Guidebook Updates for 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).

• The Appenzell Folklore Museum is currently open just three days a week, and only in the afternoon (Wed, Sat, Sun 13:00–17:00).

• English-language tours of the parliament (only available when parliament is not in session — usually from mid-July to mid-Aug) are now offered only once a week (typically Saturday at 16:00; less frequently outside summer; reserve up to 3 days ahead).
• The Bern Historical Museum is closing in 2027 for a multi-year renovation.

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

• Hotel Goldener Schlüssel no longer offers a discount to Rick Steves readers.

• The upper stretch of the Jungfrau Railway, between Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfraujoch, now requires a reservation in summer (May–Oct, 5 CHF each way, guarantees you a spot on the train for a certain departure time but not a seat assignment). Trains don't typically book up more than a day or two ahead, even in peak season, so it's unwise to book much farther in advance, lest the weather take a turn (most easily booked in person at the Lauterbrunnen tourism office; also sold in person at the Lauterbrunnen train station and online via the SBB and the Jungfrau Railway).
• 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.

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

• The regional tourism office in Bulle has moved to Place de la Gare 3 and has a new phone number: +41 26 919 8500 (daily 9:00–18:00).

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

• The bus to the Collection de l’Art Brut from Lausanne's city center is now the #2, not #87.
• Montreux's tourist information office has moved to Avenue des Alpes 45.

• There is currently no boat service between Lugano and Capolago, the departure point for the cogwheel train to Monte Generoso (Capolago is still easily reached by regular train service from Lugano).

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

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

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.

• 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.

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

• Hotel Dufour Zermatt has closed.

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

• Samedan's tourist information office has moved up the street to Plazzet 21 and has a new phone number: +41 81 830 0001.
• Grond Café has changed ownership and is now Bun Di Café and Restaurant, serving pastry, sandwiches, salads, and beer and wine (long hours daily, +41 81 842 8040,).

• The correct email address for Hotel Adler is [email protected].