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Destination Guide

Switzerland Tour Packages & Travel Guide

Plan a Switzerland trip with MIT — Jungfraujoch, Interlaken, Zermatt and the Glacier Express. Swiss Travel Pass and visa support. Get a quote.

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Switzerland — travel guide by Mysore International Travels

Switzerland is small enough to cross in a few hours and dense enough that those hours pass through glaciers, lakes, vineyards, and four language regions. For Indian travellers it has an outsized emotional pull, sustained by decades of film shoots in the Bernese Oberland, and the reality genuinely lives up to it.

The core circuit is the Jungfrau region — Interlaken between two lakes, with Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen in the valleys above, and the railway to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres. Zermatt, car-free beneath the Matterhorn, is the other essential mountain base. Lucerne with its covered wooden bridge and Mount Pilatus, and the lakeside cities of Zurich, Geneva, and Montreux, fill out most itineraries.

What makes Switzerland work is the transport: an integrated network of trains, buses, boats, and mountain cableways that runs to the minute, all covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. What makes it hard is the price — it is among the most expensive countries in the world, and the mountain excursions are individually costly on top of everything else. MIT arranges Switzerland itineraries with flights, Schengen visa documentation, the Swiss Travel Pass, hotels, and the excursion bookings that need advance planning.

Best Time to Visit

June to September is the summer season, with the best hiking, all mountain passes and cableways open, and lakes warm enough to swim — this is peak and priciest. December to March is ski season, with Zermatt, Grindelwald, and St. Moritz at their busiest and snow guaranteed at altitude. April-May and October-November are shoulder months with lower rates and fewer crowds, but some mountain railways and passes close for maintenance and the weather is unreliable.

Weather

Switzerland's weather varies dramatically with altitude. Lowland cities such as Zurich and Geneva have warm summers of 20-28°C and cold winters near freezing. Mountain areas are much colder, and Jungfraujoch stays below freezing year-round with snow in every season. Summer brings the clearest conditions for peaks, though afternoon cloud is common. Mountain weather changes fast — a clear morning can close in by midday, which matters when you have paid for a summit excursion.

Ideal Duration

5 to 7 days for Switzerland alone, covering the Jungfrau region, Lucerne, and Zermatt or a lakeside city. Three to four days works if it is one leg of a wider Europe trip, which is how most Indian travellers include it. Ten days allows a slower pace with scenic rail journeys and more hiking. Because daily costs are high, trip length here is a real budget decision.

Budget

Switzerland is among the most expensive countries in the world, and there is no way around that — hotels, food, and transport all cost substantially more than neighbouring France, Italy, or Austria. The Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, buses, boats, and many museums, and gives discounts on mountain railways; whether it saves money depends on your route, and we calculate it rather than assume. Mountain excursions like Jungfraujoch are significant separate costs. Staying in valley towns rather than resort villages and using supermarkets for lunches both help materially.

Must-see

Top attractions in Switzerland

Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe

Europe's highest railway station at 3,454 metres, with an ice palace, glacier viewing platform, and views over the Aletsch Glacier.

Interlaken & the Jungfrau Region

The town between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, gateway to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen's waterfall valley, and Wengen.

Zermatt & the Matterhorn

A car-free mountain village beneath Switzerland's most recognisable peak, with the Gornergrat railway and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car.

Lucerne & Mount Pilatus

A lakeside old town with the Chapel Bridge, and the Pilatus round trip combining the world's steepest cogwheel railway with a cable car descent.

Glacier Express & Bernina Express

Panoramic scenic rail journeys — Zermatt to St. Moritz over eight hours, and the UNESCO-listed Bernina line across the Alps to Italy.

Mount Titlis & Engelberg

A glacier excursion with a rotating cable car, cliff walk suspension bridge, and year-round snow, popular as a day trip from Lucerne.

Rhine Falls & Schaffhausen

Europe's largest waterfall by volume, near the German border, with boat trips to the central rock.

Lake Geneva, Montreux & Chillon Castle

The vineyard-terraced Lavaux shoreline, Montreux's lakeside promenade, and the medieval island castle of Chillon.

