There is an elevator to take you up from Laufen Castle to the viewing platforms for a breathtaking view of the falls. I'm always trying to escape the 'burbs to find cool places, nice hotels, modern & contemporary art, easy adventures, Read More Join our newsletter and get the inside scoop on cool destinations, earth-friendly hotels, luxury stays, easy adventures, and authentic travel inspiration! It was a pretty demanding hike and it took us the whole day but I can totally recommend doing the same! Sadly the castle is closed to visitors because its the actual residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. 7 Days in Switzerland Itinerary: Complete Guide for First-Timers This section took us more than 2.5 hours. The Altstadt sits in a crook on the River Aare, one of the longest rivers in the country. The location is perfect for getting around the historic center and the staff is noted for their attention to detail. The roads in Switzerland are well maintained and the drivers are courteous and measured. We chose a BMW because of its size and comfort the perfect rpad trip car. From the Bendern area to Ebenalp, you will need to drive for 35 minutes (35 km/22 miles). It will give you a nice first impression even if you dont have time to stop and explore every town. You can buy these at the gas stations, some rental cars already come with them. I so much want to see more of these two countries. The track is clearly marked and in excellent condition, so you will need decent footwear and layers but nothing too intense. The great news is that you will not need to worry about parking! It is such a gorgeous area, we drove about 3 hours during the driving day. These are my suggestions of where to stay in Bern. Believe me, I know how you feel! The five lakes that you will visit are Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grnsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee. While in Lucerne, we would recommend taking a Lucerne city tour to see the Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, and Lucernes historic old town. The train ride takes only 12 minutes and trains run in every 20 minutes from early morning till late night. Lucerne is often referred to as one of the prettiest cities in the world, and for good reason. Note that these activities are only available during the summer season, from April until late October. As one of the largest car hire aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best car rental prices, which benefits you when youre planning a road trip. This tranquil city is not at all what you expect from a capital city and its a great place to grab some rest and relaxation as part of your 2 weeks in Switzerland. It truly looks like a fairytale but its a really small town so you wont need more than a couple of hours to walk around it and take some photos. Lausanne is home to a number of historic churches, including the Cathedral of Notre Dame, as well as several museums and art galleries, including the Olympic Museum, a must-visit for sports fans. We visited the TreCimediLavaredo, a series of three peaks also known as theDreiZinnen. Distance Traveled: 1,700 km Innsbruck is also known for its Imperial and modern architecture, we especially loved the colorful row housesalong the Inn River on Mariahilstrae. Road trip through Switzerland, Germany, Austria : r/travel - Reddit I find Switzerland planning to be so overwhelming and this is incredibly helpful + the map is how my brain thinks so including this with the route saved me so much time and stress. Located within the canton of Bern, the city dates back to the 12th century and its Altstadt features a presentation of medieval architecture and literally hundreds of fountains. Once you had your moment on the swings, its time to head back to your car and drive to Lugano where youll be spending the next two nights. A 15 minute cable car journey will give you 360-degree views of the Swiss mountains. Walking across the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrcke) is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Lucerne. This takes about 1.5 hours each way and is far steeper so I recommend this to intrepid hikers. Fly into Zurich Airport to start your Switzerland road trip. Whatever you do, dont forget to take a scenic stroll along the shore of the Lago di Lugano or through the Parco Ciani. Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to Switzerland. Look no further! If you have any more questions about driving in Switzerland or the places Ive written about, please do not feel shy about getting in touch. Aescher-Wildkirchli is a complex of caves cut into the cliffs that feature a chapel and a museum of excavated finds for you to explore. When we reached Geneva, we dropped off the car spent a few days before flying back home. The most popular month to go is August, which has the highest number of tour departures. Learn more about their services below. The Ultimate Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks If you would rather, then you can actually hike up to scher-Wildkirchli by following the track up through the woodlands from Wasserauen. Jump ahead to Best Road Trip in Switzerland from Zurich Where is Switzerland? The car-free little town ofZermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn, probably the worlds most famous pyramid mountain. Driving time: 30 minutes (30 km/19 miles) from Thun Castle to Bern. } This is an easy walk that gives you the chance to ogle a series of beautiful alpine lakes and take in vistas of Matterhorns jagged peak rising in the distance of the Valais Alps. Our ultimate Switzerland road trip takes you along a breathtakingly scenic route, exploring beautiful cities, incredible natural scenery, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you have the luxury of time, plan for a couple of days here. The gondola takes 25 minutes to reach your destination, First station, calling at Bort and Schreckfeld along the way. To access the waterfalls viewing area you can ride the gondola up to the Engstlingen cable car station from Bergbahnen (Unter dem Birg) and then walk 20 minutes to view the landmark. If you love history, youll also appreciate the museum inside the castle that tells you more about the history of the castle and its previous owners. We arrived just in time forthesunset and got to enjoy our evening by the lake. If you love motorhomes, road trips and a bit of adventure, dive right in! At this point our itinerary has the following stops: Zrich, Lucerne, Lauterbrunnen, Innsbruck (or Fussen or Reutte), Hallstatt, Salzburg, possibly Melk and Vienna. If you loved the Giant Swing in Tschentenalp then youll be pleased to know that you can visit two more amazing swings today! Upmarket: Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage Booking.com | Agoda, Mid-Range: Hotel Chalet Swiss Booking.com | Agoda, Budget: Walters Hostel Interlaken Booking.com | Agoda. Hiking, paragliding, rock climbing, and canyoning are all popular ways to experience what Lauterbrunnen has to offer. As you approach Zermatt, you will be surrounded by towering, mountain peaks offering a glimpse into the heart of the Swiss wilderness. Day 7. It takes around 1.5 hours to reach the mountain hut on the top and since you have to tackle 450 meters of elevation gain Id say its a moderate difficulty hike. Upmarket: Hotel Angleterre & Rsidence Booking.com | Agoda, Mid-Range: Moxy Lausanne City Booking.com | Agoda, Budget: Htel du March Booking.com | Agoda. Swiss roads are well maintained and are a joy to drive but you will need to be a confident driver to handle the narrow, twisty mountain roads. Architecture aficionados will love checking out the blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical buildings in the town, particularly the churches, cathedrals, and monasteries. If youre feeling hungry, you could grab a bite to eat at the plant-based cafe, PURA, or savor the views from the waterfront Caf Bar Volire. If you're planning a road trip through Switzerland, then you must visit both Jungfraujoch and Piz Gloria. Want to plan your own road trip? Carrying or using radar detection equipment is illegalwhen driving through Switzerland. A boat tour on Lake Geneva gets you up close to Jet dEau, the 140 meters (459 feet) tall water fountain that is the very emblem of Geneva. You can park your car atthesettlementat the westernend of the pasture,Compaccio(Compatsch), and then walk for 30 minutes to reach this view. In general, the speed limits in Switzerland are 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways, 100 km/h (62 mph) on highways, 80 km/h (50 mph) on other roads outside built-up areas, and 50 km/h (30 mph) in towns. Today you will explore the mountain of Ebenalp, the northernmost summit of the Appenzell Alps and an absolute haven for outdoor enthusiasts. I recommend crossing the border at Balzers so you can drive through the whole country. Other options include the lakeside Arboretum Zurich and the Old Botanic Garden in Aldstadt. Follow the path along the waters edge and you will reach the dreamy Schloss Seeburg, a fairytale castle that gazes out across the lake. The path reaches out 45 meters (148 feet) into the void so you will need a head for heights! Entrance to Trmmelbachflle costs 14 CHF (14.40) per person. Top-tier rooms feature a balcony and lake view. To find the most famous viewpoint, head over to Chalet Pironnet where youll be greeted with a breathtaking panoramic view of the town. The mountainslookdifferentand