HomeEuropeSwitzerland Switzerland Itinerary + Travel Budget Guide for first-timers By Marcos Detourista. Updated on January 1, 2019. Here’s a starter Switzerland travel guide with sample itinerary, budget, places to visit & more. Switzerland was one of the countries that I visited on my first Euro Trip. Initially, Switzerland wasn’t included in our itinerary, but after adding France & more places in Northern Italy, we just couldn’t pass over the opportunity to achieve one of our biggest travel goals — see the Swiss Alps. Switzerland is located right between these two countries and convenient train travel in Europe makes cross-border trips very easy. We only spent a few days in Switzerland, just enough for a quick and jam-packed yet highly worthwhile trip in Zurich (the Swiss capital & one of the world’s principal financial centers), Lucerne(UNESCO World Heritage site known for its well-preserved medieval architecture), and Zermatt (Switzerland’s winter wonderland offering views of the iconic Mount Matterhorn). Traveling to Switzerland for the first time? Scroll down to get started on planning your trip. I’ve included a sample itinerary, places to visit/things to do, list of expenses/budget breakdown and extra travel tips. Follow me on Instagram Switzerland Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 4 days? Here’s a 4 days & 3 nights (4D3N) itinerary for your do-it-yourself (DIY) trip.. It’s suited for travelers who plan to go on a quick side trip to Switzerland & enjoy some of the top travel highlights while on the way to/from nearby destinations in Europe. In our case, we arrived in Zurich from Paris and Colmar in France. After Switzerland, we continued our journey to Milan, Venice & Florence in Italy. You can also follow this route in reverse & even add nearby Austria & Germany into the mix as well. This is a jam-packed itinerary. It’s easily doable, but depending on your desired pace, the schedule might be too rushed. Remember to prioritize the places that you want to see. Or better yet, add more days to enjoy a more relaxed pace. Feel free to tweak the activities & timings below based on your traveling style, schedule & attractions that interest you the most. Day 1: Zurich Grossmünster (Great Minister Church), Zurich Rhine Falls, near Zurich Stein Am Rhein Old Town, near Zurich Fraumünster Church & Münsterbrücke (Minister Bridge), Zurich Marcos at Zurich train station Time Activity Flight to Zurich / train from France, Germany, Austria, Italy, other destinations in Switzerland or anywhere in Europe. AM Arrive at Zurich Main Station. Zurich Main Station to Zurich hotel tram/walk Zurich hotel check-in Cheapest ratesBest reviews PM Start day tour to Rhine Falls from Zurich Laufen Castle Stein am Rhein medieval towns Lindenhof Park and Limmat Riverside Day 2: Zurich to Lucerne St. Peter Pfarrhaus (church) & Limmat Riverside,Zurich Marcos in Zurich, Switzerland Swiss National Museum, Zurich Zurich Main Station Time Activity AM Start walking tour of Zurich Old Town Fraumünster Church Münsterbrücke (Minister Bridge) Helmhaus & Wasserkirche building Grossmünster (Great Minister Church) Rathaus (Zurich City Hall) St. Peter Pfarrhaus (church) Bayer Clock and Watch Museum (Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich) Swiss National Museum Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), Lucerne Lucerne Old Town Rathaus-Steg (bridge), Lucerne Jesuitenkirche (Jesuit Church) & Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), Lucerne Time Activity Zurich to Lucerne train (45 minutes) Luzern Main Station to Lucerne hotel bus/walk Lucerne hotel check-in Cheapest ratesBest reviews PM Start walking tour of Luzern Old Town Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) & Wasserturm (Water Tower) Chapel Square (Kapellplatz) St. Peter’s church (St. Peter Kirche) Kornmarkt Rathaus (Old Town Hall) Hirschplatz Weinmarkt Rathaus-Steg (bridge) Jesuitenkirche (Jesuit Church) Franziskanerkirche (Fransiscan Church) Day 3: Lucerne to Zermatt Marcos at Lucerne Old