Geneva is renowned for its rich history, beautiful parks and gardens, and world-class museums, including the Museum of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. There is a lot to see and do in this part of central Switzerland. This trip could also be a one way European trip if you dont have time to drive the whole route. The roads in Switzerland are well maintained and the drivers are courteous and measured. See our 3 day itinerary where we saw a little bit of everything exploring this culturally rich city, getting lost in mazes at palaces, listening to Mozart at the Golden Hall, admiring Klimt and eating all the Sacher Torte and Apple Strudel you can manage all the top things to do in Vienna and the hotel where we stayed linked here. Located just on the outskirts of Aldstadt, the Reformation Wall is a great place to start your journey into Genevas past! Bern is the capital city of Switzerland and is known for its 12th century architecture that forms the old town or Alstadt. It is no longer possible to enter the castle but you can still take photos from outside. Stroll around the lake, get lost in the views of the snow-specked mountains that surround the town, listen to the cowbells as they graze on the meadows filled with wildflowers, enjoy lunch at the alpine huts in the mountains after lovely hikes. If you prefer to have your day organized for you, check out this popular and highly rated private tour with a local guide and get to know the beautiful city of Zurich with a professional guide who will show you the citys hidden gems and also help you experience this popular destination like a real local. Unfortunately, we were not able to visit this cool swing during our Switzerland road trip but if you have the chance, dont miss it! The 26 jets of water in front of the palace represent each of Switzerlands cantons. If you have the luxury of time, plan for a couple of days here. 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. 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. Interlaken, the final destination of day two of your Switzerland road trip, is located a 10-minute drive from Iseltwald so you can head there whenever you like and check into your hotel. You just have to look out for signs that says Altalena and youll definitely find them. 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. The challenging hike along the Eiger Trail offers breathtaking views of this iconic mountain peak. A lot of amazing places and the view of Alps is just breathtaking. Although this is a Swiss Alps road trip guide, you will definitely be using trains, cable cars, and boats to see some of the top sights and attractions. Wonderfully positioned in the bohemian neighborhood of Paquis, this hotel is within walking distance of all the attractions on this one day in Geneva itinerary and equally convenient for transit. The final hike on your list is a nice and easy one but it gives you an unparalleled view of the Appenzell district and neighboring Liechtenstein as you traverse this ridgeline at an elevation of 1800 meters (5,905 feet). Driving with your headlights on is mandatory during daylight hours as well as when driving at night in Switzerland. Thats because it was used as a filming location in the James Bond movie, Goldfinger. The weather is quite cold inside the tunnels and the walkways get slippery due to the powerful waterfalls so make sure to wear proper shoes and have a warm jacket with you. Chic rooms and suites come with the option for a shower or bathtub and tasteful decor. After a three hour drive, we finally reachedthefirst place on our list,AlpediSiusiin the SouthTyrol province of Italy. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We have traveled with our kids for over 20+ years and here is our Family Travel Bucket List. The hike is 3 km (1.9 miles) each way and a round trip there and back to First will take around two hours. Walking across the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrcke) is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Lucerne. 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. This budget-friendly hotel is centrally located down a residential street. Dont miss any update! Driving time: 1 hour and 45 minutes (135 km/84 miles) from Chillon Castle to Tsch. The Ultimate Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary - Follow Me Away 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. A trip to Lucerne is incomplete without exploring Lake Lucerne. My one day in Zurich itinerary will help you navigate the best things to do in Zurich Altstadt. })(); Leave me your email to receive new posts, tips, and special offers only for you! Also called Groglockner Hochalpenstrae, the drive that passes through the Hohe Tauern National Park is just stunning, with seemingly endless views over the range of 37 mountains as the road climbs to 2,504 meters. If youre looking to save some money during your 2 weeks in Switzerland, staying in Liechtenstein is a great alternative! The Parliament Building, or Federal Palace, houses the Swiss Federal Assembly and the Federal Council. Read on to find seven places that should not be missed on yournexttrip. Top 5 Driving Routes in Germany, Austria & Switzerland You can buy these at the gas stations, some rental cars already come with them. Zurich, the global capital of banking and finance, is home to Switzerlands largest international airport. Upmarket: Hotel Angleterre & Rsidence Booking.com | Agoda, Mid-Range: Moxy Lausanne City Booking.com | Agoda, Budget: Htel du March Booking.com | Agoda. Austria Road Trip Itinerary: A Complete Guide to 2 Weeks in Austria Sixt was originally started in Germany over 100 years ago and has recently made its launch in the US. Answer 1 of 4: My Husband and I are planning a road trip (2 weeks and 5 days) in September. In this Armenia