the landscapes keep changing. The starting point is the Blauherd cable car station which is accessible via the funicular from Zermatt town and then the cable car from Sunnegga. Lugano is an interesting mix of Swiss and Mediterranean influences so if you want to explore the culture and food then you might prefer to stay in the town center. If you want to learn more about the regional history and tales of the mountaineers who have mastered the ascent up the Matterhorn, you can visit the Matterhorn Museum, Zermatlantis. We would recommend experiencing the lake on a boat tour, by kayaking or paddleboarding. Driving time: 1 hour and 45 minutes (135 km/84 miles) from Chillon Castle to Tsch. (Hint: Youll be able to visit another location the next day!). Once there, test your nerves on the Skyline Walk overlooking a vertical wall and tackle the Thrill Walk along a 200-meter cliff pathway, before walking the remaining distance to the iconic 007 Piz Gloria restaurant, which revolves to reveal a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Eiger, Mnch, and Jungfrau peaks. Situated on the north shore of Lac Lman, Lausanne is an attractive lakeside city known for its medieval architecture and its connections to the Olympics. The Swiss make it easy to see their breathtakingly beautiful country, with great roads and a well-managed and maintained network of trains, boats, and cable cars. Upmarket: Nendaz 4 Valles & Spa Booking.com | Agoda, Mid-Range: Le Cret Haute Nendaz Booking.com | Agoda, Budget: Gte de Planchouet Booking.com | Agoda. Afterwards, you could head to Swissminiatur for a more gentle activity. The descent is pretty steep and if youre wary of heights this track might not be for you. Driving time: 25 minutes (20 km/12.5 miles) from Interlaken to Grindelwald. A Balkan roadtrip is on my wishlist just wish we had more vacation days , Your email address will not be published. Right after you depart, youll find yourself at the start of the First Cliff Walk by Tissot. Zurich Bern Lausanne Geneva Montreux Nendaz Zermatt Interlaken Lauterbrunnen Grindelwald Furka Pass Lucerne Zurich. Below is a breakdown of where you will spend your days and nights. Historians speculate on when this city was actually established, but it could have been as early as the 9th century. After the hike, you can ride the cable car back down to Zermatt and spend the afternoon exploring the town. Stop 4: Geroldsee in the Bavarian state of Germany. An alternative is theSwiss Half Fare Cardwhich gets you 50% discounted tickets on standard fares for trains, buses, boats, and cable cars in Switzerland, for one month. Find Your Car The Perfect Austria Road Trip This blog post was created in partnership with the Austrian Tourist Office, the official tourist office of Austria. Things to do in Scotland with Kids: Kilts, Hogwarts Academy, Loch Ness Monster and taste some mock whisky! This is a moderately easy walk and you can reach the trailhead by taking the Sunnegga funicular from Zermatt, and then the gondola to Blauherd. All rights reservered. Your visit to Bern would be incomplete without exploring Lake Brienz, just north of the Alps, which offers breathtaking mountain views. Later webriefly drovebackacross the borderto Germany to see one of the most iconic castles. This morning you will need to reunite yourself with your car and drive the 300 km (186 miles) to Lugano via the attractions below. From the top, there are a number of short hiking trails that range from 20 minutes to 1.5 hours so you might want to squeeze one into the end of the second day of your Switzerland road trip. As you drive from Zurich to Interlaken, you will cover a distance of 123 km (76.5 miles). Theyare easyto reach by car and on a clear day youcansee the Geisler/Odlemountains in the background. Driving time: 25 minutes (20 km/12.5 miles) from Blausee to Spiez Castle or 20 minutes (20 km/12.5 miles) from Interlaken to Spiez Castle. This annual festival held in late July celebrates a work of Swiss tradition and history. It would be difficult not trying to stop every 3 minutes and to enjoy the view at every spot. 7 Venice 8 9 Verona 10 Summary & road trip itinerary for Europe We just came back from our spectacular road trip around Europe visiting Italy, San Marino, Switzerland, Austria, Lichtenstein, and Germany just in 10 days and we would love to share with you our experience as well as our 10 day road trip itinerary for Europe. As with all European countries, you must drive on the right and follow the general road rules and regulations. We flew into Vienna where we picked up our BMW from Sixt Rent A Car. A 7-Day Road Trip Through Switzerland - Fodors Travel Guide Nearby parking is available for an additional fee. The total drive time will be around 3.5-4 