The Swiss Tourist Bureau is touting Swiss Rail Tours. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has toured Switzerland by rail or taken one of the rail tours. Of the Swiss cities, which one would you recommend flying into to begin a rail tour? Also, what is the best season to visit Switzerland?
I have not taken any of the Swiss Rail Tours, but I have traveled through Switzerland by train several times. I have visited Switzerland only in October, and the weather in early to mid October is still comfortable. If you fly into Switzerland from overseas you will most likely fly into Zurich. The Zurich Airport has a railroad station where you can catch trains into Zurich. I don’t think Zurich has a dedicated airport express link such as in London, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, or Philadelphia. It is more like the railroad station at the BWI Airport in Baltimore.
If you plan to go try to secure a copy of the Official Swiss Railroad Timetable (or Kursbuch). I don’t know who sells them in the US, or if they are available in the US, but they have the schedules of all passenger trains running in Switzerland. You might have to wait until you arrive in Switzerland to purchase one which youcan do in most of the ticket offices in the larger cities. The Swiss Railroads also publish a system map which shows all railroad lines in the country.
I have found English is extensively spoken in the larger cities in Switzerland. German seems to be the predominant language spoken in the northern and the eastern parts of Switzerland. French seems to be the predominant language spoken in the western part of Switzerland, while Italian seems to be the predominant language spoken in the southern part of Switzerland.
Haven’t been there yet, but I’d love to go on this tour:
http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program/summary.aspx?id=1-41LU8J
Have been to Switzerland last two weeks of May and first three weeks of September. Weather was superb except for two days when weather in mountains was socked in. Zurich, Lucerne, Basel, Berne, and mountains. Rail and tram service was excellent. Didn’t take tour trains. Stayed with family of friend. I love Switzerland; yearn to return.