Getting there

How to reach Switzerland

By Air
Zurich and Geneva are the main international airports, with connections from Indian cities usually via a Gulf or European hub. From Bangalore, expect roughly 11 to 15 hours total. Basel also serves the north. Many travellers arrive overland by train from France, Italy, or Germany as part of a wider Europe trip.
Visa
Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, so Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa applied for in advance with full documentation — itinerary, confirmed bookings, financial proof, and Schengen-compliant travel insurance. MIT prepares the documentation as part of the itinerary.
Getting Around
Switzerland's integrated network of trains, buses, boats, and cableways is exceptional and runs to the minute. The Swiss Travel Pass covers most of it plus many museums, with discounts on mountain railways. Whether it beats point-to-point tickets depends on your route, so it should be calculated rather than assumed.
Make the most of it

Things to do

  • Take the train to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, and walk out onto the glacier platform
  • Ride the Gornergrat railway above Zermatt for the classic Matterhorn view
  • Do the Mount Pilatus round trip from Lucerne — cogwheel railway up, cable car down
  • Cross Lake Lucerne or Lake Thun by steamer, covered by the Swiss Travel Pass
  • Walk the Lauterbrunnen valley beneath its seventy-plus waterfalls
  • Take the Glacier Express or Bernina Express for a full day of panoramic Alpine rail
  • Visit the Rhine Falls and take the boat out to the rock in the middle
  • Walk Lucerne's Chapel Bridge and old town, then the Lion Monument
  • See Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva and walk the Lavaux vineyard terraces
  • Ski or snowboard in winter at Zermatt, Grindelwald, or St. Moritz
Where to stay

Hotels in Switzerland

Interlaken is the practical base for the Jungfrau region, with Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen higher up and more scenic but pricier and less connected. Zermatt is car-free and reached by train from Täsch, which is part of its appeal. Lucerne and the lakeside cities have a wider hotel range. Swiss hotels are immaculate and correspondingly expensive; three-star properties are genuinely comfortable. Staying in a valley town and travelling up daily is a meaningful saving over sleeping at altitude.

Where to eat

Restaurants & local food

Swiss food centres on cheese and dairy — fondue, raclette, rösti — along with regional differences reflecting the German, French, and Italian language areas, so you will eat quite differently in Zurich, Geneva, and Lugano. Restaurant meals are expensive by any standard. Indian restaurants exist in Zurich, Geneva, Interlaken, and Lucerne, and Interlaken in particular has several catering to Indian tour groups, including pure-vegetarian options. Supermarkets such as Coop and Migros are the standard way visitors keep food costs manageable, and their prepared food is good.

Before you go

Travel tips

  • Calculate whether the Swiss Travel Pass beats point-to-point tickets for your specific route — it often does, but not always
  • Check the mountain webcams before committing to an expensive summit excursion; a clouded-in Jungfraujoch is a costly disappointment
  • Stay in valley towns like Interlaken rather than at altitude — the saving is substantial and the trains run constantly
  • Use Coop and Migros supermarkets for lunches; restaurant meals are expensive by any standard and the prepared food is genuinely good
  • Book Jungfraujoch and Glacier Express seats in advance, particularly in summer and over holiday periods
  • Carry warm clothing for the mountains in every season — Jungfraujoch is below freezing in July
  • Swiss trains are famously punctual and leave exactly on time; a minute late means a missed connection
  • Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, not the euro, though euros are sometimes accepted at poor rates — use cards or francs
  • Sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen matter at altitude, where glare off snow is intense even in cold weather
Nearby

Nearby attractions

  • France – Paris and the Chamonix side of Mont Blanc, easily combined by rail
  • Italy – Milan and Lake Como, reachable in a few hours by train from Lugano or Zurich
  • Austria – Innsbruck and the Tyrol, an easy extension eastwards
  • Germany – the Black Forest and Munich, just across the northern border
  • Liechtenstein – the tiny principality between Switzerland and Austria, an easy day trip
FAQs