travel guide, well share the perfect Armeniaitinerary, insider tips, must-see destinations, and practical advice to help you plan your own epic adventure. The path reaches out 45 meters (148 feet) into the void so you will need a head for heights! We had to stop for some Cappuccino and Gelato because as you know when in Italy you got to have some. Your last sight of the day before you reach Bern is this 12th-century castle which sits on a hill overlooking the town of Thun. The grass on the Alps is a shade of green so pure and shimmers gold when the sun hits it, we were jealous of the cows and sheep grazing away happily with no care in the world. The route we did in Ebenalp was the following: first we took the cable car up to Ebenalp, we hiked a little bit down to visit Aescher-Windkirchli, then we hiked all the way up to Schfler Ridge. I would love to know where you visited and what you enjoyed the most, so drop a comment below! On route, you will pass the Weisshorngruppe. The total length from here to the ridge is around 7.5 km (4.7 miles) and there is a fair amount of elevation (around 1,200 meters / 3,936 feet) so you should plan around 3-4 hours to complete the route if you skip the cable car. Travel Tip: While in Interlaken, take the time to visit the Harder Kulm viewpoint. Road trip from Switzerland to Austria - Rick Steves Travel Forum Upmarket: Stay KooooK Bern City Booking.com | Agoda, Mid-Range: Los Lorentes Hotel Bern City Booking.com | Agoda, Budget: Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke Booking.com | Agoda. We love Sixt(Save up to 10% on car rental in Europe) because you can not only rent a luxury car, but you can rent it for almost the same price as economy cars. These tickets are on a buy now, pay later basis, so you can always cancel at no cost if your plans change. These are my suggestions of where to stay in Bern. Breakfast is included in the rate and the staff goes out of their way to take care of their guests. You will drive a total of 30 km (18.5 miles), equal to around 40-45 minutes. It is interesting how fast the landscapes shift when you are driving from Italy, through Austria . DAY 4: Jungfraujoch & Interlaken. This lakeside resort town sits astride the River Aare in between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. Are you ready for a breathtaking adventure? Suites feature lakeview terraces and there is an excellent spread of restaurants and bars on-site to browse. Its worth making a stop at Nendaz, at the foot of Mount Tracouet. We followed this same itinerary and it was absolutely perfect! 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. Luxury | Sustainability | Cultural and Experiential Family Travel & Lifestyle, Posted onAugust 14, 2017June 29, 2021AuthorPriya15 Comments, Road trips are synonyms with summer, it gets us Outside Suburbia, whether that is the outskirts of Dallas on the country roads or somewhere in Europe. In Switzerland, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. It includes a 7 day road trip through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, but also, the sixth smallest country in the world, Liechtenstein! We arrived just in time forthesunset and got to enjoy our evening by the lake. 10 day Road Trip Itinerary for Europe: Italy, Switzerland, Austria and The track is clearly marked and in excellent condition, so you will need decent footwear and layers but nothing too intense. Did you buy separate vignette for Swiss and Austrian highways? Further afield, you can visit the little alpine towns of Planken and Triesenberg which are only a short drive from Vaduz. Pack your bags and join us on an Albanian road trip, where breathtaking scenery, Ottoman architecture, exceptional food and off the beaten path places await. Geneva is located on the southern tip of Lac Lman, or Lake Geneva, and is surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains. Get a taste of whats to come later in your 2 week Switzerland road trip at this mountainous viewpoint high above Zurich. See here for details about this High Alpine Road trip. Most people just take a quick walk around the town but if you have more time, there is no shortage of things to do in the area. Upmarket: Hotel Schweizerhof Zermatt Booking.com | Agoda, Mid-Range: Le Mirabeau Hotel & Spa Booking.com | Agoda, Budget: Hotel Bahnhof Booking.com | Agoda. A return ticket costs 68 CHF per person (70) from Grindelwald but if you dont want to drive today, you can also take a cable car directly from Interlaken (it costs around 90 CHF/92.70). 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. Stroll down Hinterdorfstrasse past the archaic wooden chalets. How to use this map Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Driving time: 50 minutes (64 km/40 miles) from Geneva to Lausanne. Learn more about their services below. You can get a wonderful view of the city and lake from the Jardin Botanique de Lausanne and the Lausanne Cathedral is well worth a visit. Once in Interlaken, you will need to book accommodation in the town for three nights as this will be your base for the next couple of days. However, if your road trip to Switzerland falls during the peak summer season then brace yourself for a line to ride the swing. Besides the Olympics attractions, art fans may also want to visit Platform 10 where you can survey over 10,000 works of art from 19th and 20th century Swiss artists. MID-RANGE Hotel Restaurant Schlssli Sax. I want to spend more time in this place and want to ensure its correct. Simply known as Engstligen 1 and Engstligen 2, this twin falls tumble from a height of 97 meters (318 feet) and 165 meters (541 feet) respectively. I would love to see some of these places. There is an elevator to take you up from Laufen Castle to the viewing platforms for a breathtaking view of the falls. Piz Gloria is on the top of Schilthorn where scenes from James Bond, His Majesty's secret service were filmed. Although youll need to pay for the gondola, the walkway itself is free to visit. This smart hotel features a gym, sauna, sun terrace, and bar. Ps: Dont worry, I didnt break any rules and I didnt take any pictures in the library. Discuss whether your car rental agency provides this automatically but if you have to buy it yourself, it will cost you 40 CHF (42.30). 