London, Paris, and Switzerland Multi-City Itinerary

Late Lunch

Start around 3:30 PM at St Martin-in-the-Fields Café, conveniently below St Martin-in-the-Fields beside Trafalgar Square. It’s a good first stop after arrival: relaxed, central, and practical for a late meal, with soups, salads, sandwiches, and hot drinks usually costing about £10–18. Check the café’s same-day hours, as they can vary with church events. From Charing Cross Station, it’s only a couple of minutes on foot; Leicester Square is also nearby.

Afternoon Exploring

After lunch, spend about 30 minutes in Trafalgar Square, taking in Nelson’s Column, the fountains, and the exterior of the National Gallery. Walk south toward Westminster Abbey—roughly 15–20 minutes via Whitehall, or take the Tube from Charing Cross to Westminster if you would rather conserve energy. Allow around 1½ hours inside the abbey; it is one of London’s essential historic interiors, but admission is commonly around £30 and timed tickets are strongly advisable. Check the official schedule before setting out, since services and special events can affect visiting hours.

Early Evening and Dinner

From Westminster Abbey, head toward the Thames and begin the South Bank walk eastward, passing riverside views toward London Eye, Tate Modern, and Shakespeare’s Globe before continuing toward London Bridge. The full walk takes about 1½ hours at an easy pace, though you can shorten it by using Waterloo or Blackfriars stations. Finish at Flat Iron Square in Bermondsey around 7:30 PM for a casual dinner from the food stalls and bars—budget roughly £15–30 per person. It is about a 10-minute walk from London Bridge Station; the venue’s individual kitchens and opening times vary, so check what is operating that evening.

Morning

Start around 9:00 AM at the Tower of London, arriving via Tower Hill Underground Station—the District and Circle lines leave you a few minutes’ walk from the entrance. Allow roughly 2½ hours for the medieval fortress, Crown Jewels, ravens, and Yeoman Warder tour. Timed tickets are strongly recommended in August; admission is usually about £35–£40 for adults, and the first entry slots are the best way to avoid the largest crowds. Afterward, walk west along Lower Thames Street and across London Bridge toward Borough Market, a pleasant 15–20-minute route with river views.

Lunch and Afternoon

Spend about an hour at Borough Market, where independent traders serve everything from grilled cheese and falafel to gourmet sandwiches and fresh pastries. Budget £12–25 per person, and remember that many stalls are cashless. From the market, walk along Bankside for around 10 minutes to Shakespeare’s Globe. Allow 1½ hours for the exhibition and reconstructed Tudor theater; exhibition hours vary, but it generally opens from late morning, and performances may affect access to the auditorium. Book ahead if you want a guided tour, especially during the summer season. Continue east-to-west along the river for approximately 20 minutes to St Paul’s Cathedral, crossing Millennium Bridge for one of the city’s best approaches. Give yourself about two hours to see the interior, Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery, and Golden Gallery; standard sightseeing admission is typically around £25–£30, with final entry usually in the late afternoon.

Evening

Finish at Sky Garden, a short walk from St Paul’s Cathedral through the City, or one stop on the Underground if you prefer not to walk. Reserve a free timed ticket in advance—same-day availability is unreliable in August—and bring photo ID for security. The indoor garden and viewing decks usually stay open into the evening, making this an easy final stop rather than a rushed sunset gamble. Allow about an hour to look across the Thames and toward the landmarks you visited earlier; if you want a drink afterward, Aqua Shard or the riverside pubs around Monument are nearby, though reservations are sensible.

Morning & Arrival

After arriving at Paris Gare du Nord, take Metro line 5 to Gare de l’Est, then walk roughly 10 minutes east to the Canal Saint-Martin. Give yourself a little time to get settled—Eurostar arrivals can be busy, and the canal is an easy, low-pressure first stop. Spend about an hour strolling beside the water, crossing the distinctive iron footbridges, and watching locals gather around the locks. From there, Marché couvert Saint-Martin is a pleasant 10-minute walk south along Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin. Browse the stalls and small food counters for a casual lunch, budgeting around €12–25 per person; opening hours vary by vendor, but it is generally most reliable around midday and may close earlier on some days.

Afternoon

After lunch, walk or take Metro line 5 from Jacques Bonsergent toward Bastille, then continue into Le Marais. Allow around two hours for the neighborhood rather than trying to cover every street: wander along Rue de Bretagne, Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, and the quieter lanes around the historic hôtels particuliers, stopping at galleries and boutiques as they catch your eye. Late afternoon is the right time to reach Place des Vosges, about a 15-minute walk from the central Marais streets. The square is especially good for a pause beneath the arcades or on the lawns, though the grass can be closed after rain. Most shops in the area typically open roughly 11:00 AM–7:00 PM, with many galleries closed on Mondays.

