Feeling overwhelmed planning your Switzerland trip? Terrified that you might be caught freezing on a mountain peak because you forgot your waterproof jacket or essential gear? Wondering how you will drag heavy bags between cities or if you will manage to find luggage storage space on busy trains?

Truth is, it is hard to plan for Swiss weather. You want to be prepared for the cold, but you also don't want to haul heavy suitcases onto Swiss trains or struggle through the streets.

The good news is that you can absolutely master packing light and still have everything you need.

In this episode, I am sharing my complete packing guide to help you prepare. We cover the travel essentials you cannot forget, like a travel adapter, and why comfortable footwear is a must.

You will learn why you should layer clothing to tackle changeable mountain weather with ease. Whether you need advice for winter packing or summer packing, these Switzerland packing list tips will help you get ready for an amazing Swiss vacation.

Happy travels,
Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 171

✅ Browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.

📖 Free Switzerland Trip Planning Starter Kit and Guide - Get your copy here

🎙️ Share your feedback and tell us what you love about the podcast by sending an email to: podcast (at) holidaystoswitzerland.com

Where to get more Swiss travel tips and inspiration:

•On our website

•Subscribe to our newsletter

•Join our private Facebook group

•On our YouTube channel

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Are you planning your first trip to Switzerland and not sure where to begin? This episode lays out a complete Switzerland itinerary designed for first-time travelers who want a scenic, meaningful trip without feeling rushed. From mountain peaks and lakeside towns to quiet villages and world-famous train rides, you’ll get a clear path to follow from arrival to departure.

James Wilson, founder of Swiss Tailor Made, joins me to walk through a one-week route that includes stops in Lucerne, Wengen, Lenk, and Montreux. You’ll hear exactly how to move between these destinations with ease using the Swiss Travel Pass, and why this pass makes all the difference when navigating trains, boats, and Swiss cable cars.

We also talk about what makes each location special. Picture panoramic rides on the Golden Pass Line, traditional experiences at the Ballenberg Museum, and walks through the Lavaux vineyards.

You’ll also get practical hotel tips for places like the Bernese Oberland, Lake Geneva, and charming Swiss villages that offer comfort, charm, and incredible views. Plus, you’ll hear why a half-day trip to Stanserhorn is one of the best ways to start your adventure in Lucerne, with open-air cable cars and sweeping lake views.

This episode blends the well-known sights with off-the-path gems. We cover just enough to help you plan a trip that’s full of variety and still leaves room to relax and explore.

If you’ve been searching for a trip that includes scenic train journeys, quiet alpine hikes, and a taste of local culture, this is it.

Happy travels,
Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 170

✅ Browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.

📖 Free Switzerland Trip Planning Starter Kit and Guide - Get your copy here

🎙️ Share your feedback and tell us what you love about the podcast by sending an email to: podcast (at) holidaystoswitzerland.com

Where to get more Swiss travel tips and inspiration:

•On our website

•Subscribe to our newsletter

•Join our private Facebook group

•On our YouTube channel

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Let’s dive into the final step of our Four Steps to Planning Your Swiss Vacation series. In this episode, we focus on the small details that help your trip feel organized from the moment you arrive. This is where your plans start to feel real, and all the pieces come together in a simple, calm way as you travel to Switzerland.

We look at the practical tasks that are easy to overlook when you are busy building your Swiss itinerary. This includes booking popular restaurants, arranging tickets for key attractions, and setting aside time to think through your first day plans. A little preparation here removes so much stress later.

You’ll hear why it’s worth making restaurant reservations and buying tickets in advance for places like the Lindt Home of Chocolate and popular Swiss city tours, especially during busy travel periods. Activities like mountain excursions can depend on the weather, so I share tips on when to book and when to wait. If you're hoping to visit Jungfraujoch, you'll want to have a flexible plan in place.

We also talk through the essentials of travel money, including whether or not you should carry some Swiss francs in cash and when to look out for unexpected bank fees. I also cover the best ways to set up mobile connectivity so you're not scrambling to find Wi-Fi on arrival.

If you're still building your plans or finalizing the last few things, this episode brings together the most useful Switzerland travel tips to help you feel fully ready. It's the final touch before your bags are packed and your adventure begins.

Happy travels,
Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 169

✅ Browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.

