The Ultimate Switzerland Itinerary: A 16-Day Swiss Adventure
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Well, this post is a long time coming. And, by a long time, I mean I visited Switzerland almost 2.5 years ago. Okay, so why am I just now posting this? Believe it or not, my Switzerland posts are my most popular and in the past few months, I have received several emails asking for my exact Switzerland itinerary.Problem solved. I sent my itinerary to those who emailed and realized it was time for this long overdue post.
A great year-round destination, Switzerland is one of my top favorite countries largely due to its beautiful landscapes and friendly people. My Switzerland itinerary is pretty comprehensive. It allows seeing many cities around the entire country and also offers a great number of activities in each one. Here is how to spend 16 days in Switzerland!
16 Day Switzerland Itinerary
DAY 1-Arrival in Geneva, Travel to Lucerne
Fly into Geneva and head straight to Lucerne via train from the airport. If you are renting a car refer to this guide to driving in Switzerland for great tips.
After arrival in Lucerne, take it easy with free time to settle in, explore the city on foot and get a good night’s sleep.
For details, read the post Palace Luzern: The Best Place to Stay in Lucerne, Switzerland
Geneva to Lucerne is 2 hrs 45 min (avg) with the Swiss Travel Pass
Palace Luzern
DAY 2-Lucerne
On your first full day, go on an organized walking tour of the city in the morning. Then, have lunch by the water, explore the walls, and ride the funicular to see amazing views of all of Lucerne. End the day with an amazing dinner!
DAY 3-Day Trip to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne
Take a day trip to Mount Pilatus. We did the Golden Tour and it was absolutely amazing. We took a gondola, rode the world’s steepest cogwheel train and sailed Lake Lucerne in addition to the fabulous views Mount Pilatus provided!
DAY 4-Travel to Zürich
Unfortunately, today you leave Lucerne but the good news is you arrive in Zürich! After checking into your hotel, take it easy and explore Old Town.
Best Eats, Sleeps and Treats in Zürich
Lucerne to Zürich is 45-50 min (avg)
Marktgasse Hotel
DAY 5-Day Trip to Liechtenstein from Zürich
Guess what? It’s easy to take a day trip to Liechtenstein from Zürich AND the Swiss Travel Pass covers this! We enjoyed getting to see this tiny country and a day trip was the perfect way to see two different cities and still make it back for a nice dinner and evening in Zürich!
DAY 6-Day Trip to Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls from Zürich
A day trip to Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls is a day trip you will never forget. Spend the day touring the charmingly quaint medieval town of Stein am Rhein and viewing Rhine Falls, the largest plain waterfall in Europe. You will return to Zürich with plenty of time for dinner!
Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls: Ultimate Day Trip from Zürich
To Stein am Rhein 1 hr 15 min then to Rhine Falls 45 min then back to Zürich 1 hour (avg)
Marktgasse Hotel
You might also like: Packing List for Switzerland in Summer: A 16-Day Sightseeing Adventure
DAY 7-Travel to Zermatt
After your longest train trip on this itinerary, you arrive in Zermatt and it is so picturesque. As always on travel days, I like to settle into my hotel and have free time to explore and familiarize myself with the city. It was no different for the picturesque ski resort town of Zermatt!
Favorite Things to Do in Zermatt
Zürich to Zermatt is 3 hr 45 min (avg)
Hotel Ambassador Zermatt
DAY 8-Zermatt
Go paragliding with Fly Zermatt. There is nothing like paragliding in the Swiss Alps with the Matterhorn. It was my first paragliding experience and one I will never forget!
Watch my takeoff!
DAY 9-Zermatt
On our final day in Zermatt, even though it was summer, we went skiing in the Alps with the Matterhorn in view that morning. And by skiing, I mean I got on skis for the photos (since I had only skied once before). Then, in the afternoon, we explored Gornergrat!
DAY 10-Travel to Montreux
After another beautiful train ride, arrive in Montreux, check into your hotel and have the remainder of the day to walk the city or along the boardwalk at Lake Geneva.
Where to Stay and Eat in Montreux
Zermatt to Montreux is 2 hr 40 min (avg)
Eurotel Montreux
DAY 11-Montreux/Rochers de Naye
Start the morning out with a tour of Chillon Castle, Switzerland’s most frequently toured historical site. Afterwards, head up to Rochers de Naye via cogwheel train. Don’t forget your Swiss Travel Pass! At the top, you will get a grew view of Montreux and even get to see original Mongolian Yurts! When you return from Rochers de Naye, watch the sunset and grab a yummy dinner!
DAY 12-Vevey
Vevey is the neighboring town and there are a lot of cool things to do there. During our time, we explored the city on our own walking tour and did a chocolate making class with Läderach.
I got to make my own chocolate cow and I think it turned out pretty cute, don’t you?
Other suggestions for this day include touring The Nest (the museum at Nestlé’s international headquarters), Chaplin’s World and attending the famous Montreux Jazz Festival if you are there in the summer. Oh, and if you are wanting to visit Lausanne, this is where you want to fit that in since it’s only about 30 minutes away.