hours, subject to how deep into the Valle Verzasca you venture. Are you planning to rent a car in Switzerland? Bordering Interlaken are Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. My wife and I visited Switzerland a few years ago and were awestruck by how gigantic the mountains are. } Save Hello, Me and my wife are planning are to visit our dream destinations, Swithzerland and Austria this summer around June. This will take you roughly half an hour and depending on how early or late you finish your day. My other tip for this area is to head north along the lake to the quarter of Gandria. Situated by the famous Bahnhofstrasse, this modern hotel is artistically presented with comfortable and spacious rooms. We picked up our car at the Sixt location at Venice Marco Polo Airport. This Switzerland itinerary is the perfect adventure for those who love to explore. Your total distance covered and driving time will depend on where you book your accommodation for these two days. Although we wereexhausted from all the exploring, wewerealsohappy with all the amazing experiences and memories we made during our alps road trip. Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks, podcasts, and road trip songs for the journey! Genevas Old Town is a warren of historical buildings, churches, public squares, museums, boutiques, and restaurants. Although the view is indeed beautiful, brace yourself for the steep price: a return ticket costs 126 CHF (138) per person. The Jungfraujoch is a topographical saddle connecting two major 4,000m+ mountains of the Bernese Alps the Jungfrau and the Mnch. The Olympic Park is studded with sculptures honoring the athletes and games and theres a 100-meter track if you want to find out if youre a contender for the next Olympics! The hike is 3 km (1.9 miles) each way and a round trip there and back to First will take around two hours. Around one hour south of Zurich, Lucerne is a small city that sits on the shore of Lake Lucerne. If you have only one day in Salzburg, you can still cover a lot of ground. Head to the swimming area south of Aldstadt and you will find sunbathing areas and bathing pools. This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income. Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip, or check out our Europe road trip ideas. Are you planning a trip back to Switzerland soon? The walk along the Ouchy promenade is the perfect place to stretch your legs and soak up panoramas of Lac Lman from this perspective. It takes around 1 hour to reach Zurich from St. Gallen so if you started early enough, you can still factor in some extra sightseeing time in Zurich. Parking is available at an additional cost. Across the river is a huge rope park, so you can glide from tree to tree and admire the falls from every angle. The Ultimate Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks With its iconic mountains, alpine lakes, fairytale castles, and some of the most delectable chocolate on the planet, Switzerland is one of the best places in Europe to take a road trip. If youre not big on hiking, you can skip Schfler Ridge and only visit the rest of the places. Located slightly further out of town, this property provides a stunning view of the lake that makes it worth the ride. You can get tremendous views of Mont Blanc from the city. Further sights in Vaduz include riding the Citytrain which is a fun way to see and learn about the city and visiting museums such as the Liechtenstein National Museum or Postmuseum. To reach the Furka Pass, just over an hour from Grindelwald, youll first have to cross the Grimsel Pass, meaning youll bag two of Switzerlands best driving roads in a day. How many days should we spend at each place? All rooms have a distinctive design and dcor, ranging from classic to contemporary. After your trip to Bern, begin traveling south to Lausanne, Geneva, and Montreux, visiting Lac Lman en route. Blausee is the tiniest lake you will see during your Switzerland road trip but its absolutely worth the stop! With all the twisting mountain roads, glistening emerald lakes and cozy valley villages, a Switzerland road trip is one of the best ways to experience the breathtaking country, and this 5 day Switzerland . One day is the perfect amount of time to explore Zurich however you could always extend your 2 weeks in Switzerland with a few extra nights tapped onto the start or end of the road trip. Before you drive or rent a car in Switzerland, you must possess a full driving license from your home country and an International Drivers Permit (IDP). If you have the energy, you can walk down the mountain in 1-1.5 hours. Upmarket: Bergwelt Grindelwald Alpine Resort Booking.com | Agoda, Mid-Range: Sunstar Hotel & Spa Booking.com | Agoda, Budget: