Our seven-day Switzerland itinerary includes . From Lauterbrunnen, it takes approximately 3 hours and two transfers to get to Zermatt by train. I dont know if youve seen it, but 2 days ago we published a Jungfrau itinerary and this could be helpful in planning your 3 days in the Jungfrau region. You are required to drive your car onto a special car-train to go through the tunnel. We recommend settling into your accommodation and promptly making your way to one of the nearby mountains. Get extra travel days for 4-day and 8-day consecutive pass with our promo! Gotthard Panorama Express Train. Yes, we predominantly use credit cards in Switzerland and Italy. 14 days in Switzerland? Hi Julie, i have height phobia (acrophobia) especially when the path is very narrow and near to the edge. Ponte dei Salti is a medieval-style bridge that is located in the Verzasca Valley. For the official website for the Swiss Travel Pass. May I suggest quality over quantity? Stay at: Zurich. All Rights Reserved. One Day in the Jungfrau Region Itinerary. Day 1: Arrive in Zrich Day 2: Lucerne Days 3 to 7: Bernese Oberland Days 8 & 9: Zermatt Day 10: Travel to Lausanne Days 11 & 12: Day Trips from Lausanne Day 13: Travel to Zrich or Geneva Day 14: Fly Home. Check prices and buy your Mt. As you roll into Lucerne station, it marks the beginning of vast, majestic landscapes on your trip, so get ready for some scenic hiking or cable car rides. Just thought Id mention all this if you havent priced out a rental car yet because sometimes they can be surprisingly expensive (plus you will pay to park it for 5 full days without using it). It is also the most important economic and cultural hub of the country. As you can imagine, there are endless breathtaking spots in this picture-perfect destination. Learn more if it is worth it in our guide about how to visit Jungfraujoch. 7 days in Switzerland: A magical 7-day itinerary! ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. For this itinerary, you will get around by train, so there is no need to rent a car. Spend the day in Lugano. At the top you will also find a restaurant, walking trails, a kids playground and the Two Lakes Bridge. The surrounding mountains and glistening waters make this a truly stunning ride. You can have days full of history and culture or step out of the city to take in Switzerland's stunning natural wonders. *This route travels via the Lotschberg Tunnel. Self guided 7-day tour "Ultimate Swiss Scenic Trains" - MySwissAlps.com You can also take a thrilling circular walk around the cliff face. Fancy window shopping on Zurich's glamorous side? Fancy some history and a little swim? Spend the day in Zrich and sleep in Zrich. If youre flying into Zurich Airport, the train from Zurich Airport to Zurich Hb station takes just 10m. Whether you have 3 days or 2 weeks, take this itinerary for Switzerland and amend it to suit your personal interests. However, it has a big price tag and it may not be worth the expense for everyone. If you're looking for a different type of adventure, then you can make today all about gliding in style up in the Matterhorn one of the most photographed mountains in the world. Head to the village of Beatenberg and ride a cable car to the top of this stunning peak in the Emmental Alps. Switzerland Itineray + Budget Travel Guide Blog - Detourista The summit is almost 3,500 metres above sea level and offers incredible views over the surrounding peaks. View of Kleine Scheidegg in the Jungfrau region. Trains and connecting buses take you all over the country with ease. Explore the Old Town and Lake Lucerne and/or enjoy a mountain excursion to Mt. 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. Day 4: Gstaad - Grindelwald - Grindelwald-First . Lugano is one of the few places in Switzerland that we recommend having a car. 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. Pilatus tickets. 10-Day Switzerland Itinerary - The Travel Intern Day 1 - Zermatt . From Tirano, ride the Bernina Express Train to Chur. On this itinerary, you get an extra day in the Bernese Oberland. More Information for Your Trip to Switzerland, Read all of our articles about Switzerland in our. Do some sightseeing in Interlaken town, take the Harder Kulm funicular, or enjoy a lake cruise. Switzerland 7 days itinerary must include a trip here. If you have plans to drive, you can do another day trip from Lugano in the morning or spend the extra time today in Zrich. Consider the Grindelwald-First or Schilthorn excursions with the option to stop at Murren and/or Birg in either direction. In a perfect world, a week in Switzerland is not enough as there is just so much to see and do. Ibex, chamois and marmots may be spotted in the area. Read our comprehensive guide to Switzerland train travel. Tailor-Made Luxury Golden Pass Line of Switzerland Trip with Daily Departure, a 7 days tour from Zurich to Lucerne, Mount Pilatus and 4 destinations. 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. 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. Refer to these popular itineraries for a hassle-free and great stay of 7 days in Zurich. Vivian Chan - August 15, 2022 Money-saving tips for planning your next Switzerland itinerary at the end from food to accommodation and the Swiss Travel P ass! 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. In the morning, make the trip up Mt. