switzerland day trip itinerary

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The perfect switzerland itinerary 7 days – 10 days.

If you’re looking to spend 7 days in Switzerland, or even 10, this Switzerland Itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip for your first time. With day-by-day itineraries and detailed activity suggestions, you’ll be on your way to enjoying one of the most beautiful places on Earth!

Switzerland itinerary- the best way to spend one week in switzerland + 3 bonus days.

From its snow-capped mountains and glistening lakes to its quaint villages and world-class cities, Switzerland is a country that has it all. And whether you’re looking for an action-packed adventure or a relaxing vacation, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Switzerland that fit the bill.

We had the opportunity to live in Switzerland for a bit while we had some work there. We lived in Basel and loved our time there. I’ve since been back several times to visit friends and to visit this gorgeous country. I recently went back a few months ago and wanted to share my itinerary to help you make the best of your time, whether you have 3 days in Switzerland or 10 days in Switzerland.

If you’re spending one week in Switzerland, you’ll have enough to see the highlights, but I’ve added on a few extra days in case you have more time for a few extras on your vacation to Switzerland. I always recommend prioritizing the 7 day Switzerland itinerary, and then moving on to the extras only if you have time.

• Don’t have time to read a bunch of reviews and blog posts? Here are our top picks for visiting Switzerland:
• Wanderlust Switzerland Guide

Need a quick day-by-day, open-and-go itinerary for Switzerland? Get my guide and let me do the work for you!

• Our favorite Hotels in Switzerland
• Zurich : Baur Au Lac
• Lucerne : Burgenstock Alpine Hotel & Spa
• Zermatt: The Omnia
• Interlaken : Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel
• Bern : Hotel Schweiserhof
• Geneva : Swiss Luxury Apartments
• Montreaux : Eurotel Montreaux

Getting Around Switzerland

• Unlimited Train Rides : Swiss Pass
• Renting a Car : Cheap Rental Cars or Expedia Cars
• Our favorite activities and tours in Switzerland
• Paragliding
• Lindt Chocolate Tour
• Lake Lucerne Cruise

Here's a Short Cut

Map of Switzerland

How do i get around switzerland, where do i purchase my swiss travel pass, swiss half fare card, where should i stay in switzerland, what languages are spoken in switzerland, do i need to know germany before i visit switzerland, what is the best time to visit switzerland, is it safe to travel to switzerland, how many days are enough for my switzerland itinerary – 7 days or more, what apps should i download for visiting switzerland, what currency is used in switzerland, how much is a trip to switzerland, is the tap water safe to drink in switzerland, what should i pack for my vacation to switzerland, some things to do in zurich, some things to do in lucerne, some things to do in interlaken, some things to do in lake thun, some things to do in the lauterbrunnen valley, some things to do in zermatt, some things to do in bern switzerland, some things to do in gruyeres, some things to do in montreux, some things to do in geneva, to sum this all up, here is my recommended switzerland trip itinerary:.

This interactive map will help you get around during your Switzerland itinerary. It’s color-coded by each day, so you can easily locate where you want to go and navigate there. Feel free to copy this map and download it offline so you can use it while you travel in Switzerland. Use the arrow on the top left of the map to pull up the key and see that each day is a different layer. It’s a very handy map once you figure out how to use it.

Things to Know About Visiting Switzerland

There are many ways to get around Switzerland, the two main ways are using public transportation and renting a car. I’ll highlight the best way to get to each destination below. This Switzerland itinerary can easily be used with either a car or by train.

If you choose to get a rental car in Switzerland, I always recommend using this site to compare rates and cars.

If you’re renting a car, there are two companies we prefer to use: Rental Cars and Expedia Cars. We have had no issues with them and have been able to find the best prices available.

If you choose to use public transportation in Switzerland, I recommend getting the Swiss Travel Pass to maximize your time and save you money . The Swiss Travel Pass offers unlimited train rides on most lines, free or discounted gondola rides, and discounts to many attractions though Switzerland.

I find that it’s especially worth buying the Swiss Travel Pass if you are planning to visit Zermatt because the expensive Gornergratt train is quite expensive, and it’s half off with the pass. If you’re comfortable riding trains and buses, I think it’s the best way to travel in Switzerland.

You can purchase your Swiss Travel Pass here . Just select the correct number of days for your Switzerland itinerary and check out. The pass begins on your selected date and runs continuously. The Swiss Travel Pass comes in. 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 day increments.

If you’re unsure of your dates or the amount of time your Switzerland itinerary will be, it might be a good idea to purchase a Swiss Half Fare Card instead. This pass is good for one month and will offer 50% off most trains. There seems to be less of a discount on shorter journeys. I prefer to purchase the more expensive Swiss Travel Pass just for ease of use while I am in the country. But the Swiss Half Fare Card may be a better option if you are only planning on taking several long and expensive rail journeys. You can purchase the Swiss Half Fare Card here .

While Switzerland is a small country with world-famous efficient public transportation, there can be some destinations that take longer to get to. For this reason, I recommend staying in a few different places during your trip. You should adjust this to your own needs and time restraints, but I recommend staying in these destinations in this Switzerland itinerary:

• 1 night – Zurich (either at the beginning or the end of your trip depending on flight times)
• 2 nights – Interlaken
• 2 nights – Lauterbrunnen
• 2 nights – Zermatt
• If continuing for 10 days in Switzerland:
• 3 nights – Bern with day trips to Gruyere, Montreux, and Geneva

Our Hotel & Chalet Recommendations: Zurich Hotels here Interlaken Hotels here Lauterbrunnen Chalets here Zermatt Hotels here Bern Hotels here

Believe it or not, there are actually FOUR official languages in Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Each of these is spoken in different regions of the country.

• Swiss German is the most widely spoken language, spoken by 63% of the population, and is spoken in the northern, eastern, and central parts of Switzerland. All official communications and publications are conducted and printed in German, however, there are also many different Swiss German dialects. Swiss German is a collection of Alemannic dialects no longer spoken in Germany or Austria, with French expressions sprinkled in. The Swiss German speakers take pride in the diversity of their dialects.
• Swiss French is the second most spoken language in Switzerland and is spoken mostly in the western cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, and Jura. This is generally standard French that is also spoken in France.
• Swiss Italian is spoken in the canton of Ticino and the southern part of Graubünden, on the south bordering Italy. Funny enough, you’ll find German speakers in the northern regions of Italy. Most locals will speak both German and Italian, as this region of Italy was once part of Austria. Swiss Italian is only spoken by about 350,000 people in Switzerland.
• Romansh is the final official language of Switzerland and is the least spoken language with only 37,000 people. When the Romans conquered the province of Rhaetia, the language combined with the native people creating Rumantsch .

Learning German before you visit Switzerland isn’t a necessity as many people speak English, but it is definitely a good idea to learn a few German, and even French, phrases before you go. This should be plenty to help you get by during your time in Switzerland. You may not even need them, but it’s good to be prepared.

• Yes/No : Ja/Nein Pronunciation: Yah/Nine
• Hello: Hallo Pronunciation: a-low
• Excuse Me : Entschuldigung Pronunciation: ehnt-SHOOL-di-gung
• Good Morning: Guten Morgen Pronunciation: GOO-ten MOR-gen
• Good Evening: Guten Abend Pronunciation: GOO-ten aa-behnt
• Goodnight : Gute Nacht Pronunciation: GOO-teh nahkht
• Goodbye : Auf Wiedersehen Pronunciation: all-veet-a-zen
• See You Later: Bis Spotter Pronunciation: BIS Sh-put-er
• Thank You: Danke Pronunciation: dong-ka
• Thank You Very Much: Merci Vilmal Pronunciation: MEL-see VIL-mall
• You’re Welcome: Bitte Pronunciation: BI-teh
• Nice to Meet You: Freut Mich Pronunciation: FROYT mikh
• What’s Your Name : Wie Heisst du? Pronunciation: vee HICE-en zee?
• My Name Is : Ich Heisse Pronunciation: Ikh HICE-eh
• Do You Speak English? : Sprechen Sie Englisch? Pronunciation: SHPREHK-en zee EHN-glish?
• Welcome: Willkommen Pronunciation: Wheel-come
• Sorry: Tut mir leid Pronunciation: TOOT meer LIGHT
• I am Sorry, I Don’t Speak German : Entschuldigung, ich Spreche Kein Deutsch Pronunciation: Ent-shu-il-de-gung, eek sprek-a-nee doy-ch
• I Do Not Understand : Ich Verstehe Nicht Pronunciation: Ikh fehr-STAY-eh nikht
• Where is the Bathroom? : wo ist die toilette, bitte? Pronunciation: VOOH ist dee twah-LET-uh, BIT-tuh?
• How Much Is That? : Was kostet das? Pronunciation: vahss KOSS-tet dahss?

There’s really no correct answer to the question. There are incredible things to do in Switzerland during every season of the year. I personally always prefer to travel when there are less crowds and when the weather is not too hot and not too cold. This usually means taking a Switzerland trip during the shoulder season in April-May or September-October.

In June, July, and August you will find the busiest days in Switzerland. With a winter Switzerland itinerary, you will definitely have snow, especially in the Swiss Alps , and the weather in Switzerland in the summer is generally warm and pleasant, but still can be cold and rainy.

• Best time to visit to avoid crowds (shoulder season) : April – June, September – October
• High Season : July – August. The high season is July to August when the weather in Switzerland is the warmest it is in the entire year, but you will have to face a lot of tourists, and over 50% increase in prices.
• Low Season : October – March
• Ski Season : December – March
• When are the Seasons in Switzerland : April – June (spring), July – August (summer), September – October (fall), November – March (winter)
• Best Time to Ski in Switzerland: Winter (between December and March) is the low season in most parts of Switzerland, as there will be intense snowstorms. However, this is the best season for those who want to ski in Switzerland.

According to US News , Switzerland has been rated #1 in safety! And according to Travel Safe Abroad , it was given a Safety Index of 89, So I’d say that’s a pretty good sign. Every time I’ve visited Switzerland, I’ve felt completely safe, but as always, be on guard when you travel, protect your wallet, and don’t be an idiot when you travel in Switzerland.

I will say that your risk of being injured doing outdoor activities is most likely higher if you’re not used to being active outdoors at home. Just be careful and know your limits. Always register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) in case anything happens.

For this reason, also, I always recommend that you purchase travel insurance before you travel. Especially these days, you just never know. And better safe than sorry.

Your Switzerland itinerary will depend on the number of days you are able to travel, but I recommend spending at least 7 days in Switzerland if possible, although 10 days is ideal. A one week Switzerland itinerary will allow you to see most of the destinations on this list, so if you’re able to stay longer, keep going until day 10.

• SBB App – Public transportation in Switzerland is shockingly punctual, clean, fast, and efficient. The SBB app will tell you when and where to get your trains and buses to take you where you want to go. This is the most important app you’ll need in Switzerland if you’re only traveling by public transportation.
• Switzerland Mobility App – If you’re looking for great hikes in Switzerland, you’ll want to download the Switzerland Mobility App to help you find the best trails and not get lost.
• Duo Lingo – If you want to learn a bit of German or French before visiting Switzerland, Duo Lingo is a fun and free app to help you learn.
• Google Translate – While most people in Switzerland will be able to communicate with you in at least a little bit of English, it’s always goo to have the Google translate app, especially for reading signs or menus that are not in English.

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). The exchange rate right now is $1.05 USD to 1 CHF.

This depends on many factors like where you’re traveling from, when you’re going, how many people are in your party, what kind of hotels you choose, what activities you want to do, whether you rent a car or take public transportation, etc. It’s almost impossible to estimate how much this Switzerland itinerary will cost. I always say to plan around $3,000 USD per person for any trip to Switzerland.

Tap water is safe to drink in Switzerland and you can also find drinking fountains all over the country that you can drink from. I’ve filled many water bottles from these fountains and it’s been tasty and safe.

When you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, you’ll want to be sure you pack properly. But don’t worry, there are plenty of places to shop if you forget anything. Here are a few essentials you’ll want to be sure to pack for Switzerland. You can see my Switzerland packing list , or check out my abbreviated list below.

• Power Adapter for Switzerland
• Portable Charger ( my favorite )
• Portable WiFi Device
• Appropriate Outdoor Clothing ( I like to shop here )
• A few nicer outfits for dinners
• Packable down jacket
• Your favorite sun hat
• Sunscreen ( my favorite )
• Comfortable Walking Shoes
• Good Hiking Boots (if you’re planning to do lots of hikes)
• Collapsible Hiking Poles
• Packing Cubes
• Melatonin for Jetlag
• Packable Day Pack
• Liquid IV for Dehydration
• Waterproof Phone Case
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Quick Dry Towel

The Best Switzerland Itinerary for 7-10 Days

Ok now on to what you came here to read! This is the best Switzerland itinerary to help you maximize and enjoy your vacation. It spans the Switzerland countryside and cities and includes recommendations on where to stay and what to do in each destination.

Day 1 – Arrive in Zurich & Explore

Most major international flights to Switzerland will arrive at Zurich international airport, which is a great starting point for your Switzerland itinerary. Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and one of the most popular tourist destinations. With its picturesque Old Town and world-class museums, it’s easy to see why Zurich is such a popular destination. You’ll most likely be beginning and ending your vacation to Switzerland here.

If you only have a short time in Switzerland, I recommend taking day trips from Zurich .

• Walk Around Old Town Zurich
• Explore Lake Zurich
• Visit the Museum of Art
• Enjoy Views from Lindenhof
• Visit the Swiss National Museum
• Visit Grossmünster Church
• See the Impressive Zurich Zoo
• Ride the train to the top of Uetlibertg
• Take a Cruise down the River
• FIFA World Football Museum
• Day 2 – Lucerne

Lucerne is a small city located in central Switzerland that is often overlooked by tourists. But with its beautiful Old Town, covered bridges, and Alpine setting, Lucerne is well worth a visit. And if you’re looking for things to do outside of the city, you can take a boat ride on Lake Lucerne or even go for a swim!

• Wander Around the Old Town
• Take a Cruise on Lake Lucerne
• Visit the Swiss Museum of Transport
• Walk Across Chapel Bridge
• Visit the Rosengart Collection
• See Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Lion Monument
• Explore the Glacier Garden
• Enjoy the Views from Musegg Wall
• Visit Hofkirche Basilica

Day 3 – Interlaken and Lake Brienz

Nestled between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, Interlaken is a popular tourist destination for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors. Surrounded by mountains, Interlaken is the perfect base camp for hikes, mountain biking, para-gliding, and other adventure activities. It also has a cute old town center to explore and dine in. I had the privilege of paragliding in Interlaken and I will never forget it. The whole area is postcard perfect!

• Go Paragliding
• Ride up Harder Kulm via funicular
• Take a Steamboat on Lake Brienz
• Ride the Schynige Platte Railway
• Tour Justistal Alpine Dairy book here
• Aareschlucht Gorge info
• Explore the charming views at Istelwald village

Day 4 – Lake Thun

Lake Thun is the other lake that borders Interlaken and is just as beautiful as Lake Brienz. Spend a few days between these two lakes and soak up all the beauty around you.

• Explore Lake Thun
• Ride a Steam Boat on Lake Thun
• Visit Thun Castle
• Explore St. Beatus Caves
• Wander around the medieval old town of Unterseen
• Weissenau Nature Reserve
• Explore the picturesque town of Spiez
• Panoramabrücke Sigriswil – Panoramic Footbridge

Day 5 – Lauterbrunnen, Murren & Schilthorn

The Lauterbrunnen valley is a gorgeous area of the Bernese Oberland that is a must-see. When you picture a quaint village in Switzerland with wooden chalets, Alpine valleys, high mountain peaks, and roaming cows with bells, it’s likely Lauterbrunnen valley that you’re thinking of. If you want to see iconic scenes like this when you visit Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen is the perfect place to go.

• Hike the Lauterbrunnen – Murren Trail (4 miles)
• Visit the largest free-falling waterfall in Europe (Staubbach Falls)
• Take the cog railway to nearby Wengen
• Take the cable cars to nearby Murren
• Take a cable car ride up to Schilthorn
• Eat at Piz Gloria, the rotating James Bone restaurant
• Visit the Highest Altitude Structure in Europe ( Sphinx Observatory)
• Explore Trummelbach Falls (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Go paragliding or just watch the paragliders
• Grab a drink at the Horner Pub in town
• Rent bikes and ride around Lauterbrunnen Valley

Days 6 & 7 – Zermatt

While the mountain resort town of Zermatt is small, the surrounding mountains in the Swiss Alps and the surrounding areas are massive. This destination takes some time and effort to get to, even though it’s simple to reach by public transportation, so I always recommend staying the night and exploring Zermatt for two days if possible. Many people will attempt Zermatt as a day trip from Bern or Zurich, which is fine, it just limits what you can do there. It’s a must on any Switzerland itinerary. Zermatt is most famous for its incredible views of the Matterhorn, but there’s a lot more to this picturesque town. It’s home to some of the most scenic train rides on Earth and some great restaurants and shopping as well.

Zermatt is also the end of the Walker’s Haute Route , which is a massive hike through the Swiss Alps that begins in Chamonix, France, and traverses some of the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland, ending in Zermatt.

• Take the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
• Hike the Matterhorn Glacier Trail
• Visit Schwarzsee (lake)
• Take the Gornergrat Railway (one of the most scenic train rides in the world)
• Hike from Gornegrat to Riffelsee (1.5 miles)
• Befriend Blacknose Sheep
• Explore the old town of Zermatt
• Eat Fondue & Raclette
• Visit the Matterhorn Museum
• Pay your respects at Mountaineers Cemetery
• Walk through the Hinterdorfstrasse – old town
• Walk along Gorner Gorge

That’s the end of my one week in Switzerland itinerary. However, if you have another 3 days in Switzerland or more, I recommend continuing with the next few destinations. They are great, but I always recommend prioritizing the above itinerary if you only have 7 days in Switzerland.

Day 8 – Bern 

Bern is the capital of Switzerland and a unique and relatively small city. The entire city is a UNESCO world heritage site with so much to explore. The medieval architecture and easy public transportation make it an easy city to visit.

• Explore Old Town Bern
• Count the fountains of Bern
• Visit Berner Munster (Bern Cathedral)
• Climb up Kafigturm
• Zytglogge Clock Tower
• Visit the bears at the Barengraben, or Bear Pit
• Walk through the Rosengarten (Rose Garden Park)
• Visit the Einstein Museum & Einstein House
• Walk along the Aare River
• Relax at the Hamman & Spa Oktogon

Day 9 – Gruyere & Montreux

These two Swiss towns are some of the most beautiful in the country and reside in the French-speaking section. If you have a car, it’s only a 30-minute drive between the two. Public transportation between them can be tricky, so you may just want to pick one to visit if you don’t have a car, depending on where you’re staying. Either town is a great day trip from Bern or the Lauterbrunnen valley.

Gruyere is an idyllic farming town nestled in the Swiss Alps and renowned for the famous Gruyeres cheese, which you’ve probably tried before. Be sure to have fondue here, as it’s some of the best we’ve ever tried in Switzerland.

• Visit the Gruyeres Cheese Factory & Tour
• Walk down Rue de Bourg in the Old Town
• Walk Le Grand Chemins
• Tour Gruyeres Castle
• Walk along the Ramparts
• Eat Gruyeres Cheese Fondue
• Visit the HR Giger Museum
• Grab a drink at the Giger Bar
• Visit the Tibet Museum
• Tour Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory

Montreux is a dazzling town set against the backdrop of the mountain peaks of the Alps and on the shores of Lake Geneva. Also in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, Montreux has much to offer in way of scenery and cultural opportunities.

• Explore Montreux Old Town
• Visit Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Walk Along the Montreux Lakeside Promenade
• Hike the Gorges du Chauderon
• Take a Cruise on Lake Geneva
• Visit Chateau de Chillon
• Hike Rochers de Naye
• See the Freddy Mercury Statue
• Visit Chaplin’s World Museum
• Visit the Nest Museum
• Day 10 – Geneva

Situated between the French border and Lake Geneva, the town of Geneva is an international town known for being the United Nations Headquarters and also the headquarters for The Red Cross. It’s also a great place to visit on your Switzerland trip if you want to get more of a feel for the French part of Switzerland.

• Take a boat ride on Lake Geneva if you haven’t done that Montreux
• Check out the famous Jet d’Eau (Water Jet)
• Visit the Romanesque Temple de Saint-Pierre
• Explore Geneva’s Old Town
• See Bourg-de-Four, the oldest square in the city
• Check out the flags at Palais des Nations
• Tour the Art & History Museum
• Visit the International Red Cross and Crescent Museum
• Visit the Ariana Museum, dedicated to ceramics and glass
• Wander around Parc de la Grange

There’s so much to see and do in Switzerland and you could easily spend months exploring all this Alpine country has to offer! But if you only have a week, this Switzerland itinerary will help you make the most of your time in this beautiful country. From hikes with unbeatable views to leisurely days spent soaking in mountain views from your hotel room window and delicious chocolate and fondue, you’re sure to fall in love with this corner of Europe. I hope this Switzerland trip planner was helpful and that you’ll be on your way to planning a great vacation.

• Use the train to get around Switzerland
• Purchase a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card before you travel to Switzerland
• There are four official languages spoken in Switzerland
• Learn a few German phrases before your vacation to Switzerland
• The best time to visit Switzerland is Spring and Fall 
• Switzerland is a very safe country
• 7-10 days in Switzerland is an ideal time
• Download important apps before Switzerland trips
• Swiss Francs (CHF) are used in Switzerland
• Tap water is safe to drink in Switzerland
• Pack appropriately for Switzerland
• The Best Switzerland Itinerary:
• Day 1 – Zurich
• Day 3 – Interlaken – Lake Brienz
• Day 4 – Interlaken – Lake Thun
• Day 5 – Lauterbrunnenn, Murren, & Schilthorn
• Day 6 – Zermatt – Glacier Express Train
• Day 7 – Zermatt – Gornergratt
• Day 8 – Bern
• Day 9 – Gruyeres & Montreux

Wanderlust Crew

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8 Day Switzerland Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide (2024)

Looking for the best Switzerland itinerary for your upcoming trip? You’re in the right place!

Switzerland is hands-down one of the most beautiful and picturesque countries that you could ever dream of exploring!

This 8 Day Switzerland itinerary includes a complete route guide and everything you need to know before you go, how to get around, the best places to visit, where to stay, and much more!

I’ve visited Switzerland on several occasions, so I think it’s safe to say that this is the only Switzerland travel guide you’ll need.

Table of Contents

OVERVIEW – BEST SWITZERLAND ITINERARY

Here is a quick overview of an ideal Switzerland 8 day itinerary that starts in Zurich and also finishes in Zurich.

• Day 1: Zurich
• Day 2: Luzern
• Day 3: Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen
• Day 4: Montreux
• Day 5: Zermatt
• Day 6: Glacier Express
• Day 7: St. Moritz
• Day 8: Zurich

This is the exact Switzerland by train route that I took, and although it was fast-paced, I found it to be a sufficient amount of time in each location to see the highlights.

If you have more time up your sleeve, feel free to add an extra day in each location, or venture to some other destinations not mentioned in this guide such as Bern and Geneva.

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR SWITZERLAND 8 DAYS ITINERARY

Arriving in Switzerland by plane is the easiest and most convenient way to begin your adventures in this picturesque country.

If you plan on following this exact itinerary, then your best bet is to fly into Zurich International Airport (ZRH) and begin your trip around Switzerland from here.

HOW TO GET AROUND SWITZERLAND?

I have put together this 8 Day Switzerland itinerary based on my trip around the country by train using the all-in-one Swiss Travel Pass .

Get the all-in-one Swiss Travel Pass!

Get unlimited rides on trains, buses, and boats throughout Switzerland with an all-in-one Swiss Travel Pass!

Simply show your Swiss Travel Pass e-ticket on your smartphone to instantly start your rail adventure.

Once you have purchased the Swiss Rail Pass to travel Switzerland, you’ll receive an email with your ticket and further instructions for activating your pass and reserving seats on trains.

I also recommend downloading the SBB Mobile App on your smartphone from the App Store. You can use this app to check all train, bus, and boat timetables in Switzerland when you’re on the move.

HOW LONG TO STAY IN SWITZERLAND?

I recommend spending at least one week in Switzerland and, if possible, following this Switzerland travel blog 8-day itinerary.

While it’s not enough to explore each corner of the country, you can definitely fit all the most beautiful places, including Zurich, Zermatt, Lauterbrunnen, Lucerne, and St. Moritz.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SWITZERLAND?

The best time to travel Switzerland depends on what you plan to do.

I personally prefer the spring and summer months in Switzerland (April – September) when temperatures are warm and the landscapes are vividly green.

Note that when planning a Switzerland in June itinerary, accommodation prices will be higher since it’s the peak season.

My personal recommendation will therefore be to plan a Switzerland in September itinerary.

Alternatively, when planning a Switzerland October itinerary, you’ll get better prices for flights and accommodation, which is a good option.

However, visiting Switzerland in winter (December – March) is absolutely magical because the landscapes are completely covered in glistening white snow.

Visiting Switzerland in winter means you have to opportunity to go skiing in the Swiss Alps.

All in all, it’s a year-round destination suitable for all types of travelers in every season making it easy to plan your Swiss trip itinerary.

WHAT IS SWITZERLAND FAMOUS FOR?

Switzerland is a globally renowned country, well-known for its magnificent mountainous terrain and breathtaking alpine views.

It has also established itself as an industrial and financial powerhouse in Europe.

As a member of the United Nations, Switzerland is considered to be one of the most prosperous and stable countries in the world – with its citizens enjoying higher GDP per capita than many other nations.

On top of that, it’s known for its neutrality policy, which kept the country out of war since 1505.

Lastly, of course, Switzerland’s national dishes, such as fondue and raclette, only add a delicious layer to the trip!

SWITZERLAND ITINERARY – THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Francs (CHF) and the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD = $1 CHF.

All businesses accept debit and credit cards, and there are plenty of ATM machines around the country should you wish to withdraw any cash.

MOBILE DATA:

When you arrive in Switzerland, you’re going to want to get online, and purchasing a sim card is very simple. You can do this at the airport on arrival at one of the retail stores.

Alternatively, I recommend purchasing an eSIM in advance with pre-loaded mobile data so you can get online as soon as you land and stay connected on your Switzerland trip.

The weather in Switzerland can be very sporadic so be sure to pack suitable clothes for all seasons and be prepared for unexpected changes during your ultimate Switzerland itinerary 8 days.

Pssst! Check out this AWESOME travel bag!

The Nomatic 40L is the best travel bag on the market, perfect for weekend trips or month-long adventures!

Featuring multiple compartments for clothes, shoes, laptop, water bottle, RFID-protected pocket, and more.

It’s designed to fit the maximum size allowed for carry-on luggage so you’ll never have to spend money on check-in baggage again!

DAY 1: ZURICH TO LUCERNE

The first leg of this 8 days Switzerland itinerary begins in Zurich, where I recommend boarding a train at Zurich International Airport or Zurich Hauptbahnhof Train Station bound for Lucerne , which is a short one-hour journey.

There is no validation required for your Swiss Travel Pass , simply jump on board the train.

When onboard, a ticket inspector will ask to see your Swiss Travel Pass or fare card as well as your passport or ID card, so make sure to have these documents handy on the train.

THINGS TO DO IN LUCERNE

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, Lucerne is a must-see on any Swiss itinerary!

I have put together a separate guide on the best things to do in Lucerne which I highly recommend checking out.

Read It Here: 15 BEST Things To Do In Lucerne

I don’t want to crowd this blog post with every attraction in Lucerne, so below you will find a taste of the top 3 things to do in Lucerne.

#1 CHAPEL BRIDGE

When you arrive in Lucerne on day 1 of your Switzerland itinerary, I recommend checking out Chapel Bridge.

It’s the most iconic attraction in Lucerne and the oldest wooden bridge in Switzerland, dating back to the 14th century.

Chapel Bridge Lucerne stretches 200 meters across the Reuss River and attached to the bridge is an old water tower that served as a dungeon, an archive, and a treasury vault in medieval times.

It’s free to walk over Chapel Bridge and remember to look up to discover the colorful old paintings on the underside of the roof.

#2 BOAT TRIP ON LAKE LUCERNE

A boat trip on Lake Lucerne is a must on your 8 days in Switzerland itinerary.

With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can take a round-trip boat ride on Lake Lucerne which is the best way to see the region at a slow pace.

There are daily departures on Lake Lucerne, usually every hour during the day. Just head down to the ferry terminal located across the road from the Lucerne Main Train Station and jump on board when a boat arrives.

Before boarding, you’ll be asked to show your Swiss Travel Pass and possibly your passport or ID card as well, so make sure to have these documents handy.

BEST LUCERNE TOURS

Enhance your experience in Lucerne by embarking on one of these 3 top-rated tours, ensuring you make the most of your visit.

• Top-Pick: Lucerne Walking and Boat Tour
• Best-rated: Mount Pilatus Summit From Lucerne With Lake Cruise
• Must-Do: Mount Rigi, Lake Lucerne Cruise, Mineralbath Spa From Lucerne

#3 MOUNT RIGI

Mt Rigi, also known as the queen of the mountains, is a large mountain range in the Lucerne region and a must-see during your visit.

The best way to get to Mt Rigi, using the Swiss Travel Pass, is to take the one-hour boat ride from the Lucerne Ferry Terminal and get off at Vitznau.

From here, there is a special cog-wheel train that will take you up to the summit of Mount Rigi. This was my favorite part of the adventure as I was able to hang outside the windows of the cog-wheel train to take photos!

Panoramic views await at the summit of Mt Rigi, overlooking three lakes and phenomenal alpine peaks in the distance.

If you want to grab lunch or a beer you can simply pop into one of the hotel restaurants on the mountain and most have outdoor terraces with stunning views.

MUST READ: 21 BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORIES FOR ANY TRIP

WHERE TO STAY IN LUCERNE

There are hundreds of accommodations in Lucerne , so I’ve handpicked some of the best in town that you’ll find here below for the perfect 8 day itinerary Switzerland.

Luxury: Lucerne Lake View Apartments

Offering stunning lake views, free wifi, and just walking distance to the center of the city, this 5-star accommodation is hard to beat!

Each apartment is fitted with a balcony, fully-equipped kitchen, dishwasher, sofa, TV, dining room, washing machine, private bathroom with a bath, fridge and freezer, microwave, and coffee machine.

Mid-Range: Hotel De La Paix

This 3-star hotel is located right in the heart of town, just a 200m walk to the old quarter in Lucerne, and close to various restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops.

There are single, double, and triple rooms available and breakfast is included for all guests.

Budget: Barabas Hostel

I personally stayed at Barabas Hostel, located just ten minutes walk from Lucerne Train Station.

Barabas Hostel is one of the coolest and most unique hostels in Luzern, the reason being that it was once an old prison.

The dorms and private rooms are the same rooms where prison inmates used to sleep back in the day (much cleaner and refurbished of course).

A buffet breakfast is also included with the room and the staff are overly helpful with their knowledge of the best things to do in Luzern and that’s definitely a great base for your Switzerland tour itinerary.

For All Other Places To Stay In Luzern, Search On Booking.com

DAY 2: LUCERNE TO INTERLAKEN

Continue your 8 day Switzerland itinerary from Lucerne to Interlaken using the Swiss Travel Pass .

Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau Region and Bernese Oberland and a good location to base yourself when visiting Lauterbrunnen Valley , which is also referred to as The Valley of 72 Waterfalls.

Also, it’s worth noting that the Swiss Alps in the Jungfrau-Aletsch is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and you’ll easily understand why when visiting.

HOW TO GET TO LAUTERBRUNNEN

From Interlaken East Train Station, using the Swiss Travel Pass , you can take a train to Lauterbrunnen Station.

The train takes only twenty minutes and you can disembark right in the center of Lauterbrunnen village.

9 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN LAUTERBRUNNEN

#1 visit staubbach falls.

Take a morning train on day 2 of your Swiss itinerary from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and from the station, it’s an easy walk through the village to a number of different scenic viewpoints of Staubbach Falls and upper Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Staubbach Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls I have ever seen! These glacial falls gush down from the 300m high peaks and emerge into the river that cuts through the village of Lauterbrunnen.

After taking some photos of the falls from Lauterbrunnen village, follow the road down till you reach the base of Staubbach Falls.

RELATED GUIDE: Things To Do In Lauterbrunnen

You can walk up the stairs and into a man-made grotto that leads behind Staubbach Falls.

From inside the grotto, peering out looks like a scene out of Jurassic Park, without the dinosaurs, unfortunately!

The view of the distant glacier-filled valley is mesmerizing and so insanely beautiful that you’ll feel like you are standing in a real-life postcard .

On a clear day, you can spot paragliders and base jumpers soaring around in the skies above and countless waterfalls flowing heavily over the edge of the towering cliffs into Lauterbrunnen Valley.

There is also an easy walking trail to the next village that will take you past several more Lauterbrunnen waterfalls and vast meadows.

#2 TRÜMMELBACH FALLS

Trümmelbach Falls can be found in the heart of Lauterbrunnen. They are the world’s only glacier waterfalls that are accessible underground by lifts, tunnels, paths, and platforms.

There is an easy walking trail from Lauterbrunnen Village that will take you through vast meadows in the direction of Trümmelbach Falls.

Trümmelbach Falls  carries the water from the glaciers of Jungfrau down to Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Up to 20,000 liters of water travel through the falls per second, they are a sight and a sound to behold.

This is one of the top things to see in Lauterbrunnen during your visit!

BEST LAUTERBRUNNEN TOURS

While I encourage you to do a Switzerland DIY itinerary, I recommend taking your experience in Lauterbrunnen further with these 3 top-rated tours to make the most of your visit:

• Best-Rated: Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe Day Trip From Zurich
• Top-Pick: Schilthorn Piz Gloria Small Group Tour
• Must-Do: Day Tour to Wengen From Lauterbrunnen

#3 MÜRREN VILLAGE

This delightful village of Mürren lies at the very end of Lauterbrunnen Valley, filled with traditional chalets and idyllic village life.

And for the ultimate free and easy Switzerland activity, wandering around Mürren is a great idea!

You can jump on the public bus No. 141 which runs from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren every thirty minutes.

The bus departs from outside Lauterbrunnen Railway Station or you can hail it down on the main road near Trümmelbach Falls.

The bus journey time is around twenty minutes. Click Here to see Lauterbrunnen Bus No. 141 timetables.

Mürren offers a peaceful atmosphere with beautiful restaurants and cafes offering traditional Swiss dining and is also a great starting point for hiking, cycling, or skiing trails.

#4 MOUNT SCHILTHORN

Once you have visited Mürren, next on the list of places to see in Lauterbrunnen is Mount Schilthorn , a must-see location on your one-week Switzerland itinerary or even longer.

Head to Stechelberg Gondola Station which is located in Mürren at the base of Mount Schilthorn and using the Swiss Travel Pass, you can ride the gondola all the way up to the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant.

Note: Without the Swiss Travel Pass, a return trip on the gondola from Stechelberg to Mount Schilthorn will set you back 105 CHF ($105 USD).

Mount Schilthorn is a popular ski field in Lauterbrunnen if you wish to spend a day skiing in Lauterbrunnen.

Though if skiing is not your jam, you can still head up to the famous Piz Gloria viewpoint regardless to enjoy the view.

If you are a fan of James Bond 007, Piz Gloria located on the top of Mount Schilthorn is where one of the original 007 movies was filmed back in 1969. Expect to see James Bond memorabilia galore at Piz Gloria.

Aside from this, there is a 360-degree viewpoint at the summit of Mt Schilthorn, and the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant features floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering extensive views of the Swiss Alps in the Jungfrau Region.

Also, if you are not afraid of heights, I dare you to take the knee-jittering thrill walk around the front face of Mount Schilthorn.

#5 WENGEN VILLAGE

Before the day is out, ride the gondola back down to the Stechelberg Gondola Station and jump on the public bus No. 141 to return to Lauterbrunnen Station.

Disembark from the bus and walk down into Lauterbrunnen Railway Station. Ask one of the staff members at the station which platform you need to wait on to take the train to Wengen Village and they will point you in the right direction.

The iconic yellow train will take you up and over the mountainside to Wengen Village which is located in the opposite valley and it’s one of the best places to see in Lauterbrunnen!

There is another ski field at Wengen Village if you visit Lauterbrunnen in winter and from the town, you can enjoy another perspective of the Swiss Alps in the Jungfrau Region.

There is an old church in Wengen Village which is a great vantage point to get some photos of the village and surrounding mountains.

I recommend spending an hour or so wandering around Wengen Village and seeing how the locals live their lives up here on the mountainside.

#6 PARAGLIDING IN LAUTERBRUNNEN

If you are a thrill-seeker looking for the ultimate experience and the best views of the valley then this activity is one of the best things to do in Switzerland.

Flying over the Lauterbrunnen U-Valley, you can book an all-inclusive tandem paragliding experience.

Flying tandem with an instructor allows you to focus purely on the flight. Full safety equipment and an experienced pilot are part of this must-do activity.

The tour takes care of all other logistics offering pick-up from your Lauterbrunnen hotel to the launch site and even a post-flight drink included.

The experience will cost you around $225 and can be booked online in advance .

It lasts for around 1 hour and 30 minutes and you can expect to take in all of the aerial views of breathtaking Lauterbrunnen.

#7 HIKING IN LAUTERBRUNNEN

There are many designated hiking trails in Lauterbrunnen Switzerland catering to every ability!

Some of the best trails to take when hiking in Lauterbrunnen are:

• Path to Murren through Blumenthal takes you through the Flower Valley.
• The iconic Eiger trail, a high route brings you right in front of the famous Eiger Nordwand.
• The trail to Wengen ascends most of the way but gives you glimpses of the Breithorn and Staubbach Falls cascading into Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Related Article: Must-Do Hikes In Lauterbrunnen

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#8 CYCLING IN LAUTERBRUNNEN

There are nearly 60 cycle routes dotted around Lauterbrunnen with something for every ability, ranging from the peaceful and relaxing to the hair-raising and thrill-seeking kind. 

There are trails allowing you to cycle to most of the surrounding villages including Grindelwald, Wengen, and Gimmelwald as well as routes to take in all of the iconic mountains surrounding the valley including Jungfrau, Eiger, and Breithorn.

Lauterbrunnen Valley is a must for any cycling enthusiast, and enjoying the trails on your Switzerland summer itinerary is an excellent option.

#9 SKYDIVING IN INTERLAKEN

Skydiving in Interlaken is one of the best experiences you can have during your visit to Switzerland and I guarantee you will remember it for a lifetime!

What better way to finish off your adventures than tandem jumping out of a helicopter from 15,000 feet, freefalling over the magnificent mountains in the Jungfrau Region?!

The Swiss skydive masters make sure your safety is their number 1 priority. All tandem instructors are trained, licensed, and experienced to ensure you have the most incredible experience knowing that you are completely safe at the same time.

One of the best parts about skydiving here during your Swiss Alps itinerary is the phenomenal view from 15,000 feet in the air!

But don’t get too comfortable, because your instructor will shortly be opening the doors of the helicopter to take the leap.

Can you think of a more exciting activity to take in Switzerland in 8 days? I certainly can’t!

WHERE TO STAY IN INTERLAKEN

Luxury: victoria jungfrau grand hotel.

This 5-star hotel is centrally located between two beautiful lakes in the picturesque town of Interlaken.

Victoria Jungfrau Hotel features a spa, swimming pool, sauna, and steam room. WiFi is free and breakfast is included for all guests.

The spacious rooms have elegant interiors and marble bathrooms, boasting views of the snowcapped mountains in the Jungfrau region.

Mid-Range: Hotel Interlaken

Hotel Interlaken is where I based myself for one night because it’s conveniently located just five minutes walk from Interlaken East Train Station and a twenty-minute train ride to Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Hotel Interlaken is the perfect accommodation for couples, families, solo travelers, or friends, featuring large rooms, mountain views, and a delicious buffet breakfast.

Budget: Valley Hostel

If you would prefer to stay in Lauterbrunnen as opposed to Interlaken, Valley Hostel is your best option for cheap accommodation.

Located in the heart of Lauterbrunnen Valley, this hostel is within walking distance of nearby waterfalls, retail shops, restaurants, and the main train station.

Valley Hostel offers dorms and private rooms to suit every traveler’s needs.

For All Other Places To Stay In Interlaken, Search On Booking.com

DAY 3: INTERLAKEN TO MONTREUX

On day three of your itinerary, check out of your hotel in the morning and find your way to Interlaken East Station to take the train bound for Montreux.

I highly recommend taking the Belle Epoque train on the Golden Line for an unforgettable experience on your Swiss itinerary for 8 days.

Also, make sure to book your Golden Line pass beforehand, especially during the peak season.

The Belle Epoque is an absolute charm that will take you on a timeless journey between Zweisimenn and Montreux.

THINGS TO DO IN MONTREUX

Montreux is a beautiful little town located at the eastern end of Lake Geneva.

There is a strong French influence in Montreux, from the architecture to the people and a pleasant vibe fills the air.

One of the most relaxing things to do in Montreux is to take a stroll along the promenade that lines the water’s edge of Lake Geneva and enjoy the calmness of the lake and the impressive mountainous hills that surround it.

Dozens of bars and restaurants are dotted along the promenade, perfect for lunch or dinner with a view.

If you are up for a small adventure, take the local bus south to Chateau De Chillon , just fifteen minutes ride from Montreux.

Chateau De Chillon is an island castle located on the waters of Lake Geneva, an old medieval fortress that is now a museum.

The Swiss Travel Pass also gives you access to 500 museums in Switzerland and Chateau De Chillon is one of them.

There is the option of an audio headset tour when you visit Chillon Castle or you can just simply explore inside the walls at your own pace.

When planning a Switzerland in October itinerary, I also recommend saving one hour for the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory , where you can taste all the best treats in the country!

WHERE TO STAY IN MONTREUX

Luxury: montreux apartment on the lake.

These 5-star apartments are equipped with two bedrooms, flat-screen TVs, and fully equipped kitchens with a dishwasher, fridge, and microwave.

If you want to splurge a little in Montreux and make the most of your 8 days itinerary in Switzerland, this is the perfect accommodation for you!

Mid-Range: La Rouvenaz Hotel

If you are looking for mid-range accommodation I highly recommend staying at La Rouvenaz Hotel during your visit to Montreux.

It boasts incredible lakeside views, a central location, a reputable restaurant, and comfortable rooms.

Budget: Montreux Youth Hostel

Montreux Youth Hostel is the best bang for the buck, located just a few steps away from the lakeside promenade and a few hundred meters from the train station.

There are dorms, private double rooms, and family-sized rooms available with free WiFi and breakfast included.

For All Other Places To Stay In Montreux, Search On Booking.com

DAY 4 & 5: MONTREUX TO ZERMATT

Continuing on to days 4 and 5, enjoy a slow morning in Montreux before taking the train to Zermatt train station around lunchtime.

This train journey takes approximately two hours and thirty minutes, passing by beautiful farmlands, vast mountains, and deep valleys.

THINGS TO DO IN ZERMATT

Zermatt is home to the iconic Matterhorn mountain which stands at a dominating 4,478 meters at its highest peak!

This one-of-a-kind destination is NOT to be skipped on any Swiss itinerary.

The Matterhorn is known all around the world for its unique pyramid shape and the famous Toblerone chocolate takes inspiration from the Matterhorn mountain.

To get atop the mountain, you’ll have to take the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car – the views on the way are incredible!

Apart from the incredible Matterhorn, Zermatt is renowned for skiing, climbing, and hiking all year round and the Walker’s Haute Route is definitely a site to behold.

If you love skiing or snowboarding, Zermatt is definitely the place to do it!

If you’re not a skier, it’s still possible to ride the world’s highest gondola to the Glacier Paradise Station at the top of the mountain regardless.

On a clear day, the panoramic views of Zermatt and the surrounding mountains are absolutely insane!

Note: The Swiss Travel Pass does not cover this gondola ride so you’ll have to purchase a ticket at the gondola lift station upon arrival or book online in advance here below.

If you didn’t have time for it in Lauterbrunnen, I highly recommend going paragliding in Zermatt , which is an activity you’ll never forget!

I recommend spending one day on the mountain and the second day exploring Zermatt’s main street, Bahnhofstrasse, which is filled with retail shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and an awesome apres-ski scene!

WHERE TO STAY IN ZERMATT

As Zermatt is one of the most popular destinations in Switzerland there are hundreds of hotels, resorts, chalets, and lodges to choose from.

However, I have narrowed it down to a few of my recommended places to stay in Zermatt.

Luxury: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof

Absolute luxury can be found at the Grand Hotel, boasting three restaurants, a spa, a swimming pool, and a sauna – the perfect way to warm up after a day on the slopes.

The rooms and suites are beautifully furnished and most have a phenomenal view of the Matterhorn. The best part is the free wine and fruits upon arrival!

Mid-Range: Schlosshotel Life & Style Zermatt

One accommodation I can highly recommend in Zermatt is the Schlosshotel, a short two-minute walk from Zermatt Train Station.

I personally spent two nights here at the Schlosshotel and I can’t recommend it enough!

The staff members were super lovely, the room was very cozy, and it had an incredible view of the Matterhorn.

The hotel also features a sauna, spa, and an indoor heated swimming pool, and the buffet breakfast is to die for!

Budget: The Matterhorn Hostel Zermatt

Enjoy easy access to the ski slopes and hiking when you stay at The Matterhorn Hostel.

A fun and friendly hostel with clean, comfortable rooms and a bar and restaurant to enjoy a nice meal and something to drink.

This is by far one of the best hostels in Zermatt.

For All Other Places To Stay In Zermatt, Search On Booking.com

DAY 6: ZERMATT TO ST. MORITZ

This leg of the Switzerland travel itinerary is an experience you will never forget.

The Glacier Express is an unforgettable eight-hour journey through the Swiss Alps, connecting Zermatt to St. Moritz and it is by far one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

Top-to-bottom glass windows offer panoramic views, lunch is served to you in your seat and there is also a bar for refreshments on board the Glacier Express.

Note: The Glacier Express is included in the Swiss Travel Pass though you must make a seat reservation at an additional cost which you’ll have to book online in advance.

When purchasing the pass, choose your desired day of travel, make seat reservations, and get a discount using the Swiss Travel Pass.

You’ll most likely arrive late into St. Moritz and there won’t be much daylight left to explore so my recommendation is to head straight to a hotel and rest up and feel fresh for the following day.

OPTIONAL DETOUR TO LANDWASSER VIADUCT

If you’re up for an adventurous on your Switzerland trip itinerary, disembark the Glacier Express at Filisur Station, which is a few stations before St. Moritz, and head over to the famous limestone bridge known as the Landwasser Viaduct .

This impressive 6-arch curved bridge boasts 65-meter tall pillars and a freshwater stream runs right beneath it.

From Filisur station, it’s approximately a forty-minute walk to get to the Landwasser Viaduct and there are a few good viewpoints to take photos.

One is down by the freshwater stream directly beneath the bridge and the other can be found up a dirt trail to the very top of the mountain to get a birds-eye view of the bridge.

The top viewpoint is by far the best spot to take photos of the train as it passes over the Landwasser Viaduct.

Click here or on the map below for the exact directions from Filisur Station to the Landwasser Viaduct.

WHERE TO STAY IN ST. MORITZ

Luxury: badrutt’s palace hotel.

A luxurious 5-star resort located in the center of St. Moritz, featuring six restaurants, an indoor pool, and free shuttle services.

Elegant rooms overlook the surrounding mountains, each with its own flat-screen TV, private bathroom, comfortable beds, and even a butler upon request!

In summer there is a tennis court for guests to enjoy that, funnily enough, turns into an ice skating rink in the winter. How freaking cool is that?!

Mid-Range: Hotel Piz St. Moritz

Both stylish and elegant, Hotel Piz is a 3-star hotel located close to the city center that features a pizzeria, free wifi, a sauna, and a steam room.

The rooms are spacious, each with its own TV, lock safe, and private bathroom.

Guests staying longer than two nights at Hotel Piz in summer will receive free tickets for the cable car, cog railway, and funicular.

Budget: St. Moritz Youth Hostel

Offering panoramic views of St. Moritz, the best feature of this hostel is the games room offering billiards and table tennis.

There are dorm rooms and private double rooms available that are bright and modernly furnished. This is the best place to stay in St. Moritz on a budget!

For All Other Places To Stay In St. Moritz, Search On Booking.com

DAY 7:  ST. MORITZ

This Swiss travel blog wouldn’t be complete without St. Moritz – a dreamy city located on the far eastern end of Switzerland.

It is here where the notion of winter holidays was born and its stunning imagery is jaw-dropping.

This place is as good as it gets and one of my favorite places I visited on this Switzerland itinerary.

I am impressed by how active all the locals are here – mountain bike riding, hang gliding, skiing, snowboarding, kite surfing, and sailing on the lake.

One of the best things to do in St. Moritz is to ride the famous Bernina Express train through the snowy mountains to a place called Alp Grum.

The journey takes approximately one hour until it reaches the top of the Bernina Pass at Alp Grum.

Note: The Bernina Express is included in the Swiss Travel Pass though you must make a seat reservation at an additional cost which you’ll have to book online in advance.

Visit the Bernina Express website to choose your desired day of travel, make seat reservations, and get a discount using the Swiss Travel Pass.

There is not much more than a restaurant and bar up here at Alp Grum, but the views of nearby glaciers in the mountains are stunning!

Take the Bernina Express back down to St. Moritz to spend the second last day of your travel itinerary for Switzerland exploring this beautiful lakeside town.

DAY 8: ST. MORITZ TO ZURICH

The last leg of the journey is taking the train from St. Moritz to Zurich which takes approximately three to four hours depending on which connection you take.

Zurich offers a great street scene in the old town with dozens of shops, cafes, and small cobblestone laneways and there are also a number of historical sites to visit if you have the time on the last day of your 8 day Switzerland itinerary.

If you are interested in seeing all the sites in one day, see below for the best Zurich City Tours.

WHERE TO STAY IN ZURICH

To end this Switzerland trip blog, let’s go through the best accommodations in Zurich to consider for your stay.

Luxury: Park Hyatt Zurich

A contemporary 5-star hotel located in the heart of Zurich’s commercial district and within walking distance of the Bahnhofstrasse shopping street.

The rooms are very spacious with high-speed WiFi and there are restaurants, bars, and lounges inside the Park Hyatt.

Perfect for couples wanting a luxurious and unforgettable experience in Zurich.

Mid-Range: Motel One Zurich

An excellent 3-star hotel located in one of the best areas of the city.

There is free WiFi, private rooms with bathroom ensuites, and flat-screen TVs, and all of this is just within walking distance of Zurich’s main attractions, which is great for your itinerary for Switzerland.

Budget: Zurich Youth Hostel

One of the best hostels in Zurich with a modern design, various cuisines, and a cozy bar.

Its great location is just a stone’s throw from the lake’s shore and walking distance to train stations. Other features include a sunny courtyard and bright brooms.

With dorms and private rooms available, it’s the perfect place to stay in Zurich for travelers on a budget and to end this 8 nights Switzerland itinerary.

For More Options, See My Complete Guide On Where To Stay In Zurich

MAP OF SWITZERLAND

Click here or on the image below for an interactive map of the country and plan the best itinerary for Switzerland.

WHAT TO PACK FOR SWITZERLAND

When visiting Switzerland, here is a list of items I highly recommend adding to your travel packing list.

Must-Have Travel Essentials

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Travel Backpack

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More Switzerland Travel Guides

Click the button below to view all articles related to Switzerland!

FINAL THOUGHTS – SWISS ITINERARY

I hope you enjoyed reading this Switzerland blog post and if you have any questions at all about this Switzerland itinerary , please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions about this Switzerland travel blog to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

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129 thoughts on “8 Day Switzerland Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide (2024)”

Dear Jonny, your itinerary and comments are awesome, it has helped me a lot to design a 5-6 days trip to Switzerland between 20-25 Feb 2024 for my family of 6 people. My initial plan was: – Day 0: Our family visits friends and travelling from Vietnam to the UK, ends up in Edinburgh. – Day 1 (sleep at Interlaken): Flying from Edinburgh to Geneve airport before noon (Zurich already sold out), take a train to Interlaken. Going to visit Crash Landing On You filming site and around the town. – Day 2 (sleep at Zermatt): Take a train to visit Lauterbrunnen in the morning. Take a train to Zermatt trying to arrive before sunset (so can see the Matterhorn from the hotel) * If day 1 was not too tired, can try to do Lauterbrunnen so day 2 can leave early in the morning for Zermatt. – Day 3 (sleep at St Moritz): Take the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz. – Day 4: I want to take the Bernina Express to Alp Grum and back to St Moritz in the afternoon so we can take a train to Zurich to have a full day 5 in Zurich. However, it looks like Bernina Express only ride at late afternoon. Day 5: Zurich Day 6: Zurich – Paris Day 7: Paris Day 8: Leaving Paris back to Vietnam Can you please advise: 1. Should I skip Zurich for one more day in either Interlaken, Zermatt or St Moritz? 2. Can I take other train than Bernina Express to Alp Grum because I don’t want to see the stunning view in the dark. Many thanks

Hi, thanks for reading and glad this itinerary of switzerland has helped with your trip! This itinerary looks great. I personally would skip the city (Zurich) for an extra day in Interlaken, I would suggest checking out Grindelwald a nearby valley. And yes there are other regional trains that you can take to Alp Grum. Hope this helps and enjoy!

Hi Jonny, excellent writeup! Thanks for framing it well and convincing us to go Switzerland, it worked! Can you advise if this itinerary works for Pre Xmas to early Jan period ie 24 Dec to 2 Jan? Will it be busy at those locations or packed on the train and I reckoned most of the place should be open? If we want to ski for a day or 2, are these 2 places recommended? We are thinking of something like below:

* Day 1: Zurich – Luzern (stay Luzern) * Day 2: Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen (stay Interlaken) * Day 3: Skiing in Lauterbrunnen (stay Interlaken) * Day 4: Zermatt (stay Zermatt) * Day 5: Skiing in Zermatt (stay Zermatt) * Day 6: Glacier Express (stay St Moritz) * Day 7: St. Moritz (stay St Moritz) * Day 8: Zurich(stay Zurich)

Hi Derick, you’re going to love Switzerland, glad you found this guide useful! That itinerary looks perfect and yes you can go skiing in Lauterbrunnen (ski slopes in Lauterbrunnen itself include Murren and Wengen, and then you have Grindelwald which is a nearby valley from Interlaken) and of course Zermatt has plenty of ski slopes. Xmas and NY is one of the busiest times so I recommend booking all accommodation in advance, you can refer to my guide on places to stay, and also get the Swiss Travel Pass as mentioned in this guide, and you’ll want to pre-book the Glacier Expresse in advance too. Hope this helps and enjoy 🙂

Thanks for the great advice!. As we have difficulty trying to secure hotels in Zematt and St Mortiz in Dec because we are a large group of 5, will it make a difference if we do a clockwise route starting Zematt first (3 nights), then Morteux (1 night) , then Interlaken (3 nights), ending with Lucerne last(2 nights) ? We arrive into Zurich Early morning and depart Depart Zurich 10.35am.

Hi Jonny Thanks for sharing your travel guide! I’m travelling in early June and have some similar itinerary as yours. If I were to take the glacier express from Zermatt, how best can I get to Zurich on the same day (evening) if I do not stay in Chur or St Moritz? As I was hoping not to miss landwasser viaduct while on the glacier express, the travelling route gets a little complicated . Would appreciate your kind advice . Thank you.

Hi Choo, thanks for reading, i hope it has helped plan your trip. Upon reaching Chur or St Moritz, you can catch a direct train to Zurich. Check the train schedules in advance on the SBB website to ensure there is a suitable connection for your evening arrival in Zurich.

Thank you so much for your helpful info about Switzerland. If we want to spend about 8 days in Switzerland but we don’t want to spend every night in a different hotel, which location would you suggest to use as a base? We’d prefer just 1-2 hotels. Would that be possible to see some part of Switzerland just out of 1-2 locations?

Hi Marina, in your case I would suggest staying in three different locations, firstly in Interlaken, then moving onto Zermatt, and finally St. Moritz and after that end your trip in Zurich.

Hello Jonny, Planning on doing your trip next June 23 with the 15 Swiss rail pass. As we are coming from Australia and will be away for 6 weeks our cases will be large and as we are 65 we don’t want to drag our cases from train station to motels. Do the motels do pick ups?

Hi Catherine, yes not a problem at all with the large cases. You can either contact your hotel directly before you arrive and request a pick up or from the train stations you’ll find taxi’s to take you to your hotel. Have a great trip!

Love this itinerary! I hope we have 8 days to spend in Switzerland but we only have 6 days. We’d love to hear your suggestion on how we can shorten your 8-day itinerary and still be able to see Matterhorn, scenic falls, paraglide ( 🙂 ) and ride the trains (such as Glacier Express and similar)?

Thank you so much and hope to hear from you!

Hi Lani, I’m glad to hear that you love the itinerary for Switzerland! Here’s a suggested plan for your 6-day visit:

Day 1: Arrival in Zurich and explore the city and its highlights… Day 2: Travel to Lucerne and spend the day exploring… Day 3: Interlaken and Paragliding – take an early train to Interlaken for paragliding in the morning and then explore Jungfraujoch and Grindelwald… Day 4: Lauterbrunnen Valley… Day 5: Zermatt and Matterhorn… Day 6: Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz.

I hope this helps and enjoy 🙂

Is ski / snowboarding possible in early August anywhere in Switzerland? Also, do you recommend not going to Geneva?

Hello Munira, unfortunately it’s not possible to ski in August anywhere in Switzerland as this time of year is still very much summer. I do recommend Geneva if time allows, it’s a very charming city with lots to enjoy, and the lake Geneva is right there of course. Enjoy your trip!

Absolutely love your itinerary. I found it very informative and I have planned our family trip around it. My husband and I are traveling with our 7 and 9 year old girls and are planning on making Lucerne home base. We are driving from Paris to Switzerland and then head to South of France hence found it easier to rent a car. Reading your response to your comments, it appeared you have also done a road trip previously. Any adjustments to your itinerary you will recommend knowing we will have access to a car? Is it still worthwhile to get a swiss pass also? Thank you

hi Kenny, thanks for the feedback, super happy to hear you found this Swiss itinerary useful. I responded to you in a seperate email, but yes, you can follow this same itinerary by car and you may also like to check out some other places like Grindelwald (near Lauterbrunnen), Bern, Davos, and on your way down to France definitely check out Valle Verzasca near lake Locarno on the Italian border.

