Switzerland Itinerary: 7 Days, Best Spots, and Travel Tips

Hello reader, welcome to your ultimate Switzerland itinerary guide! I visited Switzerland multiple times over the years and spent whole summers there, and I can freely say that I explored a good chunk of this Alpine paradise. 

Today, I’ll help you plan your journey based on a 7-day itinerary (with 10-day and 5-day customizations). I’ll take you across Switzerland’s top tourist spots, recommend hotels and things to do in each place, and also share tips on how to move around!

Switzerland is one of the most expensive European destinations, so it’s important to book all your hotels and train tickets months in advance! This is probably the most important tip to be aware of, especially if you’re traveling on a budget.

Now, let’s start exploring this magical land of cheese and chocolate!

Days: 7
Cost: €1200 if traveling on a tight budget, around €1600 for mid-range travelers, infinity and beyond if you are a luxury traveler
Transportation: train, bus
Best luxury hotels in the itinerary: Zurich, Lucerne, Bern, Lausanne, Geneva
Best mid-range hotels: Zurich, Lucerne, Bern, Lausanne, Geneva
Best budget accommodation: Zurich, Lucerne, Bern, Lausanne, Geneva

Quick Picks for Your Stay

These are all the stops in our 7-day Switzerland itinerary:

• Day 1: Zurich
• Day 2: Leave Zurich for Lucerne
• Day 3: Leave Lucerne for Bern
• Day 4: Leave Bern for Jungfraujoch + optional overnight in Interlaken
• Day 5: Lausanne
• Day 6: Leave Lausanne for Geneva
• Day 7: Fly out of Geneva or go back to Zurich

Day 1: Zurich

● Why visit: architecture, Old Town, museums
● Key activity: walking in Lindenhof (Old Town), visiting the Lindt Home of Chocolate
● Estimated daily budget: €280

Given that Zurich is home to Switzerland’s largest international airport, chances are that you’ll start your itinerary from here. In case you end up landing in Geneva, the second largest airport, just start this itinerary the other way around (from Day 7 toward Day 1).

TIP: If you still haven’t bought your ticket, use Skyscanner to see which airport has the cheapest fares for your dates!

Ideally, you want to start your Day 1 fresh in the morning, so after you wake up, you can have a whole day to spend in Zurich.

Even though Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, it’s still super quiet, compact, and walkable. One full day is enough to see the highlights, but you’ll still have time to explore around on the 2nd day before departing for your 2nd stop on the itinerary – the beautiful city of Lucerne.

Now Zurich is a charming city filled with fun activities (think a large zoo, beautiful churches, castles nearby, home of Lindt chocolate factory where you can go on a tour, etc.).

We have a full guide on the best things to do in Zurich, so check it out for more details!

My personal favorites in Zurich include the Kunsthaus Zurich Museum where you can see works from renowned European painters like Dali or Chagall, and the impressive Fraumünster Church (map) with its breathtaking stained glass windows.

As for getting around, despite being the largest city in Switzerland, Zurich is still very compact! You can explore most parts on foot (you’ll find walkable paths between neighborhoods), and if needed, you can catch a bus. A lot of people ride bikes in Zurich, so renting one is also an option (here’s an affordable place with good bikes).

Most cities in Switzerland are super walkable because they were originally designed for pedestrians (they were built in the Middle Ages). The Old Towns of Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, and other cities are very compact and are definitely best explored on foot.

FUN FACT: The German spoken in Zurich is very different from that spoken in Germany! Swiss Germans have a unique accent that may be hard to understand for speakers of German from Germany.

ECONOMY TRAVEL TIP: Consider a Supersaver multi-day pass for travel across Switzerland. It covers all train and bus travel, many museum entries, and has many other benefits! A 6-day pass costs around €400 (379 in CHF or Swiss franc, the local currency).

Day 1 in Zurich

• Walk around Zurich’s Old Town, Lindenhof (map)
• Visit the 16th-century cathedral of Grossmunster (map) and the Fraumünster Church
• See the largest art museum in Zurich, Kunsthaus Zürich Museum
• Go sightseeing around Zurich in a tuk-tuk while trying local cheese
• Take a tour of the city with a cruise and a visit to Lindt Home of Chocolate

Optional extras

Here are more ideas on things to do in case you decide to stay in Zurich for longer or want to use your 2nd day to squeeze in some more activities:

• Join a morning tour of the nearby Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest plains waterfall
• Take an extended city tour with cable car and cruise options
• Learn about Switzerland’s history at the National Museum
• Visit the Zoo of Zurich (map)

Where to stay in Zurich

To help you plan ahead, I came up with this quick list of the 3 top-rated hotels in Zurich. I included one option for every price category.