Town facing Museggmauer (Musegg Wall) Time Activity AM Continue walking tour of Luzern Old Town Museggmauer (Musegg Wall) or the Nine Towers Speuerbrucke (bridge) Muhlen Platz (Mills Square) Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint Marcos at Bahnhofstrasse (main street), Zermatt Time Activity Lucerne to Zermatt train (3 hours and 15 minutes) PM Zermatt hotel check-in Cheapest ratesBest reviews Start walking tour of Zermatt town Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint Kirchbrücke (bridge) & Vispa River Bahnhofstrasse (main street) Day 4: Matterhorn Mount Matterhorn view Marcos at Vispa Riverside, Zermatt Alpine views on the Zermatt-Visp Glacial Express train Time Activity AM Gondola Lift (cable car) to Klein Matterhorn Furi Trockener Steg Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn) Matterhorn Musem Train to onward destination. Switzerland Budget Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 4 days and 3 nights (4D3N) itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices. Transport expenses breakdown CHF 12.5 Zurich to Lucerne train — Per person one-way train fare. CHF 58.50 Lucerne to Zermatt train — Per person one-way train fare. CHF 8.80 ZVV Day Pass for Zurich — Per person. Includes 24 hours unlimited travel on public transport within Zurich city borders (1-2 zones). Free Lucerne Public Transport Pass — Per person. Includes unlimited travel on public transport within Lucerne city borders. Available for guests staying at selected accommodations. Activities/attraction costs breakdown CHF 66 Rhine Falls and Steine Am Rhein half-day tour from Zurich — Per person discount price online. Includes round-trip coach transport, professional guide, admission to Laufen Castle at Rhine Falls & guided walk in Stein am Rhein.Book discount here CHF 100 Matterhorn Glacier Paradise — Per person. Includes Zermatt-Klein Matterhorn summit gondola/cable car roundtrip ticket and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise amission/entrance fee Budget Trip – Backpacker expenses CHF 80 Transport — Includes train fares/passes listed above. CHF 150 Accommodations — CHF 50 price per night in a budget hostel dorm/bed x 3 nights CHF 120 Food — CHF 30 per day inexpensive meals budget x 4 days. CHF 350 Sub-total — Excluding attractions/activities, flights, international trains to/from Switzerland. Including accommodations, food & transport. Approximately PHP 18,632 / USD 355 / EUR 484. Or, a daily budget of CHF 87 / PHP 4,658 / USD 89 / EUR 121. CHF 166 Activities — Admission tickets/entrance fees on selected activities above CHF 516 Total — Including activities & expenses above. Approximately PHP 27,473 / USD 523 / EUR 713. Or, a daily budget of CHF 129 / PHP 6,868 / USD 131 / EUR 178. Other expenses Switzerland & Europe data SIM card / pocket WIFI hotspotBook discount here Switzerland travel insuranceBook online Switzerland Itineraries & Travel Blogs More travel tips coming once the detailed Switzerland travel guide is out. In the meantime, feel free to check out my Pinterest board and list of helpful Switzerland travel blogs below for inspiration. https://www.pinterest.com/detourista/switzerland-travel-guide-blog/ Follow updates on Pinterest@detourista. 1 Day Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 1 day (24 hours or less). Visit How To Spend One Day In Zurich – Pommie Travels Visit The Best Things To Do When You Only Have One Day In Zurich – Make Time To See The World Visit A 24 Hour Guide To Zurich, Switzerland – Hand Luggage Only Visit Things to do in Lucerne in one day – Diaries of an Explorer Visit How to Visit Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus in One Perfect Day – Earth Trekkers Visit A Perfect Day In Lucerne – Memoirs of a Globetrotter Visit Zermatt, Switzerland: Things To Do In Zermatt For Non-skiers – Wanderlust Chloe 2 Days Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 2 days (48 hours or less). Visit Fairy-Tale Living with Two Days in Lucerne – Katherine Belarmino Visit What To Do In