For your case, the Swiss Half Fare Card would be the better option. Here is a blog post with more details about the swiss travel pass and other alternatives: https://www.jonnymelon.com/swiss-travel-pass/

I hope this helps and enjoy!

Thank you for replying to my recent message. I am using your itinerary and it has been working quite well. Decided to go with a 4-day Swiss pass rather than half fare Swiss pass since plan on just using the train (parking car in the hotel) a lot in those 4 days and honestly love the convenience of not buying a ticket.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience. Love it! With your post, i really safe a lot of time planning my trip to Switzerland at the end of July. As i am going in summer time, which places should i skip as i might not see the nice scenery cover by snow? Alp Grum? And which places i must go in summer time.

Appreciate your advice. Thank you!

Hi Elaine, I’m glad to hear that my Switzerland itinerary has been helpful for you in planning your trip to Switzerland. Alp Grum is a beautiful destination to visit during winter when it is covered in snow, but during summer, it’s equally picturesque with lush greenery and stunning views of the Bernina Range. There are several other places you can visit in Switzerland during summer that offer breathtaking views and experiences. Some must-visit places include Grindelwald, Interlaken, Lucerne, Rhine Falls, Geneva, and Zermatt. I hope this helps and enjoy!

Hi Jonny, This is such a detailed and easy to read itinerary, thank you. We are considering this trip for Early July.

I’m having trouble finding out whether the GoldenPass Belle Epoque trip from Interlakken to Montreux is included with the Swiss Travel Pass- Can you confirm? If it;s not included do you know how much it costs pp?

Also, what are the main differences between 1st and 2nd Class travel within the Swiss Travel Pass scheme? It would be an additional £500 to travel 1st class so is it good value in your opinion?

Hi Fran, regarding the Golden Pass Belle Epoque trip from Interlaken to Montreux, it is not included in the Swiss Travel Pass. However, you can still receive a discount on the ticket with the Swiss Travel Pass. The cost of the ticket varies depending on the time of year and the class of travel. It’s best to check the current prices and availability with the railway company.

As for the differences between first and second-class travel within the Swiss Travel Pass scheme, first-class generally offers more spacious seats, more legroom, and larger luggage space. Some trains also offer amenities such as complimentary drinks and snacks. It’s worth upgrading if you value the extra space and amenities!

Hi Jonny, thank you so much for your perfect 8 days itinerary. I has been reading several itineraries so far you are the best! Btw, just curious is all boat, ferry and train operate during winter? As I plan to visit Switzerland in Dec. Looking forward to your favourite response.

Hey Jimmy, thanks for your positive feedback and I am super happy to hear you found my swiss itinerary to be the best. From what I know, yes, boats, ferries, and trains operate year-round in all seasons. There may however be reduced services during weekdays and some transport options may not operate in bad weather conditions. I hope this helps and enjoy your trip 🙂

Thank you so much for this DETAILED itinerary. This is super helpful. My son and I are planning a seven night trip in May. We have a night in Zurich, then a night in Lucerne, and three nights in Lauterbrunnen. Where would you recommend we go for our final two nights from there? We do not have a vehicle and fly out of Zurich on day 8.

Hi Kristen, sounds like a great plan! I suggest checking out Bern after Lauterbrunnen, it’s relatively close, and Bern back to Zurich is an easy route! Hope this helps and have a great trip!

Thank you for your sharing. Lov it!

With swiss pass, possible a day tour ftom zurich to reinfall to stein am rain to konstanz? Appreciate your advise.

I will be staying in Soloturn. Can you suggest any day tour to nearby city aside Lucerne? Appreciate your advise.

Many thanks !

Hello, thanks for your positive feedback, glad you love this Switzerland itinerary by train. Yes you can use the swiss pass for that route. And I can suggest visiting Bern from Solothurn as an alternative to Lucerne. Hope this helps and have a great trip!

Since we are moving hotel from one city to another city almost daily, which would you advise changing hotel at the eve in new city or check out from hotel early morning before embarking to new city? Read that most activities or adventure should start early morning?

Appreciate your advise. Many thanks.

Hello, I suggest checking out of the hotel in the morning after breakfast. If your activity starts early, you can leave your luggage with the hotel reception, and pick it up before you depart onward to the next city. Hope this helps 🙂

Thanks so much JonnyMelon for this wonderful article!! I’m going to use this as a framework for upcoming travel to Switzerland!!

Hi Karen, you are most welcome, have a great trip!!

Hi Jonny – My husband daughter (adult) and myself are planning to the exact itinerary you did – Thank you for sharing

We would like to only move to 3 hotels – we are ok doing a bit more train travel

What are the 3 places we should stay ?

Your help is much appreciated Thank you once again

You’re most welcome, thanks for reading and enjoying this guide to Switzerland. I would say Interlaken, Zermatt, and Lucurne would be the 3 main places. Have a great trip 🙂

If you travel by rail what do you do with your luggage during the day. Do u check into hotel once u arrive then do the touring

Hi Lynn, yes exactly. Hotels will let you store your luggage if you arrive too early to check in and you can go explore for the day. Alternatively, you can find large and small storage lockers and most stations.

Hi Jonny, we are planing a trip this Feb around 10th for 10 days – will follow your suggested iterinary, wanted to know how much travel time is required between each day. And do we move or need a hotel to be booked at each place or can we stay in one place and take trains around?

Hi Neil, the distance between each location is around 2 hours give or take, some less. I would suggest making a hotel reservation in each place as you don’t want to be backtracking to one hotel. Hope this helps and enjoy you’re Swiss itinerary!

Hi Jonny I plan to travel in April where can I board the Glacier Express train from Zermatt

Hi Pauline, it departs from the main train station in Zermatt. Have a great trip to Switzerland!

Hello Jonny. I am planning a trip to switzerland in early july- 2 adults and a 12 year old. We will be there for 9 nights. Our general plan is to use public transport: zurich to luzern,luzern to wengen(in this area for 4 nights), wengen to zermatt, zermatt to montreux, and then montreux to zurich. Is the swiss rail pass worth it? I guess it comes out to $845 USD for the three of us. Its hard to tally the individual train prices as its too far ahead. I would love your input! Thanks!

Hey Claudette, that sounds like an awesome trip! The Swiss Travel Pass is absolutely worth it for the number of trains you’ll be taking on your route and it also gives you access to museums and other perks. Individual tickets will add up to more than the Swiss Travel Pass. Hope this helps and have a great trip!

Hi, I would love to know how do you get to Interlaken from Luzern? And from which station? Do we have to make a seat reservation like glacier express or should we just hop on to the Golden pass line and just sit wherever we want? Thank you, hope to hear from you soon.

Hello, I would recommend taking the Luzern–Interlaken Express from Luzern station to Interlaken Ost station. No seat reservation is required and you can use the swiss travel pass. Hope this helps and enjoy traveling in Switzerland!

We’re following this itinerary for our 8 day trip- in November ! thank you. however, we just realised the Glacier Express isn’t working until Dec 10.

Awesome, you’re going to have the best time following this Switzerland itinerary. Oh is that right, I was unaware of this, however, I believe there are other trains that you can travel on. Visit the SBB website to check available routes and timetables.

This is probably the best itinerary for the Swiss which I have come across.

We are a couple planning for a 8N/9D day trip in the 3rd week of Sept, we are going with the swiss travel pass for 8 days. Can you pls suggest 3/4 places to stay, asumming 2-3 nights per places which will be ideal to stay and travel acorss pls.

Warm Regards, Manish

Hey Manish, you are welcome!! Did you see the recommended hotels above which I have listed in the article, these are the places I recommend to stay on this Swiss itinerary! Enjoy 🙂

Hi Jonny, I just came back from Zurich yesterday and it was only a 3 days trip. I am planning to go back next year to explore all the remaining items that you have got on your guide. 🙂 May I check which month did you go as there are snow and sun and everything inbetween, not sure if I have to pack winter wear as well, however I live in Dublin so its always raining here and i always have a jacket on.

Hi Kala, sounds awesome!! I’ve been to Switzerland in all seasons and I always have some clothing to be prepared for the unexpected cold, rain, and snow. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip to Switzerland.

Thank you for this detailed itinerary. Just perfect for a 1st visit . Just wanted an indication of how much is the additional cost to reserve a seat on the 2 train rides ie Glacier and Bernina express . Thank you

Hello, you’re very welcome. For the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, you can find prices and timetables on their respective websites. Enjoy!

Jonny, my wife and I will be visiting CH on a break-trip from India to the US. We will have 4 large and 2 small suitcases though! How do we manage with that? Any idea??

Hey Jay, there should be luggage storage facilities at the airport and even at some train stations. Enjoy 🙂

Did you ever try going from Zermatt to St Mortiz using the normal train? Since I already have the Swiss Travel Pass, do not want to spend money on The Glacier Express. Also, for all normal trains, do I need to reserve seats, or I can sit any empty seats? Any experience a train is full and there is no seats? Standing allowed?

Hi Christopher, Yes there are normal trains available. You can search for all the info and timetables on the SBB website. Have a great trip!

On day 2 what time would leave Lucerne? Did you take you luggage around Lauterbrunnen?

Hello, I left around 9-10 am. Yes, I took one suitcase and one backpack around with me. Hope this helps and enjoy 🙂

Hello! I’m planning a solo trip in September 2022 for my 60th birthday (husband and son might catch up with me later). As I read this itinerary, I’m not sure if you should stay in a different city each day, or there is a city where you base off the trips for several days. Can you elaborate on that? Ideally, I’d like to move twice, perhaps three times during the 8 days for maximum enjoyment. Thank you for the wonderful itinerary. Oh, also, are the youth Hostel’s only recommended for youngsters?

Hey there! This is quite a fast-paced itinerary for those that have a time constraint of around one week. I haven’t done any other route other than this one that I have written about so I can’t personally elaborate, unfortunately. Youth hostels in Switzerland are great for all ages. Have a nice trip to Switzerland 🙂

Hi Jonny, Really loved your itinerary. Should I follow this since I would be visiting in month of July? Is it worth visiting Zermatt ?

Thanks in advance

Hi Neeti, glad you enjoyed this itinerary, you’re going to love Switzerland! Yes, this would be a great itinerary in July, and 100% worth visiting Zermatt, the Matterhorn is so iconic and there are some half-day and full-day hikes you can do in the summer. Enjoy!

What do you recommend for luggage? Since this a daily move from city to city, will you advise a backpack rather than a normal carry-on luggage. Me and my wife, both in early 50’s , plan to follow your itinerary. We plan to be mobile but unsure if backpacks will work for us.

Hi Gerry, I had one backpack and one suitcase and managed with this. A backpack would make it easier, but you shouldn’t have any issues with roller luggage. Enjoy 🙂

Hi Jonny! For Day 2, is it possible to cover #1 to #5 all in a day? We are family with elderly, ok with short and easy walk. Thank you!

Hello, yes indeed, you could cover spots 1 to 5 easily in one day. You can drive through the valley if you have a car and each of these locations is very easy to reach with minimal walking. Enjoy 🙂

Hai Jonny, Your itinerary help a lot… I just want to know the train belle epoque so I can took the train from Zermatt to Montreux? How to buy the ticket for belle epoque? I see in the website only destination info but we can’t choose the train

Hi Rina, for memory, you can ride the belle epoque on a standard train ticket. Search on the SBB website for the journey you wish to take and it will show you the name of the train and this is where you should be able to see belle epoque. I hope this helps and enjoy the ride 🙂

Hi JONNYMELON.this is indeed an excellent blog regarding 8 days swiss travel itinerary.very compact,lucid ,filled with almost all the important informations which everyone ask from the google.am really excited.planning to visit next august last week,2020.

Hello, that’s great to hear you enjoyed this article. Enjoy Switzerland!

I am assuming you did the 1st class travel passes?

Hello, Yes I was traveling 1st Class.

Love your blog. am looking at staying in Switzerland for 4 days . Stay at Interlaken and travel to Lauterbreunen and jungfraugh and Thun . then to zurich and do a 1 day tour in zurich. should i still get the 8 day pass? what are other alternatives? Are individual train ride tickets a better option?

Hey, sounds like a great trip! Yes I would recommend the 8 day pass because it still works out cheaper than individual rides. Enjoy!

hello. this is a very good itinerary and posting. i’m wondering if you could offer some advice. could this itinerary be applied in January or beginning of February trip? I’m not a winter sports fan but would love to hike if possible and go up to the alps.

thanks in advance!!

Hmm I am not sure if you would be able to go hiking in the middle of winter, best to go around March – April when the snow has melted some.

Hi Jonny! I am grateful for the itinerary as it helped a lot with my planning. Do you think Bern would be worth visiting too and any idea on the weather there in late April? Once again, Great help and may you have a blessed year!!

You are welcome! Yes Bern would be great, I didn’t make it there unfortunately but will have to go back and do it next time! End of April weather would be perfect!

Hi Johny, We are planning to travel next year April. If we follow your itinerary, do you advise buying a half fare pass instead?

I read some other blogger recommended half fare pass

Hi Syleen, there are pros and cons to each but I found the Swiss Travel Pass to be the perfect one to get for this exact itinerary. If you’d like more detailed info I recommend a quick google search on half fare card vs swiss travel pass and hopefully this will help you make a decision! Have a great time on your Swiss itinerary 🙂

Hi Jonny!! Thanks for the help on the Itinerary!! this is a huge help for me but I was wondering if Bern is worth the visit?? I am currently planning 9 days for Switzerland in April. TOP NOTCH itinerary!! God Bless!

Yes if you have extra days I would definitely include Bern on this itinerary. I haven’t been myself but it looks amazing! Enjoy!

Hi! Enjoying reading your blog on Switzerland. I am going next month with a group of friends to celebrate my 40th. We are going to Montreux, Zermatt, Launterbrunnen, Lucern, and Zurich. I can’t wait. Two questions if you have time. 1. Where was the picture “The beautiful town of Zermatt – Switzerland Itinerary” in the Zermatt section taken of the village. I would like to see the rooftops like that!

2. Did you do any sledding/Tobogganing during your trip in the winter? If so, any recs? We aren’t big into skiing but love the outdoors!

Hi Jamie, thanks for reading and glad you found the guide useful! Ahh I really can’t remember the exact location of this photo but if you search Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint on Google Maps, that’s another popular spot to take photos. I didn’t do any tobogganing in Zermatt but I did see some others doing it so it is possible! Hope this helps and enjoy!

Hello, Great article! Do you recommend a travel agent that would put this trip together, exactly how you described, for a small group? Thank you!

Hi Richard, glad you loved this article. I don’t know any travel agents in Switzerland I am afraid. This trip I went on was all DIY so this guide is based around that. I hope this guide is enough for you to make it work 🙂

I want to do Gelmerbahn Funicular, where is the closest place to insert it from this itinerary?

Perhaps between Lucerne and Interlaken you could squeeze it in. 🙂

This was super amazing guide I have ever read on the internet. I am planning to go Switzerland between 27 Feb to 2 March 2020. The trip will like 2 days in Zurich and 2 days in Lauterbrunnen. I was planning to rent a car but it would be better to have Swiss pass for all train and other activities right?

One question in my mind is; how much cold the weather at the end of Feb? Do you think we might able to explore places in that time.

It would be great if you can share your comments.

Keep up with good working!

Regards, Mesut from Turkey 🙂

Hi Mesut, I sent you a private email on this with more information 🙂

i was planning for a family trip there, and luckily found this amazing informational guide… thanks a lot as this guide will help me for my family travel trip… briefly explained travel guide…!!

Glad you found this guide useful and enjoy Switzerland!

Hi, I loved ur article, I’m staying in Lucerne on 26/27/28 December, but not yet decided where stay on 24/25 December with family . Kindly suggest best city at my train reaches at 3pm on 24th to BASEL from Paris.

Hi, if your train arrives in Basel I would stay there and check out the city. It’s also a very nice place! Enjoy 🙂

I am planning a trip in late October (28th) till 4 Nov. This was really helpful! Just wondering if you actually changed accommodation everyday. Or did you have a base city? I tried to follow your itinerary but found it really mind boggling to plan for daily check-in and check-out, though it may save some travelling time.

Glad you loved this article! I changed accommodations every day. You can definitely extend your stay in some of the places if you wish. Hope this helps and enjoy 🙂

Thank you for wonderful post. This is really helpful to give us an idea when we planned for our trip few months ago. We decided to stay a couple days more and now we’re at the end of our trip. Our plan worked out really well cause of your posting. Thanks!!

That’s awesome! I am glad this article helped you on your trip!

Excellent blog!! I’m here for work but I am planning to use the weekends to know CH! This was very helpful! Tomorrow I first expedition is to Luzern. From Wettingan to Luzern. I will do the three suggested things to do! I will let you know 🙂

Thanks for reading and glad you have found it useful! I hope you enjoy Luzern as much as I did!

Thanks for the wonderful post. Silly question though, would you recommend driving or getting around by train?

And also, would you recommend to pick a base area to visit and travel the Jungfrau region. For example. If i were to stay in Interlaken, could i make daily trips to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald etc and back to Interlaken back at night? Or should i pick my stay at the specific places i wanna go.

Please ignore the duplicate comment. My sincere apologies!

Glad you love the article! Not a silly Q at all, in fact, I have road-tripped Switzerland and also done it by train, both offering a completely different experience! The train is scenic though limiting to where you can stop, whereas if you have your own car you can stop whenever you see an amazing viewpoint. So I can’t give you a solid answer on that one sorry. Yes, I would base in Interlaken and make the day trips to Lauterbrunnen from there, it’s only 20-minutes by car or train. I hope this helps and enjoy 🙂

JONNY Great Blog. Your Trip covers 80% of places which we finalized before seeing your blog and we are now sure-we made right list. We are going in End october and are sad to learn that Glacier express does not run that time. Will normal trains cover same route or would be better to avoid St. Moritz if none of activities mentioned by you-are planned by us.

That’s great to hear, you’re going to love Switzerland! I am sure there are other normal trains that operate to St. Moritz, best to check on the sbb.ch website to see what’s available. Definitely try to make it to St. Moritz, it’s one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland!

Hi Jonny, nice post you got there. Also planning to visit Switzerland one time. May I know what month you guys went? Seems like the perfect time to go since you get a mix of winter and still get to see some greens. Also, how much did you spend all in all for the trip, minus airfare and the Swiss Pass?

Hi Karen, you’re going to love Switzerland. I was there in March this year and also in July about 2 years ago. If you want to see snow and green on the same trip I recommend going in April/May. Not sure how much I spent, I didn’t keep track of that sorry. Hope this helps and enjoy!

Amazing itinerary and pictures, this really helped me a lot for my next adventure. What camera did you use for this travel? or camera you use for most of your travel?

Hi, thanks for reading and glad you found this itinerary useful. You can see a list of my camera gear on my website: https://www.jonnymelon.com/camera-gear/

Thanks for the post! Your detailed itinerary was very helpful. I’m planning to travel to Switzerland in Sept. I was wondering if you felt rushed traveling from place to place every day. I’m hoping to have time to fit in a couple of 2-3 hr hikes in Interlaken and Zermatt.

It was a little rushed but I wanted to see as much as I possibly could. It was the right amount of time to do the things that I did but if you want to throw in a hike you may need an extra day. Hope this helps and Enjoy! 🙂

Hi Thanks a lot for this detailed blog…it’s really very informative. I am planning to visit switerzerland in September and i am going to follow your itinary….as it looks just how i would like to travel. I have a little question about baggage allowance in trains ..is there any limit for baggage. And also about Bernia Express…is it included in swiss pass

Hello, thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed this article. There is no maximum baggage allowance on all trains so feel free to take as much luggage as you like. And yes, the Swiss Pass includes the Bernina Express! Enjoy 🙂

Hye.. I wanna use 8 days STP like what u did for my trip in September.. But I just wanna ask, how did u use Swiss Travel Pass for domestic trains? Did u just go to the station and showed them the pass or how? For example if I wanna go from Laguno to Grindelwald via train…

Hello, You can use the Swiss Travel Pass on all domestic trains. No reservations needed, just board the train and the ticket inspector will ask to see your ticket on the train. For more information click on the ‘swiss travel pass’ links in this article and visit the website. Hope this helps1 🙂

Hi Jonny Thanx for sharing this wonderful experience. We are planning to go in end of september and have plans to pick up a swiss pass. Can you let me know any journeys that swiss pass wont cover.

Hell, you’re going to love it! I am not 100% sure whats covered and whats not covered outside of the exact itinerary in my article. Best bet is to click on the ‘swiss travel pass’ link in this article and all information can be found on their website. Hope this helps and enjoy Switzerland!

Hi, Thanks for this amazing blog. It was very helpul. I’m planning to visit end of this month.I have the swiss pass, can you tell me please which rides weren’t included in the swiss pass and you need to pay. Like the cog wheel train, gandola to piz gloria. glacier paradise gandola,yellow train, bernina express.Also do you need to book seats in advance or you can get the tickets when you arrive there? Many thanks

Hi Buddy, I have sent you an email with more info 🙂

Hi Jonny, Will you be able to share the same with me please.

Great post! Planing eight day family vacation with 7 year old daughter for August 2019. Do you think your itinerary would be too much for an active 7 year old? If so, what would you take out and where would you spend more “down time”. We enjoy all things outdoors (biking, hiking, etc.) so any opportunities to enjoy those activities would be great. Thanks again for sharing your post!

Hi Mark, glad you like this article and found it useful. This itinerary is perfect for all ages and if you are interested in hiking and some more downtime, Lauterbrunnen is the place to do that. I hope this helps and enjoy your trip! 🙂

This is so awesome. I’m visiting Switzerland in October and it’ll be my first time traveling alone so I was a little confused about how to get around but this really helped. Thank you!

Great! You are most welcome. Enjoy your Switzerland vacation! 🙂

Great review!! but i am a little confused about the start and end point of the trip. I am planning to go in September. Your guide is to start off in Geneva but you mentioned flying into Zurich first. If so when i arrive, i will need to make a trip across the country first? since i would be leaving from Zurich as well.

Hi thanks for reading. I started the train journey in Zurich and ended in Zurich. I never went to Geneva… I hope this helps 🙂

Enjoyed ur 8 days guide in Switzerland. Planning to go for abt 10 days end of Aug 19. This guide will be really helpful. We are coming from Asia/ Singapore. May I check if there are enough space for big luggage in all the trains? We loved the nature and hiking. Which location do you think best for us to stay a day or two longer for that? Zermatt ? Thanks in advance!

Hi and thanks for reading! Yes there is plenty of space on the trains for luggage! And I would recommend spending two days for hiking and exploring in Lauterbrunnen Valley! Enjoy!

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The Ideal 7-Day Itinerary for Switzerland (With Alternatives)

One week in Switzerland – so many things to see, so little time. If it’s your first trip to Switzerland you’ll want to start with the best and most famous places – Zurich, Lucerne, Top of Europe, Zermatt, etc. This detailed itinerary will help you plan every little detail of that journey, from buying plane tickets to looking for souvenirs. 

What to do and see, where to stay, and how much you should plan to spend in each of the locations are all included in this itinerary. I’ve also covered the overall cost of the journey, the best travel passes for Switzerland, and more.

Keep in mind this is just a rough guide. Switzerland is a bigger country than you might think and you can explore it any way you like. But if you’re not sure where to begin, this 7-day Switzerland itinerary is a great start!

Table of Contents

Arrival in Zurich

The best place airport to fly to is Zurich Airport. It is the largest and busiest airport in Switzerland so is ideal for international visitors like you. You’ll find the most flight connections to Zurich, and tickets will probably be more affordable than to Switzerland’s smaller airports. 

Getting from the airport in Zurich to the city center is as simple as boarding a local train. Here are the details:

• run every 5-10 minute
• journey time is 10-15 minutes
• full-price tickets are around 7 CHF

It’s also possible to take a taxi from the airport to town. The ride can cost anywhere from 30-45 CHF, and it can sometimes take longer than the train because of traffic.

Day 1: Zurich

• Zurich Airport to Zurich HB Train: 10-15 minutes 
• Accommodation: 50-100 CHF (budget), 150-300 CHF (mid-range), 400-1000+ CHF (luxury)
• Average Restaurant Meal: 25 CHF
• Zurich 24-Hour City Card: 24 CHF

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the best place to start your trip. It has a lot to offer new visitors, so I recommend booking a guided walking tour if you’re unsure where to begin with your exploration of Zurich . 

Most walking tours of Zurich cover the city’s most famous landmarks and attractions, including

• Bahnhofstrasse
• Fraumunster
• Grossmunster
• St. Peter’s Church
• The Opera House

I would – highly recommend finding a condensed tour of the city’s most famous sights so you have plenty of time to discover some other hidden gems. 

One such lesser-known gem in Zurich is the Chinese Garden. I recently recommended it to a friend who was staying in Zurich for the first time, and she was stunned. While you’re there, you can also see the Pavillon Le Corbusier, which is just a 5-minute stroll away. 

If you’d like to visit a museum in Zurich, you should pick just one if you’re in the city for only a day. My top picks are

• The Swiss National Museum
• Kunsthaus Zürich
• The Zoological Museum of Zurich

On the other hand, if you want to see something entirely different, consider one of the following museums: 

• WOW Museum – museum of illusions with lots of opportunities for weird photographs
• FIFA Museum – a must for any football lovers in Zurich 
• Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich – a fascinating exhibit on the history of clocks and watches
• focusTerra – a science museum with an earthquake simulator and exhibits on geology

I could go on and on about Zurich museums, but these are the best for first-time visitors. 

Zurich is the most expensive city in Switzerland, so hotels aren’t cheap. Even hostels with shared bathrooms are 70-80 CHF, and you’ll spend at least 150-300 CHF for a night at a mid-range hotel. It’s best to stay near the train station because the inner city area will be a short walk away, plus you won’t have to travel far with your luggage when you arrive in Zurich. 

Luxury hotels are abundant in Zurich and the best one, in my humble opinion, is the Dolder Grand Hotel, with fabulous views of the city’s rooftops.  

Lucerne is cheaper, so if you want to save money, head to Lucerne once you’re done discovering the sights of Zurich. 

Day 2: Lucerne

• Zurich to Lucerne: 40-50 minutes
• Accommodation: 40-100 CHF (budget), 150-250 CHF (mid-range), 300+ CHF (luxury)
• Average Restuarant Meal: 25-30 CHF

For me, Lucerne is the most picturesque city in Switzerland. It’s known for its medieval architecture that dominates this small city and impressive natural surroundings. That’s why I’ve allocated two days for Lucerne –

• One for exploring the top sights in the city
• The second one is for a day trip to one of the majestic nearby mountains 

If you stay at a hotel near the train station in Lucerne (which there are loads of) you can leave the luggage at the hotel and be ready to explore the city in 10-20 minutes. Also, you won’t have to waste time traveling to the main station for day trips or heading to the next destination in Switzerland. 

Kick off your stay in Lucerne with a walking tour of the city. Book a guided tour if you want, or do a self-guided tour if you’re trying to save money. Lucerne is significantly smaller than Zurich and it will be easier to see all the top sights on your own. 

Walk to the Old Town – it’s only about 10 minutes from the train station, and you can cross the iconic Chapel Bridge . It’s the city’s most famous landmark, known for its unique artwork inside its roof. The old town of Lucerne is full of medieval buildings, and the best way to explore it is just to roam around and get lost in it. 

Then head all the way north to the Panorama Terrace, where you can experience a fabulous view of Lucerne’s rooftops. The Musegg wall with its nine towers is also close to this area, so be sure to spend some time there. You can climb the stairs to the top of the city walls to enjoy an even more impressive view of Lucerne. 

Next, make sure to visit the Lion Monument. It’s an iconic Lucerne landmark and a special place for many locals. This part of the city is also home to the Glacier Garden of Lucerne (a museum with exhibits on ice age glaciers) and Bourbaki Panorama Lucerne. The latter is a museum with a cylindrical painting of the Franco-Prussian War and an attraction you should try to incorporate into your Lucerne itinerary, as it only takes about 30 minutes to tour the entire museum. 

Other popular landmarks in the city are

• the Jesuit Church (on the southern bank of the Reuss River)
• the 19th-century Needle Dam
• the Franciscan Church known for its Gothic style, paintings, and large pipe organ.

You can see all of them during a walk through the city. 

Museums In Lucerne

As for the best museums in Lucerne, you’ve got quite a few options. My favorite is the Sammlung Rosengart because its collection heavily focuses on the works by Picasso and has some fascinating pieces. Gameorama Spielmuseum is another unique museum in the city and it’s quite nostalgic. It’s a museum about games where you can play old arcades and even play board games at the museum cafe. 

Other popular museums in Lucerne are: 

• Natur-Museum Luzern — natural history museum known for its collection of gold wasps
• Kunstmuseum Luzern — a vast art museum
• Diorama of the Alps — a museum with models and landscape paintings of the Alps
• Historisches Museum Luzern — a museum with an exhibit on the local history of Lucerne
• Swiss Museum of Transport — a fascinating technology museum with trains, cars, airplanes, and more

Hotels In Lucerne

Hostels and budget hotels in Lucerne start at 40 CHF for a single bed in a dormitory but are around 100 CHF for a night in a double room. Some 200 CHF can get you a night at a mid-range hotel, but you’ll need at least 300 CHF for a night in one of the city’s upscale hotels. 

Day 3: A Day Trip From Lucerne

Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus are excellent destinations for a day trip from Lucerne. Each has its own unique attractions, so let’s start with a quick comparison of the two to help you decide where to go on your day trip from Lucerne: 

Option 1: Mount Pilatus

Mount Pilatus is excellent for a round trip because you can ride on all the different types of public transport. Regional trains, boats, cogwheel railways, and cable cars are all part of the journey from Lucerne to Pilatus and back, but only if you travel between June and October.

Note; Boats don’t run between Lucerne and Alpnachstad the rest of the year, so you can only travel by train. The upside is that the journey will be shorter – 40-50 minutes total. 

The mountain is a great destination for adventure seekers thanks to a variety of fun and exciting things to do. You can ride the longest summer toboggan in Switzerland (Fräkigaudi toboggan), visit the stunning observation decks at the summit, explore the numerous hiking trails, have fun at the adventure park, and even see where a dragon used to live (according to local legends.) 

Enjoying a fondue during a gondola ride to the summit is possible! So, let’s see if Mount Rigi can beat the pot of melted cheese with a side of spectacular views. 

Option 2: Mount Rigi

Mount Rigi is situated on the northern shore of Lake Lucerne, overlooking the water, nearby towns, and other summits in the Bernese Alps. It’s accessible by boat and cogwheel train from Lucerne, and the entire journey is wonderfully scenic. The summit features hiking trails, a cheese dairy, observation decks, picnic areas, and playgrounds for children. There’s also a luxurious spa center at Rigi Kaltbad, perfect for anyone who wants to spend some time relaxing in thermal baths, with a view of the Alps. 

Rigi is a better destination if you’re primarily interested in hiking or skiing in the winter. But if you want a wider variety of things to do on the mountain, Pilatus is the better choice. 

Also, Pilatus is steeper and more rocky (so more like a “mountain”) if that makes any difference to you!

Lucerne City Guest Card

You should get the Lucerne City guest card for free if you stay at any accommodation in the city registered with the Lucerne Tourist Board. The card entitles you to 10-20% discounts on museum tickets, boat cruises, and train tickets to the nearby mountains. You can also get discounts at certain restaurants and free access to the public transport network in the city of Lucerne. 

Day 4: Interlaken 

• Lucerne to Interlaken: 1 hour 50 mintues
• Accommodation: 80-150 CHF
• Average Restuarant Meal: 20-30 CHF

The train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken is impressively scenic, offering views of surreal blue lakes and countless summits in the Alps that tower over them. It’s just under two hours, but it will feel much shorter because of the jaw-dropping landscapes that make the time fly. 

Interlaken is named after its geographical location. The name of the town means “between lakes” which refers to its position between lakes Thun and Brienz. It’s one of the best destinations in Switzerland for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts because there’s a huge range of things in the nearby Jungfrau region!

Grindelwald, Wengen, and Lauterbrunnen are close to Interlaken and can be visited on day trips. The same goes for Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Schynigge Platte, and Grindelwald First, – all impressive summits with many activities to keep you occupied. 

But before you can go on day trips from Interlaken, you should at least explore the town a bit. Walking tours of Interlaken ’s top sights usually take 1-3 hours, with the longer ones including a trip to Unterseen, which is the cute old town portion of Interlaken. Some will even include a ride to Harder Kulm, Interlaken’s local mountain, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the town. 

Harder Kulm is also a great destination for hiking. It’s famous for its ridge hike, one of Switzerland’s most deadly ridge trails. But more importantly, it gets you high enough to see epic views of the Bernese Oberland mountains – Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch.

Adventure Sports

On top of that, Interlaken is known for countless adventure sports. I can’t think of any other place in Switzerland with so many different companies operating such a wide range of adventure sports, including:

• paragliding
• parasailing
• helicopter skydiving

And many more of course! 

Go on a scenic flight over the lakes, and then jump out of a helicopter from a height of more than 4,000 meters – how does that sound? Or, maybe do what most visitors do in Interlaken, and paraglide back into town from the nearby hills. Then run off on your next adventure!

If it sounds like something you would enjoy, Interlaken is doubtless a top Swiss destination for you. 

Then there are also all the towns on the shores of lakes Thun and Brienz. Thun, Iseltwald , Brienz, and Spiez all have their own attractions and landmarks and are great alternatives to a standard Interlaken itinerary.  I just did a walk from Thun to the nearby suspension bridge via a stunning panorama walk just a few months ago!

Accommodation

In terms of places to stay, Interlaken has some of the most affordable accommodations in Switzerland. Hostel beds start at 40 CHF per person, and mid-range hotels are around 120-180 CHF for two people. There are plenty of luxury hotels in town as well, with prices of 300-600+ CHF per night. 

Day 5: Jungfraujoch

• Interlaken to Jungfraujoch: Approximately 90 minutes 
• Seasonal Availability: Open year-round
• Tickets: 187.8 CHF without discounts, 10 CHF seat reservation (not obligatory)

Jungfraujoch is a mountain saddle in the Bernese Alps and a truly special place you should absolutely visit if you have the time. It’s home to the highest train station and post office in Europe, both situated within a visitor’s complex known as Top of Europe. 

Traveling to the Top of Europe from Interlaken is straightforward and you can read all about it in our detailed guide to Jungfraujoch . You will need most of the day for this excursion and it’s best to head to the train station early in the morning because the last train from Jungfraujoch is at around 4:45 PM in the winter or 5:45 PM in the summer. My pro tip is to bring postcards, so you can mail them from Europe’s highest post office. 

Plan to spend 4-5 hours at Top of Europe (aka Jungfraujoch) to see everything at the top.

• Walk through the Alpine Corridor,
• Visit the Ice Palace
• Head up to the Sphinx Observation Deck
• Hike to Monschjochhutte if the weather allows it.

You can even ride a zipline or ski at the summit, although these experiences will cost you extra (20-25 CHF per experience). 

There are 3-4 different restaurants at Jungfraujoch, but you’ll want to bring your own snacks if your budget for Switzerland is tight. There’s also a Lindt Chocolate Shop where you can buy sweets and even see a master chocolatier creating desserts, and it’s the highest Lindt shop in the world! 

If you take the last train home from Jungfruajoch, you should arrive in Interlaken before 7:30 PM (or 6:30 PM in the winter). You’ll likely be back in town even earlier, especially if you catch one of the early-morning trains to Top of Europe, so you’ll have plenty of time to continue exploring Interlaken. 

Use the time to do some of the things that you didn’t manage to do on day 4 – maybe it’s a quick trip to Harder Kulm or a tour of the Interlaken Castle. You can even go to Weissenau Nature Reserve to see the ancient ruins and chill long the river or near the lake. 

Day 6: Zermatt

• Interlaken to Zermatt: 2 hours 12 minutes
• Accommodation Cost: 60-150 CHF (budget), 250-300 CHF (mid-range),  800-1200 CHF (luxury)
• Average Meal At Restuarant: 30 CHF

Head to the train station in Interlaken and board a one-way train to Zermatt. The journey to the car-free village is amazing, and you get to see some stunning Swiss landscapes while on the train. You’ll pass through the long Lötschberg Tunnel, then climb up the Mattertal Valley for sprawling views of villages, all the while being surrounded by summits higher than 4000 meters. 

Zermatt is a car-free resort so there are loads of pedestrian walking paths throughout the town. 

Regarding things to do in Zermatt , I’m honestly unsure where to begin. The Matterhorn Museum is a good place for a crash course on local history, including tales of many Alpinists who have completed the ascent on the pyramid-shaped peak. On the other hand, the museum is situated right next to the Mountaineer’s Cemetery, where many of those who failed at the attempt and faced fatal consequences are buried. 

Then there are all the hiking trails most easily accessible in the summer. Some trails start at the downtown area of the resort, and you can begin hiking as soon as you get off the train. But leave your luggage at the hotel first since most trails from Zermatt include a lot of uphill walking. 

The Five Lakes Trail is one of the most famous hikes near Zermatt. It takes about two and a half hours and is moderately challenging but stunning in views and landscapes. The trailhead is at the Blauherd funicular station, and the trail is almost a loop to Sunegga, the bottom station of the same funicular. The trail’s highlights are the five lakes you pass during the hike, which are

In that order. 

The Gorner Gorge is another beautiful natural landmark just outside the town. It is around 20-30 minutes walk from the edge of the village. The stunning ravine is accessible from May to October and visitors can explore it by following a wooden walkway for an entrance fee of just 5 CHF. You can complete this entire excursion in about an hour, an hour and a half, so don’t miss out! If you’re not in the mood for the walk to the gorge, just grab an electric taxi from the village. 

Believe me, I’ve only scratched the surface of fun things in Zermatt. You could also cross the Furi suspension bridge (accessible by the Furi gondola), visit the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (near the border with Italy), hike to the tiny chapel at Schwarzsee, and more. 

Moving on to the accommodation options in Zermatt – hostels and campsites are the cheapest, at least 60 CHF per person. Mid-range hotels are around 200-300 CHF, although on the lower end are 2-star hotels with the bare necessities. Zermatt has a huge selection of luxury hotels, the best of which are at least 500 CHF per night. 

I recommend something a little wild – don’t book a hotel in Zermatt. Instead, catch the last train to Gornergrat or Rotenboden and set up camp on the shore of Riffelsee Lake for an epic conclusion of your week in Switzerland. 

Day 7: More time in Zermatt, Return to Zurich

• Zermatt To Zurich: 3 hours 30 minutes

Make the most of your last day in Switzerland by exploring the attractions you didn’t get to see previously, either in Zermatt or Zurich. I’m operating under the assumption that you’re flying out of Zurich Airport; you can either spend most of your day in Zermatt and then take the train to Zurich, or head to the bigger city early in the morning and spend the rest of your day roaming around the city streets. 

The train ride from Zermatt to Zurich takes about three and a half hours, and an extra 10-15 minutes to get from the city center to the airport. I advise booking late-night plane tickets so you can make the most of your day while still managing the almost four-hour train ride. 

But let’s go back a few paragraphs – I advised you to spend your last in Switzerland sleeping in a tent near Riffelsee. Why? Because it’s the only reasonable way of witnessing the sunrise over the Matterhorn and getting an epic shot of the mountain’s golden peak reflected in the lake. Yes, I’ve included the shot at the start of this section. 

The trains don’t start running before 7 AM, well past sunrise, so camping is the only way. Then you’re just half an hour away from the train station in Zermatt, and you can be on your way to Zurich in no time! Just keep in mind that nights in the mountains are very cold even in the summer, so if you’re going to do this, you will need warm sleeping bags, waterproof tents, and all the best gear. 

Back To Zurich

Back in Zurich you can pay a visit to the Old Botanical Garden in the Old Town, or head to the ETH University Complex for panoramic city views. Visit one final museum, play chess with locals at Lindenhof, or head to Teddy’s Souvenir Shop at Limmatquai to pick up a few final souvenirs for friends and family back home. Just enjoy your last few hours in Switzerland fully until it’s time to board the train to the airport. 

Tweaking Your Itinerary

Everything I’ve listed above is a rough guide for a week in Switzerland. Feel free to extend time in any location or skip some locations entirely. 

Panoramic Train Rides

If you’re not into adventure sports or hiking, maybe skip Interlaken and do a panoramic train ride instead. The Bernina Express, the Gotthard Panorama Express, and the Glacier Express are all fabulous panoramic trains in Switzerland, which will wow you with stunning landscape views. 

You could also stay in Zurich or Lucerne for an extra day and explore more museums, or do another day trip. Another option is to begin this journey in a completely different country – why not land in Paris, stay in the city for a day, and then head to Zurich? It’s only four hours by train.  Or ride the train to Basel, stay there for a day, and then travel to Zurich. You can even end your journey in Milan, just four hours from Zurich.  

An alternative itinerary for a week in Switzerland would be to start in Zurich or Geneva and then explore the towns and cities in the country’s southwest, such as

• Montreux & Vevey

Maybe include a day trip to Gruyeres, or Le Locle and Neuchatel Lake. It’s an entirely different vibe, but there’s plenty to discover and love about this region of Switzerland as well. Let me know how that sounds, and maybe I’ll do an alternative itinerary for that route too!

Useful Information

It’s worth it to buy a travel pass for Switzerland. I did the math so you don’t have to, and the verdict is that the one-month Half-Fare Card is the best value for money for this itinerary. With it, the cost of (train) tickets for everything in the itinerary is approximately 451.1 CHF.

The full price of the train and mountain tickets is 662.2 CHF, and with a 6-day travel pass, the entire trip will cost you around 527.2 CHF. Remember that those prices include both Rigi and Pilatus, so the trip is cheaper if you’re only making a single-day trip from Lucerne. 

It is a complicated calculation that really depends on your specific itinerary as more mountain trips cost more, and museum entrance is only included in the Swiss Travel Pass, most of the time anyway.

Download the SBB app on your phone to buy tickets and see timetables. The app is easy to use and it will help you get around Switzerland. 

The official currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). If you have Euros you might be able to use them in major shops and in some areas of big cities. But in general, they are not accepted in Switzerland.

Cards are widely accepted in bigger cities and popular resorts, but it’s still smart to carry cash for emergencies. 

All major train stations in Switzerland offer luggage storage services . If you arrive in a city before check-in, you can leave your luggage at the train station and go out and explore. 

Don’t waste money on bottled water. Tap water in Switzerland is perfectly safe for drinking, so there is absolutely no need to buy tap water at supermarkets. Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at your accommodation so you can always have water while you’re out. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is seven days enough in switzerland.

Yes, seven days is enough in Switzerland. You will be able to discover the city’s most famous cities and landmarks, but a lot will be left undiscovered so you can always come back. 

What is the required budget for a 7-day trip to Switzerland?

The minimum required budget for a 7-day trip in Switzerland is 1100-1500 CHF. That’s if you’re staying at the cheapest hotels that are no more than 120 CHF per night and not eating your every meal at restaurants. A budget of 2,000-3,000 CHF will allow you to travel much more comfortably through Switzerland. 

Which season is the most ideal for a 7-day trip to Switzerland?

Summer is the ideal season for a 7-day trip in Switzerland. More specifically, the period between May and October is perfect for this itinerary.

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10 Days in Switzerland: Detailed Trip Itinerary (+Map & Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 25, 2024

Visiting Switzerland for the first time, have about 10 days, and wondering which places are not to be missed and how to plan your trip? In this article, we share a recommended 10-day Switzerland itinerary that is perfect for your first visit.

If you want to see ‘everything’ in Switzerland in ten days, you should know that even several months wouldn’t be enough for that…. We have been going to Switzerland at least twice a year for almost three decades and still feel like we just scratched the surface…

The good news is that – with some good planning – you can see some of the best cities and visit several of the most impressive nature destinations even if you only have 10 days in Switzerland.

So to help you plan a trip, in this guide we share  a detailed 10-day Switzerland itinerary that brings you to some of the most famous places in the country : Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, Geneva, Bern, as well as the most iconic mountain destinations that should be at the top of every Swiss bucket list.

We also include a map and practical information such as how to get from one place to the other, how long it takes, and where to stay. At the bottom of this guide, you can also find several additional suggestions of places to add to your Swiss itinerary if you have more time.

Info & Tips for Planning a Trip to Switzerland

When to visit: Switzerland is a year-round destination and all the places in this itinerary can be visited in any season. However, your experience and many of the things you can do will highly depend on the season when you travel. For summer scenery and hiking, visit between late May and early October; for snowy landscapes and skiing – between Christmas and Easter.

Airports: The biggest airports in Switzerland are in Zurich and Geneva. This itinerary starts and ends in Zurich, but it’s very simple to adjust it if you are flying in or out of Geneva. In addition, you can easily extend this trip and combine it with France or Italy as well (flying in or out of e.g. Milan).

Getting around: The best way to travel around Switzerland is by train. With 10 days in the country, consider getting a Swiss Travel Pass that includes all public transport (and more). Switzerland is also a nice country to explore by car. However, traveling by car is only convenient if you are planning on visiting many smaller places in the mountains and not too many cities. In that case, you can also rent a car , but it’s not necessary for this itinerary. In most cases, it will not make your journey any faster or cheaper and you will also have to look (and pay) for parking, etc.

Just to avoid any confusion – you can follow this Switzerland itinerary no matter how you choose to travel – by car or public transport. In our descriptions and time indications, we assume you take a train. If you decide to drive, be sure to double-check driving times and distances, especially if traveling in winter. Also foresee some extra time if driving around the main cities at peak times, and be sure that your accommodation has parking (nearby).

Tours: If you prefer not to change hotels too often, you can also visit many of the places highlighted in our itinerary by taking day trips by train or organized tours from either Zurich or Lucerne. There are even day tours from Zurich to Zermatt ! However, we only recommend this approach if your time is extremely limited or if you prefer to travel with local guides and not have to worry about practicalities.

MAP: To help you get a better idea of where everything is located, we created this map that should give you a good overview of how this trip could be structured. Take a look!

10-Day Switzerland Itinerary – OVERVIEW:

• DAY 1: Zurich area

DAY 2: Bern

• DAYS 3-4: Geneva area
• DAYS 5-6: Zermatt
• DAYS 7-8: Interlaken – Jungfrau Region
• DAYS 9-10: Lucerne area
• If you have more time

This is our recommended Switzerland itinerary for 10 days:

DAY 1: Rhine Falls & Zurich

Since many international travelers fly into Zürich, we start our Switzerland itinerary in this city. However, let me be completely honest with you – there are so many nicer places to see in just 10 days in Switzerland than its financial center.

So for this itinerary, we recommend just half a day in the city, in combination with a half-day trip to Rhine Falls , one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Europe. In addition, you can visit the medieval village of Stein am Rhein .

Good to know: You can easily get to Rhine Falls by train from Zurich; the journey takes about 1 hour each way. In that case, you’ll need to also book a boat ride . Alternatively, take an organized half-day tour that includes a boat ride as well. There are 3-4 hour tours like this one that only visit the waterfall and there are also somewhat longer tours like this 5-hour tour that also visits Stein am Rhein village.

No matter which way you travel to the waterfall, we recommend starting your day early. That way, you can spend the afternoon exploring the city center of Zurich.

Some of the must-sees in Zurich include the Old Town ( Altstadt ) and its iconic churches (Grossmünster, Fraumünster, and St. Peter’s). A boat cruise on Lake Zürich is nice to do as well. There are city tours available, but you can also just walk around the old town on your own.

TIP: If you want to see more of the city in a short time, check out this highly-rated eTuk-Tuk city tour . It takes just a bit over an hour and has flexible departure times making it easy to incorporate it into any itinerary.

ACCOMMODATION: Stay in Zürich, ideally close to the central station. Here are some recommended hotels: Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich ($$$$), Ruby Mimi Hotel Zurich ($$$), or 25hours Hotel Langstrasse ($$).

On your second day, take a train from Zurich to Bern (1 hour), visit Bern, and in the late afternoon take a train from Bern to Geneva (2 hours). You can leave your luggage at the train station in Bern. You could also stay in Bern, but it’s not really a must and this way you can save one hotel change. Plus, you’ll also have more time in Geneva.

Even though Bern is the capital city of Switzerland, it’s a rather small and cozy town and you can easily see the best places in a few hours.

Don’t miss the Old Town with its ornate fountains, the Cathedral (climb the tower!), and Zytglogge clock tower . Be sure to walk to the Bear Pit and check out the famous Nydeggbrücke bridge. If you have more energy, climb to Rosengarten Park for nice city views.

If interested, you can also visit Einstein House. With more time to spare, consider visiting the Einstein Museum/Bern Historical Museum as well.

TIP: If available on the day of your visit, join this guided city tour . It takes just 1.5 hours and is a great way to get a quick introduction to the charming capital city of Switzerland.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Bern

ACCOMMODATION: Stay in Geneva for 3 nights. We recommend staying close to the station – it will make things so much easier. Here are some recommended hotels: Warwick Geneva ($$$$), Hotel Bernina ($$$), or VISIONAPARTMENTS ($$).

DAY 3: Geneva

Geneva is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland and has a lot to offer. With a full day in the city, you could see many of the highlights and maybe visit one museum.

In the Old Town, see the top attractions like St. Pierre’s Cathedral, Bourg-de-Four Square, English Garden, and the Flower Clock, and consider a chocolate tour . Check out the Jet d’Eau (fountain) in Lake Geneva and be sure to take a scenic lake cruise as well!

In the International Quarters, see the UN buildings, the Avenue of the Flags, and the Broken Chair monument.

Depending on your interests, you could visit one of the many museums. We recommend either the Red Cross Museum or the Patek Philippe Museum.

TIP: If you want to get the absolute most out of your trip, you could also consider a half-day trip to Annecy (France). In that case, you can explore Geneva in the afternoon, when you get back from the tour. There is also this highly-rated tour that combines the Geneva city tour with a trip to Annecy – perfect if you don’t have much time to do research and just want to see the top spots in a short time.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Geneva

DAY 4: Chamonix (or Another Day Trip from Geneva)

There are many wonderful places that you could visit near Geneva. So if you have just one extra day in this area, the choice will be tough.

We already mentioned a day trip to Annecy . Other popular options include the smaller towns of the Swiss Riviera , Lausanne, Glacier 3000 , and Gruyères …

But the most popular day trip from Geneva is to Chamonix, France . This beautiful mountain village is located at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe.

There are many guided tours that can bring you to Chamonix from Geneva. They normally include a cable car to Aiguille du Midi where you can enjoy amazing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Most tours also include a trip on the famous Montenvers cogwheel train to Mer de Glace Glacier where you can also visit an ice cave.

Good to know: Day tours from Geneva to Chamonix take about 8-10 hours. So plan an entire day for this excursion.

DAY 5: Zermatt

Today, take a train from Geneva to Zermatt . The journey takes about 3.5-4 hours, so we recommend leaving early in the morning. Zermatt is a car-free village and no matter how you travel – by car or public transport – you’ll need to take a train for the last part of the journey (from Täsch).

Zermatt is an Alpine resort located at the foot of the famous Matterhorn Mountain on the Swiss-Italian border. It’s known for luxury hotels and restaurants and some of the best skiing in Switzerland. In the summer, you could spend days hiking here.

For this itinerary, we suggest that you plan to spend 1 night in Zermatt, which gives you about a day and a half to explore. What exactly you’ll be able to see and do will depend a bit on the season when you visit. You also need to take into account the schedule of mountain trains and gondolas when planning your sightseeing itinerary.

On the day of arrival and after checking in at the hotel, take a mountain train to Gornergrat (you’ll need a ticket for it, but if you have a Swiss Pass , you can buy tickets on the spot with a big discount). Gornergrat is a mountain ridge at 3,089 meters (10,132 ft). From the top, you can see the Gorner Glacier and countless mountain peaks including the Matterhorn.

Train-schedule and season permitting, hike from Gornergratt to Riffelsee and potentially even further down to Riffelalp. The scenery here is breathtaking!

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do at Gornergrat

Good to know: If you just take the train to the top, walk around and enjoy the views at the top, and go back, you need about 1.5-2 hours for a visit here.

Add about 1 hour for a hike to Riffelsee and another hour if you go all the way down to Riffelalp. All in all, half a day is plenty for this area, even in the summer. In the winter, you won’t be able to hike, so you’ll need less time (but the trains stop earlier too).

In the evening, take a train back to Zermatt and explore the town. Don’t miss Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis and the old traditional buildings of Hinterdorfstrasse.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Zermatt

ACCOMMODATION: Stay in Zermatt for 1 night. Also here, if you want to make it easy for yourself and save time, stay not too far from the railway station. Here are some recommended hotels: Schweizerhof Zermatt  ($$$$$), Backstage Boutique SPA Hotel ($$$$), or Hotel Bahnhof ($$).

DAY 6: Zermatt

We recommend starting your day early and taking a gondola to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m (12,739 ft)). Also here, you’ll need to get a separate ticket (also here, you can get a discount if you have a Swiss Travel Pass).

At Klein Matterhorn, you can enjoy 360° views from the highest viewing platform in the Alps. On a clear day, you can see more than a dozen glaciers and 38 mountain peaks higher than 4,000 m (13,123 ft), including the Mont Blanc.

Your ticket also includes a visit to the Glacier Palace, a natural ice tunnel. There are also several other experiences, souvenir shops, etc.

Good to know: If you just visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and go back to Zermatt, you need about 2.5-3 hours for a visit here.

LEARN MORE:  Things to Do at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

If visiting in the summer, you can also do some hiking in this area. For that, take a cable car back down the same way you came and then hop off at one of the intermediate stations.

Depending on the season and your ability, consider hiking the Matterhorn Glacier Trail (you’ll need at least 2-2.5 hours for this medium-difficulty trail). It starts at Trockener Steg gondola station and ends at Schwarzsee. Alternatively, you can simply hop off at each of these places, walk around, and take the gondola further.

Anywhere you go in this area, you have amazing views of the Matterhorn Mountain. In addition, at Schwarzsee, you can walk to the ZERMATT sign for some nice photos. In the summer, people sometimes also swim here, so if you are up for it, you may want to pack your swimwear and a travel towel.

There are some easier hikes further down the mountain as well. For example, the Furi Suspension Bridge Trail which is very easy and takes about 1 hour, or the Furi – Zmutt – Zermatt hike that takes about 1.5 hours.

READ ALSO: Best Hikes in Zermatt

In the late afternoon, pick up your luggage from the hotel and take a train from Zermatt to Interlaken . The journey takes about 2.5 hours.

ACCOMMODATION: Stay in Interlaken for 2 nights. To minimize travel time, we recommend basing yourself close to Interlaken Ost railway station. Here are some recommended hotels: Hotel Du Nord ($$$) or Hotel Interlaken ($$).

Good to know: Interlaken is a good hub for many excursions in the area. Depending on what you ultimately decide to do, you could also base yourself in e.g. Grindelwald which would add at least 30-45 minutes to your train journey. Accommodation in Grindelwald is also more expensive than in Interlaken.

DAY 7: Jungfraujoch + Lauterbrunnen + Grindelwald + Harder Kulm

There is so much to do in the Jungfrau Region in central Switzerland that you could easily spend a week or even two here and not get bored. We’ve been to this area so many times, sometimes longer than a week at a time, and our list of places still to visit (and revisit) is just getting longer… Anyway, with 10 days in Switzerland, you could spend two or maximum three days in this area.

On the first day, visit the famous Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe, home to the highest railway station in Europe (3,454 m (11,332 ft)). There are several ways to get there, so you could make a sort of a mini road trip.

First, take a train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and explore the valley a bit. Foresee extra time if you want to walk to Staubbachfall Waterfall and even more time if you want to visit Trümmelbach Falls (especially because this waterfall can’t be just seen from outside and has opening hours).

After that, take a train to Kleine Scheidegg (potentially stopping for lunch and in Wengen village on the way), and from there yet another train to Jungfraujoch.

After visiting Jungfraujoch, take a train or gondola and visit Grindelwald town on the other side of the mountain.

In addition, in the summer, you could also do some hiking. One of the options is the Eiger Trail (medium-difficulty, 3 hrs), but with just a day for this area, it’s probably better to do the famous Panorama Trail (easy-medium, 1h15).

However, keep in mind that depending on what you choose, the transportation you’ll need to take also differs – the whole area is full of gondolas and trains so there are tons of possibilities how to plan this day.

If you want to take it easy and don’t plan to do any longer hikes, just stop for a short walk/photo stops at Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg, and Grindelwald.

LEARN MORE: How to Visit Jungfraujoch

In the late afternoon/early evening take a train back to Interlaken. If you still have some energy left, take a funicular to Harder Kulm . It usually runs quite late in the evening, so it’s one of the few places around Interlaken that you can visit at the end of the day.

Harder Kulm , also known as The Top of Interlaken offers easy access to some sweeping views of the azure-blue lakes below as well as the mountains of Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau which you’ll have visited earlier this day.

DAY 8: Interlaken Day Trip of Your Choice

As already mentioned, there are tons of places to visit and things to do around Interlaken, especially if you are visiting in the summer. So you’ll have to be selective with what you choose to do.

Below are my top 3 suggestions for this day. Keep in mind that you can only do one per day so it will be a tough choice as it is and I don’t want to overwhelm you with yet more options.

(1) Simply stay in Interlaken , visit Harder Kulm if not done on the previous day, and take a boat trip on one of the lakes – either Lake Brienz or Lake Thun. If you plan well and don’t hop off the boat anywhere along the way, you could even do both. Otherwise, pick one and explore some of the beautiful surroundings a bit deeper.

LEARN MORE: How to Spend 1 Day in Interlaken

(2) Take a train back to Grindelwald and this time visit another side of the mountains – Grindelwald-First. You can easily spend the entire day here.

At the top, don’t miss the scenic First Cliff Walk , try one of the many fun activities such as First Glider or First Flyer, hike to Bachalpsee Lake , and/or do one of the longer hikes in the area.

LEARN MORE: What to See & Do at Grindelwald-First

(3) Visit Schynige Platte , which is yet another mountain peak, somewhat closer to Interlaken. From here, you have unparalleled views of the two lakes of Interlaken on one side and the most iconic mountains of the Jungfrau Region to the other side.

LEARN MORE: How to Visit Schynige Platte

If you come this way, be sure to do some hiking – the Panorama Trail offers the best views with relatively little effort. Experienced hikers may even want to attempt the hike from Schynige Platte to Grindelwald and quickly see both areas (you’ll need to start very early for this!).

LEARN MORE: Best Hikes at Schynige Platte

In the late afternoon, get back to Interlaken, pick up your luggage from the hotel and take a train from Interlaken to Lucerne . No matter which of the above day trips you choose, you will need to change trains in Interlaken anyway, so if your hotel is nearby, it’s not a big detour.

The train journey from Interlaken Ost Station to Lucerne takes almost 2 hours.