NOTE: Hotels in Zurich are expensive. Expect to spend over €120 per night for a budget stay for 2 people.

For more details on accommodation in Zurich, read our guide on the 5 best areas to stay in Zurich!

• Widder Hotel ($$$) – a 5-star hotel that screams elegance and luxury with a beautiful rooftop terrace and exceptional service
• Motel One ($$) – an excellent value for money 3-star hotel within walking distance of the attractions
• Gasthaus zum Guten Gluck ($) – a guest-favorite budget hotel with a terrace and a bar, ideal for couples visiting Zurich

TIP: Consider a hotel on the lakeside (Zurich has its own lake that spreads South of the city); they’re more affordable plus well-connected to the town with buses.

Day 2: Leave Zurich and head for Lucerne

● Time: 40 min by train, 50 min by bus
● Distance: 52 km (32 mi)
● How to get there: train is from €15 per person, bus is from €4
● Why visit: beautiful scenery, relaxing atmosphere
● Key activity: walk along the lake, cable car to Mount Pilatus|
● Estimated daily budget: €200

The best way to move around Switzerland (including a short trip from Zurich to Lucerne) is by train.

If you’re only staying for 7 days, there’s definitely no need to rent a car, and buses can be stuck in traffic, so I’d avoid them as well. Trains are punctual and comfortable and offer stunning views of Switzerland’s natural landscapes. Plus, they stop in convenient places, so you can almost always walk to your hotel.

I’d spend whole summers in Switzerland, and we only used a car when we absolutely had to (like to get to the airport with all the suitcases, but in this case, you can just catch a taxi, it’s expensive but not as much as renting a car).

The train ride from Zurich to Lucerne is from 40 to 50 minutes, and there are multiple daily departures. Depending on how quickly you finish sightseeing in Zurich, you can hop on the ride and make it to Lucerne and still have time to walk around there!

Lucerne (or Luzern) is one of the most scenic places in Switzerland, and even though I often catch myself saying this sentence for other towns as well, I really really mean it for Lucerne. I mean, the country is just filled with amazing scenery from North to South, East to West, and Lucerne is a great testimony to that!

Switzerland is a multinational country with French, German, Italian, and Romanish being official languages. The country is geographically divided into 4 distinct areas where they speak these different languages. English is a common language of communication for residents of different areas.

Most of the attractions in Lucerne revolve around nature, so if you’re into outdoor activities, you can even spend an extra day here. The highlights include Mount Pilatus, where you can take a cable car and enjoy the captivating views. There are also castles, lakes, unique bridges, and beautiful hiking paths to explore. We share 19 fun things to do in Lucerne in a separate article, check it out here!

You can easily get around the area by bus, but other options include trains, boats, and bikes.

INSIDER TIP: Buy your 24-hour hire code for Nextbike at the Lucerne Tourist Information Center (map), this way it’s cheaper!

Day 2 in Luzern

• Join a private walking tour of Lucerne with a local
• Explore Lucerne on an eTukTuk tour
• Take a cable car to Mount Pilatus and feel like you’re flying
• Sail along Lake Lucerne for 1 hour and admire panoramic views
• Eat fondue by the river in Lucerne in Restaurant Schiff (map)

Where to stay in Lucerne

Here’s a quick selection of the best places to stay in Lucerne that I sorted by budget:

• Grand Hotel National ($$$) – a 5-star hotel that sits on the shores of Lake Lucerne and has the most glorious rooms! Enjoy 3 pools, 4 restaurants, a spa and wellness center, and many other luxury amenities.
• Altstadt Hotel Krone Luzern ($$) – this 3-star hotel is located in the heart of Lucerne’s Old Town, and it’s a favorite place to stay in Lucerne for couples; they also have affordable single rooms
• The Lubo ($) – excellent value for money in this self-check-in hotel with free Wi-Fi and a central location

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Day 3: Leave Lucerne for Bern

● Time: from 1 hour by train
● Distance: 67 km (41 mi)
● How to get there: train is from €22 per person
● Why visit: capital of Switzerland, UNESCO Old Town
● Key activity: stroll in the medieval Old Town, enjoy natural landscapes
● Estimated daily budget: €220

The train ride from Lucerne to Bern takes 1 hour on a direct train, and there are departures every 20 or so minutes. Even though Bern is not often included on travelers’ bucket lists, those who make it to Bern usually call it their favorite city!