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. The fourth day of your Switzerland road trip will also be a day trip from Interlaken so theres no need to check out of your hotel yet. Travel Tip: The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located a 20-minute drive from Montreux. The alphorn is a longhorn (around 11 feet) made of wood, historically used as a means of communication, and now used in Swiss folk music. One spot not to miss is the Ponte dei Salti, which means jump bridge. This double-arched bridge crosses the emerald-colored Verzasca River from Lavertezzo village. Once at the airport, you can head into the city center by public transport as you will not need to collect your rental until the second day of your Switzerland road trip. Driving time: 2 hours (170 km/106 miles) from Bern to Geneva. Youll find tons of different hiking trails in Ebenalp so be prepared for a full day of hiking! From Zurich, you will head towards the Swiss Alps, passing through picturesque villages along the way. A return ticket typically costs between 50-55 CHF (55-60) depending on the season you visit. It connects the Valais hamlet of Gletsch with Realp, in the canton of Uri. Switzerland Road Trip Stop 2: Lucerne. As well as hiking, Zermatt offers a range of other outdoor activities. I marked the different parts of the road trip with different colors so you can easily see which places youre going to visit each day. If you have a little bit more time, its also worth strolling around the town itself, the streets are incredibly picturesque. I know how you feel, planning this road trip was really overwhelming and took me so much time to put together before we left. Alternatively, you can head straight back to First and either catch the gondola back down to Grindelwald or follow the trail back down to town on foot. We flew into Vienna where we picked up our BMW from Sixt Rent A Car. The friendly staffallowed us tochoose from three different vehicles in the category we booked. This road trip starts and concludes in Zurich. The distance from Lugano to the capital city, Vaduz, is 185 km (115 miles) and the journey will take you around 2.5 hours. Today you will pick up your rental and officially press go on your 2 week Switzerland road trip itinerary. 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. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Believe me, I know how you feel! Famous for its financial industry, the city is also the European seat of the United Nations and the headquarters of the Red Cross. *Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*. Access is possible from early April until November each year but its best to check the Trmmelbachflle website beforehand to ensure that they are open. This is your moment to seize the day and get that perfect shot for Instagram so have your camera ready! If you love motorhomes, road trips and a bit of adventure, dive right in! We would love to get some suggestions on this itinerary. Once at the summit, you will enjoy spectacular views of Lac Leman. The morning we arrived,we were very lucky with the conditions;a low morning fog covered the lush grass fields and we witnessed a beautiful sunrise (see photo below). Driving time: 1 hour (85 km/53 miles) from St. Gallen to Zurich. On this two-week tour, mountains, Mozart, and mugs of beer all clink together to create a totally yodel-y adventure. We have gotten lost in Andalusia before, went chasing after lavender in Provence one summer, and drove around the ring round in Iceland last summer. These pair of swings that have been positioned in the Nara ski region are part of a project from Swing the World who installed swings in 11 different locations through the Ticino area. Find Your Car The Best Route for Driving Through Switzerland The best way to see Switzerland's mountains, lakes, and historic cities is from the warmth of your own car. Hope to travel with my family soon and explore the world together, Beautiful pictures! What . Thank you for this itinerary! I always love helping you out! You can enjoy a range of activities on the emerald waters of these lakes. Epic 7- Days: Austria and Switzerland Itinerary - Arzo Travels } Best of Alps: A Road trip through Austria and Switzerland Once back in Interlaken, you can drop your car back at your hotel and ride the Harderbahn funicular up to the Harder Kulm viewpoint for staggering views across the surroundings. Alps Road Trip: 7 Must-See Places with Photographic Proof If you dont want to go inside the castle its still worth stopping by to admire the views. Flying into Zurich and renting a car is the easiest way to kickstart your Switzerland road trip. If youre not big on hiking, you can skip Schfler Ridge and only visit the rest of the places. Top things to do in Geneva with kids: Flower Clocks, Chocolates and Solving mysteries. Connecting the cantons of Bern and Valais, it is a showcase of wilderness that includes granite rocks, lakes, and power plants. However, before you take the plunge, you should expect the water to be freezing year-round! DAY 3: Zermatt. If you have only one day in Salzburg, you can still cover a lot of ground. This open-air museum opened in 1959 and features Swiss landmarks in, you guessed it, miniature! It takes around 20 minutes to reach the restaurant from the Ebenalp cable car station and since the road mostly goes down, its a very easy hike.