For a huge number of Gujarat families, Switzerland is the Europe trip — the one everyone has seen in Bollywood songs for decades, and the one that somehow still exceeds expectations in person. Snow-capped peaks, glassy lakes and trains that are themselves the main attraction make up a 6–7 night trip that starts around ₹1,89,999 per person, travelling on a Schengen visa.
Interlaken, Lucerne, Zurich and Geneva
Interlaken sits between two lakes and serves as the gateway to the Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe', reached by a spectacular rail journey through the mountain to a station at over 3,400 metres with glacier views in every direction. In Lucerne, the wooden Chapel Bridge and the old town sit beside Lake Lucerne, with Mount Titlis and Mount Pilatus both reachable as day trips by cable car for more alpine panoramas. Zurich offers a sophisticated lakeside city base, often used as the arrival and departure point, while Geneva on the French border adds the Jet d'Eau fountain and a more international, French-influenced feel.
The scenic trains, and best time to visit
Switzerland's rail network is famous for a reason — journeys like the Glacier Express and the Golden Pass Line are built around the views, with panoramic windows and routes engineered to showcase the Alps rather than just connect two points, and a Swiss Travel Pass covering unlimited train travel for your trip length is almost always worth including. Summer, from June to September, is best for hiking, with green valleys, wildflowers and all cable cars and trails open; winter, from December to March, brings skiing and snow-covered villages for a completely different but equally beautiful trip; and the shoulder months of April, May and October are quieter and cooler, with some high-altitude attractions on reduced access.
The visa, a classic itinerary and vegetarian food
Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, so it uses the standard Schengen visa — apply to Switzerland if it is where you will spend the most nights on your trip, and see our dedicated Schengen guide for the full document checklist. A well-paced 6-night trip spends nights one and two in Zurich for arrival, a city walk and Lake Zurich, nights three and four in Interlaken for the Jungfraujoch excursion and Lake Thun or Brienz, and nights five and six in Lucerne for the Chapel Bridge and a Mount Titlis or Pilatus day trip. Switzerland's major cities have Indian restaurants, and cheese-and-vegetable dishes like rösti are naturally vegetarian-friendly, though menus in smaller alpine towns can be limited, so we build the itinerary around known vegetarian-friendly restaurants and brief hotels on Jain requirements in advance.
What it costs
A 6–7 night Switzerland package from Gujarat starts around ₹1,89,999 per person, including flights, the Schengen visa, hotels, a Swiss Travel Pass for train journeys and core excursions including the Jungfraujoch or a comparable cable-car experience, reflecting Switzerland's position as one of Europe's more expensive countries. Meals, transport and attractions all cost more here than in France or Italy, so many Gujarat families combine Switzerland with a neighbouring country on the same Schengen visa to balance the budget across a longer trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Switzerland? June to September for hiking, green valleys and full access to cable cars and trails. December to March offers a completely different but equally beautiful snow-covered trip, ideal for skiing.
Is a Swiss Travel Pass worth it? Almost always yes — it covers unlimited train travel for your trip length, and Switzerland's scenic rail journeys are attractions in themselves, not just transport.
Can I combine Switzerland with another country on one visa? Yes — since Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, one Schengen visa covers a multi-country trip, and many Gujarat families combine Switzerland with France or Italy on the same visit.
The Alps trip that lives up to the songs is closer than it looks — Explera Vacations can plan your Switzerland itinerary, Schengen visa included. Message us on WhatsApp for a quote.
