Once in Zermatt, ride the cable cars up to Rothorn for one of the best views of the Matterhorn. Spend one day visiting the small towns that dot the edge of Lake Geneva: Montreux, Vevey, and beautiful Chteau de Chillon. 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. One more day gives you a total of five days in the Bernese Oberland, a very nice stretch of time here. How to Get Around Switzerland on This Itinerary: For this Switzerland itinerary, we recommend using the train. For recommendations on what to do and where to stay in Lugano, read our Lugano Guide. Lugano is one of the few places in Switzerland that we recommend having a car. 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. 7 Day Switzerland Itinerary 2022: A Complete 1-Week Travel Guide Using The Swiss Travel Pass. We have booked our flights for September 2020, when coming into Switzerland we will becoming via train from Paris through Switzerland into Italy. For an epic day in the Jungfrau region, learn how to combine Jungfraujoch with the Eiger Trail. Montreux 2. With a high quality of life, gorgeous mountain views, clear lakes, and modern amenities, the Swiss landscape will surely win you over. Spend the day in Zrich and sleep in Zrich. However, it has a big price tag and it may not be worth the expense for everyone. The 8-day Swiss Travel Pass works great. Please suggest. For great views of the city, ride the funicular to the top of Monte Br or Monte San Salvatore. In this 10 days in Switzerland itinerary, we'll take you through the rolling mountains, quaint villages, and medieval castles that'll leave you stunned. There are numerous day trips that you can take from Lugano. Youll get to go up inside the mountain via elevator (the Swiss are amazing with engineering!) For ideas on what to do and where to stay, take a look at our Zrich Guide. 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). If you only have one week in Switzerland, you have just enough time to visit two beautiful cities and spend several days in the amazing Bernese Oberland. 10-DAY CHRISTMAS MARKET ITINERARY ZURICH, MUNICH, & SALZBURG (WITH A NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE STOP!) My friend and I plan to do a reverse version of your itinerarystarting in Zurich and ending in Geneva. You can rent it in Zrich, drive to Lugano, and drop it off either in Lugano (if you decide to take the Bernina Express train) or return it to Zrich on day 5 of this itinerary. It will be a more leisurely experience than the other itineraries in this article. if finances allow. Its perfect and gives me everything I need. A popular day trip from Lausanne is a boat ride on Lake Geneva to Montreux, Chteau de Chillon, and Vevey. If you have no desire to spend most of the day on the train, there are direct trains from Lugano. Geneva is very close to Lausanne, so geographically, this makes the most sense. The next day, complete the journey, taking the Bernina Express Train to Tirano and the Bernina Express Bus to Lugano. I also really loved the warm, wood interiors and amazing detailing. Admission is CHF 8 if I recall correctly and is entirely worth it. You get to ride up in a scenic revolving cable car, and from the top, you can visit a glacier cave and cross a scenic suspension bridge. Piz Gloria was the filming location of the James Bond movie, On Her Majestys Secret Service. Swiss Travel Pass: For this Switzerland itinerary, we recommend purchasing the 15-day Swiss Travel Pass. . Hi Corina! 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.) A cheaper, (and just as spectacular) high alpine experience is the trip up to Schilthorn and Piz Gloria. Cant wait until the Covid era is over and we can get back to traveling as normal <3. 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 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. Is this schedule practical? Spend two days here, with visits to Rothorn, Gornergrat, Glacier Paradise, and the lovely town of Zermatt. 10 Day Itinerary Plus Lausanne and Lake Geneva. Lauterbrunnen, which sits in the valley, and Wengen, which sits on the cliffs at the base of the Jungfrau massif, also make great places to stay. 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). I took three scenic mountain railways while in Switzerland and the Gornergrat was definitely the most awe-inspiring. This Zurich itinerary will show you the beauty of the country as well as it's affluent reputation. Highlights on this itinerary: Discover the charming towns of Nyon, Lausanne and Montreux on Lake Geneva. I typically download the Kindle version and bring it on my Kindle Paperwhite to minimize how much space it takes up in my bag. This Type J adaptor has several outlets so you can plug in multiple devices into one adaptor, which is handy. The Gornergrat is not fully included with the Swiss Travel Pass, but youll get a 50% reduction on the return ticket price of 94 CHF (for a total cost of 47 CHF aka, pennies in the alternate universe that is Switzerland travel costs). In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Im planning a 12 day Switzerland trip in May. If you need information on pricing, cable car costs, advice on where to stay and where to eat, you can find all of this information in our more specific posts about Zrich, Lucerne, Lugano, Zermatt, etc. GREAT HIKES IN SWITZERLAND: The Bernese Oberland is one of Switzerlands top hiking destinations. I chose Mount Pilatus, but I wish I had time for Rigi, too! From Tirano, ride the Bernina Express Bus to Lugano. Check tickets here note that they do not include dinner, so reserve that separately if you are looking to dine here as well. Day 1: Zurich - Mount Rigi - Vitznau - Lucerne. 