Switzerland is one of the best countries in Europe for scenic, stress-free travel without a car. On my second trip to the country, I explored a quieter route focused on lake towns, peaceful train rides, and mountain villages — all by public transportation. Here’s my full itinerary from Geneva to Zurich, perfect for solo travelers.
🗺️ Overview
- Trip Duration: 8 days
- Travel Period: May 15–24
- Route: Geneva → Annecy (France, day trip) → Montreux → Wengen → Zurich
- Travel Style: Solo, no car
- Transit Apps Used: SBB app (recommended for train tickets, schedules)
- Rail Pass Used: Bernese Oberland Pass (6 Days) – activated from May 19
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Geneva
- Arrival from international flight
- Stayed at Hotel Bernina (across from the train station)
- Received a free Geneva travel card from the hotel – used for local transport including boat rides
Day 2: Geneva Sightseeing
- Boat ride from M2 stop across Lake Geneva
- Jet d’Eau → Jardin Anglais → Flower Clock
- Old Town: Place du Bourg-de-Four, St Pierre’s Cathedral, Reformation Wall
- Shopping streets: Rue du Rhône (luxury) & Rue Basses (affordable)
- Parc des Bastions → City Hall → Molard Tower
- Used Geneva travel pass throughout the day
Day 3: Day Trip to Annecy, France
- Took a Blablacar Bus from Geneva to Annecy (~1.5 hours). There are also group tours available, if you prefer: Annecy half day tour from Geneva
- Explored Annecy Old Town:
- Palais de l’Isle
- Château d’Annecy
- Walked along Lake Annecy, relaxed in park
- Took a spur-of-the-moment boat tour on the lake
- Returned to Geneva by bus in the evening
Day 4: Geneva → Montreux
- Took a regular SBB train from Geneva to Montreux (~1.5 hrs)
- Stayed at Freddie Mercury Hotel, received free Montreux Riviera Card for local transport
- Activities in Montreux:
- Walked the lakeside promenade
- Took a local bus to Chillon Castle, walked back along the lake
- Rode the mountain train to Haut-de-Caux for scenic views
Day 5: Golden Pass Express to Wengen
- Reserved seat on the Golden Pass Express from Montreux to Interlaken Ost. It is recommended to do so in advance.
- Activated Bernese Oberland Pass (valid for 6 days)
- Route: Montreux → Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen → Wengen
- Stayed at Hotel Victoria Lauberhorn – beautiful views, great breakfast, compact rooms
- Visited Schilthorn (included in pass):
- Took cable car from Lauterbrunnen → Grütschalp → Mürren → Schilthorn
- On return, walked around Mürren → hiked down to Gimmelwald (easy descent)
- Gondola Gimmelwald → Stechelberg → bus to Lauterbrunnen → Wengen
Day 6: Day Trip to Oeschinensee + Lake Blausee
- Train from Wengen → Kandersteg (via Interlaken + Spiez)
- Gondola to Oeschinensee (included in pass)
- Hiked from gondola station to lake and around the lake
- Returned to Kandersteg and took local bus to Lake Blausee
- Both lakes were accessible and stunning — highly recommended
- Returned to Wengen in the evening
Day 7: Bern Day Trip + Interlaken Walk
- Train from Wengen to Bern (included in pass)
- Walked around Bern’s Old Town at a relaxed pace
- Returned via Interlaken + Lauterbrunnen and did an evening walk in Lauterbrunnen (the fairytale village full of beautiful waterfalls and river)
Day 8: Aare Gorge + Brienz + Rothorn Bahn
- Train to Meiringen, visited Aare Gorge (admission + local train included in pass)
- Continued to Brienz, walked around lakeside village
- Took Brienzer Rothorn Bahn – note: only partially open in late May
- Returned to Wengen for one last night in the Alps
Day 9: Wengen → Zurich
- Wengen → Lauterbrunnen → Interlaken Ost → Zurich by train
- Stayed at citizenM Zurich
- Walked around Zurich’s Old Town and lake promenade
- Zurich was a brief stop — I plan to return in future to explore more
🎟️ Passes & Transport Tips
✅ Bernese Oberland Pass (6 Days)
Covers:
- Golden Pass line between Interlaken and Lucerne
- Local trains, buses, and boats in the Bernese Oberland
- Schilthorn cable car
- Brienzer Rothorn Bahn (partial in May)
- Gondola to Oeschinensee
- Aare Gorge train and admission
- Buses to Blausee, Lauterbrunnen, Gimmelwald, etc.
👉 Check coverage & pricing
✅ Local Hotel Travel Cards
Hotels in Geneva and Montreux provided local transport cards that covered:
- Buses, trams, and local trains
- Short lake boat rides (in Geneva)
✅ Apps Used
- SBB Mobile App – essential for train tickets, schedules, and delay alerts
- Google Maps – reliable for navigation and regional buses
🧳 Final Notes
This Switzerland route was scenic, solo-friendly, and completely doable without a car. Every destination was connected by efficient trains or buses, and hotel travel cards + regional passes made transit seamless. It’s a great option for first-time solo travelers looking for nature, structure, and peace.
Looking for the full experience?
Read the full stories here:
Switzerland Part 1 – Geneva to Montreux
Switzerland Part 2 – Coming soon..
Want to see more? Check out my Switzerland Photo Gallery here → Switzerland Gallery Part 1: Geneva, Annecy, Montreux
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