ACCOMMODATION: Stay in Lucerne for the rest of the trip. If you are flying out of Zurich, you can easily take a train from Lucerne to the airport without having to stay in Zurich anymore. Also here, the main railway station is located right in the center so try to find a hotel nearby. Here are some recommended hotels: Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel ($$$$), AMERON Luzern Hotel Flora ($$$) or Radisson Blu ($$+).

DAY 9: Mt Pilatus & Lucerne

Today, take a half-day trip from Lucerne to Mount Pilatus. After that, spend the afternoon exploring the city.

Mt Pilatus is located just near the city of Lucerne and offers stunning panoramic views of the area and Lake Lucerne. It can be visited year-round, but is best on a sunny cloudless day of course.

There are several ways to visit Mt Pilatus from Lucerne , including a bus, gondolas, trains, and scenic boat. In the summer season, we recommend that you do the so called Golden Round Trip which involves all of the above. You’ll need about 4-6 hours for this, so start early in the morning. If you are visiting in the lower season, you can simply visit by gondola (the same way there and back).

LEARN MORE: Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip

Upon return in Lucerne, explore the picturesque old town with colorful buildings, charming squares, and impressive churches. Don’t miss the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, the Spreuer Bridge, and do the Lucerne Ramparts Walk.

Next, check out the Lion Monument and the Glacier Garden of Lucerne. If the weather is nice, take a walk along the lakeshore.

Also here, you can find some very good city tours – either walking tours or by eTukTuk . Some of these tours have lots of possible starting times. If you visit Mt Titlis first thing in the morning and don’t plan to do much hiking there, you’ll likely be back in the city by 2-3 PM.

TIP: The Swiss Museum of Transport is also well worth a visit, especially if you are traveling with kids. However, it’s located a bit further away from the other attractions and you really need at least a few hours to do it justice. This could also be a good choice for the last day of this itinerary.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Lucerne

DAY 10: Mt Titlis (or Another Day Trip from Lucerne)

Just like in Interlaken, there are tons of beautiful places to visit and things to do around Lucerne, even more so if you are traveling in the summer. So also here, you’ll have to choose where to go based on your interest and also on the season when you travel.

One of the most popular day trips from Lucerne is Mount Titlis , which can be visited almost the whole year (apart for a few days of maintenance, usually in November). It’s yet another mountain-peak destination, a bit like Jungfraujoch Top of Europe near Interlaken or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in Zermatt.

At Mt Titlis, you can enjoy spectacular panoramas from a viewing platform at 3,020 meters (10,000 ft), explore a glacier cave, and walk over Europe’s highest suspension bridge.

In the summer, you can also go tobogganing on a glacier and hiking at lower altitudes – the area around Trübsee Lake is not to be missed! In the winter ski season, you’ll find sleds, snow tubes, and snowmobiles near the Trübsee gondola station on the way to/from the peak.

LEARN MORE: How to Visit Mt Titlis

Since Mt Titlis offers a bit similar experience as several other places included in this itinerary, you may want to opt for another day trip near Lucerne (or potentially skip Jungfraujoch (day 7) and visit other places in that area). If you are not sure which one to choose, take a look at our guide comparing Mt Titis to Jungfraujoch . Or visit both.

Also around Lucerne, you have a lot more choices in the summer than in the winter. Here are a few alternatives if you decide to skip Mt Titlis (or have more time in the Lucerne area):

(1) Simply book a scenic boat cruise on Lake Lucerne and spend more time in the city. In that case, definitely try to visit the Swiss Museum of Transport as well.

(2) Another choice and easy to visit in any season is Mt Rigi , aka Queen of the Mountains. The experience is somewhat comparable to Mt Pilatus, but Mount Rigi is located on the other side of the city so offers different views.

(3) Stoos – Fronalpstock. This area is located on the other side of Lake Lucerne and will require a bit of an effort to get to if you don’t have a car. But if you like hiking and want to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in the Lake Lucerne area, you may want to check out the Stoos Ridge Trail .

LEARN MORE: Best Day Trips from Lucerne

If You Have More Than 10 Days in Switzerland

If you decide to spend more time in Switzerland, you could add extra days pretty much anywhere in this itinerary and you’ll find plenty to do.

We already included some additional recommendations in the article above (mostly the areas around Interlaken, Lucerne, and Geneva). Here are a few extra suggestions:

• If you want to see more towns, spend an extra day in Zurich, or visit Basel or Lausanne. From Basel, you can also take a day trip to France and visit the picturesque Colmar or some of the best little towns on the Alsace Wine Route . This area is also beautiful during the Christmas Markets season.
• If you are also visiting Italy on the same trip, check out the Lugano area in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, close to Lake Como . In this same area, you can also do the famous Bernina Express train ride .
• If you like hiking (and are visiting in the summer), I highly recommend the Oschinensee Panorama Hike . It’s located in Kandersteg and could be done as a day trip from the Interlaken area.
• If you like skiing (and are visiting in the winter), you could add a few days extra at any of the mountain destinations mentioned in our itinerary. We personally love skiing in Engelberg (at Mt Titlis) and also in the Wengen – Grindelwald area . Zermatt is also great and they even have a small ski area that remains open all year.

These are just a few famous destinations; we are not even mentioning lesser-known places…

There’s more to see in Switzerland than you could ever do in one or even ten trips, let alone days. So my best advice is leave the FOMO behind, pick the places that interest you the most and simply make the most of the time that you have. And don’t forget to slow down once in a while and simply enjoy the moment.

Whatever you choose to visit, you are sure to fall in love with Switzerland. And once you visit this beautiful country, you’ll definitely want to come back and explore more!

So these are our suggestions for how you could plan a trip focusing on the top sights and most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland.

If you are visiting for the first time and want to see THE VERY BEST of Switzerland in ten days , this itinerary should help you do just that.

Yes, it’s quite packed and on some days you will also have to make some tough choices on what to visit and what to skip. But no matter what you decide, this trip will give you a very good overview of what Switzerland has to offer. Plus, you can always plan a repeat visit to the areas that you like the most and explore deeper.

TIP: Take a look at our Switzerland travel guide for more destination guides and helpful tips.

READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for Planning Your First Trip to Europe

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Images: Personal collection, Depositphotos.com, Shutterstock.com.

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Sunday 14th of April 2024

Switzerland sure is beautiful. I am saving this article.

You should visit, Michael!

Monday 25th of March 2024

Thank you, this is great. I am interested in the day trip to Chamonix. Would it be better to spend the night in Chamonix and then go directly to Zermatt?…and do you have a recommendation for accommodations in Grindelwald area, for spending more time in that area?

Wednesday 27th of March 2024

Hi Bo, I can't really answer your question without knowing where you are traveling from to start with and which means of transport you'll use. The drive from Chamonix to Täsch (the place where you leave the car before taking the train to Zermatt) is about 2.5 hours. Whereas the bus + train journey involving quite a few changes along the way can be 3.5-4.5 hours (all the way to Zermatt). If, for example, you take a train from Geneva to Zermatt, the shortest connection is also about 3.5 hours, but you only need to change the train once. As for Grindelwald, depending on how you travel, you may want to stay closer to the train station. But it's not such a huge village and if you stay somewhat closer to the main road (so not somewhere on the mountain), then it's all quite convenient. Some of the hotels we had booked in the past include Hotel Spinne and Sunstar Hotels. They are both very centrally located between the main station and the Grindelwald-First gondola. Hope this helps.

Saturday 23rd of March 2024

Can you help with what are the best things to do or visit or best place to stay in Lausanne.

Just thinking of a 2 nights stay before returning to Zurich for a day tour that I have booked.

Sunday 24th of March 2024

Hi Lynn, one of the main points of interest in Lausanne is the Olympic Museum. You can also take a boat and visit some places on Lake Geneva. If you are looking for more ideas, take a look at all the options here and see if something interests you. As for where to stay, if you are traveling by train, it's always simplest to stay within walking distance of the station, for example, Agora Swiss Night by Fassbind or Hotel Victoria. If you are looking for a more unique accommodation, check out Château d'Ouchy (a renovated medieval castle) - it's located very close to the Olympic Museum and just steps away from the lake where the boat trips start, so it's very convenient for sightseeing as well. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

Itinerary for Switzerland for 7 Days (Plus 3, 5, 10 and 14-day options)

Deciding which places to include in your itinerary for Switzerland can be one of the hardest parts of the whole trip planning process.  Which towns and cities you visit will largely depend on how much time you can spend in Switzerland as well as your particular interests. 

Many visitors want to see Switzerland in a week, so I’m sharing my best Switzerland 7 day itinerary ideas! But if you don’t have a week, don’t worry – I’ve also got itineraries for longer and shorter stays.

All these Swiss itinerary options are suitable for both train travelers and those who would prefer to rent a car and enjoy a Switzerland road trip .

To help you visualise where the Switzerland itineraries mentioned in this article will take you, use the map below as a guide.

[ This post may contain compensated links. Please see my  disclosure policy  for more information. ]

What's in this Article

Itinerary for Switzerland for 7 Days

In a perfect world, a week in Switzerland is not enough as there is just so much to see and do. However, it is long enough for you to experience some of the most popular places to visit in Switzerland.

No doubt Switzerland’s famous Alps are on your must-visit list and this 1 week Switzerland itinerary gives you the opportunity to visit some real beauties and go on a best of Switzerland tour. It also includes the picturesque city of Lucerne with its medieval covered wooden bridge and pretty Old Town.

Switzerland in 7 days itinerary overview:  

• Lucerne – 2 nights
• Interlaken – 3 nights
• Zermatt – 1 night

This itinerary in Switzerland is ideal for travellers who only have one week in Switzerland and would like to do a round-trip itinerary starting and finishing at Zurich International Airport.

Day 1 – Arrive into Zurich and travel to Lucerne

By train: 1 hour / By car: 45 minutes Overnight: Lucerne

Start your trip with sightseeing in Lucerne (depending on time of arrival).

Stroll through the Old Town

A wander through the Old Town is, for many, the highlight of a visit to Lucerne. This is not an ordinary city centre; it’s a place lined with charming cobblestoned streets, medieval squares and ancient bridges.

In the Weinmarkt area, pay close attention to make sure you spot the painted facades and original oriel windows Lucerne is famous for.

Lucerne’s Old Town is also great for shopping and dining out. Whether you want to buy fresh local produce, Swiss items like watches, chocolates and army knives or clothing and accessories by international fashion brands, there are lots of department stores, smaller shops and boutiques to browse.

Many of the best cafes and restaurants are also found here, so whether it’s a coffee and cake break or a three course dinner you will have no trouble in finding a fabulous eatery in which to while away the hours. 

Visit the Chapel Bridge

Incredibly, Chapel Bridge dates back to 1333 and visitors from all over the world flock to see this medieval wooden footbridge at close quarters – and of course to snap themselves standing by it for posterity. 

In 1993 fire caused severe damage to the structure. Fortunately it remains, but the evidence can be clearly seen on the decorative panels beneath the eaves.  

The Water Tower dates back even further to the turn of the century. Although it doesn’t store water, it has been used at various times as a treasury, a prison and an archive.

See the ‘Dying Lion’

This is one of the most famous monuments in the world, let alone Switzerland or even Lucerne. Mark Twain described the big cat carved from stone as one of the most emotive sculptures to be found anywhere.

The ailing lion is said to represent Swiss heroes who died while trying to protect Louis XVI during the late 18th century. Its latin inscription roughly translates as ‘to the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss’.

Take a cruise on Lake Lucerne

With clear blue waters set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, Lake Lucerne is a picture-perfect body of water. Taking a lake cruise is a must during your 7 day Switzerland itinerary. 

The lake is 38 kilometres long and bordered by four Swiss cantons. You can cruise its famous waters by paddle steamer, luxury yacht or modern motorboat. Some options include morning tea or lunch, served as you glide over the surface of the water.

• Check cruise options and buy your tickets.
• Browse hotels in Lucerne
• Browse more Lucerne sightseeing options

Day 2 – Full day in/around Lucerne

Overnight: Lucerne

If you have another day to spend in the Lucerne area and would like to explore the surrounding area, taking a trip to one of the following peaks is highly recommended.

Mount Titlis 

A train to Engleberg followed by a cable car ride will take you to the summit of Mount Titlis . From here there are panoramic views over the majestic Swiss alps, as well as a range of activities to get involved in.

Snow tubing and sledding area ideal for thrill seekers, while the Cliff Walk, revolving cable car and Glacier Cave are simply waiting to be explored.

Check prices and buy your Mt. Titlis tickets.

Mount Pilatus

The first stage in reaching Mount Pilatus is a bus ride to Zentrum Pilatus, where you can board the cable car for the trip up the mountain. The journey is just as memorable as any other part of the day.

Once you arrive, there’s a whole smorgasbord of delights to discover including restaurants, walking trails, a rope play park, sledding and an adventure playground. 

Check prices and buy your Mt. Pilatus tickets.

The journey to Mount Rigi begins with a cruise across Lake Lucerne to Vitznau. From there the charming cogwheel railway will transport you to the top, where sweeping views over the alps are yours to savour.

A leisurely trip back down the mountain is recommended, so you can stop at each station to explore.

Alternatively, take the cable car to Weggis, where you can cruise the lake once more while en route to Lucerne. 

Check prices and buy your Mt. Rigi tickets.

Day 3 – Travel to Interlaken

By train : 1 hour 50 minutes / By car: 1 hour Overnight: Interlaken

There are plenty of great choices when in comes to sightseeing in Interlaken. Our recommendations for an enjoyable one day Interlaken itinerary include:

Harder Kulm

Harder Kulm is Interlaken’s own mountain and one of the most popular attractions in the area. It can also be accessed directly via the funicular railway, which can be reached from Interlaken Ost station via just five minutes’ walk.

Services run half hourly each day from mid April to early December and the scenic trip takes only ten minutes. 

From the summit there are stunning views over lakes Brienz and Thun, as well as the Bernese Alps. At the top you will also find a restaurant, walking trails, a kids’ playground and the Two Lakes Bridge. Don’t miss seeing the views from the latter, which are breathtaking.

Lake cruise on Lake Brienz to Brienz, or on Lake Thun to Thun and Spiez

Lake Thun is the largest lake and is known to the Swiss as Thunersee . You can sail on the lake, or try your hand at various water sports. Several villages are dotted around the shores of the lake, including Oberhofen, Faulensee, Thun and Spiez.

Taking a boat trip on Lake Thun is one of the most popular things to do in Interlaken, and among our favourites is the sunset cruise with wine and a Swiss cheese fondue. 

Known locally as Brienzersee , Lake Brienz is the smaller of the two lakes, but is more peaceful and just as pretty as Lake Thun. The active minded can try stand up paddle boarding, or you can sit back and relax on a modern boat for a cruise around the lake.

At the edge of the water you can see small villages, waterfalls and tree-clad hillsides. Of these Brienz is the most attractive, and you can take a cruise over the lake from Interlaken to Brienz.

• Check cruise details.   
• Browse hotels in Interlaken .
• Browse more Interlaken sightseeing options .

If the weather isn’t kind during your stay, there are still plenty of things to do in Interlaken on a rainy day.

Day 4 – Sightseeing in Jungfrau Region

Overnight: Interlaken

Often referred to as the ‘Top of Europe’, taking a day trip to Jungfraujoch is a must for many visitors to the region.

A series of shorter train trips spread over a two hour period culminates in the scenic ascent via the Jungfraubahn. Trains operate every day of the year. 

Alternatively, you can take a cable car for part of the journey which reduces the travel time by around 45 minutes each way.

The summit is almost 3,500 metres above sea level and offers incredible views over the surrounding peaks. There is also lots to do at the top, with a range of shops and restaurants and a snow sports park to keep visitors happily occupied.

  > Book your Jungfraujoch train ticket.

If time permits, why not stop at the pretty villages of Wengen or Lauterbrunnen on the return journey?

Day 5 – Sightseeing in Jungfrau Region

There’s still so much to see in the Jungfrau region during this one week Switzerland itinerary. Today we recommend you visit either Grindelwald-First or Schilthorn.

Grindelwald and Grindelwald-First

You can drive from Interlaken to Grindelwald in around 30 minutes, with the train trip taking around the same amount of time.

The town itself offers a range of attractions including shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, spas and wellness centres, and winter sports. There is also an indoor rope park, and at Grindelwald Glacier you can take a canyon walk or ride on the swing. 

Also popular is a trip to Grindelwald First, widely regarded as one of the best things to do from Interlaken. From the town of Grindelwald, a cable car service operates during all seasons and there is lots to do once you arrive at the mountain summit.

A great restaurant, the First Flyer Zipline, Trottibike scooter rides, the First Cliff Walk and mountain carts await those who make the trip to the top. 

Another excursion well worth considering is to Schilthorn , famous as a film location for the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service . The summit is around 3,000 metres above sea level and can be reached via train and cableway from Interlaken. 

As well as the superb mountain views from the observation deck with a glass floor, there are various Bond-themed attractions at the summit. You can also take a thrilling circular walk around the cliff face.

The authentic Swiss village of Mürren is well worth exploring either on your way to or from Schilthorn.

The Schilthorn can be reached by cable car from Stechelberg which is easily reached from Interlaken. Simply take a train to Lauterbrunnen and then a local bus to the Schilthorn cable car station. 

Book your Schilthorn tickets.

Tandem Paragliding

If neither or those excursions appeal, or you are a bit of a thrill seeker, why not book a tandem paragliding flight and see the beauty of the Swiss Alps from above?

Day 6 – Travel to Zermatt

By train: 2 hours 40 minutes / By car: 2 hours 55 minutes* Overnight: Zermatt

*This route travels via the Lotschberg Tunnel.  You are required to drive your car onto a special car-train to go through the tunnel.  The cost is around CHF25 per vehicle for the 10-minute journey through the tunnel.

Note that Zermatt is a car-free town. All vehicles must be parked in a parking station at Tasch and visitors can transfer to town via the Zermatt train station.

We suggest you arrive in Zermatt by midday so that you have time to enjoy an excursion to see the Matterhorn up close and stroll around the picturesque village.

An original rack railway can take visitors from Zermatt to Gorner Ridge. The trip takes around half an hour and services depart frequently throughout the day.

Once you arrive, favourite things to do at Gornergrat include wildlife spotting, hiking, dining and souvenir shopping – and of course simply admiring the magnificent views. Ibex, chamois and marmots may be spotted in the area.

> Book your Gornergrat Bahn Cogwheel Train ticket.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is very aptly named, as it’s the highest European cable car station in terms of altitude. The 360 degree viewing platform offers incredible views over 14 glaciers and 38 mountain peaks.

From car-free Zermatt, you can take a trip to the gondola station on the electric bus before the three-section trip to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

As well as soaking up the scenery, you can ski, take an ice toboggan ride or a trip into the Glacier Palace, or even watch a movie at the cinema. There is also a souvenir store and a restaurant.

• Buy your Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Cable Car ticket.
• Browse hotels in Zermatt
• Browse more sightseeing options in Zermatt

Day 7 – Return to Zurich

By train: 4 hours / By car: 4 hours Departure from Zurich

Although the city is often seen as a transport hub rather than a destination in itself, we highly recommend getting to know Zurich a little if time permits. The Old Town and Lindenhof in particular are delightful places in which to spend some time.

Zurich Old Town 

The Old Town straddles the Limmat River, and there are wonderful views over the water from the quay – Limmatquai.

This part of the city is both the most central and the most picturesque. Several bridges span the river, but don’t miss crossing the Muhlesteg Footbridge, which is decorated with numerous love locks.

Once you’ve had your fill of wandering around the Old Town, stopping in cafes and browsing in the boutiques, Lindenhof offers a welcome change of pace. This peaceful green space overlooks the Old Town and was formerly the site of a Roman fort.

Picnicking here is popular, and you may hear live music or see the giant outdoor chess set being played during your visit. 

Depart Zurich after one week in Switzerland full of highlights and breathtaking scenery!

Note: Whilst I refer to Interlaken in this Switzerland one week itinerary above, you could opt to stay at Lauterbrunnen , Grindelwald , Wengen , Mürren or another nearby village should you prefer.

You could start and/or finish this Switzerland 7 day itinerary in Geneva or Basel.  Travel times and distances should be amended accordingly.

Switzerland Itinerary – 3 Days

Only have three days to enjoy the best places in Switzerland? May I suggest quality over quantity?  I recommend you choose just one place as your base on your Switzerland trip and see it properly rather than squeeze too much in.

Although you’d probably like to fit in as much in three days as you would if you had one week in Switzerland, you’re not going to fully appreciate the places you visit if you overdo it. Sometimes – and definitely in this case – less is more!

What is your ‘must see’ in Switzerland?  If it’s the Alps, you have plenty of options.  Spend your three days in Switzerland in either Lucerne, Interlaken or Zermatt.

Interested in learning more about using the Swiss Rail System to travel around Switzerland?  Read our comprehensive guide to Switzerland train travel.

If it’s the charm of Switzerland’s elegant medieval cities that you’ve always wanted to experience, Zurich, Bern and Lucerne all offer plenty to see and do. 

Basing yourself in one destination doesn’t mean you can’t visit other places. One benefit of having a single base is that you will save valuable time by not having to change accommodation each night. 

A day trip from Interlaken to Lucerne (or vice versa) is definitely possible so you can still combine the best of both worlds from one convenient base.

Switzerland Itinerary – 5 Days

If you don’t have a full week available for your visit and you can only spend 5 days in Switzerland, I suggest you follow days one to four of the 7 day itinerary above and return to Zurich on day five.

5-day Switzerland itinerary overview:

• Lucerne – 2 nights
• Interlaken – 2 nights

This Switzerland 5-day itinerary still gives you the chance to explore two of Switzerland’s highlights, Lucerne and the Jungfrau region, without being too rushed.

Switzerland Itinerary – 10 Days

If you have a few more days available to add to your itinerary for Switzerland, 10 days in total gives you the option to add another destination or two. I’d include a couple of nights in Zurich and an overnight stay at lovely Montreux on the Swiss Riviera.

10-day Switzerland itinerary overview :

• Zurich – 2 nights
• Interlaken – 3 nights
• Montreux – 1 night
• Zermatt – 1 night

Day 1 – Arrive into Zurich 

Sightseeing in Zurich (depending on time of arrival) Overnight: Zurich

Browse hotels in Zurich | Browse Zurich sightseeing options

Day 2 – Full day in/around Zurich

Overnight: Zurich

Explore the Old Town and Lake Zurich and/or enjoy a day trip to Stein am Rhein and the Rhine Falls.

Check out these suggestions for more things to do in Zurich .

Note: For days 3-7 of this 10-day Switzerland itinerary, please see details outlined above in the 7-day itinerary for Switzerland.

Day 3 – Travel to Lucerne

By train: 1 hour / By car: 45 minutes Sightseeing in Lucerne (depending on time of arrival). Overnight: Lucerne

Browse hotels in Lucerne | Browse Lucerne sightseeing options

Day 4 – Full day in/around Lucerne

Explore the Old Town and Lake Lucerne and/or enjoy a mountain excursion to Mt. Titlis, Mt. Pilatus or Mt. Rigi.

Day 5 – Travel to Interlaken

By train: 1 hour 50 minutes / By car: 1 hour Overnight: Interlaken

Do some sightseeing in Interlaken town, take the Harder Kulm funicular, or enjoy a lake cruise.

Browse hotels in Interlaken | Browse Interlaken sightseeing options

Day 6 – Sightseeing in Jungfrau Region

I recommend taking the Jungfraujoch excursion with the option to stop at Wengen and/or Lauterbrunnen in either direction.

Day 7 – Sightseeing in Jungfrau Region

Consider the Grindelwald-First or Schilthorn excursions with the option to stop at Murren and/or Birg in either direction.

If you’re keen to step outside your comfort zone, why not try one of these things to do in Interlaken for adrenaline junkies ?

Day 8 – Travel to Montreux

By train: 2 hours 45 minutes* / By car: 1 hour 40 minutes Overnight: Montreux

*This route goes via Visp. You can also take the Golden Pass Line from Interlaken to Montreux via Zweisimmen – journey time 3 hours 45 minutes.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva with a backdrop of the stunning Swiss Alps, Montreux is a great stop on your Switzerland itinerary. The active will enjoy the many trails and walking paths surrounding the lake, or a beautiful lake cruise.

Must-see attractions include Chillon Castle, a visit to the quaint town of Vevey and its Charlie Chaplin statue, and the Gorges du Chauderon in Montreux’s Old Town. There’s also “Queen: The Studio Experience” where you can visit the original sound studio where Queen’s lead singer Freddie Mercury recorded his last songs.

You could also take a ½ day trip to Gruyeres from Montreux.

Browse hotels in Montreux | Browse Montreux sightseeing options

Day 9 – Travel to Zermatt

By train: 2 hours 35 minutes / By car: 2 hours* Overnight: Zermatt

* Zermatt is a car-free town. All vehicles must be parked in a parking station at Tasch and visitors can transfer to Zermatt by shuttle train.

Arrive by midday so you have time to enjoy an excursion on the Gornergrat train or the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cableway to see the Matterhorn up close. See above 7-day itinerary for more details.

Browse hotels in Zermatt | Browse sightseeing options in Zermatt

Day 10 – Return to Zurich

By train: 4 hours / By car: 4 hours

Switzerland Itinerary – 14 Days

14 days in Switzerland? Lucky you! You’re going to see a great deal of the country and a beautiful variety of landscapes.

From the attractive cities of Zurich and Lucerne, to the stunning scenery of the Swiss Alps, and the picturesque lakeside towns of Montreux and Lugano, you’ll enjoy a varied and scenic Switzerland vacation.

2 weeks in Switzerland itinerary overview :

• Lugano – 2 nights
• St Moritz – 2 nights

Use the first nine days of the 10-day Switzerland travel itinerary above for the first part of your trip and then add the following days:

Day 10 – Travel Zermatt to Lugano

By train: 5 hours 20 minutes / By car: 3 hours 10 minutes (from Tasch) Overnight: Lugano

Sightseeing late afternoon (depending on time of arrival).

Browse hotels in Lugano | Browse sightseeing options in Lugano

Day 11 – Full day sightseeing in Lugano

Overnight: Lugano

Explore the city and lakefront promenade, ride the funicular to Monte Bre for spectacular views over Lake Lugano or visit Swissminiatur Open-Air Museum.

Not sure which month you should travel? My guide will help you to decide the best time to visit Switzerland.

Day 12 – Travel Lugano to St. Moritz

By train: 3 hours 50 minutes / By car: 2 hours 40 minutes Overnight: St. Moritz

St. Moritz is a popular resort town in Switzerland, famous for its ski slopes, luxury hotels, and natural beauty. Some of the best things to do include skiing, hiking, visiting Lake St. Moritz, riding the Glacier Express, experiencing the spas, or exploring Segantini Museum or Engadine Museum. 

Browse hotels in St. Moritz | Browse sightseeing options in St. Moritz

Day 13 – Full day in St. Moritz

Overnight: St. Moritz

Enjoy a mountain excursion, have a picnic by the lake or take a scenic ride aboard the Bernina Express.

Day 14 – Travel St. Moritz to Zurich

By train: 3 hours 10 minutes / By car: 2 hours 50 minutes

Need more ideas for a Switzerland road trip? Check out my alternative two-week Swiss itinerary by car .

Choosing Your Transport

Now you have an idea of which places you’ll be visiting, it’s time to decide on your method of transport. 

Travelling around Switzerland by train

Switzerland’s rail network is one of the best in the world. Trains and connecting buses take you all over the country with ease.

Most trains in Switzerland don’t require reservations – you just hop aboard the next available train that suits you. The Swiss Railways SBB app is a handy tool to download to look up timetables.

If you plan to travel by train, it’s definitely worth considering purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass as this covers all public transport within Switzerland, free entry to over 500 museums, and 50% off most cable cars and funiculars.

Buy your Swiss Travel Pass now. 

Travelling around Switzerland by car

Renting a car can give you a bit more flexibility as well as the opportunity to stop where and when you like.

You’ll need to consider parking and fuel costs but if you are someone who doesn’t like being committed to a timetable, driving in Switzerland could be the way to go.

Switzerland’s roads are excellent and the mountain passes, with their many hairpin bends, are a highlight for many drivers. If you’re not too keen on a white-knuckle drive, don’t panic! All of the destinations mentioned in our itineraries above can be reached without travelling on a super-twisty mountain pass.

To plan your exact driving route, take a look at the AA Route Planner . I find it really helpful as it allows you to include via points and see the latest traffic warnings for your chosen route.

Our guide to driving in Switzerland has lots of useful info and tips to help make your road trip go smoothly.

Final Thoughts

Whether you have 3 days or 2 weeks, take this itinerary for Switzerland and amend it to suit your personal interests. These itineraries should be a good starting point to help get your Switzerland trip planning off on the right foot. 

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Carolyn Schönafinger

Carolyn Schönafinger is a frequent visitor to Switzerland, the country she fell in love with more than 30 years ago. She now visits Switzerland every year in her quest to explore every inch of the country. Carolyn is a certified Switzerland Travel Expert and she has achieved the Swiss Travel System Travel Expert diploma. She loves sharing her Switzerland travel expertise and helping others to plan their dream Swiss vacation on this website and the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast. Read more

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The Ultimate One-Week Switzerland Itinerary

Written By: Seraina Zellweger

City Guides , Switzerland

Updated On: February 8, 2024

Visiting Switzerland for the first time is exciting. You’re frantically putting together a bucket list in your head and you can’t wait to start packing. But planning a Switzerland Itinerary can be overwhelming.

All the places you’re going to see. The people you’re going to meet. The foods you’re going to eat. But every trip also comes with its burning questions that need answering. 

How much time should you spend in Switzerland ? How do you get around? What are the highlights you can’t miss? And what’s even realistic to see and do in the time available? 

Table of Contents

7 Days in Switzerland Itinerary

• Day 1 – Zurich, Kapellbrücke in Lucerne, Bern
• Day 2 – Interlaken, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, Jungfrau
• Day 3 – Interlaken, Golden Pass, Montreux
• Day 4 – Gruyeres, Broc Montreux, Zermatt
• Day 5 – The Matterhorn, Domodossala, Locarno
• Day 6 – Canton of Ticino, Stone Bridge of Lavertezzo, Maggia, Verzasca
• Day 7 – Ride the world’s longest train tunnel, Lake Como, Zurich

If you’re planning a one week trip to Switzerland , let me help you with some of those issues. The following Switzerland itinerary is doable within seven full days and includes a bit of everything Switzerland has to offer. If you are looking for a longer Switzerland Itinerary, we have mapped out the Ultimate 3 Weeks in Switzerland Road Trip here.

The Swiss Alps , lakes, scenic train rides, chocolate, cheese, and charming towns. Just to name a few. This seven-day itinerary starts and ends in Zurich , the main entry point to Switzerland for visitors arriving by plane.

But with Switzerland being such a small country, you could technically start and end in any other city as well. Sound good? Let’s dive in. 

One Week in Switzerland Highlights

Day 1: Zurich – Lucerne – Trubschachen – Bern

Day 1 Switzerland Itinerary highlights:

• spend half a day in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city
• walk across the iconic Kapellbrücke in Lucerne
• stuff your face with free Swiss biscuits
• enjoy the pretty night views over Bern, Switzerland’s capital city (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Morning – Zurich

In the morning, explore Zurich on your own or join a free walking tour. Those run daily at 11:00 AM and cover all the hotspots of Switzerland’s largest city.

Alternatively, you can check out the Niederdorf (old town of Zurich), the Lindenhof park (great views over the city and the River Limmat), busy Bahnhofstrasse (Zurich’s main shopping street) and of course Bellevue by the lake, on your own.

Technically, you even have the option to explore the city by bike. A service called “Züri rollt” rents out free bikes, which is extra handy as it lets you cover more ground in less time. Around midday, or after the walking tour, grab a small takeaway lunch and have it on the train to Lucerne. ( You’ll understand why it needs to be small in a minute. )

Read more: Things to do in Zurich / 3 Days in Zurich

Insider tip:

For the best views over Zurich, head to the Polyterrasse, the terrace outside the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

It’s not far from Zurich main station and you can either walk or catch the Polybahn, a funicular taking you right to the terrace.

Short Stop in Lucerne

Since you’ve still got a bit of ground to cover today, you won’t have much time in Lucerne. But it should suffice for a stroll through the old town, take in the views of Lake Lucerne, and a walk across Kapellbrücke, the iconic wooden footbridge in the centre of Lucerne. Read more: 19 Beautiful Places to Visit in Switzerland

Insider Tip:

• When you’re at the platform in Lucerne, please check the display to make sure you catch the right half of the train.

What I always do at the Kambly store is head to the savoury section every now and then. It helps to fit in more of the sweet stuff.

Trubschachen – Kambly factory store

After an hour or two, continue your journey to Trubschachen, an innocent little place that’ll give your sweet tooth the time of its life. This inconspicuous village is home to a family business that dates back to 1910.

The Kambly family has been making some of the most iconic Swiss biscuits for over a hundred years.  And trust me. They know what they’re doing.

The Kambly factory store, which you’ll find right next to Trubschachen station, is free to visit. In here, you can spend as much time as your heart desires tasting up to 100 different types of delicious biscuits. ( And now you know why you had to keep that lunch to a minimum …)

Unfortunately, you can’t visit the heart of the factory or watch the production of their tasty creations. However, they do  have a cinema at the shop where they give you some more insights into this traditional family business. After reaching the point of explosion, or maybe two bites before, move on to Bern. 

Evening – Bern Switzerland

The direct train leaves once an hour and takes around 45 minutes to arrive in Switzerland’s capital city. There might not be much left of today, but depending on what time you get to Bern, you could still fit in a quick stop by the bear park or a trip up to Rosengarten for its impressive night views. After all, the best way to digest a Kambly overdose is to walk it off.

The train to Trubschachen gets split up along the way and only the front part travels through the picturesque Entlebuch region to your culinary destination.

Day 2: Bern – Interlaken

Today’s highlights:

• visit the adrenaline-packed and popular town of Interlaken
• enjoy a day jumping off planes, cruising across a lake or whatever else your adventurous heart desires
• Hang out at Jungfraujoch – the top of Europe

To squeeze the maximum out of your time in Interlaken, I suggest you leave Bern right in the morning.

The train ride to Interlaken takes just under an hour, which gives you almost a full day to explore the place everybody wants to visit when coming to Switzerland.

As a local, I try to avoid Interlaken as it gets super busy and completely swamped by tourists. But there’s a darn good reason for that. Interlaken is conveniently located for all sorts of fantastic outdoor adventures and spectacular mountain excursions.

You’ve got more options to choose from today than you can wrap your head around.  It all depends on your budget, but in an adrenaline-packed place like Interlaken, the sky’s the limit. If you want to spend time in Interlaken there are many activities that will get your adrenaline flowing. And your wallet is bleeding. Read more: Things to do in Grindelwald, Switzerland – Complete 4-Day Itinerary

• Paragliding

Lake Thun & Lake Brienz

A more budget-friendly option is to embark on a passenger ship cruise on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. Both rides come with incredible views that will make you wish you’d never have to leave. 

If you’re looking for a stopover on one of the cruises, get off at either

• Giessbach Hotel (Lake Brienz)
• the Beatus Caves
• or the town of Spiez (Lake Thun)

As if that wasn’t enough, the Jungfrau region around Interlaken is also an excellent playground for hikers. The amount of trails is endless and whatever your fitness level and ambitions, you’ll find something to your taste. 

Afternoon: Jungfraujoch – aka Top of Europe

Of course, the No. 1 destination everybody dies to see out here is the famous Jungfraujoch – aka Top of Europe.  Unfortunately, this spectacular ride is a real budget-strainer.  Expect to pay up to 210 CHF (197€ / 220 USD) for a return trip. 

In case you’re after a slightly less expensive alternative, look into visiting Mount Schilthorn instead. The ride up the cable cars and the panoramic views from the top have equal potential to take your breath away. Read more: Spectacular Switzerland, a Visit to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

But there’s more to do in Jungfrau

Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen , two quaint little mountain villages in a stunning setting, are close to Interlaken as well. And let’s not forget about the Aare Gorge, the place where the River Aare makes its way down from the glacier toward Lake Brienz.

Ok, I better stop listing your options here as this will only make you quit reading and decide to spend all week in Interlaken. And we wouldn’t want that. Read more: Things to do in Grindelwald, Switzerland – Complete 4 Day Itinerary

Swiss Travel Passes

• If you travel by a Swiss Travel Pass or an Interrail / Eurail Pass, your train and boat rides are fully covered.
• Rail passes are valid for 3, 4, 8 or 15 days
• Includes Unlimited travel on Swiss Rail, bus, boat and public transport in cities
• Free entrance to more than 500 museums
• 50% off most mountain excursions
• However, you pay extra for the Jungfraujoch train and the gondola ride to Schilthorn.
• The travel passes entitle you to a discount between 25% and 50%, though.

Day 3: Interlaken – Golden Pass Line – Montreux

Day 3 highlights:

• ride parts of the famous Golden Pass Line, one of the five big scenic train rides in Switzerland
• visit the popular Château de Chillon
• grab a glass of wine in the Lavaux vineyards (UNESCO)

Time to leave Interlaken already. But don’t worry. The Golden Pass Line, which is one of the five big scenic train rides in Switzerland, has plenty of mesmerizing views in store for you. It connects the centre of Switzerland in Lucerne with Montreux by the shores of Lake Geneva.

Today, you’ll be travelling from Interlaken to Montreux , which accounts for roughly two-thirds of the Golden Pass Line.  The first leg takes you past Lake Thun to Spiez and finally into Zweisimmen, where you’ll transfer to a different train.

Morning: Train Journey Through Switzerland on Golden Pass Line

That’s where the climb through the Bernese Oberland, my favourite part of the Golden Pass Line, begins. 

This region is an absolute dream for mountain-lovers and pretty much sums up what Switzerland is about.  Lakes, mountains, lush meadows with grazing cows, glaciers, tons of hiking trails, wonderful landscapes and cute little villages are abundant in this area.  Too bad you can’t hop off along the way, but you need to keep going if you want to make it to Lake Geneva today. 

After leaving the Bernese Oberland and coming down the hills, you’ll arrive in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Bienvenue…

Afternoon: Montreux

The Golden Pass Line terminates in Montreux and depending on what time you arrive, you might still have a few hours to explore the area.  Read more: Montreux and its Musical Legacy

The main spots I recommend are the famous Château de Chillon, an old castle by Lake Geneva, and of course the Lavaux vineyard terraces, which are only a short ride west of Montreux. To fully experience the gorgeous views of this UNESCO World Heritage site, get off in Cully or Epesses and follow the signposted footpath through the vineyards. 

Cheers to a relaxing night after a long day on the train.

Insider tips:

• The Golden Pass Line is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass as well as the Eurail and Interrail Passes.
• You can complete the Golden Pass Line without making a reservation. However, their customer service recommend booking a seat for the segment between Zweisimmen and Montreux, as it can get fairly busy during high season. Costs vary between 5 and 8 CHF per person.

Day 4: Montreux – Gruyères – Broc – Montreux – Zermatt

• eat lots of Swiss cheese and chocolate
• hang out in the quaint little village of Gruyères

Morning: Gruyères

What’s a trip to Switzerland without visiting a cheese or chocolate factory?  Exactly. So today, you have the option to do both. After breakfast, store your bags either at the train station in Montreux or ask if you can leave them at your accommodation for the day.

Then catch the train to the slightly touristy yet wonderful village of Gruyères. You might recognise parts of the journey from yesterday. The ride between Montreux and Montbovon is served by regular regional trains as well as the Golden Pass Line.

Since Gruyères is highly popular with tourists, it can get a bit crowded. But like with every busy place, there’s a reason. And in this case, the reason is a medieval castle.  And cheese. Lots of cheese. 

Gruyères Medieval Castle

The main attraction in Gruyères is the medieval castle, which is open for public and costs 12 CHF to enter. But the hidden cobblestone alleys and the countless souvenir shops also tend to have people stick around longer than they expected. 

Gruyère Cheese Factory

The Gruyère cheese factory is right behind the train station and for a small entrance fee, you can watch how the iconic Gruyère cheese is being made. Samples and tasting opportunities are included. 

Once you’re done snacking, either catch the bus uphill or follow the path until you reach the centre of Gruyères. This walk should take you around 20 minutes.

After exploring Gruyères and maybe grabbing a souvenir or two, you have the option to head to Broc and visit La Maison Cailler .

La Maison Cailler

Their visitor centre teaches you everything you need to know about Switzerland’s oldest chocolate brand and at the end of the tour, you’ll get to taste a looot of free samples. 

Probably more than you thought you could handle. Definitely more than I could handle the last time I went…

On your train ride back to Montreux, try to digest your cheese and chocolate overdose and get ready to move on to Zermatt for the night.

Evening: Zermatt

This final ride takes around two and a half hours and if you leave Montreux in the early evening, you’ll make it to Zermatt just in time for dinner.  Provided you find any room for it…  Also read: Incredible Zermatt, Switzerland – 23 Exciting Things to See and Do

• The part between Visp and Zermatt is served by the Glacier Express trains. Those leave three times daily and are only for people with a reservation.
• However, there are regular trains commuting between Brig and Zermatt that don’t require a reservation.
• The best part? The views are exactly the same as with the Glacier Express. Minus the large panoramic windows.

Day 5: Zermatt – Domodossola – Locarno

Day 5 Highlights

• explore the popular mountain town of Zermatt with Switzerland’s most iconic mountain: the Matterhorn – aka Mount Toblerone. Read more: 5 Lakes Hike Zermatt – Incredible Matterhorn Views
• spend half a day enjoying the mountain setting in and around Zermatt – Read more: Incredible Zermatt, Switzerland – 23 Exciting Things to See and Do
• take a short trip to Italy before embarking on another scenic train ride back into Switzerland 

Zermatt is all about mountains and the outdoors. If you’ve come to Switzerland for our spectacular views, you’re going to love it here.

Several hikes and walks of all difficulty levels take you places you didn’t even know existed. Like for instance the popular Zermatt lakes trail, which takes 2.5 hours to complete. It leads past five crystal clear mountain lakes and offers breathtaking views of the Matterhorn.

Another impressive, yet head spinning adventure is walking across the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Randa. It stretches 494 metres (1.620 feet) across the valley.  Hello vertigo!

The circular track starts and finishes in Randa, 15 minutes by train from Zermatt.

In case you’d rather skip the hiking altogether and see those mountains the easy way, I recommend heading to Gornergrat. 

After a ridiculously steep train ride, you’ll find yourself at an altitude of 3.089 metres (10.135 feet) above sea level. Right in front of the Gorner Glacier and the Matterhorn. Don’t be surprised if climbing those steps to the viewpoint leaves you completely breathless. It’s not you, it’s the thin air.

Afternoon: Journey to Locarno

Try leaving Zermatt at the latest around 2 or 3 in the afternoon because your journey to Locarno takes more than four hours.

After your transfer in Brig, the onward train continues to Domodossola in Italy. This particular ride isn’t too pretty as you’ll be spending most of it in a tunnel. But that shouldn’t bother you too much as the next leg of the journey is beyond stunning from start to finish.

As you travel through the impressive Centovalli region – which stands for one hundred valleys – you’ll pass several charming villages with old stone houses, ride across tall viaducts and even catch a glimpse of a waterfall or two.

You’re probably going to laugh now because your final station today is called  Locarno FART . An unfortunate name, I know. It’s short for F errovie  A utolinee R egionali T icinesi and translates to “Regional Railway of Ticino.” Any questions? 🙂

• The Swiss Travel Pass and the Interrail / Eurail Passes are valid on the rides through Italy as well.
• Upon check-in at your accommodation in Locarno, you’ll receive a Ticino Ticket.
• This beauty lets you use public transport in the whole Canton of Ticino for free for the duration of your stay and gives you several additional discounts. 

Day 6: Free day in the Canton of Ticino

• spend a day exploring the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland’s warm and sunny south
• swim in crystal clear and freezing mountain rivers or one of the two big lakes
• have some of the finest pizza and ice cream – Italian style

Get ready to explore the Italian part of your Switzerland itinerary in all its glory. With the abundance of activities to choose from, you won’t get bored today. Also read: Things to do in Lugano and the Ticino Region of Switzerland

First up, I recommend you head to one of the two river valleys: Maggia or Verzasca . Both are fantastic for hiking, spending some time by the river or going for a refreshing swim.

Also, don’t forget to bring your picnic on this journey. You’ll find countless opportunities to take a break in both valleys. 

Suggested Things to do

My favourite place is right below the famous stone bridge in Lavertezzo. If you prefer calmer waters over cold mountain streams, head to Lago Maggiore or Lago di Lugano. Both lakes provide you with more photo and swimming opportunities than you can imagine.

In case you’re one of those adrenaline junkies, there’s always the 007 bungy at the end of the Verzasca valley. You might have seen this 220-metre (720 feet) dive in the James Bond movie Golden Eye .  If you decide to throw yourself off that wall, please send me a picture. I’d love to see that…

Other popular destinations in Ticino, apart from Locarno, are Lugano and the inspiring little artsy town of Ascona right next to Locarno.

Ascona is definitely worth a visit and if you’re after some delicious pizza and ice cream, it’s the perfect place for a romantic lunch or dinner. You can taste the proximity to Italy in any restaurant here.

I’m aware that one day isn’t anywhere near enough to cover all of these activities. That’s why you’ve got another day here until you return to Zurich tomorrow.

• The Canton of Ticino is a highly popular holiday destination for the Swiss. If you travel during school holidays, please make sure you book your accommodation in advance.
• The peace and quiet in the Verzasca and Maggia valleys can be deceiving. As soon as it starts raining further up in the mountains, those streams become a dangerous force of nature.
• Please check the weather forecast before you head out .
• In case it does rain further up, keep a safe distance from the water and don’t take a nap on one of the cosy boulders inside the river.
• People have been surprised by the enormous mass of water and died. I’d hate for you to be one of them.

Day 7: Locarno – Zurich

Day 7 highlights:

• ride through Gotthard Basistunnel, the world’s longest train tunnel
• spend another day in the Canton of Ticino
• take a short trip to Como in Italy

Spend this final day ticking off whatever’s still on your list from yesterday. Alternatively, leave Switzerland again and hop across the border to Italy. 

Not far from Lugano lies the idyllic Como region, the place where George Clooney and other celebrities got married. If you’re curious to find out what Mr. Nespresso saw in this part of the world, today’s your chance. 

The two main spots I recommend visiting in the area are the  city of Como or the village of Menaggio . Both are situated by the shores of Lake Como and will instantly enchant you with their laid-back atmospheres. For the most accurate information on how to get to Menaggio, I suggest you consult with the tourist information in Locarno, Lugano or Como.

Toward the end of the day, make your way back to Locarno and onward to Zurich.  Thanks to the 57 kilometres (35 miles) long Gotthard Basistunnel, which is currently the longest train tunnel in the world, you’ll be in Zurich within two and a half hours. Happy travels

And this concludes our little one-week itinerary through Switzerland. I hope this has given you some inspiration and helped you answer a bunch of your initial questions. 

Train Travel in Switzerland

By the way, you probably noticed I didn’t talk about rental cars in this post. With the fantastic network of public transport that Switzerland is blessed with, there’s really no need for a car. Almost every village, no matter how small and remote, is accessible by train or bus.

This is why I recommend buying yourself one of the two travel passes (Swiss Travel Pass, Interrail for Europeans, Eurail for non-Europeans) for the time of your stay to enjoy your flexibility. Bon voyage.

Explore more Switzerland Travels

• Ultimate 3 Weeks in Switzerland Road Trip
• The Best Places to Visit in Switzerland
• How to Travel Switzerland on a Budget
• 7 of the Best Things to do in Basel, Switzerland
• Our Best Switzerland Pictures
• Unique and Crazy Things to do in Switzerland
• Switzerland Travel Guide

If you enjoyed this Switzerland Itinerary, save it to Pinterest for future travel planning .

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About Seraina Zellweger

Seraina Zellweger is a devoted budget traveller who’s been around the world and back. As a native Swiss, she’s made it her mission to give fellow backpackers tips on how to visit Switzerland on a shoestring.In her latest project, she's created a series of guides with itineraries for Switzerland , ranging from 2 to 14* days. For more information, Follow Seraina at LostInSwitzerland / Facebook / Twitter

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16 thoughts on “The Ultimate One-Week Switzerland Itinerary”

Oh Seriana this looks amazing! My son & I have chosen Switzerland for a week vacation together!! this itinerary sounds great! can you recommend places to stay on this week trip? Thank you so very much! Julie

Thank you so much for sharing this itinerary – My family and I will be visiting mid September 2023 and we are going to follow this route – Thank you so much very kind of you

Where should we stay during this trip? Your help is much appreciated!

Thank you once again Ateka

Really nice schedule. Looking to follow this when I visit Switzerland with my family this summer. To follow this schedule, can you please comment on which city to stay in to make the most use of the time? Thanks.

Great Information! Thanks a ton. Switzerland is undoubtedly blessed with mother nature 🙂

Fab list – but no Geneva? I used to live just across the border in France from Geneva and loved the area (on both sides of the border). Lac de Geneve is well worth seeing and perhaps going on a cruise around. Plus you know – awesome shopping! Gruyeres is another of my favourite spots. Besides all the cheese, I loved the HR Giger museum. Did you visit? If you like the Alien movies it’s definitely one to include on the to do list.

Hello Reeva

Thank you for your comment. Yes, Lake Geneva is fantastic and Gruyères definitely also packs a ton of charm. I’ve visited both places several times and love them. But with Switzerland being blessed with so many awesome destinations, it’s basically impossible to fit everything into a 7-day itinerary;-) That’s why I had to make some cuts. But at least I managed to add parts of Lake Geneva by putting Montreux on the list.

Never heard of the Alien place, though. Thanks for the tip!

All the best, Seraina

I’m glad you like the itinerary and good on you for having Switzerland on your bucketlist. That’s a first step 🙂 I also hope you’ll one day get the chance to come over. All the best, Seraina

Thank you for your comment! Yes, Switzerland certainly is a beauty and despite it being such a small country, there’s heaps to discover. I’m glad you like the article 🙂

Thank you for your comment and yes, I absolutely hope it’ll inspire people to come over to Switzerland once it’s safe to travel again 🙂

Switzerland is the heaven on earth and there are so many things to explore in Switzerland. This blog is more than sufficient to tall you about the beauty of Switzerland.

Thanks for sharing this amazing article!

What an amazing itinerary! I have always included Switzerland on my bucket list for too long! Thanks for this post, now I’m really excited and encouraged to travel there! I hope I can finally get the chance to be there and live every wonderful moment that there is!

Thanks so much for the post Seraina, Switzerland has been on my bucketlidt for sometime but due to being so far away and the high costs of the country I’ve been putting it off for some time.

I absolutely love how you’ve captured the enchanting nature of the locations and inspire the wanderlust, with equally stunning photography.

Thank you Kaylini for your lovely comment! I really hope one day you can make it to Switzerland, despite our high prices. There are some great ways to save money and it will definitely be worth it 🙂 Take care, Seraina

Switzerland , a dream destination of most of the people and your this article can make someone more excited to visit.

Really Amazing When I read your Blog I Feel that I am really Visiting Switzerland Very Informative

Thanks Paul, I’m glad you like the post. And hopefully, you can one day visit Switzerland for real 🙂

Switzerland itinerary: 3 to 14 days [2023]

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. At no cost to you, I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase through the links in this article. 

Famous for the snow-capped mountains, Alpine villages and thundering waterfalls, Switzerland is a bucket list place for many adventurers.

Switzerland is influenced by its many neighbors, and yet, it has its own unique identity. The postcard views are abundant throughout this country, whether you spend time in cities or venture into the mountains. 

My Switzerland itinerary will show you the best places beyond the popular staples like Zermatt or Lauterbrunnen that sometimes can feel a bit touristy. 

Buckle up and get ready to put some cool places on your bucket list!

PRO TIP: Want to avoid mistakes while traveling this country? Check my top tips for Switzerland travel that will help you enjoy your Switzerland itinerary without falling into most common tourist pitfalls.

Where to begin your Switzerland itinerary

If you arrive to Switzerland from outside Europe, it makes sense to begin your trip to Switzerland from Zurich , Geneva and Basel that have international connections. Since most travelers spend about 5-7 days in Switzerland, planning your trip requires time and preparation, as there are too many places in Switzerland that are worth a stop.

PRO TIP: If you are not flying to Zurich airport, another option is to fly into Milan Malpensa Airport, which is under one hour from the border of Italy and Switzerland. This way, you can start your Switzerland road trip in Ticino, a southern canton that boasts a Mediterranean flair .

Your Switzerland itinerary: a complete overview

Day 1: Zurich

Where to stay: Hotel Seehof

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and also one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Located on the shores of Lake Zurich, this city is a great stating point for your itinerary because it offers a good intro to the country and has plenty of things to keep you busy for a few days.

✅ Read my complete guide on how to get from Zurich to Lucerne

Best places to visit in Zurich

Old Town Zurich has centuries-old architecture and historic landmarks such as the old protestant church Grossmunster , Peter Kirche and Framunster .

To get a panoramic shot of Zurich, climb to the top of Grossmunster . There, you will be able to get on an observation platform and see Fraumunster , the Limmat River and the Old Town of Zurich .

✅ Check my complete guide to Uber in Zurich to get around the city quickly

If you want to have some fun, head to Langstrasse that has many restaurants and nightlife. In summer, mark your calendar for the biggest annual event in Zurich, The Street Parade , which is also the most attended techno parade in Europe.

Best day trips from Zurich

You can also enjoy Uetliberg , the closest mountain to Zurich from which you can soak in the views of the area; shop till you drop along the Bahnhofstrasse , Zurich’s shopping district where you can find many stores from H&M to luxury boutiques; or visit one of Zurich museums like the Swiss National Museum to learn about the history of the country.

Best free things to do in Zurich

Zurich is an expensive city, and you can spend a pretty penny here without trying hard. To stay within your budget, take advantage of the free things to do in Zurich.

Take a stroll along the Limit River that flows through Old Town of Zurich or grab some food and enjoy the views on one of the benches along the river bank. You can also walk to the top of Lindenhof Hill a few minutes away from Old Town of Zurich from where you can get amazing views of the city.

If you are short on time, book your sightseeing tour of Zurich which will help you to see the city’s main highlights just in a day. 

Day 2: Luzern

Where to stay: Hotel Des Alpes

Luzern (Lucerne in English) is a classic Swiss town: It’s compact, it has a nice Old Town and it is easy to get around on foot. Luzern is about 50 minutes south of Zurich by train, and makes for a perfect day trip.

✅ Learn about where to stay in Lucerne

The city’s signature landmark, Kapellburcke (the Chapel Bridge) is what draws a lot of tourists. However, there are plenty of other things to do in Luzern such as the old town, Musegg Wall , and Hofkirche . 

Best places to visit in Luzern

One of the best places to visit in Luzern is the Swiss Museum of Transport . The most popular museum in Switzerland, this place showcases road signs and everything that related to different modes of transport, and makes for a fun afternoon visit.

One of the most popular things to do in Luzern is Mount Rigi. Take a boat from Lucerne to Vitznau and get on the cogwheel train to the summit of Mount Rigi.

Another way to get to Mount Rigi is by a boat. Weggis dock is 15 minutes uphill to the cable car (Luftseilbahn). From there, you can take a 10-minute cable car to the resort Rigi-Kaltbad, and catch the red cogwheel train on the Vitznau–Rigi line to the peak of Mount Rigi.

Finish your day in Luzern by taking a cable car from the valley station in Kriens near Lucerne to Mount Pilatus where you can hike and see a wonderful panorama of Luzern.

PRO TIP: If you are in Switzerland only for a few days and don’t plan on buying the Swiss Rail Pass, download Omio App for booking your train tickets around Europe. I have used this app numerous times, and really loved how easy and simple it was to use.

Best tours of Lucerne

Day 3: Bern

Where to stay: Hotel Jardin Bern

Catch a 1-hour train from Luzern to Bern and spend a day in the Swiss capital.

Bern boasts a medieval old town on the shores of the Aare River. One of the most notable feature of Bern’s Old Town are the arcade-style buildings where you can find many stores, restaurants and cafes. 

While Bern lies slightly off the popular tourist route, it is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland, if you are looking to see more culture of the country.

Visitors enjoy sightseeing in Old City Bern that has many landmarks such as Zytglogge , a medieval clock tower with moving figurines; The Bern Minster , a Swiss Gothic cathedral built during the reformation era; and many typical Swiss fountains – the most famous of them is “ Kindlifresserbrunnen ” which is literally translated “child eating fountain. 

The unsettling figure portrays a man eating babies out of a bag – Read more about this sculpture and other things to do in Bern, Switzerland .

PRO TIP: Use public fountains to fill up your water bottle. Tap water in this country is very high quality, so you can save money instead of buying bottled water.

Best tours of Bern

Bernese Oberland

Where to stay: Hotel Regina

Bernese Oberland is one of the most breathtaking parts of Switzerland with tall snow-powdered mountains, deep valleys carved by glaciers and green Alpine meadows that most people picture when they think of this country. 

Here you can visit Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn , some of the most well known mountains in the region. 

You can get to Schilthorn from Murren via Winteregg railway station. While tickets are available at the ticket office and online, book your tickets in advance because it’s one of the most popular places in the country.

Day 4: Schilthorn. Skip Jungfrau

 Jungfrau is on everybody’s bucket list.

It’s crowded and expensive, and while being on top of it is cool, you don’t get to see the actual mountain. Visit Schilthorn , a less expensive, and also less crowded mountain that boasts a great panoramic view of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau . It’s a perfect alternative to Jungfrau!

After soaking in views of Schilthorn , stop in a revolving restaurant Piz Gloria for a delicious meal where you can get 360-degrees views of the Swiss Alps without getting outside. Here you can also learn about one of James Boys movies that was filed here back in the day!

Best tours of Schilthorn

Bernese Oberland boasts many picturesque mountain towns. One of the most popular villages in the Jungfrau region is Grindelwald that has  hotels , restaurants and stores.

Other areas to stay near Jungfrau are Wengen, Mürren and Lauterbrunnen. 

PRO TIP: While a day is often enough to check cities off your bucket list, this is not the case with the Swiss mountains. If you want to hike and enjoy Bernese Oberland and visit places like Thun and Interlaken without rushing, spend from 3 to 5 days there.

Day 5: Lauterbrunnen

Where to stay: Hotel Silberhorn

Your trip isn’t complete without venturing into the mountains – one of the most popular things to do in Switzerland, and there’s no better place to start than Lauterbrunnen Valley – a crown jewel of the Jungfrau region that boasts wonderful postcard views of the Swiss Alps.

