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Spiez town on Lake Thun

7 Day Switzerland Road Trip

(7 days / 6 nights)

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A spellbinding week in Switzerland

Treat yourself to a laid-back week exploring Switzerland. You’ll start in the country’s largest city, Zurich, then get behind the wheel for an epic road trip. Enjoy delicious food, be charmed by traditional architecture, and learn about Swiss history in the capital, Bern. Explore charming Zermatt and take the cogwheel railway to Gornergrat station for epic views of the world-famous Matterhorn. Then spend time relaxing in Grindelwald, where idyllic nature surrounds you. You’ll return home with magical memories!

Want to spend some more time exploring Zurich? You can easily add extra nights at the start or end of your trip during the booking process.

7 days / 6 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 1650 EUR

Find your price
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Tour Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the glorious scenery of the Swiss Alps
  • Visit the charming mountain town of Zermatt
  • See the famous Matterhorn, the symbol of Switzerland
  • Stroll around Lucerne and cross the historic Chapel Bridge
  • Gaze upon the majestic Mount Pilatus and its highest peak, Tomlishorn, from below
  • Explore the outdoors and go hiking in Grindelwald
  • Discover history, culture and natural beauty in Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich
  • Roam the historic streets of Bern, Switzerland’s capital
  • Admire sweeping Alpine panoramas from countless viewpoints
  • Enjoy a road trip with peace of mind with your personal itinerary from a local travel expert

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Alps i, Classic i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Culinary Experience i, Culture and History i

Season

May - Oct

Departure

Daily

Interest

Alps i, Classic i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Culinary Experience i, Culture and History i

Driving distance

553/343 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: Welcome to Switzerland

    After arriving in Zurich and checking in to your accommodation, head out to explore Switzerland’s largest city at your leisure.

    Stroll the city’s bustling streets and visit landmark sights such as the churches Grossmünster and Fraumünster. Or wander up Lindenhof Hill to enjoy unbeatable views from above.

    Nearby, you could also go for a walk along Lake Zurich, where the promenade is an ideal place to catch some sun. There’s also countless world-class art galleries and museums to explore, while foodies can make the most of the vibrant restaurant scene here.

    Spend the night in Zurich.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 2: Charming Cities and Alpine Peaks

    Start your road trip around Switzerland! Pick up your rental car and travel to Zermatt. Your route will take you through Switzerland’s capital city, Bern.

    Stop to marvel at Bern’s 12th-century Old Town (“Altstadt”) and look out for the Zytglogge, the city’s famous clock tower.

    Later, continue your day’s journey, passing by the charming villages of Thun and Spiez on the shores of Thunersee lake.

    To reach Zermatt you’ll need to leave your car at Täsch and board a short shuttle train, as Zermatt itself is car-free. As you enter the town keep an eye out for the iconic Matterhorn mountain.

    Spend the night in the Zermatt area.

    Average driving distance: 252 km / 156 mi.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 3: Exploring Zermatt

    Spend today exploring the incredible sights of Zermatt. You could take a gondola ride through the clouds and enjoy unbeatable views of the immense natural landscape from a mountaintop.

    You could also take a cogwheel train to the top of Gornergrat station, located almost 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) above sea level!

    From the mountaintops, you can explore a huge range of hiking trails, and you’ll even find ski slopes that are open year-round.

    And after a day of adventuring, you can unwind in one of Zermatt’s many mouth-watering restaurants.

    Spend another night in the Zermatt area.

    Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 4: Journey from Zermatt to Grindelwald

    After breakfast, you’ll continue your travels through the Swiss Alps. You could explore the picture-perfect towns of Spiez, Thun and Sigriswil in the Lake Thun (“Thunersee”) area. Or stop at Interlaken to relax by the serene blue lake, with views of towering mountain peaks.

    As you journey deeper into the heart of the Alps, you’ll reach the chalet-style village of Grindelwald.

    Wander along its charming streets and gaze upon the immense Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. You can take your pick from the many hiking trails that weave through these mountains, or you could simply relax in the town instead.

    Spend the night in Grindelwald.

    Average driving distance: 129 km / 80 mi.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 5: Majestic peaks and deep valleys

    Wake up in breathtaking Grindelwald with a whole day of exploration ahead of you.

    You could take a hike through the mysterious Rosenlaui glacier gorge with its narrow pathways and hidden waterfalls. Venture up to the Jungfraujoch railway station for panoramic views of the breathtaking landscape and the incredible Aletsch Glacier.

    Or check out the nearby Lauterbrunnen valley and the mesmerising Staubbach Falls, where water tumbles down a 300-metre (1,000-foot) drop.

    Spend another night in Grindelwald.

    Average driving distance: 34 km / 21 mi.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 6: Journey through Lucerne back to Zurich

    Wave goodbye to Grindelwald and set off back towards Zurich. There are a few scenic stops to make along the way.

    The drive will take you past Mount Pilatus, a jaw-dropping peak close to Lake Lucerne. Stop to explore the elegant town of Lucerne and stroll along the famous Chapel Bridge (“Kapellbrücke”).

    From nearby Kriens, you might want to travel to Pilatus’ summit via a scenic gondola ride. You’ll be rewarded with epic views of the surrounding Alps and the glittering lake below.

    Later, carry on to Zurich and drop off your rental car. Enjoy your evening exploring this vibrant city, with its elegant architecture and lively nightlife.