Grindelwald Youth Hostel Booking.com | Agoda. This opulent 5-star hotel occupies an elegant Art Nouveau building that overlooks the Bernese Alps and lively river area. Travel Tip: No trip to Zermatt is complete without a trip up the Matterhorn, which is one of the highest summits in the Alps at 4,478 meters above sea level. When the road is closed you can transport your rental car by train in the Furka Base Tunnel, connecting Realp and Oberwald. This chalet-style property affords a magical view across the lake towards the town, castle, and surrounding mountains. Some rooms include an ensuite bathroom with a tub while others come with a private balcony. Below you can find my picks for where to stay in Zurich for one night. Interlaken is also a popular destination for adventure sports enthusiasts, Interlaken offers a range of activities such as tandem paragliding, bungee jumping, and white-water rafting on the nearby Ltschine river. The drive from Zermatt to Interlaken takes you south through the towering peaks of the Swiss Alps. I would love to know where you visited and what you enjoyed the most, so drop a comment below! Driving time: 1 hour (52 km/32 miles) from Lugano to Ponte dei Salti (Valle Verzasca). I always love this place. Driving time: 2 hours (170 km/106 miles) from Bern to Geneva. Even some mountain excursions are included (like Mount Rigi), and for most others, you get a 50% discount. Road trip through Switzerland and Austria with a detour into If you have a GPS navigation system that shows you where any speed cameras are, you must deactivate this function. Driving time: 40 minutes (40 km/25 miles) from Lausanne to Chillon Castle. We recommend completing a circular route during your road trip around Switzerland, starting and ending in Zurich. For a small country, Austria holds immense geographic and cultural appeal. Switzerland Road Trip: The Best 5 Days in Switzerland Itinerary These tickets are on a buy now, pay later basis, so you can always cancel at no cost if your plans change. See here for our top things to do in Geneva. At an additional fee, you can include breakfast in the rate. Driving time: 1 hour (85 km/53 miles) from St. Gallen to Zurich. event : evt, We got very lucky with the weather and it was the perfect spot to finish our alpine road trip. Whatever feels best for you! Here are some of the most beautiful driving routes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, rich in history, culture and scenery. Besides the lavish rooms and suites, the property contains two bars, two restaurants, a sauna, and a gym. There are lots of things to do in Interlaken and you can take in the cultural attractions, such as museums, churches, and traditional Swiss architecture. The journey takes around 10 minutes and it costs 20 CHF (20.60) in one way. ); Its important to note that the funicular only operates between April and November and it can be closed due to bad weather. This awe-inspiring country has so much to offer travelers that it is often difficult to decide where to start and where to end. Dont forget your road trip essentials! 10 day Road Trip Itinerary for Europe: Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Our Swiss road trip itinerary will continue north to our initial starting point, the city of Zurich. The first stop of the day is the village of Grindelwald, the gateway for the Jungfrau Region. RELATED POST: Driving in the Alps: Top Tips & Best Routes. The road is so narrow that it can barely fit one car and its a two-way road! } For something more adventurous, you can drive up to Malbun which features the only ski resort in the country. Excellently located for walking into the center of town and scooting up the cableways, this hotel offers splendid mountain views. If you dont want to go inside the castle its still worth stopping by to admire the views. You can book a ticket online in advance or buy one at the castle itself. So buckle up and get ready for the drive of a lifetime! With its iconic mountains, alpine lakes, fairytale castles, and some of the most delectable chocolate on the planet, Switzerland is one of the best places in Europe to take a road trip. You can stop whenever you want, try new activities, visit places you see along the route, and have the freedom to change plans at the last minute. In case you lose phone reception, you can download offline maps on Google Maps or use the app Maps.me to ensure you dont get lost. Drive towards Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald where we recommend stopping at the famous Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel located in the mountains of Bernese Oberland, the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.
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