Day 1: Arrive in Zrich, Travel to the Bernese Oberland Days 2, 3, & 4: Bernese Oberland Day 5: Lucerne Day 6: Zrich Day 7: Fly Home. ), I love a good old-fashioned guidebook as well. There are many different ways to plan your perfect Switzerland itinerary, depending on your interests and how much time you have. On day 2, take a day trip to Lake Como, Ponte dei Salti, Monte Tamaro, or Ascona. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Pilatus. Add one day in Zrich. Your final day ought to be a whole one, and Zurich is the right place to spend it at. Wow! The 4-day pass is an option, and you can add on additional tickets as you need them. Please provide your feedback. Pilatus in One Day. 7 Days in Switzerland: Highlights of Switzerland 10 Days in Switzerland: Zrich, Lucerne, Bernese Oberland & Zermatt 14 Days in Switzerland: 10 Day Itinerary plus Lugano 14 Days in Switzerland: 10 Day Itinerary plus Lausanne and Lake Geneva 17 to 21 Days in Switzerland: The Best of Switzerland. Spend the afternoon sightseeing. Once in Zermatt, ride the cable cars up to Rothorn for one of the best views of the Matterhorn. . You can view the tallest mountain in Europe (well, excluding Russia), Mont Blanc, easily on a day trip here from Geneva a must for any mountain lover. With a high quality of life, gorgeous mountain views, clear lakes, and modern amenities, the Swiss landscape will surely win you over. Pilatus or Mt. This tour takes you gliding across peaceful Lake Lucerne on a steamboat and then goes up the mountain via the worlds steepest cogwheel railroad. Check prices, reviews, and availability here. This Zurich itinerary will show you the beauty of the country as well as it's affluent reputation. To do this, take the train from Zrich to Chur and then ride the Bernina Express Train to St. Moritz. We have done this twice. Schilthorn is pricier but arguably more impressive if you are visiting Switzerland for its glaciers and mountains. Jungfraujoch, cable cars, alpine trains, etc.) 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. This itinerary combines everything above into one epic trip through Switzerland. When determining how many days to spend in Zurich, consider how much you want to see. Was there a ton of tourists? Book your trip from Lucerne to Jungfraujoch here! Trains in Switzerland are so beautiful that its basically seated sightseeing in and of itself! When in Gimmelwald be sure to check out the Honesty Shop Europes first village store based entirely on trust. What time of your did you travel? It takes three hours to succeed in Zurich from Zermatt*. You can travel by train to Lugano (this takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes) and use public transportation while in Lugano and for any day trips that you will take. Have dinner in town. Its an extremely typical Swiss town with traditional wooden architecture and flower boxes bursting with gorgeous blooms. Below I list several articles where you can get a lot more information. With this 21-day itinerary, I recommend getting the Swiss Travel Pass Flex 15 days in 1 month (CHF 449). The choice is yours. From Lauterbrunnen, it takes approximately 3 hours and two transfers to get to Zermatt by train. You could also stay in Mrren, Gimmelwald, or one of the other cute mountain towns in the area! Allison Green is a former educator turned travel blogger. I also really loved the warm, wood interiors and amazing detailing. Still, if you want privacy and cleanliness, ibis is reliable. If you 2-3 extra days, you could combine this itinerary with a drive to Zurich and Mt. Lake Geneva to Montreux, Chteau de Chillon, and Vevey. She holds a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. Titlis. A lot of people have reached out to me to help them plan an itinerary with all the best places to visit in Switzerland this is my best attempt at laying out an easily replicated itinerary with all the best Switzerland highlights. Sleep in Lausanne. I am not so afraid if the path is more than 1.5 or 2 meter wide. I would call it precious thing. Its perfect and gives me everything I need. Sleep in Lucerne. This is the location of the highest cable car station in Europe, and it is even higher than Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Oberland. Still, it may be worth it for the central location, luxury amenities, and artist-inspired dcor. Plus, the location cant be beat after all, Matterhorn views are never far away. The most impressive are at Trummelbach Falls, which this Switzerland itinerary has you visiting tomorrow. As I was traveling on a budget I chose to go on the tour included on my Swiss Travel Pass the route to Schynige Platte via scenic cogwheel railway. From Tirano, ride the Bernina Express Train to Chur. If you happen to have an extra day, I recommend adding it to the Bernese Oberland. Cappella Santa Maria degli Angeli on Monte Tamaro | Switzerland