collage of different pictures in Switzerland on a itinerary list. mountains, trains lakes etc

Switzerland Itinerary – 11 Itineraries to help you plan a trip to Switzerland

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If you are planning a trip to one of the most beautiful countries, Switzerland, then you have come to the right place.

There are so many amazing places to visit in Switzerland and to put them all in one Swiss itinerary is nearly impossible. In other words, if you travel Switzerland for 3-4 months you may get close to seeing it all.

But as most of us only have a few weeks maybe one month to the max, we have listed here some of the best Switzerland itineraries.

You can mix these travel itineraries to Switzerland as you like. What works definitely in your favour when travelling through Switzerland is the size of the country.

Whether you will be travelling Switzerland by train and public transport or maybe you prefer to rent a car and go on a Swiss Road trip.

The size of Switzerland gives you the option to cross it in one single day which allows for huge flexibility when planning a Swiss itinerary.

view from the brienzer Rothorn overlooking Lake Brienz and its turquoise water.
Brienzer Rothorn – Switzerland Train Itinerary

Pick your perfect Switzerland Itinerary

In this article you will find 11 different Swiss itineraries which are suitable for families, couples but most of it all for outdoor adventure-loving travellers.

Some of these activities can easily be completed by using only the Swiss public transport system.

Whereas for some itineraries it is better to rent a car, should you not have one. We recommend using Discover Cars for your rental company. Not only do they have a great selection of rental cars, but they are also very reliable and price competitive.

Each of these Swiss itineraries includes route guides, maps and even hotel recommendations in Switzerland. Just make sure you click on the link which brings you to the actual Switzerland itinerary. You will get full details, hotel recommendations and a road map.

Being Swiss, I think it is fair to say that with this Switzerland itinerary guide you will be able to put together the absolute best holiday to Switzerland.

Some articles that can also help you when planning a trip to Switzerland are listed here below.

Travel Switzerland by Train or Car

On each Swiss itinerary we have stated at the top, from where to start and whether the itinerary is written to use Swiss public transport or hire a car.

However, this doesn’t mean, that you have to miss out a train itinerary if you have a car and vice versa.

You may have a lot of questions on how best to travel Switzerland by train and which Swiss train tickets to get. And this is understandable so.

Before you choose what is best for you and your travel group you may want to read  Travel Switzerland by train.

This will help you to understand the different Swiss train tickets you can purchase. But you can also make the decision whether it may be better for you to rent a car.


Switzerland Itinerary – 10 Swiss Itineraries to plan your best holiday to Switzerland

Start planning your trip to Switzerland. With these itineraries you have endless options and possibilities to add days, change destinations and make it whatever you have ever dreamed of.

We have mentioned some of the overnight places within the itineraries. However, as everybody’s idea of the perfect accommodation is different you may also want to check on the map below for availability.



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Good luck and have fun! Switzerland awaits!

1. 15-Day Switzerland Itinerary – the Highlights of Switzerland

Start in Lucerne – Train Itinerary

This is probably my favourite Switzerland itinerary because it shows you pretty much what Switzerland is all about.

It is perfect for first time visitors that want to see why Switzerland belongs to one of the most beautiful countries in the World.

Alpine meadows, delicious chocolate, towering mountains, scenic train journeys, alpine goat paths, the bluest Swiss alpine lakes and quaint villages straight out of a children’s book.

Furthermore, you will be standing close to glaciers in one moment and palm trees the next.

This Switzerland itinerary really has all the must dos in Switzerland.

On the map below you will see all the places you will be visiting during this 15 days Switzerland itinerary.

map of switzerland with yellow boxes indicating the stop along the Swiss train itinerary
Destinations along the Swiss train itinerary

Good to know: This 15-day Switzerland Itinerary is put together as a grand train tour of Switzerland. However, you can of course do the same route on a road trip through Switzerland.

To enjoy this Swiss itinerary it is best to get yourself a Swiss Travel Pass.

 Read the full 15 – day Switzerland Itinerary by train.


2.  7, 10 and 14 days Switzerland Itinerary – On a Budget

Start at Geneva Airport – Swiss Road trip itinerary

Yes, why not travel Switzerland on a budget. You may think this is not possible, but we would like to prove you can.

And we even cover some of the highlights in Switzerland. This time we have concentrated a bit more in Central Switzerland, and have also included some more days in the Canton Valais.

Furthermore, will you be spending some time in the Geneva Lake area and will get to know the Montreux Riviera.

map of switzerland with cities marked you should visit
Switzerland Itinerary on a budget

 Good to know: This Switzerland itinerary would also work perfectly with a Swiss Travel Pass.

Read all about the Switzerland Itinerary on a budget


3. Switzerland Road Trip – 13 Days, Summer edition

Start and finish in Valais – Road trip

The following Swiss road trip itinerary can be done in 13 days. However, always have some extra days just in case you find a pretty amazing place you wish to stay longer.

