfort that this town offers. Migros has some local chocolates and an orange juice vending machine. It was quite cool until I broke the tap while operating it. “clumsy me”. There is a very cool restaurant for Nachos and burgers near the train station call Grizzly Bears. Golden India has some Indian delicacies. Though I found Indian food ridiculously overpriced in Switzerland.
Do walk to the old part of Zermatt known as Hinterdorf. Take a leisurely walk and see the barns, stables and houses built between the 16th and 18th century. It’s a trip back in time and you can even sign up for a local guide to learn the history.
Day 7 put on your shoes and hop into the cogwheel Gornergrat Bahn to experience a once in a lifetime ride to the summit station at 3100 mts. We witnessed the breathtaking Matterhorn, 28 other mountain peaks and the mighty Gorner glacier. In 30 minutes, you will transverse through forests and reach the summit station to experience something unbelievable. The view is astounding and you should walk the circular route to experience it from various angles. The shop has a distillery and very nice Aperol Spritz to take back home as souvenirs. Do get off at Riffelberg and Rotenboden to explore another viewpoint of the Matterhorn. Once at Rotenboden, walk to the Riffelsee lake and see the mirror image of the Matterhorn on the lake. The walk to the lake will take around 10-15 minutes but while getting back it will take 30 minutes because of the slight incline. The ticket to Gornergrat is priced at 57 CHF with the Swiss pass. One can even go to Matterhorn glacier paradise but we chose to visit Gornergrat instead.
Day 8 we headed to Lac Southterrain in St Leonard. It’s an underground lake and reallyyyyy far from Zermatt. It can be easily skipped and it is nothing extraordinary. The entry fee is 12 CHF and duration of the boat ride is 30 minutes. It was discovered in 1943 and has been in operation since 1949 and is a natural, largest underground lake in Europe. The lake is ordinary but the train journey through the vineyards is beautiful. Do try Appenzell’s famous sweet Biber which is put up at the counter.
Day 9 It was time to bid adieu to Zermatt with very fond memories. We took the train from Zermatt to Zurich with two transfers. It roughly takes around 3 hours and we met a cute old Indian couple on the way to Zurich. Zurich main train station i.e. is Zurich HB is huge. Once you exit Zurich HB there are many trams and every part of the city is easily accessible. We were put up at Ibis Styles Zurich City Centre. It’s very centrally located and that’s USP of this Hotel. The breakfast at Ibis is lavish and well spread. Do try the flavored Yoghurt and Rosti – a shredded potato dish which is locally very popular. The rooms are small and probably good for a single person.
After checking in, we headed to Bahnhofstrasse to explore local chocolate shops like Sprüngli, Teuscher, Laderach and of course the Lindt Chocolate Factory. I had booked the ticket to Lindt factory via Klook and got a good offer. Take the tram to Central and then bus no 161 to Kilchberg. You can smell the chocolate right as you get off the bus. It’s heavenly! My Dream Place! The best part is the tasting section and you even get to pick different flavors of Lindor for free. The shop has some exclusive Lindt flavors. My advice – shop till you drop!
While returning to the Hotel, we took a ferry from Kilchberg to Burkiplatz on the Limmat River. There are many vegetarian options in Zurich like Haus Hitl and Veganitas. Luckily while we were there, there was a Vegan Festival in at Zurich HB. We did try some falafels and burgers. The macaroons from Sprungli are a must eat.
Day 10 we explored some local attractions before taking a day tour to Rhine falls and Stein Am Rhein. Two viewpoints – Lindenhof and Polybahn offer different perspectives to Zurich skyline. For Lindenhof take the tram to Rathaus and then walk it up. It takes around 10 minutes and there is a slight elevation towards the end. For Polybahn take the tram to central and the entry point is right opposite central tram station. You can even see Zurich University once you get off the Polybahn. It’s a cute funicular and one of the scenic terraces to view Zurich from the top.
After this we headed on a day tour booked via Klook to Rhine falls and Stein Am Rhein. You can do it on your own too but I wanted to go on a tour to know more about the place. Rhine falls is spectacular. Do opt for the boat ride(10 CHF), it’s full of adventure and total value for money. The view from the castle and viewing deck is brilliant and the water gushing out below you is enormous. You almost feel you will be swept off! Do try the Nutella crepes outside the castle.
Stein Am Rhein is a small lake town west of lake Constance. It’s known for its preserved, half-timbered medieval houses with painted facades, clustered around Rathaus Platz in the old town. A leisurely walk can be done in an hour. Do visit Alpine terrena shop for some amazing bath shower gels and lotions. Do try the local red wine at Imbiss.
Day 11 was time to pack bags and fly home. One trip to Switzerland is certainly not enough. It’s a country with diverse landscapes and I’ll certainly return to explore more next time. One can also do the following alternative itinerary to cover all four directions in two weeks.
Day1 Mumbai to Zurich direct flight, explore Lindt factory
Day 2 Explore Lidenhof, Polybahn, Bahnhofstrasse and do the day trip to Rhine and Stein Am Rhein
Day3 Explore lucerne day trip
Day4 Zurich to Locarno
Day 5 Lugano
Day 6 Lugano to Zermatt
Day 7 Gornergrat
Day 8 Zermatt to Interlaken explore Brienz, Iseltwald
Day 9 Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen
Day 10 Schilthorn and Wengen
Day 11 Montreux
Day 12 Neuchatel
Day 13 Rest and shop for chocolates/souvenirs Interlaken
Day 14 Interlaken to Zurich (first train is at 5.00 am) and then take the early morning flight to Mumbai
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta. Danke! Thank you!
' fill='%23359391'%3e %3cpath d='M46.1538462%2c43.5714286 L41.5%2c50 L36.8461538%2c43.5714286 L36.8670256%2c43.5714286 C36.3173077%2c42.7142857 36%2c41.6851429 36%2c40.5714286 C36%2c37.4854286 38.4535641%2c35 41.5%2c35 C44.5464359%2c35 47%2c37.4854286 47%2c40.5714286 C47%2c41.6851429 46.6826923%2c42.7142857 46.1329744%2c43.5714286 L46.1538462%2c43.5714286 Z M41.4294872%2c39 C40.6150641%2c39 39.9487179%2c39.675 39.9487179%2c40.5 C39.9487179%2c41.325 40.6150641%2c42 41.4294872%2c42 C42.2439103%2c42 42.9102564%2c41.325 42.9102564%2c40.5 C42.9102564%2c39.675 42.2439103%2c39 41.4294872%2c39 L41.4294872%2c39 Z' id='Location-white'%3e%3c/path%3e %3c/g%3e %3c/svg%3e)
