Short, first trip to Geneva and Zermatt
 

I've booked a short trip for early July; will have five days not counting flight days. Flying in and out of Geneva. Thinking now 3 days Zermatt, 2 days Geneva, but that connection will be by train, so I can put off deciding allocating the days.
I'm going to Zermatt so I can see an Alp from a lesser distance than from an airplane window, specifically the Matterhorn. Geneva is primarily my way to get to Zermatt, though
I'll be happy to see some sights for a couple of days. I've done my searches here, and will continue to do so.
If anyone has hotel recommendations for US $250-$300 per night, in either place, much appreciated.
Central/convenient locations are very important to me. I enjoy walking, but like to be able to easily pop back to my hotel.
Sightseeing suggestions also--tours, boat rides, guides, art and history museums, churches. And chocolate. :-)
Train from Geneva airport to Zermatt.
Going back from Zermatt to Geneva (which is when I will spend a little time in Geneva), I'm thinking an evening train so as not to eat up much sightseeing time. I've heard Swiss trains are good--meals available? Any reason not to take a train at night? Will the train from Zermatt to Geneva have a Geneva stop that's not at the airport, but in town?

Geneva has two train stops - Genève and Genève Aeroport..the first one is in the centre of town. Public transport is great in Geneva but if you want a really centralized hotel, look for one close to the station.

Trains which run during lunch or dinner times have meals available. You can book in advance if you have special requirements. WWW.SBB.CH is your bible for everything to do with trains in Switzerland.

I recommend to most of the guests who visit me in Switzerland to buy a Swiss pass which allows unlimited travel in trains/boats/buses. And it also gives free entry to 400+ museums and chateaux, it makes very good economic sense.

Check www.myswitzerland.com for sightseeing ideas. I would recommend only one day in Geneva, for the second day head out to some of the charming cities along the lake (trains are easy to take). Depending on interest, you can see a history museum in Prangins and wander in Nyon (Tintin did :), see the Olympic museum in Lausanne and enjoy a walk along the promendade in Ouchy by the lakeside, hike in the Lavaux region - from say from Cully to St Saphorin (easy few hours) popping into various caves (french word: cellars) for wine tasting or the lazy alternative - take the wine train which will take you from cave to cave, visit Montreux and see the beautiful Chateau the Chillon (boat ride from Lausanne (Ouchy) to Chillon is about 2 hrs and gives beautiful views of the Lavaux vinyards, you can also have shorter trips- catch the boat from Vevey or Montreux). If you like, you can cross over to Evian in France from Lausanne or Yvoire (a charming medieval walled village) from Nyon by boat. There is much to do in the region.

As for churches the cathedral in Geneve and the one in Lausanne are both beautiful. The Musée de beaux arts (History and art museum) in Geneva is very good. Google the Art-Brut museum in Lausanne to see if that is of interest to you. Mywitzerland.com lists all the museums in this region.

Hope some of these ideas are helpful to you. Enjoy your trip.

I would recommend staying out in Lausanne, Vevey, or Montreux, instead of Geneva proper. It's very easy to use the Geneva airport from their (about 1 hour train ride) and it is soooo much prettier... right on Lac Leman with the mountains across the way. Those towns are stunningly spectacular imo. Geneva reminds me of a place to go on a business trip.

>I've heard Swiss trains are good--meals available?

No. The Swiss trains are made for commuting, not grand tours. You can get comfortably, quickly and frequently from anywhere to anywhere, but without much frills. Just bring your own lunch.

>Any reason not to take a train at night?

Missing the scenery?

>Will the train from Zermatt to Geneva have a Geneva stop that's not at the airport, but in town?

Most people traveling by train to Geneva don't need to go to the airport, so of course the city is served.

Haven't gone through a guidebook yet, but never would have though of daytripping from Geneva for a day--sounds like there are lots of beautiful options.

Can anyone suggest tour agencies or guides in either G or Z? Or,itineraries?

I don't think you need tour guides or agencies for the trip you describe, Switzerland is very organized and easy to get around. And easy for anyone to arrange themselves using the internet.

Do check out a guidebook & map for the area & read previous posts here on Fodor's. take a look at www.montreux.ch to see what the area looks like (outside Geneva 1 hr by train).

As far as food on the train, most (all?) Swiss train stations have a little shop or bakery with (suprisingly good) sandwiches, drinks, etc. ready to go.

I agree with Suze, you dont need a tour agency at all. Switzerland is very tourist friendly. And its rather fun to go exploring by yourself :)

That said, I think Geneva tourism offers an audio-guide for a walking tour of the old city and I have often seen boards outside the Montreux tourism office advertising walking tours. Explore their sites; I am sure you will find the details.

Oh yes, I think guided walking tours in a specific location are wonderful! I just don't think you need to hire a professional just to buy your plane ticket & book your hotels for you. You can get train tickets at the station once you're there. It's easy.

United's onboard magazine "Hemispheres" has an article "3 Perfect Days in Geneva" in it's April issue. You can read it online. It had some great ideas.

that's a great suggestion, thanks! I'm actually not finding out as many peer traveler reviews or tips online on Zermatt and Geneva (as opposed to guidebook reviews or official tourism) as I would have thought.