Grand Train Tour - around Switzerland by train

It is worth spending more time exploring a country as picturesque as Switzerland. But even when you only have a weekend, you can discover many interesting places. See for yourself what opportunities the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland provides tourists. All you need to do is buy the right ticket and go on a panoramic train tour. Go on it with us!

Our proposal today is a trip from Geneva to Zurich. The distance between the cities can be covered in one day, but remember that we are in a country famous for its tourist attractions. We recommend using the Swiss Travel System and buying a ticket, thanks to which you will see a lot of beautiful places. The Swiss Travel Card variant tailored to your needs gives you the opportunity to explore intensively (Continuous) or stay overnight in a region that you especially like (Flexi). We invite you!

Geneva - the starting point of the trip

Let us remind you that with the Swiss Travel Pass in your pocket, you can freely use the advanced Swiss communication system. You will travel the next kilometers by a modern train, but also in the city you have buses and other means of transport at your disposal. What's more, the STS ticket opens the door to numerous museums. One purchase, so many possibilities! Check out how to travel smartly around Switzerland .

We start the tour in a city where you will lose track of time. Geneva is located in the south-western part of Switzerland, on one of the most beautiful lakes in the country and the largest reservoir in Western Europe - Lake Geneva . She settled in the place where the river Rhône flows from it. It is surrounded by the hilly terrains of the Jura, besides, it has a great view of the Alpine peaks. The city is referred to as the capital of peace, as it has the European headquarters of the United Nations (United Nations). There is also the headquarters of the International Red Cross.

French-speaking Geneva has fallen in love with many tourists. To understand why it captivates visitors, it is enough to take the cable car to Mont Salève (on the French side). The route rises to an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level, and within a few minutes you can enjoy the view of the city and the lake. From this perspective, you will also see Mont Blanc, the Jura and the chains of the Alps surrounding the town.

What to see in Geneva?

If you like to broaden your knowledge, we recommend a visit to the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Also of interest are the exhibitions of the Musée international de l'horlogerie, a museum of Swiss watchmaking from the 16th century to the present day. You will see there hanging clocks and wrist watches. Another proposal is the largest art museum in Geneva, the Museum of Art and History, existing since 1910. For lovers of old times, this is a must-see. In the Musée d'art et d'histoire you will see over 7,000 exhibits, from prehistoric ones to paintings by contemporary painters.

Geneva is a city of museums, but of course not only them. Many attractions await tourists in the old part, including the oldest Geneva house - Maison Tavel (Tavel House). Walk along the promenade, see St. Peter's Cathedral and the Arsenal. Feel the atmosphere of Bourg-de-Four, the main square of the city, full of cafes and restaurants. When wandering around the city, be sure to head to Lake Geneva, if only to catch a glimpse of the Jet d'Eau . The famous fountain gushes up to 140 meters! You can walk to it, because it is located by the pier, but don't forget about an umbrella or a jacket. Otherwise, it may attack you.

Montreux - a trip to the right bank of Lake Lemańskie

We can talk about Geneva for a long time, but it's time to move on. Let's move from the left shore of the lake to the right, where there is a city called Montreux . It lies at the heart of the so-called The Swiss Riviera, and in its vicinity grow both pines and palms. The climate may surprise someone who expected landscapes and temperatures typical of the central part of the continent.

You can start your tour by admiring the elegant tenement houses in the narrow streets. Many will associate them with those in the old quarters of Paris. Also go to the Chillon Castle, located near the city. The 13th-century building crowns a rocky island on Lake Geneva. Apart from the monuments, Montreux is famous for its music. Every year in July, it organizes the Montreux Jazz Festival, and Queen fans visit the city. Freddy Mercury stands right by the lake, so you can say hello to him before entering the water. The famous statue is photographed not only by fans of the cult band.

The town attracts sports enthusiasts. You will come across a swimming pool every step of the way, you can also go SUP here. The surrounding slopes are ideal for cycling and hiking trips - not only to the vineyards. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body, but sometimes you can indulge in a little sin, i.e. sweets. Take this opportunity and take the Swiss Chocolate Train journey. It runs from Montreux to the Cailler-Nestlé chocolate factory in Broc.

Read the next article to knowwhat to see in Switzerland in summer .

Montreux to Interlaken - Golden Pass Express

It's up to you how much time you spend on each attraction. You can see them in passing and move on. Another option is to stay overnight in Montreux and start the next day. Regardless of what you choose, we suggest another stop in Interlaken . Both cities are connected by the route of the panoramic train, which passes, among others, Gstaad and Spiez. Interlaken is located in the canton of Bern, approximately 50 km from Bern itself. To get to the next resort on our map, Zurich, we have to cover about 125 km.

The village impresses with its location between lakes, which is where its name comes from. It lies between Brienzersee and Thunersee, and as if that wasn't enough, it's surrounded by mountains. From the Interlaken Harderbahn there is a mountain railway that will take you to the Harder Kulm viewpoint. We highly recommend this trip, because from the top there is a wonderful panorama of the surrounding area.

Interlaken is a popular resort in both winter and summer. In the holiday season, it attracts water sports enthusiasts, such as canoeing, jetboats and rafting. River currents are so diverse that advanced and families with children will find something for themselves. Do you prefer a recreational solution? Cruise ships sail on both lakes, from which you can admire the nearby nature. On the other hand, daredevils will be tempted by paragliding flights.

Zurich - a city on a lake

On your way to Zurich, you can stop in a beautiful city called Lucerne . If only to see the Kapellbrücke, the famous wooden Chapel Bridge. The old part, the Plewny Bridge, the city walls and the Reuss riverbank and the promenade along Lake Lucerne are also worth seeing. You can also pass the village and go further to Lake Zurich, on which Zurich is located.

Where to start exploring the city? For example, from looking at it from above, from the tower of the Grossmunster church. A winding wooden staircase leads to the viewpoint, which will tire people with less physical condition. Nevertheless, it is worth making the effort, because from the top you can see the old part of the resort, the lake, the roofs of colorful tenement houses, as well as Zurich Nord, a newer district.

Another place where we recommend going is the Lindenhof square . It is extremely photogenic, so it is not surprising that flashes flash here every now and then. Walking through the old part of Zurich, you will reach the shores of the lake. You can continue walking along it or sit on one of the benches and enjoy the view of the mountain peaks. If you prefer to spend your time actively, consider an organized cruise on the lake or swimming in one of the separate swimming pools.

A Zurich attraction for book lovers

In addition to well-known attractions such as the Art Gallery, NONAM - Museum of North American Culture or one of the world's largest private clock museums (Uhrenmuseum Beyer), Zurich has many other interesting corners. If you love books, visit the Wine Library. This is a hotel restaurant that resembles a large library. Importantly, you do not have to book a hotel room to eat dinner or read with dessert.

Reading enthusiasts will be thrilled to visit the next location. Located in St. Gallen , which you can reach in an hour by train. Abbey of St. Galla is the oldest of its kind in Switzerland. In 1983 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This rather unusual accent ends our journey. All these cities have much more attractions, but how many of them you will see depends on your time and willingness. Holidays in Switzerland are a great opportunity to get to know less commercial places, and above all, to relax in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe.

Download the guide to the most beautiful train routes of Switzerland Grand Train Tour and start planning your journey. Really worth!