Winter in Switzerland is like stepping into a real-life snow globe, where fairy-tale villages nestled in the Alps, festive Christmas markets, and endless snowy adventures come to life. While Switzerland is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders (and much cheaper than skiing in the U.S.) there are plenty of other activities to enjoy if snow sports aren’t part of your trip. Picture yourself sledding, snowshoeing through charming villages, and enjoying fondue by a crackling fire. As a certified Switzerland Travel Expert, I can help you create a memorable itinerary to hit the highlights and see the best of Switzerland in 7-10 days exclusively using their train system.

*Switzerland by train*

The train system is very efficient and well-connected throughout Switzerland and beyond. This is the itinerary I created for my week-long trip using only trains. Some of the trains are even designated as “scenic rail journeys” and these routes are highly popular like the Glacier Express so make reservations in advance! You can even do an entire Switzerland trip centered on the scenic train routes that would connect St. Moritz, Rhine Gorge, Andermatt, and Zermatt or smaller day journeys like Lucerne to Interlaken on the GoldenPass Line.

IMPORTANT SWITZERLAND TRAVEL TIPS

Understand the Currency: Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF), not the Euro. While some places, especially near the borders, might accept Euros, it’s better to have Swiss Francs on hand for small purchases, transportation, and local markets. ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are commonly accepted, but it’s always a good idea to have some cash, especially in more remote areas.
Language Barriers: Switzerland has four official national languages: German (the most common), French, Italian and Romansh then there’s a Swiss-German dialect. Depending where you are in the country and how close you are to the border of a neighboring country, one language may be more prevalent than the others, however English is widely spoken. One thing to prepare for is most of the signage at the airport, train stations, street signs, etc. are all in German.
Prepare for High Costs: Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Dining out, accommodations, and even everyday items like coffee can be pricey. To manage costs, plan your budget carefully, knowing that meals, activities and transportation are all pricy. You can combat transportation costs with a Swiss Travel Pass of Half Fare Card depending on which is best for your trip. When you book partner hotels through me, one of the added perks is daily complimentary breakfast which is huge here!

Zurich (1 day)

Zurich is usually a starting or ending point for travelers depending on flight times. While it’s a definitely a business focused city, and the most expensive stop on this trip, there are also beautiful Christmas markets to enjoy and things to do if you need to full a day. Make the most of your time in Zurich with these activities and the city is very walkable! You can catch a direct train from the Zurich Airport to the city center and it only takes 15 minutes. You can purchase your train ticket in-person at a SBB booth, they have a lovely staff waiting to help travelers with purchasing tickets and even an office at the airport if you wanted to buy your Swiss Pass in person.

Morning:

Breakfast at Confiserie Sprüngli: Start your day with a traditional Swiss breakfast at this iconic café. Try their famous hot chocolate and freshly baked pastries.
Bahnhofstrasse: Take a leisurely stroll down Zurich’s main shopping street. The festive decorations and twinkling lights will put you in a holiday mood. Don’t forget to explore some of the luxury boutiques and department stores.

Afternoon:

Lake Zurich: Head to the lakeside and take a relaxing walk along the promenade. Depending on weather, take a short boat cruise to enjoy the scenic views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Kunsthaus Zurich: Explore one of Switzerland’s most important art museums, home to an impressive collection ranging from medieval to contemporary art. Don’t miss works by Swiss artists like Alberto Giacometti and Ferdinand Hodler.
Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum: Visiting the Lindt museum is a must! It’s interactive and a great place to stock up on chocolate gifts, plus you can try flavors unavailable in the U.S. like my favorite pistachio truffles (YUM!).

