12-Day Ultimate Switzerland & Paris Travel Itinerary: Scenic Alps, Historic Castles & Iconic French Landmarks

Day 1: Zurich Arrival & Rhine Falls

Zurich, Switzerland on July 11, 2025

10:00am

Arrival at Zurich Airport

Land at Zurich Airport and prepare for a 30-minute transfer to the Mövenpick Hotel Zürich Regensdorf.
CHF0, 0h30m

11:00am

Hotel Check-in / Luggage Drop

Secure your luggage or check in early to refresh before afternoon excursions.
Included in hotel stay, 0h30m

12:00pm

Train to Rhine Falls

Take the train from Zurich HB to Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall via Winterthur to explore the Europe's largest waterfall.
CHF30 approx., 1h

1:00pm

Explore Rhine Falls

Enjoy a 2-hour visit including a boat ride to the rock if operational and touring Laufen Castle for panoramic waterfall views.
CHF10–CHF25 depending on boat ride, 2h

3:00pm

Return to Zurich

Travel back by train to Zurich for a short hotel rest before evening plans.
CHF30 approx., 1h

5:00pm

Uetliberg Sunset Views

Train to Uetliberg to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic sunset over Zurich city, Lake Zurich, and the Alps.
CHF8 approx., 45m

7:00pm

Dinner in Seefeld

Dine lakeside at either Masala for fine Indian cuisine or Kormasutra for Indian-fusion dishes, open typically 6-10pm.
CHF30–CHF50 per person, 1h30m

9:00pm

Return to Hotel

Train back to Engimatt City & Garden Hotel to rest after a full first day.
CHF8 approx., 30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 2: Lucerne & Mount Titlis

Lucerne, Switzerland on July 12, 2025

7:00am

Train to Lucerne

Morning train from Zurich to Lucerne for sightseeing in one hour.
CHF25, 1h

8:15am

Lucerne City Tour

Visit Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, and stroll through Lucerne’s Old Town (open early morning, free to roam).
CHF0, 1h15m

9:45am

Train to Engelberg

Travel from Lucerne to Engelberg for Mount Titlis excursion (45 minutes).
CHF15–20, 45m

11:00am

Mount Titlis Excursion

Ride gondola and Rotair cable car to summit; enjoy Cliff Walk, Glacier Cave, and snow activities if weather permits. Open 8am–5pm.
CHF100 approx., 4h

4:30pm

Lake Lucerne Boat Cruise

Sail the scenic Lake Lucerne from Lucerne to Weggis and back (boat cruise operating in afternoon).
CHF25, 1h30m

6:30pm

Dinner at Indian Restaurant

Enjoy dinner at Kanchi or Swagat near Lucerne station serving authentic Indian flavors from 5pm to 10pm.
CHF30–45, 1h30m

8:00pm

Train back to Zurich

Return to Zurich to stay overnight at Engimatt City & Garden Hotel.
CHF25, 1h
View Hotel Availability

Day 3: Scenic Train & Caves

Lucerne to Interlaken, Switzerland on July 13, 2025

8:00am

Lucerne–Interlaken Express

Board scenic train to Interlaken Ost for stunning Alpine views and arrival in about two hours.
CHF45, 2h

10:30am

Beatus Caves Visit

After storing luggage, take bus or boat to Beatus Caves for exploration of majestic grotto covered by Swiss Travel Pass.
CHF0 if Swiss Pass held, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Cave Restaurant

Lunch with lake views near Beatus Caves – try regional Swiss dishes in a tranquil setting.
CHF25–35, 45m

2:30pm

Cogwheel Train to Schynige Platte

Ride to Schynige Platte for Alpine Garden and panoramic Jungfrau peaks views, ideal for nature lovers.
CHF40 approx., 2h30m

6:30pm

Dinner in Interlaken

Enjoy local Swiss cuisine or international dishes at popular Interlaken restaurants near the station.
CHF30–50, 1h30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 4: Waterfalls & Glacier Canyon

Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland on July 14, 2025

7:30am

Train to Lauterbrunnen

Short train ride to Lauterbrunnen to begin waterfall visits with fresh morning air.
CHF10, 20m

8:00am

Staubbach Falls

Visit the iconic Staubbach Falls; best viewed from base and easily accessible via gentle walk.
Free, 30m

8:30am

Trümmelbach Falls

Explore powerful glacier waterfalls inside a mountain. Opens early, €10 entrance fee approx.
CHF12, 1h30m

