Swiss Travel Pass: travel in Switzerland by train
This summer, I traveled to Switzerland aboard panoramic trains that traverse sumptuous regions and offer unique views. A memorable week, between lakes and mountains, exploring Montreux, Gstaad, Interlaken, Lucerne, and Basel, thanks to the Swiss Travel Pass.
Traveling with the Swiss Travel Pass: train – bus – boat
Switzerland is renowned for its punctuality, of course! But the country is also known for its dense public transport network that has contributed greatly to the country’s tourism development over the past century. This 29,000 km long network includes 63 railway companies, 16 shipping companies and 75 urban transport companies.
The Swiss Travel Pass is a single ticket that allows visitors to explore the country freely for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days with unlimited train, bus and boat travel. Quite convenient, isn’t it?
It also includes access to panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, the GoldenPass Line or the Gotthard Panorama Express (except for the mandatory supplement for seat reservation).
With the pass, you can also enjoy free admission to more than 500 museums and discounts of 50% on mountain railways, cable cars, and electric bike rentals at the stations.
–> The map of Swiss Travel Pass network
–> More information about the Swiss Travel Pass
It costs about 400€ per person for an 8-day pass. The pass is free for children under 16 traveling with at least one parent!
More information to prepare your trip to Switzerland on the website www.suisse.com , Simply, that’s all 🙂 The journey between France and Switzerland can be made by train with TGV Lyria, departing from many cities.
Find the best moments of my trip in Switzerland with the Swiss Travel Pass in this video
Here is the itinerary of my train journey in Switzerland
Step 1: From Montreux to Gstaad
I went there last year Montreux for his famous Jazz festival And here I am again to begin this wonderful trip to Switzerland. I take this opportunity to rediscover the city and also to visit Vevey.
Here are my must-see and do things in Montreux and its surroundings:
– The Château de Chillon
– The city center from Montreux
– Take a walk along the quays of Montreux, on the banks of Lake Léman, and see the Statue of Freddie Mercury
– Visit the Queen recording studio
– To do paddle along the lake, with Nautic Loisirs
– Take the chain train to go to Rochers-De-Naye
– Take the train to go to Vevey and to Terrasses de Lavaux (an unforgettable wonder, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
– Make a small boat cruise on Lake Léman
– To have breakfast or a snack at Montreux Palace
– Go to the covered market in the Place du Marché
– See the gardens of the Fairmont Palace
Now, on to Gstaad, a resort renowned for its elegance and its wealthy clientele. The journey is fabulous! I leave from the Montreux train station on board the train. Golden Pass Panoramic To get a bird’s-eye view of the Swiss Alps. The scenery changes constantly throughout the journey, and I was able to enjoy beautiful views of Montreux, then of the alpine meadows, and finally of the mountains that seemed to go on forever.
Real postcard-style settings. By the way, speaking of that, I suggest you try the personalized postcards From SimplyCards. You just have to download the app on your phone and then you can send your most beautiful photos to your loved ones by customizing the card. Quite convenient and original 🙂
I had my head glued to the train window the whole way!
Step 2: From Gstaad to Interlaken
Arriving in Gstaad, I was quite surprised by the number of watchmaking, jewelry, haute couture boutiques, yet I was charmed by the beauty of the city center with its Beautiful wooden chalets on the flower-filled terraces.
But in the end, Gstaad is not just about its historic center. You have to take a step back to discover another facet of this famous ski resort and let your eyes be opened wide.
I went on the cable car on the Wispile mountain At 1907 meters, it’s a great place for a short hike. You can enjoy a view of Gstaad, the Pays de la Sarine, the Lauenen Valley and the Diablerets massif. The views are amazing!
I then savored a Fondue with cheese in a giant wooden cauldron, with, once again, a clear view of the mountains with their snow-capped peaks and the many paragliders in search of sensations. A truly unusual experience to be lived in summer as well as in winter.
Price: from 18 Swiss francs per person (equipment included)
More information about the concept Fondueland in Gstaad
After a quick stroll through the city center, I am once again on board a train for a two-hour journey towards Interlaken.
Step 3: from Interlaken to Lucerne
And here I am Interlaken, In the heart of Switzerland, in the Bernese mountain region of the Oberland and at the foot of the country’s most beautiful mountains: the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau. I was immediately struck by the beauty of Lake Thoune and Lake Brienz, with their emerald-colored waters.
I took advantage of these two days in Interlaken to discover the city (which is quite touristy), but also to explore the surroundings.
Here are my favorites in Interlaken and its surroundings:
– Walk through the historic center: many parks, buildings and hotels of the period
– Go to the panoramic viewpoint at the end of the day Harder Kulm. Beautiful view of the city below, the mountains and the lakes. Possibility to eat at the restaurant. Hiking tours available. Open from April 13 to December 1st. Funicular ticket price: 26 Swiss francs per person
– To do parapente Overlooking Interlaken and with breathtaking views! The sensations are amazing and the Twin Paragliding team is very professional!
– Walk along the banks of the Lakes of Thoune and Brienz (small villages, nautical activities in the summer and breathtaking scenery), accessible by train in a few minutes
– To go to Aletsch glacier on board the Jungfraubahn cog railway. We then arrive at the highest railway station in Europe, at 3454 meters. From the platform, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountains and the immense Aletsch glacier, which is 22 km long and 900 m thick. A true wonder that has attracted many visitors for more than a century.
I had already seen plenty of them on the train journey between Montreux and Gstaad, but here I think it’s the peak… The Interlaken – Lucerne journey is sublime… From the very first minutes of the journey I admire these crystal-clear lakes, surrounded by villages and small chalets
Step 4: From Lucerne to Basel
Arrived in Lucerne (Luzern) and here I set out to discover this beautiful historic city located on the edge of Lake of the Four Cantons.
Here are my must-see and must-do things in Lucerne:
– The Chapelle Bridge, the emblem of the city
– Walk around the Towers of the “Musegg”, the old city walls.
– The Monument of the Lion
– The Old town Picturesque on the banks of the river. When you look up and see the frescoes on the old buildings, the architecture is remarkable.
– The Culture and Congress Centre built by the French architect Jean Nouvel
– Walk along the boulevard by the lake
– Visit the Hotel Château Gütsch
– Take a cruise on the Lac des Quatre-Cantons (included in the Swiss Travel Pass). I made a round trip to Viznau; the scenery is wonderful.
And for this final step that concludes this beautiful train journey in Switzerland, I return a few hours to Basel, a city that I particularly love for its architectural contrasts and, above all, its way of life!
I just had time to put my suitcase at the train station check-in desk, and pick up my « Wickelfisch »(waterproof bag) with only the essentials, take the bus up to the height of the Tinguely Museum and swim in the Rhine while letting the current carry me. This is a must-do here and quite unique in its kind!
Find the answers in this article 10 must-see and do things in Basel
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