From Zürich Airport, follow signs to the railway station beneath the terminal and take a direct train to Zürich HB; the ride is about 10–15 minutes, with frequent services. A standard second-class ticket is roughly CHF 7, but check the SBB app for the fare and buy before boarding. Allow around 1–2 hours from landing for baggage, the train, and hotel check-in; leave your luggage first rather than trying to explore with it.
Take an easy walk along Bahnhofstrasse, heading toward the lakefront. Shops commonly close in the early evening, so browse sooner if you want to go inside; hours vary by shop. Continue into the Old Town to Lindenhof, a public hilltop viewpoint above the Limmat and rooftops. It’s free and accessible year-round, though winter weather can make the paths slippery—allow about 30 minutes and take care underfoot.
Finish at Hiltl, near Bahnhofstrasse, for its generous vegetarian buffet—a particularly easy choice after a travel day. It generally opens daily, but check its current hours before setting out, as schedules can change; budget about CHF 25–40 per person and roughly an hour to eat. You can walk there from Lindenhof in around 10–15 minutes.
After arriving and dropping your bags, head to Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) in the Old Town. It’s open to the public year-round, and a relaxed crossing with a pause by the water takes about 30 minutes. The bridge is free; allow a little extra time to wander the riverfront and take in the view of the Water Tower.
Walk along the Reuss to Jesuit Church for a look inside its ornate, pale Baroque interior. Entry is generally free, but daytime access can be limited by services or events, so check the church’s notices and keep this visit flexible. Then cross to Mill’Feuille by Reusssteg for lunch; it has vegetarian choices, with roughly CHF 20–35 per person a sensible allowance. Set aside about an hour.
From the river, stroll through the Old Town toward Musegg Wall—around 15–20 minutes on foot, with some uphill walking. In winter, the towers and wall walk are generally closed, so treat this as an outdoor viewpoint rather than planning to climb or enter; allow about 45 minutes for the approach and views. It’s free to enjoy the exterior, but paths can be slippery in winter, so wear shoes with good grip.
From Lucerne, take a train to Arth-Goldau, then transfer to the cogwheel railway for Rigi Kulm. Allow about 1½–2 hours each way, including the connection; check the SBB and Rigi timetables shortly before travelling, since winter services and connections can vary. Buy a return ticket before setting off through SBB or Rigi’s official channels. Prices depend on your fare entitlement; a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card may reduce the cost. At the summit, leave around 1½–2 hours for the views and a short walk only if the weather, snow and trail conditions make it sensible. Mountain access operates in winter, but clouds can hide the panorama, so check the forecast and webcams before you go.
Ride down to Rigi Kaltbad for a slower pause and a warm drink. Give yourself about 45 minutes to look around the car-free village; café and hotel restaurant hours can change by season, so confirm what’s serving that Saturday before you travel. If you sit down for a meal, ask about vegetarian dishes when ordering. Keep some flexibility here: poor visibility or a disrupted mountain timetable is a good reason to shorten the stop and head back to Lucerne.
Return by mountain railway to Arth-Goldau and train to Lucerne, then walk to Rathaus Brauerei in the Old Town for Swiss food with vegetarian choices. Budget roughly CHF 25–40 per person and allow 1–1½ hours; check current Saturday service hours and reserve if you want a particular dinner time. The day’s mountain travel and exposed summit can feel tiring in winter, so keep the evening unhurried.
Allow around three hours from checkout in Lucerne to dropping your bags in Interlaken, including station access and the hotel stop. If you leave in the morning, you should have time to enjoy the centre before dusk. Stretch your legs at Höhematte, the open park in the heart of town: it’s accessible year-round and free, with a lovely view toward the Jungfrau when the weather cooperates. Give it 30–45 minutes, and watch for icy patches in winter.
From Höhematte, walk toward the Aare River and follow the promenade in the direction of Unterseen. It’s an easy, scenic stroll of about 45 minutes, but shorten it if the paths are slippery or daylight is fading. The river’s vivid color can be striking even on a grey winter day; stick to cleared paths and take care near the water.
Head back toward central Interlaken for a meal at Café de Paris. Vegetarian choices are available; budget roughly CHF 25–40 per person. Since it’s Sunday and winter kitchen hours can vary, check that the restaurant is open and serving before setting out. If you’re running late, make this an early dinner rather than relying on a late kitchen.
In winter, the Harderbahn funicular generally isn’t running, so skip the summit and enjoy the lower station area and nearby valley views instead. It’s a short visit—about 30 minutes—and there’s no summit-ticket cost if you stay outside the station. Then walk around 15–20 minutes across the Aare to Unterseen Old Town for an easy hour among its historic streets and the church exterior; both are public outdoor areas, so you can explore at your own pace.
Continue to JungfrauPark in Matten, around 10–15 minutes by local bus or roughly 30 minutes on foot from Unterseen. It’s seasonal and is generally closed in winter, so go in only if its official calendar confirms it’s open on Monday, February 1; check admission and hours before setting out rather than counting on entry. If it’s closed, take the planned slower option: warm up at a nearby café and leave room for an unhurried afternoon.
Head back to central Interlaken for dinner at Husi Bierhaus. Its menu includes vegetarian choices; budget roughly CHF 25–40 per person. Check Monday opening hours and book ahead if you want a table, especially during busy periods.
Allow roughly four hours door to door for checkout in Interlaken, the rail connections and dropping your bags in Montreux. Once you’re settled, stretch your legs on the flat, public Montreux lakeside promenade. The winter gardens and lake views are lovely even in the colder months; give the walk about an hour, and bring a warm layer—the waterfront can feel breezy.
Continue east to Château de Chillon in Veytaux: the lakeside walk takes around 45–60 minutes, or take a local train or bus if it’s cold or you’re short on daylight. The castle normally opens daily in winter with shorter hours—often around 10am–5pm, with last entry before closing—so check its official calendar for Tuesday, 2 February, and aim to arrive by mid-afternoon. Allow 1½–2 hours to explore. Budget about CHF 15 per adult, subject to change; admission is paid, and the castle is not a public walk-through. If your arrival in Montreux runs late, prioritize getting there before last entry.
Head back to Montreux for dinner at La Rouvenaz on the waterfront. It serves Italian-style dishes, including vegetarian-friendly choices such as pizza or pasta; check the current menu and Tuesday opening hours, and mention any dietary requirements when ordering. Plan on roughly CHF 25–45 per person and reserve if you’d like a particular time.
Allow 2½–3 hours door to door from checkout in Montreux to dropping your bags in Geneva. Once you’re settled, head to the lakeside Jardin Anglais for an easy stroll and the Flower Clock, a quick landmark stop rather than a long visit. The garden is public and free to enter year-round; in February, expect winter planting rather than a full flower display. Allow about 45 minutes, then walk roughly 10 minutes uphill toward the Old Town.
Visit St Pierre Cathedral for its historic interior; allow about an hour, including the walk through the Old Town. Visitor access is generally available outside services, but hours can vary in winter and around church events, so check the cathedral’s visitor information on the day. Entry to the cathedral is generally free; the towers and archaeological site may require tickets and have separate seasonal hours, so don’t count on tower access without checking first.
Finish at Holy Cow! in central Geneva for a casual meal. It serves vegetarian burgers, with a meal typically around CHF 15–25 per person. Check the Geneva branch’s Wednesday hours before setting out, as restaurant schedules can change; allow about an hour for dinner.
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