Swiss Alps Holidays

Why visit Swiss Alps

The Swiss Alps are the country's high, dramatic heart, where glaciers, granite peaks and flower-filled meadows surround traditional mountain villages. Panoramic trains climb to snowy viewpoints, cable cars reach remarkable heights, and lakeside towns sit below. Whether you want ski slopes in winter or hiking trails in summer, the scenery is among the finest in Europe.

Highlights of Swiss Alps

• Zermatt and the Matterhorn: Stay in a car-free village beneath the famous peak, with ski runs, viewpoints and the Gornergrat railway.
• Jungfraujoch: Ride the cogwheel train to Europe's highest railway station for glacier views over the Aletsch region.
• Grindelwald and Interlaken: Base yourself between two lakes and below the Eiger, with excellent hiking, paragliding and mountain railways.
• Glacier Express: Travel slowly across viaducts and through tunnels on the scenic route linking Zermatt with St Moritz.
• St Moritz: Experience this classic alpine resort for upmarket skiing, frozen lakes in winter and walking trails in summer.

Best time to visit Swiss Alps

Ski season usually runs from December to April, with the most reliable snow in higher resorts such as Zermatt. Summer hiking is best from late June to September, when trails and mountain railways are fully open and meadows are in bloom. Autumn brings golden larches and fewer crowds, while April to May and November are quiet between seasons.

Getting there from the UK

Fly to Zurich or Geneva in around one and a half to two hours from London, then continue by Swiss rail, which is efficient and scenic. Resorts such as Zermatt and Grindelwald are reached by connecting trains and cable cars. Sky Travel can arrange flights from UK airports and plan your route.

Good to know

Switzerland uses the Swiss franc and Type J plugs with three round pins, so UK visitors need an adaptor. German, French and Italian are spoken depending on the region, and English is common in resorts. Mountain weather changes quickly, so pack layers. Check the latest GOV.UK foreign travel advice for entry requirements.