Budget-Friendly 2-Week Swiss Adventure with Air Canada Flights

Day 1: Arrival and Zurich Exploration

Zurich, Switzerland on June 22, 2025

7:00am

Flight from Toronto/Montreal/Ottawa to Zurich

Take an Air Canada flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport for the best combination of price and baggage allowance. Book early for better deals around late June to early July, targeting a flight arriving in Zurich in the morning.
CURRENCY Variable, Approx 8h flight

12:00pm

Check-in and rest

Check-in at a budget-friendly hotel or hostel in Zurich city centre to stay close to public transport and attractions. Rest briefly to adjust to the time difference.
CHF 70, 1h

1:00pm

Lunch at Hiltl

Enjoy a budget-friendly vegetarian buffet at Hiltl, one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in the world, open 11:30am-11pm.
CHF 20, 1h

2:30pm

Explore Old Town (Altstadt)

Stroll through Zurich’s charming Old Town; visit sites like Grossmünster and Bahnhofstrasse for shopping and sightseeing. Open all day.
Free, 2h

5:00pm

Relax at Lake Zurich

Walk along the beautiful Lake Zurich promenade; enjoy the lakeside views and atmosphere.
Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Sternen Grill

Sample budget Swiss sausages and sausages with fresh bread at this popular casual spot open until 10pm.
CHF 18, 1h
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Day 2: Lucerne and Lake Views

Lucerne, Switzerland on June 23, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Start with a typical Swiss breakfast at your hotel or a nearby café open from 7am.
Included or CHF 10, 1h

9:00am

Travel to Lucerne

Take the efficient train from Zurich to Lucerne; journey lasts around 1 hour.
CHF 25 (Swiss Travel Pass recommended), 1h

10:15am

Visit Chapel Bridge and Old Town

Explore Lucerne's iconic Chapel Bridge & Water Tower and the medieval Old Town with colourful frescoed buildings.
Free, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Stadtkeller

Enjoy traditional Swiss dishes at this lively restaurant; budget-friendly options available. Open 11:30am-10pm.
CHF 25, 1h

2:00pm

Boat trip on Lake Lucerne

Take a scenic one hour boat cruise on Lake Lucerne to admire surrounding mountains and Swiss landscapes. Boats run frequently from morning to evening.
CHF 25, 1h

4:00pm

Visit Lion Monument

Walk to the famous Lion Monument, a poignant sculpture carved into rock commemorating Swiss Guards who died in 1792.
Free, 30m

6:00pm

Train to Interlaken

Catch a train to Interlaken; journey is about 2 hours through picturesque landscapes.
CHF 40, 2h

8:15pm

Dinner at Restaurant Taverne

Dine affordably in Interlaken at Taverne, which offers Swiss and international meals open until 9:30pm.
CHF 30, 1h
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Day 3: Interlaken Outdoor Fun

Interlaken, Switzerland on June 24, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Café de Paris

Start the day with a hearty breakfast in this popular café open from 7am.
CHF 15, 1h

8:30am

Hiking around Harder Kulm

Take the funicular up to Harder Kulm viewpoint (operates 9am–5pm) for panoramic views over Interlaken and lakes Thun and Brienz.
CHF 38, 3h

12:00pm

Lunch at Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant

Enjoy lunch with breathtaking views available throughout the day with budget-friendly menu options.
CHF 25, 1h

2:00pm

Explore Höhematte Park

Return to Interlaken town centre, relax and stroll around Höhematte Park, the largest green park in town with views of the Jungfrau massif.
Free, 1h

4:00pm

Paragliding Option or Free time

For budget, skip paragliding (€120-150) and enjoy local markets, souvenir shopping, or lakeside walks.
Free or optional cost, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Bebbis Restaurant

Try affordable Swiss and Italian dishes in this cosy restaurant open until 9:30pm.
CHF 25, 1h
View Hotel Availability

Day 4: Zermatt and Matterhorn

Zermatt, Switzerland on June 25, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast

Eat a quick breakfast at your accommodation or nearby café.
CHF 10, 30m

7:30am

Travel to Zermatt

Catch an early train from Interlaken to Zermatt (approx 2.5h). Zermatt is car-free so access is by train only.
CHF 60, 2h30m

