Ever thought about seeing the mountainous areas of Switzerland in a low-stress way?
I’ve got the perfect thing for you – a chill day trip by train with a local guide showcasing some gorgeous sights!
When we began our research, we realized that navigating the public transportation system was going to be difficult with three generations.
Follow along to learn how we managed to see all the beautiful sights pictured below!
Table of Contents
- About Zurich, Switzerland
- Getting Around Switzerland
- Why We Choose to Book a Private Tour
- Choosing a Local Tour Guide
- How We Chose What to See
- About Our Tour Guide
- Our Day Trip Itinerary
- The 5-Star Experience
- Other Tour Options
- Tips & Tricks
- Final Thoughts
About Zurich, Switzerland
Nestled at the heart of Switzerland, Zurich provides a wonderful place to call your home base. But be prepared for sky high prices, as Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world!
We chose Zurich because of its proximity to the Swiss Alps, the Christmas Markets, and the stories we’d heard of its beauty.
Located just over an hour from where our river boat would depart, this made Zurich the perfect choice for our home base for the first three days of our trip.
Zurich was also located close enough to many beautiful mountain towns that allowed for a lengthy (but worth it) day trip!
Getting Around Switzerland
Switzerland’s public transportation system is leagues ahead of what we’re used to in the U.S. We were genuinely impressed by how efficient and precise it is.
Thanks to an extensive network of trains, trams, and buses, you can easily get around the entire country without needing a car. The trains, in particular, are known for their punctuality – any delay of three or more minutes is considered significant.
Check out the Swiss Federal Railways website!
However, I’ll be honest – if it’s your first time in Switzerland, the public transportation system can be a bit tricky to figure out.
The signs can be overwhelming and confusing, especially since most of them are in German. Navigating through this might seem a tad challenging, but it’s not impossible.
Despite the language barrier and initial confusion, most people are friendly and willing to help you find your way. So, take it in stride, ask for assistance when needed, and you’ll find that the Swiss public transportation system is a reliable and convenient way to explore the country.
Why We Choose To Book a Private Tour Guide
We considered navigating the train system independently, but as you can see, several factors helped us make our decision.
Because we were traveling with three generations, we knew that attempting public transportation independently could pose several challenges. With family members ranging from 32 to 80 years old, we opted against a self-guided tour.
From previous experiences, we have found that a private tour guide gives us flexibility, customization, and more personalized attention! For us, it was the best decision based on our travel situation.
Choosing a Local Tour Guide
In my opinion, a local guide is the best way to see any city! If it’s in the budget, I highly recommend a private tour guide (instead of a big group) so that you can customize your experience.
My mom booked Swiss Day Tours after countless hours of research and reading numerous five-star reviews on both Cruise Critic and TripAdvisor.
Here are some tips for choosing a guide:
- Research and Reviews: Look for reviews on travel websites, forums, or social media to get insights from other travelers.
- Language Proficiency: Confirm the guide’s proficiency in languages you are comfortable with.
- Flexibility and Customization: Opt for a guide who is flexible and can customize the tour according to your preferences.
- Local Knowledge: A good guide should have in-depth local knowledge, providing historical context, cultural insights, and insider tips.
- Response Time: Pay attention to how quickly the guide responds to your inquiries. Prompt and clear communication is a positive sign of professionalism and reliability.
How We Chose What To See
There were a few criteria we were looking at when choosing a tour:
- We wanted to see the Swiss Alps
- We wanted to experience the intricate Swiss train system
- We wanted this to be tolerable for all ages and fitness levels
With this information, the owner of Swiss Day Tours (Mark Huggenberger) guided us in the right direction.
Prior to booking a tour, my mom sent Mark many e-mails with any questions and concerns. Mark was quick to respond and made recommendations on the best tour itinerary for our group.
About Our Tour Guide
Mark Huggenberger is the founder of the company Swiss Day Tours. He founded the tour company back in 2013 when he was working at a small bookstore located at the train station.
