Swiss Escape: Geneva, Montreux, Interlaken & The Magical Oeschinensee

There is something wonderfully refreshing about a few days away as a couple. Just three nights, no childcare routines to organise, no children’s schedules to manage, simply time together to explore somewhere beautiful at your own pace. My husband and I recently enjoyed a kid-free weekend escape to Switzerland, and I have already started planning our next visit.

If you are dreaming of lakes, mountains and silky-smooth train journeys, this little itinerary might be perfect inspiration for your own Swiss adventure.

 

Day 1: Easy Departure & Lakefront Charm in Montreux

We started our trip by flying out of Southend Airport and it honestly set the tone for a stress-free break. Parking is close wherever you book, security was quick with very little queuing, and the whole experience felt relaxed and easy.

Effortless arrival in Geneva & first Swiss train

We landed in Geneva in the late afternoon and were on our onward train in no time. The main station is right at the airport, which makes the connection incredibly smooth. We used the SBB app to check train times and buy our tickets and it was a complete game changer.

A few things that really stood out about train travel in Switzerland:

• There are no gates to pass through at stations, so you are not stuck in queues.
• You simply show your QR code ticket when the conductor comes through the train.
• Depending on your plans, there are various rail pass options that can save you money.
• In many Swiss towns, once you pay the local city tax at your accommodation, local public transport is included. You often receive a guest card that covers buses and local trains.

Our first train journey was from Geneva to Montreux. It is a lovely introduction to the lakeside scenery and so easy to do straight after your flight.

Evening on Montreux promenade

We reached Montreux in time for an evening stroll and it did not disappoint. The lakeside promenade is beautiful: flower-lined paths, the soft glow of the sunset on the mountains, and a relaxed holiday atmosphere.

We wandered along the shore, tucked into gelato, and chose from the many lakefront restaurants and cafés. It is the sort of place where you slow down naturally, simply watching the light change over the lake.

 

Day 2 (Morning): Chillon Castle & Lakeside Views

We spent the morning exploring more of Montreux, starting with an early walk to Chillon Castle. It is around a 45-minute walk from the town along the promenade and I would highly recommend doing it this way if you are able. The path hugs the lake, with several pretty viewpoints along the way.

If you prefer not to walk both ways, you can easily take a bus or train back from the castle.

With the Montreux guest card, local public transport is free, and we also received a discount on Chillon Castle tickets (ours were half price). The castle itself was a highlight: atmospheric rooms, towers to climb and plenty of corners to explore. I would allow at least 1.5 hours inside.

We then strolled back to Montreux and enjoyed a simple picnic by the lake. Sometimes the best lunches are the relaxed ones, sitting by the water with a beautiful view.

 

Day 2 (Afternoon & Evening): Scenic GoldenPass Express & Interlaken Highlights

From Montreux, we headed to Interlaken on the GoldenPass Express, a direct scenic train that we pre-booked. This journey is slower than a regular train and takes around three hours, but it is worth every minute.

Why I recommend the GoldenPass Express:

• Panoramic windows that really show off the mountains and valleys.
• No changes en route, so you can just sit back and enjoy.
• A relaxed pace, ideal for a couple’s trip.

Insider tip: try to sit on the right-hand side for the best views.

Lauterbrunnen: beautiful but busy

We arrived in Interlaken in the afternoon and hopped straight onto a local train to the famous Lauterbrunnen, which is only about 20 minutes away. Even with just 1.5 hours there (we were on a tight schedule) we still managed to walk to the waterfalls and hike up to the top for a close-up view of the falls and the valley.

It is very beautiful, but it was also extremely busy. If Lauterbrunnen is on your wish list, I would strongly suggest going early in the morning if you can. Next time, I would love to continue on up to Wengen, a car-free village higher up the mountain that had been recommended to us.

Evening at Harder Kulm viewpoint

Back in Interlaken, our next stop was Harder Kulm. We walked about 10 minutes from the station to the funicular station and joined the queue. It was early evening and very busy, and we waited around 40 minutes.

A couple of practical points:

• It is worth buying your Harder Kulm tickets in advance via the SBB app.
• If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, the journey is not free, but the discount is very good.

Once we reached the top, the wait felt instantly justified. The view is stunning: two lakes shimmering below, framed by snowy peaks. There is also a restaurant with breathtaking views, perfect for a drink or a relaxed meal as the light softens.

We chose to hike back down rather than queue for the funicular back. It took around 1.5 hours and is quite a long descent, but wonderfully peaceful after the crowds at the top.

