[TanealS]

25 January 2025 at 2:36:34 #2315031

Hi all,

I’m looking at planning a family holiday for Christmas 2026 for myself, husband and 2 boys (they will be 3 and 6 by then).

I am  looking at flying into Geneva (around 18th Dec) staying 1 night there for rest after the long flight from Australia, Then heading to Montreux for the Christmas markets. Would like to stay there 3 nights (is that enough time?) to explore the markets and everything Montreux has to
offer? Would even be open to staying in Vevey if you think it’s easy enough to get to the Christmas markets from there. We’re wanting to give the boys a magical Christmas experience! 

We would then like to arrive in Zermatt around the 22nd December and spend 7 nights there skiing and seeing what else is in Zermatt. From Zermatt we’d then like to catch a train to Lake Como and then fly back home to Australia. 

I’m wondering if that itinerary sounds okay (open to other suggestions) and as I know it’s still quite a long time away, how early do bookings usually open for accommodation for the Christmas period?
There will potentially be 2 other families coming with us so I’m trying to find accommodation where we can all stay (with our own rooms- doesn’t have to all be in the same apartment/air BnB) but I’m just trying to plan ahead and work out rough costing for that itinerary.

Would you recommend staying in the main towns (Montreux and Zermatt) or perhaps it’s better to stay in towns just outside?

Any help is much appreciated

Thanks so much!

TanealS

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[Roger Sexton]

Reply 1 of 5 • 25 January 2025 at 10:34:20 #2317077

Hello TanealS

Welcome to MySwissAlps

Thank you for sharing your travel plans with us.  But I suspect that when you typed ‘2026’ you meant ‘2025’.

You are going to be doing, on certain days, quite a bit of travelling within Switzerland.  I would suggest the adults invest in Swiss Travel Pass FLEX.  Either 3, 4 or 6 days in one month.

https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass-flex/
In Switzerland the three year old will always go free.  The six year old will also go free on journeys where you are using your STP provided you get for him a Swiss Family Card.  That card is free.

For Montreux, stay there or in the adjoining town of Vevey.  The two towns share a local bus system, and the guest card your hotel will issue you with gives you free travel on that system.

For Zermatt, the only possible alternative is Täsch.  But that village is also very busy as is as far as motorists can drive if they want to stay in Zermatt.  The local trains which shuttle between Täsch and Zermatt are expensive, and there is no ‘guest card’ system.

To get between Vevey/Montreux and Zermatt take a fast IR train (these trains run twice an hour) bound for Brig, but get off at VISP.  The connecting trains to Zermatt run twice an hour.

To get from Zermatt to Como City I would recommend the highly scenic route via Brig, Domodossola and Locarno.  The STP Flex will be valid for the whole of this journey, except for the last four kilometres from Chiasso to Como San Giovanni.  For that section you (including the six-year old) will need a separate ticket.

Between Domodossola and Locarno the journey is along the spectacular Centovalli railway.  From Locarno there is an hourly train service which goes to Milan via Lugano, Chiasso and Como.

I am not an expert on accommodation.  I am hoping that other members of this forum will help you.

Best wishes

Roger

[Anna]

Reply 2 of 5 • 25 January 2025 at 13:51:02 #2317277

Hi TanealS,

Zermatt is a popular winter destination and I would definitely recommend booking your accommodation as soon as possible if you’re planning to visit during the Christmas holidays. You would have more options in terms or pricing and hotel availability if you start your planning early. It’s the same in Montreux if you’re planning to visit the Christmas Market. I would look for a hotel in Montreux, then you can just walk to the Christmas Market. But if you can’t find a suitable accommodation, I suggest looking for hotels in Vevey or even Lausanne.

Zermatt hotels: https://www.myswissalps.com/accommodation/hotels/zermatt/
Montreux hotels: https://www.myswissalps.com/accommodation/hotels/montreux/
Christmas markets:  https://www.myswissalps.com/activities/christmas/markets/

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Anna

[TanealS]

Reply 3 of 5 • 25 January 2025 at 23:15:30 #2317296

Hi Roger and Anna,

Thanks so much for your information!! That’s really helpful!

No, I do mean 2026. I know I’m very early with the planning but I’m just trying to gauge how much the trip may cost for budgeting purposes this year. I know a lot of the accommodation at that time of year books out fast so I was hoping to get some insight on when 2026 bookings might become available. Do they usually open a year in advance?

In terms of our itinerary, does that sound like a good plan? Can you do the Christmas markets in a day or is it best to do it over a couple?

Thanks so much for your help! I really appreciate it!

Kind regards,
Taneal

[Roger Sexton]

Reply 4 of 5 • 26 January 2025 at 6:15:15 #2317304

Hi again TanealS

In budgeting, I would expect fares and the cost of passes to go up at the beginning of 2026.  Swiss Fares did not go up at the beginning of 2025.

I am not an expert on Christmas markets, but I would think one day is enough.  Your itinerary is great.  If I were in your party, I would be wanting to get to Zermatt ASP, as I want the fresh mountain air.

Best wishes

Roger

[User]

Reply 5 of 5 • 26 January 2025 at 20:12:17 #2317653

Hi TanealS,

Your trip plans for 2026 sound lovely and I agree,  it’s good to plan ahead.  That said, I am not sure all hotels and accommodation are open to bookings just yet.  Generally speaking some but not all allow for bookings, a year in advance.

We have a dedicated accommodation section, you can also try researching some of your destinations here:

• https://www.myswissalps.com/accommodation/

Regarding the Christmas markets, I think a day is sufficient too or as you are with young children, you may want to split the visit over 2 days. You’ll find some of the Christmas markets have specific sections for children too, it can be quite magical.

Kind regards,
Yolanda