Switzerland is a great place to do a lot or a little. If you’re someone who likes to relax and enjoy the scenery or someone who wants to do a lot of activities on land, air, and water, then 10 days in Switzerland is just right for you.
If you have 10 days, you can see the main attractions in Switzerland and also have some free time to explore lesser-known places or just enjoy the scenery by walking around.
If you arrive on an international flight, you will probably land in Zurich. Let’s plan an itinerary based on this.
To make your travel across the country easier, it’s a good idea to buy a Swiss Pass before you arrive. This way, you can quickly get on a train at the Zurich airport train station without having to wait in line to buy tickets or passes. It’s a great way to get to your destination quickly after a long flight.
Remember that traveling within Switzerland can be expensive. The pass includes all public transportation, discounts on mountain trips, free admission to museums, and is free for children under 16.
Overview of the 10-Days Itinerary:
- Day 1: Lucerne – Swiss Museum of Transport or City Tour or Mount Pilatus
- Day 2: Lucerne – Mount Titlis
- Day 3: Interlaken, Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
- Day 4: Montreux and Gstaad
- Day 5: Zermatt, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
- Day 6: Zermatt Village Tour or Sunnegga
- Day 7: Glacier Express Trip
- Day 8: Bernina Express Trip
- Day 9: Lugano – Lake Como, Italy
- Day 10: Depart from Zurich or Milan
Day-1 Lucerne
Get to Zurich and take a train to Lucerne, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Your day in Lucerne will be affected by what time you arrive.
1: Swiss Transport Museum
This museum displays the history of transportation and has a big outdoor area where kids can do different activities. The place has a planetarium, the biggest cinema screen in the country, and a famous Swiss Chocolate Adventure. This is Switzerland’s most popular museum.
Remember to check the weather before going there as it is partially open-air. You can spend more than half a day at the museum without any difficulty.
2: Local City Tour
If you feel too tired after your flight, you can explore the city at your own speed.
Begin your tour of the old town by crossing the well-known Chapel Bridge and strolling along the cobblestone streets.
If you follow these small roads, you’ll find the well-known Lion Monument. Walk back along the lake from here. If you’re craving chocolate, there are lots of chocolate shops along this walk. Be sure to stop by and check them out!
3: Mount Pilatus
If you have most of the day available, begin by going to a nearby mountain. Choosing Mount Pilatus would be a good idea. The trip around the mountain is just as exciting as reaching the top with the golden round trip.
Go to the jetty in Lucerne, which is across from the main train station, and get on the boat that goes to Alpnachstad. You don’t have to pay for this trip because it’s public transportation and is included in the Swiss Travel Pass.
When you arrive at Alpnachstad, leave the boat and go to the cogwheel train. It’s the steepest train in the world. Then, take the train to Mount Pilatus. To return, take the cable car down to Kriens and then take the bus back to Lucerne. If you have extra time when you come back, continue exploring the town by the lake.
Day-2 Lucerne – Mount Titlis
To get to Engelberg, a lovely Swiss village at the foot of Mount Titlis, just take a train from Lucerne train station. It only takes 45 minutes.
You can either walk for 15 minutes or take a bus to get to the cable car valley station for Titlis. To see the beautiful Swiss Alps, take two cable cars, one of which is a revolving cable car called Titlis Rotair.
At the top, you can do fun things like ride the Ice Flyer Chairlift, explore the Ice cave, and walk on the Titlis Cliff Walk.
Try to return to Engelberg early so that you can take a stroll around the village before heading back to Lucerne.
Day-3 Lucerne – Interlaken – Jungfraujoch
We will go to Jungfraujoch, which is a very popular place to see in Switzerland. It’s also the highest train station in Europe. It’s best to leave Lucerne early for this trip, preferably at 7 am or no later than 8 am.
To get to Interlaken, you can take the Lucerne-Interlaken Express train which takes 2 hours. It’s a very scenic route! Go to your hotel and then go to the mountain.
You can take the old and traditional route to the top with 2 train changes or take the Eiger route.
1: To get to the peak, you can take the traditional route which involves changing trains twice at Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg, starting from Interlaken Ost station. This route will take about 2 hours.
The train ride is beautiful and stops a few times at viewing points to see the glacier. The views are amazing.
2: In 2020, a new train route was introduced that goes from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald. To get to the Eiger Glacier Station, you just need to take the cable car from Grindelwald. Switch back to the train to reach the top. This route takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
You can see great views of the Aletsch Glacier, which is the longest glacier in the Alps, from the top. Have fun at the ice palace and see the sculptures. Play in the snow park during the summer. Treat yourself to Lindt Chocolate Heaven.
When you’re coming back down, you can make a stop at Grindelwald and check out the Alpine village. Alternatively, you can stop at Lauterbrunnen and see the Trummelbach Falls which were formed by glaciers.
You can get to the falls by taking a 10-minute bus ride from Lauterbrunnen station. The Trummelbach Falls are a group of 10 waterfalls located inside a mountain. You can get to them by taking a lift. Children who are younger than 4 years old cannot go to the falls.
