7-Day Scenic Switzerland Rail Adventure: Zurich to Interlaken, Lucerne, Zermatt & Geneva

Day 1: Arrival and City Exploration

Zurich, Switzerland on May 25, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at Babu's Bakery & Coffeehouse

Start your day with fresh pastries and excellent coffee in one of Zurich’s most beloved cafes, open from 7:30am to 6:30pm.
CHF20, 1h0m

10:30am

Explore Old Town (Altstadt)

Wander Zurich’s historic Old Town streets filled with medieval buildings, shops, and sights like Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches, open until late for sightseeing.
Free, 2h0m

12:45pm

Lunch at Hiltl

Enjoy Switzerland’s oldest vegetarian restaurant, serving diverse and fresh fare since 1898. Open for lunch 11:30am-2:30pm.
CHF25, 1h0m

2:00pm

Take a scenic boat ride on Lake Zurich

Relax on a 1-hour round trip boat cruise providing beautiful views of the city and surrounding mountains. Boats run from 9am to 5pm.
CHF8, 1h0m

4:00pm

Bahnhofstrasse Shopping Walk

Stroll along one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets with luxury boutiques and charming cafes.
Free, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Zeughauskeller

Dine in a traditional Swiss tavern famous for hearty local specialties and a vibrant historic atmosphere. Open until 11pm.
CHF40, 1h30m
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Day 2: Lake Lucerne and Historic Sites

Lucerne, Switzerland on May 26, 2025

7:30am

Train from Zurich to Lucerne

Travel efficiently by Swiss Federal Railways from Zurich HB to Lucerne in about 45 minutes with trains departing frequently.
CHF25, 0h45m

8:30am

Breakfast at Café Bellini

Enjoy a delightful Swiss-Italian breakfast at this cozy cafe near the station, open from 7am.
CHF18, 1h0m

9:45am

Visit Chapel Bridge and Water Tower

Walk across the iconic covered wooden bridge, the oldest surviving in Europe, and explore its historic murals. Open access anytime.
Free, 1h0m

11:00am

Explore the Swiss Museum of Transport

Discover Switzerland’s extensive transport history with interactive exhibits including trains, planes and automobiles. Open from 10am to 5pm.
CHF32, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Restaurant Fritschi

Traditional Swiss dishes such as Luzerner Chügelipastete in a charming old town setting. Open 11am-2pm.
CHF30, 1h0m

3:00pm

Lake Lucerne Boat Tour

Take a 1.5-hour round trip cruise on Lake Lucerne to enjoy stunning alpine views and quaint lakeside towns. Boats run till 5pm.
CHF25, 1h30m

6:30pm

Dinner at Wirtshaus Taube

Savor authentic Swiss cuisine in a historic setting with excellent regional wines. Open till 10pm.
CHF40, 1h30m
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Day 3: Interlaken and Adventure

Interlaken, Switzerland on May 27, 2025

8:00am

Train from Lucerne to Interlaken via Bern

Scenic 2 hour and 15 minute train journey connecting through Bern, offering spectacular countryside views.
CHF40, 2h15m

10:30am

Breakfast at Café de Paris

Fuel up with freshly baked goods and great coffee in Interlaken’s town center. Open from 7am.
CHF20, 1h0m

11:45am

Hike Harder Kulm

Take the funicular or hike to Harder Kulm viewpoint for panoramic views of the Jungfrau region. Funicular open 8am-7pm.
CHF40, 3h0m

3:00pm

Lunch at Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant

Dine with breathtaking vistas atop the mountain. Open till 6pm.
CHF35, 1h0m

5:00pm

Relax Lakeside at Lake Thun

Enjoy a calm stroll or rest by the beautiful Lake Thun before returning to town, open access anytime.
Free, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Restaurant Taverne

Swiss and international dishes served in cozy surroundings, open till 10pm.
CHF40, 1h30m
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Day 4: Jungfrau Excursion

