create a booking

all tours on this website are on live price and availability. If you book direct with us, use the promo code "DIRECTBOOKING" on the check-out page to get your personal discount.

cancel / modify a booking

a) if your booking was created on www.swisstravelguide.ch: just contact us by e-mail with your booking number and your issue

b) if your booking was created by Viator, Tripadvisor or GetyourGuide - please contact your supplier. We can not modify bookings from reseller. 

Cancellation rules SwissTravelGuide

Cancellation by the customer, rebooking’s, substitutes, unused services: 

The customer may withdraw at any time prior to the rice from the travel contract. The entrance of the cancellation at SwissTravelGuide is decisive. In case of cancellation of the travel contract, cancellation fees will apply:

• Cancellation up to 1 days prior departure = full refund
• Cancellation less than 24h of departure = no refund

• No refunds for tours and tickets on Glacier Express train
• No refunds once a tour or service has commenced (except force-majeure events during a tour)

Cancellation by SwissTravelGuide:

 In exceptional circumstances and in unforeseeable or extraordinary circumstances, SwissTravelGuide may cancel the trip without prior notice prior 12 hours of departure, when at an advertised or officially established minimum number of participants is not met or the weather situation requires a cancellation. In both situations, full refund of the price is provided by SwissTravelGuide.

mode of transportation

Switzerland may be a small country, but it is one of the world’s leaders when it comes to public transportation. According to international statistics, Switzerland ranks among the top countries globally for public transport usage—especially rail travel. Using trains and buses is not a matter of status here; people from all walks of life rely on public transportation every day.

The Swiss public transport network—trains, buses, trams, and light rail—combined with a precisely coordinated timetable, forms an exceptionally efficient system. It allows fast and reliable travel between cities, villages, and regions. Every day, more than 1.25 million passengers travel on the Swiss Federal Railways network alone.

To put this into perspective: traveling by car from Zurich to Bern takes at least 1 hour and 30 minutes on the motorway, depending on traffic. By train, the journey takes just 58 minutes—without traffic jams, delays, or waiting times.

For these reasons, all private tours operated by SwissTravelGuide are conducted using public transportation. This approach allows us, for example, to accompany guests from Zurich to Zermatt to see the iconic Matterhorn and return to Zurich on the same day. By car, the journey there and back alone would take around eight hours.

Arriving by train also means arriving directly in the heart of each destination. For city tours, we use local transport such as trams and buses, as many Swiss cities have traffic-free zones and most major attractions are not accessible by car.

city walking tours

Switzerland is small—so small, in fact, that most Swiss people would rather walk five minutes than start the car. A ten-minute walk is considered healthy exercise and not a distance at all. In Swiss cities, the historic city centers are largely traffic-free and designed as pedestrian zones. These areas are simply not accessible by car—neither for visitors nor for tour operators.

If a distance takes five minutes on foot, it would theoretically take:

• Two minutes by car – yet no transport company would offer such a short and impractical ride.
• Ten minutes by car – because vehicles must drive around pedestrian zones, which increases time, effort, and cost.

Walking short distances may not be common practice for all guests. However, when traveling in Switzerland, many visitors enjoy experiencing the typical “Swiss way.” Sustainability and environmental responsibility are deeply rooted values here, and whenever a car journey can be avoided, it usually is.

Swiss motorways are mostly two-lane and therefore heavily congested during rush hours. City streets are often single-lane and equally crowded.

For this reason, we kindly ask our guests not to request transfers for journeys that take only a few minutes by car, and not to request hotel pick-ups when the nearest public transport stop is just a short walk away. Tools like Google Maps are very helpful for estimating walking distances in advance.

At SwissTravelGuide, we sincerely thank all guests who embrace the Swiss approach to travel and minimize car usage whenever possible. The glaciers—and Switzerland’s beautiful landscapes—thank you too.

tour start times

The start time stated in your booking is the exact time the tour begins and is determined by the tour itinerary and public transport schedule.

The tour guide will arrive no more than 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. Guests are expected to be present and ready at the agreed meeting point at the exact start time.

Due to the strict schedules of Swiss public transportation, tours must depart on time. Delays caused by late arrivals cannot be accommodated and may result in the tour starting without the guest.

start locations for tours

For private tours, the tour guide will be waiting in the hotel lobby at the scheduled start time. Hotels located outside city centers cannot be used as tour start locations. If your hotel is outside the city center, please contact us in advance so we can arrange a suitable meeting point or discuss alternative options.

For group tours, the designated start locations are listed here: https://www.swisstravelguide.ch/starting-location

Please make sure to arrive at the specified meeting point on time, as group tours depart promptly.

self-guided tours / Ticket only bookings

For self-guided tours, you travel independently and without a tour guide. You are free to choose your own start time.

It is essential that you carry the official tickets provided by us.
Tickets downloaded from the Viator or GetYourGuide apps are NOT valid for travel and cannot be used for trains, cable cars, or other transportation services.

