Routes · Europe

Seoul to the Swiss Alps: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Zermatt

Seoul → Zurich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Zermatt

Swiss Alps Best season (general guide): Jun–Sep (hiking), Dec–Mar (skiing)

Switzerland's rail network makes it possible to go from a lakeside city to the foot of the Matterhorn without ever driving, and this route strings together four of the country's best-loved stops. From Seoul you'll usually fly to Zurich with one connection. After that, every leg is by train, and the timetables are designed so that connections line up. The itinerary spends two nights in Zurich, two nights in Lucerne, two nights in Interlaken and three nights in Zermatt.

How to pace it: Spend days one and two in Zurich: day one, old town and lakeside; day two, Kunsthaus or Uetliberg viewpoint. Then spend days three and four in Lucerne: day three, train to Lucerne, then Chapel Bridge and old town; day four, lake boat and a mountain railway. Then spend days five and six in Interlaken: day five, Luzern–Interlaken Express over the Brünig Pass; day six, Jungfrau region villages (Jungfraujoch optional). Then spend days seven to nine in Zermatt: day seven, train up the valley to car-free Zermatt; day eight, Gornergrat railway or a lift to the glacier area; day nine, hike (summer) or ski day (winter).

Zurich is a gentle start, with its old town, lake and museums. The train to Lucerne takes you to a medieval centre beside a lake framed by mountains, where boat trips and rack railways lead up to viewpoints. The Luzern–Interlaken Express crosses the Brünig Pass to Interlaken, the gateway to the Jungfrau region. The final leg heads south into Valais and up the valley to Zermatt, where electric taxis replace cars and the Matterhorn rises above the rooftops.

The route works in two seasons. From about December to March, Zermatt becomes a ski resort with slopes reaching across into Italy. April, May and November are quieter, but some lifts close for maintenance.

The Matterhorn is often clearest early in the morning, before cloud builds during the day.

Practical notes: From here, mountain railways run up to villages such as Grindelwald and Wengen and, for a separate ticket, to the Jungfraujoch high-altitude station. From about June to September, hiking trails and lifts are fully open, and the warmest weather of the year makes high walks possible. Seats on scenic trains such as the Glacier Express need a separate reservation, so book ahead in busy months.

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.