Evening

For dinner, walk about 10 minutes from Place des Vosges to L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers. The famous falafel pita is usually around €10–20, and the queue can be long at dinner, so going slightly before or after the main 7:30–8:30 PM rush helps. It is primarily a takeaway-style experience rather than a lingering restaurant meal; eat as you wander the lively lanes of the Jewish Quarter, then return to your hotel by Metro from Saint-Paul or Hôtel de Ville. Keep some energy in reserve tonight—the first day after the cross-Channel trip is best enjoyed as a gentle introduction to Paris rather than a late night.

Morning

Start at Musée du Louvre when it opens—typically 9:00 AM, though it is closed on Tuesdays and opening arrangements can change—so reserve a timed entry well ahead through the museum’s official website. Allow about three hours, concentrating on the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, and whichever ancient Egyptian or Near Eastern galleries interest you most; trying to cover everything is exhausting. Enter through the Pyramid, arrive 20–30 minutes early for security, and wear comfortable shoes. From the Louvre, walk west through the Jardin des Tuileries for roughly 45 minutes, taking the central gravel paths and stopping by the chairs around the fountains before continuing toward the Seine.

Lunch & Afternoon

Continue into Saint-Germain-des-Prés for lunch at Café de Flore, about a 20-minute walk from the Tuileries or a short Metro ride via line 1 and line 4. Expect €25–45 per person, with a premium for the historic setting; a simple croque monsieur, salad, or omelet is the sensible choice if you want to keep the meal moving. After lunch, take Metro line 12 from Sèvres–Babylone toward Madeleine, then change for the Musée d’Orsay area, or walk across the river in around 20 minutes. Spend about two hours inside Musée d’Orsay, especially on the upper floor for Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh; timed tickets are strongly recommended, and the museum is generally open until 6:00 PM, with a later Thursday opening.

Evening

Head to the Eiffel Tower around two hours before sunset—allow 25–35 minutes by Metro from Musée d’Orsay, usually via line 12 and a change, or take a riverside taxi if you want an easier transition. Reserve tower access in advance if you plan to go up; otherwise, the best relaxed views are from Trocadéro before walking across to the Champ de Mars. In late August, sunset is around 9:00 PM, so arrive roughly 7:30–8:00 PM for softer light and stay for the tower’s sparkling illumination after dark. Bring water and expect crowds around both viewpoints; the quieter approach is along Avenue de Suffren, and nearby Rue Cler is convenient for picking up a picnic-style dinner if you would rather eat on the lawn than commit to a long restaurant meal.

Morning & Arrival

Take the TGV Lyria from Gare de Lyon around 8:00 AM and expect to reach Zürich Hauptbahnhof shortly after noon. Keep luggage compact—the easiest first move is to use the station’s lockers or leave bags at your hotel before heading out. Allow roughly 20–30 minutes for the station-to-hotel transfer, depending on where you are staying; Zürich’s trams are frequent, clear, and usually more convenient than taxis. After a quick lunch near the station, walk south along the Limmatquai toward Bahnhofstrasse, Zürich’s polished main boulevard. Give yourself about an hour for browsing and people-watching, but note that many shops generally close around 6:30–8:00 PM, with shorter hours on Sundays.

Afternoon in the Old Town

From Bahnhofstrasse, continue toward Fraumünster, an easy 10-minute walk through the center. The church is open for visitors at varying daytime hours, commonly from late morning until early evening; admission is usually around CHF 5, and the audio guide helps explain Marc Chagall’s vivid stained-glass windows. From there, cross the Münsterbrücke over the river to Grossmünster. Plan about an hour, including the climb up one tower if open—there are roughly 180 steps, but the view over the Limmat River, rooftops, and lake is worth the effort. Wear shoes with a good grip and check the tower’s same-day closing time, since it can shut earlier than the church.

Evening

For dinner, settle into Zeughauskeller, a lively historic beer hall near Paradeplatz, about a 10-minute walk back from Grossmünster. Reserve ahead if possible, especially for an August evening; dinner typically runs CHF 25–45 per person, with Swiss-German staples such as sausages, rösti, and veal dishes served in a bustling, communal setting. Afterward, take a gentle stroll along the Limmat toward Bellevue rather than adding another attraction—this is one of the nicest ways to see Zürich illuminated, and trams from Bellevue or Paradeplatz make the return to your hotel straightforward.

Morning

Begin at Bürkliplatz for a Lake Zurich boat cruise, ideally on a late-morning sailing around 10:00 AM. The standard lake round trip takes roughly two hours and gives you an easy view of the shoreline, villas, wooded hills, and the city skyline without packing the morning too tightly. Check the exact timetable on the Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG) website, since services vary by season; a short or round-trip cruise generally costs about CHF 10–30 depending on the route. Arrive 15–20 minutes early for a good outdoor seat, and bring a light layer—the lake can feel breezy even in August.

