I personally headed straight to Bern from the airport and visited Geneva as a day trip as my flight arrived early morning. You can find more info, tickets and timetables here https://italiatren.com/en/trains How to Skip the Line at these 10 Europe Attractions, Enjoy a delicious Sunday brunch at Pilatus Kulm, Get involved in various Christmas and New Years Eve activities (including a Christmas Market), Dine with a view over snowcapped mountains at Pilatus Kulm restaurant. Thanks in advance! Did you fly in Geneva and fly out of Zurich? Click here to check your dates and book, Gornergrat Cogwheel tickets in advance here, Interlaken to Jungfraujoch tickets in advance here, 2 hour gourmet lunch cruise on Lake Lucerne, Click here to purchase the Swiss Half Fare Card, https://www.raileurope.com/en/destinations/lucerne-milan-train, Best souvenirs to buy in Switzerland and where to find them, Step back in time to the Renaissance era when visiting, If youre feeling lucky and pop in for a game or two and the, Pay a visit to the citys living emblems at, Sample some delicious Lindt chocolates at the, Try your hand at snowy activities such as snowtubing, sledging, skiing and more at, Spoil yourself with a traditional Swiss meal at the, Hire a paddle boat and take in the view of the city from Lake Lucerne in summer, Prepare your eyes to absorb the rainbow of buildings that is, If you have extra time, head to the citys south to explore the newly-opened. Whats the best time of the year to visit Switzerland? The French Swiss countryside and the area around Murten merit more time if you have a car. With a striking sandstone castle, an old town that's remained unperturbed since the 17th century, and the Neckar river that runs through the city, it will make you want to move there. If you have extra time in Switzerland, I'd suggest spending it in (listed in order of priority): Murten and Bern, Zrich, Lausanne and the Lake Geneva area, Lugano (relaxing) or the Luzern area (day trips). On a sunny day, the spritz from the falling water is refreshing, and from the waterfall you can look beyond the pine trees, admiring the snow-covered alps while paragliders gently float by in the distance. With more than 10 people traveling together, request a custom quote from our Groups Department. See the medieval Old Town, the Bahnhofstrasse, St Peter's Church and Lake Zurich. Switzerland and Austria Tour | Grand European Travel Very nice article as always! On a sunny day, the Matterhorn will be perfectly lit and youll get the most stunning view of the mountain possible. This pleasantly-paced yet interesting itinerary will begin in Munich and take you from Bavaria into Austria, a Mecca of classical music, amazing Alpine views and pinot noir wines. Sure, Interlaken wuld make a great base for visiting other cities in Switzerland by rail, for example: 1 hour to Bern I wanna to see as many places of interest And though I keep saying German, you should know that German is only one of FOUR national languages of Switzerland. Its the most beautiful vineyard in Switzerland with a view on Lake Geneva (Lac Leman). One shop stop for Switzerland and thank you for sharing this lovely post with all of us. After breakfast in the hotel, your group will meet a local guide for a brief walking tour of the city of Lucerne. For the CHF 418, I think you are referring to the 8 day Swiss Travel Pass rather than the Swiss Half Fare Card? Flight home from zurich will be morning flight , is it better to stay in zurich at the end of my travel ? You'll view the stunning scenery from several different vantage points: the lake steamer provides a 90-minute boat ride; the world's steepest cog railway takes you up to the top of the mountain; and a large aerial tramway connects to a modern 4-seat gondola for your ride back down to civilization. As mentioned towards the beginning of my itinerary, I used Bern and Lucerne as bases for my week in Switzerland. Go To: How is driving in Germany, Austria & Switzerland? . If youre a lover of shopping like me, the best souvenirs from Switzerland to bring home are: Youl find dedicated souvenir stores in towns across Switzerland such asEidelweiss, and the edible items can be purchased from local supermarkets such asCooporAldi. No trip is complete without adding this bucket list city to your Switzerland itinerary! I, unfortunately, did not know this, and I arrived at the front desk huffing and puffing and they were like, why didnt you call us?. Psst: Planning a visit to Europe or the Switzerland area? Switzerlands financial capital is often mistaken as the countrys capital! Once youre back down in Zermatt, head to the Gorner Gorge, which is about 1.2 miles from the train along the Matter Vispa, the blue river through the