Alpine peaks, lakes and scenic trains
Switzerland is a small, rich Alpine country of snowy peaks, clear lakes and spotless towns linked by some of the world's best trains. The Bernese Oberland, Zermatt and the Matterhorn, and Lucerne are the classic stops, with Geneva, Zurich and Bern adding culture. Hiking, skiing and panoramic rail journeys are the big draws. It suits nature lovers, rail fans and anyone happy to pay for quality and scenery.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A rack railway climbs through the Eiger to the highest railway station in Europe, with views over the Aletsch Glacier. It is part of the UNESCO Jungfrau-Aletsch area.
The pyramid-shaped Matterhorn towers over car-free Zermatt, and the Gornergrat railway climbs to a glacier viewpoint opposite it. Hiking and skiing are superb.
A medieval town on a lake with the wooden Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument. Lake steamers link mountain viewpoints.
A glacial valley lined with sheer cliffs and around 70 waterfalls, including Staubbach and the cave falls of Trummelbach. Car-free Murren and Wengen sit above it.
A slow panoramic train between Zermatt and Saint Moritz through the high Alps. Part of the route runs on the UNESCO-listed Albula line.
A scenic train from Chur or Saint Moritz over the Bernina Pass to Tirano in Italy, past glaciers and the circular Brusio viaduct. The line is UNESCO-listed.
A medieval island castle on Lake Geneva near Montreux, made famous by Lord Byron's poem. It is one of the most visited monuments in Switzerland.
Steep stone-walled vineyards above Lake Geneva, farmed for centuries. Walking trails link wine villages.
The capital's medieval centre of arcades, fountains and the Zytglogge clock tower on a river bend. It is UNESCO-listed.
The largest waterfall in Europe by volume, with boats to a rock in the middle. It is close to Zurich.
A mountain above Lucerne reached by the world's steepest cogwheel railway and cable cars. The summit has trails and views.
Called the queen of the mountains, with gentle trails and Europe's oldest mountain railway. Views reach across lakes to the Alps.
Switzerland's biggest city with a medieval core, the Grossmunster church and a lakeside promenade. It has great museums and nightlife.
An Italian-speaking region of palm-lined lakes, stone villages and mountain views. It is the sunny side of Switzerland.
The largest glacier in the Alps, best seen from the Eggishorn or Bettmerhorn viewpoints. It is a UNESCO site.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Lake town with mountain trips.
scenery · Open the city guideBase for the Jungfrau region.
mountains, adventure · Open the city guideCar-free Matterhorn village.
mountains, skiing · Open the city guideBig city and air hub.
city, gateway · Open the city guideInternational city on Lake Geneva.
culture · Open the city guideMedieval capital.
history · Guide comingLake Geneva riviera.
scenery · Guide comingItalian-speaking south.
lakes · Guide comingClassic peaks and valleys around Interlaken.
Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald
Lakes and mountains around Lucerne.
Lucerne, Pilatus, Rigi
High peaks and glaciers.
Zermatt, Aletsch Glacier
French-speaking lakes and vineyards.
Geneva, Lavaux, Chillon
Alpine railways and Italian lakes.
Bernina Express, Saint Moritz, Lugano
French-speaking wine and lake country.
Geneva, Lausanne, Lavaux
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: June to September for hiking, December to March for skiing. Summer opens mountain trails and passes, and winter brings reliable snow at altitude.
Ticino in the south is sunnier and warmer; high passes and some cable cars close in spring and late autumn.
January. No season note for this month.
34°F daily high, 28°F average, 3.7 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Switzerland Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, noting mountain hazards like avalanches and sudden weather changes.
Trains, buses, boats and cable cars connect almost everywhere on a tight timetable.
Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in the world for travellers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Switzerland is in the Schengen Area; check entry rules on the State Secretariat for Migration website (sem.admin.ch) before you travel. |
| Plugs | Type C, J; 230 V 50 Hz |
| Tap water | safe |
| Tipping | Service is included; rounding up is appreciated. |
| Payments | Cards and Twint are widely used; some huts take cash only, and euros are not always accepted. |
| Emergency | 112 (117 police, 118 fire, 144 ambulance) |
| Etiquette | Be punctual and keep noise down, especially on Sundays and late evenings. Recycle carefully. Greet people in shops with a hello in the local language. |
| Driving | On the right |
| Between cities | The Swiss rail network links nearly everything, with buses and boats timed to match. A Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card can save money. Driving is easy but parking is costly, and motorways need a vignette. |
| Main airports | ZRH, GVA, BSL |
| Ride apps | Uber |
Three cantons formed an alliance in 1291, the traditional founding of the Swiss Confederation. Over centuries more cantons joined, bringing German, French, Italian and Romansh cultures together. Switzerland has kept a policy of neutrality since the early 19th century and avoided both world wars. It runs on direct democracy, with frequent national referendums, and is not in the European Union.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.