Best of Switzerland: Self-Launched Rail Version
9 days · Switzerland
Trafalgar charges £2,600
No-markup version: ~£1,150 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Trafalgar's 9-day coach tour from Zurich to Interlaken, rebuilt around Switzerland's superb (if pricey) rail network. You hit the same headline stops — Zurich, Bern, Montreux and Chillon, Zermatt and the Matterhorn, Italian-speaking Locarno and Lake Maggiore, St. Moritz, the UNESCO Bernina railway, Poschiavo, Lucerne, Brienz and Interlaken — staying in hostels and guesthouses and booking your own tickets with a Swiss Travel Pass or half-fare card. The trade-off versus the coach tour: you carry your own bag and organise your own days, but you gain total flexibility, far fewer hours staring out of a bus window on motorways, and a much smaller bill. Switzerland is expensive by any standard, so accommodation is the main lever — book dorms or small guesthouses well ahead, especially in Zermatt and St. Moritz.
Day-by-day
Arrive Zurich — Old Town on foot
Zurich
Land at Zurich Airport and take the S-Bahn (S24/S2, ~15 min, CHF 7 with a zone ticket) into the city rather than paying for an airport hotel. Check into a hostel in the Niederdorf or Langstrasse area. Spend the afternoon on a self-guided walk of the Old Town: Grossmünster, Fraumünster, Lindenhof viewpoint and the Niederdorf lanes. If you want the guided 'social impact' equivalent, Free Walk Zurich runs a tip-based old-town tour (pay what you feel, budget CHF 10-20). Evening: supermarket picnic by Lake Zurich or a cheap meal in Kreis 4.
🚌Airport S-Bahn ~CHF 7; everything else on foot/tram
🛏Hostel dorm in central Zurich (e.g. City Backpacker or similar), ~£40-50/night
- →S-Bahn into central Zurich
- →Self-guided Old Town walk (Grossmünster, Fraumünster, Lindenhof)
- →Optional tip-based walking tour
- →Lake Zurich evening stroll
Zurich to Montreux via Bern
Montreux
Book early-morning saver tickets or use your Swiss Travel Pass: take the IC train Zurich–Bern (~1 hr). Drop bags at Bern station lockers and walk the UNESCO Old Town, the Aare river terraces and the clock tower (Zytglogge) — the bear park the coach tour stopped at is a 20-minute walk beyond the river. Then continue Bern–Montreux (~1 hr 40) along the shores of Lake Geneva. Check into a hostel or guesthouse in Montreux or nearby Vevey (cheaper). Evening promenade walk towards the Freddie Mercury statue.
🚌IC trains Zurich–Bern–Montreux, ~CHF 60-80 with pass/half-fare
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Montreux or Vevey, ~£40-55/night
- →Bern Old Town and Aare river walk
- →Zytglogge clock tower
- →Lake Geneva promenade in Montreux
Chillon Castle, Lavaux terraces and on to Zermatt
Zermatt
Walk or take bus 201 to Château de Chillon for opening time (entry ~CHF 15, book online; castle audio guide included). Afterwards take the train two stops to Vevey/St-Saphorin and walk a section of the Lavaux vineyard terraces — this is the DIY stand-in for the 'Be My Guest' wine and cheese lunch: buy cheese, bread and a glass of Chasselas from a caveau along the route (budget CHF 20-25). Optional: the Charlie Chaplin's World museum at Corsier-sur-Vevey (~CHF 29) if you liked the original tour's optional. Late afternoon train Montreux–Visp–Zermatt (~2 hr 30, with changes), the last leg on the narrow-gauge Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. Zermatt is car-free; electric taxis or walk from the station.
🚌Local bus + regional trains Montreux–Visp–Zermatt, ~CHF 70-90
🛏Hostel in Zermatt (e.g. Zermatt Youth Hostel), ~£55-70/night — book well ahead
- →Chillon Castle entry
- →Lavaux vineyard terrace walk and wine tasting
- →Optional Chaplin's World museum
- →Scenic rail to Zermatt
Zermatt and the Matterhorn
Zermatt
Full day in Zermatt. Hike the classic 5-Seenweg (Five Lakes Walk) from Blauherd to Sunnegga (~2.5-3 hrs, cable car up ~CHF 50 return with half-fare) for the Matterhorn reflection in Stellisee — or, if the weather is clear and your budget stretches, ride the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car to Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m, ~CHF 60-70 with discount) for the view the coach tour sold as an optional. Cheaper alternative: the Gornergrat railway (~CHF 55 with half-fare) or simply walk the Zermatt–Zmutt hamlet trail for free. Dinner: a plate of rösti rather than a CHF 45 fondue.
