Planning a winter trip to the Alps? This updated Switzerland itinerary 2025 is your strategic guide to navigating the world's most efficient train system. Unlike the road trip focus in our Iceland Winter Guide, Switzerland is best explored by rail. This online route planner connects the luxury of St. Moritz with the iconic Matterhorn in Zermatt without missing a connection.
🇨🇭 Switzerland Trip Summary
- 🚄 Best Pass: Swiss Travel Pass (Essential for unlimited trains).
- 💸 Daily Budget: $150 - $250 per person (High).
- ❄️ Best Month: January & February for guaranteed snow.
- 📍 Route: Zurich → Lucerne → Zermatt → St. Moritz.
Before You Go: The Swiss Travel Pass Hack
Switzerland is expensive. The only way to save money is by purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass. It covers:
- Unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats.
- Free entry to over 500 museums.
- Free mountain excursions to Rigi, Stanserhorn, and Stoos.
Note: Buy it online before you arrive to avoid airport queues.
Days 1-2: Zurich & Lucerne (Lakes & Mountains)
Start your journey in the financial hub before moving to the heart of the country.
Day 1: Zurich Old Town
Land in Zurich. Take the train (10 mins) to the city center. Walk through the Altstadt (Old Town) along the Limmat River. Visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate museum for unlimited tasting (yes, unlimited).
Day 2: Lucerne & Mount Rigi
Take a 45-minute train to Lucerne. Walk across the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe.
In the afternoon, take the boat across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau, then the cogwheel train up Mount Rigi. This entire excursion is 100% free with your Swiss Travel Pass.
Days 3-4: Zermatt (The Toblerone Mountain)
Head deep into the Alps to see the most photographed mountain in the world.
Day 3: The Journey to Zermatt
Zermatt is a car-free village. You must take the train to get there. The views as you approach the valley are breathtaking.
Day 4: Gornergrat Railway
Take the Gornergrat Bahn cogwheel train up to 3,089 meters. The view of the Matterhorn (the mountain on the Toblerone bar) is unobstructed here. It is one of the best winter panoramas in Europe.
Day 5: The Glacier Express (World's Slowest Express Train)
This is not just transport; it is the highlight of the trip.
The 8-Hour Journey
Board the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz. The train features panoramic glass windows that curve into the roof.
You will cross 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. Order the 3-course meal served at your seat while watching the snowy landscape pass by.
Days 6-7: St. Moritz (Luxury on Ice)
End your trip in the birthplace of winter tourism.
Day 6: Frozen Lake St. Moritz
In winter, the massive lake freezes over. You can walk across it, watch polo matches on ice, or just enjoy the sunshine (St. Moritz gets 300 days of sun a year).
Day 7: The Bernina Express (Optional)
If you have time before your flight back from Zurich, take the Bernina Express route towards Chur. It is a UNESCO World Heritage railway line famous for the Landwasser Viaduct.
Swiss Food Guide: Cheese & Chocolate
- Cheese Fondue: Melted Gruyère and Emmental cheese served with bread cubes. A winter staple.
- Raclette: Melted cheese scraped over boiled potatoes and pickles.
- Rösti: Crispy fried grated potatoes, often served with a fried egg.
🇨🇭 Don't Forget the Pass!
Individual train tickets in Switzerland are incredibly pricey (e.g., Zurich to Zermatt can cost $130 one way). The Swiss Travel Pass is the smartest investment for this itinerary. Also, reservations for the Glacier Express are mandatory and sell out months in advance. Secure yours below.