📖 Free Switzerland Trip Planning Starter Kit and Guide - Get your copy here

🎙️ Share your feedback and tell us what you love about the podcast by sending an email to: podcast (at) holidaystoswitzerland.com

Where to get more Swiss travel tips and inspiration:

•On our website

•Subscribe to our newsletter

•Join our private Facebook group

•On our YouTube channel

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Booking the key parts of your Swiss vacation can be challenging, especially when you're trying to figure out what needs to be reserved early and what can wait. Knowing what to secure in advance helps the rest of the process feel more manageable.

In this episode, which is Step 3 of our Four Steps to Planning Your Swiss Vacation series, we’re covering the bookings that create a strong foundation for your trip: accommodations, panoramic train reservations, and rail tickets and passes. You’ll also hear helpful Switzerland travel tips to make this stage of your trip easier to manage.

One of the most important things to secure ahead of time is your accommodation. If you're hoping for a balcony with lake views or a room that fits your whole family, it's important to plan early. The same applies to hotels with air conditioning or lifts, which aren’t standard in every building. Booking early lets you choose comfort and location, instead of settling for what’s left.

Scenic rail journeys are a highlight for many travelers. Panoramic trains like the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Gotthard Panorama Express are popular for good reason. But they run on limited schedules and require seat reservations, especially if you want to ride in Prestige Class on the GoldenPass Express or sit on a particular side of the train. These panoramic trains are well worth the extra steps, and booking early helps you avoid missing out.

Many travelers wonder about train tickets and rail passes. Prices often stay the same, but booking early spreads out costs and gives you one less thing to handle during your trip.

If you're creating a Swiss itinerary and feel like the logistics are getting complicated, there are easier paths. Booking a private tour or joining one of the curated small group tours gives you support while still allowing for adventure. For independent travelers, Swiss rail packages offer structure and ease without a guide.

Tune in for full details on what elements of your Swiss vacation you should book well ahead of your travel date.

Happy travels,
Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 168

✅ Browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.

📖 Free Switzerland Trip Planning Starter Kit and Guide - Get your copy here

🎙️ Share your feedback and tell us what you love about the podcast by sending an email to: podcast (at) holidaystoswitzerland.com

Where to get more Swiss travel tips and inspiration:

•On our website

•Subscribe to our newsletter

•Join our private Facebook group

•On our YouTube channel

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Planning the perfect trip to Switzerland can feel like a puzzle, especially when it comes to choosing where to go, how long to stay, and how to make it all fit together.

In this episode, Step 2 of our Four Steps to Planning Your Swiss Vacation series, I’m guiding you through one of the most important steps: designing a Switzerland travel itinerary that lets you see more without overpacking your schedule.

We’ll cover how to narrow down the best places to visit in Switzerland without overloading your days or bouncing from town to town too quickly. You’ll also learn why building in travel time is essential, especially when you're navigating the mountains and how the SBB Mobile app can be your best friend for train schedules and real-time updates.

If you’re planning a multi-city trip or want to explore several regions, I’ll share how to structure your itinerary so it’s both exciting and doable. We’ll also talk about using tools like AI for trip planning, what they can help with, and where they often fall short, especially in mountainous areas.

If you're in the early stages or wrapping things up for your holidays to Switzerland, you'll find tried and tested advice in this episode to help you stay on course. You’ll hear practical Swiss travel tips, get links to suggested itineraries, and learn about itinerary services that can take the stress off your shoulders.

This is your go-to Switzerland travel guide for turning ideas into action and making sure your time in Switzerland is memorable for all the right reasons.

Happy travels,
Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 167

✅ Browse the itinerary planning service and other exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.

📖 Free Switzerland Trip Planning Starter Kit and Guide - Get your copy here

🎙️ Share your feedback and tell us what you love about the podcast by sending an email to: podcast (at) holidaystoswitzerland.com

Where to get more Swiss travel tips and inspiration:

•On our website

•Subscribe to our newsletter

•Join our private Facebook group

•On our YouTube channel

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Welcome to Step One of the Four Steps to Planning Your Swiss Vacation series! Before you start filling your trip to Switzerland with scenic train rides and alpine views, let’s get your travel dates, flights, and insurance in place.