After returning to Bürkliplatz, walk through the Old Town toward Lindenhof, passing along the Limmat and the narrow streets around Münsterhof. Allow about 45 minutes at Lindenhof for the broad view toward Grossmünster, the river, and the eastern side of the city. It is free and open at all times, though the viewpoint is best before the afternoon haze builds. From here, walk south for roughly 10 minutes to Hiltl on Sihlstrasse for lunch. The buffet is the easiest choice if you want variety, with vegetarian and vegan dishes priced by weight; expect approximately CHF 25–45 per person. It is popular, so going slightly before or after the 12:00–1:00 PM rush makes finding a table easier.

Afternoon & Evening

After lunch, take the SZU train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof to Uetliberg, usually around 20 minutes, then follow the signed uphill path for about 10–15 minutes to the summit viewpoint. Allow roughly 2½ hours for the train, walk, and time on the ridge. Uetliberg offers Zurich’s best nearby panorama over the city and lake, with the Alps sometimes visible on a clear day; comfortable shoes are worthwhile, and carry water because the summit paths are more open than they first appear. Trains are covered by the Zurich regional fare system, and checking the return service before setting off is sensible, particularly if you linger for the view.

Return to central Zurich and finish at the Swiss National Museum, beside Zürich Hauptbahnhof, for about 90 minutes of Swiss history, design, and cultural collections. Check the museum’s current closing time before leaving Uetliberg—hours can vary, and an early-evening arrival is safest. Admission is generally around CHF 10–15 for adults. For dinner afterward, keep it casual around Langstrasse or the Europaallee dining quarter near the station; both are an easy walk from the museum and give you plenty of choice without committing to another long outing.

Morning

Take the early train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof to Interlaken Ost, aiming for about 7:30 AM so you arrive around 9:30 AM with the day still ahead of you. From the station, walk a few minutes to the Harder Kulm funicular; leave larger luggage in the station lockers if needed. The ride to the viewpoint takes only about 10 minutes, but allow roughly two hours overall for the ascent, viewing platform, and short walks. From the top, you’ll see Interlaken, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, and—on a clear day—the Jungfrau range. Return funicular tickets generally cost around CHF 20–40, with discounts available using a Swiss Travel Pass or suitable SBB fare; check the day’s operating hours, as services can vary with weather.

Lunch & Afternoon

Walk into central Interlaken for lunch at Restaurant Taverne, allowing about an hour for Swiss comfort food such as rösti, fondue, or regional meat dishes. Expect roughly CHF 25–45 per person, and consider booking or arriving a little before noon in high season. After lunch, stroll back toward Interlaken Ost—about 15 minutes, mostly straightforward—to board the Lake Brienz cruise. Set aside around two hours for the boat ride, whose turquoise water and steep alpine backdrop are the real draw. Check the official timetable before setting out: afternoon sailings are seasonal, and missing one can mean a substantial wait. Keep a light jacket handy even in August; the breeze on deck is noticeably cooler.

Early Evening

Finish at Höhematte Park, a relaxed 15-minute walk from Interlaken Ost or a short walk from the cruise return point depending on the sailing. Spend 45 minutes wandering the lawns and taking in the open view toward the Jungfrau massif, with paragliders often landing nearby. It’s a good place to slow the pace after a full day rather than add another formal attraction. For dinner, stay around the center or Höheweg, where restaurants remain convenient; if you are returning to Zurich or continuing onward tomorrow, collect luggage and confirm the next morning’s SBB connection before settling in.

Early Morning & Return Journey

Leave Interlaken around 5:30–6:00 AM for the train to Zürich Flughafen, allowing roughly 6–8 hours door to door once the airport transfer, security, flight, baggage collection, and London connection are included. A direct flight to London Heathrow is usually the most convenient for Richmond; from Heathrow, take the Elizabeth line toward central London and change for a District line train to Richmond, or use a taxi if you have substantial luggage. Keep the afternoon deliberately light—this is a travel day, and delays are common.

Late Afternoon

If you reach Richmond by about 4:00 PM, head first to Richmond Park for around two hours. From Richmond Station, it is roughly a 20-minute walk uphill to the park’s main entrances, or a short taxi ride if you are tired. Wander around Pembroke Lodge and King Henry’s Mound for broad views toward the London skyline, keeping an eye out for red and fallow deer. The park is free and open from early morning until evening, but stay well back from the deer—especially during the autumn rut—and check the closing time for the specific gate you use.

Evening

Continue by taxi or on foot through Petersham to Petersham Nurseries, a peaceful garden destination tucked beside the River Thames. Allow about 1½ hours for the plant-filled setting and a relaxed dinner; budget roughly £25–50 per person, and reserve ahead because the dining spaces are popular. Afterward, take the gentle walk down to Richmond Riverside for about 45 minutes along the Thames. The water, rowing boats, and illuminated riverside buildings make a particularly good low-effort finale after the long journey; if you still have energy, finish with a drink at one of the pubs near Water Lane before returning to your accommodation.