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. The most picturesque is Annecy, the so-called Venice of the Alps, a gorgeous pastel town where the turquoise Thiou River meets Lake Annecy. Note: This post contains affiliate links. The morning of day 8, travel by train to Zermatt. Travel to Chur by train. You should be able to explore Lucerne on Day 3. Quick Tips for Planning Your Switzerland Itinerary. For more information, here are several helpful websites: If you need information on pricing, cable car costs, advice on where to stay and where to eat, you can find all of this information in our more specific posts about Zrich, Lucerne, Lugano, Zermatt, etc. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Much appreciated! Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. You also have the option to rent a car. 3 days in Switzerland - 13 itineraries from Zurich - Swiss Activities However, if you want to stay in a place with charm, we recommend Mrren, Lauterbrunnen, or Wengen. Alternatively, you can rent bikes from Geneveroule (behind the train station) and head out of the city for a more cardio-centric tour. 6 days in Switzerland - 9 itineraries from Zurich | Swiss Activities A city with a rich history, Bern is a UNESCO world heritage site and has plenty to explore. Is December a good time for backpackers to explore swiss? 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 takes approximately 2.25 hours and gives you more time in Zrich and/or Lugano. Pilatus or Mt. Itinerary to Eastern Switzerland with three city trips, the Alpstein mountains and Europe's largest waterfalls. Most of the online travel plans are so fast & furious that it takes the fun out of travelling and you end up wanting a vacation to get over the tiredness from a vacation. Bahnhofstrasse and the Bahnhof. 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. However, if it is cheaper to purchase round trip tickets from Zrich, you can travel back to Zrich today for your flight home tomorrow. 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. Pilatus. How can I accommodate Glacier Express with the extra two days I have from your 10 day 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. Given early April weather, Id check on certain attractions that require transit up mountains (i.e. Save some serious money and the environment by carrying your own reusable water bottle like this Klean Kanteen. Today, fly home or continue your travels. For a sad reminder of the fate many of them met, check out the sobering Mountaineers Cemetery, where many daring alpinists have been laid to rest with an eternal view of the mountain that felled them. LEARN MORE: How to Visit Lucerne and Mt. What time of your did you travel? View from Monte San Salvatore | Switzerland Itinerary, Walking through Lugano | Switzerland Itinerary. These are both included if you have a Swiss Travel Pass; if youre not using a pass and are buying tickets point-to-point, you can grab an a la carte ticket. Entrance is 12.50 CHF (about $13 USD). -strolling down the luxurious shopping street of Bahnhofstrasse To make this a 21-day Switzerland itinerary, here is what I recommend adding. Day 10 Switzerland Itinerary Departure from Zurich. 8 DAY SWITZERLAND ITINERARY [2023 Guide] | Jonny Melon Today, travel right to the Bernese Oberland, by train, from Zrich. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks! Hiking trail in Zermatt | Switzerland Itinerary. Cruise Lake Lugano, explore the city center, and visit the Herman Hesse Museum. Public Transport in Switzerland. Its gorgeous revolving restaurant (at nearly 3,000 meters high!). Check out more details about the day trip here! (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). Lauterbrunnen Valley itself is famous for being home to 72 waterfalls and youll be able to see a number of them from Lauterbrunnen itself. Use your second day in Geneva as a base for one of the awesome day trips from Geneva in the west of the country (or even dip into France for a day!). Sleep in Lugano. Check lowest rates and availability here. 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. And dont miss our articles about how to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, how to visit Gornergrat, and how to hike the Matterhorn Glacier Trail. Read more about Zrich, including our walking route through the Old Town and recommendations on where to stay in our article One Perfect Day in Zrich. This is one of my favorite places in Europe, so I might be biased, but the Bernese Oberland really is spectacular. You can travel by train through Italy but it is a long way to go to get to Sicily so the best option is to take a quick flight there instead. For the official website for the 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. Our website uses cookies. One Day in Zurich, Switzerland: Itinerary & Where to Go in 24 Hours Click here for more information on pricing. This is a scenic train ride plus a boat ride across Lake Lucerne. Luxury:If you want the best of the best,Hotel Schweizerhofcant be beat. Niederdof and Oberdorf neighborhoods. 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. The choice is yours. Allison Green is a former educator turned travel blogger. Afterward, you can hike down to Gimmelwald, enjoying beautiful views along the way. 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. Budget:I stayed atLion Lodge when in Lucerne. In the morning, travel to Lucerne by train and spend the day in Lucerne with the option to visit Mt. 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. Mid-range: Had I not been traveling on such a strict budget, I likely would have opted for theibis Lucerne. Traveling solo and staying in hostels and eating mostly from grocery stores/cheap takeaway options, I still spent about $75 a day not including transportation. This city has one of the most incredible settings you can imagine, with Lac Lman (Lake Geneva) in the backdrop of everything. 