14-Day Itinerary for Exploring Switzerland: Geneva to Zurich

  • Day 1: Geneva
    Arrival Day - No travel time

    Welcome to Geneva, a cosmopolitan city located on the shores of Lake Geneva. Start the day by visiting the United Nations Headquarters and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. In the evening, take a stroll through the cobbled streets of Old Town Geneva and admire the St. Pierre Cathedral.

  • Day 2: Lausanne and Montreux
    1 hour 5 minutes (60 km) from Geneva

    Experience the rich cultural heritage of Switzerland by visiting Lausanne Cathedral and the Palais de Rumine museum. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely walk along the Lake Geneva shoreline in Montreux and visit the famous Chillon Castle.

  • Day 3: Interlaken
    2 hours (170 km) from Montreux

    Interlaken is a gateway to the Swiss Alps and offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, and paragliding. Take a scenic train ride to the Top of Europe in Jungfraujoch, explore the Trummelbach Falls, or go for a leisurely walk around the beautiful Lake Brienz.

  • Day 4: Lucerne
    2 hours 30 minutes (140 km) from Interlaken

    Lucerne is a picturesque town located at the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Visit the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, and the Swiss Museum of Transport. Take a leisurely walk along the shores of Lake Lucerne and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surroundings.

  • Day 5: Zurich
    1 hour (50 km) from Lucerne

    Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and offers a variety of cultural landmarks, museums, and shopping districts. Visit the famous Bahnhofstrasse, the Swiss National Museum, and the Fraumunster Church. End your day by enjoying the beautiful sunset over Lake Zurich.

  • Day 6: Appenzell
    1 hour 40 minutes (110 km) from Zurich

    Appenzell is a small town located in the northeast of Switzerland known for its charming architecture and local folk traditions. Visit the Appenzell Museum and the St. Mauritius Abbey. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Swiss dinner at a local restaurant.

  • Day 7: St. Gallen
    30 minutes (20 km) from Appenzell

    St. Gallen is a historic town located at the foot of the Swiss Alps. Visit the famous Abbey Library of St. Gallen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Textile Museum. In the evening, take a scenic drive around the nearby countryside.

  • Day 8: Bern
    2 hours (180 km) from St. Gallen

    Bern is the capital city of Switzerland and offers a variety of cultural landmarks, museums, and city parks. Visit the famous Zytglogge Clock Tower, the Berner Munster, and the Einsteinhaus. Take a leisurely walk around the city's UNESCO-listed Old Town.

  • Day 9: Gruyeres
    1 hour 30 minutes (130 km) from Bern

    Gruyeres is a small town located in the Fribourg region of Switzerland known for its medieval history and famous cheese. Visit the Gruyeres Castle and the La Maison du Gruyere cheese factory. Enjoy a fun-filled evening at the Gruyeres Chocolate Factory.

  • Day 10: Zermatt
    3 hours 30 minutes (230 km) from Gruyeres

    Zermatt is a world-renowned ski resort located at the foot of the famous Matterhorn mountain. Take a scenic train ride to the Gornergrat Observatory or enjoy a relaxing walk around the picturesque town. In the evening, enjoy a fondue dinner with local wine.

  • Day 11: St. Moritz
    5 hours (250 km) from Zermatt

    St. Moritz is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world and offers a wide range of winter activities, including skiing, snowboarding, and ice-skating. Take a stroll around the beautiful Lake St. Moritz and visit the Badrutt's Palace Hotel. In the evening, enjoy a fine dining experience at a local restaurant.

  • Day 12: Lugano
    3 hours 30 minutes (190 km) from St. Moritz

    Lugano is a charming town located in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland. Visit the famous Lugano Cathedral, the Gandria Village, and the Monte Bré Cable Car. Take a leisurely walk around the scenic town and enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere.

  • Day 13: Basel
    3 hours (220 km) from Lugano

    Basel is a vibrant city located on the border of Switzerland, France, and Germany. Visit the famous Kunstmuseum Basel, the Rathaus Basel, and the Basel Minster. Take a leisurely walk around the scenic old town area and soak up the city's international atmosphere.

  • Day 14: Zurich
    55 minutes (31 km) from Basel

    Explore the vibrant city of Zurich one more time before departing. Visit the famous Fraumunster Church and the Bahnhofstrasse shopping district. End your trip on a high note with a delicious Swiss chocolate tasting experience.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • United Nations Headquarters (1 hour, free)
  • International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum (1-2 hours, CHF 15 for adults)
  • St. Pierre Cathedral (1-2 hours, free)
  • Lausanne Cathedral (1 hour, free)
  • Palais de Rumine (1-2 hours, free)
  • Chillon Castle (1-2 hours, CHF 12 for adults)
  • Top of Europe in Jungfraujoch (3-4 hours, CHF 235 for adults)
  • Trummelbach Falls (1-2 hours, CHF 11 for adults)
  • Chapel Bridge (1-2 hours, free)
  • Lion Monument (30 minutes, free)
  • Swiss Museum of Transport (1-2 hours, CHF 16 for adults)
  • Bahnhofstrasse (1-2 hours, free)
  • Swiss National Museum (1-2 hours, CHF 10 for adults)
  • Fraumunster Church (1 hour, free)
  • Appenzell Museum (1-2 hours, CHF 12 for adults)
  • St. Mauritius Abbey (1 hour, free)
  • Zytglogge Clock Tower (30 minutes, free)
  • Berner Munster (1 hour, free)
  • Einsteinhaus (1-2 hours, CHF 6 for adults)
  • Gruyeres Castle (1-2 hours, CHF 9 for adults)
  • La Maison du Gruyere (1 hour, CHF 7 for adults)
  • Gruyeres Chocolate Factory (1-2 hours, CHF 10 for adults)
  • Gornergrat Observatory (3-4 hours, CHF 90 for adults)
  • Badrutt's Palace Hotel (1 hour, free)
  • Lugano Cathedral (1 hour, free)
  • Gandria Village (1 hour, free)
  • Monte Bré Cable Car (1-2 hours, CHF 23 for adults)
  • Kunstmuseum Basel (1-2 hours, CHF 16 for adults)
  • Rathaus Basel (1-2 hours, free)
  • Basel Minster (1 hour, free)
  • Swiss Chocolate Tasting Experience (1 hour, CHF 20 for adults)
  • Total Estimated Costs: CHF 530 per adult

Transportation

Transportation in Switzerland is easy and efficient, with a well-developed system of trains, buses, and cable cars. Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass to save on transportation costs. The cost of transportation will vary depending on the mode of transport, distance, and destination. Expect to spend around CHF 50-100 per day on transportation.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the famous Matterhorn mountain in Zermatt or the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen. Conversely, if you have less time, consider skipping some of the smaller towns like Appenzell and St. Gallen. Don't forget to bring comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes, especially if you're visiting during the winter months.

Airports

Zurich International Airport (ZRH) is the largest airport in Switzerland and is located approximately 13 kilometres north of Zurich city centre. Geneva International Airport (GVA) is located approximately 4 kilometres northwest of Geneva city centre. Both airports offer a wide range of international and domestic flights and are well-connected to the rest of the country by train, bus, and taxi.

0