The Golden Pass is quite nice and not so far away.  A money saving option could be to take the regio train that follows the same route (instead of the actual Golden Pass tourist train which requires a surtaxe).

Thanks for this - do you think it is possible to do Geneva - Montreaux - Luzerne in a day via the golden pass and then get a direct train back to GVA?

Or is it better to split the journey and just do Montreaux to Interlaken?

you can also considerBernina Express

http://www.rhb.ch/Bernina-Express.33.0.html

If you willing to set off around 8 am you can get the train to Lucerne which leaves at 8h10 or 8h14.  Then the train  via the Brunnig Pass and Meiringen to Interlaken and from there you can get the Golden Pass or cheaper regio where you change at Zweisimmen then via Chateau d?OEx to Montreux and a direct train back.

If you get a day ticket then you can get off when you want.  EG $

£Meiringen Sherlock Olmes museum if you are into that. Lucerne for the lake. And anywhere for lunch.

But assuming you parents have no demi tarrif it will be expensive 250-270 francs and you could do it by car.

Also possible in a day (I think but check times) is the train to Interlaken (change at Berne) and then the train to the Jungfraujoch or just to Kleine Scheidegg.

The steam trains such as the Brienzer Rothorn I do not think are open yet

From Geneva, take them to Chambery, train goes along the lac du Bourget and Chambery is a fantastic Savoyard style town. About 25 Euros return.

Oh and consider taking a boat to Yvoire.

Or train to Argentiere then the Montenvers cog railway to the Mer du Glace.

The weather forecast is unfortunately not the best for this w/e: Trains and ships might be a good solution though quite expensive.

The Swiss tourist offices offer daily tourist tickets foc (SBB train, bus, ship) though you need to register very early.

As David suggested, I would take a boat to Yvoire (and Evian). Passports required as both are in France (sorry... happened to us once)

On rainy Sunday I would, as Richard suggested, take the train from Geneva to Montreux passing by the wonderful Lavaux vine area (UNESCO heritage).

Get out in Montreux and visit Castle Chillon (original furniture etc., my parents loved it)

Take the chocolate and cheese train to go to Gruyère and to the Cailler factory. You can taste the chocolate in the end.

http://www.bargaintraveleurope.com/08/Switzerland_Chocolate_Train.htm

Options for nice weather:

* Lucerne is worth a day trip (my family and boss loved it) and you can discover the lake (Vierwarldstätter See) by boat or go up by cablecar to the spectacular Pilatus (both expensive options)

* Always good: Annecy bus from Geneva Airport (good price and beautiful old town and lake)

http://www.gva.ch/de/Portaldata/1/Resources/fichiers/voyageurs/Frossard_GVA_Annecy.pdf

* Bern (wonderful old town) or Gstaad by train though quite far from Geneva.

* Price worthy activity on a sunny and warm day: Saleve (Bus 8 from the station) and cable car. Nice walk on the top

If you are a Geneva resident you can buy an SBB day pass (valid all over suisse) for 40.- chf, all you need to show is a valid ID and a proof of residence.

Hello
I suggest you Leukerbad
is the thermal baths and treck is exceptional
good day
Celia

Nearby train journeys but not steam are La Givrine by the little red train from Nyon 1h15 mins from Geneva. Fondu possibilities if we willing to walk about an hour (check St Cergue Tourist Office) There is also a train to Le Pont and les Brassus on the lac de Joux Geneva to Renens and change there 2 hours from geneva.

Short hiking possibilities in both places or just lunch

3 hours from Geneva there is Zermatt and the Gornergrat do-able in a long day

http://www.keytours.ch

Good daily bustours from Geneva gare routiere (to Chamonix, Gruyere etc.) Did it with my parents.