In this episode, I walk you through the very first steps of planning a trip to Switzerland, that will set the tone for your entire adventure. We’ll start by figuring out the best time to visit Switzerland, taking into account the different seasons, popular events in Switzerland, and what kind of weather in Switzerland to expect during your stay. I’ll also explain why shoulder season travel can be a smart choice if you're hoping to enjoy beautiful landscapes without the crowds.

Next, we dive into everything you need to know about flights to Switzerland, including when to start looking, why it’s worth comparing prices when flying into Europe, and how booking flights to Europe’s other cities, such as Milan, Munich, or Paris, can sometimes save you money. I also share tips for choosing flight times that work well with Swiss train travel so you can hit the ground running.

We’ll wrap up by covering the importance of Swiss travel insurance, what to look for in a policy, when to buy it, and why it’s one of the smartest things you can do before your holidays to Switzerland begin. You’ll also hear a few practical tips pulled from my Swiss travel guide that will help you start building a realistic, flexible Switzerland itinerary.

Whether you're just dreaming or already in the planning phase, this episode will help you feel clear and confident about taking the first steps toward an unforgettable Swiss getaway.

Happy travels,
Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 166

✅ Browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.

📖 Free Switzerland Trip Planning Starter Kit and Guide - Get your copy here

🎙️ Share your feedback and tell us what you love about the podcast by sending an email to: podcast (at) holidaystoswitzerland.com

Where to get more Swiss travel tips and inspiration:

•On our website

•Subscribe to our newsletter

•Join our private Facebook group

•On our YouTube channel

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Planning a trip to Switzerland can feel exciting, but it can also feel like there’s a lot to think about all at once. If you’re planning a European trip and wondering where to start, I’m here to help you slow things down and get organized without the overwhelm.

In this episode, I share simple, practical travel planning tips to help you cover the basics, including passport validity requirements, what you need to know about Schengen area travel entry procedures, and how the upcoming ETIAS Authorization may affect your plans. These are the kinds of details that are easy to overlook but can cause stress if you leave them too late.

We also talk about key things to add to your travel preparation checklist, and what to keep in mind when packing for Europe. I also share some itinerary planning tips that will be especially helpful for first time travelers.

If you’re looking for a calmer, more confident approach to your Switzerland or European vacation planning, want to enjoy meaningful cultural travel experiences, and prefer trips that feel well thought out but not overplanned, this gives you a solid starting point for a smooth and enjoyable Swiss vacation.

Happy travels,
Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 165

✅ Browse the exclusive travel discounts offered by our trusted partners.

📖 Free Switzerland Trip Planning Starter Kit and Guide - Get your copy here

🎙️ Share your feedback and tell us what you love about the podcast by sending an email to: podcast (at) holidaystoswitzerland.com

Where to get more Swiss travel tips and inspiration:

•On our website

•Subscribe to our newsletter

•Join our private Facebook group

•On our YouTube channel

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

From iconic routes like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express to charming towns, winter boat rides, and festive markets, winter in Switzerland offers a travel experience that feels straight out of a postcard.

In this episode, I’m joined by Swiss rail expert Andy Nef to break down one of the most beautiful winter routes in the country, highlighting train travel in Switzerland at its best. We walk through a stunning Swiss itinerary inspired by the Grand Train Tour, including Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, and St. Moritz, all easily explored with the Swiss Travel Pass.

You’ll learn which panoramic trains operate in winter, when to book seat reservations, how to pair rail journeys with scenic lake cruises, and how your pass unlocks perks like discounted mountain excursions and free museum access. Andy also shares practical winter travel tips to help you stay warm, flexible, and stress-free while moving through the Alps.

If you want a smooth, scenic, and unforgettable winter journey, this episode gives you a clear path to planning a stunning Swiss winter adventure without the hassle, all while maximizing comfort and value.

Happy travels,
Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 164

🇨🇭 Buy your Swiss Travel Pass here

🚞Get 5% off your Switzerland rail package - Get the promo code here

📖 Free Switzerland Trip Planning Starter Kit and Guide - Get your copy here

🎙️ Share your feedback and tell us what you love about the podcast by sending an email to: podcast@holidaystoswitzerland.com

Where to get more Swiss travel tips and inspiration:

•On our website

•Subscribe to our newsletter

•Join our private Facebook group

•On our YouTube channel

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️