outskirts of Zermatt. I was lucky enough to just happen to be there while it was happening, so I was able to see this as I took myself and my luggage down to the train station. Switzerland has an incredible train system that is not only extremely reliable and on time, but will get you between each of the destinations on the itinerary within one and 3.5 hours, since the entire country is about the size of the state of Kentucky. Austria & Switzerland A moving display of mountain peaks sets the backdrop for two of Europe's most scenic countries, Austria and Switzerland. After exiting customs, meet your local assistant in the terminal's arrivals hall. Hi Nora, Thanks Alyse, We have been to the UK 5 or 6 times and we . Thank you, Stephanie! The city also contains some pretty iconic spots, like a wooden bridge from the 14th century depicting scenes of death and a world-famous lion carved into the side of a hill. TIP:Just be sure to check with your federal customs and quarantine agencies that the edible food items can be brought back with you. Hiking up to Sprutz waterfall, is well, a hike. Lia swore I didnt need any German but I think a little German goes a long way! Hop back on the train down three stations to the Riffelalp Station, which is about 3000 feet lower than you just were (hopefully should help any altitude sickness). Required fields are marked *. Well enter from Rome and our port of exit would be from Milan. While you can certainly visit this church, honestly nothing all that exciting is inside, so I recommend you keep walking until you reach the Fraumnster, a dramatic and regal Gothic church that is famous for stained glass windows made by Marc Chagall. Eating a pretzel as you stroll will make you feel extra in character (maybe) and its a great place to feel the old-world Swiss ambiance. Switzerland is at once modern and historic, where you can cross a wooden bridge adorned with 15th-century paintings, as well as take a train up a mountain to see the Matterhorn up close and personal. No cameras, no supervision, just good old-fashioned honesty. I am interested in staying a few days in Interlaken as there is lots to do there. Switzerland and Austria Last Minute Deal Was $3,775 Save up to $379 From $3,398 Find this price Available Dates Easy Quote Your itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Last Minute Deal Was $3,775 From $3,398 Available Dates Chat Now Your itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Trip Year 2023 2024 13 Day Tour to Zurich, Salzburg, Vienna, Innsbruck and Zermatt It would be such a shame to have your Swiss goodies confiscated by quarantine on your return home! Even Rick Steves is a huge fan, saying, If Heaven isnt what its cracked up to be, send me back to Gimmelwald.. Day 5 of Switzerland Itinerary 7 days - Head to Basel. From here you can see most of Switzerland, with the stunning snow-covered Alps in the distance. This 15-day custom tailored tour takes you through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where you can walk along half-timbered homes and dramatic storybook castles. As you exit the cable car station, you will see your home for the next two nights, Mountain Hostel, the most gorgeous hostel overlooking the Swiss Alps, which was originally a farmhouse built in 1563. Destinations. Hidden in the seclusion of the mountains, Ludwig II built one of his many dream castles: Neuschwanstein. s.async = true; There are no cars in Gimmewald, no new buildings, only the sound of nature and wildflowers everywhere which seem to be in perennial bloom. It was a great trip. 1) Do I have to purchase the tickets at the station whenever I use the train/boat/bus/tram etc? Its almost as though time has stood still here! Guided tour of Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle, City sightseeing tours in Munich, Innsbruck, Lucerne and Zurich, Special dinner in Salzburg served with Austrian wines, Overnight stay in the famed resort town St Moritz, Visit to Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Mount Pilatus by Cog Train, Aerial Gondola and a cruise on Lake Lucerne, Accommodations: Munich 4 nights, Salzburg 2 nights, St Moritz 2 nights, Lucerne 2 nights, Zurich 1 night, Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Where does this 5-day Switzerland itinerary start and end? The entire excursion only takes about 20 minutes, and once you reach the top of a large set of stairs youve reached the end, and youll have to turn around and walk back through. There arent any ticket machines on buses or trams so youll need to purchase your ticket at a dedicated machine before you get on board. I will be travelling to Switzerland this coming February with my boyfriend from Singapore. The Swiss Travel Pass should cover most of your train, bus, boat and panoramic rail journeys and can be used on the Golden Pass Line, too. Thanks so much, Marie! 