Switzerland Itinerary - 7 Days / 9 days

Who hasn’t fantasized about visiting Switzerland? Snow-capped mountains, emerald meadows, shimmering lakes, melting glaciers, fairytale castles, and lakeside towns – Switzerland lives up to the hype and will leave you spellbound with its incredible beauty. You can go on spectacular hikes, gorge on luxurious Swiss chocolates, savor hand-crafted cheese, buy quality watches, and engage in thrilling adventure activities – everything you need for a perfect vacation.

Switzerland is a small country, so planning a 7-day or 9-day itinerary should be relatively straightforward. All attractions, however, close around 5 p.m., leaving you with very little time to explore. And, with so much to see and do, deciding on the ideal route can be tricky. The season, starting point, and interests will all influence the itinerary. Get ready for jaw-dropping views, unforgettable adventures, and memories that will last a lifetime. Experience the best of Switzerland with our curated 7-day/9-day itinerary.

Suggested 7-Day Switzerland Itinerary 

Switzerland Itinerary, Day 0-1:- ZURICH & RHINE FALLS

Most visitors to Switzerland kick off their trip in Geneva or Zurich, both of which are large cosmopolitan cities with excellent connections to the rest of the world. Our itinerary starts in Zurich and ends in Geneva. If you arrive in Zurich early, spend the day sightseeing. Zurich is a picturesque historical town with a river running through it. Wander around the Old Town (Altstadt), window shop on Bahnhofstrasse, stroll along Lake Zurich, visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate, or simply relax in your hotel room. The 7-day itinerary begins the following day.

We’re off to Schaffhausen, a small historic town in Northern Switzerland, today. Schaffhausen can be reached in less than an hour by car or train from Zurich. Schaffhausen has beautiful Renaissance buildings and a charming riverside location, but visitors come here to see Switzerland’s largest fall, the Rhine Falls. The sheer force of the falls is truly impressive, especially during the summer when water flows at a rate of 600,000 liters per second in the Rhine Falls basin.

The idyllic villages and surrounding forested areas are gorgeous. Rhine Falls has two sides: north and south. Explore the region and admire the Rhine Falls from various viewing platforms, a cliff-top castle, and the pedestrian bridge. A Rhine Falls Cruise is another popular way to see the falls (April-November). The Yellow Line Rock Cruise is without a doubt the best way to appreciate the magnitude and power of the falls. Return to Zurich and leave for Interlaken the following day. There is a lot to do in Interlaken, and you’d like to start early in the morning.
By Train: 2 hours / By Car: 1 hour 40 minutes

Switzerland Itinerary, Day 2:-  INTERLAKEN

Interlaken and Jungfraujoch are two places that appear on almost every Switzerland itinerary. Interlaken is tucked between two emerald lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The popular Swiss resort town is surrounded by three majestic mountains (the Eiger, the Monch, and the Jungfrau), making it an ideal spot for an array of adventure sports. The picturesque neighboring villages add to the overall beauty of the region.

Our first stop will be in Mannlichen. Travel by train from Interlaken to Grindelwald and then by gondola to Mannlichen. Mannlichen is a 2343-meter-high Swiss Alps mountain with incredible panoramas of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. If you can manage the 15-minute hike up to the summit, you will be rewarded with astounding views of Lauterbrunnen Valley on one side and Grindelwald Valley on the other. Begin your descent to Kleine Scheidegg by walking 3 miles (1.5 hours) from Mannlichen. The ‘panorama trail,’ which provides outstanding views of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, is highly recommended.

Take the train from Klein Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen to see Trummelbach Falls, a series of ten glacial waterfalls thundering down inside a mountain. They are Europe’s largest subterranean waterfalls, accessible via tunnels, lifts, and illumination. To get to the falls, you can either walk (35 minutes) or take a bus (11 minutes). From the falls, you could return to Lauterbrunnen station or take a train back to Interlaken. If you have the time and stamina, you can also ride a gondola to Murren. Murren is a charming alpine village with stunning views of the three peaks. Continue to Lauterbrunnen to catch your train to Interlaken.

Enjoy your evening by Lake Brienz or visit Harder Kulm, which offers an amazing view of Interlaken and the two lakes. Other nearby attractions include Oberhofen Castle and Beatus Cave. Paragliding, skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning, hand gliding, mountain biking, and other extreme sports are available to adrenaline junkies. These activities will give you excellent vantage points from which to admire the jaw-dropping views. Spend the night in Interlaken.