Interlaken, Switzerland on May 28, 2025

7:30am

Train to Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

Experience a breathtaking train journey to Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 meters with spectacular mountain vistas. Trains run from 7am steadily.
CHF110, 5h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Jungfrau Panorama Restaurant

Enjoy lunch with sweeping views inside the Jungfraujoch station. Open till 3pm.
CHF35, 1h0m

2:00pm

Explore Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory

Visit the Ice Palace’s intricate ice sculptures and the open-air Sphinx Observatory terrace for panoramic views. Open until 5pm.
Included with ticket, 1h0m

4:00pm

Return to Interlaken

Travel back to Interlaken to relax after a day full of alpine wonders.
Included with ticket, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Bebbis Restaurant

Informal dining with local and international dishes in the heart of Interlaken, open until 10pm.
CHF35, 1h30m
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Day 5: Scenic Zermatt

Zermatt, Switzerland on May 29, 2025

8:00am

Train from Interlaken to Zermatt

Experience a picturesque 2 hour and 30 minute train journey through the Bernese Oberland and into the Swiss Alps.
CHF50, 2h30m

10:45am

Breakfast at Findlerhof

Taste mountain-style breakfast dishes in a cozy setting, open from 8am.
CHF25, 1h0m

12:00pm

Explore Matterhorn Museum

Learn about Zermatt’s alpine history, mountaineering adventures, and culture in this well-curated museum. Open 9am-5pm.
CHF12, 1h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Restaurant Schäferstube

Enjoy traditional Valais cuisine including raclette and rösti, open 11:30am-2:30pm.
CHF35, 1h0m

3:00pm

Gornergrat Railway and Viewpoint

Take a cogwheel train up to Gornergrat for spectacular views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks. Runs till 6pm.
CHF45, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Du Pont

Historic restaurant serving Swiss specialties, located in the town center. Open till 10pm.
CHF40, 1h30m
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Day 6: Golden Pass Line to Montreux

Montreux, Switzerland on May 30, 2025

9:00am

Golden Pass Line Train from Zermatt to Montreux

Scenic 3 hour 30 minute train route traversing stunning landscapes including vineyards, lakes, and mountains.
CHF70, 3h30m

12:45pm

Lunch at Le Palais Oriental

Enjoy eclectic cuisine with lake views near Montreux’s lakefront. Open noon to 3pm.
CHF35, 1h0m

2:00pm

Visit Chillon Castle

Tour one of Switzerland’s most famous lakeside castles dating back to the 12th century. Open 9am-6pm.
CHF15, 2h0m

5:00pm

Stroll along Montreux Lakeside Promenade

A leisurely walk along Lake Geneva’s promenade filled with flowers, sculptures and cafes.
Free, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at La Rouvenaz

Enjoy Italian and Swiss dishes with lake views, open till 10pm.
CHF45, 1h30m
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Day 7: Geneva City & Departure

Geneva, Switzerland on May 31, 2025

8:30am

Train from Montreux to Geneva

Quick 1-hour train ride arriving in the cultural heart of Switzerland’s French-speaking region.
CHF25, 1h0m

9:45am

Breakfast at Café du Centre

Classic Swiss-French breakfast in a central location open from 7am.
CHF20, 1h0m

11:00am

Visit Jet d’Eau and Parc des Bastions

See Geneva’s iconic water fountain and relax in the park featuring the Reformation Wall, open all day.
Free, 2h0m

1:15pm

Lunch at Les Armures

Enjoy traditional Swiss fondue and local favorites in Geneva's Old Town. Open 11:30am-2pm.
CHF40, 1h0m

2:30pm

Explore United Nations Headquarters and Ariana Park

Guided tours showcase international diplomacy, with park access free daily until 6pm.
CHF15, 2h0m

5:00pm

Relax at Lake Geneva Waterfront

Take in the serene lakeside atmosphere before concluding your Swiss rail adventure.
Free, 1h0m
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