2 countries. You can easily spend the entire time waiting for your food craning your neck looking at all the photographs firmly attached to the ceiling. The statue is free to visit, and its just in an open public park. Germany, France, Switzerland, and Austria Itinerary Day 1: Heidelberg. Also, be sure to stop by Fuchs Bakery on the main boulevard as youre wandering around. I only ended my trip in Lucerne as I went onwards to Milan from there and it was easier. Could this cow parade be as cute as I had hoped? This side of the river is not as high elevation, and youll expect to see more shops than giant old churches, but it is still gorgeous. Impressive Brussels Attractions Besides the Grand Place, Spend a Long Weekend in Bruges: A Fairytale Itinerary, 10+ Things to do in Ghent, the Gem of Belgium, Why Damme, Belgium is the Perfect Day Trip from Bruges. Once on your boat, sit back and relax as you sail away from adorable Lucerne into the fjord-like wonder of the lake. The cost for hotels will depend on exactly when you stay and the exchange rate. And yes, your Swiss Travel Pass works for this! Ive stayed in Lucerne 3 times now, during winter, spring and summer visits. Thank you for your wonderful blog! While Zermatt is small enough to traverse by foot, there are plenty of shops (some reallllllyyyy expensive), restaurants, and even a Matterhorn Museum to keep you occupied as you explore the home of the Matterhorn (more on that in a bit). Great work. = CHF 512.40(CHF 272.40 SAVING!). It may not be the most traditional version of Ksesptzle I had on my trip, but it was certainly my favorite. Discover the top attractions of two European gems with professional local guides. Once you get your fix, youll be heading to Hotel Alpenroyal for the next two nights, whose patio has a stunning overview of the Matterhorn! 4) And how do I get the half fare for the tickets? Which destination on this Switzerland 5-day itinerary are you DYING to do? You will also visit the birthplace of Mozart on the historic Getreidegasse street. I hope you have a great time! Kleine Scheidegg. They also have pizza, and Raclette, a Swiss, melted cheese dish, if you havent hit your cheese capacity quite yet. The bar is small but super cozy, and you will find a good mix of locals and tourists, just make sure you are not disparaging to any witches or you may find out that its not all Hocus Pocus! I completely agree that one day is never enough to visit anywhere, but its a good start to get a taste of a city so you can revist longer on a separate trip As I stuffed myself to the brim with salty cheese as the kind staff cheered me on (seriously, they kept telling me I could do it), and I watched the sunset over Lucerne. Hi Page! The DP World Tour has bolstered its distribution in the DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) region by agreeing a new media rights partnership with DAZN, that will see the global sports and entertainment platform broadcast all tournaments on the DP World Tour. When eating out, I found the cost of food to be roughly the same (maybe only a little more) than what I would spend back home if I were to go out in the Sydney CBD. This is why Geneva is home to many political and global organisations such as the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and World Health Organisation to name a few. Since it is so temperate during this time, you can expect to see lots of beautiful wildflowers and gardens, especially up in the Alps, where its like perpetual spring. In the middle of town, you will find the Matterhorn Museum Zermatlantis, housed in a blue glass geometric mountain (A+ for theming). The entire journey is picturesque, with the trains cutting through mountains and countrysides until you reach your destination on the Top of Europe 3,466 metres up! Im really glad you think so For its compact size, I say there is so much to see in Switzerland. Sometimes they can take a little while to put together but then its done and easy for my readers to know everything before their trip , Your email address will not be published. Take in the glory of this view (and adapt to the 9,236feet a bit) before hiking back up to the train station and heading up to the highest station! I wanna ask if you have some suggestions , I will be arrived in zurich and we will stay for 6 nights , what city should be my base ? I soon realized by posters on the wall I had inadvertently crashed a party that was part of a weekend-long art festival. Love this Switzerland itinerary? The above diagram will give you a clearer idea of where to speak what. Rest a while if you like, and when youre