Switzerland is a country full of dynamic landscapes and show-stopping views. The greenest of green pastures, cows that wear bells, and mountains that draw international visitors at all times of the year. Oh, and don’t forget the cheese! An unforgettable road trip in Switzerland is easy to achieve, as there are gorgeous sights wherever you go in this small landlocked country. Here’s my suggested 7-day itinerary for a road trip around Switzerland, with drive times, scenic views and more!
We end up in Switzerland at least once a year, usually road-tripping around Europe, and stopping on the way in this stunning country. While it is an expensive place to visit, if you don’t mind picnicking some of your meals and travelling in the shoulder seasons, it can be made affordable. The scenery between places is magnificent, so even the road tripping is captivating!
7-Day Road Trip Guide to Switzerland
This seven day Swiss road trip runs between Geneva and Basel – both have international airports, so you can pick which end you’d like to start from.
Or spend another day or two turning it into a loop to return to the same airport.
Below this itinerary, I have included extra destinations to consider if you have more than 1 week to road trip around Switzerland.
Geneva
Sitting at the southern end of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), the city of Geneva has an international feel. Home to institutions like the United Nations and the Red Cross, which have shaped its identity as a global hub for diplomacy and humanitarian work, Geneva is a good jumping off point for a Swiss road trip.
Spend half a day in Geneva and enjoy the beautiful waterfront and a cruise on Lake Geneva. The historic paddle boats are a tranquil way to enjoy the harbour and Jet d’Eau – a fantastic fountain that explodes up to 140m and provides a focal point to the harbour. Geneva has an interesting mix of promenade grandeur and modern business development, so it’s not a stuffy city. If you’re a science buff, CERN is nearby!
With excellent rail connections, if you wanted to explore Switzerland by train, it is easily done from here. If you have more than 7 days in Switzerland, stay one night in Geneva to enjoy more of what’s on offer.
WHERE TO STAY IN GENEVA: We enjoyed the Warwick Geneva by the train station. An easy walk down to the waterfront, it was convenient for our onward travels. Or if you’ve already picked up your car, choose a hotel with parking further along the promenade, like Hôtel Mon Repos.
Lake Geneva: Lausanne, Port Ouchy, Lavaux Vineyards or Montreux
The genteel lake culture of Switzerland is an absolute delight. Our favourite stops along Lake Geneva are Lausanne, the marinas and grand hotels of Port Ouchy, the wine exploration of the Lavaux terraced vineyards, and the music of Montreux.
Enjoy one night on the tranquility of Lake Geneva – either in Geneva proper or along lake. The opulent hotels around Port Ouchy, outside Lausanne, are a favourite spot for us. It’s perhaps not the cheapest place to enjoy a night away, but it does make for a luxury romantic break.
Don’t miss a chance to try the wines produced from the grapes grown alongside the lake. The AOC Lavaux appellations are prized, but there are lots of blends that are very enjoyable. I enjoy the Gamay rosés on a hot day by the lake!
If you’re a music fan, head to Montreux, home of the famous annual jazz festival. A statue of Freddie Mercury graces the waterfront, after he settled there and recorded a Queen album. Don’t miss a visit to Chillon castle, just south of Montreux.
WHERE TO STAY ON LAKE GENEVA: In Port Ouchy, there are three grand hotels around the harbour prom. Hotel Angleterre, Château d’Ouchy, and the Hôtel Beau-Rivage Palace offer Victorian vacation vibes, but with lush modernisations. If you wanted a super romantic break, then any of these would be perfect.
The same grandeur in Montreux can be found at Hotel Eden Palace au Lac. For the perfect wine-lovers retreat near the Lavaux vineyards, try the Auberge de Rivaz. For budget options (which is on the higher end because, y’know, Switzerland), stay at the Hôtel ibis Lausanne Centre, or over on the French side of the lake at the Hôtel ibis Thonon Centre (next to the town where Evian spring water comes from).
Bernese Oberland: Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen
One of the most beautiful areas in Switzerland is the Bernese Oberland. The area around Lake Thun, Interlaken, and up into the Bernese Alps around Grindelwald and the Lauterbrunnen valley. Take in the wild beauty, enjoy lake and mountain views, or partake in some adventure sports.
Interlaken didn’t capture our hearts much as a city, but it is where the trains up to the mountains leave from. Instead, we chose the nearby town of Ringgenberg, on the edge of Lake Brienz, to base ourselves for a few nights while we enjoyed the mountains.
Spend 3 nights in the area to enjoy the magnificent landscapes:
- Cog Railway – Taking the cog railway is a must. This sunny yellow train – the Wengernalp Railway (WAB) – winds its way up to Kleine Sheidegg from Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Grindelwald. The views of the valleys and mountains from the train are glorious, and they even have upper windows that open to ensure good photos! There is a regional train that leaves from Interlaken to connect to the Cog Railway in Wengen.
- Jungfraujoch ‘The Top of Europe’ – While this is an expensive summit to reach (heck, aren’t they all), if this is the only summit in the alps you are visiting, you won’t be disappointed. Accessible via the Eiger Express gondola (cable car), or the Jungfrau Railway (another cog railway from Kleine Sheidegg), you can enjoy different forms of transport on your way to the top. At the top, you can view the Aletsch Glacier, walk in ice caves, and even enjoy a Lindt chocolate shop!