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. All of the destinations mentioned in our itineraries above can be reached without travelling on a super-twisty mountain pass. After orientating yourself by sea, take a stroll around town. Leaving wonderful Zermatt, head on the Zermatt to Montreux train and keep an eye out for what's in store. Check out our full guide to trains in Switzerland or use our interactive Switzerland train map to learn more about great money-saving options for train travel, including the Swiss Travel Pass, special multi-journey tickets, and Supersaver tickets. Check into your hotel in Zrich and spend the afternoon/evening in town. Lucernes Old Town is also great for shopping and dining out. For a full list of things to do, read our article about the Best Things to Do in the Jungfrau Region. Spend the afternoon sightseeing. Zurich is well-connected by train to numerous international cities, which is great if you're planning a more extensive European trip. Direct train journeys can be booked between Munich to Zurich (3h 42m), Stuttgart to Zurich (2h 54m) and Milan to Zurich (3h 35m). Spend the afternoon and evening in St. Moritz. Since rules and prices are always changing, and everyones itinerary will be slightly different, we do not have enough experience and knowledge to answer questions specifically related to which pass to purchase. Itinerary. Mount Pilatus or Rigi are great choices, and both also offer cable cars or cog railways if you prefer to rest your legs. Hiking the Eiger Trail in the Bernese Oberland | Switzerland Itinerary. about how to visit Lucerne and Mt. Interested in learning more about using the Swiss Rail System to travel around Switzerland? Switzerland truly lived up to our expectations. Trying to determine which pass to buy, if any, is complicated. How to Spend Epic 7 Days in Switzerland - Arzo Travels On high volume days (weekends and holidays), there can be delays at the Gotthard Tunnel. You cannot get around the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland by car, and Lucerne and Zrich are easily walkable with a great public transportation network, so there is no need for a car on this itinerary. Day 3: Mount Titlis. Geneva is very close to Lausanne, so geographically, this makes the most sense. Five days in the Bernese Oberland gives you enough time to visit all of the popular places, hike some trails, and visit the mountain peaks. But other than that, your itinerary looks great. Start your trip with sightseeing in Lucerne (depending on time of arrival). The pass with expire on day 9, when you are in Lucerne. Arriving at Sunnegga station, another stunning cable car ride takes you to the start of the hike. These itineraries should be a good starting point to help get your Switzerland trip planning off on the right foot. Its possible to day trip to Lake Como from Lugano using public transportation but a car could make that a little bit easier. 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. About Privacy Policy Disclaimer/Disclosure Contact. My guide will help you to decide the best time to visit Switzerland. In Switzerland, there are several travel passes that can save you money: the Swiss Travel Pass, the Jungfrau Pass, the Peak to Peak Pass in Zermatt, and so on. The 4-day pass is an option, and you can add on additional tickets as you need them. A cheaper, (and just as spectacular) high alpine experience is the trip up to Schilthorn and Piz Gloria. Pilatus. Simply take a train to Lauterbrunnen and then a local bus to the Schilthorn cable car station. You can do this by public transportation (train + scenic boat ride) or by car. 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. Perfect Switzerland Itinerary 7 Days - Travel With Me 24 X 7 A third day gives you some contingency time if you get bad weather. Start the pass on day 2 of this itinerary, when you use the train to travel from Zrich to the Bernese Oberland. 7-Day Switzerland Itinerary from Zurich. Today, travel right to the Bernese Oberland, by train, from Zrich. You can also take the Golden Pass Line from Interlaken to Montreux via Zweisimmen journey time 3 hours 45 minutes. View of the Matterhorn from Stellisee | Switzerland Itinerary. Wherever you're bound, you won't be forgetting your Swiss adventure anytime soon. Add one day in Lugano. The airport is about 10 kms from the Zurich old town area. If you need to spend the night before you start your journey, the classy Storchen, on the banks of the Limmat River, is just 20 minutes from the . things to do in Interlaken on a rainy day. Would love to hear your thoughts, Hello Sarah. 20 Amazing Things to do in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. Laying beneath the church is a crypt featuring frescos of the founding women of the church, as well as portraits of Zurich's three patron saints. Rigi is also a great day out you can start with a boat trip before transferring to the cog railway or hike it in a little over three hours. Wanted to find out if the hiking trails that you have mentioned in your article suitable for me? There are plenty of great choices when in comes to sightseeing in Interlaken. Nevertheless, here are some of the best activities to fill your Zurich itinerary. 