Only the tickets sent directly by SwissTravelGuide are valid and accepted.

Failure to present the correct tickets may result in denied access or additional costs, which cannot be refunded.

tour information private tours

• Meeting Point: Your tour guide will be waiting for you in the lobby of your hotel at the specified start time without further notice. You can find this time on your tour confirmation/voucher. The start time of the tour is the same as the pick-up time.
• No voucher needed: No need to worry about presenting a voucher - just be at the meeting point at the start time.
• No reconfirmation required: Sit back and relax; there's no need to reconfirm your tour. We've got everything prepared for you.
• Timely Arrival: Your tour guide will arrive just before the start time. No need to call us beforehand; we'll be there to make sure you have a fantastic experience.
• Bring Your ID: Don't forget to bring your ID with you as sometimes you need to present it on the ticket checks.
• Weather Ready: Our tours operate in all weather. City tours involve walking, so wear comfortable shoes and dress accordingly.

tour information group tours

• Meeting Point: Your tour guide will be ready at the meeting location and at the start time for group tours as per your confirmation.
• Meeting Location: Find pictures and information of the meeting spot here: https://www.swisstravelguide.ch/starting-location
• Start Time: Check your tour confirmation/voucher for the exact start time.
• Guide's Arrival: Your guide will be there not earlier than 5 minutes before the tour starts. Please avoid calling us beforehand; we've got everything under control.
• Small Group Tours: Don't be surprised if you don't see a big crowd. We prefer small groups for a more personalized experience, sometimes with just 2 guests on a tour.
• Punctuality: Be on time at the meeting location, but no need to rush 15 minutes before
• No Voucher Needed: Leave the vouchers at home; your booking is all we need
• No Reconfirmation Necessary: Once booked, you're good to go. No need to reconfirm
• Bring Your ID: Don't forget your ID as sometimes you need to show it on the ticket checks
• Weather-Ready: Rain or shine, our tours are a go. City tours involve walking, so wear comfy shoes

Bookings via Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

Bookings made through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs like Viator, GetyourGuide etc.) are always more expensive than bookings made directly with us. This is because OTAs add their own service fees and charge commissions of up to 25%, which are included in the final price shown to the customer.

So-called “lowest price guarantees” offered by OTAs are primarily marketing tools. In Switzerland, such lowest-price rules do not apply, and prices offered directly by local providers may be lower. For the best price, full flexibility, and direct communication, we recommend booking directly with us.

Train Travel – 1st or 2nd Class

In Switzerland, 2nd class train travel is clean, comfortable, and of high quality. For this reason, it is generally not necessary to travel in 1st class.

If you prefer to travel in 1st class, we are happy to arrange this for you. Please note that in this case, the additional cost for the tour guide’s 1st class ticket must also be covered, as the guide travels with you throughout the tour.

Train travel in Switzerland should not be compared to train services in the United States. Even 2nd class trains in Switzerland offer a level of comfort and reliability that meets high international standards.

Tour Guides

We place great importance on offering our guests an authentic Swiss experience. For this reason, all our tour guides are Swiss nationals and native German speakers. At the same time, all guides speak excellent English, ensuring that you receive clear explanations, in-depth information, and a high-quality guided experience throughout your tour.

Individual Tours & Travel Planning

We do not offer fully customized or individual tours. Planning your overall stay in Switzerland is left to you.

However, you are welcome to combine our existing tours or book multiple tours on consecutive days. We are happy to advise you on which tour combinations make sense in terms of logistics, travel time, and experience.

Please note that we provide tours and tickets only. We do not offer package tours, hotel bookings, or complete travel arrangements.

Lunch Break

On full-day tours, there is sufficient time at the destination to take a break and enjoy lunch.

On private tours, the tour guide is happy to accompany you to a restaurant and assist with recommendations if desired.

On group tours, the tour leader will provide restaurant suggestions, after which you are free to enjoy your lunch break independently during the allocated free time.

Bachalpsee (lake Bachalp) hiking tour information

• You meet the tourguide at the designated starting point of the tour and make your way into Grindelwald and the First mountain.
• The hike starts at First. It follows a wide, well-maintained path to the Bachalpsee lake. The first section involves a steep uphill climb. After that, the trail winds gently through alpine meadows, with some slight ups and downs, until you reach the lake. The return route follows the same path as the way there.
• At Grindelwald, there will be a stop where you can purchase your supplies for picnic, in case your are not yet equipped.
• We run the hike tour in almost all-weather conditions. In case of uncertain weather conditions, strong winds, or a risk of thunderstorms, we will inform you 24 hours in advance.
• Fitness level: Easy - no prior training required.
• Equipment: Solid and comfortable footwear, Weather-appropriate, durable clothing (layered clothing recommended), Sun and rain protection Snacks and drinking water (picnic by the Bachalp lake outdoor)