10:15am

Train to Grindelwald

Return to Interlaken and take train onward to Grindelwald (35 minutes).
CHF15, 35m

12:00pm

Firstbahn Gondola & Cliff Walk

Take gondola to Grindelwald First to experience the famous Cliff Walk and optional First Flyer or glider rides. Gondola runs 8am-6pm.
CHF50 approx. including gondola, 2h30m

2:30pm

Lunch at Mountain Restaurant

Enjoy scenic meals at a mountain-top restaurant with spectacular views.
CHF30–40, 1h

3:30pm

Glacier Canyon Walk

Walk or shuttle through Glacier Canyon with dramatic natural rock formations and waterfalls.
CHF5, 1h30m

6:00pm

Return to Interlaken & Dinner

Back in Interlaken for overnight stay and dinner at a local bistro.
CHF30–50, 2h
View Hotel Availability

Day 5: Harder Kulm & Zermatt

Interlaken to Zermatt, Switzerland on July 15, 2025

8:00am

Funicular to Harder Kulm

Ascend Interlaken's local mountain Harder Kulm for sunrise views and light breakfast/snacks at the summit restaurant.
CHF38 for funicular, CHF15 for snack, 1h30m

10:30am

Return to Hotel & Check Out

Descend and prepare for departure to Zermatt.
Included in hotel stay, 30m

11:30am

Lake Brienz Cruise to Iseltwald

Boat cruise with picturesque views, pause at Iseltwald for coffee and photos.
CHF25, 2h

1:45pm

Return to Interlaken Ost

Cruise completes and returns to Interlaken station.
Included, 45m

3:00pm

Train to Zermatt

Travel Interlaken → Spiez → Visp → Zermatt (approx 2.5–3 hrs).
CHF60–80, 3h

6:00pm

Zermatt Arrival & Evening Stroll

Check in and explore village center with views of the Matterhorn.
Free, 1h
View Hotel Availability

Day 6: Five Lakes Trail & Gornergrat

Zermatt, Switzerland on July 16, 2025

8:00am

Funicular & Gondola Ride

Funicular from Zermatt to Sunnegga, then gondola to Blauherd to start the Five Lakes Trail hike.
CHF50 approx., 15m

8:30am

Five Lakes Trail Hike

3-hour scenic hike visiting Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee lakes featuring iconic Matterhorn reflections.
Free, 3h

12:00pm

Lunch at Sunnegga

Lunch at noon in nearby mountain restaurant or quick bite back in Zermatt village.
CHF25–40, 1h

1:30pm

Gornergrat Bahn to Summit

Train ride to Gornergrat peak to enjoy panoramic views of the Matterhorn and surrounding glaciers.
CHF80 approx., 1h

2:15pm

Gornergrat Exploration

Visit observatory and optional short hike to Riffelsee to see famous lake reflections.
Free, 1h15m

4:30pm

Return to Zermatt

Descend by train from Riffelberg or Gornergrat to village.
Included, 30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 7: Glacier Paradise & Montreux

Zermatt to Montreux, Switzerland on July 17, 2025

8:30am

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Cable Car

Cable car journey ascending via Furi and Trockener Steg to Klein Matterhorn for top-of-Europe panoramic views and Ice Palace exploration.
CHF100 approx., 3h30m

12:15pm

Lunch at Trockener Steg Restaurant

Enjoy lunch before descending; alternatively lunch in Zermatt village.
CHF25–40, 45m

1:45pm

Gorner Gorge Walk

Walk the scenic Gorner Gorge trail with wooden footpaths over waterfalls, lasting under an hour.
Free, 45m

4:13pm

Train to Montreux

Train travels from Zermatt through Visp to Montreux (~1h36m), check-in at Modern Times Hotel.
CHF40–50, 1h36m

6:00pm

Riviera Promenade to Chillon Castle

Evening stroll along Lake Geneva’s promenade ending at Chillon Castle, exploring exteriors and interior (closed 7pm).
Included with Swiss Pass, 1h

7:15pm

Montreux Jazz Festival

Enjoy free open-air concerts, street food, and ambient lakeside sunset drinks during festival hours.
Free entry; paid concerts optional, 3h
View Hotel Availability

Day 8: Lavaux Vineyards & Lakefront

Montreux, Switzerland on July 18, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel the day at Modern Times Hotel Montreux.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Train to Chexbres or Cully