Itinerary, For a full list of day trip ideas, read our article 10 Best Day Trips from Lugano. Therefore, Ive tried to find the cheapest option in each Swiss city, but youll be hard-pressed to find anything under $100 per night (and when you do book it ASAP because seriously, a crappy bunk for one costs $40 per night in a hostel). The Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz so I would use it then, and then travel from St. Moritz onto your next point which will likely be whatever airport you are departing from. Day 1 - Zurich. It is a bit far away from Montreux town proper, near a different train station (Haut-de-Caux). There are numerous day trips that you can take from Lugano. We were thinking of starting in Zurich and finishing in Geneva.. Hi Pam, you should be able to just do this itinerary in reverse without changing much! Spend your second day on a day trip to lovely Gruyres. 4. Required fields are marked *. However, if you have a Swiss Travel Pass, entrance is included with your train pass. Spend the afternoon exploring the city of Lausanne. At over 3,000 meters tall, its capped with snow every day of the year, even in summer, and its the only easily accessible glacier in this part of Switzerland. Switzerland is on my bucket list, Hi Allison THANK YOU THANK YOU!! Luxury:A favorite of celebrities like the late Freddie Mercury, its not surprising that Montreux offers no shortage of luxury options. Luxury:One of the most romantic and beautiful hotels in all of Zermatt isRomantik Hotel Julen Superior. Wanted to find out if the hiking trails that you have mentioned in your article suitable for me? Glad this helped! Itll make your 10 days in Switzerland more enjoyable and less chaotic. However, if you have an early flight, consider staying near the airport tonight. It looks like something right out of a fairytale and this makes a great swimming spot in the hot, summer months. Montreux, Vevey, and beautiful Chteau de Chillon. -Frau Gerolds Garten. Lucerne also makes a great day trip base. I have posts on all the best day trips from Interlaken as well as the best day trips from Geneva, including side trips to France! I visited in July. The most picturesque is Annecy, the so-called Venice of the Alps, a gorgeous pastel town where the turquoise Thiou River meets Lake Annecy. LEARN MORE: How to Visit Lucerne and Mt. If you plan to rent a car, make sure you reserve a hotel in Lugano that offers parking. This 10 days in Switzerland itinerary is focused on French and German Switzerland, though if you wanted to dip into Italian Switzerland I would recommend skipping Zurich at the end, instead continuing onward from Zermatt to either Locarno or Lugano, and flying out of Milan or Venice. That said, in my other post I have some recommendations, Ill paste them below: -Exploring the beautiful churches of Grossmnster and Fraumnster In the Bernese Oberland, there are several towns where we recommend staying. Day 3: Zermatt, Switzerland (approx. For recommendations on what to do and where to stay in Lugano, read our Lugano Guide. With Switzerlands handy public transportation network, its easy to travel from Lugano to Zrich, including the Bernina Express on the journey. For a cheaper option that doesnt include the train, you can book just a tour of the chocolate and cheese factorieshere. I took three scenic mountain railways while in Switzerland and the Gornergrat was definitely the most awe-inspiring. My favourite vineyard is Domaines du Centaure Enjoy! Itinerary 1: Zurich - Locarno - Zermatt. Budget: The best-reviewed hostel that several of my friends have stayed in is Geneva Hostel, which is no frills but quite affordable for pricy Switzerland. I mean, just look at that building faade its basically the architectural equivalent of the heart-eyes emoji. . Thanks! Mid-range: Had I not been traveling on such a strict budget, I likely would have opted for theibis Lucerne. How to Visit Lucerne and Mt. . We have booked our flights for September 2020, when coming into Switzerland we will becoming via train from Paris through Switzerland into Italy. In the morning, take an early train to Lucerne and spend the day in town. To get from Lugano to Lucerne, you have two options by train. This seems to be quite a good travel plan. However you wont be able to hike, etc. For what is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass in Switzerland. Given early April weather, Id check on certain attractions that require transit up mountains (i.e. Depending on the region of Switzerland youre in, either French, (Swiss-)German, or Italian will dominate linguistically. An adaptor: Annoyingly, Switzerland uses a slightly different outlet (Type J) than the rest of continental Europe. This gorgeous building dates back to the 11th century in some form or another and has been built upon and kept up well over the centuries. Before we get deep into this awesome post, I was to make something super duper clear: this itinerary is PACKED! A popular day trip from Lausanne is a boat ride on Lake Geneva to Montreux, Chteau de Chillon, and Vevey. Lugano 5. Kapellbrcke, however, is definitely worth the hype. I stayed at theMontreux Youthhostel. Alternatively, if you do not want to take a scenic train, you can take a direct train from Zrich to Lugano. Watch this video for some ideas about things to do when you are in Zurich . Day 1 - Arrive into Zurich and travel to Lucerne By train: 1 hour / By car: 45 minutes Overnight: Lucerne Lucerne is one of Switzerland's most beautiful cities. However, it has a big price tag and it may not be worth the expense for everyone. 