Imagine gliding silently through a landscape of impossible beauty. Through the panoramic window of a Swiss train, turquoise lakes give way to emerald valleys, all under the watchful gaze of snow-dusted Alpine peaks. And while its culinary reputation might conjure images of cheese, a delicious and vibrant vegetarian food scene is waiting to be discovered. This Switzerland itinerary for 5 days is designed to be seamlessly navigated using the ultimate travel tool: the Swiss Travel Pass.
The Swiss Travel Pass: This is your golden ticket. This single pass provides unlimited travel on the country's flawless network of trains, buses, and boats, and includes free entry to over 500 museums. It's an incredible value for a trip like this.
Day 1: Lucerne & The Queen of the Mountains
Your adventure begins at Zurich Airport (ZRH), with a direct, scenic one-hour train journey to Lucerne. Explore the impossibly picturesque Old Town on foot, starting with the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), a covered wooden footbridge from the 14th century. From Lucerne, an excursion up Mount Rigi is a must. The entire classic round trip is completely free with the Swiss Travel Pass, involving a boat cruise, a cogwheel railway, and an aerial cable car.
Vegetarian Food: For a convenient and delicious dinner, head to Tibits in the Lucerne train station. This stylish restaurant offers a magnificent vegetarian and vegan buffet where you pay by weight. For a sit-down meal, Karls Kraut is an excellent all-vegan restaurant on the river.
Day 2: Interlaken & The Valley of 72 Waterfalls
Today's journey from Lucerne to Interlaken is on the Luzern-Interlaken Express, part of the famous Golden Pass Line. For the best views, grab a seat on the right-hand side. Interlaken is your gateway to the Jungfrau region. Drop your bags and take the 20-minute train ride into Lauterbrunnen valley, where 72 waterfalls cascade down sheer cliffs. The most iconic is Staubbach Falls near the village entrance.
Vegetarian Food: Interlaken has a number of excellent Indian restaurants; Chotivala and Madras Jungle are great choices. For a casual bite, the Indian-owned SuperMaxx Burgers serves tasty veggie burgers.
Day 3: A Mountain High in the Jungfrau Region
From Lauterbrunnen, a series of cable cars takes you to the car-free, cliff-side village of Mürren. This is your starting point for an ascent to the Schilthorn. At the summit, you'll find Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant from the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. On your way down, stop at Birg to experience the "Thrill Walk," a steel and glass walkway clinging to the cliff face.
Picnic Tip: Mountain restaurants can be expensive. The Coop and Migros supermarkets in Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen have excellent selections of fresh bread, local cheeses, fruits, and salads for a scenic picnic.
Day 4: The Matterhorn's Majesty in Zermatt
The 2.5-hour train trip from Interlaken to the car-free village of Zermatt is another scenic highlight. For the most spectacular, direct views of the Matterhorn, take the Gornergrat Railway. This historic cogwheel train climbs to a viewing platform at 3,089 meters, offering an unparalleled panorama of the Matterhorn, the Gorner Glacier, and 28 other 4,000-meter peaks.
Vegetarian Food: Zermatt is a gourmet destination. For a truly special fine-dining experience, book a table at The Omnia, which features a sophisticated, primarily vegetarian menu. For a more relaxed but equally stylish meal, Bazaar by CERVO offers a vibrant menu of vegetarian Eastern-inspired mezze.
Day 5: Zurich's Culture and a Sweet Farewell
Enjoy a final Swiss breakfast before the 3-hour train from Zermatt back to Zurich. Spend your final afternoon exploring the charming Old Town (Altstadt) and strolling along Lake Zurich. A trip to Zurich for any vegetarian foodie is incomplete without a pilgrimage to Hiltl. Founded in 1898, it's the world's oldest continuously open vegetarian restaurant. Its famous buffet is more than a meal; it's a taste of vegetarian history.