Episode 154: How to Combine Popular Destinations and Off-the-Beaten Path Switzerland for the Ultimate Swiss Itinerary
[This post may contain compensated links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.]
Are you dreaming of a trip to Switzerland but unsure where to start? Whether you’re drawn to the majestic peaks or scenic towns, there’s no better way to explore this beautiful country than by train. But with so many choices for itinerary planning, it can feel overwhelming to know where to go and how to get there.
That’s why in today’s episode, I’m excited to share all the reasons why the Swiss Travel Pass is a game-changer for anyone wanting to experience Switzerland on their own terms.
I’m joined by solo traveler Karen Langballe, who just returned from her very first Swiss adventure. Karen’s journey is full of insightful Switzerland travel tips, and she’s here to talk about how she made the most of her rail pass.
From exploring Appenzell’s traditional charm to hiking in the peaceful alpine village of Belalp, Karen shares how she used the Swiss Travel Pass to explore the country’s best-known spots and hidden gems via Swiss panoramic trains.
Karen walks us through her entire itinerary, offering tips for solo travelers, how to make the most of train travel, and why having flexibility in your plans is so important.
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to design your own trip, whether it’s visiting iconic destinations or discovering off the beaten path Switzerland, this episode is packed with great advice!
If you’ve ever wondered how to make the most of your rail pass or are looking for new Swiss vacation ideas, this episode is for you! Tune in for some inspiring travel planning advice, plus a few surprises along the way.
Show Notes
In this episode you’ll learn about:
- How Karen planned her first-ever trip to Switzerland and which resources, including this podcast, inspired her itinerary
- What it’s like to travel solo (with a dog!) around Switzerland using the Swiss Travel Pass
- The scenic train journeys and picturesque routes Karen enjoyed, including her experiences on both panoramic trains and regional trains
- Highlights and hidden gems of less-visited Swiss towns such as Appenzell, Bellalp, Brig, and Gruyères
- Karen’s advice for maximizing flexibility, avoiding travel fatigue, and making the most of a Swiss rail pass
- Top tips for solo female travelers and why Switzerland felt safe, welcoming, and easy to navigate
Our Guest
Karen Langballe lives in Oslo, Norway. She recently visited Switzerland for the first time, travelling with her Jack Russell terrier, Dina.
Karen’s itinerary
2 nights in Appenzell (Hotel Löwen)
- Visited Ebenalp and Gasthaus Äscher
- Stopped in Weissbad, too and saw interesting spa
1 night Luzern (Hotel Waldstätterhof)
- Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip
2 nights Lausanne (Hotel La Paix)
- Full day trip to Gruyères and just loved it!
3 nights Belalp (Hotel Belalp)
- Aletsch Arena, fantastic hiking area!
3 nights Chur (Hotel Stern)
- Bernina Express Chur – Le Prese, the back on regional train and via St Moritz
- Used full day to go from Chur to village Tschlin, train + bus and quite remote, but lovely and interesting! Stopped in Klosters on the way back for two hours
3 nights in Brig (Hotel du Pont)
- Half day trip to Chillon Castle
- The rest of that day went to Bettmeralp and Bettmersee
- Day trip to Zermatt and Gornergrat, cloudy day but loved it!
1 night Geneva (Hotel Astoria)
- Old town, UN, walking the streets
Planning a trip to Switzerland?
At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers.
Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our Switzerland Travel Planning Starter Kit and Guide.
🇨🇭 Check out our exclusive discount offers and save on your Swiss vacation. 🇨🇭
Useful resources
Karen booked her trip through Switzerland Travel Centre. Her rail package included a Swiss Travel Pass and accommodation. By using the promo code HTSWISS, she received a 5% discount off the cost of her trip. See all the details about the Switzerland Travel Centre rail packages here.
💻 You can read our guides to many of the destinations Karen visited on our website.
🎙️ Listen to the following episodes for more Swiss vacation planning tips:
- Episode 66: Explore Switzerland with a Swiss rail package
- Episode 126: Aletsch Arena, a hidden gem in Switzerland
- Episode 143: Expert tips for planning your dream Swiss vacation
- Episode 148: Train etiquette in Switzerland
✅ Learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass and browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.
👉 Free Switzerland Travel Planning Kit and Guide
> You can read a full transcript of this episode here.
Never miss an episode!
Make sure you follow the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast to get notified each time a new episode is published.
If you enjoy the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast and find it helpful, please leave us a 5 star rating or review.
Where to listen
SWITZERLAND TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Would you like to save this article?
We'll email this article to you so you can read it again later!
We promise never to spam you.