Day-4: Interlaken – Montreux and Gstaad
The most beautiful pictures of Switzerland are usually taken in Gstaad. Go to the pretty village in the morning, it’s about 1.5 hours away on the Golden Pass Line.
Gstaad is a beautiful place that has attracted wealthy and famous people for vacations and even convinced some to live there permanently. The cute wooden houses in a neat garden look like they’re from a storybook.
Take a train from Gstaad to Montreux, which takes about 1.35 hours. Montreux is a lovely village located near Lake Geneva and surrounded by stunning Swiss Alps.
Take a stroll by the lake and check out the Chillon Castle, which is the most popular historical site in Switzerland.
In the evening, proceed back to Interlaken (2.15 hours).
Day-5: Interlaken – Zermatt
Go to Zermatt, which is a popular village and ski resort that you can reach in 2.10 hours. It’s also a car-free village. Zermatt has many activities, but the Matterhorn is the most popular.
Go to your hotel and then visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to see the best views of the Matterhorn. Go through the village to get to the cable car starting point.
If you bought your trip already, just trade the voucher and get on the first gondola. Going up is just as pretty as looking down. You feel like you’re surrounded by snow and ice. Take some good photos, go to the Ice Palace, eat a delicious Swiss meal with a view, and then go back down.
Zermatt doesn’t allow cars in the village. If your hotel is far from the station, call ahead and ask if they offer free or paid pick-up services.
Day-6: Zermatt
Enjoy the ambiance of this typical Swiss village today. Take a stroll through the village center where you’ll find lots of shops selling souvenirs, cafes, and small stores.
Take a walk through Hinterdorf, the historic part of Zermatt with very old buildings.
If you want to see more of the Matterhorn, go to Sunnegga. It’s a popular place to see the Matterhorn and the other mountains around it.
You can reach the top of Sunnegga in less than 5 minutes by taking a funicular from the base station. You can either enjoy the beautiful views and relax or choose to do some activities. You can go on a Marmot trail, visit the Wolli Adventure Park, and try kick-biking.
Day-7: Zermatt – St. Moritz
Let’s go! Take a ride on The Glacier Express, which is considered to be the most beautiful train journey in the world. It goes from Zermatt in the west of Switzerland to St. Moritz in the east.
The train ride takes about 7 and a half hours. The scenery is beautiful with snow, ice, glaciers, valleys, deep gorges, and exciting bridges.
It’s a good idea to book these seats early because they sell out quickly.
St. Moritz has really great ski slopes. This small village is located near a beautiful lake and has some very fancy spas and hotels.
Sometimes, there are 3 Glacier Express departures in a day, depending on the season. The Glacier Express has a restaurant that is fully equipped and you can book your meals in advance.
Day-8: St. Moritz – Lugano
We will go on another beautiful trip today. This time, you are going from a cold place to a warm place by the Mediterranean. The Bernina Express train ride goes from St. Moritz to Lugano and passes through UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Bernina Express is a trip that involves both a train and a bus ride. You need to make a reservation ahead of time for both and it’s a good idea to do it early. People who have a Swiss Travel Pass can get discounts.
You will take a train from St. Moritz to Tirano, which will take 2 hours and 15 minutes. We will be taking a bus for the next part of the journey. The bus ride from Tirano to Lugano takes 3 hours and arrives in Lugano at approximately 5:30. At night.
When booking, make sure the train and bus schedules match up.
- Depart St. Moritz at 9:17 am and arrive in Tirano at 11:32 am
- Depart Tirano at 2:20 pm and arrive in Lugano at 5:30 pm
Day-9: Lugano – Lake Como
Today, travel to Italy. Visit Lake Como, a lovely and popular Italian resort that can be reached in 45 minutes by direct rail. Spend time roaming around the lake or shopping for silk, which is famous in this area. In the evening, return to Lugano.
Day-10: Lugano – Zurich or Lugano – Milan
What you can do today will be determined by your departure time and location of departure. You will most likely depart from Zurich or travel to Milan.
1: Zurich
Take a direct train to Zurich’s main station (around 2 hours). You can leave your luggage at the main station and proceed to the Rhine Falls. Spend some time at Europe’s tallest waterfall, taking a boat ride to the heart of the falls or viewing it from a vantage point near enough to feel the spray and hear the thunder.
Return to Zurich’s main train station later. Continue strolling down Bahnhofstrasse (main street), which is lined with retail outlets for all of the biggest fashion, watch, and jewelry brands.
Spend some time at the lakefront at the end of Bahnofstrasse before returning to the station to pick up your bags and depart for the airport.
Of course, if you have more time, there are several other places to view and activities to participate in Zurich.
2: Milan
If you are flying out of Milan, you will take a train to Malpensa (around 1.35 hours). Because the Swiss Pass does not cover this journey, you will need to purchase a rail ticket.
If you have time, you can get out at the main station and enjoy a Hop-on-Hop-off bus tour around the city. Remember to do any last-minute buying. After all, you are in the world’s fashion capital!
This 10-day tour in Switzerland includes some of the best mountains, lakes, and train rides that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
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