Guidebook Updates for Switzerland

When we learn of critical changes to the information in our guidebooks on Switzerland, we post them here. (Of course, it's still smart to reconfirm critical transportation and sightseeing details locally.) Armed with a Rick Steves guidebook and these late-breaking updates, you're set for a great trip!

Across Switzerland

For books printed before July 2025, the following may apply:

  • Tickets for the Gotthard Panorama Express train-and-boat journey are available on its official website, as are seat reservations for the train journey. If you don't have a first-class travel pass, you can save a little money by buying your boat ticket separately, either on the SBB Mobile app or at train station kiosks (rather than through the official website). This allows you to choose a cheaper second-class ticket for the boat (even though a first-class ticket for the train is required).

Appenzell

Bern

For books printed before July 2025, the following may apply:

  • English tours of the parliament (only available when parliament is not in session — usually from mid-July to mid-Aug) are no longer offered on Thursdays. Tours are offered on Wednesday and Saturday at 16:00 (less frequently outside summer; reserve up to 3 days ahead).
  • Hotel Goldener Schlüssel no longer offers a discount to Rick Steves readers.

Berner Oberland

  • The Schilthornbahn's new direct line between the valley floor (near Stechelberg) and Mürren is up and running, and the Piz Gloria restaurant has reopened (though some construction is still ongoing).
  • Gimmelwald's Hotel Mittaghorn, run by Walter Mittler from 1970 until his death in 2019 and one of Rick's long-time fond favorites, will not reopen before 2027 (if at all).
  • Wengernalp (a gorgeous 30-minute walk from Kleine Scheidegg) is, contrary to what's printed in our books, a rather steep one-hour hike from the Allmend train stop (which is indeed another 60 minutes' walk from Wengen).
  • Imboden Bike in Lauterbrunnen no longer offers a discount for Rick Steves readers.

For books printed before July 2025, the following may also apply:

  • Mürren does currently have an ATM (in the Schilthornbahn station).
  • Eurail Global Passes now cover trains between Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen, and even trains from Lauterbrunnen/Interlaken to Grindelwald (not Gimmelwald!) and up to Wengen. Unlike the more extensive Swiss Travel Pass, however, the Global Pass (still) doesn't cover travel between Lauterbrunnen and Mürren. (For more on this, see our Switzerland Rail Passes and Train Tips page.)
  • Hotel Bellevue in Mürren is now Drei Berge Hotel, and under new management ([email protected]).
  • Doris Schmied is not longer working as a hiking guide.

Gruyères

For books printed before July 2025, the following may apply:

Lausanne & Montreux

For books printed before July 2025, the following may apply:

Lugano

For books printed before July 2025, the following may apply:

  • The Lugano tourist information office has moved to Via Magatti 6.

Luzern

For books printed before July 2025, the following may apply:

  • At the Luzern train station, luggage lockers are now along track 14 (not track 3).
  • Schluessel Hotel has reopened with new owners and a new email address: [email protected].
  • ABC Taxi Niwalden near Fortress Fürigen is no longer in business.

Murten & Avenches

  • In Murten, the Three Lakes Cruise only runs daily in most of July and August; mid–May through early July it does not run on Mondays. It's smart to confirm the schedule locally.

Zermatt

For books printed before July 2025, the following may apply:

  • Hotel Dufour Zermatt has closed.

Upper Engadine

For books printed before July 2025, the following may apply:

Zürich