    Spend the night in Zurich.

    Average driving distance: 138 km / 86 mi.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 7: Departure from Zurich

    Today your adventure in Switzerland comes to an end. If your flight is scheduled for later in the day, spend the morning enjoying some more of Zurich. You could buy some last-minute souvenirs or relax in a traditional coffee house.

    Later, make your way to the airport in time for your departure flight.

    Attractions See Activities for this day
View full itinerary

Optional extras

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

Included

Not included

Optional Extras

7 days / 6 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 1650 EUR

Find your price
Request info

Essential information

Everything you need to know about this tour before you book

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this self-drive tour in Switzerland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here, so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Alps Travel Guide.

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Switzerland, along with planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.

And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information including an itinerary, map and Switzerland Travel Guide.

You’ll also have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

During your self-drive tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local Switzerland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

In Switzerland you can choose from single, double and triple rooms. Please note that in Switzerland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you're travelling with children and need multiple rooms, please note that we can't guarantee family rooms or interconnecting rooms at all accommodation. You may even have rooms on different floors.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

You must be at least 20 years old and have held a valid licence for at least one year to hire a rental car in Switzerland. There may be a small additional fee for drivers under 25 years old.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

The roads across Switzerland are usually in good condition year-round and are renowned for their beauty.

You’ll be driving on the right side of the road and the left side of the car. Most rural roads in Switzerland are 2-lane, but they can be narrow and winding. This is especially true when navigating mountain passes.

Due to the altitude of some roads, the risk of storms, rain, snow and ice can cause adverse conditions. We recommend checking weather forecasts daily and not taking any risks when it comes to driving.

It’s also a good idea to plan how you will navigate around Switzerland ahead of time. Your travel consultant will prepare a detailed hand-annotated map of your route to help you stay on track.

We also recommend using navigation apps on your phone, such as Google Maps. Make sure to download the route ahead of time, in case you don’t have signal in the more rural areas.

During your tour of Switzerland, you’ll be travelling through both lowland and high-altitude regions. As you might expect, the temperatures can differ between these regions.

In the city of Zürich, the average temperature in summer is around 19°C (66°F). While in the mountain region of Zermatt, the average temperatures are closer to 15°C (59°F). It’s worth noting that these are average temperatures, and the highs can reach mid-20s in some regions.

Many regions of Switzerland are famed for their many days of sunshine, especially Visp and the Rhône valley. But that doesn’t guarantee there won’t be any rain on your trip! And you’ll need to be prepared for chillier weather when you’re boarding mountain gondolas.

As you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors exploring the mountains, it’s a good idea to come prepared for a combination of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:

  • A warm jumper or fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
  • Hiking clothes and good walking shoes or boots
  • Light scarf or thin jumper
  • An umbrella
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Lip balm and moisturiser
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sunhat

On your Swiss road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around ₣1.40–1.80 per litre.

As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Switzerland. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

Budget between ₣20–30 per person for each day’s lunch. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between ₣25–35. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay ₣45-65 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

If you are planning on arriving in Geneva, let us know. You could add on an extra night in Geneva to visit Switzerland’s second largest city. Or you could book a direct train from Geneva to Zürich to start your road trip.

Please contact your travel consultant for further details.

Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF, ₣) as its currency. The neighbouring country of Liechtenstein also uses the Swiss franc, while other surrounding countries use the Euro.

In Switzerland tipping is not mandatory but welcomed. It’s usually based on the quality of service. Locals often add around 10% or simply round up their bill.

In hotels it’s common to tip concierges for hiring a taxi or making dinner reservations. As for porters, about ₣2 per bag is standard.

There are limited laundry facilities in rural areas, but you’ll find launderettes in major cities such as Zürich. Some hotels offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.

While Switzerland is not part of the European Union (EU), it is part of the Schengen area. This means that if you’re visiting from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or an EU state, you won’t need a visa to enter.

If you’re visiting from another country, you can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require visas to enter Switzerland via the State Secretariat for Migration website.

Your passport needs to be valid for the entirety of your stay in Switzerland, and for at least 6 months after your departure date. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early, in case you need to renew it.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

During your tour, there will always be a regional travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us. 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Zürich?

After picking up your luggage, make your way to your accommodation in the city centre. The airport has excellent public transportation connections operated by SBB (Swiss Federal Railways). Or if you’d prefer, we can arrange a private transfer for an additional fee.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM. You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait.

Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching public transport or a taxi to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR).

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable 3-star hotels in combination with well-appointed guesthouses or...

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Superior

Standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses in combination with superior rooms in...

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Rental car

Enjoy your road trip with a free GPS and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability.

VW Polo (automatic)
or similar

  • x4
  • x5
  • x2
  • A
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VW Polo (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 4
  • Suitcases: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Manual
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Ford Focus (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A
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Ford Focus (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic
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BMW 3 Series (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x4
  • A
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BMW 3 Series (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Saloon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Jeep Compass (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x3
  • A
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Jeep Compass (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Crossover SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 3
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic
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BMW X5 (automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x5
  • A
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BMW X5 (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Luxury SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 5
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Mercedes Vito (automatic)
or similar

  • x9
  • x3
  • x5
  • A
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Mercedes Vito (automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Premium Passenger Van
  • Passengers: 9
  • Luggage: 5
  • Doors: 3
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Price per person from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 1650 EUR

Request info

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