Nestled between the gigantic mountains, this glacial valley is a popular stop for mountaineers, base jumpers and skiers because it offers a quick access to some of the most famous mountain peaks in Switzerland.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley has dozens of thundering waterfalls which make it a bucket list for travelers from all over the world. Wandering around here is a pure joy, and although Lauterbrunnen is touristy, it will be one the main highlights on your itinerary. 

You can reach Lauterbrunnen from Bern by train via a connection in Interlaken. Check the SBB website to find out how to get Swiss Rail Pass and plan your journey.

LET ME HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP TO SWITZERLAND!

Besides being a travel blogger, I also create itineraries for my readers 😃 If you want me to plan your trip to Switzerland, provide insider tips and do all the research for you, fill out the form. 

My custom itineraries include information on popular landmarks, restaurants, and hidden corners that most tourists miss. As part of my services, I also create suggestions on flights, hotels and activities.

Can’t wait to hear from you! 💛

Day 6: Zermatt

Where to stay: Wellness Hotel Alpenhof

Located at the foothills of the legendary Matterhorn, Zermatt is a famous resort in the canton Valais, that is a popular stop for many travelers.

Here you can ski in the middle of the summer, reach the dizzying heights thanks to the wonders of the Swiss engineering, or climb one of the world’s most famous mountains.  

On a clear day, Matterhorn can be seen from several points in the area such as Gornergat, Rothorn and Glacier Paradise , the highest cable car in Europe. It’s important to plan your trip to Zermatt on a clear day, so you can see this world-famous peak and get the panoramic views of the Swiss Alps surrounding it.

Best tours of Zermatt

 To get a good taste of Zermatt, spend 2-3 days in the area. Some of the most popular activities here are mountain biking, skiing, ice skating and hiking. The Zermatt village has plenty of restaurants and accommodation from simple hostels like Zermatt Youth Hostel to luxury 5-star hotels like Mont Cervin Palace in the heart of Zermatt.

If you are looking for good hotels in Zermatt, I recommend Agoda , a great website for finding accommodations.

You can reach Zermatt by train from Interlaken in just over 2 hours,   but you will have to change trains two times.

Day 7: Ticino

Where to stay: Hotel Victoria

OK, here’s the deal: After visiting Bernese Oberland, Zermatt and other, many travelers go to Geneva or back to Zurich to catch their flight back home.  

I want to give you a different option if you are looking to see the different side of the country.

The Italian-speaking canton Ticino is a true gem that boasts Mediterranean flare, warm climate and the architecture similar to that in Northern Italy. It is home to some of the best places in the country if you want to explore the country off the beaten track.

PRO TIP:  Although you can get around most of the country by public transportation, Ticino is one place where  renting a car  makes more sense. The region has many small towns and scenic overlooks, and while you can visit them by public transportation, it will take longer.

👉 Exploring Ticino is a great idea, if you have a little bit more time, like 10 days in Switzerland.

Places to visit in Ticino

Some of the most beautiful places in Ticino are Lugano, Morcote , Locarno and Valle Verzasca.I recommend setting one day aside for your trip to Valle Verzasca where you can find an unspoiled nature and charming mountain towns such as Sonogno and Lavertezzo .

To enjoy some of the best places to visit in Ticino, spend no less than 3 days in the region. You can easily spend a week here because there is so much to do in terms of culture and outdoors, but some travelers stay in Ticino for just a couple of days.

GOOD TO KNOW: Ticino is a common stop for travelers who head south to Italy through Switzerland. From Ticino, you can quickly reach Lake Como and Milan, which makes it a perfect stop if you are going to Italy. 

Take a drive on Gotthard Pass

If you travel Switzerland during summer, and plan to visit Ticino, take a scenic route along the Gotthard Pass in the Swiss Alps that connects northern and southern parts of the country. The highest point of the pass is located at the elevation of nearly 7,000 feet and the ride along the pass offers 360-degree views of the Alps. It is a perfect addition to your road trip if you have a car rental .

Day 9: Lausanne

Where to stay: Discovery Hotel

If you continue your trip in Geneva , don’t forget to add Lausanne to your road trip.

The fourth-largest city in the country, Lausanne was built on three hills. Here you can get a good exercise by climbing to the historic old town where you can find the ornate Lausanne cathedral and marvel at Lake Geneva surrounded by the French Alps.

Lausanne has a relaxed pace, which makes it a perfect place to chill and take a boat ride along Lake Geneva if you want to visit Vevey, Montreux and Nyon.

Lausanne is also a home of the International Olympic Committee. The city is located in the wine-making region, and so this is your perfect chance to try some quality Swiss wine and treat yourself to some delicious sweet treats. 

Best day trips from Lausanne

Day 10: Lavaux

Lavaux is a hidden gem, and you should include it on your itinerary before it becomes too popular!

 A UNESCO heritage site,  Lavaux,  is a district comprised of terraced vineyards stretching about 19 miles along the shores of Lake Geneva. 

These wine terraces are ultimately one of the most beautiful places to visit in Switzerland thanks to the cute villages on the slopes and stunning landscapes. Wander through Lavaux vineyards and sip some locally produced wine when you come here.

Lavaux is just east of Lausanne and can be accessed via a combination of boat or train and a boat from the city. It’s a perfect place to put on your itinerary if you want to take a break from the crowded spots, and a boat ride along Lake Geneva that will bring you here from Lausanne is an absolute must!

Castle de Chillon

Chillon Castle (or Chateau De Chillon) is a fairytale-like castle located along Lake Geneva near Montreux. One of the most beautiful castles in Switzerland, this medieval fortress is a great day trip from Geneva, Lausanne and other towns in the region of Lake Geneva, so if you have a few spare days, stop by.

How much time do you need for Switzerland?

While a classic Switzerland itinerary is about 7 days, I recommend at least 10 days in Switzerland for your trip which will allow you to see the country without rushing through. This country has too much scenic beauty and in my opinion, it’s one of those places where choosing a path less travelled and taking time to enjoy it really pays off.

Spending extra time in places like Bernese Oberland and Ticino will help you see places beyond the tourist playbook and create memories for lifetime. I suggest 14 days in Switzerland for the best experience.

Popular scenic routes by train in Switzerland

• Bernina Express Switzerland – Nicknamed “from glaciers to palms,” Bernina Express will take you from Chur through the high Alps to the palm-fringed promenades of Ticino. Taking this scenic route is one of the most popular things to do, so get your tickets ahead of time!
• The Glacier Express – This scenic ride will take you from Zermatt to St. Moritz. It’s a great option if you want to visit the famous ski resorts.
• The Golden Pass –  This train route is from Luzern to Montreux and is a perfect option if you are looking for an easy option that can be done in a short time during your itinerary.

Bonus: Other places to add to your trip

If you have extra time, consider adding several other destinations to your itinerary. 

• Basel –  Switzerland’s third most populous city, Basel sits on the Rhine River near France and Germany. It has the most museums in Switzerland and also offers rich architecture and history.
• Iseltwald – A gorgeous village along the shores of Lake Brienz, Iseltwald is one of the best places to visit in Switzerland thanks to its fairytale-lake architecture, and opportunities for hiking, kayaking and paddle boarding on the gorgeous lake.
• Ticino –  Exploring Ticino takes time. Here you will find beautiful mountain villages, green valleys and tons of scenic hikes. I suggest 5-7 days in Ticino, so adding an additional time to your Swiss trip will help you see more of this stunning place.
• Bernese Oberland –  This is the part of Switzerland where you should add the most time. Bernese Oberland boasts gorgeous scenery and has many hikes and scenic overlooks.
• Kleine Scheidegg – A mountain pass with gorgeous view of the surrounding Alps, Kleine Scheidegg Sita at an elevation of 2,061 m (6,762 ft) between the peaks of Eiger and Lauberhorn in Bernese Oberland. It’s a popular starting point for hikes in the area and a perfect sunset watching spot.
• St. Moritz –  Located in Eastern Switzerland, St. Moritz is a popular ski resort in winter and scenic holiday destination in summer that can be accessed via Bernina Express.

3 Days in Switzerland itinerary

Three days in Switzerland is a really short time. 

If you decide to visit a few destinations in 3 days, you will be able to see only the most basic highlights. But if you stick to one city or area such as Zurich or the Bern region, you will be able to get a better feel of the area.

• Zurich – Arrive to Zurich and spend a day exploring the city.
• Bern   – Spend a day in Bern before catching a train to Interlaken in the evening.
• Interlaken – Catch a 50-minute train to Interlaken, gateway to Bernese Oberland before leaving back to Zurich. 

10 Days in Switzerland itinerary

10 days in Switzerland is enough for a classic itinerary around the country, as it allows you to visit more places. If you are visiting the country for the first time, 10 days in Switzerland is enough to get a taste of the country and decide what places you want to visit next time. 

• Zurich – Arrive to Zurich and after taking some rest explore the city. 
• Luzern – Take a trip to Luzern from Zurich in the morning. Spend a day in Luzern. Finish your day by taking a cable car ride from the valley station in Kriens near Lucerne to Mount Pilatus.
• Bern – Catch a train to Bern from Luzern and spend a day in the Swiss Capital. Get on a train to Interlaken in the evening from where you can get to the Jungfrau region.
• Lauterbrunnen  – Spend a day exploring Lauterbrunnen and take a cable car to Murren and Schilthorn. Explore mountain villages Grindelwald and Wengen. Do some hiking.
• Zermatt – Take a day trip to Zermatt via train from Interlaken. Spend a day hiking around Zermatt and take a cable car to Glacier Paradise to enjoy the views of Matterhorn.
• Geneva via Lausanne – Finish your trip in Geneva via a stop in Lausanne.

14 Days in Switzerland itinerary

2 weeks in Switzerland is a good amount of time that will allow you to visit the most popular destinations and hit a couple of less touristy spots. If you can spend 14 days in Switzerland, you can take your time and enjoy some of the most popular landmarks like Zermatt and Interlaken without rushing.

I recommend spending a bit more time in a specific region during 2 weeks in Switzerland, like Bernese Oberland, Ticino or Zermatt.

• Lugano – arrive to Lugano from Milan via a train ride or by car. Spend 3 days in the Canton of Ticino. Besides, Lugano some of the places to Ticino are Ascona, Bellinzona, Valley Verzasca and Locarno. 
• Zermatt – Take a train from Lugano to Zermatt. Spend 2-3 days in the area. 
• Interlaken – Continue from Zermatt to Interlaken. Spend 4 days exploring Bernese Oberland.
• Bern/Basel – After spending 4 days in the mountains, head to Bern or Basel for 1 day.
• Geneva – Catch a train to Geneva via a stop in Lausanne. Spend 2 days exploring the Lake Geneva region where you can visit Lavaux, Chillon Castle and Vevey.
• Luzern – From Geneva, head to Luzern for a day.
• Zurich – Finish your itinerary with a day trip to Zurich before leaving the country.

How to get around Switzerland?

The best way to travel Switzerland is by train. 

Getting around Switzerland by train is quick and sometimes less expensive than renting a car. The Swiss cities are walkable and have good public transportation, so you don’t always need to rent a car , especially if your itinerary is mostly based around visiting cities. Get your Swiss Rail Pass ahead of the trip.

Renting a car in Switzeland

Renting a car in Switzerland can be pricey. In addition to your rental vehicle, you have to cover gas and parking fees which add up as you spend more days on the road. Also, Switzerland has many speed radars that will give you a steep fine when you drive too fast. 

Following the rules really pays off here! 

On the other side, renting a car allows you to take a ride along many mountain passes and not worry about having to catch your next train. I suggest DiscoverCars , a great car rental company that offers cars at competitive rates in many popular destinations in Switzerland.

Traveling Switzerland by train

If you plan on traveling in Switzerland by train and bus consider  buying the Swiss Rail Pass.  It allows you to get on a train, bus and tour boats. It also provides free admission into many museums in Switzerland and discounts on many cable cars and funiculars.

PRO TIP: Download the SBB app  on your phone to check train schedules, platforms, and connections. You can even book your train tickets on the app ahead of your trip.

What to take on your trip

To plan your trip, you need to get a few things that will help you make your trip easier. I’m going to give you a quick run down to prepare for your adventure.

• Universal adapter – Electronics from mainland Europe, North America or Asia will not charge in Switzerland without a proper adaptor. That’s probably one of the most important things you should get for your trip if you don’t want to overpay for it while on the road.
• Insurance – You shouldn’t go on a multi-week international trip without proper insurance whether you plan to spend your time in Switzerland or continue to other countries. 
• Good hiking shoes – A pair of good hiking shoes and proper gear are musts if you include hiking in the mountains on your itinerary.
• Sunscreen – The sun can be brutal at high altitudes. When you go high in the mountains, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

Frequently asked questions about Switzerland

What’s the currency in Switzerland?

The official currency of Switzerland is Swiss Frank. You can pay with credit cards almost anywhere within Switzerland, however, you should still carry some cash with you while you travel.

What language is spoken in Switzerland?

Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansch. English is widely spoken and understood in most parts of the country.

Do I need a visa for Switzerland?

Whether you need a visa for Switzerland or not depends on what country you are from and what’s going to be the purpose of your visit. There are two types of visas for Switzerland: 

Schengen Visa, type C which allows you to enter the country and stay for up to 90 days within 180 days.

National Visa which allows for a stay in Switzerland longer than 90 days.

How much time do you need for Switzerland itinerary?

Plan no less than a week for your trip if you want to see the highlights of the country. Switzerland is a small but an incredibly scenic country, and you can spend months discovering its fairytale-like cities, small mountain villages and hiking in the Alps. If you can afford to spend 14 days in Switzerland, you will be able to enjoy some of the most amazing landmarks in the country without rushing.

How to plan your Switzerland trip?

While Switzerland is known as one of the most scenic destinations in the world, it’s also very expensive. That’s why you should create a budget and carefully plan your expenses ahead of your trip. Staying in budget hotels, cooking your food and skipping overpriced tourist attractions and using the Swiss Travel Pass can save you a good chunk of change.

After all, visiting one of the most expensive countries in Europe doesn’t have to break your bank. 

Best travel resources for planning your trip

Whether you need to book a car, organize a tour or book a flight, consider using some of my suggested services.

Agoda.com  – a great website for budget accommodations. Since hotels in Switzerland can be expensive, this platform comes in very handy for planning your trip to Switzerland.

WorldNomads  – Great service for insurance coverage that will keep you safe on the road while traveling Switzerland.

Safety Wing  – Excellent insurance plan for long-term travelers that offers competitive rates is you are planning to stay on the road several weeks in a row. 

GetYourGuide  – Thinking about booking a tour? Get Your Guide is my favorite platform that offers great deals and top-notch guides in some of the most popular places.

DiscoverCars  – There’s nothing like exploring the Swiss Mountains at your own pace. Consider renting a car at Discover Cars if you want more freedom while traveling.

CheapoAir.com  – One of the best platforms for saving money on flights. 

Booking.com  – a popular website with tons and tons of options for accommodations of all sorts. 

The Ultimate Switzerland Itinerary

From beautiful lakes and epic mountains, to adventurous activities and chic hotels, this Switzerland itinerary takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the country’s highlights.

When it comes to magical European adventures, a trip through Switzerland definitely comes high on the list. It’s a compact enough country to fit a lot into one trip, but diverse enough to see and do a lot.

I love that you can start the day in a cosmopolitan city, by the afternoon you can be cycling past a beautiful lake and by the evening you could be skiing in the mountains! How many destinations offer that much variety?

While there are lots of beautiful spots you could visit, I’m going to guide you through a route that offers a bit of everything, and gives you an overview of the best things to do in Switzerland.

It’s a trip I went on December with Preferred Hotels , the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing 750 hotels, resorts and residences across 85 countries. However, it’d be equally as beautiful (and a lot less snowy) in summer months. Either way, you’ll pass by Lake Geneva, snap photos of the Matterhorn and enjoy all the chocolate and cheese you could dream of! What more could you want on a Swiss road trip?!

Start by watching the video for a flavour of the trip, then find out more about our awesome Switzerland itinerary…

Best time to visit Switzerland

Switzerland is an all-year destination, but you’ll need to decide what kind of holiday you want to go on before deciding when to visit. These are your two main options….

• A snow-filled, winter wonderland trip, with a stay in the mountains and plenty of icy activities.
• A sunshine-filled spring or summer trip, where you spend every moment outside, hiking, cycling and enjoying lush valleys.

In terms of temperatures, you can expect highs in summer of 26 degrees in the cities and lows in winter of -30 (in the mountains). With altitude to deal with, you can expect quite a contrast in temperatures between cities like Geneva and high-alpine villages like Zermatt.

I should mention Switzerland is notoriously expensive. There are ways to keep prices down, but I think it’s somewhere to save for a special holiday – perhaps a honeymoon, birthday or anniversary. Enjoy the plush hotels, gourmet restaurants and create some special memories.

How to get to Switzerland

There are plenty of flights to Geneva and Zurich each day. From London it’s a quick trip (under an hour and a half) and if you book a window seat, you’ll be rewarded by stunning views of the Swiss Alps on your journey.

My return flights from London were around £150 (including baggage), booking just three weeks before travelling. If you plan further in advance, or are able to take the earliest flights of the day, you can find deals for under £50 return. While I’ve mentioned it’s probably not a country to visit on a budget, the flights are incredibly reasonable.

If you’re already based in mainland Europe, there are plenty of trains connecting all the major towns and cities too, including Zurich, Geneva, Bern and Lausanne.

Once you’ve reached Switzerland I’d recommend hiring a car so you can explore the country on your own time. It’s a beautiful country for a road trip, especially once you get into the alps.

If driving doesn’t fill you with joy, then don’t worry – most destinations are accessibly by public transport. You might find it helpful to pick up Swiss Travel Pass which covers transport in the country by rail, road and waterway, and is available for trips between 3 days and 15 days.

How long to spend in Switzerland?

I’d recommend spending five days in Switzerland to really feel like you’ve had a flavour of the country as a whole. However, if you’re limited to a shorter length of time, you could cram a decent overview of the country into three well-planned days.

A 5-Day Switzerland Itinerary

There are plenty of places you could visit, but I’ve focused on three main areas – Lausanne / Lake Geneva, Saas-Fee in the Swiss Alps, and Zermatt close to the Matterhorn.

To see the exact route, plus lots of recommendations, check out my Switzerland itinerary map here . 

LAUSANNE ITINERARY

Explore the city of lausanne.

Lausanne is a very pretty city, with a stunning Gothic cathedral, historic buildings with colourful facades and a buzzy shopping scene. I’d recommend a wander through the city centre, climbing the Escaliers du Marché (wooden stairs that are over 400 years old) to the cathedral, then climbing to the top of the tower for a great panoramic view of the city.

Afterwards, head down to Les Arches , a unique bar set inside the archways of the Grand Pont bridge. The bar looks out over place de l’Europe, so it’s the perfect people watching spot. Throughout the festive period, you’ll find Christmas markets around this area too.

Enjoy views of Lake Geneva

Regardless of the route you pick for your Switzerland itinerary, it’s likely you’ll pass Lake Geneva, or Lac Lémon as I affectionately heard it referred to in Lausanne. 

We didn’t have the best weather during our time in Lausanne, but on a clear day the views from Ouchy (Lausanne’s port area) are absolutely spectacular. Take a stroll along the edge of Lake Geneva and you’ll see boats coming and going, with beautiful views of the snow-topped Swiss Alps in the background. There are plenty of restaurants in this part of the city, many with beautiful lake views.

I took these photos from Montreux, a short drive from Lausanne. Just look at how clear the water is!

Stay at a luxurious hotel in Lausanne  

We checked into five-star Royal Savoy Hotel and Spa in Lausanne, one of Preferred Hotel’s collection in Switzerland. I’d liken it to staying at The Ritz in London!

It’s historic, grand and you’ll feel like a princess as you wander from marble-clad lobbies to plush lounge areas. There’s a fine-dining brasserie, winter chalet featuring an indulgent cheese-filled menu, a cocktail bar and cigar lounge. 

The brasserie is overseen by Michelin-starred Chef Marc Haeberlin,  and features locally-sourced seasonal ingredients.

One of the highlights for me was the spa. It may have been around zero degrees outside, but the steamy jacuzzi area made me feel toasty! 

Check availability and latest prices at the Royal Savoy Hotel and Spa here

Learn about fragrance in Lausanne

On my first day in Lausanne I visited perfume expert Philippe K ’s fragrance shop for a special Art Of Fragrance experience. The concept is unique; over a few hours I’d have a consultation with Philippe, who would analyse my personality and my connection with fragrances, then match my results with a perfume within the store.

It wasn’t a simple analysis though. I’d liken it to a counselling session with a psychologist, who happened to know about perfume! I learned about myself, relieved myself of some burdens I’d been carrying, and left with a fragrance I’d never have selected alone. It was a revelation!

The fun continued with dinner at the Royal Savoy Lausanne’s Brasserie, where the barman created a cocktail which complemented my chosen fragrance!

SAAS-FEE ITINERARY

Stay at a luxurious mountain hotel in saas-fee.

Saas-Fee is one of the most famous ski resorts in Switzerland, so where better to stay on a special holiday than the most luxurious hotel in the village: The Capra . It’s another in Preferred Hotels collection, and is a boutique hotel, in a wooden-chalet style. With 29 rooms, a personalised style of service and a large, cosy lounge, it’s a real home from home. 

The hotel’s décor oozes warmth, with a large fireplace in the lounge, flickery candles, plush cushions and an old-fashioned drinks trolley. We stayed in one of the penthouse suites, which boasted incredible views over the snowy roofs of the village, straight to the Swiss Alps.

While we weren’t skiing on this trip, the hotel has its own ski-in ski-out cabin right by the pistes, with heated boot racks and equipment lockers, meaning you’ll never need to lug your stuff to the slopes. Talk about five-star service!

My favourite place at The Capra? Peak Health Club – the hotel’s very own spa. I didn’t expect a small hotel to have such a large spa. There’s an indoor swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzi, wellness area with sauna, steam rooms and lounge areas, plus a yoga studio and treatment rooms.

The hotel also has a gourmet restaurant (open to non-guests too), serving up sophisticated and tasty dishes. From nourishing poke bowls at lunchtime, to steak and fish dishes for dinner. There’s even a sommelier who is happy to pair dishes with exciting Swiss wines.

Whether you’re skiing, fancy a relaxing break in the Swiss Alps or want to head off on some day trips, The Capra is the perfect base in Saas-Fee.

Check availability and latest prices at The Capra here

Catch the cable car to the Ice Pavilion and highest revolving restaurant

On our final morning in Saas-Fee, we well and truly got our Swiss Alps fix! We caught two cable cars and a train to reach Mittelallalin – a 3,500 peak just below Allalinhorn. Once there, we’d planned to go inside the Ice Pavilion , but sadly it was closed for safety reasons (apparently there had been some movement within the glacier). Ordinarily though, you can head inside the glacier and see a world of incredible ice sculptures, plus experience an avalanche simulation.

We did however enjoy mesmerising views from the viewing platform, before heading inside to Allalin Restaurant , the world’s highest revolving restaurant. It was a great spot to warm up with a frothy hot chocolate!

If you’re skiing in Saas-Fee you’ll probably be familiar with this area, as lots of people start their day on the pistes outside, but if you’re sightseeing like us, it’s somewhere I’d definitely recommend!

Hike around Saas-Fee

We spent one morning hiking around the local area with expert guide Alex from Ski Zenit. We’d planned to go on a snowshoe hike, but with no fresh snow, we decided to tackle the route in hiking boots.

Even in winter, there are some lovely hiking tracks, taking you around the outside of the village, through pretty alpine forests, around a glacial lake, across the base of the ski slopes and up to Gletschergrotte, a small bar and restaurant by the piste.

It was packed with skiers, stopping for their mid-morning pints, gluhweins and rostis, and a lovely place to appreciate the beautiful snowy mountains in the sunshine.

ZERMATT ITINERARY

Stay in a luxurious hotel with views of the matterhorn.

This was my second trip to Zermatt in winter . I was prepared for the spectacular views of the Matterhorn and the picture postcard town of wooden chalets and fairy lights. However, this time was extra special as we stayed at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof – one of the most famous hotels in Switzerland, and another in Preferred Hotels’ collection.

Anyone who has been to Zermatt will know this hotel. The magical building sits in a great position in the centre of the town, with a huge outdoor bar area and grand entrance. As Zermatt is car-free, the hotel has a very special mode of transport to collect guests from the train station – an old-fashioned horse and carriage, pulled by two beautiful white horses. Yep, you’re guaranteed to feel like royalty when you arrive at a five-star hotel like this!

The hotel itself is grand and chateau-like, with plush furnishings, glamorous chandeliers and a beautiful spa.

Foodies will adore this hotel, as it’s home to three restaurants – Brasserie Lusi, fondue haven SayCheese! And Michelin starred Prato Borni.

We stayed in a lovely suite on the third floor, with huge windows looking out towards the Matterhorn. It was cosy yet elegant – the perfect base for a few days of adventures in the area.

Check availability and latest prices at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof here

Train from Zermatt to Gornergrat  

The train from Zermatt to Gornergrat is one of the best things to do in Switzerland, and along with the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz, this ride is known as one of the most scenic train rides in the world.

The journey from Zermatt takes around thirty minutes, stopping at a few places in the mountains along the way. We timed our trip for first light, and enjoyed some incredible window views of the Matterhorn illuminated by the sun.

The vistas are incredible, and while in the mornings you might be jostling with skiers (who use the train to reach the top pistes), you’re likely to have it almost all to yourself on the descent. For the entire journey up, I was mesmerised by the view of the Matterhorn, barely taking my eyes off it! As you climb up the mountain you have the opportunity to see it from different angles, admiring its impressively sharp angles.

The final stop is Gornergrat train station at a height of 3,100m. There you can take in the panoramic views, visit the hotel, or warm up with a hot chocolate in the café. This is definitely a trip I’d recommend if you’re visiting Zermatt during your trip.

If you’re looking for other things to do, be sure to read my comprehensive guide to visiting Zermatt in winter .

Enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue in Zermatt  

During our trip to Zermatt, the snow same down pretty heavily, so I was happy to not only warm up in the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof’s luxurious spa, but also enjoy dinner at SayCheese! Restaurant. Unsurprisingly, the entire menu revolves around one of my favourite Swiss ingredients – CHEESE!

We were ready for our fondue fix, but for an even more indulgent option, we ordered one with added truffle. It was absolutely heavenly. I loved the cosy atmosphere, friendly service and was 99% cheese by the time I rolled out of the restaurant!

I hope you’ve found this Switzerland itinerary helpful for planning your dream trip. While this route will take you to three of the most beautiful spots in the country, you could extend the trip with additional stops or day trips to Lake Lucerne (with its spectacular Chapel Bridge), Interlaken, the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Grindelwald, Zurich and Geneva.

If you’re looking for more travel tips for your holiday in Switzerland, have a read of these guides before you go:

• 17 Unique Hotels in Switzerland
• Zermatt, Switzerland: Things To Do In Zermatt For Non-Skiers
• Where To Stay In Geneva, Switzerland

A big thanks to Preferred Hotels for hosting me in Switzerland and collaborating with me on this content. As always, all opinions are my own. Preferred Hotels are the world’s largest independent hotel brand representing more than 750 hotels, resorts, and residences across 85 countries. Find out more here .

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

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10 Days in Switzerland Itinerary by Swiss Travel Experts [2024]

Switzerland, a place to experience everything or nothing. 10 days in Switzerland is perfect for the lazy traveler seeking nothing except the view outside his window or the enthusiastic traveler wanting everything he can possibly do with land, air and water.

With 10 days in hand you can not only to cover the main Swiss attractions but also have some leisure time to go off the beaten path or just walk around soaking in all the beauty.

If you are coming in with an international flight, you will most likely land in Zurich so let’s start an itinerary based on this.

For your travel across the country, it would be best to arrive with a pre purchased Swiss Pass so that you can directly hop on to a train from the Zurich airport train station without having to wait in line and buy tickets or passes when all you want to do is head for your destination after a long flight.

Keep in mind that local travel in Switzerland is quite pricey. The pass will cover all public transport, give discounts on mountain trips, free entrance to museums and is totally free for kids under 16!

• Day 1: Lucerne - Swiss Museum of Transport or City Tour or Mount Pilatus

Day 2: Lucerne – Mount Titlis

• Day 3: Interlaken, Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
• Day 4: Montreux and Gstaad
• Day 5: Zermatt, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
• Day 6: Zermatt Village Tour or Sunnegga
• Day 7: Glacier Express Trip
• Day 8: Bernina Express Trip
• Day 9: Lugano – Lake Como, Italy
• Day 10: Depart from Zurich or Milan

Day 1: Lucerne

Arrive in Zurich and hop on to a train for Lucerne, which takes roughly 1.15 hours.Your day will depend on your arrival time into Lucerne. Here are some of the options for things to do in Lucerne today

Option 1: Swiss Transport Museum

Apart from showcasing the history of air, land and even space transport, this open air museum has a huge open arena where kids can try their hand at various activities. The complex also houses a planetarium, the country’s largest cinema screen and the popular Swiss Chocolate Adventure. This is justifiably Switzerland’s most visited museum.

Keep in mind - since it is partly open air, it would be wise to check the check weather before heading there. You can easily spend over half a day at the museum

Note: A Swiss Travel Pass discount is applicable on Swiss Museum on Transport entrance fees.

Option 2: Local City Tour

If you are too tired to do much after your flight, head out to explore the city at your own pace.

Start with old town by crossing over the famous Chapel Bridge and walk on the cobbled stone streets.

As you wind your way through these narrow roads, it will lead you to the famous Lion Monument. From here head back walking along the lake. If you have already started pining for chocolate, you will find many local chocolatiers along this walk so make sure to pop into them.

Option 3: Mount Pilatus

If you have almost the full day in hand, start off with a visit to one of the nearby mountains. Mount Pilatus would be a good choice here. The golden round trip offered on this mountain makes the travel as exciting as the peak.

Head to the Lucerne jetty (conveniently located opposite the main train station) and hop on to the boat heading to Alpnachstad. (This journey is free as it is a public transport and part of the Swiss Travel Pass).

At Alpnachstad, get off the boat and head to the cog wheel train (the steepest in the world) and proceed to Mount Pilatus. On the way back use the cable car down to Kriens and take the bus back to Lucerne. If you still have time upon your return, carry on with your exploration of the this lakeside town

Take a train from Lucerne train station to Engelberg (45 minutes) a beautiful Swiss village located at the base of the famous Mount Titlis.

From here either walk for 15 minutes or take a bus to the cable car valley station for Titlis. Start your journey by 2 cable cars (including the revolving cable car – Titlis Rotair) to reach the top with mesmerizing views of the Swiss Alps.

On the top, enjoy various activities like the Ice Flyer Chairlift, the Ice cave and the amazing Titlis Cliff Walk.

Try making it back to Engelberg with some time to spare so that you can walk around the village before going back to Lucerne.

Day 3: Lucerne – Interlaken – Jungfraujoch

We visit one of the most famous sights in Switzerland – Jungfraujoch -Top of Europe and the highest train station in Europe. For this journey, it is highly advisable to depart early from Lucerne – ideally by 7 am or latest by 8 am.

It takes 2 hours by train on the famous scenic train, Lucerne – Interlaken Express to reach Interlaken. Check in to your hotel and proceed to the mountain.

One can opt for the old and traditional route with 2 train changes to the top or the Eiger route.

The traditional route takes you from Interlaken Ost station to the peak via 2 changes in Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg. This route takes around 2 hours.

The route is very scenic and on the last journey the train stops at couple of times at viewing points that give breath taking views of the glacier.

The new route (started in 2020) takes you from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald by train. At Grindelwald, you switch to the cable car to reach the Eiger Glacier Station. Then again switch to train to reach the peak. This route takes roughly 1.15 hours

The Jungfrau excursion is one of the more expensive ones so make sure you have your Swiss Travel pass so that you get the almost 35% discount for pass holders

At the top enjoy amazing views of the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the alps.

Enjoy the ice palace with its sculptures, experience snow fun in the snow park in the summer and give in to temptation at the Lindt Chocolate Heaven.

On the way back down, you can stop at Grindelwald and visit this Alpine village or else stop at Lauterbrunnen and visit the glacial Trummelbach Falls.

The falls can be reached by a 10 minute bus ride from Lauterbrunnen station.

The Trummelbach falls are actually 10 waterfalls inside the mountain and can be reached via a lift.

Note: Kids under 4 years of age are not allowed to visit the falls.

Day 4: Interlaken – Montreux and Gstaad

The most idyllic pictures of Switzerland are likely shot in Gstaad. Leave early morning and head to this beautiful village (roughly 1.50 hours) via the famous Golden Pass Line.

The beauty of Gstaad has lured the rich and famous to holiday there and also made many leave their homes to settle there permanently. The perfect little wooden chalets in a perfectly manicured setting remind you of a scene from a fairy tale.

From Gstaad proceed by train to Montreux (1.35 hours) a beautiful village on the shores of Lake Geneva surrounded by beautiful Swiss Alps.

Walk along the lakeside promenade and visit the Chillon Castle, the most visited historical building in Switzerland.

In the evening, proceed back to Interlaken (2.15 hours).

Day 5: Interlaken – Zermatt

Travel to Zermatt (2.10 hours), the most popular car free village and famous ski resort. There are many things to do in Zermatt but the main attraction is the Matterhorn.

Settle into your hotel and proceed for a visit to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to get the best views of the Matterhorn. Walk through the village to reach the cable car base station.

If you have already purchased your excursion, exchange the voucher and take the first gondola up. The ride up is as beautiful as the view from below. You get a feeling of being enveloped in snow and ice. Spend some time getting the perfect photos, visit the Ice palace, have a hearty Swiss meal with a view before you head back down.

Note: Zermatt is a car free village. In case you have a hotel that is far from the station, make sure you call ahead and check if they offer complimentary or paid pick-ups

Day 6: Zermatt

Soak in the atmosphere of this typical Swiss village today. Just walk along the village centre with its numerous souvenir shops, cafes and boutiques.

Wander along the Hinterdorf, Zermatt’s unique old town with centuries old structures.

If you have not had enough of the Matterhorn, visit another vantage point - Sunnegga a famous scenic viewing spot for Matterhorn and the surrounding mountains.

With a funicular from the base station, you are at the top of the Sunnegga in under 5 minutes. Just relax with the best views or opt for some activities. There is a Marmot trail, the Wolli Adventure park and even kick biking available.

Day 7: Zermatt – St. Moritz

All aboard! Embark on what is said to be the most beautiful train journey in the world – The Glacier Express. It connects the west of Switzerland (Zermatt) to the east (St. Moritz).

The train journey is roughly 7 hours 45 minutes. The views are mesmerizing with a mix of snow, ice, glaciers, valleys, deep gorges and hair-raising Viaducts.

Seat reservation is mandatory and one of the benefits of Swiss Travel Pass is that one can get these at special rates.

It is advisable to book these seats well in advance as they always sell out soon.

St. Moritz is known to have some of the best ski pistes (slopes) in the world. This little village, which sits on a picturesque lake, is also home to some of the most exclusive spas and hotels.

Note: Depending on the season, there are up to 3 Glacier Express departures in a day.The Glacier Express has a fully equipped restaurant and meals can also be pre booked.

Day 8: St. Moritz – Lugano

One more scenic journey today. Only this time you head from snowy climes to Mediterranean warmth. The journey on the Bernina Express takes you from St. Moritz to Lugano passing through the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The Bernina express is a combination of train and bus journey. A compulsory reservation is required for both and is advisable to be done well in advance. Swiss Travel Pass holders get special rates.

The first leg of the journey is by train from St. Moritz to Tirano and takes 2 hours 15 minutes. The next part of the journey is via bus. The bus journey from Tirano to Lugano is 3 hours and gets you into Lugano at around 5:30 In the evening.

Note: While booking, pay attention to match the timings between train and bus connections.

• Depart St. Moritz at 9:17am and arrive Tirano at 11:32am
• Depart Tirano at 2:20pm and arrive Lugano at 5:30pm

Timings are subject to change and should be checked as per your travel date.

Day 9: Lugano – Lake Como

Venture into Italy today. Visit Lake Como, a picturesque and popular resort in Italy that can be reached via a direct train in just 45 minutes. Spend time walking around the lake or shopping for silk which this area is famous for. Return to Lugano in the evening

Note: You will need to purchase a train ticket to visit Como since the Swiss Travel Pass is not valid for this journey

Day 10: Lugano – Zurich or Lugano - Milan

What you can do today will be determined by your departure time and point of departure. In all likelihood, you will either depart from Zurich or else head to Milan

Option 1: - Zurich

Reach Zurich main station via a direct train (roughly 2 hours). You can deposit your bags at the main station and head towards the Rhine Falls. Spend some time at Europe’s largest waterfall, take a boat ride to the centre of the falls or view it from one of the viewing points close enough to feel the spray and hear the thunder.

Later, proceed back to Zurich main train station. Get out of the main entrance and continue walking down Bahnhofstrasse (main street) filled with retail outlets of all the top fashion, watch and jewelry brands.

Spend some time at the lake front at the end of Bahnofstrasse before heading back to the station to collect your bags and leave for the airport.

Of course, if you have more time, there are many other sights to see and things to do in Zurich

Note: The Rhine Falls charge an entrance fees of roughly CHF 5 per person as it is a protected National Park. The boat ride will cost additional CHF 8 to CHF 10 francs per person.

Option 2: - Milan

If you are departing from Milan airport, you will take a train to Malpensa airport (roughly 1.35 hours). You will have to purchase a train ticket since the Swiss Pass will not cover this journey.

Time permitting, you can get off at the main station and take a Hop-on -Hop-off bus tour to get a feel of the city.

Don’t forget your last-minute shopping. After all you are in the fashion capital of the world!

This 10 days in Switzerland itinerary covers some of the best mountains, lakes and train journeys that will leave you with memories lasting a lifetime.

Things to know:

The Swiss Travel Pass comes in versions of 3, 4, 8 and 15 days. There is also a continuous pass and a flex option which allows you to travel the chosen number of days within a month (very handy for those staying in one place much longer than in others)

Switzerland is certainly expensive when compared to the rest of Europe. To help with the budget, you can opt for apartments in Switzerland instead of hotels. Apartments can accommodate more people per unit and also have a kitchenette, which makes it comfortable to cook a few meals or have some grocery-bought-meals instead of going to restaurants

Restaurant meals can cost upwards of Swiss Francs 35 per person whereas a quick pizza, McDonalds or doner kebab meal can cost Swiss Francs 18-20

The best souvenirs to purchase would be the Swiss army knife, cow bells, chocolates and cheese…and if budget permits...Swiss watches!!

Never travel without a warm jacket, comfortable shoes and sunglasses. Many mountains are snow bound throughout the year.

Even though the Swiss Franc is the official currency, the Euro is accepted everywhere. Just keep in mind, that even if you pay Euro, change is always returned in Swiss Francs.

Euro coins are not accepted at most places. However, there are a few shops at the airport that do accept them.

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The Ultimate 10 Day Switzerland Itinerary

Switzerland is a stunning country in Europe surrounded by France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy and is home to the world famous Swiss Alps. While this mountain range can be seen from each of the bordering countries, seeing them from the Swiss side truly is a bucket list item. There is also so much to see and do in Switzerland that it deserves its own 10 day itinerary!

On this 10 day Switzerland itinerary you will be able to see all of the top sights including Zurich, Jungfrau, Grindelwald, Lake Geneva and Lauterbrunnen. Due to the abundance of transatlantic flights from all over the USA and Canada, we recommend you book your round trip flights from Zurich and start your itinerary from there!

Skyscanner is one of our favorite tools to find cheap flights around the world. Browse your options here!

The Swiss Travel Pass: A must-purchase on this 10 day Switzerland itinerary

The biggest reason to give Switzerland its own 10 day itinerary is that once you are there, it is incredibly easy to get around to different cities even without a car. The Swiss rail system is one of the most efficient and clean train systems in the world, which also leads to it being quite expensive. However, if you are dedicating 10 days to truly seeing as much of this beautiful country as possible, you can mitigate this cost by purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass. The Swiss Travel Pass includes all train and bus transportation, and even gives you discounts on cable cars and funiculars to get up to the top of some mountains.

There may be a bit of sticker shock when you first see the price of the pass, but we guarantee that you will end up saving money in the long run on this 10 day Switzerland itinerary by purchasing the pass. Transportation and activities in Switzerland are very expensive compared to other countries and each individual purchase will add up if you do not purchase the pass. The Swiss Travel Pass also gives you more flexibility to add different things to your Switzerland itinerary since it includes many activities and destinations in the purchase.

Read more details and purchase your Swiss Travel Pass here!

When is the best time of year to visit Switzerland?

Switzerland is a great place to visit any time of the year, it just depends which activities you want to do while you are there! While most think of Switzerland as a winter and ski destination, it is actually a perfect summer destination due to its numerous lakes and mild temperature. It is also great in the spring and fall for hiking while the weather is brisk.

10 Day Switzerland Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Zurich and check into your hotel.

Welcome to Switzerland! Spend the afternoon exploring the city of Zurich. Here are a few things to do to fight off jet lag and start your Switzerland adventure.

• Visit Grossmünster church
• Browse Kunsthaus Zürich Art Museum
• Walk up to Lindenhof Hill

One thing to note here, try not to be let down when Zurich has more of a city feel as it is the global center of banking and finance. Zurich is still a must see city in Switzerland and is the perfect starting point for any 10 day Switzerland itinerary! Don’t worry, you’ll be exploring the Alps in no time.

Day 2: Take the train from Zurich to Lucerne (50 minutes).

Lucerne is a beautiful city in Switzerland on Lake Lucerne. Here are a few things to do when you arrive in Lucerne.

• Visit the Chapel Bridge
• Check out the Lucerne Lion Monument
• Walk through Hofkirche (The Church of St. Leodegar)

Lucerne is also well-known for its preserved medieval architecture and partially walled Old Town. Take some to stroll through the historic Old Town! If you want to take in the view from the water, we recommend taking a one or two hour panorama cruise on Lake Lucerne.

Day 3: Wake up and soak in some more of the beauty of Lake Lucerne before heading to Lausanne (2.5 hour train).

Situated on the northern side of Lake Geneva, Lausanne is home to the International Olympic Committee and is a beautiful city to stay in while exploring the surrounding area including the city of Geneva. Here are a few suggestions of things to do and see in Lausanne!

• Go to the Olympic Museum
• Walk along the stunning Lake Geneva
• Take in the stunning views from the Lausanne Cathedral
• Walk through the historic old town

Lausanne is also surrounded by the UNESCO listed Lavaux vineyard terraces that are home to some great Swiss vineyards.

Day 4: Take a day trip to Geneva (35 minute train).

The next thing to do on your 10 day Switzerland itinerary is head to the historic city of Geneva. If you can, grab a seat on the lake side of the train in order to take in beautiful lake and mountain views throughout the train ride.

Here are some things to do on your day trip to Geneva!

• Explore the Old Town! The Old Town is a charming area full of narrow streets, historic buildings and charming shops. Be sure to visit some historic chocolate shops!
• Visit the Cathedrale Saint-Pierre, which is the oldest church in Geneva.
• Take a walk along the shores of Lake Geneva. This is a great place to relax and enjoy the views of the Alps.
• Visit the Jet d’Eau, which is the world’s largest fountain.
• Take a tour of the United Nations Headquarters. This is a fascinating place to learn about the work of the UN and its role in world peace.

You have the option here to take the 30 minute train back to Lausanne and stay another night there or stay the night in Geneva.

Day 5: Take a morning train from Lausanne to the city of Thun, located on Lake Thun.

The train from Lausanne to Thun takes approximately two hours total with a change in Bern. You have the option here to store your luggage at Bern train station and spend a couple of hours exploring the capital city of Switzerland before continuing your journey to Thun.

Thun is our personal favorite base city for exploring the surrounding mountain towns like Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Jungfraujoch. Most people opt to stay in Interlaken when exploring this area of Switzerland and have not heard of Thun. Housing in Thun is significantly cheaper than Interlaken, and it is still very accessible to everything you want to see! Thun is also a very charming town in Switzerland that is absolutely worth the stay and visit.

Once you arrive in Thun, we recommend taking this first afternoon to walk up to Thun castle, wander the streets of the beautiful old town and then take a walk down to Lake Thun in front of Schloss Schadau. This is one of our favorite days on this 10 day Switzerland itinerary! I (Maddy) literally cried while looking at the beauty of the Alps from Lake Thun.

Day 6: Take the train to Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken for the day.

On the morning of day 6 on your Switzerland itinerary, take the train to Interlaken. This day will be jam-packed as you try to see as much as possible in this area!

Once you arrive in Interlaken, we recommend heading straight for Harder Kulm, also known as the Top of Interlaken, as soon as you get off of the train from Thun. Getting here right when the funicular opens will give you your best opportunity to get a beautiful picture at the lookout point with as few tourists as possible. After you descend from Harder Kulm, walk over to the Interlaken Ost station to take the 30 minute train out to Lauterbrunnen.

Grab lunch in Lauterbrunnen and spend the early afternoon enjoying the Lauterbrunnen Valley Hike. In its entirety, this hike would take you through Switzerland’s most iconic valley and the inspiration for JRR Tolkien’s Rivendell. On this hike you will see some of the most beautiful waterfalls, 72 in fact if you take the time to complete the entire hike. If you are just stopping here for an afternoon however, you will not have time to do this entire hike. We recommend at the very least walking up to Staubbachfall Waterfall in Lauterbrunnen. We hiked to Staubbachfall during our time in Lauterbrunnen and it is truly beautiful to take in the views along the way. Be prepared to get a little wet from the wind blowing part of the falls along the trail on your way up to the waterfall!

Once you have had your fill in Lauterbrunnen, take the 30 minute train back to Interlaken Ost. Depending on how long you spent in Lauterbrunnen, you may have time to explore Interlaken town and watch the paragliders descending from the mountains into the town center. From Interlaken, you can either take the train, bus or steamboat back to Thun. We took the historic steamboat home and relaxed while it zigzagged across Lake Thun before eventually dropping us off a short walk from the Thun Old Town.

Day 7: Head over to Grindelwald and take a trip to Jungfrau, the top of Europe.

Grindelwald is an hour and a half train ride from Thun and is one of the most famous Swiss mountain villages, situated at the foot of Jungfrau. We recommend immediately heading up to Jungfraujoch, also known as the Top of Europe, when you arrive in Grindelwald. In order to get to Jungfraujoch, you will take the train from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg and then change to the Jungfrau Railway. The journey takes approximately an hour and a half each way. We recommend spending 4-5 hours at Jungfraujoch in order to take in the epic views and make the cost and travel time worth it.

We chose Grindelwald over Lauterbrunnen as your last base of the trip because it is better known for its social scene and nightlife.

Day 8: Time to hike! Spend your day hiking up into the Alps on any of the many trails from Grindelwald.

There are tons of different hike options while staying in Grindelwald. We recommend the Grindelwald – Glacier Canyon hike which takes about an hour and a half and is 2.5 miles long at a moderate difficulty.

If you are looking for a harder hike in this area, we recommend the Grindelwald – Kleine Scheidegg hike. This is considered a hard difficulty hike at 6 miles and takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

Day 9: Travel back to Zurich from Grindelwald.

In order to get back to Zurich, you will take the train to Interlaken from Grindelwald and then connect on a train from Interlaken to Zurich.

The entire journey should take just under three hours. Here you can choose to spend more time in Grindelwald, take an elongated break in Interlaken before connecting, or get straight to Zurich to spend more time in the city before heading home.

If you have an early flight, we strongly recommend making sure you get a good night sleep before the long travel day home.

Day 10: Depart from Zurich and fly back home.

Depending on your flight time, you can of course opt to do some more exploring in Zurich before heading home!

Additional tips for planning a trip to Switzerland

Here are some additional planning tips for a 10 day trip to Switzerland!

Most places will accept credit card.

We managed to use our credit card at almost every establishment in Switzerland. Of course, it is always a good idea to have some cash handy just in case something comes up, but you should not need much as most places will accept card.

If traveling on a budget, be prepared to eat most meals from the supermarket.

Here’s the deal, everything in Switzerland is expensive and dining out at bars and restaurants is no exception. In order to save some money, stop in a Coop Supermarket for cheaper meal options.

Book your housing as soon as possible.

Switzerland is a popular tourist destination all year long and housing options will get booked up. We recommend booking your accomodations as soon as you know your travel dates!

While this is the 10 day Switzerland Itinerary that we recommend from our travel experiences in Switzerland, feel free to add or remove any stops along the way. There is so much to see and do in Switzerland that there is no right or wrong way to travel through this beautiful country!

For example, the train from Zurich to Lausanne is 2.5 hours or Zurich to Geneva is 3 hours. You could easily cut out days in the Thun/Interlaken area to spend more time out West. You could even head up North to the city of Basel. That’s the beauty of a 10 day Switzerland Itinerary, the country is so well connected by rail that you can make any stops you want. As long as you purchase the Swiss Card, all of your trains and buses are included!

We hope that you find this 10 day Switzerland Itinerary helpful and are so excited for you to experience all of the beauty that this country has to offer.

Hi friends! Welcome to The Jet Lag Journey.

This is an online destination that tackles difficult travel questions in order to make worldwide travel practical and accessible. Happy exploring!

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10 Amazing Days in Switzerland – Itinerary by Scenic Trains

Last Modified: April 12, 2024 //  by  Anda //   35 Comments

It’s easy to plan a fabulous itinerary in a country like Switzerland where jaw-dropping scenery surprises you on every corner. Snow capped mountains, azure lakes, quaint villages, and vibrant cities make this country perfect for any European journey . However, deciding whether to spend 10 days or more in Switzerland may be a little tricky if you want to build a more varied itinerary.

Table of Contents

Swiss Travel Pass Information

About this 10 day switzerland itinerary, day 1: arrive in zürich and travel to lucerne, day 2: lucerne, day 3: interlaken, where to stay in interlaken, day 4: day trip to jungfraujoch, day 5: day trip to lake brienz, day 6: zermatt, day 7: day trip to gornergrat, day 8: st. moritz, day 9: day trip to diavolezza, day 10: traveling from st. moritz to milan via bernina express, why should you visit switzerland by train.

Visiting Switzerland by train is an experience in itself. We opted to use the Swiss trains because they are clean, safe and efficient. Their timetable is planned to the second. They jokingly say in Switzerland trains don’t run by the clock. Instead, the clocks are set by the arrival and departures of the trains! 

Our itinerary included three scenic trains (Golden Pass Panoramic Express, Glacier Express and Bernina Express) as well as regular trains.

So what’s the difference between a regular train and a scenic train?

A regular train is meant to take you from point A to point B. You may see some scenic views on the way, but the main purpose of these trains is transportation, not sightseeing. 

The scenic trains on the other hand, will also take you from point A to point B, but they pass through the most picturesque landscapes you could ever imagine. On the scenic trains the journey is as rewarding as the destination.

Rail passes are almost always a smart choice in Switzerland, as pay-as-you-go tickets are quite expensive. The Switzerland-only Swiss Travel Pass is a particularly good deal. The pass covers nearly all transport in Switzerland, including buses, boats, and many high-mountain lifts.

The Swiss Pass is valid on all trains, including those designated as ‘ scenic ’. However the pass does not over the cost of seat reservation which is required on panoramic trains, like Glacier Express, or Bernina Express. 

Normal trains (which do not require a reservation) also run on all of these ‘ scenic ’ routes, but they don’t have panoramic cars.

Many high-mountain routes, however (such as the train to Jungfraujoch, or to Gornergrat) are only partially covered.

Advantages of the Swiss Travel Pass

• Unlimited traveling  throughout the country.  No tickets required  for trains, buses and boats; just board and enjoy the ride;
• Discounts  on trips to mountain tops;
• Free museums  entrance;
• Children travel along for free ;
• No tickets are required for the scenic trains, like the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, etc. However, for the scenic trains seat reservations are required.

Swiss Travel Pass Options

Option 1 :   Swiss Travel Pass  is sold for 3, 4, 8 and 15 consecutive days and allows unlimited travel on the network of Swiss Travel System. The pass also grants free entrance to over 480 museums and exhibitions. 

Option 2 :   Swiss Travel Pass Flex  gives you access on the Swiss Travel System network for 3, 4, 8 or 15 non-consecutive days within a month. This pass allows you to choose your travel days. 

Option 3 :  Swiss Half Fare Card  which entitles you to purchase tickets for train, bus, boat, and a few mountain railways at 50% off the price.

The kind of Swiss Pass you’ll buy depends on your itinerary and how much you are planning to use the public transportation system in Switzerland. 

From time to time, there are promotional offers, so I advise you to check the  Swiss Travel Pass official site  for more up-to-date prices.

Our 10 day itinerary focuses on the German and Italian parts of Switzerland. We started our trip in Zürich and continued onward to Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt, and St. Moritz. From St. Moritz we crossed the border into Italy and flew back home out of Milan .

We’ve spent 2-3 nights at each of these destinations, which allowed us to include a few day trips in our itinerary. We included in our itinerary famous cities, small towns, as well as some of the most scenic regions in Switzerland, like the Bernese Oberland, the canton of Valais, and Engadin.

It took us 10 days to visit all these places at a relaxed pace, but if you have less time in Switzerland, you can adapt this itinerary to 6, 7, or 8 days as well.

The Ultimate 10 Day Switzerland Itinerary by Scenic Trains

Below is an overview of what I consider to be the best itinerary for spending 10 days in Switzerland.

The place where you start your trip may vary, but if you are traveling to Switzerland from overseas you’ll most likely choose Zurich Airport as your landing point.

Zürich is the ideal starting point for your 10-day Switzerland itinerary. If you’ve never seen the city before, I strongly recommend spending a little time visiting it.

We visited Zürich some years before, on a long layover, so we chose to skip it this time. Therefore we went directly to the Zürich railway station, located underneath the main passenger  terminal  of the airport.

Trains from Zürich to Lucerne depart every 30 minutes and the travel time is about 45 minutes. You can easily arrive in Lucerne on the same day you land in Zürich.

Tickets for all public transport services (including trains) can be purchased at SBB ticket machines in Arrival areas 1 and 2. You don’t need to worry about buying tickets for Lucerne ahead of time.

We arrived in Lucerne in the evening and checked into a hotel right in the center of the city, within walking distance from the train station.

Located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, Lucerne enjoys a fabulous setting: on the banks of the lake that bears the same name, with a backdrop of the Swiss Alps. Once you see it, you’ll understand why Lucerne is considered one of the  most beautiful cities in Europe .

We’ve only had one day in Lucerne , which was enough to discover the city’s most important attractions. However, if you can stay longer there are many wonderful day trips that you can take in this area.

Where to Stay in Lucerne

Although Lucerne is pretty small and easy to visit, my advice is to stay in the city center. Accommodations in this area are less expensive than in the Old Town.

We stayed into  Cascada Boutique Hotel  which was within walking distance from the train station and also very close to the Chapel Bridge. There are however numerous  other properties to choose from , depending on your budget.

Lucerne to Interlaken via the Golden Pass Panoramic Express Line

From Lucerne we traveled to Interlaken via the Golden Pass Panoramic Express . The line stretches from Lucerne to Lake Geneva, but we stopped in Interlaken. 

When I made the reservations, I was hoping to get aboard the luxurious Classic Belle-Epoque train. Unfortunately, the classic cars run only between Montreux and Zweisimmen.

Nonetheless, the Golden Pass Panoramic Express is really beautiful. The cars feature huge windows that stretch up to the ceiling. Seats are also very comfortable, both in first and second class. 

The 2-hour ride from Lucerne to Interlaken is so enthralling that you would wonder if you are not in heaven. 

Interlaken is is Switzerland’s most popular resort and for a good reason. First of all, it’s absolutely gorgeous: perfect scenery and a wonderland climate. Secondly, there are lots of fun things to see and do in Interlaken , like exploring the Harder Kulm Peak , or taking a boat trip on Lake Brienz.

With its perfect infrastructure, Interlaken makes a perfect home base for exploring the awe-inspiring Bernese Oberland.

There are quite a few lodging options in Interlaken, depending on your budget. The town is very safe, so no matter where you are staying you will be O.K.

$$$  Victoria Jungfrau  is Interlaken’s most luxurious hotel. I haven’t stayed there, but the opulence and elegance of the lobby attests to the rooms’ elegance.

$$ We have been guests of the  Lindner Grand Beau Rivage Hotel , which is equally elegant and luxurious but much less expensive. The hotel is located in the heart of Interlaken, just minutes from the Interlaken Ost train station, right on the banks of the Aare River.

$  Hotel Interlaken  is also a good and affordable choice for Interlaken. The hotel is close to Ost Train Station and is actually one of the oldest hotels in Interlaken.

If you are looking for budget accommodations, I would suggest staying in Grindelwald or Wengen, two beautiful towns very close to Interlaken.

On the 4th day of our itinerary we took a day trip to Jungfraujoch, the 3,466 meters peak in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland. To reach the peak you need to ride the  Jungfraubahn , Europe’s highest-altitude railway . 

Jungfraujoch can be reached via two routs. Either by taking the train to Wengen, or to Grindewald. Both routes are about the same distance, so you can start on one and return on the other. This segment of the trip takes about 20 minutes. 

From Grindewald or Lauterbrunnen (via Wengen) you need to change to a cog train heading towards Kleine Scheidegg (about 45 minutes). From Kleine Scheidegg you change trains again to get to the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe station.

Jungfraujoch will take your breath away ! It’s really at the Top of Europe , as they say. I can’t imagine being any higher that this and still be on the Earth! There are quite a few fun things to do up there, so you’ll be spending an entire day on this trip. 

Interlaken is geographically situated between two crystal clear lakes: Thun and Brienz. Both lakes offer a regular boat service, but my personal preference is Lake Brienz ( Brienzersee ), which is a little smaller.

We took a boat ride on Lake Brienz and visited the small town of Brienz. The boat leaves from Interlaken, right behind the Ost train station, and passes by many beautiful towns along the way.

Before turning back, the boat stops for about 30 minutes at the idyllic town of Brienz. This allows you enough time to visit the port area or walk on the promenade. However, you may decide to stay longer in Brienz and return to Interlaken with a later boat.

The town is famous for its wood carvings and its traditional Swiss chalets. There is also a Wood Carving Museum displaying a large collection of new and antique wood-carvings, sculptures and musical boxes.

Traveling from Interlaken Ost to Zermatt by Regular Train

From Interlaken we took a regular train to Zermatt, boarding in Interlaken Ost early morning. The journey takes an average of 2h 30m, over a distance of around 47 miles (75 km). Even though this is not a scenic train the route is extremely beautiful, passing by lakes, alpine meadows and the breathtaking Matter Valley.