DAY 13-Travel to Geneva
When we arrived in Geneva, we went straight to our hotel to check in and then grabbed lunch. With full tummies, we spent the rest of the day seeing sites such as the European Headquarters of the United Nations, the Broken Chair Monument, and the Original Red Cross Building. We also walked along Lake Geneva!
DAY 14-Geneva
Our second day in Geneva focused on activities such as the Jet d’Eau, the Flower Clock, walking through Old Town, having a picnic and seeing the world’s longest wooden bench!
DAY 15-Geneva
On our last full day in Geneva, we took a tour of St. Pierre Cathedral. I highly recommend this as you can get stunning views of the entire city and Lake Geneva! We also saw the Reformation Wall, walked around a farmers market and even attended a watchmaking workshop.
But my personal favorite activity was making our own Swiss Army Knives at the Victorinox flagship store. We even got a certificate!
We ended the night with a fantastic dinner and seeing the Jet d’Eau at night which I highly recommend!
DAY 16-Travel Home
Unfortunately, all good trips come to an end sometime and day 16 was that day for us. But on our last morning, we went out to see La Jonction where two rivers that are two different colors come together and don’t mix. Pretty cool visual!
Shortly after we headed to the airport and said goodbye to Geneva and goodbye to Switzerland. Starting and ending in Geneva made it much more cost-effective for airfare and allowed us to make a complete circle around Switzerland.
Uber is in Switzerland! Get your first ride free here or use code: heathert7463ue!
PIN IT!
This was a most fantastic trip and continues to be one of my top favorite trips I’ve ever taken in my entire life! For even more inspiration see these photos to make Switzerland your top bucket list destination!
Been to these cities and have something to add to my Switzerland itinerary? I’d love to hear from you!
‘Til next time…
Trimm Travels,
Great post Heather! Been to many of the places you describe and like you, we LOVE Switzerland. Have to say the chocolate making class in Vevey sounds like a must-do for us and something we have not yet tried … and yes, you did a fabulous job with your chocolate cow. By the way, did you make it to the food museum which inspired the fork in the lake at Vevey?
Hi Michael-Yes we seem to have a lot in common! Switzerland is just flat out amazing as you know. Definitely try the chocolate making class! It isn’t just making it. They sit you down and explain where all the different cocoa beans come from and you get to taste chocolate from those beans from the different countries, etc. Then it culminates in the chocolate making experience. I still can’t bring myself to eat my chocolate cow. I worked too hard for it so it sits with my Swiss Army Knife I made! LOL! I didn’t make it to the food museum that inspired the fork and I hate I missed it. A trip back is definitely in order for that and so many other reasons. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Great post with fantastic photos! We wanted to dip down into Switzerland when we were in Germany and Austria this year. But vowed to return when we had more time. Love the capture of La Jonction! Thanks for sharing your story and inspiring a future holiday.
Hi! Definitely go to Switzerland when you have plenty of time. It is a country you will want to experience fully and not just as a stopover from another trip. Glad you enjoyed the La Jonction photo…it was pretty amazing to see! I just got back from Austria this week and loved it! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I’m planning a similar trip but I just want to add Interlaken in it.
But what type of budget am I looking at? Or how much did you spend here?
Thanks!
Hi Kaushikram-Switzerland is the most expensive country (out of the 40) I’ve been to. Budget-wise I can’t say because a lot of my trip was hosted. Just do keep in mind Switzerland is expensive so plan accordingly. If you like the more luxury side of things you might want to consider a shorter trip if the entire 16 days doesn’t fit your budget. I will say Switzerland is beautiful and worth it! Thanks for reading! 🙂
10 days in Switzerland sounds like a dream to me! I’d seriously consider getting the Swiss Travel Pass too. Thanks for the tip about starting and ending in Geneva.
Hi Carmen-The Swiss Travel Pass makes everything SOOO much easier! Like, scary easier! Highly recommend it and spending as much time in Switzerland as you can! I want to go back and spend another 16 days there soon. Thanks for reading! 🙂
This looks like an incredible trip, you visited some different places there than where we went but we absolutely fell in love. I’ve been to Basel on my own with a trip to Lucerne, then an adventure trip to Interlaken where we did paragliding, canyoning, rafting and via feratta as well as taking the cable car up to some of the summits, it was unforgettable! Looking forward to a return trip some day to see some of the other places you went!
Hi Nicola-Yes we did go to some different places. The ones you’ve been to are the ones I want to return to see. I want to see ALL of Switzerland, it’s so beautiful. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Switzerland is beautiful. I spent many years in the Engadine and spent wonderful holidays there with my parents. From the monane ski resort like St.Moritz to the then small mountain village Ftan. Here everyone will find something for his taste.
Unfortunately I do not know the regions you visited. But I think that will change.
Hi Susanne-I agree that everyone can find something that will just blow them away in Switzerland. I would love to visit St Moritz. Didn’t make it there in my 16 days! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Heather, your trip looks excellent and I”m glad you finally got around to sharing it. 😉 Too many great photos to not. I would want to visit Zürich and definitely take the chocolate class that you did. What a cute piece of candy!
