The best of Switzerland in 2 weeks: sample route with handy booking list 

Day 1: Zurich to Bern & Interlaken

First, you’ll take a train to the national capital of Bern, to explore the beautiful historical town center. Then you continue to Interlaken to check-in to your hotel. The total traveling time is about 2 hours.

The day trips for the next days are weather dependent, so it’s good to have some alternatives in case of rain:

• the Trümmelbach Falls near Lauterbrunnen
• the Glacier Gorge near Grindelwald
• shopping in Interlaken
• great for kids: JungfrauPark Interlaken

Day 2: Mürren & Schilthorn

Today you’ll travel to Lauterbrunnen by train, and change to the bus to Stechelberg. There you take the cable car up to the Schilthorn.

After enjoying the view and possibly the restaurant, take the cable car down to Mürren and walk across town and further to Grütschalp. This is an easy stroll with beautiful views. The cable car takes you down to Lauterbrunnen, where the train to Interlaken will depart.

Today’s program will take about 6 hours.

Day 3: Jungfraujoch

From Interlaken Ost, you will make a spectacular journey via Lauterbrunnen and Wengen to the highest rail station in Europe: the Jungfraujoch.

After enjoying the view and the snow up here, you descend to Grindelwald. You can choose from the Eiger Express cable car, or the cogwheel ride via Kleine Scheidegg. From Grindelwald, you’ll take a direct train to Interlaken Ost.

This day trip takes about 6 hours.

It is not worth going up the Jungfraujoch if it’s covered in clouds. If necessary, you can consider traveling only as far as Kleine Scheidegg. That way, you’ll skip the highest (and most expensive) section of today’s route, which is most likely to be covered in clouds. But you can still enjoy the rest of the trip.

Day 4: The Lauterbrunnen Valley

On day 2 you’ve seen the Lauterbrunnen Valley from the cliff of Mürren. On day 3 you’ve seen it on your way up to the Jungfrau.

Today you will explore the valley on foot. This hike can be as long or as short as you want. You can start in Wilderswil (5 minutes from Interlaken by train), and walk via Zweilütschinen and Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg and beyond. The trails are easy.

Trains back to Interlaken depart from Zweilütschinen and Lauterbrunnen. From Stechelberg there’s a bus back to Lauterbrunnen. The highlight of the route is the famous Staubbach Fall, just past the village of Lauterbrunnen.

Day 5: Interlaken to Brig

You will leave the northern Alps today and move to the south of Switzerland. Our suggestion is to travel to Spiez by any train you find convenient. Then switch to the scenic Lötschberg Mountain Railway trains to your destination Brig. This is a more scenic route than the Lötschberg Base Tunnel route, which is used by quicker InterCity trains.

This trip takes about 1h50, so you have plenty of time left to spend in Interlaken in the morning or Brig in the afternoon.

Day 6: Aletsch Glacier

First, you’ll travel by train to Betten, where you will change to the cable car to Bettmeralp. Finally, a gondola will take you further up to the Bettmerhorn. Here you can enjoy a great view of the Aletsch Glacier.

Then make the beautiful hike to Fiescheralp. From there you’ll take the cable car down to Fiesch and a train back to Brig.

The entire trip will take up the whole day.

Day 7: Zermatt & Gornergrat

Zermatt and its famous Matterhorn can’t be skipped if you want to see Switzerland’s highlights.

You first travel to Zermatt by train (about 1h30). There you’ll change to the cogwheel train to the Gornergrat (about half an hour), for one of the best views you can get of the Matterhorn and its surroundings.

Afterward you can explore Zermatt, then return to Brig.

Day 8: Grimsel Pass & GoldenPass

From Brig, you’ll take a train to Oberwald, in the outmost eastern corner of the canton of Valais. There you board a postbus that takes you across the Grimsel Pass to Meiringen. You may want to have a lunch break here before continuing on to Lucerne.

Board the train in Meiringen to enjoy the ride on the northern section of the GoldenPass route to Lucerne.

Today comprises approximately 6 hours of traveling.

Day 9: Mount Rigi & boat trip

You’ll travel by train to Arth-Goldau, and switch to the cogwheel train up the Rigi. From there, another train goes down to Vitznau. Optionally you can walk part of this route to explore the car-free countryside even better. The section from Rigi Staffel to Rigi Kaltbad is a short and easy hike.

Vitznau is a beautifully located village on Lake Lucerne. A relaxed boat trip is the perfect way to reach Lucerne again. Today’s trip takes about 5 hours.

Day 10: Lucerne

Lucerne is a beautiful town with plenty of activities. Today can be used to explore the town and its museums. Ideas for today can be found here.

Day 11: Pilatus Golden Round Trip

Today it’s time for the so-called “Pilatus Golden Round Trip“. First, a boat takes you to Alpnachstad, where you change to the spectacular cogwheel train to the summit of the Pilatus.

Take in the great views from the top. Then descend by cable car to Kriens. Finally, a short bus trip brings you back to the center of Lucerne.

This trip will take just over half a day.

Day 12: Lucerne or Zurich

Zurich is less than an hour from Lucerne by train. If you liked Lucerne, you can spend most of the day in Lucerne and travel to Zurich in the early evening. Alternatively, use this day to explore Zurich.

Day 13: Rhine Falls

The Rhine Falls are within easy reach from Zurich (an hour by train), and not to be missed. This day trip takes about half a day.

You can extend it by exploring the town of Schaffhausen. Or make a 2-hour boat cruise to Stein am Rhein, and take the train back to Zurich from there. This detour would add another 4 hours to your trip.

Day 14: Zurich

Zurich has a lot to offer. A whole day won’t be enough for all sightseeing and activities, but it’s a good start.

Map of the travel route

This simplified map shows your travel route (red for trains and mountain transport, yellow for the bus transfer), including the base towns and activities (grey for hikes). For more detailed maps, you can check each hike, panoramic train, and activity to which we link from this page.