Different in this Switzerland itinerary to the ones above, we do focus a bit more on hidden gems, roadside stops and we even venture all the way to the Canton Appenzell.

Therefore, if sleeping up the mountains and hiking is on your wish-list, then this would probably be a great Switzerland itinerary for you.

road trip plan in a map of Switzerland
Switzerland itinerary road trip

Good to know: You can easily combine this trip with other beautiful landmarks in Switzerland we have mentioned in the two Swiss itineraries above.

Get the full details of this Epic Summer Road Trip Itinerary in Switzerland 


4. 3 Days in Lucerne and its’ Lake Region

Start and finish in Lucerne City – Public transport – Tell Pass

If you love to explore one place a bit better and only have a few days in your calendar free, we recommend staying in Lucerne. Within three days you can travel to different mountain tops, visit the city and even go on a boat cruise.

This 3 days in Lucerne itinerary can be done any time of the year. We explored the Lake Lucerne region during a winter weekend and it was beautiful.

We will be covering a trip up Mount Pilatus and even a ride up the romantic Rigi Bahn. Whilst we suggest you stay 2 nights in Lucerne at the Hotel des Balances right at the River Reusse within the city of Lucerne, we also recommend staying one night at Rigi.

The fantastic Mineral & Spa hotel Rigi Kaltbad is an amazing place to finish this short Swiss itinerary.

Swiss map with places marked out in the Lucerne region
Switzerland Itinerary – 3 Days in Lucerne

Good to know: This Lucerne itinerary can easily be added to another Switzerland itinerary when you pass Lucerne.

We visited during a winter weekend but this Swiss itinerary can be completed during any season.

Read more, 3 Days Lucerne Itinerary 


5. 4 Days in the Alpes Vaudoises – Gourmet & Adventure

Starting Pays-d’Enhaut – finishing in Villars Gryon. By car

This adventurous 4 days Switzerland itinerary is all about discovering the beauty and untouched areas of the Alpes Vaudoises (Vaud Alps).

If you prefer to be less active maybe this Swiss itinerary is not for you. However, if you are having the slightest thought of maybe doing some hiking, then give it a try.

The area is still fairly untouched or better to say unknown to tourists which clearly shows when you hike around the Alpes Vaudoises.

We also include a gourmet hike in Leysin. This means you will be hiking to a hut where you can enjoy an aperitive, followed by lunch at the 2nd destination and at the end of your hike, dessert awaits.

A great way to get to know an area.

We love this Swiss itinerary, as you will be sleeping always in another hotel of the Alpes Vaudoises. Furthermore, we included a glacier hike at 3000 metres altitude and a crossing of the world’s first peak to peak suspension bridge by Tissot.

Alpes vaudoises itinerary shown on a Swiss map
4 days Itinerary in the Alpes Vaudoises – Vaud Alpes

Good to know: This Switzerland itinerary could be added at the beginning of Swiss itineraries number two and three above.

Read the full itinerary in how to spend 4 days in the Alpes Vaudoises – Vaud Alpes


6. 4 Days in Jura & Three lakes – Biking Adventure

Start and finish in Murten – Bike and boat

None of the above Switzerland itineraries are covering the amazing Jura & Three Lakes Region. Therefore, it is definitely a travel itinerary we recommend adding to one of the others.

The special adventure within the Jura & Three Lakes itinerary is that we’re concentrating on discovering this place by cycling. Because there are not many steep mountains to cycle up, this is a great biking area for families.

We also included a visit to the Papiliorama (butterfly dome), a  bird sanctuary and a visit to the Pfalbaudorf (Stone Age village).

As the name says, the area has three lakes to discover and we have included each of them either by bike or on the boat.

map of Switzerland showing the jura and three lakes region
Switzerland itinerary – Jura and Three Lakes

Find out more about these 4 days in Jura & Three lakes, Swiss itinerary


7. 1–4 day Engelberg Itinerary – Lucerne Region – Active Adventure days

Start and finish in Engelberg – bike and public transport

Ready for a few active days? Then this is Engelberg Titlis. An absolute buzzing Swiss mountain village ideal for adventure loving families and people.

If you wish to add this place on to any of the already mentioned Switzerland itineraries, feel free to do so. We have listed things to do in Engelberg if you only stay one day or up to four days.

Be careful, Engelberg gets addictive.

If you are only visiting for one day you simply have to make a trip up Mount Titlis. But once you are up there and start to get a feel for this place you will want to go and explore the rest as well.

This is how we felt.

