Mountains and Switzerland are synonymous for most people. A Swiss Alp visit can range from Gstaad near France, to Zermatt near the Italian border, and east through to St. Moritz. The country's superior transportation system makes a summit visit accessible. Your trip to a Swiss Alp summit can include lunch in a fine restaurant or café, and a hike in summer or skiing in winter.
Fly into one of two Switzerland's major airports: Zurich or Geneva. Both these cities have connections between air terminals and railway stations.
Choose the mountain areas you wish to visit: Western Switzerland bordering on Italy; the central Alps with the well-known tourist area of Interlaken, Europe's highest train and the famous Matterhorn; Graubuden and east Switzerland -- home to St. Moritz; or Ticino, towering above Lake Lugano.
Book a hotel in a valley city such as Lucerne or Interlaken and spend the day on a nearby peak or book in a ski resort right in the mountains, such as Gstaad, Grindelwald, St. Moritz or Zermat. Summer rates are much cheaper than winter rates at the ski resorts and many have good hiking trails and other activities.
Check the Swiss rail company, Swiss Federal Railways', all-encompassing timetable including trains, buses, boats, funiculars, cable cars, gondolas and chairlifts to plan your Swiss Alps excursion.
Buy a Swiss Travel Pass, which allows you to access the country's entire transportation system with one pass. A number of package options are available depending on how often you want to travel and how many days you will be in Switzerland. You can buy the pass online, at railway stations and at offices of Switzerland Tourism and Swiss Travel Centers.