- Kleine Sheidegg – For those who prefer to look at the mountains rather than summit them, the bar at the train station at Kleine Sheidegg offers a wonderful view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks.
- Lauterbrunnen Valley – This valley is lush with hiking trails and beautiful waterfalls. Visit the Staubbach Falls and Trümmelbach Falls (inside a mountain).
- Harder Kulm – Take the funicular from Interlaken for panoramic views over Lakes Thun and Brienz.
- Hike to Bachalpsee – Go on the hike to Bachalpsee (around 4 hours return) – a picture-perfect alpine lake above Grindelwald.
- Gondola to Mürren – Mürren & Gimmelwald are alpine villages with incredible cliff views.
WHERE TO STAY IN BERNESE OBERLAND: Stay at the Alpina Boutique Hotel in Ringgenberg, near Interlaken – a traditional family-run inn with beautiful lake views (this is an adults-only hotel, so ideal for couples).
If you wanted to stay in the mountains instead, here are my recommendations…
Grindelwald – The Hotel-Restaurant Kreuz & Post is right next to the train station, and has great views.
Wengen – The grand Hotel Silberhorn is central and has great Jungfrau views.
Lauterbrunnen – Hotel Oberland is a beautiful traditional building in the centre of town, with modernised rooms. It is only a 3 minute walk to the famous Staubbachfall Viewpoint.
Lucerne
You’ve probably seen the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) with displays of red geraniums in postcards and tourism for Switzerland. This iconic covered wooden bridge has 17th-century paintings inside.
Other things to do in Lucerne include:
- Wandering the cobbled streets of the Old Town (Altstadt), the painted facades are amazing
- Take a boat tour out on Lake Lucerne
- Climb the towers of the preserved Musegg city walls (Museggmauer) for views over Lucerne
- Hike up at Mount Pilatus (reached by gondola or cog railway)
If you’re pushed for time, just spend half a day here in Lucerne, on your way to Zurich.
WHERE TO STAY IN LUCERNE: For something fancy, the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern has a grand view of the lake. Or the Hotel Des Alpes has views of the Chapel Bridge. For a hotel with parking, the central ibis Styles Luzern is reasonably priced.
Zurich
Zurich is probably the most expensive city in Switzerland to stay over in, but I would definitely recommend it at least once! Why? Because it is quite lovely!
Start your time here by strolling one of the world’s most famous shopping streets, Bahnhofstrasse, even if you’re just window shopping. The narrow lanes of Niederdorf and Lindenhof are great for history, cafes, and city views.
One of the most delightful things we did, on a warm spring day in Zurich, was to sit at the Bauschänzli beer garden. With views of the Limmat River and Grossmünster church, I definitely recommend it as a pitstop. And while it isn’t the cheapest place to drink, we were happy to pay for the convivial atmosphere and views.
Don’t miss the Marc Chagall stained glass windows in the Fraumünster church also.
If you can’t find affordable accommodation in Zurich, stay in Lucerne or choose a countryside location, and visit Zurich centre on your way to Basel.
WHERE TO STAY IN ZURICH: We have always been road-tripping when visiting Zurich, so staying somewhere with parking is a must for us. We find the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel ideal, as it is a short taxi ride into town, but has good parking.
Basel
We are lucky to have visited Basel a number of times, including walking across the Three Countries Bridge over the Rhine River, where France, Germany and Switzerland meet. These free and easy borders are one of the joys of the EU, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.
Truly a mix of styles, languages, and influence, Basel is a melting pot. With different architectures like the Gothic 9th-century Basel Münster that sits resplendent on a hill on the south side of the river, to the flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance mixed Basel Town Hall (Rathaus). Modern buildings are spliced into the old town with finesse, like the extension to the Kunstmuseum by Herzog & de Meuron, Basel-based architects.
Don’t miss indulging in a fondue or raclette meal before leaving Switzerland – cheese is life!
WHERE TO STAY IN BASEL: Try the central Hotel D, or the Hotel Spalentor, which has paid parking. We’ve also stayed nearer the airport, at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Basel Allschwil.
If you have 10 days in Switzerland
If you have more time, I would definitely consider side quests to these awesome spots:
- Zermatt / Matterhorn – One of the world’s most recognisable peaks, Matterhorn can be seen (on a clear day) from the town of Zermatt. From here you can ascend this incredible mountain and enjoy the summit complex. Add to the route after Lake Geneva and before the Bernese Oberland.
- Lake Constance – Lake Constance is divided between three countries – Switzerland, Austria and Germany. The fortifications and activities around Kreuzlingen are a fun detour after Zurich and before Basel.
- Val-de-Travers – Turn this route into a loop by heading into the Travers Valley, north of Lake Neuchâtel, before returning to Geneva. This valley is the birthplace of Absinthe, and is worth an overnight stop so that you can imbibe some of this magical liquor safely!
Enjoy more road trip content here!
All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.
