Switzerland by Boat, Train and Bus
15 Day Swiss Rail Pass Trip Covers Alpine Peaks, Lakes and Cities
Jun 7, 2008
Highlights are the Jungfrau and Matterhorn alpine peaks, the Rhone Glacier, and the picturesque villages of Interlachen, Brig, Oberwald, Davos and Thun.
This is a good add-on to an extended tour of Europe. You turn in a rental car, stash cumbersome luggage at the Geneva train station, take out your pre-purchased 15-day rail pass and board a steamboat at the dock.
Geneva to Montreux and Interlachen
Your do-able, stress free loop starts by half-day steamer up Lake Geneva to Montreux. Alpine peaks cluster around Mont Blanc on the right above the village-dotted French shoreline. Lausanne, on the Swiss shore, is followed by rows of vineyards.
Montreux, scene of a glitzy casino and home to a famous jazz festival, is a winsome resort with upscale villas, posh hotels, a picturesque marina and enticing lakeside boardwalk.
The train from Montreux to Interlachen provides a good half-day introduction to Swiss scenery. It hair-pins its way up the mountain, threads through lush Swiss countryside, and provides birdseye views of the Gstaad ski slopes.
The Jungfrau and the Matterhorn
Interlachen is gateway to the Jungfrau. Take the breathtaking train trip up the Jungfrau, its last leg on a railway tunneled inside Mount Eiger. The railway terminates at the highest station in Europe. It’s literally a top-of-the-world experience. End the day at Interlachen’s famed pageant based on the William Tell legend.
Hit the rails to Brig for a two-night stay surrounded by small town charm. Evening music on the square and lights shining on an ancient convent and palace evoke magical delights of yesteryear. Day one from Brig is a trip into the Pennine Alps, viewing the Matterhorn and the car-free village of Zermatt.
Ride the Yellow Postal Bus Free
Not only does the rail pass include steamboat travel, but it lets you ride postal buses to remote villages. Take one from Brig to the hamlet of Oberwald, stay overnight, then take a cog railway past the Rhone Glacier, over the Furka Pass, then back to Oberwald to board the Glacier Express for the Rhaetian Alps and the Davos resort village.
This is the halfway point. A northwest train puts you at lovely Fluelen on the lower edge of Lake Lucerne. A next day steamboat trip to Lucerne places you in good shopping venues. You can travel to Bern the following day for shopping, museums and more city life.
A pleasant route back to Geneva is via the engaging town of Thun and a stopover at Lausanne before returning by nostalgic paddle steamer to Geneva.
Rail Pass and Hotels
A bonus to this rail odyssey is that if you avoid large festivals you can select your hotel as you arrive at each destination. There are 11 types of Swiss rail pass, with separate first and second class rates for adults and children. Example: A 15-day second class pass for an adult is $384.00. Order in advance.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
