Lucerne → InterlakenTrain · 1h 51m · Luzern–Interlaken Express over the Brünig Pass (Zentralbahn)
Interlaken → ZermattTrain · 2h 18m · BLS through the Lötschberg Base Tunnel + Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, changes at Spiez and Visp
Zermatt → GenevaTrain · 3h 48m · Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn + SBB along the Rhône and the lake, change at Visp
Geneva → DelhiFlight · 15h 30m · One stop via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Zurich (Emirates / Qatar Airways / Etihad / SWISS) (one stop)
About this circuit
Switzerland end to end by train: Zurich's old town and lake, Lucerne's Chapel Bridge with Pilatus or Rigi, the Luzern–Interlaken Express over the Brünig Pass to the Jungfrau region, through the Lötschberg tunnel to car-free Zermatt under the Matterhorn, and along the Rhône and the lake to Geneva. Fly into Zurich and home from Geneva.
Why it matters
Jungfraujoch (3,454 m), above Interlaken, is the highest railway station in Europe, and Zermatt's Gornergrat line climbs to 3,089 m facing the Matterhorn. Geneva is home to the UN's European headquarters and the Red Cross, and Interlaken has a statue of Yash Chopra, whose films made the region famous in India.
Stop by stop
How the 10 days split across the 5 stops, and what each one costs on the ground for two.
Switzerland's largest city and the arrival point for the non-stop flights from India. The Old Town (Altstadt) climbs both banks of the Limmat to the Grossmünster and the Fraumünster with its Chagall windows; Bahnhofstrasse is the shopping street, the lakeshore promenades and summer lake baths are where the city relaxes, and Uetliberg gives the view over the lake to the Alps. Trains from Zurich HB reach Lucerne in 45 minutes and most of the country in under three hours. Indian restaurants are easy to find.
Don't miss: Old Town lanes on both banks of the Limmat · Chagall windows at the Fraumünster.
How long: 1 day here; on its own Zurich is worth 2 — add a day if you can.
Zurich Airport (ZRH), 10 km
1 day for two from ₹15,297 · ₹32,517 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
The most visited town in central Switzerland, on the outflow of Lake Lucerne: the covered wooden Chapel Bridge and its water tower, the Lion Monument carved into a cliff, and an old town of painted squares. Paddle steamers cross the lake, and Mount Pilatus (the world's steepest cogwheel line from Alpnachstad) and Mount Rigi are classic day trips; Titlis is an hour away at Engelberg. 45 minutes from Zurich by train. Indian restaurants and Indian tour groups are common in summer.
Don't miss: Chapel Bridge and its water tower · Lion Monument.
How long: 2 days, which is the recommended stay.
Zurich Airport (ZRH), 65 km
2 days for two from ₹90,814 · ₹1,39,034 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
A resort town on the plain between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and the base for the Jungfrau region. Trains from Interlaken Ost climb to Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Grindelwald, and on via Kleine Scheidegg or the Eiger Express to Jungfraujoch (3,454 m), the highest railway station in Europe, with the Aletsch glacier, the Sphinx terrace and an ice palace; it is the region's big day out and also its biggest single cost. Harder Kulm, lake boats on Thun and Brienz, and paragliding over the Höhematte fill the rest. Interlaken has many Indian restaurants and a statue of Yash Chopra, whose films made the region famous in India.
Don't miss: Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station · Aletsch glacier from the Sphinx terrace.
How long: 3 days, which is the recommended stay.
Zurich Airport (ZRH), 130 km
3 days for two from ₹1,31,471 · ₹2,09,665 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
A car-free resort at the head of the Mattertal under the Matterhorn. There is no road into the village for visitors: trains run from Visp (about 1 h 05), and drivers leave the car at Täsch and take the 12-minute shuttle train. The Gornergrat cogwheel line climbs to 3,089 m facing the Matterhorn and the Gorner glacier; the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cableway reaches 3,883 m and year-round snow; the Five Lakes walk gives the mirror reflections. The Glacier Express to St. Moritz starts here. One of the dearest places to sleep in the country.
Don't miss: Matterhorn at sunrise from the village bridges · Gornergrat cogwheel train.
How long: 2 days, which is the recommended stay.
Geneva Airport (GVA), 235 km
2 days for two from ₹1,11,514 · ₹1,70,694 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
The French-speaking city at the tip of Lake Geneva, home of the UN's European headquarters and the Red Cross. The Jet d'Eau fountain shoots 140 m above the harbour, the old town climbs to St. Pierre Cathedral, and the Broken Chair stands outside the Palais des Nations. CERN's Science Gateway is free and a tram ride away; Mont Salève (in France) gives the view of the city and Mont Blanc. The second gateway airport, reached from India with one stop. The plainer hotels are dear and fill during conferences and the watch fair.
Don't miss: Jet d'Eau over the harbour · Old Town and St. Pierre Cathedral towers.
How long: 2 days, which is the recommended stay.
Geneva Airport (GVA), 5 km
2 days for two from ₹44,747 · ₹95,472 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
What it costs
from ₹3,26,891 a person
The whole 10-day trip as the planner prices it in May, for two sharing at budget stays: flights from India and back, travel between the stops, stays, food, getting around, entry fees and the planner's buffer.
The visa for an Indian passport, about ₹12,290 a person, is on top.
When to go
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June to September is summer in the mountains; May and November fall between the seasons, when many lifts, hotels and restaurants in the resorts close for maintenance
Entry rules
Visa needed before you fly for up to 90 days, about ₹12,290
Book a Schengen visa appointment with VFS Global for Switzerland (Swiss Embassy, New Delhi, and its consulates) up to 6 months and at least 15 days before you travel; April to September slots go fast, so book 6-8 weeks ahead. Apply to Switzerland if it is where you spend the most nights.
Checked 2026-10; confirm with the embassy before you fly.
Make it yours
Opens in the planner with all 5 stops, suggested days and your home city pre-filled, in May. Swap anything.
·Indian passports need a Schengen visa: book a VFS appointment for Switzerland at least 15 days and up to 6 months ahead (6-8 weeks ahead for April to September); one visa covers Switzerland and its neighbours
·Price the trip before buying a pass: a Swiss Travel Pass suits a long train day most days, a Half Fare Card fewer legs and a costly excursion; the plan's fares are full fares without either
·Jungfraujoch is the trip's biggest single cost, and from May to October its trains need a seat reservation too: check the webcams and go on a clear day, on an early train
·Zermatt has no road for visitors: come by train from Visp, and sit on the right for the views
·Geneva hotels give guests a free public transport card for the stay
