Best 5d itinerary suggestions: Geneva-Basel with scenic train rides
RLS is a couple in their early 60s planning a 5-day trip to Switzerland, arriving in Geneva and departing from Basel. They want to experience beautiful scenery, explore charming towns, and enjoy food and culture while keeping travel easy for RLS's husband who has mobility issues. They are looking for advice on a manageable itinerary without too much travel time.
- Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited train travel, as it enhances your experience with the excellent public transport system.
- Stay two nights in Montreux and Luzern for a more relaxed pace, allowing time to explore.
- Choosing first-class tickets can provide more comfort and better views during your journeys.
- In Chur, the Hotel Drei Könige is recommended for its central location and good reviews.
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Hello again,
I am still trying to work out a doable itinerary that makes the most of our 5 days in Switzerland but doesn’t overload us so we miss out on actually experiencing the charm of places we visit.
I have looked at your previous replies and am considering options but hoping for further advice. We arrive in Geneva, and head towards Basel to pick up a cruise 6 days later.
Arrive Geneva 6th March 2026
Depart Basel 12th March 2026
I am wanting to see some lovely scenery by train, be able to explore on foot some unique towns / villages, history, food, culture etc. i don’t want to spend all our time on long train rides as we like to explore, the towns we visit so 2 nights in a town seems to make sense. I love doing walking tours around old towns to maximise appreciation which is why I thought Chur might be interesting but I’m now wondering if the distance is too great in a short time.
Looking at the scenery and beauty of Switzerland is also important for us. I know we cant see it all but id like to be able to enjoy what I can see and not be checking in and out of hotels. Can someone please advise us?
Thank you again for all your help
We are a couple in our early 60’s and my husband has mobility issues. While i love to be on foot , and walking we need a less strenuous option for him as well.
Kind regards
RLS
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Hello again RLS
What I am going to now suggest is an amended, shortened, version of what I suggested in my reply 4 to your previous thread.
I will be assuming that you will be investing in six-day Swiss Travel Passes.
I think I need to stress that Swiss public transport is extremely good. Way, Way better than in Britain or in any other English-speaking country!
As members of this forum have been stressing in a recent thread started by ‘Swiss Trip’, people in their EIGHTIES often take holidays/vacations in Switzerland, touring the country using the superlative public transport. (Read all the replies in that thread, but particularly the very perceptive reply from Andrew.)
March 6th
If your flight arrives before about 14 00, take the train to Montreux (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/montreux/), and stay overnight in that delightful lakeside town. (Nearby Vevey is just as delightful and probably a bit cheaper.)
If arriving after 14 00, stay overnight in Geneva (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/geneva/).
March 7th
If staying in Geneva, catch the 08 05 IR90 train from Geneva to Montreux, arrive Montreux 09 09.
Reserve seats on the 09 33 ‘Golden Pass Express’. Travel through to Interlaken Ost, arriving there at 12 48.
Take a break. Park your luggage in a left luggage locker. (All more important Swiss stations have lockers.) Have lunch and take a stroll.
Catch the 15 06 or 16 06 train to Luzern (the German name for Lucerne). Stay two nights in Luzern (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/).
March 8th
Either just stroll around the city, or (my recommended option) take the 10:2 boat bound for Fluelen and just stay on this boat until it gets back to Luzern at 15 47. Have lunch on board the boat (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-lucerne/). You do not have to disembark at Fluelen.
March 9th
Travel to Chur as detailed in my earlier reply 4.
However, break your journey at Andermatt. Park your luggage in a locker; have lunch; go for a stroll.
Then catch the regional train which leaves Andermatt for Disentis at 28 minutes past each hour. Make the very easy cross-platform interchange at Disentis. The journey to Chur will take in total two hours and 34 minutes. The scenery is extremely good!
Stay two nights in Chur.
March 10th
You could just stroll around Chur; perhaps take the short but extremely exciting bus ride to the small village of Tschiertschen. (Buses run hourly!)
But I would recommend you take the IR38 train to St Moritz (via Filisur). Trains run hourly. The spectacular journey takes two hours.
Have lunch in St Moritz, go for a stroll by the lake.
Then catch the RE7 train which runs hourly to Landquart via Klosters. This train takes just under two hours. It is a very short train ride from Landquart to Chur.
March 11th
In the new timetable commencing in December 2025 Inter-City trains on the Chur-Zurich-Basel route will be running every 30 minutes 365-days-a-year!
On some trips, a change at Zurich is needed. I suggest you (anyway) break your journey at Zurich and park your luggage in a locker. Have lunch … go for a stroll….
Bahnhofstrasse, about one mile long (1.6 kilometres) leads from the Hauptbahnhof to the lake past some very up market shops and (at Paradeplatz) close to the centre of Swiss Banking. If you do not want to Walk, catch a number 11 tram/streetcar.
Conclusion
All this is possible because Switzerland has the best public transport system in the world. The Swiss Travel Pass gives you the freedom of that system.
Very best wishes
Roger
Roger, thankyou!
That is exactly what we will do. A 6 day 1st class pass is quite expensive when converted to Australian dollars. For 2 its about $2300. I am happy to buy if it is our best option. or 2nd class?
Do you have hotel recommendations in Chur.?
I so appreciate your time.
Regards
RLS
Hello RLS
First Class or Second Class Swiss Travel Pass?
I do think first class is worth it. I always invest in a First Class STP. Why?
Greater comfort, important on relatively longer journeys like Montreux to Interlaken Ost.
First class is, of course, less crowded. And that means you can usually pick seats on the side of the train which is best for the views. (eg on the right hand side in the direction of travel when travelling Chur to St Moritz and Chur to Zurich).
On boats, the upper deck(s) are for first class passengers only. The views are (of course) better from the upper decks!
Hotels in Chur
I am afraid hotels are not my expertise! The MySwissAlps website does include information on hotels!
For what its worth, exactly 50 years ago (August 1975!) I stayed for two weeks in the Hotel Drei Kőnige in Chur. It is still in business. I was a satisfied customer. It is in the old town, a few minutes walk from the station.
Very best wishes
Roger
Hi RLS,
Here’s the link to the hotels, you can use the drop down filter and find some options for Chur.
As for 1st or 2nd class, 2nd class is perfectly fine but I agree with Roger, traveling 1st is worth it. If you can treat yourselves, why not 🙂
More information on the differences in the link below, including some images:
Trusted online purchase options for your Swiss Travel Pass here:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
thank you Roger and Yolanda,
Im now ready to go!Kind regards
RLS
Hi RLS,
In Chur, I usually book rooms at the Hotel Stern for my guests. It’s not too far from the town centre and the railway station, and has a good restaurant on site.
Kind regards,
Anna
Thank you Anna,
Do you have any hotel recommendations for Luzern?Cheers RLS
HI RLS,
Lucerne is a popular tourist destination offering plenty of accommodation options. Best to book early if you are visiting during the peak season.
Lucerne hotel guide: https://www.myswissalps.com/accommodation/hotels/lucerne/
Regards,
Anna
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