ready to head down, take the super scenic cable car down! As I mentioned, this may seem expensive for some but hey youre on holiday! Lots of cheese and chocolate. So better stay more than one or two nights and have fun. Again, I just factored this into the cost of visiting Switzerland. The good news is, once again your Swiss Travel Pass comes through! Since this 5-day Switzerland itinerary is for warm-weather activities, the best time to visit Switzerland is July-October. Its been a day. Like, how do I get around by train? They will really enjoy the train rides, cable cars, and of course the Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum I flew in to Geneva and got the train out of Lucerne down to Milan to extend my trip, but you could definitely just fly out of Zurich I imagine staying at a spa-hotel in the mountains and relaxing in an outdoor pool with a mountain view after a long day of hiking or skiing. I visited at the end of September and the weather was nearly perfect days in the mid-70s while some nights in the alps got into the 40s. Instead, drive from Appenzell straight to the Upper Engadine, then continue through Tirano and on to Lugano (via Lake Como in Italy). Wow! Youll pass lush pastures, wildflowers, and get incredible views as you ascend over 4000 feet up the mountain. Day 1: Fly into Vienna (sleep in Vienna) Day 2: Vienna (sleep in Vienna) Day 3: Vienna (sleep in Vienna) Day 4: Vienna (sleep in Vienna or head to Melk in evening if biking or cruising Danube on Day 5) Day 5: Danube Valley (Melk to Krems and back) (sleep in Melk) Day 6: To Salzburg via Mauthausen (sleep in Salzburg) Ive stayed in Bern twice now as I discovered it makes a wonderful base for many day trips. The Swiss Army is also known as one of the best in the world, despite Switzerland remaining a neutral country in conflicts. Afterwards your group will re-board the coach and continuing traveling southwest into Switzerland. When the weather was clear, my river view room had an incredible 180-degree view of the riverside buildings and Mt Pilatus. (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': Why was this cow parade? After crossing the bridge, youll head to the Musegg Wall, a medieval defensive wall that is about 2600 feet long with nine towers dotting it like crown jewels. 10 Day Austria & Switzerland Tour - Now Journey (Easily, luckily!) Find the best tours & trips in Austria and Switzerland in Spring 2024 with TourRadar. Geneva Airport is only 4 kilometres from the city, making transit a breeze. Make a reservation in advance (I made mine for 7pm), and request that you sit by the windows overlooking the river. What apps should I download for Switzerland? I know Hotel des Balances in Lucerne has different deals from time to time depending on the season. Will be using it this summer. The Swiss Alps are some of the highest mountain ranges in Europe, their irregular shapes becoming icons for many Swiss brands. Youll hop off on one of the first few stops atTrmmelbach Falls. I asked the woman working there what kind of special eggs they were. every half hour) Its an iconic building, with its onion domes and baroque and rococo stucco. new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], Hi Sentosa, So its always interesting for me to stay in these kinds of cities and explore the history and culture, each is different and unlike anything I have at home! I LOVE Lucerne and wanted to spend some extra nights there. For people who prefer nature instead of cities I highly recommend to do a tour from Geneva to Les Lavaux. Use this to purchase the individual transport tickets with the discount. I intend to visit Switzerland in December and very keen to go on Glacier Express. Before you leave the airport, find a bathroom to brush your teeth and use before heading into town. NOTE: This summary of things to do is part of my in-depth one day in Bern itinerary! Book now and save with TourRadar.com! There are two hotels at the top, so you'll have time to snap some inspiring photos and grab lunch with a view. Do you think this is suitable for 5 yo? After breakfast in the hotel your group will travel southwest, enjoying the alpine landscape, to the beautiful Austrian town of Innsbruck, which was home to the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. I can highly recommend my chosen hotels: During my winter visit I was able to snap up anamazing dealthat meant I could stay in a room overlooking the Reuss River for the same price as my usual accommodation budget, so keep your eyes peeled for discounts during the winter months. Tonight your group will enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Today you arrive in Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, where commerce and