By the Where to Stay in Switzerland editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
How to Plan Where to Stay
- Two nights minimum per stop. Mountain weather changes fast, and two nights gives you two chances at a clear day for the Jungfraujoch or the Matterhorn.
- Fly into Zurich and out of Geneva (or the reverse). It saves a three-hour backtrack across the country at the end.
- Stay near the station. Almost every move is by train, so a hotel within a few minutes' walk of the platform, or one with a station pick-up, makes travel days easy.
- Book panoramic trains early. The Glacier Express needs a seat reservation, and it does not run from 11 October to 4 December 2026. Reservations are also recommended for the Jungfraujoch on clear days.
- Consider a Swiss Travel Pass. It covers trains, buses, boats and city transport, includes some mountains and discounts many others, but you still pay seat reservations on panoramic trains. Children 6 to 15 travel free with a parent on the free Swiss Family Card.
7 Days: Lucerne, the Jungfrau and Zermatt
In and out of Zurich:
| Nights | Base | Train to get there |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Lucerne | About 1 hr from Zurich Airport |
| 3 | Grindelwald or Wengen | About 2.5 hrs via Interlaken |
| 2 | Zermatt | About 3 hrs via Interlaken, Spiez and Visp |
From Zermatt back to Zurich Airport takes about 3.5 hours. If you can fly home from Geneva instead, it is about 4 hours, and you can stop a night on Lake Geneva on the way.
A slower version: skip Zermatt and spend 3 nights in Lucerne and 4 in the Jungfrau region, split between Interlaken and a mountain village.
10 Days: Add Lake Geneva
Into Zurich, out of Geneva:
| Nights | Base | Train to get there |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zurich | 10–15 min from the airport |
| 2 | Lucerne | About 45 min |
| 3 | Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen | About 2.5 hrs via Interlaken |
| 2 | Zermatt | About 3 hrs |
| 2 | Montreux | About 2 hrs 40 min, changing in Visp |
Geneva Airport is about 1¼ hours from Montreux by train. If you would rather see a capital than Zurich, swap the first night for Bern, about an hour from both Zurich and Interlaken.
14 Days: Add Ticino and the Engadin
Into Zurich, out of Geneva, with both panoramic trains:
| Nights | Base | Train to get there |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zurich | 10–15 min from the airport |
| 2 | Lucerne | About 45 min |
| 2 | Lugano | About 1 hr 40 min |
| 2 | St. Moritz | 4–4.5 hrs by bus and train |
| 2 | Zermatt | About 8 hrs on the Glacier Express |
| 3 | Grindelwald or Wengen | About 3 hrs via Visp and Spiez |
| 2 | Montreux | About 3¼ hrs on the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken |
The scenic way from Lugano to St. Moritz is the Bernina Express bus to Tirano and the Bernina Express train over the pass. Then the Glacier Express takes you to Zermatt and the GoldenPass Express to Lake Geneva. Check that each one runs on your dates: the Glacier Express, for example, does not run from 11 October to 4 December 2026.
Where We'd Stay at Each Stop
One reliable choice per base, close to the station or with a pick-up. Each area guide has splurge and budget alternatives.
Hotel Wilden Mann
Bahnhofstrasse, Old Town (left bank), Lucerne
Our top pick: Lucerne, the first stop on every route, in seven old houses five minutes from the station, with breakfast included.
Best for: History lovers
- Breakfast included
- 5 minutes' walk from the station
- Romantik and Swiss Historic Hotels member
More about this hotel
First recorded in 1517, the Wilden Mann is seven connected old houses with 48 rooms, about five minutes' walk from the station along the Reuss. Breakfast is included in the room rate.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
Marktgasse Hotel
Niederdorf, Old Town (east bank), Zurich
Zurich: a 15th-century inn in the Old Town for the first night.
Best for: Mid-budget Old Town stays
- 15th-century building in the Old Town
- IGNIV restaurant by Andreas Caminada
- Casual pinseria downstairs
More about this hotel
A restored 15th-century inn in the Niederdorf with 39 individually styled rooms, from tiny singles to large historic doubles. It is home to IGNIV, Andreas Caminada's sharing-plates restaurant, and a casual pinseria.
