Switzerland & Paris Luxury Experience
The Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres, the lakes and steamers of Lucerne, Mount Pilatus by the world's steepest cogwheel railway, then Paris for the Louvre, Versailles and the Seine. Switzerland and France are linked by a four-hour high-speed train.
- Best time to go
- June to September for the high mountains and lake cruises; December to March for snow. Paris is lovely in May, June and September.
- Flying from India
- Zurich and Geneva are about 8½ to 9½ hours non-stop from Delhi and Mumbai; Paris has non-stop flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
- Visa for Indian passports
- Schengen short-stay visa: one visa covers every Schengen country on the route. Apply at the consulate of the country where you spend most nights, up to six months ahead; spring and summer appointments fill early. Fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first border under the EU Entry/Exit System.
- Currency
- Swiss franc (CHF) in Switzerland, euro in France. Switzerland is noticeably more expensive, especially for meals.
Switzerland & Paris at a glance
Switzerland is best seen from its trains and lake steamers. In the Interlaken region, the cog railway tunnels through the Eiger to the Jungfraujoch, where the Aletsch, the longest glacier in the Alps, flows away below the Sphinx Observatory. Lucerne is the other base: a medieval old town on the lake, steamers to the foot of Mount Pilatus, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, and the revolving cable car up Mount Titlis.
Paris is a short, scenic train ride from Geneva, Basel or Zurich. Spend the days on the Louvre, Montmartre and the Marais, the evenings on the Seine, and a morning at Versailles for the Hall of Mirrors and the gardens. Some itineraries also include Geneva and Lake Geneva, or continue from Paris to Amsterdam.
Must-see
- Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
- Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus
- Mount Titlis
- The Louvre and the Seine
- The Palace of Versailles
Food to try
- Cheese fondue and raclette
- Rösti
- Swiss chocolate from a Lucerne or Zurich chocolatier
- Croissants and pain au chocolat
- Steak frites and crème brûlée in a Paris bistro
Where to shop
- Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich
- Swiss watches and knives in Lucerne
- Chocolate shops in Geneva and Zurich
- Avenue Montaigne, Paris
- Le Bon Marché, Paris
Where to Stay
Areas and styles of stay we book most often. We shortlist specific hotels once we know your dates and budget.
Interlaken and Grindelwald
Lake and mountain hotels
Hotels in Interlaken between Lakes Thun and Brienz, or chalet hotels in Grindelwald and Wengen with views of the Eiger. Both are the starting point for the Jungfraujoch.
Lucerne lakefront
Belle Époque lake hotels
Grand hotels on the lake promenade facing Mount Pilatus and the Rigi, a short walk from the Chapel Bridge, the steamers and the station.
Paris, Left Bank
Classic Parisian hotels
Hotels in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the 7th arrondissement, close to the Seine, the Musée d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower.
Signature Experiences
Moments we build Switzerland & Paris journeys around
Jungfraujoch and the Aletsch Glacier
The cog railway climbs through the Eiger to Europe's highest station. Walk the Ice Palace, step onto the Plateau and look down the Aletsch Glacier, about 20 km long, from the Sphinx terrace.
Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip
Lake steamer from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, the world's steepest cogwheel railway to the summit, then the cable car down to Kriens. Runs from May to November.
Lake Lucerne by paddle steamer
Restored paddle steamers still sail the lake between Lucerne and the mountain villages; the journey is included on the Swiss Travel Pass.
Grindelwald First Cliff Walk
Take the gondola to First above Grindelwald and walk the steel path pinned to the cliff face, with the Eiger across the valley.
The Palace of Versailles
A morning with a guide in the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors, then the gardens and the Trianon palaces. Weekends in summer bring fountain shows.
The Louvre with a guide
A two-hour route to the Winged Victory, the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, timed to avoid the busiest galleries.
Planning Your Journey
Timing, routing and what our specialists tell every Switzerland & Paris traveller
When to visit
June to September
All mountain railways and steamers running, wildflowers in June and July, and Paris at its liveliest.
December to March
Snow-covered mountains, skiing and Christmas markets. Pilatus's cogwheel railway closes in winter, but the cable car runs.
April, May and October
Quieter and cheaper, with some lifts closed for maintenance between seasons.
Getting there and around
Arrival
Fly into Zurich or Geneva and home from Paris (or the reverse). Swiss airports have stations under the terminals.
Switzerland to Paris
Direct TGV Lyria trains run from Zurich, Basel, Lausanne and Geneva to Paris Gare de Lyon in 3 to 4 hours.
Insider notes
Check the Jungfraujoch webcam
Visibility at the top changes fast. We keep the Jungfraujoch day flexible and move it to the clearest morning.
Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card?
The pass covers trains, steamers and many lifts, and gives discounts on the Jungfraujoch and Titlis. We work out which saves you more.
Sundays in Switzerland
Most shops close on Sundays, apart from those in stations and airports. Plan shopping for Saturday.
Paris museums are closed one day a week
The Louvre closes on Tuesdays and Versailles on Mondays. We plan around them.
Switzerland & Paris: Common Questions
On a clear day, yes: it is one of the great Alpine experiences. Go early, check the forecast, and spend at least two hours at the top. On a cloudy day, Schilthorn or First may be better value.
Plan your Switzerland & Paris journey
Speak to a specialist.
Share a few details and one of our Switzerland & Paris specialists will get in touch, usually within a working day.
Journeys from here
Itineraries that include Switzerland & Paris
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Swiss Alps & Paris Escape
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Swiss Meadows & Parisian Light
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Switzerland in Depth
Ready to plan Switzerland & Paris?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply with a costed, day-by-day plan you can change as much as you like.