3 Cities in 3 Days (Zurich, Geneve, Lyon)

Some trips you plan for weeks. Others just happen—because birthdays deserve something special. This was one of those adventures: a whirlwind of trains, buses, lakes, and cobblestones. We called it our “3 Days, 3 Cities” journey, starting from Bratislava, through Salzburg, Zurich and Geneva, ending in Lyon—before flying off to Malaga for the rest of the birthday celebration.

The Start: Bratislava → Zurich (via Vienna & Salzburg)

Our journey began at Most SNP bus station in Bratislava, where we hopped on a Slovak Lines bus to Vienna Hauptbahnhof (approx. €11 per person). Departure: 12:08.

From Vienna, we boarded a train to Zurich, with one transfer in Salzburg. Price: €65 per person. Our train left at 14:40, arriving in Zurich at 23:45.

This trip was the birthday gift for Reni: each city, one day. Crazy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Day 1: Zurich by Night

Arriving late at Zurich Hauptbahnhof, we knew we only had six hours before our connection to Geneva. So instead of sleeping, we turned the night into our playground.

Here’s what we managed to see under the city lights (and a bit of moonlight):

1. Bahnhofstrasse – Zurich’s most famous shopping street, sparkling even at midnight. Window shopping at Chanel and Louis Vuitton? Why not.

   

2. Church of St. Peter – Famous for having the largest clock face in Europe (8.7 meters!). Even at night, it’s striking.

   

3. Sechseläutenplatz – A spacious square near the lake, lively even late.

   

4. Zurich Opera House – Elegant and glowing, it looked like it was waiting for us to come inside.

   

5. Lake Zurich – Calm, peaceful, reflecting city lights like a painting.

   

6. Quaibrücke Bridge – Linking the lake’s banks, offering magical views.

   

7. Grossmünster – This Romanesque cathedral founded by Charlemagne himself is even more majestic at night.

   

8. Fraumünster – Famous for Chagall’s stained-glass windows (we’ll save the inside for next time).

   

9. Lindenhof Hill – A quiet park with views over Old Town. Perfect night stroll spot.

   

10. Langstrasse (party district)

    

    

    

    

    

    

After a few hours of exploring, we were tired but happy. Zurich gave us a taste of its elegance in just one night.

At 5 AM we boarded a FlixBus to Geneva (approx. €28 per person, 5-hour ride).

Day 2: Geneva – Chicken, Sunsets & Jet d’Eau

We arrived in Geneva around 11 AM. Our hotel check-in wasn’t until 14:30, so we started exploring right away—with a little detour for food first.

11. Brunswick Monument – A neo-Gothic mausoleum that looks like it belongs in Florence, but stands proudly in Geneva.

12. 

    KFC lunch – Because sometimes you need chicken buckets more than fancy food 😅.

    

After checking in at Residence Studio Genève (Rue de Berne 36, Paquis | €110 per night for two), we refreshed and went out again.

13. English Gardens – Colorful flowerbeds and Geneva’s famous Flower Clock.

14. 

    Pier – Strolling along the lakeside.

    

15. Parc La Grange (Sunset spot) – A local’s favorite, and now ours too. Golden hour perfection.

    

16. St. Pierre Cathedral – A mix of Romanesque and Gothic, with history dating back to the 12th century.

17. Reformation Wall – Celebrating Calvin and the Protestant movement that shaped the city.

    

18. Place de Neuve – Surrounded by cultural landmarks, perfect for people-watching.

    

19. Geneva Water Fountain (Jet d’Eau) – The city’s icon, shooting water 140 meters high. Hypnotizing!

    

20. Tour de l’Île – A medieval tower that’s one of the last remains of Geneva’s fortress.

    

We ended the evening tired but satisfied. Geneva was grand, green, and a little expensive—but worth every step.

Morning Run in Geneva

We couldn’t resist. The next morning, we laced up our sneakers and ran through:

21. Mon Repos Park – A beautiful green escape by the lake.

22. 

    Palace of Nations (UN Headquarters) – Flags of the world flying high.

23. City Swimming Pool near Port Wilson – Finished the run by cooling off with locals. A true Geneva experience.

    

Day 3: Lyon – Closed on Sundays, Open in Charm

From Geneva, we boarded a FlixBus to Lyon. Our hotel was Première Classe, 75 Boulevard Marius Vivier Merle, 3rd arrondissement (€56 per night for two).

Being Sunday, most shops were closed. First mission? Carrefour grocery run—stocking up on food and drinks to survive. Then we hit the streets.

24. Montluc Prison – A chilling WWII site, closed during our visit, but the exterior still speaks volumes.

25. 

    Place Bellecour – One of the largest open squares in Europe, with the statue of Louis XIV at its center.

    

26. Bartholdi Fountain – Designed by the same Bartholdi who created the Statue of Liberty. The fountain’s horses look like they’re galloping out of water.

    

    
    

27. Vieux Lyon – The old town with traboules (hidden passageways), medieval vibes, and endless charm.

    

    

    

    

    

    

28. Théâtres Romains de Fourvière – Closed when we arrived, but still stunning from the outside. Built in 15 BC!

29. Jardin des Curiosités – Also closed, but offers panoramic views when open.

30. Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière – We admired it from a distance, perched like a crown above the city.

    

31. Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste – A Gothic masterpiece, standing tall in Vieux Lyon.

    

    
    

32. Simple Rest – Sometimes the best travel moment is just sitting down and soaking in the city atmosphere.

    

    

    

    

We wrapped up Lyon with a quiet evening, saving energy for the last leg. The next morning, we took the Rhônexpress to Lyon Airport (€17.10 per person) for our flight to Malaga (stay tuned for that blog!).

Final Thoughts: 3 Days, 3 Cities

It wasn’t a slow travel trip—it was a sprint. From Zurich’s midnight elegance to Geneva’s lakeside calm to Lyon’s historic charm, this journey gave us just enough to taste each city and left us hungry for more.

Would we do it again? Absolutely. But maybe next time with one more day for croissants in Lyon and a proper boat ride in Zurich.

Reni’s birthday trip became a memory bank of trains, buses, lakes, towers, and yes… a KFC bucket in Geneva.

And isn’t that what travel is all about? Collecting stories, not things.