While working at the bookstore, Mark noticed that several people visiting Switzerland needed help (like us) navigating the public transportation system.
He also noticed that there was not another tour organization at a cost lower than 1500 to 2000 USD (per 2 adults). Read the rest of his story here.
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It’s nice traveling with a native to the area. We found Mark to be very personable, organized, and knowledgable about the areas we were visiting.
Our Day Trip Itinerary
As you can see on the Swiss Day Tour website, there are several day trip itinerary options from Zurich.
In one day, we set off to see Zermatt, Matterhorn, and Gornergrat via the Zermatt & Gornergrat summit day tour from Zurich.
| 7:15 AM: Depart from Zurich | – Early morning departure from Zurich by tram to central train station |
| Late AM: Arrive in Zermatt | – Arrive in Zermatt, a car-free village at the base of the Matterhorn. |
| Early PM: Gornergrat Railway | – Board the Gornergrat Railway, one of the highest cogwheel railways in Europe. – Experience breathtaking panoramic views of the Alps during the ascent. |
| PM: Gornergrat Summit | – Reach the Gornergrat summit, offering beautiful views, including the Matterhorn. – Explore ZOOOM the Matterhorn for an educational experience. |
| Late PM: Back to Zermatt | – Take the Gornergrat Railway back to Zermatt. – Enjoy lunch at the Brown Cow Pub. |
| PM: Return to Zurich | – Depart from Zermatt in the early evening via train. – Arrive back in Zurich, completing the day tour. |
The 5-Star Experience
Throughout our tour, it was evident that Mark was an experienced professional. He put a lot of thought into even the smallest details.
I truly believe that Mark went above and beyond. Not only did he get us to our destination in a timely manner, but he also did more. What do I mean?
I left the tour learning about some history of Switzerland, the geography, healthcare system, languages, and political structure.
Not only was the tour educational, Mark ensured it was a comfortable experience by providing some (unexpected) amenities throughout the trip:
- Snacks: We got to enjoy some snacks that originated in Switzerland.
- Charger: He came prepared with a power bank and phone charger.
- Wipes: Hand and sanitizing wipes to keep us healthy!!
- Hand warmers: With the cold temperatures, we were kept warm with this kind gesture.
- Medication: In the case of a headache from altitude changes, medication was available.
Other Tour Options
If you’re looking for other day trips from Zurich, there are so many options available!
If you’re not staying in Zurich, but would like to take a tour with Mark from Swiss Day Tours, you may still be able to book a tour with him!
Mark offers tours from Zurich, Lucerne, and Interlaken. Make sure to book early as he books up fast!
While I can only speak to the wonderful experience we had with Swiss Day Tours, we always read the reviews prior to booking any tour.
Some other tour options to research:
- Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich
- Swiss Alps Day Trip From Zurich: Jungfraujoch and Bernese Oberland
- Gridelwald and Interlaken Independent Day Trip from Zurich
And please… let us know any feedback on tours you’ve taken – would you recommend? Pros and cons?
Tips & Tricks
- Download Swiss public transportation apps like SBB Mobile or ZVV to check schedules, plan routes, and receive real-time updates. You can also check online here for public transportation information.
- There is no difference between first and second class on the tram, except for pride. Get a second class ticket.
- On the train, first class ticket seats are a little roomier and more comfortable. Look for the number on the train and on the seat’s headrest to ensure you are seated in the correct class.
- Ticket checks are randomly performed on the trams, but the fine is great if you are found without a ticket (100 CHF).
- They will always check your ticket on the train, so make sure you are seated in the correct class upon boarding!
Check here for other trip planning tips!
Final Thoughts
If you’re wanting to take a day trip from Zurich, I highly suggest looking into a local tour guide. A private guide is our preference if your budget allows.
Whether or not you tour with Swiss Day Tours, the beauty of the Swiss Alps and surrounding areas speak for themselves.
If you’re brave enough to jump on the public transportation solo, let us know how it went! After learning from the locals on this trip, I definitely think we could manage transportation on our next adventure.
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