🚌Cable cars/railway ~CHF 50-70 with discount
🛏Hostel in Zermatt, ~£55-70/night
- →Five Lakes Walk from Blauherd
- →Optional Klein Matterhorn / Glacier Paradise cable car
- →Zmutt hamlet walk alternative
- →Matterhorn viewpoints in town
Over the Alps to Locarno and Lake Maggiore
Locarno
Take the scenic route south: Zermatt–Visp–Brig, then the Centovalli Railway from Domodossola to Locarno (one of Switzerland's most beautiful rail lines, ~2 hrs, waterfalls and viaducts). Allow roughly 4-5 hrs total. Check into a hostel or B&B in Locarno. Afternoon: walk Locarno's old town and Piazza Grande, then bus or walk to Ascona's lakeside promenade (bus ~15 min). If you want the boat experience the tour offered, take the public Lake Maggiore boat to the Brissago Islands (return ~CHF 20-25) instead of a private charter — the Isole di Brissago botanical gardens are the better-value version.
🚌Zermatt–Brig–Domodossola–Locarno rail ~CHF 60-75; boats and buses ~CHF 25
🛏Hostel/B&B in Locarno, ~£35-45/night (cheaper than the German-speaking resorts)
- →Centovalli scenic railway
- →Locarno old town and Piazza Grande
- →Ascona lakeside walk
- →Lake Maggiore public boat to Brissago Islands
Locarno to St. Moritz via the Bernina line
St. Moritz
A long but spectacular rail day: Locarno–Bellinzona–Thusis (PostBus via the San Bernardino pass, or train via Zurich — check timetables and take the PostBus for scenery), then the Albula line to St. Moritz. Total ~6 hrs; it's the price of not having a coach. Alternatively, do the reverse of the tour's order: settle in St. Moritz and ride the Bernina line tomorrow from the other end. In St. Moritz, stay in a hostel or in nearby Celerina/Samedan for lower rates, and walk the lake path. Note: the tour's Bernina ride is included here as a self-booked ticket — see Day 7.
🚌Rail + PostBus ~CHF 70-90
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in St. Moritz, Celerina or Samedan, ~£45-60/night
- →PostBus over the San Bernardino pass
- →Albula railway (Landwasser Viaduct)
- →St. Moritz lake walk
Bernina railway to Poschiavo, then to Lucerne
Lucerne
Take the RhB Bernina Express route (regional trains are cheaper than the branded panoramic carriages and use the same track): St. Moritz–Bernina Diavolezza–Poschiavo, past the Piz Bernina glaciers and the Brusio spiral viaduct (~2 hrs, ~CHF 30-40 with half-fare; seat reservations only needed on the panorama train). Stop an hour or two in Poschiavo for the Italian-speaking piazza and a cheap grotto lunch. Then head north: Poschiavo–Thusis–Chur–Zurich–Lucerne (~5 hrs, long but easy). Optional Roseg Valley walk can be swapped for a short walk from Pontresina on the way. Arrive Lucerne in the evening and check into a hostel near the station.
🚌Bernina line ~CHF 35 + northbound trains ~CHF 60-80
🛏Hostel in Lucerne, ~£40-50/night
- →Bernina railway to Poschiavo
- →Poschiavo old town and grotto lunch
- →Optional Roseg Valley walk from Pontresina
Lucerne and Mount Stanserhorn, then Interlaken
Interlaken
Morning in Lucerne: Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, the Musegg wall walk (free) and the old town. Optional: the world's first double-deck CabriO cable car up Mount Stanserhorn (~CHF 39 with half-fare, train from Lucerne to Stans ~20 min) — the exact optional the coach tour sold, but booked directly. Mid-afternoon take the Brünig line train Lucerne–Interlaken Ost (~2 hrs, direct, ~CHF 25-30), which beats the motorway for scenery. Stay in a hostel in Interlaken — Balmers and similar have dorms and are set up for solo travellers.
🚌Local trains ~CHF 10 + Lucerne–Interlaken ~CHF 28
🛏Hostel in Interlaken (e.g. Balmers), ~£30-40/night
- →Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument
- →Musegg wall walk
- →Optional CabriO cable car to Mount Stanserhorn
- →Brünig line rail to Interlaken
Brienz woodcarving village and departure
Interlaken
Morning train along Lake Brienz to Brienz (~25 min, ~CHF 8). See the woodcarving tradition in the village workshops and the Ballenberg-adjacent craft shops; the lakeside path is free and gorgeous. Optional short boat hop back along the lake on the BLS public ferry, or a cheap ride up to Axalp if you have time. Return to Interlaken, collect your bag and take the direct train to Zurich Airport (~2 hrs, ~CHF 35 with half-fare) or on to your next stop. If you're continuing in Switzerland, Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau region — the Jungfraujoch is expensive (~CHF 100+ even discounted), so weigh it up separately.
🚌Brienz return + Interlaken–Zurich Airport ~CHF 45
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Brienz woodcarving village
- →Lake Brienz shoreline walk
- →Optional public ferry on Lake Brienz
- →Train to Zurich Airport
Self-launched vs. Trafalgar
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Trafalgar | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,150 | £2,600 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,450 per person (56%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Trafalgar-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,150
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Best of Switzerland: Self-Launched Rail Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,150 per person for 9 days in Switzerland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Trafalgar?+
Yes — Trafalgar charges around £2,600 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,150 — a saving of roughly £1,450 (56%) per person.
How long is the Switzerland trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Switzerland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Switzerland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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