Swapping airports for train stations, Aimee joined TTG’s Sustainable Heroes on a breathtaking rail trip across Switzerland. From Premier Class comfort on the Eurostar to panoramic Swiss Rail journeys, she explored vibrant cities, historic mountain railways and hidden culinary gems, all while travelling sustainably.
With stays in handpicked hotels close to the heart of each destination, unlimited public transport, and unforgettable experiences like fondue nights, Olympic memorabilia and a rain-soaked climb up Mount Rigi, this trip was a showcase of how easy and inspiring, sustainable travel can be.
Journey There
Who did you fly with?
Instead of flying, I travelled by rail. I travelled outbound from St Pancras to Gard Du Lyon in Premier class on Eurostar. Whilst travelling around Switzerland, we were on Swiss Rail.
Did you get any connecting transport from the airport?
The beauty of travelling by rail is that you arrive into the heart of the city. The majority of our accommodation was within walking distance of the stations – so handy!
How was the journey?
From London to Paris, you are just 2.5 hours on the Eurostar. You clear passport control before boarding the train. Once you arrive, you are off the train and away – no queues or waiting for luggage.
Did anything memorable happen?
Fun fact! The tunnel itself is just 31.5 miles long, and you are just 100m below sea level. At top speed, you will be travelling at 186 miles an hour!
Hotels
Where did you stay?
We stayed in three hotels in Paris, Lausanne and Lucerne. All were chosen for their location. Breakfast was included every morning.
- Paris - Appart'City Collection Paris Gare de Lyon
- Lausanne - Hotel Mirabeau
- Lucerne - Astoria Hotel
What was your stay like? Did you enjoy it?
In reality, we were in our rooms for very little time. As part of our Swiss rail pass, we had unlimited bus, train and tram use, along with access to over 500 tourist attractions, so we made the most of that and headed out most days.
Activities
What did you see/do?
A visit to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne was a worthwhile trip. If, like me, you are an Olympic fan, it's great to spend an afternoon looking at all the past medals, torches and memorabilia
We also travelled up Mount Rigi by cog train. The Mount Rigi cogwheel train offers a historic and scenic ride up Mount Rigi in Switzerland, Europe's first mountain railway, which began operating in 1871
What was the weather like?
We had amazing weather all week – bar the day we were out for our country walk. We climbed up Mount Rigi in pouring rain. We should have had views for days but instead saw very little of the promised lakes and mountains.
Any recommendations?
After a busy day sightseeing in Lausanne, we headed to Jetée de la Compagnie for some sundowners. It doesn’t look much from the outside, but it has amazing pizza and great charcuterie boards – perfect for sharing.
Food/Drinks
Did you go to any local restaurants/cafes?
We mostly ate in local restaurants, that's all part of the fun! Highlights for me were the fondue night we had at House du Pont in Lucerne. We tried all three fondue – cheese, meat and chocolate, heaven!
We had a lovely farewell dinner at Le Reflet in the Marais district of Paris
Did you go to any quirky places for food/drinks?
We did an amazing cheese tasting halfway up a Swiss mountain at Alp Chäserenholz, where we also learned about the tradition of making proper Swiss cheese
Conclusion
Travelling through Switzerland by rail proved that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort or adventure to travel responsibly. From seamless Eurostar connections to unlimited Swiss public transport, every leg of the journey was stress-free and full of scenery. Between exploring Olympic history, climbing Mount Rigi, sampling mountain-made cheese and savouring fondue feasts, I discovered how rewarding slow, sustainable travel can be. This trip not only reduced my carbon footprint but also gave me richer, more authentic experiences!
To learn more about sustainable travel or if this itinerary sounds like something you would love to do, get in touch with Aimee
Email: aimee@murraytravel.co.uk
Phone: 01309 250515
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