There are normally 23 trains per day traveling from Interlaken Ost to Zermatt and tickets start from $35.00/person when you book in advance. They are usually more expensive when purchased on the same day.

Zermatt, the tiny little village at the foot of the Matterhorn , doesn’t need an introduction. There are not many ski resorts in the world that enjoy its reputation. But although skiing is the number one attraction in Zermatt, there are so many other things to do here.

The village is relatively small (with only 5 or 6 streets) so you can walk almost anywhere. The gorgeous mountains, crystal clear lakes and accessible trails make Zermatt an outdoor lovers’ paradise.

Where to Stay in Zermatt

Zermatt is considered a very expensive destination. It’s difficult to find any lodging below $200/night, even if you go off season.

More than half of Zermatt’s hotels are clustered around the main street, Bahnhofstrasse, that extends south from the train station for about half a mile. There is also another batch of hotels beyond the river and the some others in the outskirts of the town.

Most of Zermatt’s hotels are family-run and are particularly clean and well appointed. You must be very unlucky to hit one of the less agreeable accommodations. We have been guests of the Romantik Hotel Julen , one of the old, traditional hotels in Zermatt

The highlight of our visit to Zermatt was a  train trip up to the top of the Gornergrat , a rocky ridge that sits at an altitude of 3,089 m in the Pennine Alps, Switzerland.

The cogwheel train ride from Zermatt to the viewing platform on the Gornergrat is an experience in itself. The train leaves from a yellow building (station) just across the main train station in Zermatt. 

The ride takes a little over half an hour, but it’s really beautiful. Once the train arrives at its final destination atop the Gornergrat, you can walk up the short, snowy path that leads first to a little chapel, then to the hotel/restaurant and the observatory whose domes are visible for miles.

After admiring the stunning panoramic views from the top of the Gornergrat, you can then take the train back to Zermatt, or you may choose to come down on foot.

Traveling from Zermatt to St. Moritz via the Panoramic Glacier Express

We’ve spent the most part of the 8th day of our Switzerland itinerary aboard the panoramic Glacier Express , riding from Zermatt to St. Moritz. The Glacier Express is considered Switzerland’s most beautiful train ride and for a good reason.

During the course of its 8-hour journey, the narrow-gauge train goes across three high-mountain passes, passing through  91 tunnels and over 291 bridges.

The scenery is out-of-this world beautiful! We kept our noses pressed against the window for the entire duration of the trip.

We arrived in St. Moritz late afternoon. After checking into our hotel, we took a walk through town, glancing at the art galleries, glamorous old hotels, and glittery boutiques.

The mountain town has only a handful of streets, spreading along the western banks of St. Moritz Lake. Although it’s a very picturesque town, you don’t need much time to explore it.

The area around St. Moritz is also strikingly beautiful. If you have time, I recommend walking around the lake and admiring the bucolic landscape.

Where to Stay in St. Moritz

St Moritz is one of the most stylish, most exciting  ski resorts in Switzerland . Therefore luxury accommodations are in abundance. However, finding reasonably priced hotels or Bed-and-Breakfasts are difficult to find.

$$$ If you are looking for luxury hotels, Kempinski Grand Hotel, Giardino Mountain, or Badrutt’s Palace Hotel will fit the bill.

$$ More reasonably priced hotels are Petit Steffani, Hotel Pitz, or Hotel Arte, or Hotel Casa Franco.

We were guests of Hotel Steinbock, which a little outside St. Moritz, in Pontresina. The hotel was extremely clean and well appointed, and in a beautiful location.

Just 15 minutes away from St. Moritz, in the area of Pontresina, lies one of the most spectacular mountain peaks in Switzerland: the Diavolezza, the mountain of eternal ice.

To get here, you can either take a cab or the bus. The cab dropped us right at the bottom of the mountain, from where we embarked on a 7- minute tramway ride to the summit.

Once you reach the summit you find yourself amidst the Bernina Mountain Range with its giant peaks. Not surprisingly, there are glaciers all around you, on all sides of the mountain. They say there are five billion tons of ice in this area, covering a distance of 12 kilometers. Impressive!

We visited Diavolezza in May, when the weather was pretty warm and sunny. However, there was a lot of fresh snow at the top and people were still skiing.

We’ve spent our 10th day in Switzerland traveling between St. Moritz and Milan, via the Bernina Express railway. The Bernina Express is the highest altitude rail in Europe.

The iconic red carriages of the Bernina Express serve the narrow-gauge rail route between St. Moritz and Tirano. The train climbs slowly from St. Moritz towards the Bernina Pass, passing by incredible alpine landscapes that you can enjoy through the panoramic windows. 

The BEX runs from St. Moritz to Tirano twice a day. The morning train leaves around 9:15 am and gets you to Tirano for an easy connection to Milan. When you arrive in Tirano at the Swiss station, just walk across the station square to the Italian station. It’s only two minutes away.

If you want to have lunch there before boarding the train for Milan, there are a few restaurants around the square where you can stop. We ate at one called Posteria Del Rosso and liked it. Good food and service. There is also a gelateria across the street.

This sums up our 10 day Switzerland itinerary that started in Zurich and ended in St. Moritz. You can alter this itinerary by shortening or extending it, according to the number of days you can spend in Switzerland. I hope I was able to provide you with enough useful information to help you build your own route.

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

Tanja Koffer

September 23, 2023 at 2:23 pm

After reading your post, I’m convinced that Switzerland deserves a spot at the top of my travel list. Thank you for sharing this inspiring itinerary that’s sure to create unforgettable memories for fellow travelers like me!

September 23, 2023 at 8:00 pm

Glad you found this post useful, Tanja. Happy travels!

May 3, 2023 at 10:54 am

Hi, We are planning a trip this May end with kids. We want to cover all the places you have mentioned but the return flight is from Zurich. I see Zermatt to Moritz distance is about 8 hrs and am sure return back to Zurich will also be long. Any suggestions on how we can plan?

May 3, 2023 at 2:01 pm

It takes about 3 hours to drive from St.Moritz to Zurich, so it’s not so long. There are also trains and busses that can take you there.

Pawan Aggarwal

March 17, 2023 at 5:15 pm

How to book hotels and train rides ahead of time before departure? Please advise !

March 17, 2023 at 6:02 pm

If you read my post you’ll notice that I have links to the hotels that I recommended. You can click on the link and book the respective hotel, or you can choose another one. As for the train rides, with the Swiss Travel Pass you’ll get free access to trains, busses and boats all throughout Switzerland. However, for high-mountain routes such as the train to Jungfraujoch, or to Gornergrat, you’ll have to buy tickets locally, from the train station. Hope this helps.

February 1, 2023 at 5:23 pm

Hello, Thank you kindly for this VERY informative itinerary to Switzerland. It has become our go-to itinerary during our research. My friend and I are planning on visiting either early or late June and mainly staying somewhere in the Bernese Overland. I was wondering what the weather would be like around early or late June. I understand that weather changes quickly in the Alps or mountains. But just an overview would be nice. We want to avoid crow in July and August.

Does it rain a lot in June? We mainly want to hike and be up in the mountains.

February 1, 2023 at 5:48 pm

Hi Riza, After June and July, June is one of the best months to visit the Bernese Overland. So the second part of June usually sees less rain. However, weather is always a lottery in Switzerland. We took our trip at the end of May and had perfect weather. Not a cloud in the sky, not even a drop of rain! Hope you’ll have a wonderful time in Switzerland.

Frances Streiter

September 8, 2022 at 5:54 am

We are arriving Zurich for a full 7 day visit. We would like to see Lucerne, Berne, Zermatt, and Lugano. Is this logistically doable?

September 8, 2022 at 9:08 am

Technically you can, but you’ll be spending a lot of time on the road and very little time at each destination. I personally recommend spending at least two days in each city to get a sense of the place.

Tanusree Mukherjee

May 2, 2022 at 11:40 pm

We are planning our trip this summer from Stockholm and the itinerary you shared is wonderful. Just have a question we would like to add Geneva. So what is the best route from Interlaken to Geneva? Also, if we buy swiss rail pass, will we able to avail free local train / bus / special trains like glacier express?

May 4, 2022 at 4:50 pm

The Swiss rail pass (also called Swiss Travel Pass) gives you unlimited access on the network of Swiss Travel System, including the Glacier Express. It will also give you access to numerous museums and exhibitions. However, for the scenic trains seat reservations are required. In regards to adding Geneva to your itinerary, as far as I know the GoldenPass train doesn’t go to Geneva. It runs from Lucerne via Interlaken to Montreux, on Lake Geneva, but not to Geneva. You might want to check that online however.

Boyd Tattrie

March 14, 2022 at 8:03 am

Hi, we’re looking at a trip to Switzerland this fall and we’re using your itinerary as a starting point. It looks good. However the map at the top showing the destinations is misleading – it shows you going from Zermatt to Lugano, but based on what you’ve written, it should show Zermatt to St Moritz, a much longer distance. Lugano isn’t on your itinerary. You may want to correct this.

March 15, 2022 at 3:41 pm

Thank you, Boyd. You are right, that was the wrong map. I replaced it now.

March 20, 2021 at 10:06 pm

Thank you for this informative post and beautiful landscapes. It is a privilege and delight to our eyes to see this precious creation.

The train journey is indeed amazing.

March 21, 2021 at 11:32 am

Thank you for your comment, Stephanie.

December 4, 2020 at 11:27 am

Switzerland is one of the prettiest countries I’ve ever seen. Dan and I had the chance to spend a few days there a few years ago. Like you, we landed in Zurich and enjoyed exploring the city. We also did a day trip to Lucerne and Mount Pilatus, which was incredible.

Coincidentally, we’ve been talking about returning to Switzerland after the pandemic and touring by scenic trains. So thanks for this article, Anda. It’s a great resource.

December 7, 2020 at 6:54 pm

I am looking forward to returning to Switzerland too, Linda. Hope we’ll be over this pandemic soon.

Nathan James

November 13, 2020 at 12:49 am

I want to visit Switzerland someday and ride on the Glacier Express. Missed the country on my only trip to Europe. I visited Italy, France, and the UK. Next time – Switzerland and Germany.

November 13, 2020 at 8:47 am

Hope you will.

Laura Schwormstedt

October 14, 2020 at 6:44 pm

I took the train from Nice in France to Zurich as it was such a stunning train ride – the landscape is amazing and I would love to discover more of Switzerland by train – it’s on the bucket list for sure

October 15, 2020 at 4:49 pm

There are many beautiful train itineraries in Europe, I agree.

October 14, 2020 at 12:00 pm

Switzerland is now part of my bucket list after watching Crash on Landing on You. Will make sure to take the scenic trains. It’s cool that they offer this. Thank you for sharing this detailed itinerary and tips. Bookmarking your post for future reference.

Subhashish Roy

October 14, 2020 at 2:01 am

I have been to Switzerland just once for 4 days and could cover just Zurich, Lucerne & Mount Titlis. This post of yours is what touches on the trip I have been thinking about for sometime now. A Switzerland trip by train. The perfect itinerary and all the tips are going to be immensely useful for me while planning. Bookmarking for the right time to use it. Thanks so much for the lovely itinerary.

October 14, 2020 at 2:51 pm

The more time you have, the more you can see. Besides, traveling by scenic trains will open a new perspective on Switzerland.

October 13, 2020 at 6:44 pm

Last year I was in Zurich for a very brief period of time and I loved it. That country is so beautiful and everything is pretty. I definitely want to go back and see the country more and I know for a fact that trains are the best way to experience this untouched heaven on earth. I will try to accomodate this itinerary and see what I can plan. Thanks for this.

Soumya Gayatri

October 13, 2020 at 4:33 am

Such a wonderful and scenic itinerary for Switzerland. We love exploring countries and on public transport and when there are trains like those of Switzerland, then we would never say no. Those scenic trains connecting pretty cities are just amazing. They make both the destination and the journey so worthwhile. I visited Switzerland more than 10 years ago and remembering falling in love with Lucerne. Your post makes me want to go back again.

October 13, 2020 at 3:18 pm

Yea, I’d love to go back to Switzerland too. I loved it there!

Vaisakhi Mishra

October 12, 2020 at 10:10 pm

This is an interesting and well balanced itinerary. I had always heard Switz rail pass was a mandate in order to explore Switzerland but never knew why – now I do thanks to you! Very helpful tips throughout the post. Pontresina area sure looks surreal and trip to Jungfraujoch looks so rewarding!

October 12, 2020 at 10:37 am

Switzerland is such a fantastic country and I agree that trains are a great way to see as much of the destination as possible. Have traveled by train a few times in Europe and can only agree that the trains in Switzerland are incredibly punctual and comfortable. It looks like you had a fantastic experience in the alpine country and I will definitely save this post for future travel inspiration.

Rina Nehdar

October 12, 2020 at 10:29 am

What a thoroughly planned itinerary you’ve put together! The scenic train ride looks like a must when traveling in Switzerland. The large windows on the train make for some amazing sight seeing. Thank you for taking the time to put together such a great itinerary, I will use it as a reference in the future!

Rhonda Albom

October 11, 2020 at 2:47 pm

I love the scenic train way to tour Switzerland. I think they must pick the best route for the trains for seeing the gorgeous scenery. The large view windows in the carriages would allow me to take it all in. I took a similar train ride in Alaska and it was a definite highlight.

October 11, 2020 at 8:51 pm

The scenic trains were worth every penny, Rhonda. The the journey itself was as beautiful as the destination.

Bhushavali N

October 11, 2020 at 1:50 pm

This is an awesome itinerary. While we may never go on a 10 day trip, we are hoping to go on 2-3 short trips. Indeed I’ve heard many good things about Swiz rail passes. Thanks for the clear idea about the different types of passes and what’s included & excluded in each of it. I’ve always been fascinated by the huge glass windows of panoramic view trains. The train ride to Interlaken must have been splendid! Lake Brienz is definitely a great choice. It looks calm & non-touristy.

October 11, 2020 at 8:52 pm

Hope you’ll make it to Switzerland, Bhushavali

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How to spend 10 days in Switzerland — 3 unique itineraries

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Nestled in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is a mesmerising tapestry of pristine landscapes, charming villages, and cultural richness that beckons travellers from around the globe. Read on for our guide on how to plan a 10-day Switzerland itinerary. 

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Switzerland, created by local experts

8 days  / from 2675 USD

Special Golden Round Trip to Switzerland (small group or private)

Stay active on Switzerland's mountains with hikes and cable cars before indulging in delicious Swiss cheese and wines around Lausanne and Geneva. Is there a better way to get a taste of Switzerland than to actually taste it? Pricing is based on a small group tour, enquire for a private tour!

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Unforgettable Switzerland

Discover Switzerland's real natural paradise. Enjoy 11 relaxed days of picturesque scenery, breathtaking views, romantic towns, eternal ice and snow, rural villages and historic buildings. Visit Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and many other highlights.

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Lakes and mountains for the whole family in Italy & Switzerland

Spend your first 3 nights at Lake Como in Italy, discovering the area by boat or foot, before heading to Zermatt in Switzerland. Zermatt with its peaceful nature is the ideal backdrop for strolls, hikes and other activities with the whole family.

Is 10 days enough for Switzerland?

Places to visit on a 10-day switzerland itinerary, itinerary #1: grand circle of switzerland, itinerary #2: unforgettable switzerland, itinerary #3: special golden round trip to switzerland, prepare for your 10-day switzerland itinerary.

Whether you're drawn to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, the serene beauty of its lakes, or the vibrant cities pulsating with history and innovation, Switzerland offers a fantastic destination to spend 10 days. 

This amount of time will allow you to explore several key destinations and experience the country's diverse attractions. With a well-planned itinerary, you can cover a mix of urban and natural attractions. consider the time of year you plan to visit, as seasons can influence the availability of certain activities and the weather conditions. 

Want to make the most of your 10 days in Switzerland? Consider hiring a professional to plan your trip. Our Switzerland travel experts will craft a perfect itinerary for you.

Aerial view over the city of Bern - the capital city of Switzerland © 4kclips/Shutterstock

Here's our pick of the best places to visit in Switzerland on your 10-day trip:

Begin your Swiss journey in Zurich , a city that seamlessly blends historic charm with modern sophistication. Roam the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, explore cultural institutions like the Kunsthaus Zurich, and take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque shores of Lake Zurich.

Next on your itinerary is Bern, the capital city of Switzerland. Immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, marvel at the Zytglogge clock tower, and make sure to pay a visit to the iconic Bear Park.

Mt. Pilatus

Embark on an adventure to Mt. Pilatus, a majestic peak in the Swiss Alps. Ascend via the cogwheel railway or the scenic cable car for breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Once at the summit, savour the panoramic vistas and perhaps indulge in some local Swiss cuisine.

Explore the car-free village of Zermatt , nestled at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn. Whether you're a skiing enthusiast, a hiking aficionado, or simply seeking unparalleled alpine beauty, Zermatt has something for every nature lover.

Grindelwald

Conclude your Swiss odyssey in the charming village of Grindelwald , a gateway to the Jungfrau region. Surrounded by stunning peaks, it offers an array of outdoor activities, from hiking and skiing to taking in the views of the Eiger North Face. Grindelwald serves as the perfect farewell to the diverse wonders of Switzerland.

Zermatt and Matterhorn in Switzerland © Shutterstock

Embark on a 10-day Gran Circle of Switzerland itinerary , starting in Zurich with highlights like Bahnhofstrasse and Lake Zurich. Explore Rhine Falls, visit St. Gallen's Abbey Library, and then journey to Interlaken for a day at Jungfraujoch. 

Discover Bern's UNESCO World Heritage site, continue to Lausanne and visit Montreux with Chillon Castle. Ascend Matterhorn glacier in Zermatt, experience the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, and conclude in Lucerne. Read more .

Montreux in Switzerland © Shutterstock

Itinerary overview

Here's our pick of the best places to visit on your 10-day trip to Switzerland:

• Train transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich city centre &check-in at your hotel
• Free time to enjoy Zurich on your own and rest after a long flight
• Discover the spectacular sights of Zurich, including Bahnhofstrasse, Lake Zurich, St Peter’s Church, and the Old Town
• Ride the Dolderbahn railway to the Zurichberg district
• Enjoy a one-day romantic train tour from Zurich to Rhine Falls
• Stroll through romantic towns: Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen
• Visit the famous Abbey Library in St. Gallen
• Train transfer to Interlaken
• Check-in at your hotel in Interlaken
• Leisure time in Interlaken
• Cogwheel train ride and Eiger Express gondola ride to Jungfraujoch
• Experience Europe’s highest railway station at 11,333 ft
• Marvel at the Aletsch Glacier, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau massif
• Return to Interlaken in the afternoon with an evening at leisure
• Explore the historical part of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Visit Switzerland’s tallest cathedral and other historical buildings
• Continue to Lausanne in the afternoon
• Check in at your hotel and explore Lausanne on your own
• Visit Chillon Castle in Montreux, located on the banks of Lake Geneva
• Scenic train ride to the car-free village of Zermatt
• Check-in at your hotel in Zermatt
• Leisure time in Zermatt with views of the Matterhorn
• Ascend by cable car to the top of Matterhorn Glacier
• Enjoy the highest viewing platform in Europe
• Explore Zermatt on your own
• Full day on the Glacier Express, the most renowned Panoramic Train
• Enjoy the Alpine scenery and a delicious lunch served at your seat
• Optional: Excellence class on Glacier Express Train
• Arrival and check-in at your hotel in St. Moritz 
• Enjoy the Pontresina area or continue directly to Lucerne
• Train transfer from St. Moritz to Lucerne
• Check-in at your hotel in Lucerne
• Afternoon exploration of Lucerne
• Train transfer to Zurich Airport
• Flight back home

Create lasting memories in Switzerland - book your trip with us .

Geneva skyline © Benny Marty/Shutterstock

Embark on an 10-day Unforgettable Switzerland trip to discover genuine natural paradise. Relish picturesque scenery, romantic towns, and historic buildings, all against a backdrop of eternal ice and snow. 

Begin in Zurich with city exploration and a romantic train tour to Rhine Falls. Travel to Lucerne for cityscape discovery and a Golden Pilatus round trip. 

Cruise Lake Thun, explore Interlaken and experience Jungfraujoch's high-Alpine wonder. Scenic trains lead to Zermatt for Matterhorn views, followed by a visit to Montreux and Geneva. Conclude your adventure with Geneva exploration before departing from the airport. Read more .

Aerial view of Lucerne skyline and Lake Lucerne © Benny Marty/Shutterstock

• Train transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich city centre & check-in at your hotel
• Free time to relax and explore Zurich
• Morning exploration of Zurich, including Bahnhofstrasse and Lake Zurich
• Afternoon one-day romantic train tour to Rhine Falls
• Stroll through Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen, and visit the Abbey Library in St. Gallen
• Morning train transfer to Lucerne
• Free time to explore Lucerne's cityscape, including Chapel Bridge, Water Tower, and more
• Golden Pilatus round trip for panoramic views
• Options for gondola lift, aerial cable car, and cogwheel train
• Afternoon at leisure in Lucerne
• Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Thun in the afternoon
• Explore Interlaken at leisure
• Cogwheel train and Eiger Express gondola to Jungfraujoch
• Explore the high-Alpine wonderland
• Return to Interlaken in the evening
• Morning train to Geneva with a short stop in Montreux
• Visit Chillon Castle in Montreux
• Afternoon arrival in Geneva, check-in, and leisure time
• Explore Geneva's landmarks, including the "Jet d’eau" and St. Peter’s Cathedral
• Day at leisure for personal exploration
• Transfer to the airport for your departure

Ready for a paradise holiday? Book your Switzerland trip now .

Lausanne, Switzerland © Shutterstock

Embark on an adventure amidst Switzerland's majestic mountains, immersing yourself in invigorating hikes and scenic cable car rides. On this Golden Route Swiss trip , starting with a guided walking tour of Zurich and a romantic train tour to Rhine Falls.

Explore Lucerne with a Mt. Pilatus Golden Round Trip, venture to Grindelwald for the Top of Europe experience, and hike the First Cliff Walk. Continue to Zermatt for Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, then visit Montreux and Chillon Castle. Enjoy wine tasting in Lavaux, a culinary day in La Gruyere, and explore Geneva's landmarks before departing. Read more .

Lake Lucerne and Mountain Pilatus © Shutterstock

• Meet our representative at the arrivals hall at the airport
• Transfer to Zurich hotel, check-in, and leisure time
• Afternoon: Zürich city guided walking tour (up to 2 hours)
• Evening free time to discover the city on your own
• Morning exploration of Zurich landmarks
• Stroll through Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen, and visit the Abbey Library in St. Gallen
• Private transfer to Lucerne
• Golden round trip to Mt. Pilatus with cogwheel train and cable car
• Private Guided tour of Lucerne
• Evening at leisure in Lucerne
• Private transfer to Grindelwald, passing by Interlaken
• Check-in at your hotel in Grindelwald
• Top of Europe trip to Jungfraujoch
• Evening at leisure in Grindelwald
• Hike to Bachalpsee and First Cliff Walk
• Descend with FIRST FLYER and FIRST GLIDER experiences
• Check-out and private transfer to Zermatt
• Evening leisure time in Zermatt
• Cable car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
• Leisure time in Zermatt or optional activities
• Check-out and private transfer to Montreux
• Explore Montreux and visit Chillon Castle
• Guided tour of Montreux
• Private transfer further to Lausanne
• Check-in at your hotel and leisure time
• Late afternoon wine tasting in Vinorama in Lavaux
• Accommodation in Lausanne
• Morning visit to Cailler for a chocolate factory tour
• Cheese production visit in Pringy
• Afternoon visit to Gruyeres with castle exploration
• Return back to Lausanne
• Farewell Swiss Dinner with dinner in Geneva

Excited to discover? Waste no time and book this trip now .

Abbey Cathedral of Saint Gall in Switzerland © Ruslan Kalnitsky/Shutterstock

Allow our team of local Switzerland travel experts to curate your dream Swiss trip. When you're ready to embark on your adventure, reach out to us , and we'll craft a personalised itinerary just for you.

Feel free to browse our pre-designed Switzerland itineraries for ideas, and remember that all can be tailored to meet your specific needs. For more inspiration, discover some of the best things to do in Switzerland .

The Rough Guides to Switzerland and related travel guides

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Travel advice for Switzerland

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Switzerland

• Geneva travel guide
• Lausanne travel guide
• Zürich travel guide
• Basel Switzerland Travel Guide (2022 update)
• Bern Travel Guide
• Lucerne Travel Guide
• Lake Geneva Travel Guide
• Northeast Switzerland and Liechtenstein Travel Guide
• Sports and outdoor activities in Switzerland
• Bernese Oberland travel guide
• Jungfrau Region travel guide
• Valais travel guide
• Graubünden Travel Guide
• Zermatt and the Matterhorn travel guide
• Central Switzerland Travel Guide
• Ticino Travel Guide
• Best accommodation in Switzerland
• How to get to Switzerland
• Culture and Etiquette in Switzerland
• Eating and drinking in Switzerland
• Getting around Switzerland
• Switzerland travel tips
• Best time to visit Switzerland
• Festivals in Switzerland

Find even more inspiration here

written by Dre Roelandt

updated 14.02.2024

Dre Roelandt is originally from the United States but lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Dre is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for travelling. They are an in-house Content Editor at Rough Guides.

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The ultimate 10 day Switzerland itinerary

Trying to plan ten days in Switzerland for your next Europe trip? This epic 10 day Switzerland itinerary will show you the best places to visit, things to do, how to get around, where to stay and everything else you need to bring your Switzerland dreams to life.

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If you’re currently dealing with too many tabs of travel blogs, forums and Youtube videos trying to piece together the ultimate 10 day Switzerland itinerary for your upcoming trip, I totally know the feeling.

Switzerland is an absolute dream, with charming alpine villages, sky-high peaks and glossy lakes to discover, but turning a dream into a doable itinerary is easier said than done. Between choosing from the jaw-dropping sights and figuring out the spiderweb of train connections, planning a Switzerland trip can feel like tackling the Eiger.

Lucky for you, I’ve travelled through Switzerland more than a few times (and I’ve got a couple thousand photos to show for it). It’s one of my all-time favourite countries, the dramatic landscapes remind me of home , there are so many epic outdoor adventures to be had, and the fondue is really the icing on the cake.

You all loved my five day Switzerland itinerary so I thought I’d share my most recent trip, 10 days in Switzerland ticking off five cities/towns and a bunch of mountains. Below you’ll find a super fun itinerary to follow, with info on the destinations, things to do, where to stay, places to eat and other travel tips to help you make the most of your money and time in Switzerland.

Ready to dive into the land of clocks, cows and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate? Let’s get started!

10 day Switzerland itinerary summary

Day 1: explore zurich, day 2: zurich to lucerne via st gallen.

Day 3: Mountain day trip (Rigi, Pilatus, Titlus or Stanserhorn)

Day 4: Lucerne to Grindelwald

Day 5: Mountain day trip (Jungfrau or Grindelwald)

Day 6: Grindelwald to Interlaken via Lauterbrunnen

Day 7: Explore Interlaken

Day 8: Interlaken to Zermatt

Day 9: Mountain day trip (Gornergrat or Matterhorn)

Day 10: Zermatt to Zurich

What to know before your 10 days in Switzerland

When to visit switzerland.

I’m a passionate shoulder season traveller, I love getting the best mix of mild weather, fewer crowds and lower prices, so my personal opinion is that the best time to visit Switzerland is May/June and September/October .

Weather in Switzerland

Switzerland’s weather can be frustratingly unpredictable, but that’s all part of its charm. You never really know what you’re going to get until you wake up and look out the window! Even weather forecasts aren’t trustworthy, the alpine landscapes mean things can change from one side of the mountain to the other, and you might get the bonus experience of feeling four seasons in one day.

But to give you at least an idea of what to expect, here’s a quick breakdown of the main seasons.

Summer (June-August) is usually warm and sunny, with high temperatures and humidity particularly hanging around the low-lying valleys. Your best bet for a summer trip to Switzerland is to get out into the mountains where you can enjoy fresh air, just be sure to pack layers and a raincoat in case you get hit by a classic summer thunderstorm.

Autumn (September-November) is my favourite time to visit for photography, the tree colours are absolutely incredible against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains. Dreamy! The weather is unpredictable, on my most recent trip I experienced heavy snow in Zermatt at the end of October whereas last year at the exact same time I was in shorts and a t-shirt up the Gornergrat mountain, so best to be prepared for all eventualities!

The winter months (December-February) turn Switzerland into a ski tourist’s paradise, with countless ski resorts opening their slopes, après-ski scenes coming alive and charming cities transforming into festive wonderlands. Visit earlier in this period for Christmas vibes, or towards the end to get the best chance of great ski conditions. Keep in mind that days are much shorter in winter so you’ll struggle to squeeze as much sightseeing into your daylight hours.

And finally, the spring months (March-May) sees the country start to thaw out and some of the mountain hikes start to reopen. Again the skies and temperature can be unpredictable here, so pack a range of clothing to cover all the bases.

High season in Switzerland

Switzerland’s busiest tourist months are the same as the rest of Europe, the July/August summer holidays. During this time you’ll struggle to find a single city or mountain town not packed with fellow travellers.

If you’re tied to these months due to family or work commitments then my top tip is to book in advance to secure decent prices for accommodation and trains, lock in tickets to attractions so you don’t miss out, and stay flexible so you aren’t at the mercy of crowds ruining your plans.

If you are open to other times of the year, the May/June and September/October period before and after summer is pretty perfect , with more affordable prices, less people to share the views with and generally mild weather.

For those of you wanting to experience Switzerland in all its winter glory then January is the busiest winter month at the ski resorts, but the past couple of years has seen a later ski season start and February often brings excellent ski conditions.

Languages in Switzerland

Switzerland is basically Europe’s version of the overachieving kid at high school, the country has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansch.

The most common language you’ll come across in the destinations in this 10 day Switzerland itinerary is Swiss German so it’s worth learning a few basics to be able to greet and thank people correctly, but you’ll find that people working in tourism and hospitality will all speak basic English at the very least.

How to get to Switzerland

Zurich and Geneva are your main gateways to Switzerland by air, SWISS Airlines flies direct from hubs all over the globe or you’ll be able to find an easy connecting flight from pretty much any major city. Low cost carriers like EasyJet and RyanAir also fly into Basel Airport.

Switzerland has one of the best train networks in Europe, and it’s well-linked by international train lines with France, Italy, Germany, Austria and more. It might be cheaper for you to fly into Paris , Munich or Milan and catch a train into Switzerland instead.

If you’re combining Italy and Switzerland, check out my Northern Italy Switzerland itinerary options (with a few different routes for different timeframes and travel styles), and if your 10 days in Switzerland is part of a bigger adventure then my three month Europe itinerary shows you a bunch of potential no-fly Europe routes to build your dream trip.

If you’re exploring Europe in a rental car then Switzerland is easily accessible from all neighbouring countries, just check if you need an International Driver’s Permit first and keep in mind that some mountain villages are car-free, so you’ll need to park on the outskirts and catch a train or bus there instead.

How to get around Switzerland

One word: TRAINS!

Train travel is the ultimate way to see Switzerland , you get the best bang for your buck in terms of time and money, all the tourist spots are incredibly well-connected, and it’s fairly easy to get the hang of Swiss trains and train stations with a little bit of research before you go.

This itinerary (as well as my shorter 5 day Switzerland itinerary ) is based off my own trip travelling only by train, using speedy intercity trains, fancy panorama trains (special tourist trains) and iconic mountain railways.

Train travel in Switzerland isn’t cheap (let’s be honest, nothing’s cheap in Switzerland) but the good news is that there are some travel passes you can use to save some CHF for more fondue. Here are some travel passes worth knowing about, plus my recommendation for the best pass for your trip.

Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass gives you unlimited access to the Swiss Travel System network , which covers most trains, buses, boats and public transport, as well as giving you 50% off many mountain railways/cable cars, and free entry to more than 500 museums.

Your ticket on most public transportation is fully covered, but if you plan on taking one of the panorama trains (like the Bernina Express or Glacier Express ) you’ll still need to pay for a seat reservation.

You can choose a certain number of days for your Swiss Travel Pass and it can either be consecutive days (best for a fast-paced trip) or a flex pass where you choose the days you want to activate the pass (better for a slower trip where you’re only moving cities every 3-4 days). You need to use a travel day for any day you make use of free transport or discounted trips, like mountain railways.

👉🏼 Read more: Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?

🎫 Buy your Swiss Travel Pass

Swiss Half Fare Card

The Swiss Half Fare Card does what you’d expect it to, it gives you a 50% discount on most public transportation (trains, buses, boats etc.) as well as mountain railways.

I’m going to do a more detailed breakdown of the Swiss Half Fare Card vs. the Swiss Travel Pass but in terms of which one is best, it really depends on the itinerary.

If you’re taking multiple expensive panorama trains like the Bernina Express or Glacier Express then the full Swiss Travel Pass might come out on top, but for lots of mountain railways the Half Fare Card can often end up being better value.

👉🏼 Read more: Is the Swiss Half Fare Card worth it?

🎫 Buy your Swiss Half Fare Card

Eurail/Interrail Passes

If you’re travelling Europe by train with a Eurail or Interrail Global Pass then your pass will work in Switzerland, this will cover your ticket for all trains between towns and cities (though you will need to pay for seat reservations on panorama trains).

The Eurail/Interrail passes don’t include boat/bus/public transport within cities like the Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card.

One thing to note with a Eurail/Interrail Pass is that unlike the Swiss Travel Pass, taking advantage of a discounted trip like a mountain railway does not require you to use a travel day on a Eurail/Interrail Pass.

This is hard to find confirmation of online because there’s conflicting info and things have changed with some Eurail extensions in Switzerland in December 2023, but I spoke to my go-to rail experts at Rail Europe and they directed me to this official response from Eurail clearing it all up. Just scroll down to Camilo’s response from January 2024.

👉🏼 Read more: Is a Eurail Pass worth it?

🎫 Buy your Eurail Pass or Interrail Pass

Regional travel passes

A few regions in Switzerland have their own travel passes which cover transport in the area, like the Tell Pass for the Lucerne region or the Jungfrau Travel Pass .

Usually these passes end up covering more than a Swiss Travel Pass or Eurail Pass, i.e. they often offer better discounts on mountain excursions (or cover them completely), but as you’re only in those places for a short time it might not be worth it.

You can also combine the Jungfrau Travel Pass with the Swiss Half Fare Card and the Jungfrau pass for a discounted rate (not half price but about 22% off) and then use the Half Fare Card for all your travel in the non-Jungfrau region.

The travel passes work best when they’re covering a longer period, a three day Swiss Travel Pass is 97CHF per day whereas a 10 day Swiss Travel Pass is 55CHF per day, so getting a mixture of three 3-day travel passes will end up being more expensive than one 9-day pass.

I know that sounds a bit confusing but it just takes a little bit of calculation work to find the best option. I’ve got a breakdown just after this next blog section!

👉🏼 Read more: Is the Jungfrau Travel Pass worth it?

🎫 Buy your Jungfrau Travel Pass or Tell Pass

Getting around Switzerland by car

I haven’t driven around Switzerland myself so I can’t give you any personal recommendations here, but honestly the train system is so fantastic that I just think having a car would be more trouble than it’s worth.

Parking in cities is expensive. some places on this itinerary are car-free, and whoever is driving will miss out on some of the best views. whereas on a train you can enjoy the scenery without worrying about keeping your eyes on the road. Skip the car and go for the green, convenient and scenic option instead!

The best travel pass for this 10 day Switzerland itinerary

I know I’m sounding like a broken record here but it really does depend on the exact itinerary. Let’s look at a couple of scenarios.

If you were to follow this whole ten day itinerary for Switzerland , including Rigi and Pilatus in one day in Lucerne, both Jungfrau and Grindelwald, Gornergrat in Zermatt and the Glacier Express, the best option would be the Swiss Half Fare Card .

The total cost for your transport and mountain excursions would end up being about 720CHF (including the pass for 120CHF), though that could obviously change depending on season and demand. If you went for the Swiss Travel Pass for the exact same trip you’d be paying 786CHF all up including the pass, or if you did a combo of the Tell Pass , Jungfrau Travel Pass and Half Fare Card you’d spend about 803CHF total.

However, a few changes could make a big difference:

• Remove Jungfraujoch from your itinerary and switch Pilatus to Stanserhorn and the Swiss Travel Pass ends up being the cheapest option
• Remove the Glacier Express and the Swiss Half Fare Card comes out the cheapest by a long shot
• Spend more time in Lucerne and do all four mountain excursions nearby and the Tell Pass/Jungfrau Travel Pass/Half Fare combo ends up being best value
• If you’re spending time in Italy, France, Germany or any other European country afterwards, the Eurail/Interrail Pass might end up being a better option for you as the cost-per-day of the longer passes is really good value, but keep in mind that the mountain excursion costs do add up. You could consider taking a shorter Eurail Pass (e.g. 10 days instead of 15 days) and then using a Swiss Half Fare Card for your time in Switzerland instead.

One thing is for sure, and that is that point-to-point tickets are pretty much never the way to go if you’re planning on being in Switzerland for more than a week.

What to budget for 10 days in Switzerland

I’m sure no one here is expecting me to say that Switzerland is an affordable European destination, but I can help you get a better idea of what to prepare for in terms of expenditure.

If your idea of a Switzerland holiday is a luxe mountain-view hotel room, fine dining, ticking off all the mountain railways and travelling in style then you’re going to be looking at a pretty pricey bill by the end of it. Worth it if you can afford it though!

But if you’re trying to keep it within a reasonable price range, then with some careful planning, advance booking and well-considered compromises on your travel style, you might be surprised at what you can get for your money.

Please note: These prices are based on my personal experience in Switzerland and are of course very changeable and dependent on season. Always check current accommodation costs for your planned travel dates before booking flights, you don’t want to lock in flights and then realise your hotel costs are way more than you expected.

Accommodation

For those of you looking at the cheapest end of the accommodation scale for your 10 day Switzerland trip, prepare to spend around 35-70CHF for a bed in a shared dorm at a hostel or 75-110CHF for a private room, or perhaps a bit more for touristy destinations during high seasons or events. These hostels often have access to cooking facilities though so you’ll be able to save on food, this could end up saving you 20-30CHF per day.

For mid-range 3*/4* accommodation at a hotel or guesthouse, you’re likely to spend anywhere from 140-300CHF per night depending on the quality and facilities.

For a night of luxury at an epic 5* hotel, expect prices upwards of 300CHF per night, up to the early four figures for many top-rated resorts in places like Zermatt, St Moritz or Grindelwald.

Top tip: I always use booking.com to search for my accommodation options, then I’ll cross-check the direct website to see if booking direct is any cheaper (it’s usually not) or offers any extra benefits like free breakfast or late checkout.

Transport costs will probably make up a decent chunk of your Switzerland budget, and these will depend on your exact route, how far in advance you book, and if you use a travel pass.

As I mentioned above, if you plan on following this itinerary fairly closely you should expect to spend around 720-800CHF for your inter-city trains, public transport and 4-5 mountain excursions.

If your budget is reeeeally tight and you’re happy to cook your own meals at hostels or live off supermarket snacks, you could get away with spending 15-20CHF per day on food at a real push. This would give you enough for some fruit, bread rolls, juice, chips and other cheap snacks, but wouldn’t be enough to cover ready-made salads, sandwiches or any meals out.

An average restaurant main meal will generally cost around 25-30CHF, or if you’re dining somewhere fancy you can expect to spend 45-50CHF or more on a single course dinner. A local beer or wine typically starts from 6/7CHF.

Who is this Switzerland 10 day itinerary for?

This 10 day itinerary is for travellers heading to Switzerland who want to make the most of their time in this European slice of paradise. It’s a fairly fast-paced trip, you’ll be busy throughout each day and moving cities every second day or so, but that’s what it takes to experience the best Switzerland has to offer over 10 days.

If you’re looking for a shorter trip you can check out my 5 day Switzerland itinerary, or if you have more time you can take this itinerary and slow it down. Enjoy!

Arrive into Switzerland’s cosmopolitan hub, the city of Zurich, and spend a night here before exploring beyond the city on day two.

About Zurich

Zurich might not be at the very top of your Switzerland bucket list, especially if you’re coming for outdoor adventures and alpine scenery, but spending a bit of time in the biggest city sets the stage for the rest of your trip.

There is plenty to see and do for all types of travellers, from fancy spa complexes to relax in after a long flight, to countless chocolate shops serving sweet treats, to fascinating museums offering an insight into Swiss character.

The city is wonderfully walkable, and if you’re short on time and want to get a Zurich rundown without too much logistical planning then the free walking tour in the Old Town is an absolute must.

Things to do in Zurich

• Wander around the Aldstadt (Old Town)
• Head up to Lindenhof Square for an incredible view over the river
• Taste test Swiss chocolate at the famous chocolatiers in the city, some notable ones are Teuscher, Vollenweider and Sprüngli, or you can book a chocolate walking tour to visit a few different ones
• Visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate for an in-depth look at one of the most famous chocolate makers in the world
• See the twin towers of Grossmünster and its incredible stained glass windows (5CHF entry, check opening hours here ), you can climb 187 steps to the top of the tower if you want to see the view
• Do a fondue and wine tour on an eco-friendly tuktuk
• Soak your travel stress away at the Hürlimann Baths & Spa , they have a spectacular rooftop infinity pool plus an epic Roman-Irish spa ritual in ancient vaults
• Stroll along the waterfront of Lake Zurich or go on a lake cruise
• Visit a museum, there are lots! Kunsthaus Zürich is the biggest art museum in Switzerland, Landesmuseum offers a deep dive into Swiss national history and culture, the FIFA Museum is a must for football fiends, and Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich is a unique one hidden beneath a jeweller, showcasing more than 270 watches and timekeeping objects
• If you’re keen to experience Zurich’s nightlife before heading to quieter places, the Zurich Pub Crawl has great reviews
• For a full day Zurich experience all organised for you, this tour on GetYourGuide is well-rated and includes a city tour, lake cruise and the Lindt Home of Chocolate
• Indulge in some fine dining, we tried the degustation menu at Carlton and it was impeccable

Where to stay in Zurich

• Zurich Youth Hostel (basic backpacker hostel with a fridge/microwave but not a proper kitchen)
• MEININGER Hotel Greencity (simple but stylish, full kitchen for guests, a bit far from the city centre)
• If you’re arriving late and just want to stay near the airport, Capsule Hotel Zurich Airport is ideal
• 25hours Hotel Langstrasse (my top personal recommendation for a mid-range stay, it’s an epic design hotel with super friendly staff and a great location in the vibrant Langstrasse district)
• Marktgasse Hotel (brilliant location in the Old Town)
• Hotel Adler (historic hotel with good value single rooms for solo travellers)
• My favourite place to stay in Zurich is the beautiful B2 Hotel , a book-lovers dreeeeam. They have a huge library/dining room with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves two storeys tall, a brilliant workspace for digital nomads, and all the amenities you’d want like a gym, in-room workout equipment by request, and a delicious buffet breakfast. The hotel is in the same building as the Hürlimann Baths & Spa I mentioned earlier, and hotel guests get 50% off their entry. The hotel gives you a luxury experience but is actually a lot cheaper than the classic luxury hotels in Zurich!
• The Mandarin Oriental Savoy opened in Jan 2024 to rave reviews
• If you really want to splurge, Baur au Lac is an incredibly opulent 5* hotel with a 2-Michelin-star restaurant

It’s time to say goodbye to the big city and make your way towards the mountains, with a quick pit stop on the way. And by on the way I mean a completely different direction, but I promise it’s worth it!

How to get from Zurich to St Gallen

If you want to take an scenic route and don’t mind spending a long day on trains, you can catch the train from Zurich to Schaffhausen and then from Schaffhausen to St Gallen via Stein am Rhein along the Rhine and Lake Constance. This trip takes 2h 40m all up.

If you’d prefer to just get there quickly, there are loads of direct trains from Zurich to St Gallen throughout the day that take about 1h-1h 15m.

Both of these options are fully covered by a Swiss Travel Pass or Eurail/Interrail Pass, no seat reservations needed.

Once you get to St Gallen you can store your bags in the luggage lockers at the train station so you can explore without lugging suitcases around.

About St Gallen

I hadn’t even heard of St Gallen the first couple of times I visited Switzerland, and after seeing it with my own eyes, I can’t believe so many people leave it off their Switzerland itineraries.

St Gallen is a quaint town tucked away in eastern Switzerland close to the Liechtenstein and German borders, with a beautifully-preserved Old Town boasting ornate bay windows and intricate carvings that set it apart from other Swiss villages.

But the real gem in St Gallen’s crown is the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Abbey of St Gall , an 8th century architectural marvel, and its absolutely magical library. One of the oldest in the world, the Rococo-style library boasts elaborate stucco work and ornate frescoes, and houses an invaluable collection of medieval manuscripts and books that date back to the 700s.

Bookworms and history enthusiasts alike must make the side trip to St Gallen, it truly has to be seen to be believed.

Tickets are 18CHF for access to the Abbey Library, Vaulted Cellar and Exhibition Space, you can book online on the official website .

How to get from St Gallen to Lucerne

Another reason to add St Gallen to your Switzerland itinerary is so that you can tick the iconic Voralpen Express off your train bucket list.

Part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, the Voralpen Express runs hourly from St Gallen to Lucerne, taking 2h 15m to cover a distance of 125km. The scenery from this train is beautiful, not as dramatic as some other trains later on in this itinerary but still definitely worth it.

This train is fully covered by a Swiss Travel Pass or other rail pass, no seat reservations required.

About Lucerne

From one historic city to another, Lucerne is the epitome of Swiss charm. Nestled between countless snow-capped peaks, it’s the kind of place where every turn offers a postcard-worthy view, from the historic Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) with its iconic water tower, to the beautifully painted facades of the old town buildings.

Lucerne is the perfect place to travellers seeking a blend of culture and nature, it’s much less businessy (that’s a word now) than Zurich and is a gateway to mountain adventures and lake activities alike.

Things to do in Lucerne

• Take a tour around the city to get your bearings, there’s this walking & boat tour , a self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt , or I love the look of this top-rated Night Watchman Historical Tour
• See the city and mountains from a lake cruise , or splurge on one with a 3-course lunch included
• Visit the Swiss Museum of Transport to unravel the history of Switzerland’s trains, cars, boats and planes
• Go on a day trip to one of the nearby mountains, I’ll give you some details on each of the options in the next section of this blog
• Treat your taste buds with a food tour
• Do a small group wine tasting tour
• Go paragliding
• Join a photography walking tour if you’re a budding shutterbug

Where to stay in Lucerne

• Backpackers Luzern (my go-to for a cheap and cheerful stay, it’s a 15 minute walk from the train station and has clean, comfortable rooms at a decent price. Nothing fancy, but fine for a short stay!)
• Hotel Sonnenberg (top-rated budget hotel out of the city but easily reached by funicular)
• Hotel Beau Séjour Lucerne (simple but cute budget hotel with affordable private rooms)
• On my most recent trip I stayed at the Lubo , a funky smart-hotel right in the historic city centre. Spacious room with a big, comfy bed, a kitchenette, breakfast at a lovely cafe downstairs, and access to washing machines. I’d happily stay here again!
• Hotel des Balances (a tasteful 4* hotel with gorgeous views)
• Hotel Rebstock (quirky, quality accommodation for a good price)

• Lucerne Lake View Apartments (dreamy apartments with full kitchens and epic views)
• Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort (25 mins from Lucerne, a true luxury resort experience amongst the mountains)
• Hotel Villa Honegg (this one is probably in the top ten of my personal accommodation bucket list because of its mountaintop infinity pool)

Day 3: Lucerne + mountain day trip to Rigi, Pilatus or Stanserhorn

Start off your full day in Lucerne with a delicious breakfast, I love ROKKA for somewhere easy and affordable, or Melissa’s Kitchen for something a bit heartier.

After breakfast, pack a day bag and get ready to head out on an adventure into the mountains. There are a few to choose from so here’s a bit of a rundown to help you pick what suits you best.

Open all year

How to get there

You can catch a boat to Vitznau, then switch to a cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm, or you can catch a train to Arth-Goldau and switch to a cogwheel to Rigi Kulm.

Or you can combine both and do the boat-cogwheel first and then cogwheel-train on the way back!

• Known as the ‘Queen of the Mountains’, offering stunning 360-degree views of the Alps and lakes
• Europe’s first mountain railway, the Rigi Mountain Railways, dating back to 1871
• Beautiful mineral baths at Rigi Kaltbad
• Hiking trails suitable for all levels
• Rigi is open year-round, mainly offering hiking and sightseeing in summer, and hiking, snowshoeing, sledding and skiing in winter

Price & discounts

It depends on the route you choose:

• 10-14CHF one way for the train between Lucerne and Arth-Goldau
• 31CHF one way for the boat between Lucerne and Vitznau
• 78CHF return from either Arth-Goldau or Vitznau to Rigi Kulm (you can go up one way and down the other)

And the mountain railway discounts are:

• 100% discount on the whole journey with Swiss Travel Pass or Tell-Pass
• 50% discount on the whole journey with Swiss Half Fare Card
• 50% discount on the mountain railways and the Lake Lucerne boat with a Eurail Pass or Interrail Pass (no need to use a travel day)

Book tickets on the official Rigi website >>

Stanserhorn

Open from 13 April to 24 November 2024

Catch an easy 15-20 minute train from Lucerne to Stans, walk a couple of minutes to Stanserhornbahn and then jump on the vintage funicular up to Kälti midway station, which takes about ten minutes. From Kälti you change to the epic CabriO cableway for a thrilling ten minute final leg to reach the top.

• A nostalgic trip on the restored wooden funicular carriage for the first bit
• The world’s first open-top cable car, the CabriO, offering unobstructed views
• Revolving restaurant for dining with panoramic views (but you need a seat at the edge of the revolving platform to really enjoy it)
• Suspended walkway for epic photos
• About 16CHF return from Lucerne to Stans
• 82CHF return from Stanserhornbahn to the top
• 100% discount with Swiss Travel Pass or Tell-Pass
• 50% discount with Swiss Half Fare Card
• 25% discount with Eurail Pass or Interrail Pass (no need to use a travel day)

Book tickets on the official Stanserhorn website >>

Mount Pilatus

Open year-round but some travel options are seasonal

There are a few different ways to get to and from Mount Pilatus.

• Take a boat across Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad (available from 6 May to 21 October) or take a train from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, then switch to the cogwheel train to reach the summit (cogwheel train runs from 6 May to 17 November)
• Bus to Kriens, catch the panoramic gondola to Fräkmüntegg, then change to the ‘Dragon Ride’ aerial cableway to the top (runs year-round except for maintenance from 20 October to 9 November)
• Combine the boat, cogwheel, cable cars and train to create a loop, this is called the ‘Golden Round Trip’
• Combine the bus, cogwheel, cable cars and train to create a loop (just no boat), this is called the ‘Silver Round Trip’
• World’s steepest cogwheel railway
• Panoramic aerial cableway and gondolas to Kriens
• Family-friendly activities like a rope park, Pilu-Land playground, toboggan run and ibex safari
• Astronomy evenings including accommodation up the mountain
• Some cool culinary experiences like fondue in the panoramic gondola and an Easter brunch event
• 113CHF for the full Golden Round Trip, 130CHF if you want access to the 1st class boat deck
• 92CHF for the Silver Round Trip
• 14CHF to get from Lucerne to Kriens return, then 78CHF for a return ticket up and down the aerial cableways (if you don’t want to go on the cogwheel or if it’s closed)

There are some somewhat complex discounts available too:

• A Tell Pass gets the whole Lucerne to Pilatus trip included
• A Swiss Half Fare Card gets the whole trip at half price
• A Swiss Travel Pass will cover your transport between Lucerne and Alpnachstad (bus or boat) and/or Kriens (train) for free, and you’ll get 50% off the Pilatus cogwheel railway and aerial cableways
• A Eurail/Interrail Pass will get you 50% off the boat trip to Alpnachstad and 50% off the Pilatus cogwheel railway and/or aerial cableways (no need to use a travel day)

Book tickets on the official Pilatus website >>

Mount Titlis

Open year-round except for maintenance from 4-15 November

Catch a 43 minute train to Engelberg, walk a short way to the cable car station, then it’s a trip on the Titlis Xpress cable car to Stand station and a quick switch to the Titlis Rotair revolving cable car to Titlis. The cable cars take about 30 minutes all up.

• The world’s first rotating aerial cableway, taking ‘panoramic views’ to the next level!
• The Titlis Cliff Walk, Europe’s highest suspension bridge
• A 150m-long path 10 metres below the surface of a glacier

96CHF return from Engelberg to Titlis, and about 15CHF to get from Lucerne to Engelberg and back.

And the cable car discounts are:

• A Tell Pass gets the whole trip included
• A Swiss Half Fare Card gets the whole journey half price
• A Swiss Travel Pass gets to Engelberg for free and then half price to Titlis
• A Eurail/Interrail Pass gets 25% off the cable car to Titlis (no need to use a travel day)

Book tickets on the official Titlus website >>

Can you do more than one mountain day trip from Lucerne in one day?

If you’re travelling in summer (longer days and potentially later cogwheel/cableway departures) and don’t mind rushing, you could technically do two mountain trips in one day,

The easiest two to combine would be Rigi and Stanserhorn, I did this in late October 2023 and it was more than enough time to experience the views at both without rushing.

Titlis and Pilatus have more activities/things to do so it might be trickier, but still doable in summer if you don’t mind waking up early and not spending too much time at the summits. Here’s an example:

• 7.42am train from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, cogwheel train from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm at 8.10am, arriving at the top at 8.37am
• Spend an hour enjoying the view and grabbing some breakfast at the restaurant
• Depart Pilatus Kulm at 10am on the aerial cableways, reaching Kriens at 10.49am, then catch a train to Lucerne arriving at 11.01am
• That leaves more than enough time to head to Titlis (you’d arrive at the Titlis summit at 12.27pm at the earliest), Rigi (you’d arrive at Rigi Kulm at 12.47pm at the earliest) and Stanserhorn (earliest arrival of 11.24am)

Say ‘tschüss’ (bye!) to Lucerne and get ready to head towards some magical mountain villages.

I’ve got two nights in Grindelwald (days 4 & 5) and then two nights in Interlaken (days 6 & 7) on this 10 day Switzerland itinerary, but technically you could spend all four nights in Grindelwald, all four in Interlaken, split them differently or stay in another mountain village like Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or Murren instead.

I just chose Grindelwald as it offers the easiest access to Grindelwald-First and has more accommodation options than other villages.

How to get from Lucerne to Grindelwald

First off you’ll take the iconic Luzern-Interlaken Express, another segment of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. Over the 1h 50m journey you’ll pass by five magnificent alpine lakes, rugged mountains and quintessential Swiss rural landscapes.

This trip is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass/Eurail/Interrail Pass, seat reservations aren’t required but if you’re travelling during a busy period (weekend in summer or school holidays) it would be worth reserving a window seat just in case.

From Interlaken you switch to a direct train to Grindelwald that takes 36 minutes and voila, you’re in your home for the next couple of nights.

This portion of the trip (and any trains from Interlaken into the mountain villages) used to not be covered by Eurail/Interrail, you could only get a 25% discount, but as of December 2023 your Eurail/Interrail Pass now covers all BOB (Berner Oberland Bahn) trains which includes Wilderswil, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Grindelwald. Woohoo!

About Grindelwald

Grindelwald is the picture of alpine perfection, nestled at the foot of three towering peaks (Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau) that make the village one of the best places to stay for those looking for mountain adventures.

Visitors get easy access to a patchwork of hiking trails, scenic mountain railways, panoramic cable cars and endless snow activities in winter. Grindelwald-First is a playground for the adventurous, and Jungfrau’s Top of Europe experience is an essential inclusion on any Switzerland itinerary.

The village itself is touristy, obviously, but it’s still quaint and charming with cosy eateries, a decent range of accommodation for different types of travellers, and the classic Swiss hospitality you expect in the mountains.

Things to do in Grindelwald

• Take a scenic gondola ride up Grindelwald-First to enjoy the majestic mountain landscapes
• Experience the thrill of the First Flyer zipline at the top
• Or try a different type of zipline with the First Glider, where you’re facing the ground horizontally like in a hang glider. Seriously freaky!
• Navigate the Cliff Walk for a bit of an adrenaline rush and stunning panoramic views
• Zoom down Grindelwald-First on the toboggan run
• Take a guided walk in the mountains with Swiss cheese and chocolate tasting
• Stroll through Grindelwald village to soak in the traditional Alpine charm
• Hike the Eiger Trail for close up views of Eiger’s North Face (for experienced hikers)
• Explore the area on a mountain bike along well-marked trails
• Enjoy a fondue night at a local chalet for a taste of Swiss culinary tradition
• If it’s a rainy day, visit the indoor rope park for some family-friendly climbing fun
• Do a sledding safari with a chocolate degustation at the end
• Ski or snowboard in winter
• Marvel at the spectacular walkway at the top-rated Glacier Canyon attraction

Where to stay in Grindelwald & nearby

• Grindelwald Youth Hostel (cheap and cosy, a classic backpacker hostel)
• Basic Rooms Jungfrau Lodge (decent single rooms with shared bathrooms to keep costs down)
• Valley Hostel in Lauterbrunnen is also a great option for budget travellers, with a kitchen unlike most other hostels in the mountains
• Hotel Gletschergarten (top-rated traditional alpine hotel)
• Hotel Cabana (affordable hotel with excellent views)
• Hotel Spinne Grindelwald (the cheapest hotel in Grindelwald that has a pool/spa)
• I stayed at the incredible Bergwelt Grindelwald and oh my gosh, I’m obsessed . It’s a 4* hotel but absolutely feels 5* from the moment you catch the shuttle from the train station. Stunning interior design, super friendly and helpful staff, a lovely wellbeing area with both indoor and outdoor pools, and an ideal location just a short walk to the First gondola. Honestly pure magic.
• Boutique Hotel Glacier (super stylish, the higher-end rooms have mountain-view balconies with built-in spa baths)
• If you’re travelling with a group of friends or family, some top-rated luxury apartments are the Grindelwald Penthouse , Chalet Rothenegg and Bergwelt Grindelwald Residence

Day 5: Jungfrau or Grindelwald mountain day trip

You’ve got a full day in Grindelwald, and there’s nothing better to do here than to head up into the mountains.

You can choose from Jungfrau or Grindelwald-First, or if you’re a keen bean who likes a challenge, do both!