Short scenic train ride to Lavaux vineyard region to begin UNESCO-listed terrace walk.
CHF10, 30m

9:30am

Lavaux Vineyard Walk

Walk through terraced vineyards with stunning lake and Alpine views; optional wine tasting at Domaine Bovy.
Wine tasting CHF15–20 optional, 2h30m

12:00pm

Return to Montreux

Train back to Montreux for a lakeside light lunch at Le Palais Oriental or Zenn Café.
CHF20–30, 1h30m

2:00pm

Montreux Promenade Walk & Attractions

Leisure walk along lakefront, visit Freddie Mercury Statue, Queen Studio Experience, and souvenir shopping.
Free entry; some attractions free, 3h30m

5:30pm

Sunset Boat Cruise to Chillon Castle

Board a 30–45-minute scenic cruise on Lake Geneva with golden-hour views of Chillon Castle.
CHF30, 1h

6:30pm

Casino or Jazz Festival Evening

Choose between enjoying gaming and drinks at Casino Barrière or more live jazz festival music.
Varies, free jazz options, 2h
View Hotel Availability

Day 9: Rochers-de-Naye & Geneva

Montreux & Geneva, Switzerland on July 19, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast & Early Checkout

Breakfast at hotel and pack for checkout, luggage can be stored with reception.
Included, 30m

8:17am

Train to Montreux

Local train from Vevey to Montreux, transfer to rack railway for Rochers-de-Naye.
CHF10, 15m + 55m

9:40am

Rochers-de-Naye Summit

Enjoy panoramic views, alpine garden, and marmot spotting from summit; no strenuous hiking needed.
Covered by Swiss Travel Pass, 1h50m

12:40pm

Return to Montreux

Descend by train; prepare for lunch before onward travel.
Included, 45m

12:45pm

Lunch in Montreux

Choose from Zurcher (Swiss cuisine), Montreux Jazz Café or light snacks at Manor Food Court near station.
CHF20–35, 1h

2:10pm

Train to Geneva

Depart Montreux to Geneva for a 1h15m scenic train ride.
CHF30, 1h15m

3:30pm

Geneva Lakefront Walk

Take a relaxing coffee break and stroll by Jet d’Eau and English Garden.
CHF10 for coffee, 1h

4:30pm

Early Check-in & Luggage Collection

Collect bags and check into accommodation near Geneva Cornavin station.
Included, 1h

6:29pm

TGV Lyria Train to Paris

Evening high-speed train transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon (3h18m).
€100 approx., 3h18m

9:50pm

Arrive & Hotel Check-in Paris

Transfer to hotel and rest or optional late Seine River cruise near Pont Neuf or Eiffel Tower by 10:30pm.
€20 cruise optional, 30m
View Hotel Availability

Day 10: Disneyland Paris Day

Paris, France on July 20, 2025

8:00am

Full Day at Disneyland & Walt Disney Studios

Spend entire day enjoying Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park attractions, entertainment, and dining.
€110 day ticket, 13h

9:00pm

Return to Paris Hotel

Conclude magical day and rest overnight in Paris.
Included, Overnight
View Hotel Availability

Day 11: Paris Icons & Cruise

Paris, France on July 21, 2025

9:00am

Visit Eiffel Tower

Explore iconic Eiffel Tower, book tickets to go up to observation decks (opens 9am).
€25, 3h

12:30pm

Lunch Nearby

Enjoy lunch at local bistros or cafés near the Eiffel Tower offering French cuisine.
€20–30, 1h30m

2:00pm

Louvre Museum Tour

Visit world-famous Louvre Museum to see priceless art including Mona Lisa (open till 6pm).
€17, 2h

4:30pm

Seine River Cruise

Enjoy a relaxing 1-hour scenic boat cruise on the Seine with famous monuments illuminated.
€15, 1h

6:00pm

Evening Free Time & Shopping

Stroll Paris streets for shopping or dining as desired; sunset around 9:37pm offers beautiful golden hour views.
Varies, Evening
View Hotel Availability

Day 12: Departure Day

Paris, France on July 22, 2025

8:30am

Hotel Checkout & Airport Transfer

Prepare for departure and travel to Charles de Gaulle Airport for international flight.
Taxi €50 approx., 3h45m

12:15pm

Flight Departure

International flight departure from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Varies, N/A
View Hotel Availability