10 Days in Switzerland Itinerary by Swiss Travel Experts [2025]

Day 1: Zurich - Lucerne

Arrive in Zurich and hop on a train for Lucerne, which takes roughly 1.15 hours. Your day will depend on your arrival time in Lucerne. Here are some of the options for things to do in Lucerne today:

Option 1: Swiss Transport Museum
Apart from showcasing the history of air, land, and even space transport, this open-air museum has a huge open arena where kids can try their hand at various activities. The complex also houses a planetarium, the country’s largest cinema screen, and the popular Swiss Chocolate Adventure. This is justifiably Switzerland’s most visited museum. The museum is partly open-air, so it would be wise to check the weather before heading there. It's a really fun family place where you can easily spend way over half a day.
Note: Make sure to flash your Swiss Travel Pass to avail of the Swiss Travel Pass discount on the entrance fees.

Option 2: Local City Tour
If you would rather take it slow today, you can set off for a walk around this lovely town at your own pace.

Start with crossing the Chapel Bridge, read the history of this city and indeed one of Switzerland’s most iconic attractions. Continue to the Old Town with its winding cobbled-stone streets, timber-framed houses, Old Town Hall, 14th-century clock tower and Lucerne's oldest church, St. Peter's Chapel. Continue to another iconic attraction -the famous Lion Monument. From here, you can make your way back along the lakeside promenade, stopping by one or more of the many local chocolatiers before going back to your hotel.

Option 3: Mount Pilatus
If you have almost the whole day in hand, visit one of the nearby mountains. Mount Pilatus would be a good choice. The Golden Round Trip offered on this mountain makes the travel as exciting as the peak.
Head to the Lucerne jetty (conveniently located opposite the main train station) and hop on the boat to Alpnachstad. (This journey is free as it is public transport and part of the Swiss Travel Pass.)

At Alpnachstad, get off the boat, head to the cogwheel train (the steepest in the world), and proceed to Mount Pilatus. On the way back use the cable car down to Kriens and take the bus back to Lucerne. If you still have time upon your return, carry on with your exploration of this lakeside town.

Note: Like most mountains, Mount Pilatus offers a Swiss Travel Pass discount. However, you must make a minimally charged reservation if you are travelling on the cogwheel train, which runs between May and November.

Mount Pilatus

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Day 2: Lucerne – Mount Titlis

You won't want to miss Mount Titlis while staying in Lucerne. To visit Mount Titlis, take a train from Lucerne train station to Engelberg (45 minutes), a beautiful little Swiss village located at the base of Mount Titlis.

From here, walk for 15 minutes or take a bus to the cable car valley station for Titlis. Start your journey by two cable cars (including the revolving cable car – Titlis Rotair) to reach the top with mesmerising views of the Swiss Alps.

On top, enjoy various activities like the Ice Flyer Chairlift, the Ice Cave and the amazing Titlis Cliff Walk. Have lunch at one of the restaurants at the peak before your descent.
Try making it back to Engelberg with some time to spare so you can walk around the village before returning to Lucerne.

Day 3: Lucerne – Interlaken – Jungfraujoch

After covering all or most of the attractions in Lucerne, you can move on to another amazing Swiss town. Get ready for Interlaken, home to the majestic Jungfraujoch -the top of Europe.

To do this excursion today, it would be nice to depart Lucerne around 7 to 8 am and hop on to the famous Interlaken - Lucerne Express, which connects these two towns. The journey to Interlaken takes roughly 2 hours. Arrive, check in to your Interlaken hotel or apartment and get ready to head off to the top of Europe!

There are two ways to reach this mountain - the older traditional route or the new cable car route via Grindelwald.

Route 1
The traditional route takes around 2 hours and takes you from Interlaken Ost station to the peak via 2 changes in Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg.

The route is very scenic, and on the last journey, the train stops a couple of times at viewing points that give breathtaking views of the glacier. These little photo stops also help you to get acclimatized to the rarer air as you ascend.