Switzerland Itinerary, Day 3:-  JUNGFRAUJOCH

Start early because we have a long day ahead of us. Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station, is located 3454 meters above sea level. The cable car or cogwheel railway can take you to Jungfraujoch. The train winds through the Jungfrau and Monch mountains, providing awe-inspiring panoramas of the mountains and countryside. As you stand surrounded by snow, mountains, and glaciers, the view from the top will take your breath away. Sledding, toboggan rides, skiing, and snow tubing are some of the winter activities available at Jungfraujoch. There are numerous restaurants, chocolate shops, and an ice palace where ice sculptures can be seen.

You could easily spend the entire day there, but we only have so much time, so don’t linger and instead take the train to Grindelwald. A 10-minute walk to the Firstbahn gondola station, followed by a gondola ride, will bring you to Grindelwald-First. The First is an excellent starting point for a variety of exciting activities, including the First Flieger, First Glider, First Cliff Walk, Mountain Bikes, and Trottibike, to name a few. You can walk for 50 minutes one way from First to the pretty Lake Bachalpsee. Return to Interlaken and stay the night in this delightful town.

Switzerland Itinerary, Day 4:-  ZERMATT

By Train: 2 hours 40 minutes / By Car: 2 hours 15 minutes
The train departs early in the morning for Zermatt. It is pointless to travel by private vehicle because cars are not permitted in the charming mountainside town. You can walk almost anywhere in Zermatt because it is so small. Zermatt’s main draw is skiing, but the quaint town is worth visiting at any time of year. The Matter Vispa River runs through Zermatt and will captivate you with its jade blue hues. Hiking trails, a bustling town, gourmet restaurants, a touch of history, and plenty more to keep you busy for 2-3 days.

Wander around town to see some of the best Matterhorn views. If you want to see the Alps up close, you must climb higher elevations. Take a cogwheel train to the Gornergrat summit, a rocky ridge that runs alongside the Matterhorn. The 30-minute scenic ride is remarkable, with glimpses of the majestic Matterhorn.

On the way back from Gornegrat, stop at Rotenboden station for a short 15-minute walk to Rifflesee Lake. The lake is a photographer’s dream, reflecting a flawless inverted mirror image of the Matterhorn on its gleaming surface. You can have a picnic there because the trains run at 50-minute intervals. Return to Zermatt by train or walk through the town (2 hours). If you want to go hiking or skiing, you have several options depending on your skill level. Spend the night in Zermatt.

Switzerland Itinerary, Day 5:– MATTERHORN GLACIER

You can’t leave Zermatt without taking the cable car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn), which offers some of the best views in the area. The world’s highest 3S cableway brings you 3883 meters above sea level for some incredible 360° views. 14 glaciers and 38 4,000-meter peaks are visible from there. The Alpine wonderland will mesmerize you with its beautiful ski slopes, ice carvings, and amazing Matterhorn and Breithorn views. Glacier Palace looks magical with its colorful frozen sculptures, ice slides, and photo sites – a must-see for youngsters of all ages. Walk around and admire the unending expanse of snow, or dine inside the restaurant with phenomenal views.

On the way back to Zermatt, stop at Schwarzsee for some Instagram-worthy shots of the majestic Matterhorn. If you have time, take the train from Zermatt to Sunnegga and then the gondola to Blauherd. This is the starting point for the famous Five-Lake Trail, three of which mirror the Matterhorn in all its glory. Those with time constraints can stop at Stellisse because it is the best of the bunch and there is no need to make an extra effort to see the others.

If you want to have some fun, take a mountain cart from Blauherd to Sunnega. This is also your chance to spot Wolli sheep – the black-nosed sheep that happens to be Zermatt’s mascot. Take the train back to Zermatt from Sunnegga and spend the evening relaxing in Zermatt. Spend the night there.