Evening:

Zurich Christmas Markets: Typically starting around November 21 and lasting until December 23, there are several popular Christmas Markets to explore in Zurich. I loved the largest market in the city, Sechseläutenplatz in front of the Opera House, it was exactly what I pictured a Christmas Market to look like! While some of the stalls were a little hokey selling trinkets and phone cases, others had amazing chocolates, mulled wine, and traditional desserts. Many of the Christmas ornaments and decorations were very expensive, so plan your spending wisely. There’s also a smaller market lining the streets of the Old Town and you can enjoy a leisurely walk here that will eventually lead you to Sechseläutenplatz.
Singing Christmas Tree: Before starting your Christmas Market journey you’ll want to check the schedule for Werdmühleplatz (The Singing Christmas Tree). This is a fun, interactive show that happens daily along with some small stalls selling wine, food and knickknacks.
Christkindlimarkt at Zurich Main Station: Zurich’s most central Christmas market takes place in the main concourse of the Main Station. Featuring 120 stalls, it is one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe.
Fondue Gondola Experience at The Widder: In the winter, the Widder Garden transforms into a winter wonderland with amazing ski chalet vibes right in the middle of the city. It’s very romantic so highly recommend booking for a couple’s trip, you’ll have your entire dinner experience in the gondola with a small speaker to play your favorite music while enjoying the best fondue!

Hotels

Contact me to book your hotels and receive exclusive perks like complimentary room upgrades, hotel credits, etc.

La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich: Loved staying here for my 1-night in Zurich, the rooms are spacious and the hotel is very historic, but has been completely renovated. Rooms overlook Lake Zurich and in the summer you can even swim straight from the hotel. Great location walking distance from the main train station and the Opera House. Their restaurant, La Muña is STUNNING and nearly impossible to get a reservation in the winter unless you have a travel advisor!
The Widder: A 5-star boutique hotel in Old Town, with a lot of character. Each room is different in decor and size because of the age and design of the historic building. Highly recommend for couples.
The Dolder Grand: Located on the outskirts of the city center, this is a true city resort and a great choice if you have 2-3 nights in Zurich. The property just celebrated their 125th birthday and they have an amazing spa and activities list onsite especially in the winter. Love this hotel for families or groups traveling together because of the room size and things to do on property.

Activities/Sightseeing

Lindt Chocolate tour
Christmas Markets
Boat tour on Lake Zurich
Historic walking tour
Ice Skating at Dolder Ice Rink, one of the largest open-air ice rinks in Europe
Thermal baths and sauna

Andermatt (3 days)

Andermatt is a hidden gem in the Alps, even by Swiss standards. You can walk the entire charming village in 10 minutes and there are only a couple of hotels to choose from, one being the Chedi which is a destination in itself because it’s so spectacular. Andermatt is expected to boom in the next few years with construction and several new hotels and residences underway. They also partnered with Epic Pass for the first time for the 2023-24 season and Epic pass holders get unlimited access to Disentis and can purchase an upgrade with access to the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train! This is a great deal for Americans who want to ski or snowboard internationally and it’s even cheaper than a vacation to Beaver Creek, Vail, Telluride, etc. If skiing isn’t part of your itinerary, there’s still plenty to do in the area and consider this a resort getaway at The Chedi. Andermatt is also a stop on the Glacier Express route so you can easily add this on from St. Mortiz or Zermatt and it’s about a 2-hour train ride from Zurich.

Hotels

Contact me to book your hotels and receive exclusive perks like complimentary room upgrades, hotel credits, etc.

The Chedi Andermatt: This hotel somehow blends Swiss-Asian zen in an incredible way, the resort is so relaxing and a true getaway. They have a 16-foot-high, walk-in wine and cheese tower that has one of the largest cheese selections in Switzerland. They also create their own winter village during the holidays complete with a Finnish sauna, festive fondue in a cabin and snow globe bar.