Overnight near Interlaken

Once back in Interlaken, we used the free local train (included with our guest card) to travel to nearby Ringgenberg, where we stayed overnight. The little station is very cute and it was lovely to end the day somewhere quieter. After such a full itinerary, we crashed straight into bed.

 

Day 3: Oeschinensee – The Big Day & My Top Highlight

We set alarms for a very early start to try to beat the crowds. Again, planning everything through the SBB app made it easy to see connections and timings point to point.

Interlaken to Kandersteg

We caught the 7.20 train back to Interlaken, then connected to Kandersteg. At Kandersteg station we were able to leave one of our backpacks in a station locker, which was incredibly handy. Many Swiss stations offer this and the SBB website gives details.

The lockers work with QR codes: you scan, follow the instructions and pay via your phone. To unlock later, you scan the same QR code and use the same card for verification. Simple and efficient.

Cable car & toboggan at Oeschinensee

From the station it is a short walk to the Oeschinensee cable car. We had pre-booked our tickets with a specific time slot to go up, which kept things smooth and meant we did not have to worry about queues.

The ride itself is lovely, with magnificent views. We reached the top around 9.30, just as the mountain coaster (toboggan run) was opening. In terms of thrills, this was not the most exciting or comfortable coaster we have tried, but the views are unbeatable and it is worth doing once for that experience alone.

Hiking and viewpoints around the lake

From the cable car we initially took the right-hand path, around 20 minutes down to the lakeshore. This gives you your first proper look at Oeschinensee, but it is not yet the classic postcard view.

To reach the really spectacular viewpoints, it is better to head left from the top rather than right. We ended up walking along the left side of the lake and then hiking up to a viewpoint with a small café. This spot was my favourite: dramatic cliffs, turquoise water and a perfect place to sit with a drink and soak it all in.

We spent around five hours at Oeschinensee in total: doing the coaster, hiking different paths, and enjoying drinks and ice creams at the café. On a beautiful day like we had, you could easily stay even longer.

Back to Geneva

Mid-afternoon we headed back towards Geneva for our final night, travelling via Bern. The total journey time was around three hours with one change, and everything ran smoothly. The next morning we had an early 6.40 flight out of Geneva, so it was a short but very memorable escape.

 

Personal Highlights

If I had to choose my top three moments from this trip, they would be:

1. OeschinenseeThe lake, the dramatic setting, the hiking options and that wonderful viewpoint café. It felt wild yet still very accessible. An absolute must if you love mountains and scenic walks.
2. Harder KulmThe panorama of two lakes and snow-capped peaks is just magical, especially towards evening. It is busy, but the view more than makes up for it.
3. Montreux promenadeThe flower displays, lakeside walk and relaxed atmosphere made this the perfect gentle start to our trip.

Lauterbrunnen is undeniably beautiful, but for me personally it felt too crowded. Next time, I will probably head on up to quieter, car-free Wengen instead.

 

Practical Tips for Travelling Switzerland by Train

If you are thinking about a similar trip, here are some practical tips from our experience:

1. Download the SBB appUse it to plan your route, check live schedules and buy tickets. It keeps everything in one place and makes changes very easy.
2. Travel lightA small suitcase or backpack is much easier on Swiss trains, as it fits comfortably into overhead compartments and makes moving between platforms more relaxed.
3. Visit popular spots earlyPlaces like Lauterbrunnen, Harder Kulm and Oeschinensee get busy. An early start makes a big difference to both crowds and atmosphere.
4. Pre-book scenic trains and key cable carsTrains like the GoldenPass Express and popular mountain lifts can book up or come with time slots. Securing these in advance gives you structure and peace of mind.
5. Use station lockersMany stations have lockers that can be opened and paid for with your phone. They are ideal if you want to explore somewhere light for a few hours between trains.

 

Our Route at a Glance

To give you an idea of how straightforward the journey was, here are the main legs of our trip:

• Southend to Geneva (flight)
• Geneva Airport to Montreux (train)
• Montreux to Interlaken on the GoldenPass Express (scenic train)
• Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen (train)
• Interlaken to Harder Kulm on the Harderbahn (funicular)
• Interlaken to Spiez (train)
• Spiez to Kandersteg (train)
• Kandersteg to Oeschinensee (cable car)
• Kandersteg to Bern (train)
• Bern to Geneva (train)
• Geneva to Southend (flight)

 

If this has inspired you to plan your own couple’s escape to Switzerland, I would love to help you tailor it: from choosing the right rail passes and scenic trains to picking the perfect places to stay and finding quieter alternatives to the busiest spots.

Contact me to start planning your own Swiss escape.