Switzerland Itinerary, Day 6:- MONTREUX

By Train: 2 hours 40 minutes / By Car: 2 hours
Montreux, a lakeside town near Geneva, offers elegant views of Lake Geneva set against the iconic Chillon Castle and the unspoiled Alps. You’ll appreciate the city’s slow and peaceful vibes as you stroll around the charming town. The sleepy little town comes to life in the summers when tourists and locals flock to participate in the yearly two-week-long Jazz Festival and other summer festivities. After exploring the lake promenade and the town center, make your way to Chateau de Chillon, an 11th-century medieval castle with unparalleled views of the lake and the majestic mountains. Trek to Rochers De Naye for some amazing vistas along the way. Spend the night in Montreux.

Switzerland Itinerary, Day 7:- GENEVA

By Train: 1 hour 5 minutes / By Car: 1 hour 15 minutes
Geneva is the capital of the United Nations and a globally recognized city. This is your final day of vacation, so spend it exploring Geneva. A cruise on Lake Geneva is a good idea in Geneva because it is known for its beautiful lakes. Some of the attractions worth seeing are the Old Town, City Centre, St Piere’s Cathedral, Flower Clock, Treille Promenade, Jet d’Eau, and UN Building. Geneva is the best place to shop for luxurious Swiss watches and delectable Swiss chocolates, and you might want to do some last-minute shopping. Time to say goodbye to Switzerland

PS: Our itinerary begins in Zurich and ends in Geneva, but you can try it in reverse as well. If you want to return from the same city, you can easily and quickly reach your port of arrival at the end of your trip. Regardless of which route you take, it should take about the same amount of time.

Suggested 9-Day Switzerland Itinerary

If you have 9 days to spare, you can also visit Lucerne and Mt. Titlis. Check out the 9-day Switzerland itinerary.

Day 0-1: Zurich and Rhine Falls.
Day 2-3: Reach Lucerne. Train: 50 minutes / Car: 45 minutes
A picturesque town on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Explore the Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, and Old Town. After spending a day in Lucerne, go to Mount Titlis the next day. Mount Titlis is a well-known mountain summit that is accessible via a revolving cable car.
Day 4: Reach Interlaken. Train 2 hours / Car: 1 hour
Day 5: Jungfraujoch
Day 6: Reach Zermatt. Train: 2 hours 40 minutes / Car: 2 hours 15 minutes
Day 7: Matterhorn Glacier
Day 8: Reach Montreux. Train: 2 hours 40 minutes / Car: 2 hours
Day 9: Reach Geneva. Train: 1 hour 5 minutes / Car: 1 hour 15 minutes.

Things to know before you travel to Switzerland:

• Switzerland is a very small country. It has an area of 15,940 sq mi extending 220 miles north to south and 216 miles East to West
•  The official currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc. The currency is abbreviated as CHF. Merchants may accept Euros but the change given back will usually be CHF. One Euro = 1.1050 CHF and One USD = 0.9300 CHF
• Switzerland is an exquisite location that can be visited all year. Each season has something unique and beautiful to offer. The months of April to August are excellent because the weather is warm and pleasant. Thousands of people visit Switzerland during the winter months to enjoy skiing and water sports. You can choose the best time to visit Switzerland based on what you want to see and do. The itinerary described above is best suited for summer travel.
• Switzerland is one of the world’s most expensive countries. Everything is expensive: food, hotels, trains, and shopping.
• The country has a very low crime rate and is regarded as one of the world’s safest countries. The Swiss are reserved but not unfriendly.
• It is very safe to drink tap water in Switzerland.

• Most people in Switzerland speak English. French, German, and Italian are also used in the country but they are confined to specific regions.
• Weather in Switzerland can be unpredictable with frequent storms, so keep some alternative activities lined up.
• The country has a very efficient and widespread network of on-time high-speed trains that makes traveling around the country very easy and convenient. Download the SBB app if you plan to use the train network extensively. You can check the timetables of trains as well as boats, buses, and cable cars.
• It is a good idea to buy a Swiss Travel Pass. It is expensive but covers inter-city travel, free scenic trains, boat cruises, cable cars, public transport, and museum access.
• Driving in Switzerland is simple, but the speed limit is strictly enforced. Road trips in Switzerland are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, with jaw-dropping views revealed at every turn. It also allows you to stop wherever you want and take in the lush landscapes.
• It makes sense to schedule your intercity travel in the evenings. Everything, including the shops, closes around 5 p.m., so it’s best to travel during that time and begin sightseeing early in the morning
• Never pass up the opportunity to indulge in Swiss fondue, raclette, and chocolate.