10:00am

Visit Gornergrat Railway

Ride this cogwheel railway (operates 7am–7:30pm) for incredible views of the Matterhorn and the Alps.
CHF 50, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Findlerhof Restaurant

Enjoy Alpine specialties with a view of the Matterhorn, offering reasonably priced set menus.
CHF 30, 1h

2:00pm

Explore Zermatt Village

Wander Zermatt's charming streets, shops, and museums, such as the Matterhorn Museum open 9am–5pm.
CHF 15, 2h

5:00pm

Dinner at Chez Heini

Dine affordably on Swiss cuisine in a friendly atmosphere; open until 9pm.
CHF 25, 1h
View Hotel Availability

Day 5: Travel to Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland on June 26, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast

Light breakfast at hotel or nearby café.
CHF 10, 30m

9:00am

Train to Geneva

Take a train from Zermatt to Geneva; journey around 3h for a southwest route along Lake Geneva.
CHF 60, 3h

12:30pm

Check-in and Lunch at Café Papon

Check into budget accommodation and enjoy a nice lunch at this historic café open from noon.
CHF 20, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Jet d'Eau and Parc des Bastions

See Geneva’s iconic large water fountain and stroll the beautiful nearby park and walkways.
Free, 1.5h

4:00pm

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum

Open 10am–6pm; learn about humanitarian aid history and global impact in an interactive experience.
CHF 15, 1.5h

6:30pm

Dinner at Les Brasseurs

Enjoy great craft beers and affordable Swiss dishes at this lively brewery restaurant open until 11pm.
CHF 25, 1h
View Hotel Availability

Day 6: Bern Historical City

Bern, Switzerland on June 27, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a budget-friendly breakfast before the day’s travel.
CHF 10, 30m

9:00am

Train to Bern

Take a train from Geneva to Bern; journey around 1.5 hours.
CHF 30, 1h30m

11:00am

Walk through Bern Old Town

Explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bern Old Town, visit Zytglogge clock tower, and shop along arcades.
Free, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Altes Tramdepot

Sample local Swiss dishes and Bernese beer at this brewpub next to the river, open 11:30am-11pm.
CHF 25, 1h

2:30pm

Visit Bear Park and Rose Garden

Relax overlooking the city at Rose Garden, and see Bern’s symbolic bears at the nearby Bear Park; open all day.
Free, 1h

4:00pm

Bern Historical Museum

Learn about local history and culture in Switzerland’s second largest historical museum, open 10am–5pm.
CHF 15, 1.5h

7:00pm

Dinner at Kornhauskeller

Enjoy affordable yet elegant Swiss cuisine inside an impressive vaulted cellar, open until 10pm.
CHF 30, 1h
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Day 7: Return to Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland on June 28, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast

Grab a quick breakfast before train travel.
CHF 10, 30m

9:00am

Train back to Zurich

Return by train from Bern to Zurich (about 1 hour).
CHF 25, 1h

10:30am

Visit Swiss National Museum

Explore Swiss cultural history in this extensive museum, open 10am–5pm.
CHF 10, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Sternen Grill

Enjoy a final affordable Swiss meal of sausages and fresh bread at this casual spot.
CHF 18, 1h

2:00pm

Relax and Shopping

Spend the afternoon browsing shops or walking along Lake Zurich before departure.
Free, 3h

7:00pm

Dinner at Eat Well

End your trip with a budget-friendly international meal at this popular restaurant open until 9:30pm.
CHF 25, 1h
View Hotel Availability

Day 8: Departure

Zurich, Switzerland on June 29, 2025

6:00am

Breakfast and airport transfer

Enjoy a light breakfast and take public transport or taxi to Zurich Airport for your Air Canada flight home, allowing 2-3 hours before departure.
CHF 15, 2h

9:00am

Flight from Zurich to Toronto/Montreal/Ottawa

Depart Zurich on Air Canada, completing the budget-friendly Swiss itinerary with free checked luggage included.
Variable, Approx 8h flight
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