12 Days • 11 Nights
Switzerland Family Grand Tour
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll play in the snow atop Mt Titlis and Jungfraujoch, ride the mountain carts and the Cliff Walk at Grindelwald First, cruise the lakes of Lucerne and Geneva, and stand beneath the mighty Matterhorn at car-free Zermatt. With relaxed multi-night stays and plenty of variety, it keeps every age happy.
With family-friendly hotels, scenic rail and the key excursions arranged, it is the ultimate Swiss holiday for all ages.
Trip Highlights
- Snow play atop Mt Titlis and Jungfraujoch
- Mountain carts and the Cliff Walk at Grindelwald First
- Lake cruises on Lucerne and Geneva
- Car-free Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn
- The Gornergrat cogwheel railway
- The thundering Rhine Falls by boat
- A traditional Swiss fondue dinner
- Eleven nights across five family-friendly bases
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 12-day journey.
Arrive in Zurich and settle in, with a welcome dinner to begin the family adventure.
A city tour of Zurich, then out to the thundering Rhine Falls for an exciting boat ride to the central rock.
Travel to Lucerne, exploring the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument, then a fun cruise on the lake.
Ride the revolving cable car to Mt Titlis for snow play, the Ice Flyer chairlift, the glacier cave and the cliff-edge suspension bridge.
A day on Mt Pilatus by the world's steepest cogwheel railway and cable car, or gentle Rigi, 'Queen of the Mountains', with a lake boat.
A scenic journey to Interlaken and up to Harder Kulm for the view of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
The cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch at 3,454m for the Ice Palace, snow fun and the Sphinx deck, with a fondue dinner tonight.
A day of fun at Grindelwald First — the Cliff Walk, the First Flyer zip-line and the downhill mountain carts and trotti-bikes.
Take the scenic train to car-free Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn.
Ride the Gornergrat cogwheel railway to a breathtaking Matterhorn panorama and the Glacier Paradise.
A scenic journey to Geneva — the soaring Jet d'Eau, a lake cruise and the old town.
A final breakfast before your transfer to Geneva airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 2 nights Zurich, 3 nights Lucerne, 3 nights Interlaken, 2 nights Zermatt, 1 night Geneva
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Swiss fondue dinner
- Scenic rail travel between destinations with reservations
- A Zurich city tour and the Rhine Falls by boat
- Mt Titlis, a Lake Lucerne cruise and Mt Pilatus or Rigi
- The Jungfraujoch cogwheel-train excursion and Grindelwald First
- The Gornergrat railway and a Geneva city tour
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from the tour
- Schengen visa or ETIAS fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and cable cars beyond those stated
- City tourist tax, payable at your hotels
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Switzerland is in the Schengen area, so most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa (and ETIAS once it launches). Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay — we can advise
- Currency: The currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF); Switzerland is not in the eurozone. Cards are accepted everywhere, and while some places take euros, change is given in francs
- It is expensive: Switzerland is one of the world's priciest countries, so budget generously for meals, drinks and incidentals beyond your package
- Scenic trains & passes: Your package includes rail travel and mountain excursions; the great scenic trains such as the Glacier and Bernina Express need seat reservations, which we arrange for you
- Mountain weather: Alpine weather changes quickly and summit trips like Jungfraujoch and the Matterhorn depend on conditions. Dress in warm layers year-round — there is snow at the top even in summer
- Swiss punctuality: Trains run famously on time to the minute, and connections can be tight, so always be on the platform a few minutes early
- Seasons: Summer (June-September) is glorious for hiking, lakes and clear peaks; winter (December-March) is magical for snow and skiing; spring and autumn are quieter and beautiful
- Altitude: Jungfraujoch sits at 3,454m and other summits are very high, so take it slowly up top and drink water — some visitors feel light-headed
- Alpine sun: The mountain sun is strong, especially on snow, so bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Switzerland is deeply eco-conscious, so please recycle and respect nature
- Tipping & water: Service is included, so simply rounding up is plenty. Tap water is excellent and free, and refillable bottles are the norm
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and a traditional Swiss fondue dinner, plus any lunches named in the itinerary (such as a scenic-train lunch). Other meals are left free so you can explore Switzerland's cafes and restaurants.
Are the scenic trains and excursions included?
Yes — your rail travel and the mountain excursions named in each itinerary (such as Jungfraujoch, Mt Titlis and Gornergrat) are included, with seat reservations for the scenic trains arranged for you.
Do I need a visa for Switzerland?
Most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa. We can guide you through the requirements and provide the documentation you need for your application.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer (June-September) is ideal for hiking, lakes and clear peaks, while winter (December-March) is wonderful for snow and skiing. Spring and autumn are quieter and beautifully scenic.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels, excursions and even the scenic-train routes can all be tailored, and we can combine Switzerland with France or Italy. Just tell us your wishes.
Are the mountain excursions weather-dependent?
The high summits can close briefly in poor weather. We build in flexibility and your guide will rearrange the days to give you the best possible conditions.
Is there snow for the kids in summer?
Yes — the high summits of Mt Titlis and Jungfraujoch have snow year-round, so children can play in the snow even in July and August.
Is this pace manageable with young children?
Very much so — with three-night stays in Lucerne and Interlaken and plenty of variety, there is time to rest, and the mountain excursions are broken up with lakes and fun activities.
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