Switzerland — Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indians need a visa for Switzerland?
Yes. Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, so Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa applied for in advance with full documentation — itinerary, confirmed flight and hotel bookings, financial proof, and Schengen-compliant travel insurance. Apply well ahead, as appointment slots can be scarce.
What is the best time to visit Switzerland?
June to September for hiking, open mountain passes, and warm lakes — the peak and priciest season. December to March for skiing and guaranteed snow at altitude. April-May and October-November are cheaper and quieter but some mountain railways close for maintenance and weather is unreliable.
How many days do I need in Switzerland?
Five to seven days for Switzerland alone, covering the Jungfrau region, Lucerne, and Zermatt or a lakeside city. Three to four days works as one leg of a wider Europe trip, which is how most Indian travellers include it. Because daily costs are high, length is a real budget decision.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth buying?
Often, but not always — it covers trains, buses, boats, and many museums, with discounts on mountain railways. Whether it beats point-to-point tickets depends entirely on how much you move around. We calculate it against your actual itinerary rather than assuming either way.
Is Jungfraujoch worth the cost?
For most first-time visitors, yes — it is the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres, with an ice palace, glacier platform, and views over the Aletsch Glacier. It is expensive, so check the webcams first: cloud can eliminate the view entirely, and the ticket is not cheap to waste.
Why is Switzerland so expensive?
High wages, high living costs, and a strong currency mean hotels, food, and transport all cost substantially more than neighbouring France, Italy, or Austria. There is no way around it, but staying in valley towns, using supermarkets for lunches, and travelling in shoulder season all reduce the total meaningfully.
Where should I stay in the Jungfrau region?
Interlaken is the practical base — well connected, wider hotel range, and cheaper than the villages above. Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen are more scenic and atmospheric but pricier and less connected. Staying in Interlaken and travelling up daily is the standard cost-effective approach.
Is Indian food available in Switzerland?
Yes, in Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne, and particularly Interlaken, which has several restaurants catering to Indian tour groups including pure-vegetarian options. They are expensive by Indian standards but reliable, and are the usual fallback for groups with strict dietary requirements.
What is the Glacier Express?
A panoramic scenic train running roughly eight hours between Zermatt and St. Moritz through the Alps, with large windows and onboard dining. It is deliberately slow — the point is the view, not the speed. Seats require advance reservation even with a Swiss Travel Pass.
Is Switzerland good for a honeymoon?
It is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations from India, helped by decades of film shoots in the Bernese Oberland. Interlaken, Zermatt, and Lucerne are the usual bases. Shoulder season gives better value, though summer offers the fullest access to mountain excursions.
Can I see snow in Switzerland in summer?
Yes — Jungfraujoch, Titlis, and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise all have permanent snow and ice and are below freezing even in July. This is why they are such popular excursions for visitors travelling in summer who still want snow.
How reliable are Swiss trains?
Famously reliable, and they leave exactly on time — a minute late to the platform means a missed connection. The network integrates trains, buses, boats, and cableways with timed connections, which makes even complex journeys straightforward if you are punctual.
What currency does Switzerland use?
The Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro, despite being surrounded by eurozone countries. Euros are sometimes accepted but at poor exchange rates and with change given in francs. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so carrying large amounts of cash is unnecessary.
Is Switzerland suitable for elderly travellers?
Yes, unusually so. Mountain railways and cable cars reach spectacular viewpoints without any walking, stations and transport are well designed for accessibility, and the whole country is easy to move around. The main considerations are altitude at Jungfraujoch and the cost of a slower-paced trip.
Can I combine Switzerland with other European countries?
Easily — it borders France, Italy, Germany, and Austria, all reachable by train in a few hours. Paris, Milan, Lake Como, Innsbruck, and the Black Forest are all straightforward additions, and most Indian itineraries include Switzerland as one leg of a wider Europe trip.
What should I pack for Switzerland?
Layers in every season, including a warm jacket for mountain excursions even in summer, plus waterproofs since mountain weather changes fast. Comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen for altitude glare. Full winter gear if travelling December to March.
Is Zermatt worth visiting?
Yes, if you have the days. It is car-free, reached by train from Täsch, and sits directly beneath the Matterhorn — the most recognisable mountain in the Alps. The Gornergrat railway gives the classic view. It is a longer journey from the Jungfrau region, so it suits trips of five days or more.
Which mountain excursion should I choose if I can only do one?
Jungfraujoch for the highest-altitude experience and glacier views, Gornergrat for the Matterhorn, or Pilatus or Titlis for a shorter and cheaper day from Lucerne. If cost is a concern, Pilatus and Titlis deliver a great deal for considerably less than Jungfraujoch.
What should I buy in Switzerland?
Chocolate, watches, Swiss army knives, and cheese. Prices are fixed and bargaining is not done. Note that some goods qualify for VAT refund on export above a minimum spend, which is worth claiming at the airport for higher-value purchases.
How much does a Switzerland tour package cost?
Switzerland is among the most expensive destinations we arrange, and the main variables are trip length, hotel category, which mountain excursions you include, and whether the Swiss Travel Pass suits your route. MIT quotes the full trip including flights, visa support, pass, hotels, and excursions.
Does MIT arrange Switzerland tour packages?
Yes. MIT arranges Switzerland itineraries including flights from South India, Schengen visa documentation, the Swiss Travel Pass, hotels, and advance excursion bookings for Jungfraujoch and the scenic rail routes — standalone or as part of a wider Europe trip. Call or WhatsApp +91 96119 57301.
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