Hotel Du Lac Interlaken
Höheweg, on the Aare by Interlaken Ost, Interlaken
Interlaken: one minute from Interlaken Ost, for the easiest connections.
Best for: Early trains to the mountains
- 1 minute from Interlaken Ost
- On the Aare by the Lake Brienz boats
- Small: 35 rooms
More about this hotel
A family-run hotel from 1888 with 35 rooms, one minute from Interlaken Ost station and next to the boats for Lake Brienz. Some rooms look toward the Bernese Alps; breakfast is the only meal served.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hotel Belvedere
Dorfstrasse, 5 minutes from the station, Grindelwald
Grindelwald: Eiger views, a pool and free pick-up from the station.
Best for: Eiger views and good food
- Free station pick-up, 7 am–8 pm
- Pool and garden salt-water hot tub
- Michelin-starred restaurant 1910
More about this hotel
Run by the Hauser family since 1904, the Belvedere promises a view from every room and faces the Eiger from its terrace. It has a pool, saunas, a salt-water hot tub in the garden, a Michelin-starred restaurant and free pick-up from the station.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: qwesy qwesy, CC BY 3.0
Hotel Silberhorn
150 m from the station, Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen: 150 meters from the station, for less than the villages above.
Best for: Easy train connections
- 150 m from the station
- Rooms with Staubbach Falls views
- Open all year
More about this hotel
A family-run hotel 150 meters from Lauterbrunnen station, with some rooms facing Staubbach Falls and all-wood rooms in its Holz 100 category. It is open all year and also has two apartments.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Nashwini, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hotel Butterfly
Bodmenstrasse, 100 m from the station, Zermatt
Zermatt: 100 meters from the station, so you can walk in with your bags.
Best for: Arriving by train
- 100 m from the station
- Restaurant and lobby bar
- Rooms for up to 3
More about this hotel
A 65-room hotel 100 meters from the station, so you can walk in with your bags, with its own restaurant and a lobby bar with a fireplace. Some rooms have balconies with mountain views, and apartments are available too.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Abxbay, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hotel Savoy Bern
Neuengasse, 2 minutes from the station, Bern
Bern: two minutes from the station, with free local transport.
Best for: Short city breaks
- 2 minutes from the station
- Bern Ticket for free local transport
- Kids up to 16 free on its family offer
More about this hotel
A 64-room hotel two minutes' walk from Bern station and about 300 meters from the Federal Palace. Guests get the Bern Ticket at check-in, which covers city buses and trams, the Gurten and Marzili funiculars and the airport transfer.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Smiley.toerist, CC BY-SA 4.0
Eden Palace au Lac
Rue du Théâtre, on the lake, Montreux
Montreux: on the lakeshore, for the last nights before Geneva Airport.
Best for: Lake views for less
- On the lakeshore
- Lake-view terrace
- Family rooms and Villa Eden
More about this hotel
A 100-room hotel on the shore in the heart of Montreux, with lakeside rooms, a lake-view terrace and Restaurant Chez Gaston. Family rooms and a separate villa suit families and groups.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: JoachimKohler-HB, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hotel Cornavin
Boulevard James-Fazy, next to the station, Geneva
Geneva: next to the station, if your flight home leaves early.
Best for: Train travelers
- Next to Cornavin station
- Free Geneva Transport Card
- Breakfast room with lake views
More about this hotel
A 164-room hotel next to Cornavin station, with a panoramic breakfast room looking toward the Jet d'Eau and a free fitness room with sauna. Its lobby clock holds a Guinness World Record as the largest mechanical clock.
Hotel Walter au Lac
Piazza Rezzonico, on the lakefront, Lugano
Lugano: lake views from every room and the free Ticino Ticket.
Best for: Lake views in the center
- Every room has a lake view
- Ticino Ticket included
- Central, by the pedestrian zone
More about this hotel
Run by the same family since 1888, this 38-room hotel is on the lakefront by the pedestrian center, and every room has a lake view. The Ticino Ticket for free public transport is included in the room rate.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Chris j wood, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hotel Waldhaus am See
Lakeside, between Dorf and Bad, St. Moritz
St. Moritz: a lakeside hotel that is open all year.
