With over 7,000 lakes and 4,000 snow-capped peaks to explore including the legendary Matterhorn, Eiger, and Jungfrau, the miles of mountain trails, lush forests, and deep valleys mean holidays in Switzerland are always set against a dramatic and breathtaking backdrop.
But apart from being big on adventure, Switzerland manages to combine traditional mountain villages, ice palaces, and the occasional yodel with a seamlessly efficient transport network, and incredible engineering that gives you access to hidden waterfalls, plateaus, and gorges. And back in town, you’ll love the tranquillity and calm, the pure air, and the many flower-lined promenades and lakeside cafés.
Walking holidays in Switzerland
Will you tackle the iconic Eiger Trail in the shadow of the brutal north face of the Eiger mountain in Grindelwald or try the famous Via Valtellina, an ancient wine route that takes you 2,000 meters up over the Scaletta Pass in the Graubünden region? Or is a scenic trail from the Medieval town of Thun across the spectacular Sigriswil bridge high above the lake and some easy lakeside meanders from Interlaken more your thing?
Exploring Switzerland
Stroll around the colorful old town of Lucerne with its Medieval bridge, unusual fresco-painted houses, and 17th-century church. Or from Kandersteg, take the gondola up to the turquoise waters of Oeschinensee (a UNESCO World Heritage Site 1,578 meters above sea level). It’s so easy to hop on a bus or a train to explore - take the Jungfrau Railway to the Jungfraujoch - the highest railway station in Europe - at the top, you get the most impressive view of the Aletsch glacier.
Action and Adrenaline in Switzerland
Fly down a zip line in Grindelwald, swing through the treetops at Davos Adventure Park, or take the kids to Switzerland’s largest mountain adventure park - Madrisa Land in Klosters. And we dare you to try the magic of paragliding high in the fresh mountain air above the Alps or kayaking down one of the fast-flowing rivers. And of course, there are always the bike trails to explore.
Culinary Switzerland
Chocolate making has been engrained in Swiss culture since the 17th Century, so you must dip into one of the many chocolate-tasting experiences while you’re here - there's even a Chocolate Train experience from Montreux. And when you’re hiking in the mountains, it’s almost compulsory to stop at the many mountain huts and enjoy wholesome local dishes like rösti, raclette, or fondue.
Switzerland by train, bus, boat, or cable car is both exciting and relaxing. Swiss public transport takes you to the most beautiful mountain panoramas and romantic lakes. Covered by a variety of travel passes:
Jungfrau Travel Pass - This great pass covers many excursions and walkers’ lifts in the Jungfrau Region including to Kleine Scheidegg, Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm, Männlichen, Pfingstegg, and First. Jungfraujoch is available for a supplement payable locally (approx. CHF 63 (CHF 75 Jun-Aug)).
Available from: Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, Interlaken & Wilderswil (pre-bookable).
Bernese Oberland Regional Pass - Best for those wishing to explore further afield in the Bernese Oberland, this pass includes most benefits of the Jungfrau Travel Pass, plus regional trains to Gstaad, Bern, Lucerne and Meiringen and travel on the Brienzer Rothorn. Jungfraujoch is available for a supplement payable locally (approx. CHF99 adults, CHF30 children). Schilthorn is available for a supplement payable locally (50% off).
Available from: Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, Interlaken, Wilderswil, and Kandersteg (pre-bookable).
Tell Pass - Best for exploring Lake Lucerne and further afield, this pass includes travel to the Pilatus Kulm, Rigi Kulm, Mount Titlis, and Stanserhorn for great walking opportunities. Unlimited boat trips on Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug as well as train travel to Meriringen, Engelburg & Arth-Goldau.
Available from: Lucerne and Weggis (pre-bookable).
Zermatt Peak Pass - Ideal for sightseers, walkers, and nature lovers alike, the Peak Pass gives you unlimited travel on Zermatt’s cable cars, gondolas, and mountain railways to discover the Matterhorn country terrain.
Available from: Zermatt (pre-bookable). High season July/ August. Low season all other months.
Graubünden Pass - Great for exploring further afield in Graubünden on the regional trains including to Chur, St. Moritz, and Arosa, plus the incredible UNESCO Bernina Express (seat reservation extra).
Available from: Davos, Klosters (book locally).
Lake Geneva Regional Pass - This pass covers unlimited travel on trains, boats, and mountain transport around Lake Geneva including boats to Vevey, Geneva, Evian, Lausanne, Gruyères & Gstaad, and the Rochers-de-Naye mountain railway.
Available from: Montreux (pre-bookable).
Swiss Travel Pass - The Swiss Travel Pass entitles you to unlimited travel on consecutive days throughout the rail, bus, and boat Swiss Travel System network.
This pass also covers scenic routes including free journeys on local trams and buses in around 90 towns, cities, and Mount Rigi. The pass offers a 25 - 50% reduction on most other mountain-top trains and cable cars as well as free admission to more than 500 museums. 3, 4, 6, 8, 15 days. If you are staying in Grindelwald, Wengen, or Mürren other passes might be more suitable if you wish to travel only within the Jungfrau region.
The Swiss Half Fare Travel Card
Half Fare Card worth over £100 is included in your Inghams holiday to Switzerland. This card is included within your transfer rail ticket and entitles you to up to a 50% reduction on first and second-class travel on most of the superb Swiss transport network (trains, cable cars, boats, etc). It also gives free travel to children from 6 to 15 years old, accompanied by a parent with the Family Card. Grandparents traveling with grandchildren are also able to benefit from this offer with the purchase of the Grandparents Card (now known as Children's Co-Travelcard), a 30 CHF fee to pay locally.
Switzerland is a pleasure to explore independently using the world-renowned network of mountain railways, steamboats, and buses. There is a wealth of excursions available from pretty lakeside towns and castles to stunning waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers. Using your half-price travel card included in your holiday is a great value way to explore all that Switzerland has to offer!
Transfers to Swiss Resorts
Transfers in Switzerland via Zurich and Geneva airports are by train, using the excellent Swiss Federal and mountain railways. Your journey route is set and may involve a change of trains, and some transfers also involve travel by local bus, boat, or cable car. Zurich and Geneva have railway stations within the airport. Onward transfers within resorts to/from your accommodation are by taxi/minibus/bus where necessary. Swiss trains, and railway stations, operate a "no-smoking" policy. The train journey route will be shown on your train ticket which will be emailed to you a few days before your departure.