Route 2
The new route (started in 2020) takes you from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald by train. At Grindelwald, you switch to the cable car to reach the Eiger Glacier Station. Then again, switch to train to reach the peak. This route takes roughly 1.15 hours.

The Jungfrau excursion is one of the more expensive ones, so make sure you have your Swiss Travel Pass so that you get the almost 35% discount for pass holders.

At the top, enjoy amazing views of the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps.
Enjoy the ice palace with its sculptures, experience snow fun in the snow park in the summer and give in to temptation at the Lindt Chocolate Heaven.

On the way back down, you can stop at Grindelwald and visit this Alpine village or stop at Lauterbrunnen and visit another attraction of this region—the glacial Trummelbach Falls.

The falls can be reached by a 10-minute bus ride from Lauterbrunnen station. The Trummelbach falls are actually 10 thundering waterfalls inside the mountain and are reached via a lift.

Note: Kids under four are not allowed to visit the falls.

Jungfrau

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Day 4: Interlaken – Gstaad and Montreux

The most idyllic pictures of Switzerland are likely shot in Gstaad. Going to Gstaad gives you one more opportunity to use your Swiss Travel Pass on a scenic train. The Golden Pass Line connecting these towns will get you into Gstaad in roughly 1.50 hours via some of the most picturesque terrain.

The beauty of Gstaad has lured the rich and famous to holiday there and also made many leave their homes to settle there permanently. The perfect little wooden chalets in a manicured setting remind you of a scene from a fairy tale.

After exploring this town, you can proceed further by train to Montreux (1.35 hours), a beautiful village on the shores of Lake Geneva. Spend some time walking along the lakeside promenade, visit the statue of Freddie Mercury and the Chillon Castle. The castle is built on an outcrop on the shores of Lake Geneva and is the most visited historical building in Switzerland.

In the evening, proceed back to Interlaken (2.15 hours).

Day 5: Interlaken – Zermatt

Travel to Zermatt (2.10 hours), the most popular car-free village and a famous ski resort. There are many things to do in Zermatt, but the main attraction is the Matterhorn.
Settle into your hotel and proceed to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to get the best views of the Matterhorn. Walk through the village to reach the cable car base station. Flash your Swiss Travel Pass to avail of the passholder discount or exchange your pre-purchased voucher and get going.

The ride up is as beautiful as the view from below. Spend some time getting the perfect photos, visit the ice palace, and have a hearty Swiss meal with a view before you head back down. If you are up for it, you can also continue on the new alpine crossing, which takes you all the way to Cervina in Italy! If you are celebrating a big day or feel like splurging, go all out and book a Swarovski car. Embellished with Swarovski crystals on the outside and a glass-bottomed floor, these cars can elevate your experience to new heights!

Note: Zermatt is a car-free village. If you have a hotel that is far from the station, make sure you call ahead and check if they offer complimentary or paid pick-ups.

Day 6: Zermatt

Soak in the atmosphere of this typical Swiss village today. Just walk along the village centre with its numerous souvenir shops, cafes and boutiques.

You can visit the Matterhorn museum, which gives you an insight into the village's history and houses original objects from the first ascent of the Matterhorn.

Visit the Gorner Gorge (summer only) at the south end of the village and explore the breathtaking beauty of this narrow river gorge while walking across it on an elevated wooden walkway suspended over stunning rock formations and turquoise waters.

Wander along the Hinterdorf, Zermatt’s unique old town with centuries-old structures.

If you still crave the perfect shot of the mighty Matterhorn massif, visit another vantage point - Sunnegga Paradise, a popular viewing point for the Matterhorn. With a relatively quick ascent (under 5 minutes) and fun stuff like the Wolli Adventure Park and a Marmot trail, the Sunnegga Paradise is a popular family activity.