Zermatt In 2 Days – Best Things To Do In Zermatt, Switzerland – Arzo Travels 3 Days Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 3 days. Visit Three Days in Zurich – Leave Your Daily Hell Visit Switzerland: 3 Days Itinerary & More – Travel Pins On Map Visit 3 Days Switzerland Tour – Planning a bucket list destination – An Asian Traveller 4 Days Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 4 days. Visit Four days in Switzerland : Our beautiful itinerary – Revolving Compass Visit Switzerland – 4 Days In The Alps – Finding Malokoko 5 Days Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 5 days. Visit Our Switzerland itinerary: 5 days in this beautiful country – Focused Travels Visit Switzerland Itinerary 5 Days – Switzerland In 5 Days – Arzo Travels Visit My 5 Day Itinerary For Switzerland, A Truly Magical Country – Adventure Lies In Front Visit A Whirlwind Trip To The Most Beautiful Country On Earth – Meet Me At The Pyramid Stage 6 Days Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 6 days. Visit 6 Day Guide To Switzerland – Charisma Shah 1 Week Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 1 week (7 days or more). Visit 1 Week In Switzerland Itinerary: All The Highlights – Expert World Travel Visit 11 Days Switzerland Itinerary with Swiss Travel Pass (by Train ) – The Tales Of A Traveler Visit The Perfect Week Itinerary: Switzerland – Wander Station 2 Weeks Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 2 weeks (14 days or more). Visit 2 week Itinerary Germany/Switzerland with Kids – Tapped Out Travellers Visit 2 Weeks In Switzerland- My Itinerary For Active Travellers – Travel Yes Please Visit 2 Weeks Switzerland Travel Guide – Running In A Skirt Visit 2-Week Itinerary In Europe: Venice, Switzerland, And Prague – Trip 101 3 Weeks to 1 Month Itinerary What to do in Switzerland in 3 weeks to 1 Month (21 days or more). Visit 3 Weeks European Family road trip. – Empty Nesters Travel Insights https://www.pinterest.com/detourista/best-of-detourista/ Don’t Stop Here Did you find this travel guide helpful? Share your Switzerland experience & tag #detourista. Follow trip updates on: Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest. Check out these pages for more travel inspiration beyond Switzerland: Athens Itinerary + Travel Guide Japan Itinerary + Travel Guide Florence Itinerary + Travel Guide France Itinerary Don’t leave yet. There’s more! Singapore Itinerary + Budget Travel Guide for first-timersHong Kong Itinerary + Budget Travel Guide for first-timersBohol & Panglao 2023 - Travel Budget & Sample ItineraryBoracay Itineray + Travel Budget Guide Discover more blogs and travel tips in: LucerneZurichSwitzerlandZermatt Europe See all places Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.Comments Ronald says May 28, 2019 at 12:54 pm Hi. Thanks for your post on your Switzerland travel. May I know what month it was when you travelled there? Reply Marcos Detourista says June 13, 2019 at 2:56 am I traveled in January, during winter time. Reply Mahima says June 4, 2019 at 4:04 pm Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and knowledge. Reply Marcos Detourista says June 13, 2019 at 2:55 am Thanks for visiting by travel blog Mahima! Reply lorita says September 8, 2019 at 8:35 am we’re also planning a trip from Strasbourg to Switzerland. Did you take the train from Colmar? and where did you arrive in Switzerland from Colmar? Reply Marcos Detourista says September 27, 2019 at 12:01 am Yes we took the train from Colmar to Zurich. There was a connection somewhere, maybe in Strasbourg. Reply World Wild Hearts says October 24, 2019 at 7:06 am This is a really great article! I’ve been to Switzerland once a couple years ago when we trekked Mount Blanc. I really enjoyed Lucerne. The mountains and Lake Lucerne itself are just absolutely stunning. I’ve been living in Canada for a bit now and just got back from the Rockies last month. Reminded me of Switzerland. Thanks for writing this piece and inspiring me to go back to Switzerland again soon! :) Reply