Behold the history, nature and culture of the iconic Alps. This unmissable itinerary will take you across 5 countries, including the fairytale German Bavarian region, charming Swiss and Austrian villages, Liechtenstein's historic capital city and the tranquil beauty of northern Italy. Breathe crisp mountain air and be amazed by the vivid colours of lakes, rolling hills and mountain peaks all around. You’ll feel totally at home in the world of the Alps.
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.
Touch down in Germany to begin your adventure in the Alps! First, make your way from the airport to your accommodation in central Munich. Once there, head out to explore the bustling streets of Bavaria’s capital.
Start by exploring Munich’s Old Town, or “Altstadt”. Wander winding streets lined by colourful buildings and ancient churches, like the Baroque-style Asam Church (“Asamkirche") and the Münchner Dom cathedral, known to the locals as “Frauenkirche”.
Later, you might want to stop for a taste of Bavaria’s famous beverages at the Hofbräuhaus brewery. Built in 1589, it is still the most popular beer hall in Munich! For another dose of history, don’t miss the Munich Residenz, a former royal palace and largest of its kind in Germany.
Spend the night in Munich.
After picking up your rental car, head out of Germany and into Switzerland. You’ll first pass through the charming Swiss town of Stein am Rhein, built at the mouth of Lake Constance (“Untersee”). Then, carry on the short distance to the thundering waters of Rhine Falls, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls.
Later, drive on to Switzerland’s largest city, Zürich. There’s plenty of sights and sounds to experience in this hub of history and culture. Spend some time exploring the quaint Old Town (“Altstadt”) and look out for the churches Grossmünster and Fraumünster.
There are plenty of art galleries and museums in Zürich, as well as cosy restaurants and welcoming cafés. For unbeatable views, wander up Lindenhof Hill to see the city streets and winding river from above.
Spend the night in Zürich.
Driving distance: 350 km / 217 mi
This morning, head out of Zürich and drive towards the iconic Lake Geneva (“Lac Léman”). Before you reach the water, you’ll pass through Switzerland’s capital, the charming city of Bern. It’s full of historical landmarks, including its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town (“Altstadt”). Take some time to explore the streets here before getting back on the road.
Your destination is Lausanne, a French-speaking city on the shores of Lake Geneva, best known for being the home of the modern Olympics. You’ll find a walkable city centre characterised by cobbled streets and colourful buildings, and many welcoming eateries to relax in after your day’s adventure.
Spend the night in Lausanne.
Driving distance: 228 km / 141 mi
You have the whole day to explore Lausanne and the picturesque surroundings of Lake Geneva. Start by visiting the city’s 12th-century gothic cathedral, and, for a challenge, climb the 224 steps of the bell tower. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the streets below and lakes and mountains in the background.
If you’re interested in Lausanne’s athletic significance, stop by the Olympic Museum. You’ll find exhibitions on sporting history, famous athletes and more.
You could also take the chance to visit Geneva, Switzerland’s second largest city. The quickest way is to drive straight from Lausanne, but a thrilling alternative is to hop on a 4-hour boat ride across Lac Léman.
Spend another night in Lausanne.
Today will be a day filled with iconic Swiss sights! First, stop at the idyllic town of Montreux on the eastern shores of Lake Geneva. Here, you’re right in the shadow of the world-famous Alps. Explore the medieval Château de Chillon castle before you begin your drive into the mountains.
You’ll be following the picturesque Rhone Valley, a long stretch of glacier-carved land with spectacular mountain peaks on either side. Your next stop will be the town of Sion, known for its 2 imposing hilltop castles.
Later, continue on to Zermatt. This town in the German-speaking region of Switzerland is best known for its proximity to the Matterhorn, the iconic national symbol. Its mountainous landscape gives Zermatt an excellent reputation for adventure sports and natural beauty.
Spend the night in the Zermatt area.
Driving distance: 171 km / 106 miles
Spend the day immersing yourself in the nature and beauty of Zermatt. First, board a gondola to carry to you up the mountainsides and take in awe-inspiring views of the Matterhorn. You can also take a traditional cog train up to the Gornergrat ridge, almost 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) above sea level!
From the mountaintops, you can explore any number of hiking trails, and you’ll even find ski slopes 365 days of the year. Whatever your activity of choice, you’ll feel the power and beauty of the Alps all around.
Spend another night in the Zermatt area.
After breakfast, say goodbye to Zermatt and continue your journey through the Swiss Alps. Along the way to today’s destination, there are plenty of picturesque stops you could choose to make.
In the Lake Thun (“Thunersee”) region, discover the charming towns of Spiez, Thun and Sigriswil. Stop at Interlaken to relax amongst untouched natural wonders, with blue lake waters reflecting white-capped mountain peaks.
