It was a trip of a lifetime—So much more than I expected. - J.P. - Ohio
We rate this trip as easy to moderate and ACTIVE. There is a fair amount of walking in the towns and at the Christmas markets. You should be in good physical condition and able to walk 1-2 miles per day.
Our Christmas in Switzerland tour is timed to include December 5, when the spectacular Klausjagen parade takes place. Each year, we offer two tour dates to give guests the chance to enjoy this unique Swiss tradition.
If you’d like to join a tour later in December, we offer the Scenic Alps by Rail – Christmas Edition, typically starting around December 11-13.
Our Christmas in Switzerland tour begins in Lucerne, just one hour by train from Zurich Airport. We provide a rail pass and detailed directions to your Lucerne hotel. Guests will meet in the hotel lobby at 12:30 pm for an afternoon excursion.
We maintain an intimate group size—usually 12 to 13 guests—to provide personalized attention and exceptional service. Please note that a minimum of 6 guests is required for the tour to be confirmed.
You will travel to Lucerne with your own luggage to reach the first hotel, located just two blocks from the train station. During the tour, we will use SBB luggage services to send your suitcases directly to the next hotel, so you only need to carry what you need with you each day. Since some shopping is likely on this tour, you may bring an extra bag to send with the luggage as needed. Please note that all bags must be closed as SBB will not transfer any open bags.
Otherwise, the two tours are very similar, featuring the same hotels, excursions, and most activities.
Experience the magic of Christmas in Switzerland with beautifully decorated towns, elaborate crèches, and rich local traditions. Highlights include the spectacular Klausjagen parade, sparkling Advent lights, St.Nicholas Day celebrations, and Santa’s helper, Schmutzli. Enjoy the warmth, charm, and unique alpine holiday atmosphere that make Swiss Christmas traditions truly unforgettable.
Switzerland’s Christmas markets are enchanting, with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and picturesque alpine settings. Browse local crafts and savor seasonal treats such as gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, raclette, and mulled wine, all while enjoying live music and festive cheer.
Klausjagen, or the “Nicholas Chase,” is a unique Swiss Christmas tradition held each December 5 in Küssnacht. The evening parade features flickering candles, giant bells, and resonant alpine horns, with participants in traditional costumes. Rooted in centuries-old customs, it’s a spectacular blend of light, sound, and community spirit—an unforgettable holiday experience.
Your tour includes a 15-day 1st-class Swiss Travel Pass, which can be used for transportation before and after the tour. Nine of these days are used during the itinerary, leaving six days for your own personal travel within Switzerland.
The hotels on this tour are 3+ and 4-star hotels that are independently owned and convenient to the train stations. You can expect comfort, warm hospitality, and modern amenities.
Yes, it’s a good idea to carry some cash at the Swiss Christmas markets. While larger shops and restaurants often accept credit cards, many market stalls—especially smaller vendors selling crafts, food, or drinks—may only take cash. You will need Swiss Francs, which can usually be withdrawn from ATMs located at train stations or near the markets.
Snow is likely in the Alps and higher mountain areas, such as Zermatt. In towns and valleys, snow is possible but not guaranteed, as it is less common in early December. When snow is limited, winter views in the towns are usually defined by festive decorations and a light frost rather than deep snow.
We recommend dressing in layers so you can stay warm while walking around the towns and remove layers on trains, which can often be quite warm. Be sure to bring rain gear, as well as a warm knit hat and gloves. You should plan to wear warm, waterproof boots or shoes with good traction for comfort and safety.
We rate this trip as easy to moderate and ACTIVE. You should be capable of walking 1-2 miles per day and at least 1/2 mile in one stretch (about 1500-2000 steps and maybe uphill). You should be capable of walking about 2 to 4 miles per day, often on cobblestone streets and with potential compacted snow and ice (so be careful). There will be times when stairs can not be avoided, so guests will need the ability to go up and down stairs. One day, a mountain railway will take you to an elevation of 10,200 feet.
Walking: In addition to walking on flat surfaces, you also need to walk on uphills, on uneven terrain, and on cobblestones. You'll likely not walk this amount all at once, but you need to be able to get to/from train stations, hotels, and excursions. We can accommodate slower walkers, but you must still be able to walk the distance. You should be able to walk a half mile at a time, and you may need to walk this amount a few times a day.
Stairs: at train stations, when we must change platforms; most of the station platforms only have stairs or ramps -- not elevators. There are often many steps on the walk to the hotels, there are steep steps to get into some trains, and there may even be steps inside the trains before you get to your seat.
Getting on and off trains: Be aware that many trains have a few steep steps to negotiate to get on or off. You need to be confident that you can get on and off the trains. Also, note that there may be multiple train transfers on any of the travel routes. It is rare to ride just one train to our next destination on the tour. Some train connections are tight, and the group may need to walk quickly to catch the next train.
Standing time: you need to be able to stand on your feet for at least 10-15 minutes, as benches at train stations are not in good supply. Note that this tour will visit Klausjagen, which is an evening parade, and you will need to stand for at least 30 minutes.
Luggage: before the tour starts, you will travel by train to Lucerne and meet the group at the first hotel. This means you'll need to get your own luggage on/off the trains and to/from hotel rooms once at the hotels (there are elevators in all hotels). During the tour, we hire a company to pick up the luggage and deliver it to the next hotel.