Best for: Off-season visits
- Open all year
- Lake-view rooms
- Record-holding whisky bar
More about this hotel
A lakeside hotel between Dorf and Bad that is open all year, unlike the seasonal palaces, with lake- or forest-view rooms and a small spa. Its Devil's Place whisky bar holds a Guinness record for its 2,500-plus bottles.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: JoachimKohler-HB, CC BY-SA 4.0
Itinerary Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
-
Hotel Wilden MannBahnhofstrasse, Old Town (left bank), Lucerne · Mid-rangeHistory loversCheck prices -
Marktgasse HotelNiederdorf, Old Town (east bank), Zurich · Mid-rangeMid-budget Old Town staysCheck prices -
Hotel Du Lac InterlakenHöheweg, on the Aare by Interlaken Ost, Interlaken · Mid-rangeEarly trains to the mountainsCheck prices -
Hotel BelvedereDorfstrasse, 5 minutes from the station, Grindelwald · SplurgeEiger views and good foodCheck prices -
Hotel Silberhorn150 m from the station, Lauterbrunnen · Mid-rangeEasy train connectionsCheck prices -
Hotel ButterflyBodmenstrasse, 100 m from the station, Zermatt · Mid-rangeArriving by trainCheck prices -
Hotel Savoy BernNeuengasse, 2 minutes from the station, Bern · Mid-rangeShort city breaksCheck prices -
Eden Palace au LacRue du Théâtre, on the lake, Montreux · Mid-rangeLake views for lessCheck prices -
Hotel CornavinBoulevard James-Fazy, next to the station, Geneva · Mid-rangeTrain travelersCheck prices -
Hotel Walter au LacPiazza Rezzonico, on the lakefront, Lugano · Mid-rangeLake views in the centerCheck prices -
Hotel Waldhaus am SeeLakeside, between Dorf and Bad, St. Moritz · Mid-rangeOff-season visitsCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Hotel Wilden Mann
Historic hotel
|
Bahnhofstrasse, Old Town (left bank), Lucerne | Mid-range | History lovers | Check prices |
|
|
Marktgasse Hotel
Boutique hotel
|
Niederdorf, Old Town (east bank), Zurich | Mid-range | Mid-budget Old Town stays | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Du Lac Interlaken
Family-run hotel
|
Höheweg, on the Aare by Interlaken Ost, Interlaken | Mid-range | Early trains to the mountains | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Belvedere
Family-run hotel
|
Dorfstrasse, 5 minutes from the station, Grindelwald | Splurge | Eiger views and good food | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Silberhorn
Family-run hotel
|
150 m from the station, Lauterbrunnen | Mid-range | Easy train connections | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Butterfly
Chalet hotel
|
Bodmenstrasse, 100 m from the station, Zermatt | Mid-range | Arriving by train | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Savoy Bern
City hotel
|
Neuengasse, 2 minutes from the station, Bern | Mid-range | Short city breaks | Check prices |
|
|
Eden Palace au Lac
Lakefront hotel
|
Rue du Théâtre, on the lake, Montreux | Mid-range | Lake views for less | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Cornavin
Station hotel
|
Boulevard James-Fazy, next to the station, Geneva | Mid-range | Train travelers | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Walter au Lac
Family-run lakefront hotel
|
Piazza Rezzonico, on the lakefront, Lugano | Mid-range | Lake views in the center | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Waldhaus am See
Lakeside hotel
|
Lakeside, between Dorf and Bad, St. Moritz | Mid-range | Off-season visits | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Getting Your Luggage Around
On a train trip, luggage is the main hassle. Pack light enough to carry onto trains and cable cars, or use SBB's luggage service to send bags ahead between stations. In car-free Zermatt, Wengen and Mürren, pick a hotel near the station or one that collects you: many do, including Matterhorn FOCUS in Zermatt, the Beausite Park and the Regina in Wengen, and Hotel Eiger in Mürren.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.