7 Days in Switzerland Itinerary: Complete Guide for First-Timers Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, Montreux's charm has enchanted poets such as Shelley and Byron for centuries. With clear blue waters set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, Lake Lucerne is a picture-perfect body of water. How To Spend 3, 7, 10, and 14 Days Switzerland Itinerary If you're coming from France, direct train from Paris to Zurich take 4h 3m, if you have a little more time to spare and want to save some money, there are also buses from Paris to Zurich that take around 10h. Hiking trail in Zermatt | Switzerland Itinerary. Titlis, Mt. Take a smooth ride on the Gornergrat Bahn mountain train up the Matterhorn's slopes (where Swiss Travel Pass holders can receive a 50% discount). Today, fly home from Zrich, or continue your travels. From here, you have jaw-dropping views of the Jungfrau massif. Switzerland Facts & Useful Information Travel: Train travel is recommended as it's so comfortable and easy. Hikes that come to mind that have cliff edges are the Schynige Platte to First hike (in the Bernese Oberland), hiking to Hornlihutte in Zermatt, and the Murren via ferrata. Switzerlands roads are excellent and the mountain passes, with their many hairpin bends, are a highlight for many drivers. Sightseeing late afternoon (depending on time of arrival). By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Alternatively, if you do not want to take a scenic train, you can take a direct train from Zrich to Lugano. We visit an ATM in the airport and make this withdrawal. Spend two days here, with visits to Rothorn, Gornergrat, Glacier Paradise, and the lovely town of Zermatt. The Perfect 2 or 3 Days in Zurich Itinerary Hotel Alpenblick is a great value for the money you spend and we chose it since its a highly rated hotel that was cheaper than many in Mrren. Its tricky to know which one to purchase, since you really will need a 9-day pass if you have a rental car (and a 9-day pass does not exist). 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. I'm here to help with your Switzerland travel planning. This is a great spot to relax and grab a bite before or after your dip. Honestly, if you love hiking and mountains and exploring charming villages, you could even spend an entire week here. If you dont 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. All vehicles must be parked in a parking station at Tasch and visitors can transfer to town via the Zermatt train station. If you'd like a day off from the mountains, Interlaken is a great place to hire a bike for a cycling trip around Lake Brienz. It also includes the picturesque city of Lucerne with its medieval covered wooden bridge and pretty Old Town. The Old Town straddles the Limmat River, and there are wonderful views over the water from the quay Limmatquai. Have a great trip! At the edge of the water you can see small villages, waterfalls and tree-clad hillsides. To get from Lugano to Lucerne, you have two options by train. Five days might sound like too much time in the Bernese Oberland, but trust, me, it is not. Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and a must-visit on any 7-day in Switzerland itinerary. For a full list of things to do, check out our article, For a full list of things to do in Zermatt, including recommendations on where to stay, read our, For recommendations on what to do and where to stay in Lugano, read our, For a full list of day trip ideas, read our article, For a full list of day trip ideas, read our post. Swiss Travel Pass: For this Switzerland itinerary, we recommend purchasing the 15-day Swiss Travel Pass. 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. For more information on your options for visiting Mt. There are three great places to get high-alpine views of the Matterhorn. This is a 4-hour train ride that travels between Tirano and Chur. Taking a lake cruise is a must during your 7 day Switzerland itinerary. For more recommendations on where to stay, read our guide to Where to Stay in the Jungfrau Region. The wifi works well and the views are amazing. Booking in advance will help keep your costs down, regardless of where you're arriving from. 7 Days in Switzerland Itinerary: Travel Guide - Amateur Traveler This takes approximately 2.25 hours and gives you more time in Zrich and/or Lugano. Visit Zrich, Lucerne, the Bernese Oberland, Zermatt, Lausanne, Lugano, and ride the scenic Bernina Express train. Spend tonight in Lucerne and travel to the Zrich airport tomorrow morning. B: 3 days if you plan to visit all the villages in Lauterbrunnen valley. The Bernina Express is one of the most scenic train rides in Europe and it is often labeled as the most beautiful train ride in Switzerland. Below I list several articles where you can get a lot more information. 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. Browse hotels in Lugano | Browse sightseeing options in Lugano. This gives you time for a second day trip from Lugano. Its latin inscription roughly translates as to the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss. It's only a short one-hour train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken, but we recommend another early morning start to pack in as much as possible and have put together two great day choices for Interlaken. Here's another detailed 5-day Switzerland itinerary to take in the best of the country! Enjoy the breathtaking vistas as you arrive at the top, taking in the views of the Gorner Glacier, and of course, the Matterhorn itself. Browse hotels in Zermatt | Browse sightseeing options in Zermatt. Travel times average 5.5 hours. The town itself offers a range of attractions including shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, spas and wellness centres, and winter sports. The downside of this is the day trip to Lake Como. Read all of our articles about Switzerland in our Switzerland Travel Guide. I find it really helpful as it allows you to include via points and see the latest traffic warnings for your chosen route. If you rented a car for day trips in Lugano and Lausanne, and started the pass on the day you take the Bernina Express to