10 Day Switzerland Itinerary | Switzerland Travel Guide 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. I have been referring to your article on 9 breathtakingly beautiful places to visit in Switzerland but was having trouble committing to a path. Glad to hear it! Start at Gornergrat. Travel times average 5.5 hours. Ultimate Switzerland Itinerary 10 days by train (+tips) . That said, in my other post I have some recommendations, Ill paste them below: -Exploring the beautiful churches of Grossmnster and Fraumnster I ended up choosing Mount Pilatus because you can experience the awesome efficiency of Swiss transportation in 4 different forms on this tour: steamboat, railway, cable car, and bus. This Swiss itinerary takes a slightly leisurely place, generally giving two nights in each destination, except for two back-to-back one night stays in the beginning of the trip. Looking to visit Switzerland in the first week of April in 2023. Its an extremely typical Swiss town with traditional wooden architecture and flower boxes bursting with gorgeous blooms. In the morning, take an early train to Zermatt. For ideas on what to do and where to stay, read our article about the Jungfrau region. Hi Kaytlin! JUNGFRAUJOCH: Jungfraujoch is one of the top experiences in Switzerland. Day 1 Of Your 10 Days Switzerland Travel Itinerary - Geneva Whilesometimes continental Europe adaptors will work in some outlets, some are more fussy, and I ended up needing to buy a Switzerland-specific adaptor. Epic 10 Days in Switzerland Itinerary + Travel Tips - Arzo Travels Hope you have a fantastic trip! Spend the night in Lucerne. Ultimate 10-day Travel Itinerary for Switzerland. 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. Allison, where do i get the travel pass for trains to go around switzerland? You can do this by public transportation (train + scenic boat ride) or by car. that I found rather annoying. Lonely Planet Switzerland is recently updated and full of excellent travel inspiration and budget restaurant advice. The steamboat ride on Lac Leman is one of the highlights of a trip to Switzerland so really, you shouldnt miss it! Zrich, Lucerne, Bernese Oberland & Zermatt. Cheers, Julie. Yes, there really is that much to do here (we spent 6 full days in the Bernese Oberland and could have used more time). For more information on your options for visiting Mt. This town is relatively large, has many hotels and restaurants, and also has handy public transportation connections to the destinations in the Jungfrau region. Thank you . Three days is just enough time to visit the highlights and get a nice taste of the Bernese Oberland. Mount Titlis is the highlight of Central Switzerland and its a must-visit for snow lovers. Epic 7- Days: Austria and Switzerland Itinerary - Arzo Travels Its also one of the cheaper places to visit in Switzerland, with plentiful budget accommodation, making it a favorite for those backpacking Switzerland. 1. We stayed in Mrren, a quiet, charming village that sits on the cliffs over the Lauterbrunnen Valley. From Zrich, take the 7:07 am train to Chur in order to catch the 8:32 Bernina Express from Chur. Allison~ I too, have been racking my brain for a more specific itinerary of Switzerland and am thankful for this post!! On a clear day, the peak is clearly visible from any unobstructed view other days, the Matterhorn is surrounded by clouds, which makes sighting it even more majestic when it finally appears! The wifi works well and the views are amazing. Check lowest prices and availability here. There is not a huge price difference between the 8-day and 15-day pass. I actually totally raced through Zurich, just went for a little bit for a meeting and some city wandering, so its the city I know least on this list. Today, travel right to the Bernese Oberland, by train, from Zrich. -taking a walking tour of the Old Town Best Things to Do in the Jungfrau Region. The train from Lauterbrunnen to Lucerne is another long one (3 hours and 3 connections), but well worth it. 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. Plus, the extra days give you some contingency time, if there is bad weather. Is glacier 3000 worth it to visit if I have already visited Matterhorn Glacier and I am not interested in winter activities. Spend three days in Switzerland. After visiting Chateau de Chillon, take some time to walk the lakeside promenade. Here are a few of the best day trips from Lucerne. If you travel with a Swiss Travel Pass or the National Day Pass, all rides are fully covered. How to Visit Lucerne and Mt. Additionally, Hotel de la Cigogneis an excellent 5* option, but its priced to match. How To Spend 3 Days in Zurich Welcome to your first day in Zurich! Spend the day in Lucerne with the option to visit Mt. In the afternoon, take the train to the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland and get settled into your hotel. Hey.. 10 Days Switzerland Travel Itinerary | Save A Train 1 800 344 5785. destinations. so it will be more city visits, Christmas light admiring, shopping, etc. EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Get more travel ideas in our article 10 Days in Europe itinerary, which has 10 itineraries for your next trip to Europe. Pilatus or Mt. An anti-theft bag: While Switzerland is generally pretty safe, there is a risk of pickpockets in the major cities like Geneva, Zrich, and Lucerne. On this itinerary, you have very limited time in Zrich, so the additional day will give you more time to explore the city. And thats it your Switzerland itinerary in a nutshell! Mount Titlis. 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. 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. Other than that I think your schedule is practical and sounds like a great time. It might be cheaper to get round-trip tickets from Zrich airport. Traveling by direct train gives you extra time in either Zrich or Lugano. Finally, a few Swiss cities you can easily access included on your Swiss Travel Pass or by train: Bern, Basel, or Zug. Hi SC yes I do think so!