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. We plan to arrive in Zurich at 6AM in September 14th and spend 1 night and then off to Basel on Sunday afternoon for a work meeting. 1. Have a tasty fondue for dinner you will have earned it! Check the forecast (or just look at the Matterhorn to see if you can see it!) Also, two of my favourite day activities to do with visiting guests, other than going to Annecy or Montreux: you can take a public bus to the base of the Saleve just over the border in France and known as the smallest mountain Europe! Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. How To Spend 3 Days in Zurich Welcome to your first day in Zurich! If possible, I recommend entering via Geneva and departing via Zurich you can see a little of both major cities in Switzerland, but either way will take about 3 or so hours from Zermatt. Hike in the Gornergrat area instead if you are a casual hiker and not a serious mountaineer. The morning of day 8, travel by train to Zermatt. Public Transport in Switzerland. Depending on what you feel like, you could wander around the heart of Zermatt village, exploring the Walser architecture or the excellent Matterhorn Museum which details the harrowing stories of mountaineers who attempted (and sometimes succeeded) in ascending the Matterhorn. Piz Gloria was the filming location of the James Bond movie, On Her Majestys Secret Service. If you plan on visiting any mountains, youll likely want to bring an extra layer with you its cold up there even if it is sunny (and snow is possible even in the summer)! Both are beautiful and whichever you coose, you wont go wrong. Ride the cable cars, walk through Lauterbrunnen Valley, eat fondue while enjoying views of the Alps, go hiking, tour the small villages, and if you are looking for a big thrill, hike the Mrren via ferrata. January 11, 2022Last Updated on May 23, 2022 by Carolyn Schnafinger It's one of Europe's most scenic countries with towering mountain peaks, sparkling lakes and lush green fields and a 14 day Switzerland itinerary is the best way to discover this gorgeous country by car. The rooms are basic but they are comfortable, quiet, and cozy. Its gorgeous revolving restaurant (at nearly 3,000 meters high!). 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. For many visitors, the Bernese Oberland is the highlight of a trip to Switzerland. Learn where to stay for great views of the Swiss Alps and get recommendations whether you are looking for a budget hotel, luxury hotel, or if you are traveling as a family. Hi Amy! Thanks for this article. To do this, you will have to start early. Amy. If you are planning a trip to Switzerland, this is a great place to start. Book in advance here. I actually used to live in Geneva and dream of getting back there more permanently one day going through your post and pics was super nostalgic and lovely! From here, you have jaw-dropping views of the Jungfrau massif. This is best done with a rental car. Glad to hear it! Jungfraujoch, one of the highest points in the Swiss Alps, makes it onto the list of many first-time visitors to Switzerland. Titlis, if the weather is clear. The outside of the building couldnt be any more adorably Swiss, with wood design and flower boxes everywhere. First up, leave Zurich first thing in the morning and catch the train to Lucerne. By train, you will travel along the same lines as the regular train listed above, but the Gotthard Panorama Express is a first-class train with panoramic windows and reserved seats. 