Lugano, you will use all 15 days of the pass. From stunning mountain peaks to glistening glacier lakes, your Switzerland trip is the adventure you've been waiting for. On this itinerary, we save Zrich for the end of the week, when you have more energy. Note: This post contains affiliate links. Day 1: Arrive in Zrich, Travel to Lugano Day 2 & 3: Lugano Day 4: Travel to Zrich (Bernina Express is optional) Day 5: Zrich Day 6: Lucerne Day 7, 8, 9 & 10: Bernese Oberland Day 11 & 12: Zermatt Day 13: Travel to Zurich or Geneva Day 14: Fly Home. 10 Day Itinerary Plus Lausanne and Lake Geneva. This is best done with a rental car. For a full list of day trip ideas, read our post 10 Best Day Trips from Lausanne. How to Get Around Switzerland on This Itinerary: For this Switzerland itinerary, we recommend using the train. For more recommendations on where to stay, read our guide to. Explore the Old Town and Lake Zurich and/or enjoy a day trip to Stein am Rhein and the Rhine Falls. On the other hand, if you're keen for even more hiking, take an alternative route to enjoy the Matterhorn. 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. Here is all you need to know for your day in Zurich: Zurich Overview: Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland with over 420000 inhabitants. Alternatively, take the cable car to Weggis, where you can cruise the lake once more while en route to Lucerne. We highly recommend stopping off at the Jules Verne Panoramabar for lunch and great views over the city. 7 Days in Switzerland Itinerary Day 1 - Zurich, Kapellbrcke 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 The choice is yours. Day 2: Lucerne & Mount Rigi. I recommend taking the Jungfraujoch excursion with the option to stop at Wengen and/or Lauterbrunnen in either direction. Valid for use until 13 Nov 2023. Plus, the extra days give you some contingency time, if there is bad weather. My 7 Day Switzerland itinerary starting from Geneva includes where to stay, things to do, where to eat, getting around and costs broken down into a day-by-day guide for: DAY 1: Geneva DAY 2: Bern DAY 3: Zermatt DAY 4: Jungfraujoch & Interlaken Day 5: Lucerne DAY 6: Mt Pilatus DAY 7: Zurich There are many different ways to plan your perfect Switzerland itinerary, depending on your interests and how much time you have. One more day gives you a total of five days in the Bernese Oberland, a very nice stretch of time here. No doubt Switzerlands 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. Learn how to plan your time with our Jungfrau Itinerary. Sleep in Lucerne. After returning to Lucerne in the evening, rest those legs and take a gentle stroll across the city where you'll have a wide choice of places for dinner by Lake Lucerne. For what is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass in Switzerland. Spend the morning in Zrich. To make this a 21-day Switzerland itinerary, here is what I recommend adding. This is a good time to visit one or two museums. By car, it takes about 3 hours to drive to Zrich. This was our favorite experience in Zermatt and we highly recommend the short but stunning walk from Gornergrat to Riffelberg. am planning my Switzerland itinerary based on your articles. The Best Switzerland Itinerary 7 Days - TripTins In this best Switzerland Itinerary 7 days, we will discover some of the most beautiful places to explore in 7 days in Switzerland. Learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass here. Note: Applicable for 1st and 2nd class for both adults & youth. Only have three days to enjoy the best places in Switzerland? Although youd probably like to fit in as much in three days as you would if you had one week in Switzerland, youre not going to fully appreciate the places you visit if you overdo it. From Zrich, travel to Lugano on the Bernina Express. This is the location of the highest cable car station in Europe, and it is even higher than Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Oberland. The 8-day Swiss Travel Pass works great. Travel by train from Lucerne the morning of day 7 and spend four wonderful days in the Bernese Oberland. short but stunning walk from Gornergrat to Riffelberg. Day 2: Zurich - Bern - Fribourg - Nyon - Lake Geneva - Yvoire - Geneva. Although it doesnt store water, it has been used at various times as a treasury, a prison and an archive. If you rent a car, it is a beautiful day trip to the town of Gruyres. However, if you have an early flight, consider staying near the airport tonight. 2 weeks in Switzerland itinerary overview: 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: By train: 5 hours 20 minutes / By car: 3 hours 10 minutes (from Tasch)Overnight: Lugano. So, if there was another Lugano day trip that caught your eye, you can do it in the morning and then travel by train to Zrich in the evening. our guide about how to visit Jungfraujoch. Travelling to Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023, Visit Switzerland with your Swiss Travel Pass, 10 of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland, Top ski resorts in Switzerland to reach by train, Go contactless with digital tickets on your phone, Compare ticket prices from hundreds of train companies. Swiss Travel Pass: For this itinerary, we recommend purchasing the 15-day Swiss Travel Pass. A series of shorter train trips spread over a two hour period culminates in the scenic ascent via the Jungfraubahn. Seventeen days might seem like an odd number of days for a trip, but this itinerary maximizes the use of the 15-day Swiss Travel Pass. Titlis is another nearby peak that you can also visit.