If you’re spending three or more days in the Jungfrau region, which includes Interlaken, Jungfrau, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and more, the Jungfrau Travel Pass might be worth it for your trip. I’ll publish a full blog post on that one soon!

Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe)

Open year-round but travel options depend on season

There are a few ways to get from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch:

• The traditional route is slower but includes two iconic trains. From Grindelwald you take the Wengenalp Railway (the green and yellow train from the mountain train emoji 🚞) to Kleine Scheidegg, then you change to the Jungfrau Railway via the Eiger Glacier to the Top of Europe.
• The quicker trip is more modern. From Grindelwald Terminal you take the Eiger Express tricable gondola to the Eiger Glacier station, then switch to the Jungfrau Railway there to take the final leg of the trip through the mountains.
• You can combine both routes to get the best of both worlds, take the classic Wengenalp Railway to Kleine Scheidegg, switch to the Jungfrau Railway to get to the top, then come back down to Eiger Glacier station and catch the Eiger Express back to Grindelwald.
• In the Eiger Express you’ll want to sit on the left side going up for the best views of Eiger and over Grindelwald
• For the Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg leg, the left side is best for Eiger views
• From Kleine Scheidegg towards Jungfraujoch, sit on the right for the best chance to take photos out the window looking over the valley and back at the rest of the train. From Eiger Glacier Station the rest of the train journey is in the tunnel so there are no views.

And some info on operating dates:

• Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg open year-round except maintenance from 6-17 May 2024 & 21 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
• Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch open year-round
• Eiger Express operates year-round

• Ride the Jungfrau Railway, Europe’s highest-altitude railway, to the “Top of Europe” at 3454m elevation
• Step onto the Sphinx Observatory deck for sweeping views of the Aletsch Glacier
• Walk the Ice Palace, a magical corridor carved through the heart of the glacier
• Enjoy snow activities in summer at the Snow Fun Park (mid-May to mid-October)
• Savor Swiss cuisine with a view at one of the Jungfraujoch restaurants
• Send a postcard from Europe’s highest-altitude post office

Prices & discounts

Jungfrau is priceyyyyy, but there are some decent travel pass discounts available. With your ticket you can choose to take the traditional train route or the Eiger Express (or both).

• Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch return is 201CHF for the full fare
• If you’re staying in Interlaken, getting to Jungfraujoch return is 223.80CHF for the full fare
• Kids 6-15 get tickets for just 20CHF and kids under 5 are free
• You can also choose to book a seat reservation on the Kleine Scheidegg – Jungfraujoch train for 10CHF each way, you can’t guarantee a certain seat but you can reserve a specific time so you don’t need to wait in line, but the risk is that you book your ticket and reservation in advance and then the weather is trash and you’ve paid hundreds to stand inside the cloud. I’d say it’s best to book your ticket the day of travel after checking the weather and webcam to make sure it’s worth it, and just be willing to spend a bit of time waiting for the train if you’re visiting on a busy day.

There are some discounts available too:

• A Swiss Half Fare Card gets you 50% off the whole journey
• A Swiss Travel Pass gets you 25% off the mountain railways and cable car, making a return trip from Grindelwald 148.60CHF (slightly less than 25% off the full fare as the travel pass covers the bus from Grindelwald Terminal WAB to the Grindelwald train station)
• A Eurail/Interrail Pass will get you the same discount as the Swiss Travel Pass, 25% off the cable car and mountain railways
• And if you’re travelling in winter with a regional travel pass, you can get access to a special ‘Top Ticket’ for only 63CHF, valid with the following passes: Jungfrau Ski Pass (3+ days), Hiking and Sledging Pass (3+ days), Season Ski Pass for Jungfrau Region, Top4 Ski Pass, and the Jungfrau Travel Pass Winter
• A Jungfrau Travel Pass (rest of the year) gives you access to a special price too, 63CHF return from 29 March to 31 May and again from 1 Sept to 27 Oct, and 75CHF return from 1 June to 31 August

If you’d prefer a guided tour with commentary, this one from Interlaken is your best bet.

Grindelwald-First (Top of Adventure)

Gondola open from 16 December 2023 to 27 October 2024

Make your way to Grindelwald BGF station, just a short walk or bus from Grindelwald town centre. From here it’s an easy 25 min trip on the First Aerial Cableway to reach Grindelwald-First.

• Soak up panoramic views from the gondola
• Brave the First Flyer, a thrilling zip line with world-class views
• Walk the First Cliff Walk by Tissot, a spectacular high-altitude pathway with stunning vistas
• Try the First Glider, an exhilarating ride that simulates the flight of an eagle (I’m absolutely fine with ziplines but the feeling of lying down and facing the ground on the glider was extremely scary for me haha)
• Take a scenic hike to Bachalpsee, known for its reflective alpine lake, around 2 hours return
• Enjoy mountain carting or try out a Trottibike scooter to get down the mountain in summer (1 May to 27 Oct)
• Indulge in Swiss specialties at the Bergrestaurant First
• Engage in winter sports during the colder months, including skiing and snowboarding on well-groomed pistes
• 68CHF return from Grindelwald BGF to Grindelwald-First most of the year in 2024, 72CHF in June, July and August
• There is an Adventure Package available from 1 May to 27 October which includes unlimited gondola rides as well as one or two activities, the price for one activity is 78CHF in shoulder season (May & September/October) or 82CHF in summer (June, July, August), the price for two activities is 93CHF in shoulder season and 97CHF in summer. The Adventure Package used to offer unlimited activities but in 2024 you have to choose either one or two.

And the discounts:

• A Swiss Half Fare Card gives you 50% off the gondola trip + a discounted rate for the Adventure Package
• A Swiss Travel Pass gives you 50% the gondola trip + a discounted rate for the Adventure Package
• A Eurail/Interrail Pass gives you 50% off the gondola but no discount on the Adventure Package
• Regional travel passes (like the Jungfrau Travel Pass) give you a 100% discount on the gondola trip but no discount on activities

Can you do both mountains in a day?

You can do both Grindelwald-First and Jungfraujoch in one day, but it will be an expensive day 🙃

Which mountain is better?

As with all things, it really depends on your travel preferences.

If you’re travelling to Switzerland on a budget, Grindelwald-First is much cheaper and I think the value for money is fantastic. The views up there are incredible, you can do the Cliff Walk or hike to Bachalpsee without paying anything extra, and the Adventure Package is a great option if you’ve got a travel pass of some sort.

If you travel for adventure rather than ticking things off your bucket list, Grindelwald-First might suit you best too. There’s more to do up there, especially in summer when the mountain carts, Trottibikes and hiking trails are all open. At Jungfrau it’s more about sightseeing and learning about the mountain and railway rather than ‘doing’ things.

But if you’re all about the views, Jungfrau on a good day is pure magic. It’s expensive, yes, but the panoramic scenery is pretty much unbeatable. It’s also one of the most accessible mountain viewpoints in the world.

The weather might impact your plans too, Jungfrau tickets cost a lot and you don’t want to be spending that much and then not see anything. Check the forecast 24 hours before you go to get an idea, and you can check the webcams when you’re ready to leave to make sure it’s definitely worth it.

Day 6: Grindelwald to Interlaken

How to get from grindelwald to interlaken.

It’s a short 36 minute train from Grindelwald to Interlaken, super easy, and fully covered by a Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail/Interrail and Jungfrau Travel Pass, no seat reservations needed.

About Interlaken

Nestled between the pristine waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and flanked by the mighty peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, Interlaken is Switzerland’s adventure capital. The skies are dotted with paragliders and skydivers, the lakes are alive with boats and kayaks enjoying the scenery, and the nearby rivers host adrenaline junkies spending the day canyoning or white water rafting.

But it’s not all about high octane pursuits here, Interlaken is also a haven for those seeking calm and quiet. The town itself has beautiful parks with epic views, casual eateries as well as fine dining serving up traditional delicacies, and the 5* Victoria-Jungfrau hotel has a day spa if you need to rest and rejuvenate in the middle of your ten days in Switzerland.

Things to do in Interlaken

• Cruise on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz to take in the stunning scenery from the water
• Or book a kayak tour to explore the lakes with a local guide ( summer option here and winter option here )
• Paraglide over Interlaken for a bird’s-eye view of the lakes and mountains, one of the coolest things I’ve ever done
• Take the funicular up to Harder Kulm , Interlaken’s local mountain, for panoramic views across the city and both lakes
• Visit the St. Beatus Caves and marvel at the natural underground wonders
• Do a group canyoning tour to get up close and personal with Interlaken’s narrow gorges
• Take a day trip to the Lauterbrunnen Valley and see the 72 waterfalls
• Experience the thrill of white-water rafting on the Lütschine River
• Go on a photography tour with a local
• Wander through Interlaken’s Höhematte Park for iconic Jungfrau views
• Try the canyon swing for an adrenaline rush and a 90m freefall
• Enjoy a traditional Swiss meal at one of Interlaken’s cozy restaurants, we had delicious fondue at the terrace restaurant of Hotel Krebs but some other top-rated ones are Restaurant Cafe Gleis 3 and Pure8
• Treat yourself to a fancy spa day at Victoria-Jungfrau , then indulge in a delicious meal at one of the hotel’s restaurants after (I looooved Sapori for Italian food)

Where to stay in Interlaken

• On my most recent trip I stayed at the top-rated Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof hostel , and it was superb . Simple but modern and comfortable, ideal location within easy walking distance to the main street’s eateries and shops, and it had a huge kitchen, a dedicated co-working space for digital nomads and a really social atmosphere without being party-party.
• If you want something cheap and cheerful but aren’t keen on a hostel, I’ve also stayed at Arnolds B&B which was super cute and great value for money.
• Interlaken Youth Hostel is right next to the train station, but it’s a bit more expensive than Backpackers Villa
• Swiss Inn & Apartments (classic 3* hotel but fantastic reviews mentioning great service and excellent location)
• Boutique Hotel Bellevue (tasteful 4* hotel with excellent room views)
• Hotel Interlaken (cosy 4* hotel with alpine decor, great value rooms)
• Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa (super fancy 5* hotel right in the middle of town, perfect for a special occasion)
• BEATUS Wellness & Spa Hotel (9km from Interlaken on the shore of Lake Thun, gorgeous luxury hotel with an impressive spa complex)

Day 7: Explore Interlaken & beyond

Day seven of your 10 days in Switzerland is a free day to do whatever you want in Interlaken, obviously dependent on what you managed to get done on day six.

My absolute must-dos in Interlaken would be:

• Visit Lauterbrunnen
• Do a cruise or kayak on one of the lakes
• Head up Harder Kulm

Day eight includes two epic train rides to reach the stylish alpine resort of Zermatt.

How to get from Interlaken to Zermatt

First you’ll catch the GoldenPass Express from Interlaken to Montreux, which passes by castles, lush valleys and vineyards over the 3h 15m journey, Upgrade to ‘Prestige’ class for an exclusive luxe experience, including super comfy seats that rotate 180 degrees.

The train is covered by Eurail/Interrail/Swiss Travel Passes but reservations are required in Prestige class (49CHF but worth it) and recommended for 1st and 2nd class.

In Montreux you could store your bags at the station to grab something to eat, wander the lakefront or visit the Queen Studio Experience, a museum located in the studio Queen recorded loads of songs from 1978 to 1995.

If you don’t have time to stop (or just want to get to Zermatt), you can make an easy switch to another train going from Montreux to Visp and then to Zermatt (2h 40m total). No reservations needed, covered by rail passes.

About Zermatt

Arrive in Zermatt in winter and you might think you’ve teleported into a snow globe. This gorgeous resort village is the epitome of the Swiss Alps, with wooden chalets, cobblestoned car-free streets and alpine grub being served at fondue bistros and fancy restaurants alike.

But Zermatt isn’t solely for snow sports enthusiasts. The warmer months unveil a network of hiking trails that meander past lush meadows, serene lakes and rugged mountain paths, offering insane views at every turn. And if you prefer to sightsee without working up a sweat, the Gornergrat Railway and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise are easy day trips that provide some of the best views in the country.

Things to do in Zermatt

• Marvel at the iconic Matterhorn, one of the most famous mountains in the world, you might recognise it from the Toberlone packaging!
• Hit the slopes at the Matterhorn Ski Paradise, Europe’s highest-altitude ski area, open year-round
• Ride the Gornergratbahn for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers
• Explore scenic hiking trails like the Five Lakes Walk, offering stunning reflections of the Matterhorn
• Experience the thrill of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise , with its ice palace and the highest cable car station in Europe
• Indulge in Swiss culinary delights at cosy mountain restaurants and gourmet eateries (I recommend ZERMAMA Bistro )
• Take a helicopter tour for an unforgettable aerial view of the Matterhorn and the Swiss Alps
• Relax in one of Zermatt’s luxurious spas, unwinding with views of the majestic alpine landscape

Where to stay in Zermatt

Quick note: The decent accommodation options in Zermatt book up many months in advance, and the budget options are few and far between, so book as early as you can to ensure you don’t miss out on something within your price range.

• Hotel Bahnhof (right by the train station, kitchen facilities, comfortable dorms and private rooms)
• Annex Antika (simple, affordable rooms but with access to the wellness area + free buffet breakfast at the Antika Hotel next door)
• Zermatt Youth Hostel (very basic but one of the cheapest places in Zermatt without compromising on cleanliness or comfort)
• Carina Design&Lifestyle Hotel (probably the most expensive dorm rooms I’ve ever seen haha but the hotel/hostel is absolutely beautiful!)
• Hotel Jägerhof (traditional 3* chalet with an excellent restaurant)
• Resort La Ginabelle (great value 4* hotel with access to wellness facilities)
• My absolute favourite hotel here is Hotel ZERMAMA , I’ve stayed twice and it’ll always be my choice when I’m in Zermatt! It’s a funky 4* boutique design hotel, every little detail has been thought of, from in-room fondue sets to foam rollers and yoga mats to big faux fur jackets for guests to wear. The meals are hearty and delicious, the rooms themselves are amazing and spacious, and the bed is absolutely dreamy, I sleep like a baby here. It’s worth spending a little extra for a Matterhorn view, magic!
• The Omnia (top-rated 5* hotel with world-class service and a lush spa complex)
• Riffelalp Resort (5* ski-in ski-out resort sitting at 2222m, with mind-blowing Matterhorn views)
• CERVO Mountain Resort (5* après ski haven with a focus on health, wellness and community)

Day 9: Gornergrat or Matterhorn mountain day trip

With a full day in Zermatt you could choose from a train ride up to the top of Gornergrat or a cable car combo to reach Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Gornergratbahn

Open year-round

Walk or catch an electric taxi to Gornergrat railway station in central Zermatt, then it’s an easy train ride. Sit on the right-hand side going up the mountain for the best views of Zermatt and the Matterhorn.

• Unmatched views of the Matterhorn on the way up and from the top
• Panoramic vistas encompassing 29 peaks over 4,000 meters
• Numerous hiking trails that start from Gornergrat, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks
• The Gornergrat observatory, one of the oldest in the Alps, offering a glimpse into the stars above
• Stop off at Rotenboden (or walk down from the top) to get to Riffelsee Lake, which reflects the Matterhorn on a clear and still day

Prices depend on the season, here are the 2024 ticket prices for a return trip from Zermatt to Gornergrat and back:

• 92CHF from November to April
• 114CHF in May, September and October
• 132CHF from June to August
• You can pay 7CHF for priority boarding to ensure you can get a window seat (worth it!)
• 50% discount with Swiss Travel Pass
• No discount with a Eurail or Interrail Pass
• You can get cheaper tickets if you come back from a different station, e.g. catch the train to the top, walk down to one of the lower stations and you’ll get a slightly discounted rate for the return trip

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

An easy combo of cable cars from Zermatt Bergbahnen, which is a 20 min walk from the train station. You can catch a bus or a cheap electric taxi if you don’t want to walk.

There are three cable cars to get up to the top and you need to scan your ticket at each one so make sure you’ve got it handy.

• Breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and the surrounding Alps from the highest viewpoint in Europe (3883m!)
• The Glacier Palace, a magical world of ice sculptures and tunnels located 15 meters beneath the glacier surface
• Skiing and snowboarding opportunities year-round on the Theodul Glacier
• The Cinema Lounge, where you can relax and learn about the alpine world through captivating films

Again, prices depend on the season. Here are the 2024 prices for Zermatt to Glacier Paradise return:

• 95CHF from November to April
• 109CHF in May, June, September and October
• 120CHF in July & August

And discounts:

• There are slightly discounted tickets if you go in the afternoon after 1.30pm (20-24CHF discount)

Can you do Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in one day?

You can do both in one day if you don’t mind rushing.

Which one is better?

I personally prefer Gornergratbahn. The views from the train are unobstructed as you can open the window and take great photos, it’s easy to walk down some of the mountain if you’re there before the snow hits, and Riffelsee Lake is seriously impressive.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is similar to Jungfrau in that there’s a lot of info about the mountain, the region and the cable cars, more commercialised than Gornergratbahn. The views are amazing, as you’d expect, but I was frustrated that the cable cars had scratched up, dirty glass and I couldn’t take any decent photos.

It’s also very high , about 800m higher than Gornergrat, and I could definitely feel the altitude. We got up there pretty late and had to run around to get the photos I needed and let me tell you, I did not feel great after trying to run at 3883m elevation 🙃

If you can afford both and fit them into your Switzerland itinerary then go for both, but if you had to choose one, I think Gornergrat offers better value for time and money.

Day 10: Zermatt to Zurich via St Moritz or Chur

Your final stretch! I’ve got a full Glacier Express guide for you with all the info you need to plan an epic journey but here’s a quick run down.

How to get from Zermatt to Zurich

Take the iconic Glacier Express, the slowest express train in the world, over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels to reach St Moritz. The full journey is just under eight hours all up. From St Moritz it’s a 3h 20m train to get to Zurich, so it would be a long day but totally worth it.

If you don’t want to spend so much time travelling on the final day of this Switzerland itinerary then you could catch the Glacier Express from Zermatt to Chur, that’s about 5.5 hours and it’s a 1h 15m train to get to Zurich.

The Glacier Express ticket is included in the Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail or Interrail Pass but you need to pay for mandatory seat reservations. All the info is explained in my Glacier Express guide .

If you have more than 10 days in Switzerland

Add on basel.

Basel is a super cool city, less than an hour from Zurich by train and an easy stop if you’re arriving in Switzerland via train from Paris.

SILO Hostel is my favourite place to stay, a modern design hostel with stylish dorms, spacious private rooms and a fab cafe serving up a brilliant breakfast.

My top recommendations of things to do are:

• Explore the Old Town, with its narrow streets, medieval buildings, and vibrant market squares like Marktplatz
• Visit the Basel Münster, a stunning Gothic cathedral with impressive views from the Pfalz (the terrace)
• Check out the Kunstmuseum, Switzerland’s oldest public art collection, boasting works from the Middle Ages to contemporary pieces
• Stroll along the Rhine River, especially beautiful in the evening
• Relax in the Botanical Gardens, a peaceful oasis in the city center with a diverse range of plant life
• Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Kleinbasel, known for its multicultural eateries and nightlife

Add on the Bernina Express

The Bernina Express is first-equal on my list of Switzerland’s best train journeys, along with the Glacier Express, and if you have more than ten days in Switzerland it’s probably my top choice for how to extend your trip.

The Bernina runs from St Moritz or Chur to Tirano in northern Italy, so it’s an easy add on after day 10 of this itinerary. After your arrival in Tirano you could catch the Bernina Express shuttle bus to Lugano and then train back to Zurich, or continue on to Milan instead and see some of Italy too.

Spend more time in the Lucerne and/or Jungfrau region

This ten day Switzerland itinerary is pretty fast-moving and doesn’t leave a huge amount of time to experience all the mountains.

If you have more than 10 days you could spend extra time in Lucerne, the Jungfrau region (Grindelwald or Interlaken), or both. Spend those additional days visiting more of the mountains, or just take it easy and give yourself some rest days.

👉🏼 Read more: A detailed review of the Lake Lucerne Tell Pass

Do the full Grand Train Tour

The Grand Train Tour is an incredible 1280km journey through the best of Switzerland, combining five premium panorama trains with a couple of connecting transportation options to make it a simple round trip itinerary.

You could squeeze it into ten days if you wanted to but you wouldn’t have much downtime in the places you visit, you’d be able to enjoy it more and see sights beyond the train views if you could give it 12-15 days.

If you have less than 10 days in Switzerland

Cut the grindelwald/interlaken portion down.

This itinerary includes two nights in Grindelwald and two nights in Interlaken, if you’re short on time you could cut this to two days in total and just choose a couple of activities.

An easy two day itinerary could be:

• Jungfrau day trip with a stop in Grindelwald for some food
• Lauterbrunnen, Harder Kulm and a lake cruise

Skip the cities and focus on mountains

If you’re more of an outdoorsy traveller rather than someone who loves big cities, you might want to cut Zurich completely and head straight to Lucerne to be closer to the mountains.

Skip the mountains and focus on cities

If you’re not so fussed on the outdoor adventures, you could instead focus on the cities and their charm. Three days in Zurich and then a couple of days each in Lucerne, Basel and Geneva will have more than enough museums, galleries, old towns and churches to fill your ten days in Switzerland.

Another destination, another gigantic itinerary for you! I hope this super detailed 10 day Switzerland itinerary has helped you plan out your movements in Switzerland.

If you have any questions then please feel free to leave me a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

MORE SWITZERLAND TRAVEL INSPIRATION:

• How to spend 5 days in Switzerland
• 33 Instagrammable places in Switzerland
• Rigi vs Pilatus vs Titlis vs Stanserhorn: Which one to visit?
• The cheapest place to ski in Switzerland: Liddes Ski Hostel
• 10 reasons to try co-living in Switzerland
• The ultimate Northern Italy & Switzerland itinerary

MORE SWITZERLAND TRAIN GUIDES:

• Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card: Which one is best?
• The ultimate Swiss Travel Pass guide
• The ultimate Swiss Half Fare Card guide
• Is the Glacier Express worth it?
• Is the Bernina Express worth it?
• Bernina Express vs Glacier Express: Which one should you choose?
• Is the Jungfrau Travel Pass worth it?
• Is the Tell Pass worth it?

MORE EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION:

• The perfect three month Europe itinerary (super detailed!)
• The perfect two month Europe itinerary
• A Europe Christmas market itinerary by train
• The most beautiful train rides in Europe
• 27 Europe holiday ideas to inspire you
• How to use a Eurail Pass
• Is a Eurail Pass worth it?
• The ultimate Italy bucket list

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The Perfect 10 Days in Switzerland Itinerary

By: Author Charles

Posted on December 4, 2023

When researching what to do and where to go for my 10 day trip to Switzerland, I came across a lot of different information on what would be best for an itinerary.

Switzerland is not that big of a country but there is just so much you can do and see while visiting. From picturequese cities to mountainous landscapes, there is a vast variety when it comes to the best places to visit.

I put together this itinerary to explain exactly what can be done with 10 days in Switzerland, as well as walk through all the different logistics and important things to know. Of course this will not hit every attraction or city but it will give you a great taste for what Switzerland has to offer.

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

1) Switzerland Itinerary Overview

You will find that the itinerary is a mix between exploring cities and wandering the Alps, with a little bit of everything sprinkled in throughout.

I had a one of a kind experience during my trip there and am hoping this can help you experience the same.

A few things to note before jumping into the itinerary:

Helpful Travel Guides : You should check out some of the Switzerland guides I put together that go over train travel , weather , and helpful tips . All of these should be very useful when preparing for your trip.

When to Visit : This itinerary is best during the months of June to October but can be altered for other times of year (mostly due to the hiking aspect of the itinerary).

Train Pass : You should purchase either a Half Fare Card or 8 Day Swiss Travel Pass for this itinerary. You can read more about these options under the train travel guide mentioned above. If you do buy a Swiss Travel Pass, you will begin using it on day 2 so it will be active for the days where you will be traveling the most.

10 Full Days : Day 1 assumes a full day – either landing the previous night or early on day 1. Same goes for day 10 – either a late evening flight or flight on day 11.

Start & End Points : The itinerary assumes you will be flying into Geneva and out of Zurich. It is important to note that you can do the itinerary backwards, or you can take one last train at the end of your trip if you were flying into and out of the same city.

Be Flexible : Do not expect everything to go perfectly according to plan. Weather in the Alps is truly unpredictable at times and can ruin some activities. Always have options in case something will not work out.

Switzerland Travel Guides : Throughout the itinerary you will see links for different guides I put together for portions of the trip. Since I did not want to include every piece of information in the itinerary itself as that could get a bit overwhelming, you can check out the guides for many more details on each place.

Cities & Mountains : This itinerary is a good mix between cities and mountains, splitting the time between the two. Expect a lot of time enjoying outdoor activities & attractions throughout.

Feel free to also check out some of the other Switzerland itineraries up on the site:

• Longer Trip: 2 week Switzerland itinerary
• Shorter Trip: 5 day Switzerland itinerary
• Cities Only: 7 day Switzerland itinerary

Swiss Travel Pass : For this 10 day itinerary, consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass to make things more convenient!

2) Map & Itinerary Route

The map shown below shows the 10 day Switzerland itinerary starting in Geneva on the bottom left before stopping in Montreux , Zermatt , Interlaken ( Jungfrau Region ), Lucerne , and finally Zurich to end the trip.

I have also pinned down some of the main cities that you may want to stay in when visiting the Jungfrau region such as Murren, Wengen and Grindelwald.

What you won’t see here is each and every attraction that is mentioned in the itinerary (those can be found in the linked guides throughout the page).

The map below is more so giving you a sense of where the itinerary takes you throughout Switzerland.

3) 10 Days in Switzerland Itinerary

Below you will find a detailed guide for what exactly you will be doing on a day to day basis. Each day gives you a good overview of what to do and what to expect along the way, with some high level logistics of the itinerary.

If you want more details for any given day, you can click on the relevant Switzerland guides found throughout the page. These guides will go into greater detail and give you everything you need to know about a city or attraction.

4) Day 1 – Explore Geneva

On the first day of you 10 day Switzerland itinerary, you will make your way around the city of Geneva . Located on the western end of the country and right on Lake Geneva, you will have a full day of exploring the ins and outs of what this great place has to offer.

Learn More : The Things to do in Geneva travel guide will walk you through it all in greater detail.

You can also opt for a Guided City Tour of Geneva if you are interested in having an expert taking you around.

Some of the best things to do in Geneva include:

• Treille Promenade
• City Center
• Jet d’Eau
• Lake Boat Trip Option
• United Nations
• Broken Chair

Once you are all done wandering around Geneva, make your way back to your hotel and prep yourself for an amazing day trip to Montreux on day 2.

Note : if you purchased the 8 Day Swiss Travel Pass, you will not have access to it on Day 1 in Geneva. If you do take public transportation on your first day you will have to pay the full fare (trams and busses).

Book Your Geneva Hotel for Nights 1 & 2 

You cannot really go wrong with where you stay in Geneva. As long as you in walking distance to the lake you should be in good hands.

The main two areas though would be near the lakefront on the western side of the lake (same side as the train station and airport) or just across the bridge(s) on the east side of the lake near the Old Town. As you get farther away from the lakefront, you will find some cheaper alternatives if you are on a budget.

For the best views (but most expensive price) a hotel overlooking the lake and the Jet d’Eau would be your best bet. It is a truly spectacular view to wake up to the lake and its waterfront every morning.

Take a look at Booking.com below for some of the best value hotel options in Geneva:

• Hotel N’vy
• Tiffany Hotel
• Hotel d’Alleves
• Hotel Kipling
• Eastwest Hotel

5) Day 2 – Montreux Day Trip

Note: If you purchased the 8 Day Swiss Travel Pass , day 2 would be the first day you will be using it to go back and forth to Montreux.

Make your way to the eastern end of Lake Geneva to the lakeside town of Montreux . A short 45 train ride away, it makes for the perfect day trip.

Montreux is a charming small town that ramps up in the summer time where locals and tourists gather to take advantage of activities on the beautiful lake and enjoy a view of the Alps at the same time.

You can spend the day roaming the town center, walking the promenade, exploring the lake, and then making your way out to Chateau de Chillon – a medieval castle that is must do around the area.

Learn More : For more info about these activities and more check out the Day Trip Guide to Montreux .

Once your day in Montreux is complete you can hop back on the train to Geneva, where you can rest up before an early morning out to Zermatt.

Important Weather Note

Before jumping into the Alps and hiking section of the trip I want to refer back to one of the tips I mentioned at the beginning – do not expect that every day the weather will be perfect to do each and every one of these hikes / activities at the given time.

Feel free to move things around and have alternative options if the weather is not cooperative.

You can read up in the Weather in Switzerland Guide for more details about how to prepare.

Since there are several hiking options in this itinerary it would be helpful to take a look at the below hiking resources list.

Hiking Resources & Checklist Before heading out for the trails, be sure to read up on some of the hiking resources up on the site. These are here to better prepare you for all types of outdoor adventure. Gear : Hiking Packing List Weather : How to Prepare for Hiking Weather Navigation : Hiking GPS & Navigation Tips : 20+ Hiking Tips & Tricks for the Trail Accommodation : Book Your Hotel Today Rental Car : Book Your Car Rental Today

6) Day 3 – Train to Zermatt & 5 Lakes Hike

The 10 day Switzerland itinerary will now switch on over to the Alps.

Take an early morning train to Zermatt so you can have plenty of time to complete one of the top hikes around the area – the Five Lakes Trail .

The earlier you get out the better as the train ride does take about 3.5 hours. Getting to Zermatt before noon will give you enough time to check in, grab some food and head out for the hike.

Once you are all ready to go, make your way to the Zermatt – Sunnegga funicular and onwards to Blauherd, where the trail begins.

As you walk the trail you will pass by five unique lakes around the area with the Alps and the famous Matterhorn in the backdrop.

The hike should take approximately 2.5-3 hours before ending back in Sunnegga, where you can take the funicular back down (depending on time of year the funicular closes around 5:00-6:00PM, so be sure to time it correctly as you don’t want to hike all the way down to Zermatt instead).

Learn More : For plenty of information about this hike, take a look at the Five Lakes Hike overview I put together.

Book Your Zermatt Hotel for Nights 3 & 4

Zermatt is a pretty small village and you can get from one side to another in less than 20 minutes. There are a couple areas to choose from when deciding where to stay.

Either right in the main village itself, or you can cross the bridge and stay on the other side of the river, where you will be able to take in some great views of the Matterhorn ( check out some of the best hotels with views of the Matterhorn ).

Below are some more highly rated options to choose from:

• Hotel Firefly
• Hotel Perren Superior
• Hotel Daniela

Looking for a value option? Check out Hotel Elite

7) Day 4 – Exploring Zermatt & Suspension Bridge Hike

Wake up on your second day in Zermatt and take some time to explore this quaint mountainside town and all it has to offer .

Make your way towards the river, where you can get some of the best views of the Matterhorn from down below, and maybe even take in a visit to the Gorner Gorge .

After walking around the city for a bit and grabbing some lunch it is time to head off to Randa – the start of one of the best hikes around the area.

Although not in Zermatt, the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge Hike should really be added to your hiking bucket list in the area. It is not an easy hike by any means, but it will sure be worth the effort.

After a quick 10 minute train ride from Zermatt you will arrive at the small town of Randa. Start following the signs into the forest and after two hours or so you will arrive at the one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in the world .

Once back in Randa, hop on the train back to Zermatt, where you can get a well deserved rest.

Learn More : The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge Hike guide will walk you through all you need to know about completing this trail.

8) Day 5 – Zermatt Options & Train to Interlaken / Jungfrau Region

On your last day in Zermatt, you can pick from several options depending on what you are most interested in.

Summer Skiing

One of the most fascinating things about Zermatt is that it truly offers year-round skiing. This means even in the summer months, you can grab some skis and head up the mountain for a morning of fun.

Since you are skiing on a glacier, the ski area does close around 1:00PM due to poor conditions. Even though it would only be for ~4 or so hours, you should definitely look into it if that is something you want to do.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Some of the best mountain views of the area can be seen all the way up top at the Glacier Matterhorn Paradise.

It takes a few lifts to get up top but once you are there, you will be able to take in some incredible views. You can also visit the Glacier Palace and have some lunch at the restaurant up there.

Another great viewing opportunity of the Alps is taking the train up to Gornergrat. You will get fantastic views as you make your way up of all the 4,000 meter peaks alongside the Matterhorn.

Once up top there will be a viewing platform and the opportunity to explore the area a bit. Instead of training all the way back down, you can hike to one of the stops along the way.

Travel to the Jungfrau

Once you have completed any of the above you can check out of your hotel and head to the train station. Your next stop will be Interlaken / Jungfrau Region , which is part of the larger Bernese Oberland.

The train takes about 2.5 – 3 hours so you should try to leave Zermatt by mid afternoon if possible.

The Jungfrau Region is split into a few different areas. I have set up the itinerary so each of the next three days will be dedicated to exploring one of these three areas.

• You have the Lauterbrunnen Valley on one end with the famous Schilthorn, and towns such as Murren to stay in.
• In the middle there is Wengen , a great central town to be based in, alongside Mannlichen, Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfraujoch.
• And finally on the other end of the valley is Grindelwald , and is the base for the area around First .
• Read up on the Murren, Wengen, Grindelwald guide I have to learn more about each one.

Interlaken Note : you can also stay in the main hub of Interlaken, which sits between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. While not in the mountains, Interlaken is still a great place to access the Jungfrau from.

Book Your Jungfrau Region Hotel for Nights 5,6,7,8

There are several accommodation options to choose from in each one of Murren, Wengen, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Interlaken. Below are some different options to browse through when deciding what is best for you and your budget.

• Top Murren Hotel: Eiger Murren Swiss Quality
• Top Wengen Hotel: Hotel Edelweiss
• Top Grindelwald Hotel: Hotel Belvedere
• Top Lauterbrunnen Hotel: Hotel Silberhorn
• Top Interlaken Hotel: Hotel Bellevue

Additional Resources

• Where to Stay in Murren
• Where to Stay in Wengen
• Where to Stay in Grindelwald
• Where to Stay in Lauterbrunnen
• Where to Stay in Interlaken

9) Day 6 – Schilthorn and the Lauterbrunnen Valley

Day 6 is going to be a long one but you will enjoy every last second of it.

As I was planning my trip and looking at pictures from on top of the Schilthorn and down in the Lauterbrunnen valley , I could not believe that these views were real. But believe me they are and you will not want to miss out on them!

The logistics to get to Schilthorn will depend on where you are staying, but at the end of the day you will want to make your way to Murren. From Murren you will be able to take a set of two cable cars all the way to Schilthorn.

Once up at Schilthorn you will see sweeping panoramic views of the Alps with the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau all in site.

Spend a couple hours roaming the viewing platforms, having a drink at the rotating restaurant and checking out Bond World (yes a James Bond movie was filmed here).

Birg Thrill Walk

Once finished with Schilthorn, take the cable car one stop down to Birg, where you can take part of the Thrill Walk – a platform alongside the side of the mountain with a few exhilarating aspects to it.

This first portion of the day can be read up in more detail in the Complete Guide to Schilthorn  I have up on the site. It will take care of logistics (from towns all over the area), tickets, and top things to do and see.

Transport Info

Note that with the Swiss Travel Pass , all transportation up to Murren would be free. From Murren to Schilthorn you will need to pay 42.80 CHF round trip (50% discount). This is a change from previous years when all transport was free.

Also good to note is the ride up to Jungfraujoch has only 25% discount with the Swiss Travel Pass, if you were thinking about heading up there. Of course if you have the time in the region and want to do both, that is definitely possible as well.

Explore Murren

You can then head back down to Murren, where you can grab some lunch with a view – my top spot here is Hotel Edelweiss – one of my favorite meals of the trip.

You can also take some time to explore this car free town and take in some of the amazing views of the valley below.

Lauterbrunnen Valley

After lunch it is time to head down to Stechelberg, the start of your Lauterbrunnen journey .

To get to Stechelberg from Murren, you can take two cable cars (Murren – Gimmelwald & Gimmelwald – Stechelberg) or you can hike 45 minutes from Murren to Gimmelwald and then cable car down to Stechelberg from there.

Once down in Stechelberg, you can begin your walk down the valley back towards Lauterbrunnen. It is one the most beautiful valleys in Switzerland with waterfalls coming down off the sides of the mountain as you pass by small villages along the way.

Trummelbach Falls

After about 30-45 minutes you will come across Trummelbach Falls – a powerful waterfall inside of the mountain. There is a small entrance fee here but is well worth the visit to the top.

After visiting the falls, you can either continue to walk the valley back to Lauterbrunnen or hop on the bus back to the train station. Once there you can make your way back wherever you are staying.

Learn More : Take a look at the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen and Lauterbrunnen Valley overview learn about the valley.

Day 6 Notes

This day can easily be done in reverse order:

Lauterbrunnen – Trummelbach Falls – Stechelberg – Schilthorn – Birg – Murren.

The reason I have Schilthorn first is mostly due to having more time to make sure the weather will be cooperative. If you leave Schilthorn for last, then you risk having a smaller time window for weather to be good for a visit.

Via Ferrata : If you are looking for a great adrenaline option, why not try out the Via Ferrata from Murren to Gimmelwald . It is definitely one of the more adventurous things to choose from in the Jungfrau

Alternative Option : Like I mentioned previously, the weather is not always guaranteed to cooperate in the mountains. If you do have a very poor weather day, consider taking a day trip to Bern instead sitting inside all day.

10) Day 7 – Exploring First & Bachalpsee Lake

The second day in the Jungfrau region brings you to First , the base of some great hikes and activities to take part of. To get to First, you must initially get to Grindelwald.

Once you reach Grindelwald you just need to hop on the 25 minute cable car all the way up into the Alps. Getting off the cable car in First, you will then be welcomed to some incredible Alps views in every which direction.

You can then make your way to the Bachalpsee Lake hiking trail (1.5 – 2 hours round trip). Although one of the more popular hikes around the area, the views along the way and at the lake itself are some of the best there are.

Taking in the views of the Eiger north face was one of the best moments of my trip. If you want to continue hiking onwards there are also plenty of other options to extend the hike from Bachalpsee instead of turning right back around.

Learn More : The Bachalpsee Lake – First trail guide will go over the hike in more detail as well as everything you need to know about the area.

Once done hiking you can take part of the First Cliff Walk , have lunch at the mountainside restaurant, and enjoy the relaxing view.

You will also have the chance to take part of some of the paid First activities – the First Flyer, First Glider, Trottibike and Mountain Cart. The guide mentioned above goes over those as well.

Once you are finished in the First area, make your way back to Grindelwald to explore a bit and then back to your hotel for the night.

11) Day 8 – Mannlichen – Kleine Scheidegg Panorama Trail & Wengen

Day 8 of the 10 day Switzerland itinerary brings you to the town of Wengen . Once you arrive in Wengen (if staying elsewhere), make your way to the Mannlichen cable car station . Here you will take the quick ride up the mountain, where the base of some great trails are located.

As you arrive, to your left you will see a short trail up a hill. This trail is called the Royal Walk and can be completed in about 30-45 minutes (the way down can be much quicker).

Once you finish up the Royal Walk, you can make your way to the start of the famous Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg Panorama Trail .

The trail starts right at the cable car station and you will see signs pointing you in the right direction.

What I loved most about this 1.5 hour trail is that the whole time you are walking, you are either looking down at the beautiful valley to your left or you are looking straight at the famous three mountains of the Alps – the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.

Learn More : For more info about logistics, pricing and things to know, check out the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheudegg Panorama Trail guide I put together.

After taking in the trail, you can either hike back the same way to Mannlichen and take the cable car back to Wengen, or hop on a train in Kleine Scheidegg that will take you back to Wengen. Once back in Wengen you can grab some lunch and spend some time exploring the town a bit more.

12) Day 9 – Day in Lucerne & Travel to Zurich

It is time to head out of the Jungfrau region and off to a couple of cities to end the trip. On day 9, check out early from your hotel and catch a train to the beautiful city of Lucerne .

Note that you will not be staying overnight in Lucerne – rather you will just spend the day there before heading back to the train station later on and making your way to Zurich.

Important Luggage Note: since you will have luggage, you can store it for a few francs in one of the train station lockers for the day. Once back at the station, you can grab your luggage from the locker and head off to Zurich.

Lucerne is a picturesque town with beautiful architecture, incredible scenery, and amazing river running through it that opens up into Lake Lucerne. The city is very walkable and you can spend several hours just roaming the streets.

A few of the highlights that I made my way to during my day there included:

• Kapellbrücke Bridge & Water Tower – a historic bridge crossing the Reuss river with paintings drawn throughout
• Museggmauer – the old city wall with the opportunity to check out some of the clock towers, as well as great views overlooking the city
• The Lion Monument – a huge lion carved into a rock facade dedicated to the Swiss Guards who passed away in the French Revolution
• Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden) – an indoor / outdoor exhibit with ice age glacial potholes, a mirror house, viewing platform, among others (cost is 15 CHF but free with the Swiss Travel Pass)
• Church of St. Leodegar
• Lucerne Town Hall
• Jesuit Church
• Enjoy Lake Lucerne!

Beyond all of that I just spent my time wandering the town. The murals on the buildings were just some of the highlights I came across, along with exploring the whole riverfront area.

Tour Option: You can for a Guided City Tour of Lucerne alongside an expert who will teach you all about the town. They will be able to pick you up from the station and show you all around in just a few hours (and it includes a boat ride!).

Learn More : Check out the One Day in Lucerne overview for additional info

If you have additional time in Switzerland, Lucerne is one place you can add another day or two.

Day trips to Mount Pilatus , Titlis and Rigi are all popular options . Since the last 6 days have been more mountain based, I decided to leave those out for now and just focus on exploring the city itself.

After your day in Lucerne is complete, make your way back the train station, grab your bags and head off to Zurich , where you will complete your 10 day Switzerland itinerary.

Book Your Zurich Region Hotel for Nights 9 (and maybe 10)

For your last stop on this itinerary you can stay right in the city of Zurich. There will be plenty of options to choose from right in the city center. Some recommendations include:

• citizenM Zurich
• 25hours Hotel Langstrasse
• Boutique Hotel Helvetia
• Greulich Design Hotel
• Hotel Adler Zurich

For the budget traveller: easyHotel Zurich

13) Day 10 – Explore Zurich

Note : if you bought the 8 Day Swiss Travel Pass, it will no longer be valid for your time in Zurich. Most of the city is walkable so that should not be an issue. Getting to the airport later on day 10 or on day 11 will just require a short and cheap train ride.

Your last day in Switzerland will end in the city of Zurich. Another beautiful old charm feel city, with a picturesque river running through it, Zurich has plenty to offer its visitors.

Similar to Lucerne, I just wanted to spend the day walking around and exploring the city and its historical buildings. Some of these highlights included:

• Grossmunster Church – not only a beautiful church but also one where you can climb to the top for a small fee (5 CHF). It offers some of the best views of the entire city of Zurich.
• Fraumünster Church – another iconic church with a large plaza off to the side. There are events happening time to time which really fills up the area nicely
• Zurich Opera House – just taking in the beautiful architecture from the outside was an incredible site to be seen
• Bahnhofstrasse – one of the main shopping streets of Zurich
• Walk through the Old Town – beyond checking out the churches, most of my day was filled with getting lost in the Old Town (Altstadt). There are plenty of streets to check out and explore.

This Guided City Tour of Zurich is a great way to see the city’s highlights from a different perspective – it includes a walking tour, boat ride, and cable car experience!

Once all wrapped up with Zurich, it is then to the airport to end a fun filled Switzerland itinerary.

14) Swiss Travel Pass & Train Travel

When it comes to travel throughout Switzerland, odds are you will be frequently using the very reliable public transportation network. Whether that includes trains, busses, boats, cable cars, or other mountain transport, there are plenty of options to go around.

Now, to make things more convenient and less expensive for an overall travel route, you will want to consider purchasing a Switzerland train pass.

There are three main options to consider as you go about your itinerary:

Swiss Travel Pass

The Swiss Travel Pass is an “all in one” type of option. For one price, you will get to take unlimited public trains, busses, and boats throughout Switzerland (in addition to free access to hundreds of museums).

What makes it even better is that you don’t need to purchase individual tickets for each one of these journeys. Just hop on the train and be on your way.

Now, there are some caveats to the Swiss Travel Pass. The pass does not include most mountain transport. Instead you will need to purchase individual tickets at a discounted fare (usually 25%-50% off). In addition, the pass must be purchased for a set amount of days – either 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days.

So, to recap, here is what is included with the Swiss Travel Pass:

• All public train routes, bus routes, and boat routes in the country are covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.
• You do not need to purchase individual tickets for these routes, rather you can just pick & choose your routes as you desire.
• Most mountain transport is 50% off with select routes at a 25% discount (and some mountain transport is completely included – Rigi, Stoos, and Stanserhorn). Tickets must actually be purchased for these routes.
• There are also over 500 museums in the country that are covered with the Swiss Travel Pass.
• Seat reservations for panorama trains are not included, and must be purchased separately.

If the Swiss Travel Pass sounds good to you, you can purchase the pass ahead of time to get you all set for your trip.

Swiss Travel Pass Flex

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex gives cardholders the same exact benefits as the Swiss Travel Pass. However, instead of it being 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days, these can be non consecutive days over a longer 30-day time period.

This is great for those that are not necessarily traveling constantly each day. But rather those who are traveling a lot on only certain days of a longer trip.

You can purchase the Swiss Travel Pass Flex using the same link above.

Half Fare Card

Lastly, we have the Half Fare Card. This is different than the other two passes as you are required to purchase tickets for each and every trip you take.

The Half Fare Card gives you the ability to get a 50% discount on all public train routes, bus routes, and boat routes in the country. Similarly, most mountain transport will be 50% off, with select routes at 25% off (there are even some routes that offer better discounts than the Swiss Travel Pass).

The card is valid for 30 days, giving you a bit more flexibility than the normal Swiss Travel Pass.

Learn More : You can learn all about these passes & which one is right for you in the Swiss Travel Pass vs Half Fare Card overview up on the site.

For this itinerary in particular, you will find that purchasing the Half Fare Card is going to be slightly less expensive the 8-day Swiss Travel Pass. However, you must also consider the convenience factor of the Swiss Travel Pass. By not needing to purchase tickets for each route and having the flexibility to change things at the last minute, gives the Swiss Travel Pass the edge in my opinion.

15) When is the Best Time to Visit Switzerland?

As I mentioned earlier on, this itinerary is best done from mid-June until mid-October. The main reason here is the ability to take full advantage of the hiking in the Swiss mountains.

You will find that many of the higher elevation hiking trails are not clear of snow until the end of June. While you can certainly visit outside of these months, just be aware you may not be able to complete some of the hikes mentioned.

Visiting in the summer time also gives you the chance to take advantage of the longer days. You will have plenty of time to take part of hikes, have some scenic lunches, and spend an afternoon taking part of other activities on your list.

Now, you can certainly visit Switzerland at other times of the year depending on what your main preferences are.

The winter time gives you the chance to take part of some skiing instead of hiking, while still being able to take advantage of what the cities have to offer.

You can also visit in April, May, October, & November which will be the non-tourist times of the year. Much of the itinerary can still be complete, besides some of the hikes. However, I will mention that some cable cars may not be fully up and running during off season.

16) 10 Days in Switzerland Budget

If you were not fully aware already, Switzerland can be a very expensive country to visit. While there are some ways to save some cash, such as by purchasing a travel pass, you will still find the country less affordable than others.

Below are some of the main cost considerations at play (currency in USD) . Check the latest Swiss Francs to USD conversion before your visit.

Hotels : on average you should be able to find a mid-range hotel in the $200 dollar range per night. Budget options can be found for less, and luxury hotels can easily be $1000 or more.

Meals : in Switzerland you will find many hotels that include breakfast in their rates, which can help save you a bit. However, when It comes to lunch and dinner, be ready to spend. A mid-range lunch will come in around $25-$35, with dinners closer to that $30-$50 range. Fast food & cooking yourself can be a way to keep to a budget, so you may want to think of that as well.

Water : Switzerland is one place where you really should not be purchasing too much water. In some cities you can find fountains, while the mountains offer an unlimited amount of fresh water.

Transport : as we talked about, transport costs will come down to your exact itinerary and whether you purchase a travel pass. For an itinerary like this, expect to pay around $650 for your transportation budget. That considers an 8-day Swiss travel Pass ($435) and some additional mountain transport ($200).

Activities & Tours : depending on interest, you may be taking part of other activities and tours throughout. These may include skydiving in the Swiss Alps, bungee jumping, or a canyoning experience. If you add these into a trip, expect the overall budget to increase.

17) Is 10 Days Enough for Switzerland

When it comes to an optimal amount of time to spend in Switzerland, I feel like 10 days is the perfect number. You will be able to visit several different places throughout the 10 days with a great mix between cities and mountains.

Given that Switzerland is so well connected by public transport you should not have much issue wasting precious time with logistics.

I also feel like it is a great middle ground when it comes to budget. As we know Switzerland is not the cheapest of places. And if you spend too much time there, you may quickly find out your budget doesn’t allow. However, 10 days seems to be a sweet spot between amount of time and cost of your trip.

Overall 10 days in Switzerland is enough time to get a great sense of what the country is all about. If you find yourself loving your time there (which I’m sure you will), then there are always more places to add to your next trip.

That about wraps up the Switzerland 10 day itinerary, taking you from Geneva to Zurich with plenty of stops and thrills along the way .

I feel that this trip was a great mix for me between cities and nature but at the same time, it can be altered to have even more of one or another.

There is just so much to do and see in Switzerland and I am hoping this 10 day itinerary can be a great starting point for your trip planning.

As always feel free to comment below with any questions and check out all the Switzerland travel guides I already have up on the site. Safe travels out there and enjoy!!

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Monday 8th of May 2023

Hi Charles,

I love your itinerary and myself and my friend are planning to follow it. However, we have some questions about the Swiss Travel Pass. We've read some of the other questions from other people already, but we just wanted to make sure.

For most of the trains in your itinerary we do not have to book/reserve them in advance, am I correct to assume this? In addition, when would be the case we have to book them in advance - ie. the panoramic train and what time would you suggest we do this?

Thank you so much in advance!

Best regards, John

Tuesday 9th of May 2023

Hi John - glad you enjoyed reading through the itinerary. The only trains you would need to book (not necessarily in advance, but just at the ticket office) would be those in the mountain regions such as Zermatt and the Jungfrau. These could include the Gornergrat train, Sunnegga tram, First cable car, Schilthorn cable cars, etc.

If you are looking to book a panorama train between cities, then you may need to purchase just a seat reservation in advance. If you are going in the peak summer season, then I would recommend booking sooner rather than later.

Hope that helps!

Thursday 27th of April 2023

HI! I am planning our trip to Switzerland this coming September and I find your itinerary very helpful. Thank you very much for sharing this!

I am planning for a 14 day trip. Do you have any suggestions for my extra days? Where do you think I should spend my extra days?

Thank you very much!

Hi Elaine - feel free to check out the 2 week Switzerland itinerary up on the site. That should help out. Enjoy your trip!

Tuesday 21st of June 2022

Thank you so much for this post. I am planning to visit Switzerland this summer. This is actually exactly what I am looking for. The combination between city and nature. The first question to you is do you think I can do it by car? we are ok with driving 2.5 hours if we need to .....

Friday 24th of June 2022

Hi Orit - yes, you can certainly do the itinerary with a car. There are a few things to note though..first off is you cannot drive into Zermatt. Instead you must park in nearby Tasch and take the train in from there. In addition, if visiting the Jungfrau region, you most likely will be using public transport (busses, cable cars, mountain railways, etc). Some towns like Murren and Wengen are car free, and other hiking areas would need some type of public transport to get to. Hope that helps!

Mayank Hora

Friday 20th of May 2022

Beautiful. Expalained in details. Since iam planning to visit in August end, will be happy if you can plan our for me for 15 days where I want even othe big cities as well as Lugano, Davos and St. Moritz.my email is [email protected]. Thanks.

Monday 16th of May 2022

Hello Charles! Thank you SO much for this amazing post...so helpful. I do have a question for you...if only doing 8 days (19-year-old boys) which days/locations would you skip? And since they are doing it backward and starting in Zurich and ending in Genieve...what is the best way to get to Paris from Genieve? Thank you in advance!

Tuesday 17th of May 2022

Hi Talin - glad you found the itinerary useful! I would be hesitant to remove any days from the Jungfrau/Zermatt portion of the trip, just due to the fact that those were some of my favorite parts of the country (and you want to give yourself the additional time there in case the weather isnt great the entire time). If I had to remove two days, I would choose between Zurich and Lucerne at the beginning of the trip, and then maybe combo Geneva/Montreux into one day at the end. You can easily get to Paris from Geneva by train or a quick flight, so that shouldn't be an issue at all. Hope that helps!

Perfect 5 days in Switzerland Itinerary (with 5 samples)

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Switzerland is one of the most idyllic destinations around the world. Not only is the country politically stable and economically progressive, but the landscape is spellbinding. If you are looking for 5 days in Switzerland itinerary, you will love this guide. 

The snow-capped mountains and tranquil lakes of the central European country are one of the reasons that Switzerland is such a popular travel destination. Chances are that it has made its way into your heart and onto your bucket list.

How to spend 5 days in Switzerland Itinerary and travel guide

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What can you do in Switzerland for 5 days?

As a country, Switzerland is not massive. But it surely has a ton of places to explore that may or may not be enough for 5 days or even a week. However, if you plan it really well, and know what interests you, you can definitely check off many places in Switzerland from your bucket list. 

In this post, we will share a city only 5 day Switzerland itinerary, which is perfect for all year round (especially off-season and summers), another one that is for winter outdoorsy exploration, plus an itinerary of scenic train rides, tours with a base in Zurich, and a cultural sightseeing expedition. 

So there is a lot that you can do in 5 days, just pick one that you like, and get packing! 

Switzerland Itinerary 5 days for summer: Cities and small towns (Sample 1)

• Day 1: Arrive and explore Zurich
• Day 2: Visit Bern
• Day 3: Head to Lucerne, and ride up Mount Titlis
• Day 4: Explore Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
• Day 5: Return to Zurich (visit Rhine Falls) or Geneva

Switzerland Itinerary 5 days for winter: Mountains and ski/non-ski activities

• Day 2: Explore Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
• Day 3 – 4: Head to Zermatt, visit Matterhorn. Ski and non-skiing activities
• Day 5: Return to Zurich in the evening

Switzerland Itinerary 5 days: 4 More Samples 

• Sample 3 : Zurich, Lauterbrunnen day trip, Lucerne, and Basel
• Sample 4: Zurich as a base, taking tours to explore other areas in Switzerland
• Sample 5 : Best train routes in 5 days in Switzerland (but can be done as a Switzerland road trip as well)
• Sample 6 : Geneva as a base, and exploring the UNESCO/ cultural side of Switzerland 

Is 5 days enough in Switzerland? 

Wondering how many days are enough in Switzerland? 5 days in Switzerland is enough to explore the highlights that the country has to offer.

Keep a city as your base (like Zurich or Geneva), and then travel via trains/tours or choose a city to stay overnight as you go through the day by day itinerary. 

Ideally, we recommend that you book a week for a relaxed Swiss vacation from North America or Asia. Use the weekends to travel overseas, add flight and time differences, and then you have awesome 5 days in hand to explore your favorites in Switzerland. 

Preparing for Switzerland 5 day itinerary: Travel Tips

If you are a first time visitor, here are essential tips for preparing for your trip to Switzerland for 5 days (or more).

Switzerland is located on the continent of Europe. Its capital city is Bern, and Zurich is the largest city.

If you are traveling from overseas, especially from Asia, the United States, or Canada, consider arriving in Zurich. Next, the best option is Geneva. Both cities have international airports that connect you to Switzerland. 

Switzerland is one of the premier destinations in Europe, it is expensive to visit and explore, but it is still possible to keep sightseeing within budget. 

Note that Switzerland is not a part of the European Union, and Euro is not its official currency. Switzerland’s official currency is the Swiss Francs (CHF), and it is almost at par with the Euros. 

If you require a tourist visa to Europe or the Schengen zone , you can use the same visa to enter Switzerland.

Visitors with US and Canadian passports do not require a visa to enter the country and stay for 90 days; however, from 2025, an online authorization – ETIAS – is required prior to travel. 

For commuting and travel within Switzerland, we highly recommend buying a Swiss Travel Pass. Pay for a 4 day card , and use it to get unlimited rides on Swiss trains and public transportation. 

Here are the top packing items for Switzerland:  

• Carry a waterproof warm/light jacket (all season), or winter parka for winters
• Wear comfortable walking shoes , they are perfect for exploring city centres and traveling in public transportation
• Backpack: 45 L backpack which is carry-on friendly, plus a cute anti-theft daypack or convertible purse
• Travel Insurance
• Don’t forget your camera and universal adaptor for charging your electronics  

5 day Switzerland Itinerary: Best of cities & culture travel (Sample 1)

The first route begins in Zurich and takes you through the capital city of Bern. You’ll visit the cultural city of Lucerne, move through the valleys of Lauterbrunnen, and pass the lakes of Interlaken. Are you ready?

Day 1 of Switzerland Itinerary 5 days: Arrive in Zurich

As far as bustling cities go, Zürich is by far one of the most beautiful. Revered around the world as a global hub for banking and finance, it’s easy to forget that there’s a lot more to Zürich than its economic reputation. 

Where to Stay 

The first establishment that serves as your home base in Switzerland should set a good example. Here are three top suggestions for affordable, modest, and luxury Switzerland accommodation options. 

• Romantik Hotel Europe : This is our favorite hotel in Zurich . Great location – you can easily walk down to the city centre, and the interiors are just so charming. Best of all breakfast is free, and there is also a restaurant on-site in case it’s too cold for you to get out! 
• Limmatblick – This is a relaxed 3-star hotel, with basic amenities and free breakfast. The location is good, pets are allowed and rooms have nice views (plus terrace access). Nightly prices are low to mid-budget. 
• Gasthaus zum Guten Glück : This hotel offers a simple and minimalistic stay on a budget
• Hotel Arlette Beim Hauptbahnhof Located in the heart of Zürich, this is a comfortable family-run hotel
• La Réserve Eden au Lac Zürich is located at a scenic lakeside location and set in a historic building

Arriving in Zürich

If you arrive in Zürich by plane, then you’ll probably land at Zürich Airport, the largest international airport in Switzerland. 

Trains run daily from the airport to the main station every 5-10 minutes from 5:00 am to 0:30 am. If you haven’t downloaded your Swiss Travel Pass beforehand, then you can buy one at the airport from any of the Swiss railway offices. 