I was only in Basel for 2 days and it broke me. What an expensive place!
Hi Melody-That is an excellent point and one I forgot to mention in this post (but did in others). Thanks for the reminder, will try to add that when I get a chance. You are right in that Switzerland is very expensive. It and Iceland are probably the two most expensive places I’ve been. And they both fall in my top 3 favorite places ever so worth every penny! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Hey Heather,
Switzerland is every traveler’s dream. Your guide has given me more reason to plan ASAP.
Walking tours are best way to explore a city and I am glad to know Lucerne has one. I have to experience that steepest cog wheel train as well. Great photos and great guide indeed. Can you share a shortened 5 days itinerary also.
Hi Himanshu-Glad you like the itinerary. Walking is a great way to explore a city, probably my favorite. You just get to know a place so much more intimately this way. As far as a shortened 5-day itinerary, I don’t have one of those as a post and all of the cities I visited certainly couldn’t be done in 5 days; however, if I did have to choose for 5 days, either Geneva and Montreux or Lucerne and Zürich would be great options! Thanks for reading! 🙂
The only part of the itinerary I find disagreeable is the last part…going home ! 🙂 🙂 Jokes apart, this post inspires me to go back to Switzerland again and discover more than before. How can a country be so perfect?
Hi Punita-Hahahaha! I totally disagree with going home! That part is just totally rude isn’t it? LOL! I don’t know how a country can be so perfect, but Switzerland totally has it figured out. Thanks for reading! 🙂
That’s pretty awesome and rich plan! 👌👍
Last winter I spend in Wengen, Switzerland and after that went for a short roadtrip. I found out that it is cheaper to rent a car there then travel with train. One place you can add to the list is Gruyéres village.
Hi Ray-It might be cheaper to rent a car for a short road trip, but for 16 days going all over the country to include a city that is car-free (Zermatt), the train was much more cost effective…especially factoring in the discounts for the buses, boats, cable cars/gondolas, etc. I would love to see Gruyères Village though! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Your photos are spectacular! That is so awesome you were able to spend more than two weeks in Switzerland and it looks like you used your time to the fullest! Lucerne especially looks so beautiful.
Hi Kevin-Thank you! Over 2 weeks was amazing and we definitely made great use of our time. Have you been to Switzerland? Thanks for reading! 🙂
As Yogi says – if you come to a fork in the lake – take it. I love the organization of this post and your tip boxes. Very noice. I have been reading about your Switzerland trips for so long it was neat watching them all come together in the columination article. La Jonction reminds me of Rio Celeste in Costa Rica. I hear there is a similar effect when the Indian Ocean meets the Pacific too. Really cool stuff. I still want to try soaring in Zermatt the most of all your Swiss experiences. Jenn and I had an awful experience last time we tried it (#worstGrouonever!) but it’s still on my bucket list.
Hi Ed-Thank you! The tip boxes are a fairly new thing (last month or two maybe) and the icons with them are new as of this post. Glad to have that feedback! You and Jenn should definitely try paragliding again and Zermatt is a spectacular place to do it! Thanks for reading! 🙂
What a great itinerary! I am getting ready to visit a friend in Geneva for a couple days and am paying particular attention to your posts set there. I am intrigued about the Swiss Army knife-making. I need to look into that for sure!
Hi Juliann-YES! Most definitely do the Swiss Army Knifemaking. Not much more Swiss than that (except for Alps and chocolate maybe)! You can get it engraved/personalized and everything. It’s really cool! Would love to hear about your trip when you get back. Thanks for reading! 🙂
This is such a great itinerary- I’m glad enough people messaged you to convince you to share 🙂 I’ve wanted to go to Switzerland for a long time for the hiking. But it’s great to read about all the other things to do in Switzerland, too, like making a swiss army knife!! Maybe in 2019?!
Hi Sarah-I’m not sure why I didn’t publish one a long time ago…Now I’m aware and will be posting itineraries for my longer trips! Yes, making a Swiss army knife in Switzerland is amazing! Definitely recommend putting it on your list for 2019! Thanks for reading! 🙂
How fun! There are so many beautiful places to visit in Switzerland! The scenery on Mount Pilatus is stunning! I would definitely go paragliding! Making your own Swiss knife is such a unique experience!
Hi Cat-Yes, Switzerland is absolutely gorgeous! Probably in my top two favorite places I’ve been. Paragliding and making my own Swiss army knife were two of my favorite things I did. Definitely visit Switzerland if you get the chance! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I worked in Switzerland for 3 years and can tell you that every corner of it is beautiful! It is a small country so your itinerary is perfect! I wish I did more in the Italian part – but it is a good excuse to go back!
Hi Andi-Thank you, I’m glad you liked it. And ANY excuse to go back to Switzerland is always okay, right? I don’t think you can go enough times. I loved it there! Thanks for reading! 🙂
i was planning for a family trip there, and luckily found this amazing informational guide…
thanks a lot as this guide will help me for my family travel trip… briefly explained travel guide…!!
Hi Anirudh-So glad you liked it and I hope it helps you plan an amazing trip. Thanks for reading! 🙂