Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary

Is traveling to Switzerland part of your bucket list? If yes, a road trip to experience everything the country has to offer is a must try!

You’ll be surprised how majestic the country can be beyond its stereotypical characteristics. If you are in for a once-in-a-lifetime amazing drive, we got you. We have curated a Switzerland road trip itinerary that will be a treat for your senses! 

Best Switzerland Road Trip Stops

Since Switzerland is a small country, it is possible to visit a good portion of its best places. With a road trip, you get the opportunity to see the communities and enjoy the country’s natural wonders. 

Start at Zurich

Start your road trip in the topmost part of the country and drive down to all the places without missing any chances to see how uniquely beautiful each is. 

Touch down at Zurich airport and spend a day or more in this rich historical city! Zurich is perfect for history and art enthusiasts because of the museums, art galleries, and churches.

Visit Lake Zurich Promenade and indulge yourself with the architecture and beautiful sunsets if you are the outdoor type. Don’t forget to go on a boat ride to see more of the Limmat River and Lake Zurich. 

Take a train to Uetliberg and enjoy the view from the mountain top, witnessing all of Zurich! You’ll be amazed how the city connects with the water and the alps.

Lucerne: One Of The Sought-After Cities 

If you plan to visit Switzerland in just a short period, do not miss the chance to visit Lucerne! The city alone is loaded with everything that will satisfy you on your Swiss trip. 

What can be more fulfilling than learning while having fun? Take a quick trip to the Dying Lion Monument, Chapel Bridge, and Water Tower to surely let off your history-buff side. 

If your body craves an adventure, you can take the “Golden Round Trip.” Here, you will begin with a boat on Lake Lucerne. Then come up through a cogwheel railway to the top of Mt. Pilatus. Another activity is riding a cable car to the Titlis Glacier. 

Drive from Lucerne to Engelberg and access the Titlis Glacier through a rotating cable car from Engelberg. You can also experience walking in a glacier cave using a suspension bridge. Just be sure to bring warm clothes with you! 

Have A Quick Taste Of Italy In Lugano

Switzerland is not just a home to historical spaces. The country is also rich in heterogeneous cultures, making it more interesting to visit. You can experience Italy in Lugano. People speak Italian in this region and live in structures and architecture that give off Italian vibes. 

You can also ride a boat on Lake Lugano and hike the 900-meter tall Monte San Salvatore. But if you want to spend your day soul-searching while enjoying the calming views on the side, drop by Parco Civio and stroll the walkways. 

For more adventures and sightseeing, you can visit the waterside village of Gandria. Don’t forget to visit the famous church of St. Viglio.

Level Up Your Mountain Experience At Zermatt

Zermatt should be on your list if you love hiking. This resort city gives you access to Matterhorn, a popular mountain that seriously challenges every hiker to finish ascending to the top.

Some activities include skiing and riding cable cars. You can also visit Gornergrat station and gaze at the never-ending views of the country. More enchanting scenes await you at Sunnegga and Leisee lake in Matterhorn.

Spend Outdoor Visits in Interlaken

In Interlaken, enjoy skydiving, skiing, mountain biking, paragliding, and speed boating. You can check out Jungfraujoch railway and Schynige Platte Railway to enjoy the mountain views.

If you are up for a medieval feel, visit Unterseen and spend some time alone in the middle of the wilderness. There’s also a cave system to explore. 

Visit St. Beatus Caves in Interlaken and take the time to see the waterfalls, museum, hiking ways, and a restaurant to replenish and satisfy your hunger.

Get Whimsical At Lauterbrunnen

Achieve your fairytale dreams at Lauterbrunnen! This stunning place has 72 waterfalls. 

You can ride a train to Murren and visit a small village with only 400 residents. You can also go on the observation deck and see Gimmelwald.

What makes Gimmelwald interesting is that it is an honesty-shop village. It is a place filled with stores with no cash registers and cashiers. Simply place your payment in a box.

Bern: The Switzerland Capital

If you are fascinated with puppets and the plaza life, you can visit Zytglogge, Bern’s clock tower. Switzerland was once known for its clockmaking, and the tower is the country’s tribute to remember that one notable time.

In addition, churches and cathedrals are evident in Swiss culture. Don’t miss the Bern Cathedral, Berner Munster, and St. Vincent Cathedral in Bern.

For people who like to go shopping, spend your time in the old town of Bern filled with restaurants and bookstores.

The Peaceful Town Of Montreux

Although one of the underrated towns in Switzerland, Montreux is known for its microclimate. Its location prompts warmer temperatures and shorter winter periods. 

Of course, the country is known for its tasty chocolates. You can ride a chocolate train here in Montreux to complete your Switzerland experience. Begin in this town, visit the cheese factory in Gruyeres, and go to the Nestle factory. 

Other train trips include going to the Rochers De Naye and going to Les Pleiades train station to explore the Lantern trail. 

Go Skiing At Nendaz

Is going skiing the highlight of your trip? Then, Nendaz is a must-visit during the winter months. 

In summer, you can try the cable car ride, go mountain biking and hiking. Other activities include visiting the spa or checking out the Summer Alphorn Festival. 

End the Trip In Geneva

Geneva is your last stop and a great place to end your road trip. 

There are noteworthy tourist attractions that you can visit here before you head back again to Zurich or directly to your home country. It includes the St. Pierre Cathedral, United Nations Headquarters, and the fountain lake of Jet D’Eau. A boat ride on Lake Geneva is also a must-try.

And why not join the Chocolate Flavors Tour to maximize your stop-over in Geneva? The tour will take you three hours to visit five chocolate factories to learn more about making chocolates. 

After your road trip, you can fly home from Geneva Airport, otherwise known as Cointrin Airport. 

Tips for Road Tripping in Switzerland

The best time to visit the country for a road trip is from the end of June to early October. Normally, the weather should be good during this period. This season gives you the chance to drive and pass on most mountains. 

While driving along the country, here are some tips to remember. 

1. Drive on the right side and if you have children with you, be sure to have a child safety seat in your car. It would help if you also drove on the right side to make way for emergency and public vehicles. 

2. The usual rule is never to drink and drive! It can’t be stressed enough. 

3. Be aware of the speed limit because tickets can be expensive in Switzerland. You are only allowed to drive up to 100 kph on highways and 120kph on motorways. Speed limits also vary in cities, residential and rural areas. 

4. When driving in the mountains, please keep in mind that it can get windy and there are narrow roads. 

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