Itinerary planning for Switzerland, Austria for 5 days in July
A traveler with two adults and a teenager is planning their first trip to Switzerland for five days at the end of July 2025. They're looking for itinerary suggestions, focusing on scenic experiences rather than physical activities, and want to know whether they should visit the Swarovski Kristallwelten in Austria. They are open to using the Swiss Travel Pass for budget-friendly travel options.
- Invest in the Swiss Travel Pass for convenient access to public transport and discounts on attractions.
- Consider basing yourself in Zurich or Lucerne to minimize travel time and maximize your experience.
- Avoid overly ambitious plans—focus on a few must-see locations to fully enjoy your trip.
- Don't prioritize the Swarovski Kristallwelten visit as it may take a significant chunk of time away from experiencing Switzerland.
AI-generated summary-
2 Adults ( parents) and one teenager – visiting Switzerland first time in the last week of July 2025 (summer)
Landing in ZHR 6.30am on 1st day and
Departing ZHR afternoon1.30 pm on 6th daySo we have 5 full days available in Switzerland.
( out of which “If Possible” I want to keep one day to visit Swarovski Kristallwelten in Austria. This is optional depending upon if we really need to use that day for Swiss or not, but we would be happy If I can visit Swarovski as this may be our only trip to Switzerland )A few places on our list to cover are:
Glacier Express and/or Bernina Express ( please recommend which one better and why)
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Mount Titlis
Beautiful cities in Switzerland-Definitely including Lucerne, Geneva, Gstaad, Vevey, Bern ( any more you recommend as must see if time permits)
Some beautiful must see swiss villages-Including Thun, Engelberg , Interlaken (and any other you recommend as must see if time permits)
Some beautiful swiss lakes and lake towns that are a must see
Any other recommendation that I have missed on my list above. looking to plan a detailed point to point itinerary for the entire trip.Our main intention of this trip is just to see the beautiful Switzerland, as many places as possible and soak in the beauty of each place , very are not interested in expensive or physical activities like hiking, skiing etc or any time consuming activities like cheese making, zoo visit, spending time in the hotel etc. as this is a very short trip ( and our only trip ever) and so much to see in Switzerland.
We absolutely enjoy driving ( but if you recommended us to buy Swiss travel pass , then we will want to use it and save on additional renting car cost whenever possible but not at the cost of wasting days) so we are open to drive, or take train or bus whenever one of them is the best option from point A to point B to save time or enjoy the beauty of Swiss
We would love to stay on a budget so please recommend any passes and stays that will help
Thank you in advance
-
Hello Pranz
Welcome to MySwissAlps
Thank you for sharing your travel plans with us.
I am afraid you are trying to cram far far too much into five-and-a-half-days.
Invest in Six-Day Swiss Travel Passes (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/)
Switzerland has the best public transport system in the world. The STP gives you the freedom of that system.
HOW OLD IS THE TEENAGER ON THE DATE OF TRAVEL? If under sixteen, get a FREE Swiss Family Card (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/tickets/discount/). He/she then goes FREE. If over 16 get a YOUTH STP for him/her.
Base yourself in one place
Do not waste time and energy heaving your luggage from place to place. Have one base. I suggest either Zurich or Lucerne (known as Luzern in German.)
Go out on day excursions from your single base.
Avoid the expensive reservations only trains such as the Glacier and Bernina Expresses.
For goodness sake forget Swarovski Kristallwelten . That is a Swiss day wasted. Swarovski Kristallwelten is at Innsbruck, one hundred miles east of the Austria/Swiss frontier. High fares to pay for all three of you for the journey Buchs(SG) to Innsbruck.
Study a good map of Switzerland.
Programme from Zurich.
Note that everything I suggest here is free with the STP, except the ride up to Gornergrat
With the map still in front of you go as follows.
Day one. This is not too great in distance. You may be jet-lagged. Train to Lucerne. Have a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Go up Mount Rigi (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/), then down to Arth-Goldau, train back to Zurich.
Day two. Take packed lunches with you. This trip will take you by ORDINARY TRAINS along almost the whole route of the Bernina Express. Go Zurich (depart 07 38)-Chur-Filisur (do not get off there)-Samedan-Pontresina-Campocologno, arrive 12 51. Depart Campocologno at 13 06 and go to St Moritz, arrive 15 12. 15 53 from St Moritz to Landquart via Klosters. Landquart to Zurich arrive 18 53.
Day three. Go to Zermatt (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/) via Bern and Visp. Go up the Gornergrat mountain railway (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/gornergrat/), 50% discount on the fare with the STP. Sit on the right for great views of the Matterhorn. At the top, you can eat outside.
This trip is incredibly good value for money. Way better value for money than ‘Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe’.
Day four This will take you on ordinary trains along much of the route of the Glacier Express. Again get the 07 38 Zurich to Chur, but this time change on to the train bound for DISENTIS. At Disentis get the Andermatt train, and at Andermatt go to Brig (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/brig/). A late lunch in Brig. Get the 14 36 RE1 train bound for Bern via KANDERSTEG. (Do NOT use Intercity trains for this leg.) THe RE1 gets to Bern (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bern/) at 1624. The historic city centre and the government buildings are very close to the station.
Fast trains to Zurich leave at 02 and 31 minutes past each hour, and take 56-57 minutes.
Day five (Or any day when the weather is poor.) Catch any IC5 train bound for Lausanne. At Renens (just before Lausanne) change for Geneva. Then go from Geneva to Vevey and Montreux. From Montreux return to Zurich changing at Lausanne.
Day six. If time, check in early and take a quick trip to the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen. Or just wander round the Zurich area using the streetcars, buses and local S-Bahn trains.
You will need to learn how to use the Swiss Electronic Timetable: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
Note that Interlaken (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/interlaken/) is a modern town, not a quaint old village.
Best wishes
Roger
Hi Pranz,
Some sound advice from Roger’s reply and good tips to make your trip more economical.
I’d take a look at “Budget activities” section too for some ideas too:
and also some of the sample itineraries here:
If a visit to the Swarovski Kristallwelten is high on your wish list for this trip, of course you can add this visit to your itinerary, especially if you think you won’t be heading back any time soon. You will just need to plan around it. Take a look at our travel guide for tips to / from Austria. If planning ahead, you may find reasonably priced tickets to take you to Wattens in Austria.
In regard to the Bernina Express and Glacier Express train rides, you can read about both in the links below. There are some videos you can watch too which may help you decide:
- Bernina Express: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/bernina-express/
- Glacier Express: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/glacier-express/
Similarly with a visit to Jungfraujoch or Mt. Titlis:
- Jungfraujoch: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/jungfraujoch/
- Mt. Titlis: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/titlis/
Kind regards,
Yolanda
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