Activities/Sightseeing

Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing
Sledding
Winter Hiking
Après-Ski at The Chedi
Horse-drawn carriage rides
Ice skating
“James Bond Goldfinger Curve”
Helicopter ride over the Alps

Interlaken (3 days)

Interlaken is the main hub in Switzerland for all things outdoors and is deemed “the adventure capital of the country.” Regardless of the season, Interlaken is typically a stop on everyone’s Switzerland itinerary because it’s easy to reach by train and makes a great home base for exploring the region. It’s nestled between two stunning lakes and surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Swiss Alps, making it a dream destination if you want to experience the best of Switzerland’s natural beauty. It took about 3 hours via train to reach Interlaken from Andermatt, if I were to do this trip again I would have done Lucerne - Interlaken - Andermatt to enjoy the GoldenPass line, a scenic train that passes 5 lakes on the route from Lucerne to Interlaken.

Hotels

Contact me to book your hotels and receive exclusive perks like complimentary room upgrades, hotel credits, etc.

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa: The only true 5-star hotel in Interlaken, this is a city resort complete with an 18,000 sq. foot spa and indoor swimming pool, kid’s programming and perfect location right in the center of town.

Activities/Sightseeing

Harder Kulm Funicular: Ride the funicular to the top of Harder Kulm for stunning views over Interlaken, the lakes, and the surrounding mountains. I missed this one on my last trip and opted for Jungfraujoch, but both are very popular
Jungfraujoch Excursion: Take the train to Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe," where you can visit an ice palace, walk on a glacier, and enjoy panoramic views. I was slightly disappointed by this experience, just because it was over-touristy and because of the dense fog you couldn’t see more than five feet in front of you on the observation deck. It’s a half-day excursion where you take the train from Interlaken - Grindelwald Terminal then you board the Eiger Express gondola for a 45-minute ride to the train station which will eventually stop at the highest train station in Europe where you can experience Jungfraujoch at your leisure. Advanced tickets are required and they are pricy!
Paragliding
Lake cruises on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz
Helicopter tour
Shopping in Grindelwald

Basel (2-3 days)

I was so surprised in the best way by Basel. Situated along the banks of the Rhine River, Basel is a cultural gem in Switzerland that effortlessly blends the old with the new. Known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene (Art Basel), and stunning architecture, Basel is a city that has a unique feel compared to other Swiss towns because it sits at the intersection of France, Germany and Switzerland. I loved wandering the cobblestone streets enjoying the Christmas Markets, rated the best in Europe a couple of years ago! I’m already looking forward to returning in the summer to float down the Rhine River with the locals. Basel is a great add-on to Paris, only a 3-hour train ride away and is a perfect home base if you’re exploring other Christmas Markets along the Rhine like Colmar, France. My favorite souvenir from all of the markets were the collectable mugs they give you when you order Glühwein or a hot drink.

Basel is extra special to me because this is where I got engaged in December 2023 overlooking the Rhine River at Hotel Les Trois Rois!

Hotels

Contact me to book your hotels and receive exclusive perks like complimentary room upgrades, hotel credits, etc.

Hotel Les Trois Rois: This is the oldest city hotel in Europe built in 1681 and the history is incredible. Past guests have included Napoleon and Queen Elizabeth I. They have done an incredible job of implementing modern luxuries in the rooms while maintaining the history and general vibe of the hotel. The Christmas decorations are stunning and a reservation at their Michelin star restaurant, Cheval Blanc is a must. One of the perks of staying here is a free Basel card to use the hop-on-hop-off tram around town.

Christmas Markets

Barfüsserplatz Christmas Market: Head to Barfüsserplatz, one of Basel’s largest and most popular Christmas markets. You must try local specialties like Basel Läckerli (spiced gingerbread) and mulled wine.
Münsterplatz Christmas Market: After lunch, make your way to Münsterplatz, where another magical Christmas market awaits. Located in front of the stunning Basel Minster, this market offers a more intimate and traditional atmosphere. Stroll among the stalls, enjoy the festive lights, and take in the enchanting setting.
Adväntsgass: I loved this market so much it was completely food focused and all of the vendors have very unique food trucks, tuk-tuks and stalls. Get a souvenir mug of Glühwein and walk around the stalls trying fondue-dogs, pretzels and Swiss specialty desserts.