There is also the option of arriving in the city with the airport shuttle, private transfer, or taxi. These options are noticeably more expensive than the train or tram. You can read our 2 days in Zurich Itinerary

Things to Do

Zürich boasts some impressive buildings that have witnessed interesting history over the years. Depending on what time you arrive in the city, a short architectural and historical walking tour will get you acquainted with the city’s narrative. 

Did someone say Swiss chocolate? Switzerland has a coveted reputation for producing the best chocolate in the world. A chocolate tasting walking tour is one way to indulge in the sweetness while learning about the traditions behind it. 

If you have time, the Glass Biodomes at the Botanical Gardens are a must-see. Although the botanical garden is small, it’s home to around 9,000 species. The domes serve as a home to the natural wonder and demonstrate a fine piece of architecture. 

Day 2 of Switzerland Itinerary 5 days: Visit Bern

The capital of Switzerland is built around a crook in the Aare River. Remnants of the city’s fascinating history, which extends back to the 12th century, is still evident in the Altstadt (Old Town). 

Where to Stay

If you want to be surrounded by ancient beauty, then we’d suggest staying in the Old City which is home to some of the most impressive architecture. 

• Hotel Waldhorn is a boutique-style hotel that has been complimented for its friendly staff and excellent breakfast
• Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern is a luxurious 5-star hotel set in an elegant Art Nouveau building from 1913

Arriving in Bern

Bern is a short 121 kilometers (75 miles) and one-hour-long train ride from Zürich. It’s possible to arrive by bus or rental car, but the train is the most convenient option. 

Tickets can be purchased at Zürich Hauptbahnhof, the main train station in the city. Platforms 31-34 are used for the routes to Bern, and the trains run regularly without delay. 

The Old City in Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Center, packed to the brim with stunning buildings and rich history.

One of the first activities to do in Bern is to explore the Old City and hear stories of its past. While it’s possible to do this on your own, the experience is significantly more rewarding with a guided Bern Old City Walking Tour.

As one of the world’s oldest democracies, Switzerland’s political structure is a marvel. Make sure that you stop by the Swiss Federal Assembly, the Bundeshaus, which is impressive on both the interior and exterior. 

Did you know that bears are the emblem of Bern? BärenPark is a popular attraction that is also home to three very healthy bears. Visiting BärenPark is a great outdoor activity with a dose of symbolism.

Top tip: If you visit in summer, make sure to pack your swimming gear. The River Aare is proud to be Europe’s urban swimming capital. Just make sure that you only dip your toes in areas where there is no strong current.

Day 3 of Switzerland Itinerary 5 days: Explore Lucerne

Also known as Luzern, Lucerne is picture-perfect. The city frames the lake, and the snow-capped mountains frame the city. Steeped in history and natural beauty, Lucerne is the third stop on your Switzerland itinerary. 

It would be a sin to stay in Lucerne and not be in full view of the lake. Begin your search with these two highly-reviewed hotels.

• Hotel Des Alpes is in the pedestrian zone in the heart of Lucerne and offers exquisite views of the river
• Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa offers modern comfort without compromising on Swiss tradition of hospitality

Arriving in Lucerne

Once again, you can use your Swiss Travel Pass to arrive in Lucerne. The train is the most convenient (and beautiful) way to travel from Bern to Lucerne, but there is also the option of catching a bus or renting a car. 

The trains depart every hour from Bern’s station and arrive in Luzern after an hour-long journey, having covered a distance of 109 kilometers. 

There are so many iconic sights and landmarks to discover in Lucerne. Start by walking through the old town, and crossing the Chapel Bridge. Chapel Bridge or the Kapellbrücke is said to be the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe, dating back to 1333

Mount Titlis is an essential stop on your itinerary. Book an afternoon tour to Mt Titlis from Lucerne and ride the cableway as you absorb marvelous views.

Another major attraction is the Glacier Garden, which is estimated to be millions of years old and contains kettle basins from the most recent Ice Age. This is one of the 500 museums accessible with the Swiss Travel Pass. 

Top tip: The Swiss Travel Pass also offers a half-price discount for some of the cableways and mountain railways such as Pilatus Kulm and Rigi Kulm . Rigi Kulm  is the highest peak on Mount Rigi.

Day 4 of Switzerland Itinerary 5 days: Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen Valley

Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen are short 20-minute train journeys apart from one another, making them ideal destinations to enjoy on the same day. 

If you have to choose one of the two destinations to spend the night, we’d suggest Lauterbrunnen as the scenery is unparalleled. 

• Hotel Silberhorn is a cozy spot with a spectacular view and quick access to the ski slopes
• Hotel Staubbach is one of the first hotels in Lauterbrunnen and features stunning panoramic views

Arriving in Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen

There are direct trains that run from Lucerne to Interlaken Ost Station. The trip is a short two hours but as you’ll be exploring two destinations in one day, we suggest you begin your journey early. The Lucerne Interlaken Express is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex). 

When you’ve soaked up the glorious tranquility of the lakes, you can jump onboard one of the 32 daily trains that travel from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen. 

Starting off in Interlaken, you’ll have peaceful lakes to enjoy at your leisure. If you’re an adventure junkie, then there are several fun activities to get your heart racing. From a winter kayak tour on Lake Brienz to a tandem paragliding flight. 

If you want something more relaxed, then you can ride a funicular to the top of the popular Harder Kulm and enjoy the sweeping views. 

Make sure that you reserve some energy to enjoy Lauterbrunnen in the afternoon. The little village is set in the valley. Take the time to appreciate the natural wonders such as Staubbach Falls and Trummelbach Falls before wandering through the quaint village.

Day 5 of Switzerland Itinerary 5 days: Return to Zurich/Geneva

Considering that you’ve been traveling for nearly five days, the return journey from Lauterbrunnen to Zürich is not as long as you’d imagine. So, take your time soaking up the final charm of Lauterbrunnen before returning to Zürich.

Alternatively, you can change things up and return home from Geneva. 

If you’re spending the night, then the previously mentioned spots are great options for places to stay in Zürich. If you’ve shifted your itinerary to leave from Geneva, you can check out the following recommended hotels. 

• Hotel de Geneve is an endearing and affordable hotel that is conveniently located
• Hotel d’Angleterre is the perfect spot to end your Switzerland vacation in luxury 

Arriving in Zürich/Geneva

The train back to Zürich from Lauterbrunnen goes via Bern and Interlaken Ost, offering an opportunity to reflect on your newly-made memories while you enjoy the beautiful views. The train leaves hourly and takes just over 2,5 hours.

If you’re traveling to Geneva, you can expect a longer trip of approximately four hours. The route also goes via Interlaken Ost and Bern before arriving in Geneva’s only station.

If you’ve returned to Zürich, then you can treat yourself to Swiss cuisine before jetting off home. A top recommendation is Raclette Stube which is known for its delicious fondue. 

If you choose to spend your final moments in Geneva, and you have the time, then the Old Town is a must-visit. Strolling through the streets is an affordable and memorable activity. Another great option is to indulge in a meal on the waters – Oakfire comes highly recommended!

Best of Mountains: Switzerland Winter Itinerary 5 days (Sample 2)

While the first itinerary offers a fool-proof plan, it’s always handy to have a backup. This second option promises to be equally as memorable. 

Day One – Zürich

You can mimic the above-mentioned itinerary for starting out in Zürich. Once you arrive, you can get settled and begin exploring the stunning city. Find things to do in Zurich in winter

Day Two – Jungfrau

The Jungfrau region has been described as “all of Switzerland in one spot”. The area is known as being home to one of the most famous European peaks and also has the highest railway station in Europe. 

Jungfrau is home to Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen, which means that a hotel in any of these villages will give you a welcoming stay in Switzerland. But to get the ball rolling, you can have a look at these spots…

• Sunstar Hotel & SPA Grindelwald offers the perfect balance between tranquility and central convenience
• Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa is nestled in the heart of Interlaken and offers complete luxury

Arriving in Jungfrau

The first step is to decide where you want to stay in Jungfrau – Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, or Grindelwald. This will determine the ticket that you reserve from Zürich – all of which are covered with the Swiss Travel Pass. 

The train from Zürich to the Jungfrau region passes through Bern and takes approximately two and a half hours – so the earlier you leave, the better. To reach the mountain (Jungfraujoch) it’s an additional hour and a half trip and is only accessible by train. 

As you can imagine, visiting the “Top of Europe” involves a lot of mountain-centric activity. The views are to die for, and the experience is nothing short of surreal. 

The Sphinx Observation Deck and Aletsch Glacier is a great place to start as it sheds some light on the history of the area and offers a visual introduction to the region. From there, you can visit the Ice Palace and take a photograph at Glacier Plateau. 

If you have time in the afternoon or are traveling with family, then the Snow Fun Park is also a fantastic stop!

Day Three – Jungfrau

The Jungfrau region is so much more than just the summit – although the experience is very impressive. The villages and lower-lying natural wonders are equally as mesmerizing and deserve a bit of your time. 

Take your time to enjoy the tranquil lakes of Interlaken, the valley of Lauterbrunnen, and the lush green pastures of Grindelwald. If you visit in the summer months, then you can plan for a wonderful hike along one of the many Alps hiking trails. 

SWISS TRAVEL PASS

Get unlimited rides on trains, trams, buses, and boats throughout Switzerland with an all-in-one Swiss Travel Pass!

Buy it online, show your e-ticket on your phone, and start your Swiss Adventure with ease and stay on budget!

Grindelwald First Cliff Walk is a must-do here. This is a loop walk or hike that takes about 30 minutes to complete (15 minutes one way), and it welcomes you to some of the most stunning views in the Swiss Alps.

The First Cliff Walk is located just a few minutes’ walk from the First cable car station, making it easily accessible for all levels of hikers.

Day Four – Zermatt and Matterhorn

The mountain resorts of Zermatt and Matterhorn Mountain are a short 13 kilometers (8 miles) away from one another. The journey is best experienced with the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car. But we’ll get there in a bit…

The southern Swiss mountain resort Zermatt is a beautiful area that is both picturesque and filled with history. With such a rife culture, you’re in for a treat regardless of where you stay.

• Backstage Boutique SPA Hotel offers traditional Swiss hospitality in the heart of Zermatt
• Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is a historic spot that beautifully encapsulates a local atmosphere blended with luxury

Arriving in Zermatt

As with many of the other routes on this itinerary, Zermatt is easily accessible by train and the Swiss Travel Pass . The best route is to leave Interlaken and travel via Kandersteg.

From here, it’s recommended that you travel on the Regio-Express Lötschberger train. This offers a special experience as you travel over the 100-year-old mountain route.

In addition to the many opportunities to ski, climb and hike in the Zermatt mountain region, there is also the essential activity ascending the Matterhorn peak which sits at an elevation of 1,600 meters. This is done by purchasing a Matterhorn glacier paradise ticket . 

Day Five – Zürich

After an incredible few days in Switzerland, it’s time to return to your departure point. 

The best way to get to Zürich from Zermatt is, once again, by train. The train ride is approximately three and a half hours, and there are around 25 trains running per day. These trains typically stop in Visp along the way – so make sure that you keep an eye out for this change. 

The Swiss Travel Pass covers 50% of the costs of mountain transportation in Zermatt, once again demonstrating the usefulness of the pass. 

5 day itinerary Switzerland Summer | City lovers (Sample 3)

This Switzerland 5 day itinerary kicks off in Zurich, and then explores cities like Lucerne, Basel, and the countryside including the Lauterbrunnen Valley with gorgeous views of the Swiss Alps!

We recommend staying overnight in Basel (for the last leg of your Swiss itinerary), but all the places can be explored on a day trip from Zurich and return to the city to fly out. 

Day 1: Zurich

A great way to start off your 5-day tour of Switzerland is with a visit to Zurich. This beautiful city offers stunning views of the Swiss Alps, as well as the stunning Lake Zurich. Here is a detailed one day in Zurich itinerary

Day 2: Lauterbrunnen Day Trip

No visit to Switzerland is complete without a trip to the Swiss Alps. A great day trip from Zurich is Lauterbrunnen, which has some of the most spectacular views in Switzerland.

From Zurich, it will be a 2 hour and 30 minute train ride to Lauterbrunnen with a stop in Interlaken. If you are on a road trip, you will be in Lauterbrunnen in an hour and 30 minutes and also stop in Lake Thun. 

Regardless, make use of your Swiss Travel Pass and their public transportation system! The train route is scenic and here is a detailed guide for Zurich to Lauterbrunnen day trip itinerary.

Once you arrive in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, walk to the Staubbach Falls, and enjoy the wonderful mountain views. Visit the charming church and then go on a short hike. 

Afterward, take a break for lunch at one of the many local restaurants that specialize in traditional Swiss cuisine. Before bidding adieu stroll through Lauterbrunnen’s charming old town and marvel at the traditional Swiss architecture.

Day 3: Lucerne

Lucerne is one of the most picturesque cities in Switzerland, located on Lake Lucerne. This city is home to some incredible sights such as the Chapel Bridge, a wooden bridge that dates back to the 14th century, or nearby Mount Pilatus. 

Other attractions include the Lion Monument, a tribute to the Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution, and Richard Wagner’s house, which is now a museum dedicated to his life and works.

Take a boat tour on Lake Lucerne or take a cable car up to Mount Pilatus for some stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. After a day of sightseeing, dine at one of Lucerne’s many restaurants or explore its vibrant nightlife.

Zurich to Lucerne is just a 50 minute train ride away. Here is a detailed one day in Lucerne itinerary with travel tips

Day 4 and 5: Basel

Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland and is an underrated destination. You can visit Basel on a day trip from Zurich, or stay overnight in the city. 

Zurich to Basel is an hour’s train ride. 

If staying overnight in Basel, we recommend opting for Old Town. This way you will be within walking distance to almost all the iconic attractions as well as the public transportation system to even venture out to Germany and France. 

• Hotel Motel One Basel: Hotel Motel One Basel is 3-star mid-budget accommodation in the heart of Basel. You can walk to landmarks, restaurants, and transportation from here. Book your stay here
• Grand Hotel Les Trois : If you prefer a luxury stay, then the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois has gorgeous interiors and provides beautiful views of the Rhine River and the city. Check current prices here

Things to do

Take some time to explore Basel’s old town on day one, which is filled with cobbled streets, old buildings, and churches. As you walk through the streets, take a break for lunch at one of the many cafes or bakeries.

Basel is known as the City of Culture on the Rhine, and it is home to museums such as the Kunstmuseum and the Tinguely Museum which are worth visiting. 

Before heading home after your 5 day tour through Switzerland, be sure to take some time to indulge in some shopping. From designer boutiques and department stores to quaint local shops, you will be spoilt for choices in Basel. 

After a day of shopping, enjoy a lovely stroll by the Rhine River promenade (before returning to Zurich by evening). 

Read : 3 days in Basel itinerary

Explore with day tours: 5 days in Switzerland itinerary from Zurich (Sample 4)

It is possible to explore Switzerland in 5 days, by combining multiple day tours. We have done something like this in Seville, and Zurich is a perfect base city for that. 

We personally use GetYourGuide for our day tours , and love their customer service. They are available by phone, or email for support when you need them. Best of all you can cancel up to 24 hours before your activity starts for a full refund.

• Day 1: Arrive in Zurich, and explore . Opt for a free walking tour of the city, or get exploring with a local 2 to 6 hour sightseeing
• Day 2 : Explore Rhine Falls in a 4 hour tour , and then spend the rest of the day in Zurich
• Option 1 is Lucerne and Endelberg day tour . This includes exploring a cute Swiss village, a quick hike in the Alps, and tons of beautiful scenery in Lucerne
• Option 2 is Mount Titlis and Lucerne day tour.   Explore Lake Lucerne and embark on a city tour, Engelberg with a cable car ride to Mount Titlis. Visit an ice grotto. 
• Day 4 : Day Trip to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe . This tour includes travel through Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and of course Top of Europe! Book this day tour to Jungfrau, one of the bucket list items!
• Day 5 : Day tour to the capital city of Switzerland, Bern . Learn about the city’s history and capture cultural nuances. View this tour here

If you are feeling fancy, take a day trip to Liechtenstein and stop at Heidiland and Rapperswil (Switzerland). Liechtenstein is a micro-state aka a small nation in Europe , and it can be easily explored from Zurich. Check out this day tour

For a full packaged tour, opt for G-Adventures. We are known for conducting ethical small group tours. What I liked about them is that they are a Canadian company, and they focus on cultural travel. You can view their current Switzerland tour offers here

Scenic Train Routes: Switzerland Travel Itinerary 5 days (Sample 5)

Here is a 5 day itinerary for Switzerland starting in Zurich and exploring Zermatt by train, embarking on the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, and returning to Zurich on day 5. 

• Day 1 Explore Zurich : Explore the city in the morning. Set aside 2-4 hours in the Old Town. Grab some lunch and then hop on a train to Zermatt from the Zurich Main Station. 
• The train ride from Zurich to Zermatt: Zurich to Zermatt train time is about 3 hours+ covering the 100 miles (161 km) long route. The train passes through Bern and Thun, before arriving in Zermatt. The ride from Visp to Zermatt is super scenic so make sure to stay awake 🙂 
• Day 2: Wake up in Zermatt . Spend time exploring this beautiful mountain town . There are a ton of hikes and walks of all difficulty levels to enjoy here. If you prefer to sit back and just drool at the mountains without a hike, then head up to Gornergrat. This steep train ride will take you to an altitude of 3.089 metres (10.135 feet) above sea level and you can soak in the views of the Gorner Glacier and the Matterhorn. 

• Day 3: Next day ride the scenic Glacier Express . This train leaves Zermatt twice a day and takes you to St Moritz in about 8 hours. The train takes you across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels, three cantons, and two language regions. Stay in Piz St. Moritz Lodge, a no frills 2-star hotel. 
• Day 4: Explore St. Moritz for a day . There are a ton of outdoorsy things to do in St Moritz from hiking, stand up paddling, swimming, and windsurfing, to skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in winters in Switzerland. You can also explore soft adventure/light activities like strolling the town centre, eating your heart out, or taking the train from Ospizio Bernina (the highest spot of the Bernina Express Line) to nearby areas. 
• Day 5: Return to Zurich. Train from St Moritz to Zurich is only 3 hours long, so you can explore in the morning or stop at Walenstadt (Lake Walensee). This lake is the perfect stopover between the two cities, offering mesmerizing views. 

There are other scenic train routes available including the Golden Pass Train Line that goes from Lucerne to Montreux via Interlaken and Zweisimmen. 

Culture Exploration: Switzerland 5 Day Itinerary from Geneva (Sample 6)

This Switzerland 5 day itinerary starts in Geneva and goes across the country exploring the UNESCO/cultural gems along the way. 

• Day 1: Arrive and explore Geneva. Stroll the downtown/city centre area and stop by the UN buildings aka Palais des Nations. Be sure to book a guided tour to learn more about the UN formation (League of Nations) and its functioning today. The water jet –  Jet d’Eau – is a must see attraction in the city. It receives water from Lake Geneva. In the evening, leave for Bern. Stay in Bern for the night.
• Day 2: Explore Bern . Bern is a UNESCO listed city, and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. choose from. Take a stroll through the old town, stop by the bear park, or visit the Bundeshaus (House of Parliament). Nature is still at your doorstep here, so take time to head to Rosengarten for the views. Or visit the botanical garden, and later go for a swim either in the River Aare. 
• Day 3: From Bern, start for La Chaux-de-Fonds in the Canton of Neuchâtel. The city is known for Le Corbusier, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century who was born here. You will also find watches/watch factories here. Take your time here, relax, and then when ready return to Bern. In the evening,  catch the train to St. Gallen (two hour train ride)
• Day 4: Start your day in St. Gallen . Explore the old town of St. Gallen, and wander through the UNESCO listed Abbey District. The Cathedral and the impressive Abbey Library will take your breath away. From the city, you can venture into the mountains – the nearby Alpstein range. Lake Constance is also easily accessible from St. Gallen. In the evening head back to Bern.  
• Day 5: Bern to Morat & Neuchâtel. In the morning, take the train to the quaint little town of Morat from Bern. The train ride is about 30 minutes and will engulf you into a town steeped in prettiness. Stroll the historic town centre, or hang out at Lake Morat in Salavaux. From here, travel to Neuchâtel. Head to Chaumont, a mountain in Neuchâtel. You can take the funicular from Le Coudre to the top and then you can hike down to Cressier via Trois Cheminées. From Cressier, board the bus back to Neuchâtel (and take the train to Geneva in the evening. Trains take 1.25 hours).

Using Swiss Travel Pass for Getting Around

As a highly-functional country, Switzerland’s transportation system runs like a well-oiled machine. There are car rentals, bus stops, and even lake cruises available as options to get from A to B. But perhaps the most efficient way to travel around Switzerland is by train. 

The train is used as a popular mode of transport for both intercity and intracity movements. But there are also several scenic train rides in Switzerland that can be enjoyed as an activity in their own right. 

The Swiss Travel Pass is a savings card that gives you access to train rides throughout Switzerland. These passes help you to save money in the long run, while traveling in comfort and style.  

The pass gives unlimited access to trains, boats, and buses across the country for your choice of 3, 4, 8, or 15 consecutive days. In addition, it offers entry into select museums and includes select mountain excursions.

Get your Swiss Travel Pass online before you arrive

Switzerland Bucket list | The Ultimate Guide to Switzerland

Zurich : Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and is one of the most visited cities in the country for its art galleries, museums, clubs, and other attractions. The Gothic-style Grossmünster Church stands proudly on Limmat Quay and is a must-see for its stunning architecture. 

Take a stroll through Zurich’s old town and shop or window shop in Bahnhofstrasse, one of the most expensive streets in the world.

Visit some of Zurich’s world-famous museums such as the Swiss National Museum and FIFA Museum. 

Bern: Bern is the capital city of Switzerland, and it is sprinkled with sandstone-colored buildings, winding cobblestone streets, and numerous fountains. 

The Zytglogge clock tower is a popular attraction in the city, as is the Federal Palace which houses the Swiss Parliament and several federal administration offices.

Basel: The city of Basel is situated on the Rhine River and boasts many attractions including the Old Town, Basel Cathedral, and Kuntsmuseum. 

Kunstmuseum is one of the oldest public art institutions (dates back to 1661). The museum is home to over 4,000 paintings, sculptures, and installations, along with over 300,000 drawings and prints – with many dating back to the Middle Ages. 

Interlaken: Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s most popular resorts as it offers easy access to many outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, rafting, canyoning, and paragliding.

The beautiful turquoise waters of Lake Thun and Brienz are a treat for the eyes and the nearby Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains provide plenty of adventure opportunities.

Jungfraujoch : One of the most visited attractions in Switzerland is Jungfraujoch, also known as “The Top of Europe”. Situated at 11,333 feet (3,454 meters) this mountain railway station offers breathtaking views of the surrounding alpine landscape and glaciers. 

You can either take a train via the highest train station from Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen to the highest railway station in Europe or take a cable car from Kleine Scheidegg.

Mount Rigi: Mount Rigi, also known as Queen of the Mountains, is a stunning mountain situated in Central Switzerland. As one of the most popular destinations for hikers and tourists alike, it offers breathtaking views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding Alpine landscape.

You can take a cogwheel train from Vitznau up the mountain, or Arth-Goldau station. From the top of Mount Rigi, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views and take in the fresh Alpine air.

The peak is home to many cozy mountain restaurants and traditional Swiss Chalets, providing an ideal place to rest after a long day of exploring.

Schilthorn : Take a cable car ride up to the Schilthorn and experience breathtaking views of some of Switzerland’s highest peaks –  Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Geneva : Geneva should also be on any Swiss itinerary for city lovers as it is home to many sights such as the Jet d’Eau fountain, the Palace of Nations, and the old town with quaint cafes and shops. 

The Saint Pierre Cathedral is a must-see for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture and intricate interior designs.

Lucerne: Visit this Swiss city known for its beautiful lake, old town, wooden bridges, and Lion Monument. The Chapel Bridge is one of the most iconic attractions in the city as it was built to protect the town from outside forces. 

The Lion Monument is another important symbol of Lucerne as it commemorates the fallen Swiss Guard at the Tuileries Palace in Paris.

Montreux : Montreux is home to one of Switzerland’s most famous attractions – Château de Chillon, a medieval castle built on an island in Lake Geneva. It was the home of the Counts of Savoy from the 12th to the 16th centuries.

Zermatt and Matterhorn: Zermatt is a small mountain village in Switzerland famous for its ski resorts and majestic views of the Matterhorn peak. You can take a cable car up to the Klein Matterhorn to see it up close and personal.

Activities to add to your bucket list:

1. Take a Chocolate Tour in Zurich : Switzerland is home to some of the world’s most beloved chocolates, and what better way to appreciate them than by taking a chocolate tour? In Zurich, you can visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate or join a chocolate tuk tuk tour

2. Take a Cruise on Lake Geneva : Hop on one of the boats and enjoy the views of Mont Blanc and beyond while on a cruise. 

3. Try Swiss Cheese Fondue: Experience Switzerland’s famous dishes by indulging in a fondue experience where you can dip chunks of bread into melted cheese and savor local wines. It’s an experience that’s hard to beat!

You can book a fondue/culinary tour in Zurich or Geneva 

4. Go on a wine tour: Switzerland is home to some of the world’s best wines and a tour through local vineyards will give you insight into different varieties, flavors, and production methods. You can also savor delicious food pairings as part of your experience such as the Riviera tour from Geneva or a cruise along the Lavaux Vineyards.

5. Enjoy a spa day in Zurich :  Zurich is a great spot for relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether you want to take part in a wellness treatment or just soak up the atmosphere in one of the many luxurious spas, there are plenty of options. You can book a spa date at the Thermalbad & Spa

6. Visit the Rhine Falls:   Europe’s most powerful waterfall is a must-see for any visitor to Switzerland. The falls are an incredible natural wonder and a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Take a boat tour of the area , or hike along the banks of the river.

Additional Travel Tips: Switzerland Itinerary 5 days

After exploring Switzerland multiple times, we can say that although small and compact there is a lot to see in the country. To make the best of 5 days in Switzerland you can mix nature and culture with ease. Spend at least one day in the majestic Swiss Alps in places like Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, along with sightseeing (and museums) in Zurich and Basel.  If nature is your calling you can consider just one day in Zurich, and then spend the rest of the time in Interlaken and enjoy hiking, paragliding ride to scenic cogwheel rides!

For 5 days in Switzerland, you can expect to pay $200 to $250 USD per day for a 3-star hotel (shared basis) with a Swiss Travel Pass and food. With that said, you can save a lot by visiting during the off-season, especially on accommodation. 

Zurich is home to the largest airport in the country, and it makes a good option for entry into Switzerland. You will find lots of flight options including direct flights from many cities in North America.

Switzerland’s public transportation system is efficient, clean, and safe! They are very reliable, and in most cases scenic! Paired with the Swiss travel pass you will love saving money along the way as well. 

The cheapest month to fly to Switzerland is January, followed by April.

Why Not Extend Your Switzerland Trip?

Before you know it, your surreal time in Switzerland will be over and you’ll be begging for more. If these itineraries only served to whet your appetite, and you can afford to extend your stay, then we’d highly recommend that you do!

To help you get started on further planning, you can browse our 7-day Switzerland itinerary . The beautiful country is warm and welcoming – even in winter. So pack your snow boots or your sun hat and enjoy the trip!

Pin: Perfect Switzerland Itinerary 5 days: 6 samples for 5 day trip to Switzerland 

Mayuri is the founder & editor of ToSomePlaceNew. An Indian-Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 35+ countries. Mayuri has a graduate degree in History and is an MBA. She loves traveling the world, capturing historical nuances, and discussing that over a cup of coffee with her husband, Salil. She currently resides in Edmonton, Canada, and plots travel plans to Europe, the Americas, and beyond. 

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26 Comments

Looking at your recommendation for Hotel Europe in Zurich. Hotel website does no show that breakfast is free per your post. It’s $35 per person which is very high for breakfast. Is there a promo code needed for free breakfast or something else we need to know.

Currently, the free breakfast promo is offered on Hotel Europe’s official website! You should be able to find it there it is included when you select a room/suite!

Happy travels to Switzerland <3

Hello Mayuri ,

We are a couple with our child from Eindhoven Netherlands, Planning to travel to Switzerland in Mid of April . If I booked Swiss Travel Pass , will I need to pay any additional cost to travel Jungfrau from Interlaken and Lucerene to Mt Titlis Via Train .

Can you please suggest/help me in this regards.

It will cover your trip fully until Grindelwald. From here you can get to Jungfraujoch with a 25% discount by using the Swiss Travel Pass. Then for Mount Titlis, you will get 50%.

Because you are traveling with a child, you can request a free Swiss Family Card when ordering (the card allows kids aged 6–15 to travel free with a parent). To get the Family Card directly, add the child as a passenger under ‘Add passengers’ when you buy your Swiss Travel Pass. (The 25% and 50% ticket discount also applies to the child passenger)

I hope this helps! Happy Travels 🙂

For the summer itinerary, is there a reason you go from Bern – Lucerne – Interlaken – Zurich? Seems like there’s less travel time going from Bern – Interlaken – Lucerne – Zurich. Thanks for you help!

We had Zurich – Bern – Lucerne – Interlaken – Zurich, as you can explore both Bern and Lucerne as day trips from Zurich (about 1 to an hour and 15 minutes train ride).

This is great if one is looking for multi-night hotel discounts in Zurich and are happy staying overnight in 2 places (Zurich and Interlaken during their 5 day trip).

Without day trips, it is adding about 30 to 40 minutes travel time which is not too bad (by train), and with overnight stay in each city there will be ample time to explore!

Hope this helps!

Hi Mayuri, I plan go to switzerland next year on Dec 23, I need some information about transportation according to you better we rent car or used public transportation. If we need go to tourist attraction and move to others city. Talking about Swiss Travel Pass, can it used for every transportation and to others city? Travel plan is arrive in Zurich, explore in swiss 5 days, and then by train to Paris. please give me suggestion.

For cities, public transportation is better. All the major cities in Switzerland have efficient trains and trams for getting to attractions (in that city).

To connect to different cities, again trains are better.

The Swiss Travel Pass will cover intercity trains + local trains/buses/trams. Plus you can access many of the popular museums for free.

We just returned from Switzerland after spending 10 days, we used the Swiss Travel Pass (8 day) to cover transportation + ride on the Glacier Express (seat reservation was extra).

Hope this helps

Hi Mayuri! This is so helpful. I’ll be in Geneva for work in February. I’m very well travelled but have never been to Switzerland. I’d love to explore before my work meetings. Is there a five day itinerary from Geneva in the winter for a non-skier? I saw the sample Geneva one but it seemed to be for the summer. Thanks!

Hey Kimberly!

That’s so exciting! Geneva is beautiful in the winter too. You can keep 1-2 days for city sightseeing – museum hopping, etc.

You can include a spa day at Les Bains De Lavey, and a chocolate or wine-tasting tour.

Add a day trip (car or day tours) to Château de Chillon (free with the Swiss Travel Pass ) and the Swiss Riviera. Other day trip options are to Lausanne and Annecy in France (which looks amazing in the winter).

Enjoy your trip! 🙂

Hi! This has been so helpful!

Would you recommend us staying in Zurich the whole 6 nights that we are in Switzerland for/ or would it be better that we stay in Grindelwald for a few beofre heading back to Zurich for our return flight home? Thank you, Susan

You can surely split your stay between Zurich and Grindelwald – it all depends on your sightseeing plans. Grindelwald is very pretty and 2-3 nights there will be amazing! 🙂

Enjoy beautiful Switzerland!

Thank you for the quick response! We have a list of sightseeing plans to do on our trip in March! We plan to see Bern; Lucerne; Interlaken; Basil and Zermatt! My concern was taking our tours from Zurich every day to our destination or after a few days would it be easier (less time) to stay in Grindelwald and do our tours from there before heading back to Zurich and home.

Of course Susan 🙂

So to explore Bern; Lucerne; and Basel – one day each will be fine as you are on a 6 day trip. All are doable from Zurich by train or day tours.

From Zurich, you can explore Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen on a day trip (might be a long day) but still possible.

Depending on your sightseeing plans for Zermatt and mountain excursions, an overnight stay here will be nice.

I would keep day tours from Zurich – for the last leg of your trip, and then fly out from Zurich. Hope this helps!

Thank you!!

Hi great itinerary. A question. is it better to visit the Matterhorn or Jungfraujoch

Thank you Anita! Both are great additions to your Switzerland itinerary – just depends on what’s on your bucket list.

For a short trip Zurich – Zermatt – Matterhorn is a good idea. Zermatt – Matterhorn can be explored in a day (without hikes, etc). Jungfraujoch/Top of Europe requires 5 to 6 hours to a day (with travel time) and is very popular! There are lots of places of interest near Jungfrau like Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald – so it will be nice to add extra days to cover it all while you are there (ideally 3 days).

your post is so informative, me & my husband are planning a trip in August covering Zurich, Bern, Interlaken & Lucerene for 10 days, my husband wants to rent a car & drive all over, is that convenient vs taking trains? also how do i reach Zeramatt? Thanks & looking forward to hear from you.

Hi Shikha! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. You will LOVE Switzerland 🙂

I have a 10 day Swiss itinerary here – do take a look. We did the 10 day trip by trains and covered Zurich, Bern, and Lucerne. It was very convenient by trains (especially with the Swiss Travel Pass). These cities have pedestrian friendly Old Towns, so car isn’t necessary.

A car did come in handy in Interlaken, but the same routes will be covered by trains as well.

For Zermatt, we traveled there from Zurich and Basel (two separate trips) by train. Zermatt is a car-free town, and you will have to park your rental car at Täsch, and then take the train to Zermatt – so again car isn’t required. If you have a lot of luggage, and need a hand to take them to the hotel, your accommodation should have shuttle services that you can use (just confirm with them).

Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip 🙂

Hi Mayuri, I see your posts are very helpful. We are family of 4 with (with two kids) coming from Paris. Planning to stay 5 days in Switzerland and then Venice/Rome for another 5 days. Please suggest center spot so we can do daily trip and then train to Venice.

Thank you kindly! For your trip, I suggest keeping Zurich as a base and then exploring Switzerland. Cities like Bern, Lucerne and Mount Pilatus, Basel, Chur are all an hour or so train ride away.

You can also visit Interlaken from Zurich on a day trip.

(Sidenote: You can explore Interlaken on your last day and take the train to Venice from there)

Zurich (or Interlaken) to Venice will be about 6+ hours by train.

Alternate option:

Here is an itinerary suggestion covering Zurich/Rome/Venice with a panoramic train ride

Day 1 and 2: Rome Day 3 and 4: Venice for 2 nights (by train) Day 5 and 6: Visit and stay in Milan for 2 nights Day 7: Train travel to Chur in Switzerland via Bernina Express. So Milan > Tirano > Bernina Express > Chur. (Chur to Zurich is one hour train ride. You can stay overnight in Chur or Zurich) Day 8: Explore Zurich for a day Day 9: (Pick a Swiss city like Interlaken) Day 10: (Pick a Swiss city like Bern or Lucerne)

Hope this is helpful!

Hi, I’ll be traveling with my elderly mom who can’t hike/climb or walk long distances. We are arriving in Zurich morning (Day 1) and I need to be in Bern (Day 2) the next day at 2pm for a mtg. Day 6 we will spend the night in Zurich due to morning departure. So I was thinking land in Zur and training to Lucerne for first 3 nights? We want to take scenic train rides. What’s the best way to incorporate the Bernini Express, Glacier express etc?

Hi Jessica,

Here is what I would suggest,

Day 1 – Zurich

Day 2 – Take a train to Bern from Zurich for your meeting (1 hour train ride)

If you are returning to Zurich for the night, then you can head to Chur for a scenic train ride the next day (like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express – both have stops in Chur).

Day 3 – For the Glacier Express start from Zurich to Chur (1 hour train ride) and then get on the panoramic train to Zermatt (the ride is included in the Swiss Travel Pass, but seat reservation is extra).

The entire journey takes 8 hours (St Moritz to Zermatt and vice versa), but on this route, you will doing the Chur to Zermatt section (and staying overnight in Zermatt on day 3)

Day 4 – Travel to Lucerne from Zermatt and continue your trip (for your departure, Lucerne to Zurich is one hour away by train)

—————-

Another option

Day 1 -2 – Same as above

Day 3 – 4 – Lucerne

Day 5 – Another option is to take the panoramic train from Lucerne on day 5

Travel to Chur (from Lucerne) to ride the Glacier Express and then stay in Zermatt for a night

Day 6 – Return to Zurich from Zermatt and fly out!

Hi there! Thanks for your detailed tip and tricks! My Husband and I are planning to visit Switzerland in April, entering from Italy. Our plan at this stage is to train from Venice – Milan and then train from Milan. Instead of starting in Zurich, do you see any issues with travelling from Milan to Interlaken, and then travelling up to Zurich over 4 – 5 days instead of your suggestion of starting in Zurich and travelling south? We plan to fly out of Zurich onto Paris. Thank you!

Yes, you can absolutely do that. The itinerary suggests Zurich as a starting point as it has a larger airport (and it is easier for us to fly from Canada).

You can take the train from Milan to Interlaken, and later take the train to Zurich (about a 2-hour journey). We have traveled to Switzerland from Italy and France as well, so this route works 🙂 We have an Italy and Switzerland itinerary here if you are interested!

Happy Planning 🙂

Thank you so much, Mayuri! Most appreciated 🙂

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The Complete 10 Days In Switzerland Itinerary For a Fantastic Trip

Spending 10 days in Switzerland lets you experience the country’s stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. 

Switzerland is easily one of the most beautiful countries on earth. Here you will find vibrant cities, majestic mountains, and more. 

Switzerland offers a myriad of experiences that will leave you in awe. 

Immerse yourself in the charm of Zurich, explore the idyllic town of Lucerne, venture into the heart of the Swiss Alps, marvel at iconic peaks like the Matterhorn, and soak in the international ambience of Geneva.

Indulge in delicious Swiss cuisine, explore charming old towns, and witness some of the most stunning natural scenery in the world. 

This 10-day itinerary is your passport to discovering the best that Switzerland has to offer. 

So, get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime as you explore the wonders of Switzerland.

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10 DAYS IN SWITZERLAND ITINERARY

Day 1-2: zurich .

Begin your 10 days in Switzerland in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city. 

There’s no shortage of things to do in Zurich to make your visit memorable. 

Whether you spend  4 days in Switzerland  or 10 days in Switzerland, Zurich is a must-visit. 

Start by exploring the charming Old Town (Altstadt) with its winding streets and medieval buildings, including the iconic  Grossmünster  and Fraumünster churches.

Immerse yourself in art at the Kunsthaus Zurich, home to an impressive collection of works by renowned artists. 

Take in the beauty of Lake Zurich by strolling along the promenade or indulging in a boat ride. 

Shop till you drop on Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets. 

Dive into Swiss history and culture at the Swiss National Museum, and enjoy a boat trip along the Limmat River for breathtaking city views. 

For nature lovers, climb the Uetliberg Mountain for panoramic vistas or visit the Zurich Zoo to see a diverse range of animals. 

Remember to savour Swiss cuisine, from traditional dishes like fondue and raclette to delectable Swiss chocolates. 

Experience Zurich’s vibrant nightlife by exploring its bars, clubs, and live music venues. 

With its blend of history, culture, nature, and culinary delights, Zurich offers many activities to suit every traveler’s interests.

Day 3-4: Lucerne 

Travel to Lucerne, a picturesque city nestled amidst mountains and lakes.  Lucerne offers a plethora of activities  to make your visit truly memorable. 

Start by strolling across the iconic Chapel Bridge, one of Switzerland’s most photographed landmarks. 

Explore the charming Old Town with its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and lively squares. 

Visit the mesmerizing Lion Monument, a poignant tribute to the Swiss Guards who died during the French Revolution. 

Beyond the iconic city centre, you can venture on a scenic boat trip on Lake Lucerne and marvel at the mountain vistas. 

For panoramic views, go up to either Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi, accessible by cogwheel train or cable car, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Swiss Alps.

Discover Lucerne’s history and cultural heritage at the Richard Wagner Museum or the Swiss Museum of Transport. 

Lucerne is a destination that promises unforgettable experiences for all who visit.

Day 5-6: Interlaken and Jungfrau Region

Head to Interlaken, the gateway to the Jungfrau region. 

The Interlaken and  Jungfrau  Region offers many activities and natural wonders that will be some of your favourites during your 10 days in Switzerland. 

Start by exploring the charming town of Interlaken, nestled between two stunning lakes. 

Take a stroll along Hohematte Park or dare to try adventure sports like paragliding or skydiving.

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Jungfrau region, where you can visit the enchanting towns of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. 

Marvel at the majestic peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, and take a cable car or cogwheel train up to Jungfraujoch, the “Top of Europe ,” for breathtaking panoramic views. 

Immerse yourself in the region’s natural beauty by hiking through picturesque valleys, exploring glistening waterfalls, or taking a thrilling mountain bike ride. 

For the adrenaline junkies, engage in activities like canyoning or white-water rafting. 

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Discover the rich alpine flora and fauna at the Schynige Platte Botanical Alpine Garden, or enjoy a boat ride on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. 

The Interlaken and Jungfrau Region is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts with its stunning landscapes and exhilarating outdoor adventures.

Day 7-8: Zermatt and Matterhorn

Journey to Zermatt, a car-free Alpine village famous for the iconic  Matterhorn peak .

Zermatt and the Matterhorn region offer an array of unforgettable experiences surrounded by majestic mountains and natural beauty. 

This is perfect, with only 10 days in Switzerland to see some of the country’s most iconic natural landmarks.

Begin by gazing in awe at the iconic Matterhorn, one of the world’s most recognizable peaks. 

Explore the car-free village of Zermatt, wandering through its charming streets lined with boutiques, restaurants, and traditional Swiss chalets. 

Take a cable car up to the summit of Gornergrat for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. 

For adventure enthusiasts, engage in thrilling activities like skiing, snowboarding, or hiking along the stunning trails that crisscross the region. 

Discover the rich alpine flora and fauna at the Sunnegga Paradise or enjoy a leisurely walk around the picturesque Lake Riffelsee, offering stunning reflections of the Matterhorn. 

With its awe-inspiring landscapes, outdoor activities, and warm Swiss hospitality, Zermatt and the Matterhorn region provide an unforgettable experience for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those seeking relaxation amidst stunning surroundings.

Day 9-10: Geneva

Wrap up your 10 days in Switzerland in Geneva, known for its international diplomacy and picturesque setting on Lake Geneva. 

Start your exploration by visiting the iconic Jet d’Eau, a magnificent water fountain on Lake Geneva’s shore. 

Stroll along the charming Old Town (Vieille Ville) and discover historic landmarks like St. Pierre Cathedral and Maison Tavel, the oldest house in Geneva. 

Explore the vibrant shopping district of Rue du Rhône, renowned for its luxury boutiques and watchmakers.

Immerse yourself in art and culture at institutions like the Museum of Art and History, the Patek Philippe Museum, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. 

Take a leisurely boat cruise on Lake Geneva and enjoy the stunning views of the Alps. 

Take advantage of the United Nations Office and other international organizations housed in Geneva, reflecting its global significance.

With its picturesque landscapes, cultural treasures, and international ambience, Geneva is a captivating destination that offers a wealth of experiences for every visitor.

How to Get Around Switzerland

Switzerland offers a well-developed and efficient transportation system, making it easy to get around the country. 

Here are the main modes of transportation you can utilize:

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Trains:  The Swiss train network is extensive, reliable, and known for its punctuality. 

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) operates a comprehensive network that connects major cities, towns, and even smaller villages. 

Trains are comfortable and provide stunning scenic views as you travel through the Swiss countryside.

Buses:  Buses complement the train network and provide connectivity to areas not covered by trains. 

Regional and local bus services are available, and they often run on schedules that align with train departures and arrivals.

Trams:  Many Swiss cities, including Zurich, Basel, and Geneva, have efficient tram systems that make it convenient to explore within the city limits.

Trams are a popular mode of transportation for both locals and tourists.

Rental Cars:  If you prefer the flexibility and independence of driving, you can rent a car from various rental agencies. 

Switzerland has a well-maintained road infrastructure, with clear and easy-to-follow road signs. 

However, remember that parking can be limited and expensive in cities.

Boats : Switzerland’s lakes and rivers offer scenic boat trips that allow you to enjoy beautiful landscapes from a different perspective. 

Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, and Lake Zurich are popular destinations for boat excursions.

Cable Cars and Funiculars:  Switzerland’s mountainous regions are well-served by cable cars, gondolas, and funiculars, providing access to breathtaking alpine vistas and hiking trails. 

These transport options are beneficial for reaching mountain peaks, ski resorts, and hiking destinations.

Bicycles:  Switzerland is known for its bike-friendly infrastructure, with designated cycling paths in many areas. 

You can rent bicycles in cities and towns, offering an eco-friendly and enjoyable way to explore the surroundings.

Swiss Travel Pass:  If you plan to travel by public transportation extensively, consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass. 

This pass provides unlimited access to trains, buses, boats, and mountain transport, offering convenience and cost savings.

Throughout your trip, indulge in Swiss culinary delights like fondue, raclette, and Swiss chocolate. 

Take advantage of Switzerland’s efficient public transportation system, including trains and boats, to easily navigate between destinations.

Remember, these 10 days in Switzerland can be customized based on your preferences and the time of year you visit. 

Switzerland offers abundant natural beauty and cultural experiences, making it a destination you’ll always remember.

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• The Ultimate Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks

With its iconic mountains, alpine lakes, fairytale castles, and some of the most delectable chocolate on the planet, Switzerland is one of the best places in Europe to take a road trip. This spectacle of nature, history, and food are best experienced as part of a Switzerland road trip.

As there are so many regions and towns to explore in this small country, knowing where to start planning your route might feel overwhelming. Believe me, I know how you feel! I knew almost nothing about the country before we visited and it took me days (if not weeks) to put together the perfect Switzerland road trip itinerary.

We followed this same itinerary and it was absolutely perfect! This guide contains all you need to know to plan an epic 2 week Switzerland road trip and my itinerary also covers when to visit and all the most beautiful and fascinating places of interest in the country. Let’s get into it!

* Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. *

No time to read now? Pin it for later!

Table of Contents

Useful Info for Your Switzerland Road Trip

How to get to zurich .

This road trip starts and concludes in Zurich. The international airport, Flughafen Zürich (ZRH), is located 10 km (6.2 miles) north of the city center. You can fly direct to Zurich Airport from the vast majority of European and North American destinations.

Once at the airport, you can head into the city center by public transport as you will not need to collect your rental until the second day of your Switzerland road trip. Either hop on the S-Bahn train or take the tram (line 10) into the city.

Expect to pay 6.80 CHF (€7) or travel for free if you pick up a Zürich Card . This costs 27 CHF (€28) for a 24-hour pass which is sufficient for your one full day in Zurich .

This card covers your public transport via tram, bus, train, boat, and cableway in central Zurich and the surrounding area. It also grants free or reduced admission to a number of museums so if you’re planning to visit many museums, it’s handy to have!

If you are connecting to Zurich by train, then Zurich Main Station is located right in the heart of District 1 near the Old Town. 

Best time to visit Switzerland 

Switzerland is one of those places that you can visit at any time of year. However, for the purpose of this 2 week Switzerland road trip itinerary I recommend that you avoid the middle of winter and the peak of summer.

These are the busiest times as you will compete with summer tourists and the ski season, which means higher costs for accommodation and more crowds. It also means more challenging driving conditions and some road closures due to snowfall. 

Spring, early summer, and autumn are the best time to arrange your road trip to Switzerland. During these seasons, the elevated mountain roads are open and the hikes that I’ve included in my itinerary are all readily accessible. The weather conditions are also comfortable with warm days and cooler evenings. 

Tips for driving in Switzerland

Swiss roads are well maintained and are a joy to drive but you will need to be a confident driver to handle the narrow, twisty mountain roads.

As with all European countries, you must drive on the right and follow the general road rules and regulations. Wearing a seatbelt at all times is a given and you must never drink before getting behind the wheel.

Let me share some specific driving tips for your road trip to Switzerland: 

• Before you drive or rent a car in Switzerland, you must possess a full driving license from your home country and an International Driver’s Permit (IDP). If your driving license was issued by one of the member states of the European Economic Area, you will not need the IDP as your license is valid in Switzerland.
• In general, the speed limits in Switzerland are 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways, 100 km/h (62 mph) on highways, 80 km/h (50 mph) on other roads outside built-up areas, and 50 km/h (30 mph) in towns. Cars with a trailer may not exceed 100 km/h (62 mph) on any road. Traffic fines are really heavy in Switzerland and roads are policed so keep an eye on your speed at all times!
• You must display a motorway vignette on your vehicle. Discuss whether your car rental agency provides this automatically but if you have to buy it yourself, it will cost you 40 CHF (€42.30). The vignette will be valid for one whole calendar year – unfortunately you don’t have the option to buy a vignette for a shorter amount of time.
• Some of the Swiss mountain passes are subject to closure during winter due to snowfall, I have indicated these in the itinerary. If you do plan this road trip during winter you will need to travel with winter tires and snow chains. 
• Driving with your headlights on is mandatory during daylight hours as well as when driving at night in Switzerland. 
• Always stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings. Even if they are only approaching, it is etiquette in Switzerland to stop and let them pass.
• In case you lose phone reception, you can download offline maps on Google Maps or use the app Maps.me to ensure you don’t get lost. 
• This 2 week Switzerland road trip itinerary features a lot of hiking and you will be driving at high altitudes in mountain passes. It’s really important to bring layers, waterproofs, hiking boots, and sufficient water and snacks. You’ll want a great playlist too!

Overview of Your Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary

This road trip to Switzerland starts and ends in Zurich and includes a couple of days in neighboring Liechtenstein. The itinerary is split between visiting the most interesting Swiss cities and towns and some of the most impressive scenery in the country.

Below is a breakdown of where you will spend your days and nights. 

Breakdown of your 2 weeks in Switzerland 

• Day 1: Full day in Zurich (overnight in Zurich)
• Day 2: Lucerne, Lake Brienz, arriving in Interlaken (overnight in Interlaken)
• Day 3: Lauterbrunnen, Trümmelbachfälle, Harder Kulm (overnight in Interlaken)
• Day 4: Grindelwald, Blausee, Spiez Castle (overnight in Interlaken)
• Day 5: Giant Swing in Adelboden-Tschentenalp, Engstligen Falls, Thun Castle, arriving in Bern (overnight in Bern)
• Day 6: Full day in Bern (overnight in Bern)
• Day 7: Full day in Geneva (overnight in Geneva)
• Day 8: Lausanne, Chillon Castle, arriving in Zermatt (overnight in Zermatt)
• Day 9: Zermatt Five Lakes Hike, afternoon in Zermatt (overnight in Zermatt)
• Day 10: Grimselpass, Furkapass & Hotel Belvedere, Swing the World Nara, arriving in Lugano (overnight in Lugano)
• Day 11: Valle Verzasca, Foroglio (Waterfall, Swing the World), afternoon in Lugano (overnight in Lugano)
• Day 12: Liechtenstein (overnight in Liechtenstein or Appenzell District, Switzerland)
• Day 13: Ebenalp (overnight in Liechtenstein or Appenzell District, Switzerland)
• Day 14: Saxer Lücke hike, Stadtbibliothek St. Gallen, arriving in Zurich (overnight in Zurich)

Map for your Switzerland road trip

Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you’re going to visit on this Switzerland road trip itinerary. I marked the different parts of the road trip with different colors so you can easily see which places you’re going to visit each day.

If you open up this post on your phone and you click on the bracket in the upper right corner of the map, it will automatically save this map to your Google Maps app so you can always have it with you. Super convenient, right?

Day 1: Zurich

You will start your road trip in Switzerland in the largest city, Zurich. You will not need a car today so you can make arrangements to collect it on the second day of your vacation.

Cradled by the Swiss Alps and resting on the shores of Lake Zurich, the city is made all the more scenic by the River Limmat which flows right through the Aldstadt (Old Town). The Aldstadt is brimming with museums and historic buildings while the city also boasts a number of scenic vantage points and gorgeous gardens. 

One day is the perfect amount of time to explore Zurich however you could always extend your 2 weeks in Switzerland with a few extra nights tapped onto the start or end of the road trip.

Where to stay in Zurich

As you are only spending 24 hours in Zurich, I recommend that you stay centrally in District 1. However, if you are traveling on a budget, then Districts 4 and 8 are within easy access of the center and have some more affordable options. The great news is that you will not need to worry about parking!

Below you can find my picks for where to stay in Zurich for one night.

LUXURY – Storchen Zürich

This beautiful hotel is located right in the heart of Zurich and has its own boat pier directly at the Limmat River. Rooms come with classic furnishing with warm colors and modern facilities and each room offers a picturesque view of the Old Town. The hotel also has a beautiful outdoor terrace which is perfect for summertime trips.

MID-RANGE – Hotel City Zürich Design & Lifestyle

Situated by the famous Bahnhofstrasse, this modern hotel is artistically presented with comfortable and spacious rooms. All rooms have a private bathroom and most include bathtubs with overhead showers. 

BUDGET – Hotel Marta

This no-frills hotel is clean, functional, and fabulously located in the northern point of the Niederdorf quarter of Old Town. Breakfast is included in the rate and the staff goes out of their way to take care of their guests. 

Best things to do in Zurich

Zurich aldstadt .

Zurich’s Old Town straddles both sides of the River Limmat and it’s a joy to roam these historic streets. Take a few hours to stroll along Limmatquai, admire the numerous churches, and dip into an institution such as the Swiss National Museum.

My one day in Zurich itinerary will help you navigate the best things to do in Zurich Altstadt. 

Polyterrasse

Swipe your Zürich Card and board the Polybahn, a little red funicular railway that ascends to a fabulous viewpoint at the Polyterrasse. Situated on a level with the ETH Zürich University, this is a laid-back spot to soak up city views with a great atmosphere. 

Lake Zurich or River Limmat Cruise 

Hop aboard a boat at Zürich Bürkliplatz and enjoy a 1.5-2 hour scenic cruise across Lake Zurich. Alternatively, you can choose a tour of the River Limmat which starts from Zürich Landesmuseum.

Note that these activities are only available during the summer season, from April until late October. 

Get a taste of what’s to come later in your 2 week Switzerland road trip at this mountainous viewpoint high above Zurich. The S 10 train connects Zurich Main Station and Uetliberg in 25 minutes and this is the perfect spot for early morning or sunset.

If you are spending longer in Zurich then you might want to check out the hiking trails up here. 

Museum Rietberg

This museum houses traditional and contemporary pieces of art and archaeological finds from Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. There are a number of galleries in Zurich but this one is particularly unusual and is located in a fantastic setting.

Visit a park

Zurich is abundant in parks and green open spaces. Take a wander around Rieterpark, which is the setting for Museum Rietberg, or explore the neighboring Belvoir Park for lake views. Other options include the lakeside Arboretum Zurich and the Old Botanic Garden in Aldstadt.

Thermalbad & Spa Zürich

Dive into these sulphuric waters at this thermal spa located in a former brewery. The view from the rooftop pool is spectacular and you can also splash out on a massage if you wish. As this Switzerland road trip concludes in Zurich, you could save this activity for the end of your adventure as well.

Where to eat in Zürich

• Raclette Factory : You can’t come to Switzerland without sampling their staple delicacy of molten cheese drizzled over buttery potatoes and pickles! The Raclette Factory is the best place to try this après-ski treat in Zurich. 
• Restaurant Differente : Situated in the Hotel Krone, this stylish dining room serves Mediterranean dishes and Swiss specialties made using seasonal produce. They’re known for their exquisite tartare but the vegetarian dishes are also exceptional. 
• Heugümper : This upscale restaurant fuses the flavors of Asia and the Mediterranean to create a unique culinary experience.

Day 2: Zurich to Interlaken via Lake Brienz

Today you will pick up your rental and officially press go on your 2 week Switzerland road trip itinerary. As you drive from Zurich to Interlaken, you will cover a distance of 123 km (76.5 miles).

This accounts for around 2 hours of driving time, factoring in the following scenic stops but excluding time spent viewing the attractions.

Driving time: 40 minutes (53 km/33 miles) from Zurich to Lucerne

Around one hour south of Zurich, Lucerne is a small city that sits on the shore of  Lake Lucerne. Noted for its medieval architecture, it’s worth parking up in town and exploring the Aldstadt on foot.

Walking across the Chapel Bridge ( Kapellbrücke) is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Lucerne . Built in the 14th century, the bridge offers scenic views over the River Reuss and Lake Lucerne, and you can also admire the interior artwork on the roof.

The Sammlung Rosengart contains a selection of artworks by Picasso while the Zytturm is an antique clocktower set among the old city wall where you can stretch your legs.

If you’re feeling hungry, you could grab a bite to eat at the plant-based cafe PURA or savor the views from the waterfront Café Bar Volière.

Lake Brienz 

Driving time: 1 hour (60 km/38 miles) from Lucerne to Iseltwald

After taking in the views in Lucerne, get back in your car for another hour of driving down to the surrounds of Lake Brienz. Find a parking spot in the village of Iseltwald where you can get an eyeful of turquoise water.

Follow the path along the water’s edge and you will reach the dreamy Schloss Seeburg, a fairytale castle that gazes out across the lake. It is no longer possible to enter the castle but you can still take photos from outside.

My tip for lunch today is the Hotel Chalet du Lac . This chalet-style property affords a magical view across the lake towards the town, castle, and surrounding mountains. The menu is rich with fish dishes, Swiss fare, and European plates.

Arriving in Interlaken

Driving time: 10 minutes (10 km/6 miles) from Iseltwald to Interlaken

Interlaken, the final destination of day two of your Switzerland road trip, is located a 10-minute drive from Iseltwald so you can head there whenever you like and check into your hotel. This lakeside resort town sits astride the River Aare in between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. 

Where to stay in Interlaken (3 nights)

Once in Interlaken, you will need to book accommodation in the town for three nights as this will be your base for the next couple of days. These are my recommendations for where to stay in Interlaken. 

LUXURY – Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

The Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa enjoys a privileged and picturesque location in Interlaken, between 2 beautiful lakes at the foot of the eternally snow-capped Jungfrau. All rooms have a distinctive design and décor, ranging from classic to contemporary. Elegant interiors and spacious marble bathrooms complement the designs.

MID-RANGE – Hotel Du Nord

Offering panoramic mountain views, the traditional and historic Hotel Du Nord, dating from 1847, is located in the center of Interlaken. The rooms are all non-smoking and equipped with tea-making facilities. Some rooms have a balcony or a terrace.

BUDGET – Hotel Rössli

This cozy hotel is located in the heart of town and parking is available at a surcharge. Some rooms include an ensuite bathroom with a tub while others come with a private balcony. Breakfast is included in the rate and the staff here are exemplary. 