big city living mix with a wonderful Old Town with cobblestone streets and gorgeous churches. Its not possible to stay on Jungfraujoch, but Interlaken is a lovely place to stay close by. Talk about getting high. I am planning a trip to Switzerland in Dec with 3 teens and 2 old folks. Im planning a trip this July with my family from US. Its a great place to wind down in the heart of the action. If youre basic (no judgment!) Zermatt is at the very southern edge of Switzerland, and skiers are able to ski freely between Switzerland and Italy at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest cable car station in Europe at 12,739. Once you depart the train, youll follow the sign for Riffelseeweg which is about a 10-minute hike down (youll very quickly be able to see the lake youre going to). This itinerary takes you through the best of Switzerland in a short 5 days. Neuschwanstein was also an inspiration to Walt Disney in his design of Cinderella's castle in all of the parks. 12 Day Germany, Austria & Switzerland Itinerary - Europe Express So if you have some time, wander around the streets a bit more before dinner. Really detailed information for travelling to Switzerland in winter for first timers like myself. Swiss Francsare the official currency used in Switzerland, not the Euro. Zermatt is in the very south of Switzerland and borders, you guessed it, Italy, so Zermatt is the perfect place to take a break from all the rich Swiss food and try some, er, rich Italian food instead! You know the place. The road trip begins and ends in Frankfurt. Absolutely love your post and you might have saved all our time in planning it ourselves. From the outdoor viewing platform, you can see 29 mountains looming in panoramic glory, as well as the Gorner Glacier below, which is the third-largest glacier in the Alps at over 8-miles long. Here you can grab a sandwich, some coffee, and maybe a piece of cake before heading back to Mountain Hostel to grab your stuff and make your way back to Lauterbrunnen, and catch the train to Zermatt. Here on my travel blog I encourage independent travel so youre free to follow this itinerary or tweak it to your liking! Both these destinations are in great locations for day trips to other areas of the country. '&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= Find out why Idontrecommend Airbnb here. If you want to make the most of your next travel experience, learn how you can be invisible here! Youll see lots of hills, farmland, adorable Lego-like houses, and plenty of cows. The best part about it? The beautifully preserved architecture is one of the reasons why the entire Old Town was dedicated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. 2 hours to Lucerne, Zurich or Basel As mentioned earlier, if you prefer not to have the hassle of purchasing transport tickets as you go and would like to use the benefit of free entry into 500+ museums, theSwiss Travel Pass may be the best option for you when using this Switzerland itinerary. Day 1 - Arriving in Zurich Switzerland and city sightseeing. as possible within this short period. Afterwards your group will board its coach one last time today and drive west to Lucerne, which lies on the shores of Lake Lucerne and is one of the prettiest towns in Switzerland. Youll ultimately be meandering towards your first stop: Lindenhof. This is the longest day trip in this itinerary, but oh-so-worth-it! Call the hotel from the train station and they will have someone pick you up in a little battery-powered cart with your luggage (no cars are allowed in Zermatt), taking you up the small hill to the resort. Really, its been one heck of a trip, hasnt it? There are loads of amazing sights to see in this winter wonderland, especially the Matterhorn. The airport is located within Zone 10 of Genevas public transport network and adult ticketscostCHF 3.00 one way (valid for one hour). 80 reviews 12 helpful votes Switzerland, Austria : 10-14 day itinerary 3 years ago Save Hi everyone, We (my wife and I) are looking to do around a 12 day trip of Switzerland and Austria in the month of May. By Car: Although this itinerary is designed for public transportation, it can be done by car with a few modifications. While nothing bad happened by not knowing any German, I did have some lost in translation moments that would have been helpful with a little conversational ability. Once you get back into Gimmelwald, make sure you stop in the Honesty Shop located next to Mountain Hostel. Honestly, if you skip the savory stuff and jump for one of their artful patisseries, like their famous lemon tart or their chocolate cake with gold leaf, I wont blame you.

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switzerland, austria itinerary