Further on, you’ll reach the alpine village of Grindelwald. Wander charming streets and be amazed by views of the notorious Mt. Eiger and the even higher peaks of Mönch and Jungfrau. Hiking trails in the mountains will beckon you, or you could choose to simply relax in the town itself.
Spend the night in the Interlaken and Grindelwald area.
Driving distance: 129 km / 80 miles
Wake up in the breathtaking Interlaken and Grindelwald region with a whole day of exploration ahead of you. First, why not hike through the mysterious Rosenlaui glacier gorge? Once at the top, you can then board a cable car or mountain railway to take you up towards the peaks.
One of the heights you can explore here is the Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe”. Take in panoramic views and look out for Aletsch, the world’s longest alpine glacier.
Nearby, check out the Lauterbrunnen Valley, where a charming village lies amongst towering mountains. Here you’ll find the mesmerising Staubbach Falls, where water tumbles down a 300-metre (1,000-foot) drop.
Another option is to take a cable car up to the top of Mount Schlithorn to view the Bernese Alps in all their majesty.
Spend another night in the Interlaken and Grindelwald area.
Today, you’ll leave the mountain peaks behind as you drive to Lucerne. Nestled on the shores of Lake Lucerne, you’ll have plenty to explore here. Wander from the charming Old Town to lakeside promenades and spend some time on Chapel Bridge (“Kapellbrücke”), a historic wooden walkway.
Other unmissable sights here include the Musegg Wall with its 9 towers, as well as the Jesuit Church and the historic Lion Monument. In amongst these attractions, you’ll have the choice of plenty of charming eateries to relax in and try some local delicacies.
Spend the night in Lucerne.
Driving distance: 86 km / 53 miles
After breakfast, leave Lucerne behind and set off through more spectacular alpine landscapes. Begin by heading towards Locarno, an Italian-speaking town in Switzerland’s south.
Pass through scenic villages like Andermatt before reaching Gotthard Pass, the “King of Mountain Passes”, a 24-kilometre (15-mile) route. Let winding roads take you to over 2,100 metres (7,000 feet) above sea level, with unbelievable views all around.
There’s also a historic military fortress, Sasso San Gotthardo, where you can explore rooms and corridors built deep into the mountainside. You’ll find a huge collection of alpine crystals on display here.
Later, you’ll reach Locarno. This Mediterranean-influenced settlement sits on the shores of the magnificent Lake Maggiore. Enjoy an evening spent wandering the charming streets and dining in a local restaurant.
Spend the night in Locarno.
Driving distance: 193 km / 120 miles
After yesterday’s adventures, spend today enjoying the tranquil surroundings of Lake Maggiore. You can walk the winding streets of Locarno’s Old Town and admire the calm lake waters from the Locarno Promenade.
Walk up to the Sacred Mount Madonna del Sasso sanctuary. This is a historic church perched on a rugged crag overlooking the town below.
A short drive away from Locarno, you’ll find Lugano, another Italian-influenced Swiss town. Take in the pastel-coloured buildings and explore the chic shops on the Via Nassa arcade. Then, stop for an al-fresco drink in the Piazza Riforma square.
From either of these towns, you could also choose to join a boat tour to see the lake in style.
Spend another night in Locarno.
Today, you can experience crossing into Italy, which is a popular day trip for many Swiss locals. From Locarno, make your way south until you reach Como, a city on the tip of the iconic Lake Como. There are plenty of highlights to enjoy here.
Start at the Piazza Cavour, a bustling square in the city centre. Take some time to explore promenades around the spectacular lake and look out for impressive buildings like Villa Saporiti and Villa Gallia. Back in the city centre, explore the ancient Como Cathedral (“Duomo di Como"), the beautiful Piazza San Fedele, and Porta Torre, a medieval city gate.
Spend another night in Locarno.
Driving distance: 152km / 94 miles
Today you’ll be heading towards Switzerland’s largest region. Grisons, or “Graubünden”, is the only Swiss canton with 3 official languages.
As you drive, you’ll pass charming towns like Bellinzona, known for its 3 medieval castles. From here, take on another impressive mountain road: the 17-kilometre-long (10-mile-long) San Bernardino Pass.
Along this route, you’ll reach an altitude of over 2,000 metres (6,562 feet), with incredible views of lakes below and the Alps all around. After completing the pass, you’ll arrive in the charming city of Chur.
This town is said to be the oldest in Switzerland, with archaeological evidence of human activity dating back over 11,000 years! Enjoy an evening wandering through the historic streets.
Spend the night in Chur.
Driving distance: 143 km / 89 miles
This morning, cross the border into the charming microstate of Liechtenstein. This is one of Europe’s smallest countries, with a cultural capital city, Vaduz.
Later, continue towards Appenzell, a picturesque Swiss town in the mountains. After enjoying some time here, its now time to say goodbye to Switzerland as you head into your fifth country of the trip: Austria.