I visited Bern many times because it was close to where my aunt lived, and one of my most vivid memories was hanging out with bears that live just by the river in Bern Bear Pit (map). You can sit by the river and enjoy the beautiful views of the Old Town. Then, when you turn around, you watch the bears, and in between the river and the pit, you sit for a drink to soak in all those impressions. So lovely!

FUN FACT: Bern and bears have a long history. A bear is featured on the city’s coat of arms, it’s an integral part of Bern’s cultural life. According to a legend, the bear was the first animal that Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen, the founder of the city, killed in a hunt, and he named the city in honor of the animal.

I also loved the historic old city that really feels like you stepped into a medieval fairytale (only a luxury one). There’s a cute fountain out of the ground where the kids splash in summer, with cute coffee places nearby where you can take a break from all the walking.

Also, take some cool photos by the many fountains and buy authentic souvenirs in the Old Town! Up to this day, the cowbell and glasses I bought in the shops there are some of my favorite souvenirs from my travels to Switzerland.

As for getting around, Bern is really small, and you can get anywhere on foot. If needed, you can use a bus or rent a bike using PubliBike (by the way, they are available across Switzerland).

You won’t need more than 1 full day in Bern, but its convenient location on the way to Geneva from Zurich makes it a good place to stop and do some day trips. That’s why I recommend sleeping here and on the next day taking a day tour to the so-called top of Europe mountain top, Jungfraujoch (map).

NOTE: Groceries and life in general are very expensive in Switzerland. The locals living in bordering areas with France, Italy, and Germany often drive to the other side of the border to stock up on groceries. We’d cross the border to Evian, France, to buy food every other Thursday. Prepare for some seriously expensive prices wherever you go, and make sure to plan your budget carefully so there are no surprises.

Day 3 in Bern

• Chill with bears at the Bern Bear Pit
• Walk the streets of Bern Old Town (map)
• Take a picture in front of Bern’s iconic clock tower, Zytglogge (map)
• Learn about the history of Bern in the Bernisches Historisches Museum 
• See the Parliament Building of Bern (map)

Where to stay in Bern

Here are some of the best hotels to stay in Bern for all price categories:

• Hotel Bellevue Palace ($$$) – set in an elegant Art Nouveau building, this centrally-located 5-star hotel will make you feel like royalty. They have spacious and beautiful rooms, 2 bars, 2 restaurants, a great fitness center, plus absolutely lovely staff.
• Best Western Plus ($$) – a legendary 4-star hotel in the center of Bern with a lovely restaurant, a gym, and stunning modern rooms. Great place to stay in Bern for families and couples!
• Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke ($) – a favorite place to stay for budget travelers, this place has mixed, female, and male dorms, free Wi-Fi, and beautiful views from the property.

Day 4: Leave Bern for Jungfraujoch + optional overnight in Interlaken

Bern is a great base for sightseeing in the Bernese Oberland (map) holiday region, so consider an even longer stay if you want to explore different mountain peaks and charming villages here.

One of the most popular day trip destinations in this region (and arguably one of the nicest mountain peaks in Switzerland) awaits in Jungfraujoch (map)! This place has the highest railway in Europe that takes you to the top of the glacier saddle filled with shops, amazing views, plus a nice observatory!

I found private day tours from Bern to Jungfraujoch, but they can get quite expensive. You can make the trip yourself for much less (ticket starts from €140 vs. €800 when visiting on a tour) and then continue your journey through Switzerland without returning to Bern. This is a much better option if you’re following a 7-day itinerary.

Here’s a quick overview of the itinerary (also, you have the details here):

1. Take a train from Bern to Interlaken Ost. 

TIP: Leave your suitcases (if you have them) at the lockers at the Ost station (available for 24 hours, costs around €10) and pick them up on your way back since you’ll have to return to this station to continue your journey.

2. Switch to a train to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald.
3. Descend and hop on a new train to Kleine Scheidegg (Jungfrau Railway).
4. From there, take a train to Jungfraujoch. 

I know the train change seems like a nightmare, but it’s much simpler than you think! And it’ll be well worth it once you’re there! You can find more details and ideas for your trip on the Bernese Oberland Pass website.

By the way, you can even get the Bernese Oberland Pass to move around the area and get a free ride to Jungfraujoch! But this would only make sense if you want to dedicate more than a couple of days to exploring around.

Now here’s a time frame of how Day 4 will look like with this day trip:

• 2 and a half hours to get from Bern to Jungfraujoch.
• 2 hours to sightsee around Jungfraujoch (this can take more or less, depending on how much you like it).
• 1 hour and 20 minutes to get back to Interlaken Ost.