Some great biking, rock climbing, adventure tree parks and the best summer toboggan run can be discovered all in this one Swiss village, at Engelberg-Titlis

Engelberg Titlis 4 days itinerary map of Switzerland
Engelberg Titlis – 4 day itinerary

Discover all the Amazing things to do in Engelberg from 1-4 days


8. 4-day Lugano Itinerary – Ticino

Start and Finish in Lugano – Bike and public transport is great

On the number one #1 / 15-Day Switzerland Itinerary – the Highlights of Switzerland, trip we are covering the southern part of Switzerland – Ticino. But only for 2-3 days.

Therefore, here is a great addition if you would like to spend some more time in Ticino.

Add these four days to any of the larger Switzerland itineraries and get a real feel of how amazing Ticino is.

Within this Lugano itinerary we cover the area around Lugano. Activities such as biking, hiking and riding upLugano’s house mountain – San Salvatore for the best views over Ticino, are all within this Swiss itinerary.

map of switzerland showing the region of Lugano in Ticino
Switzerland Itinerary – Lugano Ticino

Furthermore, read the Swiss itinerary number 9, the best things to do in Ascona-Locarno region.  Together you have an amazing week in Ticino.

And here is all about 4 days Lugano itinerary


9. 3 Days Around Ascona – Locarno Itinerary – Ticino highlights

Start and finish in Locarno – Car or bus

If you have never been to Ticino and want to find out what it is all about, then this 2-3 day itinerary will show you the best there is in the Ascona – Locarno region in Ticino.

There is not really a lot of hiking planned, of course you can always include one if you like.

But this Switzerland itinerary to Ticino is done with first time visitors in mind.

Go and see all these beautiful places, the charming village of Lavertezzo with its romantic Ponte del Salti bridge.

See where James Bond 007 did his bungee jump during the film opening of Goldeneye from the dam wall.

map of Switzerland showing the loaction of Ascona - Locarno
Ascona – Locarno, Switzerland Itinerary

Good to know: The Swiss itinerary number 8 and 9 can easily been put together for an amazing one week in Ticino – Tessin.

Read How to get to the Best Places in Ticino – Locarno & Ascona region


10.  Weekend Itinerary to Champex-Lac

Start and finish at Champex-Lac – Pays du St. Bernard – Easiest by Car

During this Switzerland itinerary you will discover the beautiful Pays du St. Bernard in the Bas Valais region.

Exploring the area which is home to the Saint Bernard dogs, and the place which connects Italy with Switzerland should be on any Switzerland itinerary.

This fits perfectly onto the Swiss itinerary number two. But can also be added on to number one when you arrive into the Canton of Valais before heading to Zermatt.

Although you could arrive on the Swiss public transport system and also whilst at Champex-Lac use it, I do feel it would be easier with your own car.

The beauty of Champex-Lac and its surroundings is again the sheer nature and being a relatively unknown area to tourists.

map of Switzerland showing pays du St. Bernard on the map
Weekend Itinerary – Champex-Lac

Travel tip: This itinerary can easily by added on to the Swiss itinerary number 5, or any of the larger ones.

Read the full Itinerary to Champex-Lac and see if you like to add it to your Switzerland itinerary.


11. 6 Day Glarus Itinerary – The Hidden gem of Switzerland

Start in Elm finish in Braunwald – car or public transport

So glad to add the Canton of Glarus on to this list.

This itinerary is all about the best-kept secrets of the Glarnerland region. We have selected this 6 days itinerary to give you a memorable journey through the breathtaking landscapes and enchanting villages of Glarus.

Immerse yourself in the serene village of Elm, offering stunning hikes, an incredible playground, and thrilling downhill mountain scooter rides, ideal for the whole family.

This Swiss itinerary will take you on the fascinating hike to the Muttsee Hut, perched at an altitude of 2500 meters, and be rewarded with breathtaking views.

As always we added some relaxing moments, this time at the Märchenhotel Braunwald, where unforgettable family memories can be made. Furthermore it includes a Via Ferrata some climbing and a cool Theme trail.

Whether you’re an adventure seeker or looking for a tranquil family getaway, this Glarus itinerary has something special for everyone.

screenshot of a Swiss map marked the Canton Glarus in yellow
Glarus Süd Itinerary

Travel Tip: Because we already have part of Glarus included in the Swiss Itinerary number three, this one can easily be added to it.

Read more about this 6 Day Glarus Itinerary


Swiss Travel Guide

You may also like these posts to plan one of the above Switzerland itineraries.

We hope that you have found the perfect Switzerland itinerary with all the information given within this blog post.

If you have any questions, please write them in the comments section below.

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Hi, my name is Corina, a mum of twins, a wife and founder of Packed Again – a Swiss Family Travel & Adventure Blog. We live in the most amazing mountain valley in Switzerland, the Valais.

Here you find how best to visit the most beautiful places in Switzerland and beyond.

If you can’t find all information you’re needing to plan your trip,

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Never Forget to Explore!
Thank you Corina

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