Day 3: Scenic Drive around Interlaken

Today you will visit some nearby towns and attractions before heading back to Interlaken for the night. You will drive a total of 30 km (18.5 miles), equal to around 40-45 minutes. 

Lauterbrunnen

Driving time: 18 minutes (13 km/8 miles) from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is a village set among the eponymous municipality. It’s mostly known for its scenic views and fairytale setting and let me tell you something in advance: no pictures do justice to how beautiful this place is in real life!

Most people just take a quick walk around the town but if you have more time, there is no shortage of things to do in the area. There is a huge parking lot (Parkhaus Lauterbrunnen) right next to the train station where you can leave your car while you explore the town.

To find the most famous viewpoint, head over to Chalet Pironnet where you’ll be greeted with a breathtaking panoramic view of the town.

If you want to spend longer in the area, you can take advantage of the local cable cars and soar high into the Bernese Alps to savor the views from the peaks. Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp is the most convenient as it’s located right in the town.

Alternatively, you can drive the 50 minutes to Wengen which connects to Mannlichen by gondola. A number of short hikes start from Mannlichen, including the Panoramaweg walk to Kleine Scheidegg which is an easy 4.5 km (2.8 miles) hike each way.

Trümmelbachfälle

Driving time: 6 minutes (4 km/2.5 miles) from Lauterbrunnen to Trümmelbachfälle

A short drive from Lauterbrunnen, Trümmelbachfälle (Trümmelbach Falls) is a stream of ten glacial waterfalls that gush down the ravine from the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.

There is a parking lot right at the entrance where you can leave your car but if you’re up for a walk, you can also walk to Trümmelbachfälle from Lauterbrunnen since the route is only 4 km (2.5 miles) in one way.

Entrance to Trümmelbachfälle costs 14 CHF (€14.40) per person. Right after the entrance, you can take a tunnel lift to the top of the waterfalls where you can access a series of walkways and tunnels that connect the falls. Basically, you can walk from the top to the bottom and explore the scenery during your descent.

The weather is quite cold inside the tunnels and the walkways get slippery due to the powerful waterfalls so make sure to wear proper shoes and have a warm jacket with you.

Access is possible from early April until November each year but it’s best to check the Trümmelbachfälle website beforehand to ensure that they are open.

Harder Kulm

Driving time: 20 minutes (15 km/9 miles) from Trümmelbachfälle back to Interlaken

Once back in Interlaken, you can drop your car back at your hotel and ride the Harderbahn funicular up to the Harder Kulm viewpoint for staggering views across the surroundings.

The journey takes around 10 minutes and it costs 20 CHF (€20.60) in one way. It’s important to note that the funicular only operates between April and November and it can be closed due to bad weather.

From the top, there are a number of short hiking trails that range from 20 minutes to 1.5 hours so you might want to squeeze one into the end of the second day of your Switzerland road trip. 

Day 4: Grindelwald and Blausee

The fourth day of your Switzerland road trip will also be a day trip from Interlaken so there’s no need to check out of your hotel yet. Driving time today will be a total of 120 km (75 miles), equal to around 2 hours behind the wheel depending on traffic.

Grindelwald

Driving time: 25 minutes (20 km/12.5 miles) from Interlaken to Grindelwald

First Cliff Walk by Tissot

The first stop of the day is the village of Grindelwald, the gateway for the Jungfrau Region. Once there, you can park in town and then ride the gondola up to Grindelwald-First.

A return ticket costs 68 CHF per person (€70) from Grindelwald but if you don’t want to drive today, you can also take a cable car directly from Interlaken (it costs around 90 CHF/€92.70).

The gondola takes 25 minutes to reach your destination, First station, calling at Bort and Schreckfeld along the way. Right after you depart, you’ll find yourself at the start of the First Cliff Walk by Tissot.

It’s an elevated walkway that winds its way around the cliff and juts out 2,168 meters (7,112 feet) above the landscape to afford a heart-stopping view across the mountains and forestry. The path reaches out 45 meters (148 feet) into the void so you will need a head for heights!

The terrace itself isn’t that large so you need only plan to spend 20-30 minutes exploring and taking photos. Although you’ll need to pay for the gondola, the walkway itself is free to visit. 

Hike to Bachalpsee

The next on the agenda for today is the hike to Lake Bachalpsee which conveniently starts at First. This alpine lake is nestled among the mountains at 2,265 meters (7,431 feet) above sea level.

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, swathes of greenery, and blooming wildflowers during summer, it’s a sight that will linger with you for days. 

The hike is 3 km (1.9 miles) each way and a round trip there and back to First will take around two hours. The track is clearly marked and in excellent condition, so you will need decent footwear and layers but nothing too intense. Although on a slight incline, the hike isn’t challenging at all.

If you want to continue walking, you can hike from Lake Bachalpsee up to Faulhorn, which stands at 2,681 meters (8,796 feet) above sea level. This takes about 1.5 hours each way and is far steeper so I recommend this to intrepid hikers. 

Alternatively, you can head straight back to First and either catch the gondola back down to Grindelwald or follow the trail back down to town on foot. 

Driving time: 1 hour (56 km/35 miles) from Grindelwald to Blausee or 35 minutes (38 km/24 miles) from Interlaken to Blausee

If you start your Grindelwald adventure early enough (the first cable car starts at 8.30 am) and you don’t want to hike up to Faulhorn, you’ll still be able to visit Blausee on the afternoon of Day 4. Since you’ll have to drive back to Interlaken from Grindelwald first and then to Blausee, you can also move this stop to the morning of your next day if you’re feeling tired.

Blausee is the tiniest lake you will see during your Switzerland road trip but it’s absolutely worth the stop! It’s roughly a 35-minute drive from Interlaken and the entrance costs 11 CHF (€11.30) per person.

Fringed by woodland, you can walk around the lake in less than 15 minutes. Look out for the submerged statue on your wander!

Spiez Castle

Driving time: 25 minutes (20 km/12.5 miles) from Blausee to Spiez Castle or 20 minutes (20 km/12.5 miles) from Interlaken to Spiez Castle

If you decide to visit Blausee after Grindelwald, you can make a quick stop at Spiez Castle on the way back to Interlaken. Of course, if you want to spend longer in Grindelwald, you can move Spiez Castle to the next day as well, such as you can do it with Blausee. Whatever feels best for you!

Surrounded by beautiful vineyards, Spiez Castle is definitely one of the most beautiful castles in Switzerland as it grants a breathtaking view over Lake Thun and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland.

If you love history, you’ll also appreciate the museum inside the castle that tells you more about the history of the castle and its previous owners. The castle is typically open from May to mid-October, a ticket costs 10 CHF (€10.30) per person.

Day 5: Interlaken to Bern

The fifth day of your Switzerland road trip covers 130 km (80 miles) worth of lush Swiss scenery as you drive to Bern and equates to around 2.5-3 hours of driving time. 

Giant Swing in Adelboden-Tschentenalp 

Driving time: 50 minutes (48 km/30 miles) from Interlaken to Adelboden

For the start of the fifth day of your Switzerland itinerary, head up high to the Tschentenalp mountains where you can find a super cool swing not far from the cable car station.

To access the swing, you will need to park in Adelboden and then ride the gondola from Tschentenbahn Station (Dorf) up to Tschentenalp, north of the town. An adult ticket costs 32 CHF (€33.20) for a return trip while a one-way ticket costs 22 CHF (€22.80).

It’s free to ride the swing which gives you the chance to fly high above the alpine pastures and take in an exciting view of the scenery from the air, which is incredible whatever season your trip falls in.

However, if your road trip to Switzerland falls during the peak summer season then brace yourself for a line to ride the swing.

Unfortunately, we were not able to visit this cool swing during our Switzerland road trip but if you have the chance, don’t miss it! Check out their website to see some pictures of the swing and the surrounding area.

Engstligen Falls

Driving time: 9 minutes (5 km/3.1 miles) from Adelboden to Unter dem Birg

After enjoying the giant swing, your next stop is visiting the two waterfalls south of Adelboden that form Engstligen Falls.

Simply known as Engstligen 1 and Engstligen 2, this twin falls tumble from a height of 97 meters (318 feet) and 165 meters (541 feet) respectively. You can get up really close and feel the spray from these powerful falls.

To access the waterfalls viewing area you can ride the gondola up to the Engstlingen cable car station from Bergbahnen (Unter dem Birg) and then walk 20 minutes to view the landmark.

A return ticket for the cable car costs 35 CHF (€36.30) per person while the one-way option costs 25 CHF (€25.90). Alternatively, you can hike up from Adelboden, which takes around 90 minutes up and 1 hour back down.

Thun Castle

Driving time: 55 minutes (45 km/28 miles) from Unter dem Birg to Thun Castle

Your last sight of the day before you reach Bern is this 12th-century castle which sits on a hill overlooking the town of Thun. With its turrets, medieval interiors, and 360° views of the surrounding alps, this castle is a mesmerizing place to wrap up your day.

You can purchase a ticket that permits entry to the Castle Museum or one that includes access to any special exhibitions taking place as well. It’s open daily throughout the year with the exception of November to January when it only opens on Sundays.  

Arriving to Bern

Driving time: 30 minutes (30 km/19 miles) from Thun Castle to Bern

The only thing left to do for this day is to get back to your car and drive yourself to the Swiss capital, Bern. This will take you roughly half an hour and depending on how early or late you finish your day.

If you have some additional time, you can start exploring right away but don’t worry, you’ll have the full day tomorrow for sightseeing.

You’ll need to book 2 nights of accommodation in Bern, refer to the next day to find out my personal recommendations for the best places to stay in Bern.

Day 6: Bern

Despite being the capital city of Switzerland, Bern is actually pretty small. Therefore, spending one day in Bern is the perfect amount of time to explore the main sights and get a sense of the city.

Located within the canton of Bern, the city dates back to the 12th century and its Altstadt features a presentation of medieval architecture and literally hundreds of fountains. In fact, Bern is often nicknamed the City of Fountains!

The Altstadt sits in a crook on the River Aare, one of the longest rivers in the country. This tranquil city is not at all what you expect from a capital city and it’s a great place to grab some rest and relaxation as part of your 2 weeks in Switzerland.

Where to stay in Bern

Bern is so small and walkable that it doesn’t really matter where you choose to stay. If you stay further out then you can connect to downtown Bern via bus or tram and then explore on foot.

It’s rare to find free parking offered at central hotels so you will need to factor in this cost on top of your accommodation. These are my suggestions of where to stay in Bern.

LUXURY – Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern

This opulent 5-star hotel occupies an elegant Art Nouveau building that overlooks the Bernese Alps and lively river area. Besides the lavish rooms and suites, the property contains two bars, two restaurants, a sauna, and a gym. As with the other hotels listed, parking is available with a surcharge. 

MID-RANGE – Boutique Hotel Belle Epoque

This elegant hotel is situated in the heart of Old Town and opens onto a pretty boulevard terrace where you can enjoy a meal or drink. Chic rooms and suites come with the option for a shower or bathtub and tasteful decor. Nearby parking is available for an additional fee. 

BUDGET – Hotel Marthahaus

This budget-friendly hotel is centrally located down a residential street. You can save money by reserving a room that has a shared bathroom and look forward to a complimentary breakfast. Parking is available at an additional cost.

Best things to do in Bern

Bern aldstadt .

Take a wander around this UNESCO World Heritage Site and ogle medieval architecture, elegant fountains, the tallest cathedral in Switzerland, and the impressive clock tower, Zytglogge. If you want to understand the history of the city then you can book a Bern city tour with a Lokafyer (local guide). 

Rosengarten

Leafy Bern is abundant in green spaces but Rosengarten might be the prettiest. Located on the right bank of the River Aare, the elevated garden provides a view of the Altstadt and is brimming with roses, irises, rhododendrons, lilies, and cherry trees. Spring and summer is the best time to catch the flowers in bloom. 

The Parliament Building, or Federal Palace, houses the Swiss Federal Assembly and the Federal Council. It features a classic Neo-Renaissance facade and if you elect to take a tour then you can also explore the interiors. The 26 jets of water in front of the palace represent each of Switzerland’s cantons. 

If your 2 weeks in Switzerland coincide with the warmer seasons then you can hop into the River Aare for a swim. Head to the swimming area south of Aldstadt and you will find sunbathing areas and bathing pools. 

Gurten Funicular 

Ride the Gurten Funicular (Gurtenbahn) to access the summit of this imposing mountain that looms to the south of the city. The peak is highly developed with places to eat and tons of viewpoints including the observation tower which grants a fantastic view over the city and surrounding valley.

Where to eat in Bern

• Restaurant Cafe Postgasse : A small and ambient restaurant that specializes in mussels, located right in the heart of Altstadt.  
• Kornhauskeller Restaurant : Sited within a vaulted cellar, this opulent restaurant serves a mix of Bernese, Swiss, and Mediterranean plates. 
• Swing Kitchen : This sustainably conscious vegan restaurant excels in plant-based burgers served with their signature sweet potato fries.

Day 7: Geneva

Driving time: 2 hours (170 km/106 miles) from Bern to Geneva

French-speaking Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland after Zurich. Famous for its financial industry, the city is also the European seat of the United Nations and the headquarters of the Red Cross.

Geneva is located on the southern tip of Lac Léman, or Lake Geneva, and is surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains. You can get tremendous views of Mont Blanc from the city.

Much of the lifestyle in Geneva revolves around the waterfront and the Vieille Ville (Old Town) which makes it easy to see the best of the city during one day in Geneva .

Where to stay in Geneva

As Geneva is a popular city for conventions, there are lots of no-frills hotels dotted around the airport and conference center area which have good deals. Public transport is efficient so as with Bern, you can leave your car at your hotel for the day and explore on foot.

The central city is full of chains and boutiques, these are my picks for where to stay in Geneva. You’ll have to book one night in this beautiful city because tomorrow you’ll leave for Zermatt!

LUXURY – N’vY Manotel

Wonderfully positioned in the bohemian neighborhood of Paquis, this hotel is within walking distance of all the attractions on this one day in Geneva itinerary and equally convenient for transit. Suites feature lakeview terraces and there is an excellent spread of restaurants and bars on-site to browse. 

MID-RANGE – Hotel Bernina Geneva

Located opposite Geneva’s main railway station, this hotel is perfectly positioned for accessing the city via public transit and is within walking distance to all the major sights on this itinerary. Contemporary rooms are artistically styled and many feature lake views. 

BUDGET – Hotel des Tourelles

Situated in the central St Gervais Quarter, this historic hotel is equipped with modern guest rooms furnished with free WiFi, en-suite bathrooms, and huge windows that flood the space with natural light. The best rooms offer lake views and come with balconies. 

Best things to do in Geneva

Lac léman (lake geneva).

Hop aboard a cruise vessel from the Genève Mont-Blanc ferry terminal then sit back and enjoy a ride across the sensational lake. A boat tour on Lake Geneva gets you up close to Jet d’Eau, the 140 meters (459 feet) tall water fountain that is the very emblem of Geneva. During the summer season, you can opt to go stand up paddleboarding instead.

Vieille Ville (Old Town)

Geneva’s Old Town is a warren of historical buildings, churches, public squares, museums, boutiques, and restaurants. Vieille Ville winds its way up a fairly daunting hill but that means you get stunning lake views, especially once you make it to the longest benches in the world, the Banc de la Treille on the Treille Promenade.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum

Located a short walk from the Palais des Nations, this museum gleans insight into the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross. It’s a moving and emotional experience but such a great opportunity to connect with the work that the committee undertakes. 

Palais des Nations

Squeeze a tour of the United Nations office complex into your Switzerland road trip. This includes a visit to the Assembly Hall and Council Chamber and teaches you so much about the intricacies of the intergovernmental organization. Outside you can catch the Alley of Flags fluttering the breeze and explore the grounds. 

Bains des Pâquis 

These public baths are located on a pier that stretches out over Lac Léman and are the perfect place to wrap up your day in Geneva with a dip. During winter you might prefer to head straight to the sauna or hammam. Massage treatments are also available. 

Reformation Wall

Geneva was the ground of the Protestant Reformation and there are plenty of museums and historic sites in the city where you can learn about what happened. Located just on the outskirts of Aldstadt, the Reformation Wall is a great place to start your journey into Geneva’s past! 

Buy Chocolate

Geneva is the birthplace of some of the best chocolate on the planet so take some time to peruse a couple of chocolatiers. You can pick up souvenirs and replenish your snacks for the rest of your 2 week Switzerland road trip itinerary.

Where to eat in Geneva

• Cafe du Soleil : Sample the best fondue in Geneva alongside other Swiss delicacies at this casual cafe which isn’t too far from the Pâquis-Nations.
• Corde Coffee : This colorful cafe is one of the best stops for a flavorsome brew and a delicious slice of freshly baked cake.
• Street Gourmet (temporarily closed) : Perfect for a healthy lunch, this restaurant rustles up salads, sandwiches, and soups to suit all palates. 
• Living Room Bar & Kitchen : Swiss with a touch of Nordic, this is the restaurant of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and it’s one of the best options for a gourmet treat while in Geneva. 

Day 8: Geneva to Zermatt

The total distance from Geneva to Zermatt via the attractions listed below is 240 km (149.1 miles) and the drive time is around 3 hours 15 minutes. 

Driving time: 50 minutes (64 km/40 miles) from Geneva to Lausanne

Situated on the north shore of Lac Léman, Lausanne is an attractive lakeside city known for its medieval architecture and its connections to the Olympics. It’s the setting of the International Olympic Committee headquarters, the Olympic Museum, and the Olympic Park.

If you’re a fan of the games then you can take a journey through Olympic heritage at the museum which contains kits, torches, medals, and other memorabilia from the past tournaments.

The Olympic Park is studded with sculptures honoring the athletes and games and there’s a 100-meter track if you want to find out if you’re a contender for the next Olympics!

Besides the Olympics attractions, art fans may also want to visit Platform 10 where you can survey over 10,000 works of art from 19th and 20th century Swiss artists.

You can get a wonderful view of the city and lake from the Jardin Botanique de Lausanne and the Lausanne Cathedral is well worth a visit. 

The walk along the Ouchy promenade is the perfect place to stretch your legs and soak up panoramas of Lac Léman from this perspective. 

Chillon Castle

Driving time: 40 minutes (40 km/25 miles) from Lausanne to Chillon Castle

One of the most beautiful castles in Europe , this dreamy Swiss castle sits in a fairytale position on the eastern curve of Lac Léman. In the local ancient language, Chillon meant ‘rocky platform’ and this is an accurate depiction of the archaeological site.

With the site dating back to the Bronze Age, the history of the castle is divided into three eras: the Savoy Period (12-16th centuries), the Bernese Period (16-18th centuries), and the Vaudois Period (18th century until present day). 

Chillon Castle is open daily, 10 am – 6 pm (last entry 5 pm). The opening time may be different depending on the month, therefore make sure you check their website before your visit for up-to-date information.

The tickets cost 13.50 CHF (€15). You can book a ticket online in advance or buy one at the castle itself. If you don’t want to go inside the castle it’s still worth stopping by to admire the views.

One of the best viewpoints of the castle is at Snack Café and another one is from the other side, around the Château de Chillon ferry port.

Arriving to Zermatt

Driving time: 1 hour and 45 minutes (135 km/84 miles) from Chillon Castle to Täsch

Being an entirely car free town, unfortunately it’s not possible to travel all the way to Zermatt with your car. But worry not, there is a solution! You can leave your car at a nearby town called Täsch from where you can take a train to Zermatt.

The train ride takes only 12 minutes and trains run in every 20 minutes from early morning till late night. A one-way ticket costs around 8 CHF (€8.20) and if you want to avoid paying a fortune for taxis, this is the only way to get to Zermatt.

Where to stay in Zermatt (2 nights)

Once in Zermatt, you can get around on foot and via the cable cars that service the town. Since it’s a small town, you can basically stay anywhere and you’ll still be in walking distance from all the main highlights of the town.

For Zermatt, you’ll need to book 2 nights of accommodation, below you can find my top picks for every budget.

LUXURY – The Omnia

Situated on a rock, 45 m above the roofs of central Zermatt, guests access The Omnia via a tunnel leading to an elevator, which brings them right into the lobby. Guests can taste refined international cuisine made from selected seasonal ingredients in the restaurant or on the terrace.

MID-RANGE – Hotel Ambassador Zermatt

The Hotel Ambassador Zermatt enjoys a central location, only 100 m from the Zermatt train station and the Gornergrat rack railway station. All rooms and apartments feature a balcony offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including the Matterhorn.

BUDGET – Hotel Adonis

Excellently located for walking into the center of town and scooting up the cableways, this hotel offers splendid mountain views. Most rooms come with a private balcony. At an additional fee, you can include breakfast in the rate.

Day 9: Zermatt

As I mentioned before, Zermatt is a car free town so good news is that you don’t need to use your car for today! You can just comfortably get around on foot and you can also take advantage of the cable cars to access the higher viewpoints/hikes.

Zermatt Five Lakes Hike

Rise early to tackle the majestic Five Lakes Hike (5-Seenweg). This is an easy walk that gives you the chance to ogle a series of beautiful alpine lakes and take in vistas of Matterhorn’s jagged peak rising in the distance of the Valais Alps.

The five lakes that you will visit are Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee.

This hike is 9.8 km (6.1 miles) and takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete, but you might want to factor in additional time for walking around the lakes and taking photos. It’s not too strenuous with lots of flat and downhill sections, with the occasional short but steep chunk.

The starting point is the Blauherd cable car station which is accessible via the funicular from Zermatt town and then the cable car from Sunnegga. A return ticket typically costs between 53-58.5 CHF (€55-60.70) depending on the season you visit.

The trail concludes at Sunnegga station and is clearly marked for the duration of the hike, you just need to follow the signs marked 5-Seenweg.

Afternoon in Zermatt

After the hike, you can ride the cable car back down to Zermatt and spend the afternoon exploring the town. 

If you want to soak up more mountain views then you can ride the Gornergrat Bahn funicular up to the Gornergrat viewpoint. This is the highest open-air cog railway in Europe and its route includes a vertical climb of 1,469 meters (4,820 feet) as the train jostles through alpine ravines and larch forest.

The ride takes 30 minutes each way and it’s located at the main Zermatt train station. Although the view is indeed beautiful, brace yourself for the steep price: a return ticket costs 134.50 CHF (€139.60) per person.

Besides the funicular, you can enjoy a wander through the streets of Zermatt to see the traditional Walser houses. Stroll down Hinterdorfstrasse past the archaic wooden chalets.

If you want to learn more about the regional history and tales of the mountaineers who have mastered the ascent up the Matterhorn, you can visit the Matterhorn Museum, Zermatlantis.

The main lure of Zermatt is that the town offers wonderful views of the iconic pyramid-shaped peak. After the hike you might feel satiated with what you’ve seen, but, if not, you can walk up to the official viewpoint from the town.

Day 10: Zermatt to Lugano via Grimselpass & Furkapass

This morning you will need to reunite yourself with your car and drive the 300 km (186 miles) to Lugano via the attractions below.

The total driving time today is around 5.5 hours, excluding time spent at the attractions, so you will need to depart from Zermatt and Täsch as early as possible. 

Grimselpass

Driving time: 1 hour and 40 minutes (90 km/56 miles) from Täsch to Grimselpass

You will follow the Grimselpass, one of the most scenic roads that you’ll encounter during this 2 week Switzerland road trip itinerary. The elevated route sits at 2,164 meters (7,100 feet) above sea level and is one of the highest altitude paved roads in Europe.

Connecting the cantons of Bern and Valais, it is a showcase of wilderness that includes granite rocks, lakes, and power plants. 

The full pass is 38 km (24 miles) and it is usually only accessible during late spring until October. You can park up by Totensee to break up the journey and appreciate the scenery before turning around and heading back towards Furkapass.

Drive through the whole Grimselpass means you’ll need to take a bit of a detour so feel free to pass on it if you’d rather save some time.

Furkapass & Hotel Belvedere

Driving time: 17 minutes (14 km/9 miles) from Grimselpass to Hotel Belvedere

Furkapass is another high-altitude mountain pass, this one registering at an elevation of 2,429 meters (7,969 feet). It connects the Valais hamlet of Gletsch with Realp, in the canton of Uri. As you drive along the road you might find the scenery familiar. That’s because it was used as a filming location in the James Bond movie, Goldfinger . 

Park your car at Hotel Belvédère which sits on the western end of the pass and you can walk up to the Rhone glacier. 

Swing the World Nara

Driving time: 2 hours (106 km/66 miles) from Hotel Belvedere to Swing the World Nara

If you loved the Giant Swing in Tschentenalp then you’ll be pleased to know that you can visit two more amazing swings today!

These pair of swings that have been positioned in the Nara ski region are part of a project from Swing the World who installed swings in 11 different locations through the Ticino area. (Hint: You’ll be able to visit another location the next day!)

It was a bit of a struggle to find these swings first because I couldn’t find any proper information about them online but don’t worry, now you have me! First of all, you need to drive up to Cancori on a very narrow mountain road.

The road is so narrow that it can barely fit one car and it’s a two-way road! So I would only recommend driving up if you’re an experienced driver and you don’t have a fear of heights.

Once you made it to Cancori, find the small church (Kleine Kapelle) where you can park your car. From here, you only need to walk 5 minutes to the first swing and 10 minutes to the second swing. You just have to look out for signs that says “Altalena” and you’ll definitely find them.

This is your moment to seize the day and get that perfect shot for Instagram so have your camera ready! A portrait of you soaring above the Swiss Alps is the perfect souvenir from your 2 weeks in Switzerland.

Arriving to Lugano

Driving time: 1 hour and 20 minutes (78 km/48 miles) from Swing the World Nara to Lugano

Once you had your moment on the swings, it’s time to head back to your car and drive to Lugano where you’ll be spending the next two nights.

It takes roughly around 1.5 hours to reach Lugano from Cancori and unfortunately you’ll have to take the same mountain road you drove up on. Try to leave the swings before it gets dark as it’s really challenging to drive down during the night!

Where to stay in Lugano (2 nights)

Lugano is an interesting mix of Swiss and Mediterranean influences so if you want to explore the culture and food then you might prefer to stay in the town center. Alternatively, there are lots of appealing hotels dotted along the lakeside further out of town.

Below you can find my recommendations for the best places to stay in Lugano.

LUXURY – Hotel Splendide Royal

Established in 1887, the 5-star Splendide Royal with its turn-of-the-century character is Lugano’s most fashionable hotel, located on Lugano’s lakeside main street. With its elegant guest rooms, fine cuisine, and a staff of 100 employees who provide meticulous personal service, the Splendide Royal hotel inspires loyalty among its clients.

MID-RANGE – Hotel Colibrì

Located slightly further out of town, this property provides a stunning view of the lake that makes it worth the ride. The hotel features a swimming pool, free parking, and the rate includes breakfast. Top-tier rooms feature a balcony and lake view. 

BUDGET – Hotel Atlantico

This wallet-friendly hotel offers spacious rooms, free parking, and free daily breakfast. The location is perfect for getting around the historic center and the staff is noted for their attention to detail. 

Day 11: Scenic drive in and around Lugano 

Today you will explore the region to the northwest of Lugano and drive for a total of around 180 km (111.8 miles). The total drive time will be around 3.5-4 hours, subject to how deep into the Valle Verzasca you venture. 

Valle Verzasca

Driving time: 1 hour (52 km/32 miles) from Lugano to Ponte dei Salti (Valle Verzasca)

Valle Verzasca is a picturesque valley located in Lavertezzo, within the canton of Ticino in Italian-speaking Switzerland. There are loads of activities to choose from here so it’s up to you to decide how you want to absorb the surroundings.

You can hike, mountain bike, swim, or discover the culture of the rural hamlets and villages. One spot not to miss is the Ponte dei Salti, which means ‘jump bridge.’ This double-arched bridge crosses the emerald-colored Verzasca River from Lavertezzo village.

It is also possible to do a bungee jump from the Verzasca Dam if you can summon the courage! If you want to hike the Lavertezzo and the Revöira ethnographic path, then you will need to allow 3 hours to complete the 8.7 km (5.4 miles).

Driving time: 1 hour and 10 minutes (52 km/32 miles) from Ponte dei Salti (Valle Verzasca) to Foroglio

Driving further north into the Ticino canton, you will reach the fairytale Maggia Valley where the star attraction is the picturesque hamlet of Foroglio. The stone buildings are right out of a children’s picture book and are set against the thundering Cascata di Foroglio which crashes down from the cliffs behind the village.

These waterfalls are accessible via a 2 km (1.2 miles) hike from the village which is clearly signposted.  Alternatively, you can take the 8 km (5 miles) route which takes you up into the valley at the top of the falls.

There is another Swing the World located in Foroglio, positioned in the woodland with a full frontal view of the waterfalls. Swing out over the river if you dare!

Afternoon in Lugano 

Driving time: 1 hour and 25 minutes (78 km/48 miles) from Foroglio back to Lugano

Depending on how long you want to spend in Valle Verzasca and Foroglio, you can head back to Lugano whenever you are ready and spend the rest of the day roaming the city.

Architecture aficionados will love checking out the blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical buildings in the town, particularly the churches, cathedrals, and monasteries.

You could visit an art gallery such as the Museo d’arte della Svizzera Italiana. Whatever you do, don’t forget to take a scenic stroll along the shore of the Lago di Lugano or through the Parco Ciani. Or of course, you can hop on a boat cruise to see the city from an entirely different perspective.

Other things to do in Lugano include riding the funicular up to Monte San Salvatore from Paradiso where you will be rewarded with gorgeous views from the 900 meters (2,952 feet) summit. If you have the energy, you can walk down the mountain in 1-1.5 hours.

Afterwards, you could head to Swissminiatur for a more gentle activity. This open-air museum opened in 1959 and features Swiss landmarks in, you guessed it, miniature! 

My other tip for this area is to head north along the lake to the quarter of Gandria. This suburb is a time capsule for previous eras, with immaculately preserved buildings that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

It’s also the final Swiss village before you meet the Italian border. You can either drive here from Lugano or take a boat cruise to experience it from the water.

Day 12: Lugano to Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein.

Driving time: 2.5 hours (185 km/115 miles) from Lugano to Vaduz, Liechtenstein (via Liechtenstein)

Today you will actually cross the Swiss border into neighboring Liechtenstein. The distance from Lugano to the capital city, Vaduz, is 185 km (115 miles) and the journey will take you around 2.5 hours.

 I recommend crossing the border at Balzers so you can drive through the whole country. It will give you a nice first impression even if you don’t have time to stop and explore every town.

Once you are in Liechtenstein, I suggest that you concentrate your sightseeing on the area surrounding Vaduz. You can drive up to Schloss Vaduz for panoramic views across the city. Sadly the castle is closed to visitors because it’s the actual residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein, moreover it is currently being renovated.

Further sights in Vaduz include riding the Citytrain which is a fun way to see and learn about the city and visiting museums such as the Liechtenstein National Museum or Postmuseum. Whatever you do, remember to get your passport stamped at the Tourist Office. It’s a great memento from your 2 weeks in Switzerland! 

Further afield, you can visit the little alpine towns of Planken and Triesenberg which are only a short drive from Vaduz. For something more adventurous, you can drive up to Malbun which features the only ski resort in the country. During the summer months, the region is transformed into a playground for hiking and mountain biking. 

For more help structuring your activities, you can refer to my guide on how to spend one day in Liechtenstein .

Where to stay in Liechtenstein or the Appenzell District (2 nights)

This 25 km (15.5 miles) long principality sandwiched between Switzerland, Austria, and Germany is small enough that you can really stay anywhere you like.

However, for the purpose of this road trip in Switzerland, my recommendation is that you choose accommodation in the northern part of the country. For example, in or around the village of Bendern as this will tie in best with your activities over the following days. 

Alternatively, you can choose accommodation in the Appenzell district of Switzerland which will fit in well with the next leg of this Switzerland road trip but be prepared that it will be a tad bit more expensive.

If you’re looking to save some money during your 2 weeks in Switzerland, staying in Liechtenstein is a great alternative! You’ll need to book 2 nights in this tiny country, below you can see my recommendations.

LUXURY – Romantik Hotel Säntis

Located directly at Appenzell’s historical town square, the “Landsgemeindeplatz”, the Romantik Hotel Säntis, with its grand façade, offers a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains. All rooms have a work desk, a safe and a TV. Each room has a private bathroom. The hotel also offers extensive spa and seminar facilities.

MID-RANGE – Hotel Restaurant Schlössli Sax

Located on the border of the Appenzell district and Sax in Switzerland, this recently renovated hotel offers immaculate rooms with private bathrooms and superb views of the incredible scenery.  Breakfast is included in the rate and there is free parking on site. 

BUDGET – b_smart hotel Bendern

This smart hotel features a gym, sauna, sun terrace, and bar. Contemporary rooms are well equipped with all the necessities you will need and breakfast is included in the rate. Parking is available at the hotel for free. 

Day 13: Hiking at Ebenalp 

Driving time: 35 minutes (35 km/22 miles) from Bendern, Liechtenstein to Wasserrauen

Today you will explore the mountain of Ebenalp, the northernmost summit of the Appenzell Alps and an absolute haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Your total distance covered and driving time will depend on where you book your accommodation for these two days.

From the Bendern area to Ebenalp, you will need to drive for 35 minutes (35 km/22 miles). If you stay in the Appenzell district then your drive time will be significantly shorter. 

You’ll find tons of different hiking trails in Ebenalp so be prepared for a full day of hiking! You can even opt to hike all the way up instead of using the cable car if you want to save money but I would still recommend to choose the cable car to save time.

The route we did in Ebenalp was the following: first we took the cable car up to Ebenalp, we hiked a little bit down to visit Aescher-Windkirchli, then we hiked all the way up to Schäfler Ridge. On the way back we hiked down to Seealpsee then concluded our hike back at Wasserrauen.

It was a pretty demanding hike and it took us the whole day but I can totally recommend doing the same! If you’re not big on hiking, you can skip Schäfler Ridge and only visit the rest of the places.

Aescher-Wildkirchli

Once you’re in Ebenalp, you can park your car in Wasserrauen and locate the cable car which will whisk you away into the mountains for your first sight. A return ticket costs 34 CHF (€35) per person but if you want to follow the same route we did, it’s enough to buy a one-way ticket for 22 CHF (€22.70).

If you would rather, then you can actually hike up to Äscher-Wildkirchli by following the track up through the woodlands from Wasserauen. The total length from here to the ridge is around 7.5 km (4.7 miles) and there is a fair amount of elevation (around 1,200 meters / 3,936 feet) so you should plan around 3-4 hours to complete the route if you skip the cable car. 

Aescher-Wildkirchli is a complex of caves cut into the cliffs that feature a chapel and a museum of excavated finds for you to explore.

There’s also one of the most scenic restaurants in the world waiting for you up here! It takes around 20 minutes to reach the restaurant from the Ebenalp cable car station and since the road mostly goes down, it’s a very easy hike.

Schäffler Ridge Hike 

From Aescher-Wildkirchli you can start your hiking section of the day and head up the mountains to the Schäffler Ridge, a remarkable natural phenomenon that grants you a view across Austria and Germany on a clear day.

It takes around 1.5 hours to reach the mountain hut on the top and since you have to tackle 450 meters of elevation gain I’d say it’s a moderate difficulty hike.

There is a cute little guesthouse on top where you can relax a little bit or have something to eat/drink. It’s also possible to stay at the hut for the night but you have to book it in advance. If you want to find the best viewpoint on the top, just continue for a few minutes up behind the mountain hut!

Continue your adventure by hiking down to the gorgeous lake, Seealpsee, from the Schaeffler Ridge.

The descent is pretty steep and if you’re wary of heights this track might not be for you. There is however a rope rail for added security as you make your way down and the scenery ahead is out of this world.

That being said, this hike is still pretty challenging so it’s not really for beginners! I’m not an experienced hiker and I was still able to complete it but oh boy, it was hard! This section took us more than 2.5 hours.

Once you reach the lake you can walk around the whole perimeter in around 30 minutes. This is a popular swimming lake, especially in summer.

However, before you take the plunge, you should expect the water to be freezing year-round! From here you can walk back down to Wasserauen which takes around 45-60 minutes.

Day 14: Liechtenstein to Zurich

Today you will drive to your starting point and final destination on this road trip in Switzerland, Zurich. The total drive time today will again depend on where your accommodation is.

From Bendern to Zürich via the locations listed below, you are looking at 155 km (96.3 miles) and a drive time of around 3 hours. 

Saxer Lücke Viewpoint Hike

Driving time: 10 minutes (7.5 km/4.5 miles) from Bendern, Liechtenstein to Frümsen Cable Car Station

The final hike on your list is a nice and easy one but it gives you an unparalleled view of the Appenzell district and neighboring Liechtenstein as you traverse this ridgeline at an elevation of 1800 meters (5,905 feet).

The hike to the viewpoint is a 6 km (3.7 miles) round trip over a rocky path which is of easy to moderate difficulty. At some points, the track is quite loose with steep drop-offs so you’ll need sturdy footwear. For the most challenging parts of the track, you will find ropeways to hold onto.

The trailhead is accessible from the top of the Frümsen-Staubern cable car (a return ticket costs 36 CHF/€37) and it takes around 2.5 hours to complete the entire loop.

If you want to extend the hike then you can also walk down to Falensee once you reach the Saxer Lücke viewpoint which adds a further 2 km (1.2 miles) to your hike. 

Stadtbibliothek St. Gallen

Driving time: 40 minutes (58 km/36 miles) from Frümsen Cable Car Station to St. Gallen

The last attraction to check out before you reach Zurich is the beautiful library located in the Abbey of Saint Gall in the city of St. Gallen. This baroque abbey was originally founded in the 8th century and the library is one of the oldest from the medieval era.

You’ll see ancient books, as well as historic artifacts and relics from the monastery complex and the painted ceilings, are an attraction in themselves.

A ticket costs 18 CHF (€18.50) which includes a visit to the Abbey Library, the Vaulted Cellar, and the Exhibition Space. Unfortunately, you can’t take any pictures inside the library and it’s rather small so it only takes around 15-20 minutes to visit it.

That being said, it’s really unique so it’s absolutely worth stopping by! If you have a little bit more time, it’s also worth strolling around the town itself, the streets are incredibly picturesque.

Ps: Don’t worry, I didn’t break any rules and I didn’t take any pictures in the library. I bought a postcard at the shop and simply took a photo of that so I can show you how the library looks like!

Arriving to Zurich

Driving time: 1 hour (85 km/53 miles) from St. Gallen to Zurich

Your Switzerland road trip is slowly coming to an end so it’s time to head back to Zurich, where you started. It takes around 1 hour to reach Zurich from St. Gallen so if you started early enough, you can still factor in some extra sightseeing time in Zurich.

This is a great opportunity if there are some more places left on your list that you didn’t have time to visit on the first day of your Switzerland itinerary. But if you’d rather just sit back and relax, no one would blame you – you just had an adventurous 2 weeks in Switzerland after all!

Planning a trip to Switzerland?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Switzerland. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

• 28 Incredible Zermatt Hotels with Matterhorn View
• One Day in Zurich Itinerary: How to See the Best of Zurich in a Day
• The Ultimate One Day in Bern Itinerary
• The Perfect Itinerary for Spending One Day in Geneva
• 11 Most Beautiful Castles in Switzerland You Can’t Miss
• Hotel Review: Boutique Hotel Glacier, Switzerland
• Hotel Review: Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz

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10 thoughts on “The Ultimate Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks”

Thank you for this itinerary! I find Switzerland planning to be so overwhelming and this is incredibly helpful + the map is how my brain thinks so including this with the route saved me so much time and stress. I have a question about the images under Lauterbrunnen- were these taken in Lauterbrunnen? I want to spend more time in this place and want to ensure it’s correct. Thank you!

Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I know how you feel, planning this road trip was really overwhelming and took me so much time to put together before we left. And I feel you about the map too – I always plan my trips with a map so I’m glad that you found it useful as well! 🙂

Yes, the three images under Lauterbrunnen were all taken in the town. It truly looks like a fairytale but it’s a really small town so you won’t need more than a couple of hours to walk around it and take some photos.

HI! I’ve read so many Switzerland itineraries and I found yours very helpful. Do you think this itinerary is doable with my 67yo mom? She is still very healthy and does walking every day. Thank you!

Yes absolutely! Maybe you will have to skip the longer hikes or just do smaller sections of it but other than that, I think it’s totally doable.

Hi, Your itinerary for two weeks is very good. If you have the opportunity to stay longer, there are lot of more really wonderful spots to visit (Appenzell, Gruyères, Jura, and lots more). Even though, the city of Basel is an absolute must for every trip, wouldn’t you agree ?

Kind regards, Peter

Hey, thanks so much for your commend and suggestions! Yes, you are absolutely right, these are all very worthy additions to a Switzerland road trip. Unfortunately we couldn’t make it during our last trip to Switzerland, hopefully next time.

Hi. Biiiiig fan of yous. Okay so I have a question to ask. If you also add which time you personally visited or I can Say when or in which months your Photos have been taken, it would be nice.

Hey, thank you so much for your lovely comment! Most of these photos were taken in the months of August and September.

Such an awesome job you’ve done here. Thank you! We are planning our trip from April 23-May 7. Your guide is going to be very helpful.

Thank you so much for your lovely comment! Hope you will have a great time in Switzerland.

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Zurich & Lucerne 3-Day Itinerary: Swiss Charms Unveiled

April 22, 2024 · 3 min read

Embark on a captivating 3-day journey through the picturesque cities of Zurich and Lucerne. Begin your Swiss adventure in Lucerne, where the Glacier Garden awaits with its fascinating monuments and museums, offering a glimpse into the city's ancient glacial history. Just a stone's throw away, pay homage to the iconic Lion Monument, a tribute to Swiss Guards. Stroll through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, soaking in the historical ambiance before marveling at the Chapel Bridge, a testament to Lucerne's military heritage. On day two, ascend the Musegg Wall for panoramic views, then enjoy a leisurely City Train tour around Lucerne's landmarks. Spiritual serenity can be found at the Court Church of St. Leodegar, followed by a sweet adventure at the Swiss Chocolate Adventure. Conclude the day with an exploration of the Swiss Museum of Transport, a haven for enthusiasts. Zurich calls on day three, starting with the stained glass beauty of Fraumunster Church. The twin towers of Grossmunster stand as a historic beacon, leading you to the peaceful Lindenhof. Zurich's Old Town offers a journey back in time, and the Swiss National Museum caps off the itinerary with a deep dive into the country's rich heritage. This 3-day itinerary is designed to immerse you in the essence of Swiss culture and history, with each attraction revealing a chapter of the story that is Switzerland.

• Day 1: Discovering the Timeless Charms of Lucerne

Glacier Garden of Lucerne

Begin your Lucerne adventure at the Glacier Garden, a fascinating window into the city's ancient past. Just an hour at this unique attraction will transport you back in time with its array of geological monuments and intriguing museums. Nestled at Denkmalstrasse 4a, the Glacier Garden promises a journey through the remnants of a prehistoric landscape, right in the heart of Lucerne.

Attraction Info

• Denkmalstrasse 4a, 6006 Luzern, Switzerland
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
• Open from 10:00am-6:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Lion Monument

A short stroll from the Glacier Garden, the Lion Monument stands as a poignant tribute to the Swiss Guards. This emblematic sculpture, carved directly into the rock face, can be fully appreciated in a brief 10-minute visit. Located at Denkmalstrasse 4, the monument's powerful presence serves as a silent yet stirring narrative of Lucerne's history.

• Denkmalstrasse 4, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
• Suggested tour duration: 10-15 minutes
• Open 24 hours

Immerse yourself in the vibrant history of Lucerne with a 2-hour exploration of the Old Town. Wandering through the cobblestone streets, you'll encounter a tapestry of historic buildings and charming squares. The Old Town, broadly defined by the area around the Perl Bridge, is a living museum where every corner tells a story, inviting you to become part of its ongoing legacy.

• Perl bridge can be regarded as the old city of Lucerne in a broad sense
• Suggested tour duration: 2-4 hour

Chapel Bridge

Conclude your day with a visit to the iconic Chapel Bridge, a testament to Lucerne's military heritage. A mere 15-minute visit is enough to marvel at this historic bridge, which spans the Reuss River with its distinctive water tower. The Chapel Bridge, located at Kapellbrücke, is not just a crossing point but a landmark that captures the essence of Lucerne's storied past.

• Kapellbrücke, 6002 Luzern, Switzerland
• Suggested tour duration: 15-30 minutes

Where to Stay Tonight

Hotel des alpes, boutique hotel weisses kreuz - adult only hotel.

• Day 2: Lucerne's Historic Walls to Sweet Delights

Musegg Wall Lucerne

Kicking off the second day in Lucerne, step back in time with a visit to the Musegg Wall Lucerne. This historic site, nestled within the heart of the city, is a half-hour journey into the past. The well-preserved ramparts and towers offer a glimpse of medieval Lucerne, and the panoramic views from atop are a photographer's delight. It's a perfect start to the day, setting the tone for the cultural treasures ahead.

• Auf Musegg, 6004 Luzern, Switzerland
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
• Open from 4/1-11/1,8:00am-7:00pm

City Train Luzern

Next, embark on a charming ride with the City Train Lucerne, a sightseeing tour that offers a unique perspective of the city's landmarks. Over the course of an hour, you'll be whisked through the bustling streets and quaint alleys, all while soaking in the narratives and anecdotes that bring Lucerne's history to life. It's a leisurely way to transition from the ancient walls to the spiritual serenity of your next stop.

• Schweizerhofquai, Lucerne
• Suggested tour duration: 1 hour

Court Church of St. Leodegar

Continuing the day's exploration, the Court Church of St. Leodegar awaits. Spend an hour marveling at this iconic church, a testament to Lucerne's religious heritage. The church's twin spires dominate the skyline, while its intricate interiors are a showcase of craftsmanship. The peaceful ambiance provides a reflective respite from the day's adventures, inviting visitors to admire its art and architecture.

• St. Leodegarstrasse 6, 6006 Lucerne
• Open from 7:00am-7:00pm

Swiss Chocolate Adventure

As the afternoon unfolds, indulge in the Swiss Chocolate Adventure, a delectable journey housed within a planetarium-like setting. This one-hour experience is a feast for the senses, blending the rich history of Swiss chocolate with interactive exhibits. It's a sweet interlude that promises to be as educational as it is tasty, perfect for chocolate lovers of all ages.

• Lidostrasse 5, CH-6006 Lucerne

Swiss Museum of Transport

Conclude your day with an extended visit to the Swiss Museum of Transport, the largest museum of its kind in Switzerland. Over two hours, dive into the fascinating world of mobility and communication. With its vast collection of vehicles, interactive displays, and hands-on exhibits, it's a place where history meets innovation. It's an ideal finale to a day filled with discovery and delight in Lucerne.

• Lidostrasse 5, 6006 Luzern, Switzerland
• Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
• Open from 1/1-12/31(Winter),10:00am-5:00pm;Open from 1/1-12/31(Summer),10:00am-6:00pm

Villa Maria

Grand hotel europe.

• Day 3: Divine Architecture and Historical Splendor in Zurich

Fraumunster Church

Begin your final day with a serene visit to Fraumunster Church, an iconic Zurich landmark renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. Nestled in the heart of the city at Münsterhof, this church isn't just a place of worship but a canvas of vibrant colors and artistry that captures the morning light in a celestial dance. Spend an hour here, and let the tranquility set a contemplative tone for the day.

• Münsterhof 2, Zurich 8001 Switzerland
• Open from 3/1-10/31,10:00am-6:00pm;Open from 11/1-2/28,10:00am-5:00pm，The specific business status on special dates is subject to the opening conditions on that day.

Grossmunster

Just a short walk from Fraumunster, the majestic Grossmunster awaits as your second stop. This twin-towered church is not only a testament to Romanesque architecture but also a cornerstone of Zurich's history. With its doors open to history enthusiasts and spiritual seekers alike, spend an hour exploring the site where the Swiss-German Reformation was ignited, and enjoy panoramic views of Zurich from its Karlsturm tower.

• Grossmünsterplatz, 8001 Zurich
• Open from 3/1-10/31,10:00am-6:00pm;Open from 11/1-2/28,10:00am-5:00pm，The specific business status during special opening hours is subject to the opening conditions on that day.

After delving into Zurich's ecclesiastical heritage, take a leisurely stroll to Lindenhof, an oasis of tranquility amidst the city bustle. This historic hilltop area offers a peaceful respite along with a picturesque vantage point overlooking the old town and the Limmat River. Spend an hour here, absorbing the stories etched into its pavements, and bask in the same spot where Roman castles once stood.

• 8001 Zurich, Switzerland

Next, immerse yourself in the cobblestone charm of Zurich's Old Town. As you wander through the narrow alleys for a couple of hours, let the echoes of the past guide you through a labyrinth of medieval buildings, bustling squares, and quaint shops. Each corner of this historic site is a narrative waiting to be discovered, making it the perfect setting to conclude your cultural exploration.

• Zürich, Switzerland

Swiss National Museum

Cap off your Zurich journey with a visit to the Swiss National Museum, housed in a fairy-tale castle at Museumstrasse. With just an hour to spare, dive into Switzerland's cultural history, from ancient times to the present day. The museum's extensive collection showcases the nation's artistic and historical treasures, providing a fitting finale to your three-day adventure through Zurich and Lucerne.

• Museumstrasse 2, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
• Open on Thu,10:00am-7:00pm;Open on Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun,10:00am-5:00pm，The specific business status during special opening hours is subject to the opening conditions on that day.

Hotel Bristol Zurich

Hotel continental zurich mgallery by sofitel.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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How to plan a trip to Switzerland

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

SWISS. Stunning views from the Grütschalp, Mürren, and Gimmelwald trail.

Joshua Berida

When you think of Switzerland, you’ll think of delectable chocolates, rolling hills, snow-capped peaks, and stunning landscapes. These are exactly what you’ll get when you get the chance to visit this beautiful country.

You don’t need to hike up to the best viewpoints all the time because you can just take the cable car or train to reach them. However, you can also follow the trails to earn the views of the mountains.

Getting a visa

You’ll need a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland. Some of the basic requirements for visa applications include:

• Valid passport
• Photo (35 x 45 mm)
• Accommodation confirmation
• Application form
• Proof of occupation or business registration
• Proof of funds (bank certificate, credit card statements, bank statements, etc.)

You will have to apply at a VFS office: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/phl/en/che /

Check the link out to learn more about the requirements and booking an appointment.

Get into Switzerland

There are no direct flights to Switzerland from Manila. You’ll have to transit through a different country before reaching Zurich. You can check Skyscanner or your preferred website to check schedules and prices. You can then book directly with the airline if you want. You can combine Switzerland with other countries in Europe if you have the time and the budget.

Getting around Switzerland

You can get around the country by train and get to mountain villages and trails using the cable cars.

Check schedules and fares here: https://www.sbb.ch/en .

Itinerary and places to visit

This itinerary consists mostly of day hikes with Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Interlaken as jump-off points.

Upon arrival in Zurich, make your way to the main train station and catch the train bound for Lauterbrunnen. There are no direct trains to this destination, you’ll have to switch trains after arriving in Interlaken. Lauterbrunnen is a small town with stunning mountain views. Check in your accommodation and walk around to experience the Swiss countryside.

You can check schedules and book train tickets here: https://www.sbb.ch/en

One of the reasons I visited Switzerland is to see the mountains and hike along its scenic trails. The hike I would recommend on your first day is the Grütschalp, Mürren, and Gimmelwald trail. The latter is beginner-friendly with mostly flat surfaces and stunning mountain views.

I suggest starting the hike from Grütschalp so that you’ll descend gradually instead of walking uphill if you started from Gimmelwald. After the cable car ride up, you’ll immediately see the snow-capped mountains in the distance. The recurring theme of this trail is spectacular mountain vistas. You won’t sweat much because of the cool breeze and the easy-to-follow trail. The Gimmelwald section is paved and leads you to the station where you can catch the cable car down.

How to get to the trail: Take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp. You can buy tickets here https://www.sbb.ch/en .

Check out of your accommodation and get ready to do another easy hike. The trail I suggest doing on your second day is Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. The latter is another beginner-friendly and easy trail with beautiful views of the mountains. The trail is straightforward, it’s easy to find and follow it. It’s also mostly flat with gradual descents.

Take as much time as you want soaking in the views and breathing in the fresh air. Bring some snacks and drinks with you. The trail takes around two hours with plenty of time to stop, take photos, and eat. You can stay for a few hours in Wengen if you’re not in a hurry. This quaint mountain town is a nice place to relax and unwind in before or after your hike. Make your way back to your accommodation in Lauterbrunnen and head on over to Grindelwald.

How to get to the trail:

• From Lauterbrunnen, take a train bound for Wengen. After arriving in Wengen, take a cable car to Männlichen.
• From Grindelwald, take a direct cable car to Männlichen.

You can buy tickets here https://www.sbb.ch/en or over the counter.

It’s time to do another hike, this time your jump-off point is Grindelwald. The hike you’ll do is the Eiger Trail. You’ll start at Eigergletscher Station and finish the trip at Alpiglen before taking another cable car to Grund (Grindelwald). The cable car ride up is scenic with a view of the mountains throughout. The view from the station is spectacular (again).

After taking some photos, you’ll likely see a crowd heading for another ride up to the Top of Europe. Walk away from them and make your way to the start of the Eiger Trail. There are signs that point you to it. The first half of the trek is easy enough with mostly flat dirt paths. You’ll also get to see the North Face. The surrounding views are worth dozens of photos. The last section of the trail gets more challenging and steeper. The hike to Alpiglen was the toughest part with steep inclines that require some balancing but nothing technical.

How to get to the trail: You can take a direct cable car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher Station. You’ll most likely encounter a crowd because this is the same route that goes to the Top of Europe Station.

You can buy tickets here https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/ , https://www.sbb.ch/en or at the station counters.

After breakfast, board a cable car all the way up to First Station. First is a beautiful area where you can try the Cliff Walk. The latter provides you with breathtaking views of the mountains and the landscape. However, sometimes the weather can be unpredictable. It could be foggy the whole time you’re there (which happened during my visit). Despite poor visibility, you can still get a glimpse of how spectacular the views are. There’s also a restaurant where you can get a hot drink and something to eat.

Another reason to make your way here is the walk to Bachalpsee. The walk takes a few hours going there and back. The lake is pretty and the views of the mountains the same. Again, it depends on the weather. It could get foggy during your trip.

If you have the budget, you can go all the way up to Jungfraujoch or also known as the “Top of Europe.” The cable car to it is quite expensive.

After breakfast, hop on a train and make your way to Interlaken. After arriving, head on over to your accommodation to check in or at least leave your things in the luggage storage.

Interlaken is a lovely destination with views of the mountains and a laid-back vibe. It’s a tourist town so expect more people. It has some attractions you might want to visit during your stay. You can go on a short trip to Lake Thu and Lake Brienz. You can go up Harder Kulm for more overlooking views, visit Unterseen, try paragliding, walk to Unspunnen Castle, or visit the Interlaken Monastery and Castle.

After visiting some attractions in Interlaken, it’s time to go for another hike with spectacular views at Schynige Platte. You can reach this hiking destination by taking the train from Wilderswil. The ride up to the mountain station is scenic (you’ll be staring out the window most of the time kind of views).

I would recommend the panorama trail as it’s easy to do and has stunning vistas. The loop takes around three hours or faster depending on your pace. The trail is mostly flat with gradual inclines in some parts. You’ll have to climb up stairs to reach one of the viewpoints but it’s also easy. You’ll see views of the lake and the mountains throughout your adventure. Wilderswil is a short train ride from Interlaken. If you have the time and the energy, you can combine Schynige Platte with Faulhorn and all the way to First. This alternative can take an entire day so bring enough food and drinks.

You can buy tickets here https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/prices-and-tickets/ , https://www.sbb.ch/en or at the station counters.

Check out of your accommodation in Interlaken then take the morning train to Zurich. After arriving at Zurich, head on over to your accommodation to check in or leave your stuff in the luggage room. Zurich is a small city to explore on foot and at a slow pace. You can see a lot in a short time. Go at a leisurely pace to soak in the culture and history of the city after hiking for most of this itinerary.

The old town is a quaint and charming neighborhood that has plenty of historic buildings that are centuries old. Take a leisurely stroll along Lake Zurich, hang out by the gardens and parks, and/or grab something to eat at the cafes and restaurants. Another pedestrian street worth checking out is the Banhof and Banhofstrasse. Here you’ll find shops from various brands.

Grossmünster or Great Minster dominates Zurich’s cityscape with its towers. This church is centuries old and is a renowned city landmark. Other churches of note include the Fraumünster and St. Peter’s Church. Take another leisurely stroll around Lindenhof. The latter also provides beautiful views of the old town.

If you have the time and budget for museums, you can check out the following:

• Lindt Home of Chocolate
• Swiss National Museum
• FIFA Museum
• Museum of Fine Arts

Zurich has other activities you can do in the city or just a day trip from it.

Depending on the time of your flight, you’ll have extra time to revisit some of your favorite hangout spots in the city. You can also do some last-minute shopping before leaving Switzerland.

You can also combine this itinerary with other places you want to visit while in Europe.

When is hiking season?

The hiking trails are closed during certain months of the year. Most trails are open from the end of June until late October. Dates change so you’ll have to check official websites for more information.

You can check this website for the trails mentioned above: https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/

Swiss Pass or Half-Fare Card?

For the itinerary mentioned above, I would recommend a half-fare card instead of the Swiss Travel Pass.

The card reduces the price of cable cars and train tickets by 50% within its scope of coverage. On the other hand, the Swiss Pass only provides unlimited rides within its scope of coverage, and you won’t get a 50% discount for some of the cable car rides up and down the mountains.

You can get a Swiss Pass and learn more about it here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets- offers/swisspass/swisspass.html

You can purchase a Half-Fare Card from Klook: https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/10184-swiss-half-fare-card-switzerland/

You can also buy a Half-Fare Card from the official site here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets- offers/tickets/guests-abroad/swiss-halffare-card.html

How much will you spend?

There’s no denying it Switzerland is an expensive country even if you’re trying to go on a budget. A budget of around P80,000 for the itinerary mentioned above covers the following:

• Budget room or bed din a dorm
• Eat at a budget restaurant or food from supermarkets
• Swiss Half-Fare Card
• Cable cars up and down mountains and train rides between cities and towns

This budget doesn’t include shopping, flights, and other activities you might want to do such as boat rides, kayaks, etc. Sky’s the limit for you if you can afford it. –  Rappler.com

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