After your day trip, you can take a train from Interlaken Ost directly to Lausanne (2-hour ride), or you can spend the night in Interlaken if you’re too tired from the mountain hike. If you want to sleep in Interlaken and continue your journey the next day, Hotel Chalet Suisse and Hotel Lötschberg are good options near the train station.

NOTE: A trip to Jungfraujoch, despite being so beautiful, may be a bit expensive and complicated for inexperienced travelers. An alternative mountain trip you can take that’s far simpler and more affordable includes a day trip from Geneva to Mont Blanc. If you’re interested, omit Day 4 from this itinerary and instead take a day trip from Geneva on Day 6.

Day 5: Lausanne

● Time: 2 hours from Interlaken Ost
● Distance: 200 km (124 mi)
● How to get there: train is from €30 per person
● Why visit: Olympics capital, beautiful lakeside
● Key activity: visit the Olympic Museum, stroll by the lake, explore the city center
● Estimated daily budget: €230

If you decide to sleep in Interlaken after your trip to the mountains, take time to relax in the morning and hop on a midday train to Lausanne.

If you’re not sleeping in Interlaken, the last train for Lausanne with a single change leaves at 22:00 (costs around €30, takes 2 hours).

Of all my trips to Switzerland, I have most enjoyed returning to Lausanne. With fabulous views of the Lac Léman (also known as Geneva Lake, but don’t call it that in front of proud Lausanne residents), beautiful waterfront castles, and plenty of places to walk and enjoy the views, Lausanne is the ideal place to live if you ask me.

Add a vibrant hilltop city center with all the cool shops, cafés, and restaurants, and you get a cosmopolitan city well worth the visit.

I recommend at least 1 full day in Lausanne so you have enough time to enter a few museums (Lausanne is the official capital of the Olympics, and here you’ll find multiple museums and parks dedicated to the world’s largest sporting event).

PRO TIP: Grab a coffee at Chateau d’Ouchy (map) nestled on the shores of Lake Léman and enjoy stunning views! We’d always sit here before sunset, but the place can get crowded, so the sooner you arrive, the better.

Lausanne is pretty spread out, and it’s the only city in Switzerland with a metro. The metro is convenient to use to get from the lake to the city center because the center is on a hill compared to the lake. Otherwise, you can walk everywhere.

Day 5 in Lausanne

• Start your day with a morning stroll by Geneva Lake
• Visit the Old Port of Ouchy to walk around the park (map) and the castle
• Take a metro to the city center (map) for urban sightseeing
• Visit the Olympic Museum in Lausanne
• Stroll to the Olympic Park by the lake (map)

Where to stay in Lausanne

For one-night stays, I recommend getting a hotel in the city center vs. by the lake because you can walk to the railway station from there. If you are planning a longer stay in Lausanne, then I recommend a lakeside location to enjoy the views and nature.

Note that good hotels in the center of Lausanne (the same goes with lakeside hotels) are very expensive. Budget rooms start from €170 per night, and even this is considered a jackpot.

• Lausanne Palace ($$$) – I was in awe when passing by this place and always dreamed of staying here. If you can afford it, do it for me and tell me all about it in the comments below!
• Agora Swiss Night ($$) – one of the most popular 3-star hotels in Lausanne with a really cool gym and restaurant, plus cozy rooms and great staff. The hotel is located just behind the train station.
• Elite ($) – a lovely 3-star hotel with modern rooms, comfy beds, and complimentary breakfast. Select rooms come with lake views (but they are on the expensive side).

Day 6: Leave Lausanne for Geneva

● Time: from 35 min by train, 55 min by bus
● Distance: 63 km (39 mi)
● How to get there: train starts from €13 per person, bus is from €5
● Why visit: luxury, beautiful lakeside, old-world charm
● Key activity: see the fountain on the lake, walk the Old Town
● Estimated daily budget: €220

You should already have seen all of Lausanne’s highlights by the end of Day 1 there. But in case you still haven’t made it to the Olympic Museum or another attraction, you can do so in the morning and then head to Geneva in the early afternoon.

The train ride is really short and you’ll arrive basically in Geneva’s city center, plus there are so many departures you can choose whichever you want. Just make sure to book your tickets in advance because you can easily run out of spots! In this case, you can always take a bus, but of course, the train is the better option.

Geneva is the ultimate luxury destination in Switzerland. I remember walking through the city center and my aunt telling me about all the luxury shops that cater to rich businessmen and sheikhs from the Middle East.

Seriously, if you want to experience the glamour and luxury of this already expensive country, just stroll by Rue du Rhône (map) in Geneva and check out all the upscale shops!