Your first stop in this new country is Bregenz, on the shores of Lake Constance. This is a harbour city with plenty of history and cultural attractions.
Then you’ll travel to Innsbruck. You’ll be passing through deep valleys, surrounded by the towering Austrian Alps, with several charming mountain villages along the way.
You could also choose to detour across the German border to explore the Bavarian town of Mittenwald, famous for its violin-making history.
Spend the night in the Innsbruck area.
Driving distance: 284 km / 176 miles
You’ll enjoy a full day exploring Innsbruck. This is a bustling mountain city with a blend of natural beauty and Austrian culture.
Explore the Old Town, with winding, walkable streets lined by colourful and historic buildings. You’ll find a mix of traditional restaurants and modern eateries, as well as cosy bars in which to enjoy some Austrian beer.
Don’t miss the famous Golden Roof (“Goldenes Dachl"), which was built in the 16th century to commemorate a royal wedding. You’ll get a great view of it from the Innsbruck City Tower, a tall Gothic-style structure.
To witness Austria’s spectacular nature, board a cable car to the peak of Nordkette, a towering mountain in Karwendel Nature Park. You’ll be rewarded by unbeatable sights of the Austrian Alps.
Spend another night in the Innsbruck area.
Today, choose your own adventure. Stay in Innsbruck to see any of the sights you didn’t have time for yesterday. Or, journey north to explore more of picturesque Bavaria.
If you haven’t visited Mittenwald yet, you could go there today to discover its rich history. A little further on, you’ll find Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The top attraction here is Linderhof Palace, a small yet beautiful palace built by King Ludwig II, set amongst lush gardens.
Not far from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you’ll find Neuschwanstein Castle, Ludwig’s most famous project. It makes for a spectacular silhouette, perched on a rugged hill amongst the mountains.
Alternatively, you could choose to travel south and cross back over the Italian border via the picturesque Brenner Pass. Once in Italy, head for the charming town of Vipiteno (also known as “Sterzing”).
Spend another night in the Innsbruck area.
Driving distance to Bavarian villages in Germany: 234 km / 145 miles
Driving distance for a day trip to Vipiteno in Italy: 116 km / 72 miles
Today, you hit the road again. You’ll be travelling through more of Austria’s spectacular Alps, with incredible views abound.
One picturesque detour will take you past famous destinations like Kitzbuhel and Zell am See, with mountain peaks and lush valleys all around. You’ll then reach the village of Hallstatt, where charming buildings line the shore of Lake Hallstatt.
Later, drive on past the vivid lakes of Salzkammergut until you reach the iconic city of Salzburg.
Spend the night in Salzburg.
Driving distance: 320 km / 198 miles
Today is all about immersing yourself in the famous sights and sounds of Salzburg. The history and culture here are world-renowned!
Start by exploring the picturesque Old Town on foot, admiring the pastel-coloured buildings. In this area, you’ll find two museums dedicated to Salzburg’s most famous past resident: Mozart. Close by is the elegant Salzburg Cathedral. On a hill above the city centre, you’ll find the vast medieval fortress Hohensalzburg.
Of course, many of Salzburg’s sights were made famous by the film The Sound of Music. Fans of the movie will find plenty to enjoy here, such as the Mirabel Palace Gardens (“Mirabellgarten”).
Spend another night in Salzburg.
Get back on the road to complete your journey and return to where it first began. The picturesque route will soon take you across the border to Germany, where you will pass the vast waters of Lake Königssee.
Pass through the Bavarian settlement of Berchtesgaden. If you’d like to stop, you might want to visit Kehlsteinhouse (“the Eagle’s Nest”), a mountain base that was used by Hitler during the Second World War. Just make sure to pre-book your tickets.
Another historic site in this area is the Berchtesgaden salt mine, the oldest active salt mine in Germany. Continue through the Chiemgau Alps towards Munich. Drop off your car before heading to your accommodation in the city.
Spend the night in Munich.
Driving distance: 200 km / 125 miles
Today, you’ll enjoy time at your leisure in Bavaria’s most famous city. Take this opportunity to explore some of the historic sites you may have missed on your first day.
More highlights include the Baroque marvel Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Olympic Park (“Olympiapark”), built for the 1972 summer games. If you’re interested in the city’s car-making history, check out the BMW Museum.
The Deutsches Museum is the word’s largest museum of science and technology. For a taste of contemporary German culture, there are two enchanting modern art museums: Museum Brandhorst and Pinakotek der Modern.
Explore the English Garden (“Englischer Garten”) a sprawling park inspired by Victorian England’s landscape gardens. Look out for surfers on the Eisbach Wave and enjoy a tipple at the Chinese Tower (“Chinesischer Turm”) beer garden.
Spend another night in Munich.
Today, your adventure in the Alps comes to an end. If your flight is scheduled for later in the day, spend the morning enjoying Munich some more. 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.
Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
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 the Alps. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect.
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 the Alpine region, along with planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.
As this is a self-guided tour, you’re welcome to stop whenever and wherever you wish along the way. Except for accommodation and booked activities, other highlights we’ve listed in the itinerary are suggestions based on Nordic Visitor favourites.
And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, hand-annotated map and our very own Alps Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.
During your tour of the Alps, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and personal experience.
Across the Alps region, you can choose from single, double or triple rooms. Please also note that in the countries you’ll be visiting, 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.
Of course you can! Munich is a lively place to experience at this time of year.
But before you plan, you should be aware of 2 details:
Oktoberfest doesn’t happen throughout October as the name might suggest. It usually kicks off on the 20-21 September. And it runs only into the first week of October.
It's also good to note that accommodation is in really high demand during this iconic celebration. It means that during your stay in Munich, city centre accommodation cannot be guaranteed.
Travelling with your kids? No problem! Just let your travel consultant know during the booking process. We’ll arrange any cots needed at your accommodation.
If you 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'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. This will incur a small extra cost.
The minimum age to hire a car in the Alps is 19. A small fee will also apply to any drivers under 25.
If you are under 25, you may also be restricted in the size of vehicle you are able to rent. Please contact your personal Travel Consultant if you are unsure about which car to choose.
Whether you need an international driving permit will depend on which country your licence is from.
You’ll need an international driving permit if your current licence doesn’t mention your vehicle of choice in Latin script. That said, to be certain, we recommend checking with official government websites before your trip.
Additionally, if you are visiting from a country outside the EU or EEA, the Austrian government requires all drivers to have an international driving permit. This includes visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia. If you have a driving licence from the UK, you do not need an international driving permit.
The roads across the Alps are usually in good condition all year long and are renowned for their road trip worthiness.
You’ll be driving on the right side of the road and the left side of the car. Most rural roads in the Alps are 2-lane, but they can be narrow and winding. This is especially true when crossing mountain passes.
Due to the altitude of some roads, and especially in winter, 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 the Alps 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 the Alps, you’ll be travelling through both lowland and high-altitude regions. The lowland in central Europe is fairly warm all year around, but the mountains are chillier.
In higher mountain villages, the average temperature in summer is between 15°C – 20°C (59°F – 68°F). In lower-altitude towns and cities, close to lakes at the foot of the mountains, temperatures in summer can reach 30°C – 35°C (86°F – 95°F) during heatwaves.
Many regions of the Alps are famed for their many days of sunshine, especially in Switzerland’s Rhone 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:
There are limited laundry facilities in the countryside, though you’ll find laundrettes in the cities like Munich, Zürich, Innsbruck and Salzburg. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.
It’s good to be aware that you may require different currencies during your Alps trip. Germany and Austria have the Euro (€) as their local currency. This is also true for neighbouring Italy.
That said, Switzerland and Liechtenstein both have the Swiss franc (CHF, ₣) as their currency.
On your Alps road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around €1.50–€1.90 per litre. That’s ₣1.40–1.80.
As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in the Alps. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.
Budget between €25–€30 per person for each day’s lunch, or ₣20–30. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between €30–€35, ₣25–35. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay €50–€70 or more, which would be ₣45-65. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.
In Germany, Switzerland and Austria tipping is not mandatory, but welcomed. It is usually based on the quality of service. Locals often add around 10% or simply round up their bill.
Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can easily add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.
If you prefer, you can begin your tour in Geneva, Switzerland instead of Munich, Germany. You would then take a train to Zurich to start your road trip. Just let your travel consultant know and they’ll be happy to rearrange your itinerary.
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 Munich-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.
You’ll likely spend time in a few different countries on your tour of the Alps. Germany, Italy and Austria are all part of the European Union. This means that if you are visiting from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or another EU state, you won’t need a visa to enter.
Switzerland and Liechtenstein are not part of the European Union, but they are part of the Schengen area. This means that those visiting from the countries listed above won’t need a visa to enter.
Visiting from another country? You can find the complete lists of countries whose nationals require visas to visit the Alps on the following websites:
Good to know: Liechtenstein does not issue visas. If you enter via Switzerland, you’ll see there is no border control. The same visa requirements apply between both countries.
Your passport needs to be valid for the entirety of your stay in the Alps, 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.
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.
After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.
Upon your arrival in Munich, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, accommodation and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Alps Travel Guide and more.
So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Munich?
After picking up your luggage, make your way to your accommodation in the city centre. The airport is well connected to the city via public transport such as S-Bahn, trains and buses.
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 Euros (EUR), the local currency in Germany, Italy and Austria.
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.
These should tide you over until you’re in Switzerland to take your own pictures.
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
Enjoy your road trip with a free GPS and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability.
Our best price per person when booking for two.
Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.
