This was my second time visiting Switzerland, and this time, I wasn’t chasing the typical bucket-list stops. I had done that already — Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald — they were beautiful, but this trip was about something else.
I was beginning a month-long solo journey through Europe, and Switzerland felt like the perfect place to start. Not with a rush of big cities, but with soft landings — lakeside walks, scenic train rides, and gentle mountain air. From Geneva to Montreux, it was a quiet introduction to traveling alone again — and a reminder of why I love it.
🛬 Geneva: A Gentle Landing
I arrived in Geneva after a long international flight — tired, jetlagged, and grateful to have built in a rest day. I stayed at Hotel Bernina (great location right across from the train station), which made getting around very easy, especially since I didn’t have a car. I also got free local transit pass from the hotel for Geneva.
The next day, I spent my time wandering through Geneva, taking in its elegance and calm energy. Here’s what I did:
- Took a scenic boat ride from the M2 stop across Lake Geneva
- Walked by the Jet d’Eau, the city’s iconic water fountain
- Strolled through Jardin Anglais, with a peek at the Flower Clock
- Saw the Ferris Wheel. You can also ride the Ferris Wheel for a fun aerial view.
- Window-shopped along the luxury-lined Rue du Rhône, and the more approachable Rue Basses
- Explored Geneva’s Old Town, passing Place du Bourg-de-Four, St. Pierre’s Cathedral, and Molard Tower
- Visited the Reformation Wall and the green expanse of Parc des Bastions
- Ended my walk near City Hall, just soaking in the atmosphere
It was a full, but easy day. The kind of day you can only really enjoy when you’re not rushing between “must-see” spots.
🇫🇷 Day Trip to Annecy: French Charm Just Across the Border
Instead of taking the train, I hopped on a bus from Geneva to Annecy — it was quicker, more direct, and gave me some beautiful countryside views along the way.
Annecy felt like a fairytale: flower-filled canals, pastel buildings, and cobbled streets. I didn’t have a plan — I just wandered.
I ended up finding:
- Palais de l’Isle — that postcard-perfect building on the canal
- Château d’Annecy — perched above town, with views and quiet corners
- The shores of Lake Annecy, where I rested under trees and watched paddle boats drift by
On a whim, I bought a ticket for a lake boat tour. The wind on my face, the sun reflecting off the lake, the quiet — it was unexpectedly one of my favorite moments of the day.
I grabbed a coffee at a little café before catching the bus back to Geneva, legs tired, heart full.
🚆 Geneva to Montreux: A Change of Scenery
The next morning, I took a regular train from Geneva to Montreux — a short and easy ride along the lake. Montreux had a different kind of beauty: more dramatic, with the Alps framing the water in sharper relief.
I stayed at the Freddie Mercury Hotel, just minutes from the station. I had an early morning train the next day, that made me choose this hotel. They provided a free local transit pass, which I used to explore beyond the lakefront.
Here’s what I did in Montreux:
- Walked the lakeside promenade, full of flowers and sculptures
- Took a bus to Chillon Castle, explored the grounds outside, then walked back along the water (highly recommended!)
- Rode a mountain train up to Haut-de-Caux — a peaceful alpine stop with stunning views, made possible with that transit pass
I stayed the night in Montreux, feeling like the trip was truly underway. I could sense that the rhythm was about to shift — from city walks to mountain stillness.
🚞 Looking Ahead: The Golden Pass to Wengen
The next morning, I boarded the Golden Pass Express — a panoramic train that winds from Montreux to Interlaken. This was when the magic really began.
I had also activated my Bernese Oberland Pass, which would cover most of my travels for the next 6 days — including scenic railways, mountain lifts, and boats (included my Golden Pass Express ride, however, it’s recommended to reserve a seat well ahead in time). (Tip: this pass is worth it if you plan to explore the Jungfrau region.)
I reached Wengen later that day via Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen — and instantly fell in love. But that story deserves its own space.
🧭 Up Next: Wengen to Zurich – Finding Stillness in the Swiss Alps
From glacial lakes to foggy peaks, my next few days in Wengen and Zurich brought the deepest sense of peace I felt on the entire trip. I’ll share that in Part 2 of this Switzerland story — coming soon.
Want to see my full itinerary? Check out a simple day-by-day breakdown of my route here → 8 Days in Switzerland Without a Car – My Solo Travel Itinerary
Want to see more? Check out my Switzerland Photo Gallery here → Switzerland Gallery Part 1: Geneva, Annecy, Montreux
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