A casual tourist will also have a fair share of fun things to do in Geneva. I loved strolling by the lake from the side of the Quai Gustave Ador (map) and enjoying the luxury mansions on one side and the view of Old Geneva across the lake from the other.

Geneva is very compact (you’re already used to reading this, I know), and you can easily get around on foot. You can also take a short water taxi ride (they’re yellow, called mouettes) from one part of the lake to the other. They depart every 30 or so minutes and are a nice alternative to boat cruises if you lack time or find them too expensive.

Day 6 in Geneva

• Be in awe of Geneva’s Water Fountain (map)
• Snap a picture in front of the iconic Flower Clock (map)
• Join a 50-minute cruise along Geneva Lake
• Visit Geneva’s St. Pierre Cathedral (map)
• Try the best of Geneva’s chocolate on a walking tour
• Check out Geneva’s public baths, Bains des Paquis (map)
• Explore the Museum of Art and History

Where to stay in Geneva

Geneva is filled with great places to stay! We have a full guide where we discuss all the areas in detail, so check it out here to know more!

For now, here’s a quick overview of the top 3 hotels for all budgets:

• Hôtel de la Cigogne ($$$) – an amazing 5-star hotel in the center of Geneva with period furniture and a stunning historical setting. There’s also a gym along with other modern amenities, plus a complimentary breakfast.
• citizenM Geneva ($$) – the best place to stay in Geneva for an urban city hopper, close to all attractions and a walking distance to the main train station.
• Hotel Central ($) – you don’t often find good and affordable places to stay in Geneva, so I can say this one is a true gem. They offer free Wi-Fi, a central location, and a continental breakfast

Day 7: Depart from Geneva or go back to Zurich

Our Switzerland itinerary ends on Day 7. By this time, you will have seen the main cities of Switzerland and enjoyed the captivating sights of the Alps, pristine lakes, castles, and old towns that’ll stick with you for weeks.

Ideally, find a flight that departs from Geneva’s International Airport. There are flights to many European and Middle Eastern cities.

I recommend you take a train (€3) from the city center of Geneva to the airport; the ride is just 9 minutes. You can also use a bus (€3, not recommended) and a taxi (€15+, only if you have large suitcases).

Flying out of Geneva will save you the round trip back to Zurich. But if you can’t catch a flight from here, don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of time to go back to Zurich. There are train departures every hour between the 2 cities, and the ride is around 2 hours and 30 minutes, with prices starting from €65 per person.

NOTE: Depending on the travel season, give yourself enough time at the airport (be there at least 2 and a half hours before international departure).

📅 How many days:	7-10
🤩 Best town:	Lucerne
🏨 Best hotel:	Widder Hotel
🌞 When to visit:	April to June

Customizing the itinerary

I understand that 7 days can be too much or too little for some travelers, and I have a solution for either situation! Below, I share 2 itinerary alterations you can apply to meet your travel preferences.

5-day itinerary

If you have less time than the original itinerary, you can omit these stops and fit into a 5-day program:

• Omit Lucerne
• Omit Jungfraujoch

ADVICE: If you’d rather enjoy nature in Switzerland, omit 1 or 2 cities from the list, like Lucerne or Lausanne. If you’d rather spend time in the cities, omit Jungfraujoch and go straight to Lausanne from Bern.

10-day itinerary

And if you have more time for Switzerland (awesome news!), add the following:

• Add a stop in Montreux to see the Chillon Castle (map) and pass by Vevey, the city of Charlie Chaplin, before going to Lausanne; these 2 are my favorite small towns in Switzerland
• Add a day trip from Lausanne to Gruyères with cheese and wine tasting to experience the real charm of Switzerland; I’ve been here and absolutely loved it
• Add 1 or 2 days in St. Moritz or Zermatt (see which one is better for you here)

FAQs about the Switzerland itinerary

Final thoughts on the Switzerland itinerary

That’s it, dear reader, you’ve reached the end of our Switzerland itinerary! Whether you have 5, 10, or more days in Switzerland, you can see all the highlights if you follow my suggested route!

I visited Switzerland many times and always return to Geneva and Lausanne as these 2 are my favorite cities around! I’d definitely add those to your itinerary! Also, if you can fit in a visit to some of the castles (Chillon near Montreux, Gruyère near Lausanne), this will also make the highlight of your trip, I guarantee!

Now remember to book your hotels and train tickets in advance because they are super expensive and the best deals are always the first to go!

If you have any questions or would like a personalized recommendation for your Switzerland itinerary, drop me a comment below! I’ll be happy to help!

Enjoy Switzerland,

Darija

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