5 Important Things to Pack for Switzerland. Other things include visiting Gorner Gorge, about 15 minutes walk away from the center of Zermatt, as well as the hike from Blauhard to Sunnegga, aka the Five Lakes Hike, which is 9 kilometers long and takes approximately 3 hours to complete, using gondolas to get you up into the mountains efficiently. Learn more about the Swiss Travel Pass here. ), gorgeous canals, and just general Instagram-dreaminess. It is home to the stock exchange as well as monumental head-offices for many global corporations. A third day gives you some contingency time if you get bad weather. For more recommendations on where to stay, read our guide to. It includes a good amount of train travel, a hefty list of incredible attractions, and lots of Christmas Market exploration. In the evening, spend your day walking the main pedestrian boulevard in the heart of Lucerne, Kornmarkt, or walking alongside the lake promenade a fantastic place to walk as the city lights up after dark. This 10-day itinerary takes you on a trip to Paris and the best of Switzerland, with stops in Geneva, Interlaken, and Zurich. Along the cable car and train route, youll have gorgeous views overlooking Lauterbrunnen Valley made all the sweeter by the Swiss cows youll share the panoramic views with. about how to visit Lucerne and Mt. Swiss Travel Pass: For this itinerary, we recommend purchasing the 15-day Swiss Travel Pass. If you need help or inspiration coming up with your own, let's have a look at 10 days Switzerland travel itinerary: This article was written to educate about Train Travel and was made by Save A Train The Cheapest Train Tickets Website In The World. Mount Titlis. The Perfect Switzerland Itinerary 7 Days - 10 Days Posted on June 1, 2023 by Wanderlust Crew 01 Jun 150 shares 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. Cheers, Julie. Day 1: Fly to Milan, Italy with long layover in Amsterdam, Netherlands. 2.5 hour train to Montreux) Day 4: Montreux with a stop in Fribourg Switzerland (approx. Geneva is best known for its gorgeous lakes, its fancy watches that cost more than a year of my salary (which, granted, as a professional travel blogger is admittedly not that high), and its fantastic chocolates. Adding More Time to this Switzerland Itinerary. But if you want to spend a few hours in a different city, you can spend the afternoon in Geneva before flying home from the Geneva airport. 25 different ways to spend one week in Europe. This is similar to the 10-day itinerary above, with the addition of Lausanne and two extra days in the Bernese Oberland. A 10 day Switzerland itinerary should include some of the country's most popular cities, such as Zurich and Geneva, as well as smaller towns like Lucerne and Interlaken. Montreux 2. Where We Stayed: We spent 6 wonderful nights at Hotel Alpenblick in Mrren. Plus, the extra days give you some contingency time, if there is bad weather. Its an easy day trip from Geneva. For ideas on what to do and where to stay, take a look at our Zrich Guide. Budget:As one of the more popular touristic places to visit in Switzerland, Zermatt has a wide range of options, but they go quickly. Afterward, you can descend using a cable car (and finish your trip back to Lucerne with a brief bus ride). Day 3: Day trip to Lake Como and Bellagio (Italy) Day 4: Milan to Switzerland via the Bernina Express. Start at Gornergrat. And on this itinerary, youll get plenty of time to go hiking in the Jungfrau itinerary. Visit the Lausanne Cathedral, tour the Olympic Museum and the Collection de lArt Brut, and walk through the Old Town. Get settled into your hotel. Spend tonight in Lucerne and travel to the Zrich airport tomorrow morning. Youll get to go up inside the mountain via elevator (the Swiss are amazing with engineering!) Today is a low-key day without much sightseeing, since many people will be arriving on overnight flights from other parts of the world. Chteau de Chillon | Switzerland Itinerary, View of Lake Geneva from Chteau de Chillon | Switzerland Itinerary. I am not aware of any major changes due to Covid19 that would make this itinerary not feasible. While its a beautiful city, its a bit out of the way and time is of the essence with only one week in Switzerland. (Note: this whole route is free with a Swiss Travel Pass; not sure how much it would cost if you bought all your tickets individually). Luxury:TheMvenpickis one of my most trusted luxury hotel brands, and the one in Geneva is well-reviewed and not absurdly expensive (for a luxury option in Switzerland, that is)Check best prices and availability here. Check into your hotel in Zrich and spend the afternoon/evening in town. I strongly recommend traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass, which covers not only travel between cities but also has several free scenic trains and steam boats and cable cars. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. For this 10-day Switzerland itinerary, I recommend an 8-day pass and only activating it when youre ready to maximize the best perks (i.e., when youre leaving Geneva). Plus, you will have most of the day to do a little more sightseeing. Travel by train from Lucerne the morning of day 7 and spend four wonderful days in the Bernese Oberland. However, it is doable in six full days and if you're the "I-need-to-see-as-much-as-humanly-possible" kind of person, feel free to knock yourself out.) Sleep in Lucerne. This small hotel is located near the Mrren train station on the edge of town. Is it possible to explore Lucern on Day 2 after my trip to Mt. It is a long travel day but it is well worth it for those who want to take one of the most scenic train rides in Europe. In this 10-day Switzerland itinerary, you will find out: Where to stay in Switzerland for 10 days How to get to Switzerland How to get around Switzerland in ten days More travel tips for your trip to Switzerland Places to visit and things to do in 10 days Where to Stay in Switzerland For 10 Days In the morning, if the weather is clear, consider the trip up Mt. I have read so many itineraries to Switzerland but take my word, yours is the best!! Budget:Theres only one hostel in town that Im aware of, and thats where I stayed (I was on a tight budget during my entire time in Switzerland). This is the best one, you can pick the right days for the length of your trip: https://eternalarrival.com/SwissTravelPass. This is because the first leg of the trip is included on the pass, and you get a 50% discount on the second part of the trip. Looking for suggestions on what to do in Zurich in our short time there. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Check out a Chamonix & Mont Blanc day trip here. Check out the 9 most beautiful places in Switzerland for more inspiration. Id advise more like $200-300 per person per day (less for kids I suppose) if you are staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. Best Things to Do in the Jungfrau Region. For a full list of things to do in Zermatt, including recommendations on where to stay, read our Guide to Zermatt. 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 Spend the afternoon and evening in Lucerne. Niederdof and Oberdorf neighborhoods. In the morning, take an early train to Zermatt. I love having this packable down jacket that I can easily roll up and place in my bag. My travel pass was gifted in exchange for social media promotion so my transit was free (but the ticket was worth about $600 if I recall correctly). 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 in Zurich. One More Itinerary Recommendation: Adding St. Moritz, About the Swiss Travel Pass and Other Discount Rail Passes. Luxury:If you want the best of the best,Hotel Schweizerhofcant be beat. Day 8 I return to zurich for my flight. So glad this post was useful and that it will help save you money on your trip!! Take the train out to Satigny and/or Russin (10ish minutes from the city centre and free with your transit pass!) This town is quintessentially Swiss, with beautiful wooden buildings with traditional flower boxes and Swiss flags fluttering in the cool mountain breeze. If time and weather permit, you can also take the scenic train up to Rochers de Naye for an aerial lake view. With such a wealth to explore, you'll be booking your tickets and planning a trip to Switzerland in no time. Similar to Lugano, Lausanne makes a great home base for exploring the region. Italy and Switzerland itinerary: Day 1 - Milan Milan Duomo Choose accommodation in the vibrant Brera district: it is close to the city center but way cheaper than the luxurious accommodations you'll find in the Duomo area. -taking a walking tour of the Old Town Visit Zrich, Lucerne, the Bernese Oberland, Zermatt, Lausanne, Lugano, and ride the scenic Bernina Express train. 1 800 344 5785. destinations. Pilatus for one last look at the Alps before you fly home. On this itinerary, we save Zrich for the end of the week, when you have more energy. Store your luggage either at the train station or at your accommodation and take the next train to Arth Goldau. You can spend 2 days in Zurich to see most of the city's highlights or spend three days in Zurich to include a day trip out of the city. We stayed in Mrren, a quiet, charming village that sits on the cliffs over the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Arriving in Lauterbrunnen, youll want to spend the day enjoying the village and its two waterfalls in the heart of town. On high volume days (weekends and holidays), there can be delays at the Gotthard Tunnel. Titlis is another nearby peak that you can also visit. You will arrive in Lugano around 5:30 pm. From Zrich, travel to Lugano on the Bernina Express. This itinerary will help you plan the perfect three days in Zurich from choosing the best things to do, places to see, and where to eat. The Swiss Alps are a must-see for anyone visiting Switzerland, and a great way to get there is by taking a scenic train ride. Day 10. The best balance of luxury to price ration isFairmont Le Montreux Palace. Pilatus, read our article about how to visit Lucerne and Mt. The train lines all sync up so that you never wait more than 10 minutes or so for a train (and if the trains run late for whatever reason, the trains are so well-run that they stagger all the connections!). -strolling down the luxurious shopping street of Bahnhofstrasse
Gus Yalden Scouting Report, Articles OTHER