Day 7: Zermatt – St. Moritz

All aboard! Embark on what is said to be the most beautiful train journey in the world – The Glacier Express. This journey will take you from the west of Switzerland to St. Moritz in the east. Known as the ‘slowest express train’, this narrow-gauge journey progresses at around 24 mph. It takes you through spectacular scenery, 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, deep gorges, and hair-raising Viaducts.

In St. Moritz, you will have arrived at one of the world’s most sought-after winter destinations. It offers some of the best ski slopes in the world, attracting leisure travellers and sports enthusiasts alike. With a beautiful lake, great spas, and exclusive hotels, this little town offers all the glitz and glamour one can wish for.

The Glacier Express requires a mandatory seat reservation, and one of the benefits of Swiss Travel Pass is that one can get these at special rates. Remember to book your seats well in advance as they tend to sell out soon. Other than the first and second class, this train also offers an Excellence Class, which offers all window seats, a multi-course meal, Swiss wines and more.

Note: Depending on the season, there are up to 3 Glacier Express departures in a day. The Glacier Express has a fully equipped restaurant, and meals can also be pre-booked.

Day 8: St. Moritz – Lugano

From a winter destination to one that has 300 days of sunshine a year…and that too on another scenic train!! Get ready for Mediterranean warmth as you board the Bernina Express, which will take you from St. Moritz to Lugano, passing through UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The Bernina Express journey combines a train and bus segment. The first leg, from St. Moritz to Tirano, takes 2 hours and 15 minutes by train. The next part is via bus. The bus journey from Tirano to Lugano takes 3 hours and gets you into Lugano at around 5:30 in the evening.

For both segments, a compulsory reservation is required, and it should be made well in advance since seats sell out soon. Swiss Travel Pass holders get special rates.

Note: While booking, pay attention to match the timings between train and bus connections.

The ideal booking would be:
     -Depart St. Moritz at 9:17 am and arrive in Tirano at 11:32 am
     -Depart Tirano at 2:20 pm and arrive in Lugano at 5:30 pm

Note: Timings are subject to change and should be checked as per your travel date.

Day 9: Lugano – Lake Como

Venture into Italy today. Visit Lake Como, a picturesque and popular resort in Italy that can be reached via a direct train in just 45 minutes. Spend time walking around the lake, take a bus to Bellagio, known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’ or shop for silk, which this area is famous for. Return to Lugano in the evening.

Note: You will need to purchase a train ticket to visit Como since the Swiss Travel Pass is not valid for this journey.

Day 10: Lugano – Zurich or Lugano - Milan

Based on where you are ending your holiday, you can do one of the following today.

Option 1: - Zurich
Reach Zurich main station via a direct train (roughly 2 hours). If you have a late evening flight, you can leave your bags at the station and still make the most of this day by heading to the Rhine Falls - Europe’s largest falls, either on your own or via a guided tour. Take a boat ride to the centre of the falls or view it from one of the viewing points close enough to feel the spray and hear the thunder.

Alternatively, you can set off to explore the town on your own or hop on a guided tour, which will conveniently take you through all the best parts of this vibrant city.

Of course, if you have more time and are staying a couple of more nights, there are many other sights to see and things to do in Zurich.

Note: The Rhine Falls charges an entrance fee of roughly CHF 5 per person as it is a protected National Park. The boat ride will cost an additional CHF 8 to CHF 10 per person.

Option 2: - Milan
If you are departing from Milan airport, you will take a train to Malpensa airport (roughly 1.5 hours). You will have to purchase a train ticket since the Swiss Pass will not cover this journey.

Time permitting, you can get off at the main station and take a Hop-on-Hop-off bus tour to get a feel of the city.

Don’t forget your last-minute shopping. After all, you are in the fashion capital of the world!

As I said, Switzerland has so much to offer. The above are just some of the main things that one can do whilst maintaining a well-paced 10-day program. Hope you can include most or all of the above and more in your next Swiss holiday program.