Musharraf says October 25, 2019 at 12:20 am i like this place very much Reply lashari says October 25, 2019 at 12:22 am I saw different places in the world . Reply lashari says October 25, 2019 at 12:23 am GREAT JOB SIR Reply zain says October 25, 2019 at 12:24 am A beautiful addition to the beauty of the world Reply World Wild Hearts says October 25, 2019 at 12:32 pm Thanks for this! I went to Zurich a couple of years ago when trekking around Mount Blanc. What a beautiful country. You’ve inspired me to go back for more! If you had to pick only one spot to go to in Switzerland, which would it be? Reply Marcos Detourista says November 22, 2019 at 10:04 am I want to go back to Zermatt!! Reply vivian says October 31, 2019 at 10:58 am Hi, how do i know whether my accomodation provide free transport pass (like you mentioned in lucerne) do they have a list anywhere i can refer? thank you very much!!! i am following your route! thanks alot Reply Marcos Detourista says November 22, 2019 at 10:03 am Hey Vivian, best to message the hotel directly. Reply Lizzy Wang says March 12, 2020 at 2:28 pm switzerland is my dream land I dreamed to go there for years This year I dream will come true soon Thanks for the post and sharing your experience particularly useful information for me. I appreciate that Nice post! Good read. Reply Joselito Hortelanp says April 1, 2020 at 3:49 pm Thank you for the insights. It is so inspiring, coz am planning to visit Switzerland very soon with my whole family for 3 days and two nights stay. Is 500K enough for this? Just asking… Reply nobletransfer says June 1, 2020 at 7:30 pm Its a great post! thanks for sharing Reply Stephanie says March 21, 2021 at 2:42 pm Hi Marcos, nice share. Switzerland is a very beautiful country. I have this country on my dream vacation destination list. However, this itinerary guide is very inspiring for a first-timer like me. Reply Kristine Balbido says January 7, 2023 at 7:51 pm Hi. This is very informative. Mind If I ask how much does it cost you in peso? Reply
Ronald says May 28, 2019 at 12:54 pm Hi. Thanks for your post on your Switzerland travel. May I know what month it was when you travelled there? Reply
Mahima says June 4, 2019 at 4:04 pm Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and knowledge. Reply
lorita says September 8, 2019 at 8:35 am we’re also planning a trip from Strasbourg to Switzerland. Did you take the train from Colmar? and where did you arrive in Switzerland from Colmar? Reply
Marcos Detourista says September 27, 2019 at 12:01 am Yes we took the train from Colmar to Zurich. There was a connection somewhere, maybe in Strasbourg. Reply
World Wild Hearts says October 24, 2019 at 7:06 am This is a really great article! I’ve been to Switzerland once a couple years ago when we trekked Mount Blanc. I really enjoyed Lucerne. The mountains and Lake Lucerne itself are just absolutely stunning. I’ve been living in Canada for a bit now and just got back from the Rockies last month. Reminded me of Switzerland. Thanks for writing this piece and inspiring me to go back to Switzerland again soon! :) Reply
World Wild Hearts says October 25, 2019 at 12:32 pm Thanks for this! I went to Zurich a couple of years ago when trekking around Mount Blanc. What a beautiful country. You’ve inspired me to go back for more! If you had to pick only one spot to go to in Switzerland, which would it be? Reply
vivian says October 31, 2019 at 10:58 am Hi, how do i know whether my accomodation provide free transport pass (like you mentioned in lucerne) do they have a list anywhere i can refer? thank you very much!!! i am following your route! thanks alot Reply
Marcos Detourista says November 22, 2019 at 10:03 am Hey Vivian, best to message the hotel directly. Reply
Lizzy Wang says March 12, 2020 at 2:28 pm switzerland is my dream land I dreamed to go there for years This year I dream will come true soon Thanks for the post and sharing your experience particularly useful information for me. I appreciate that Nice post! Good read. Reply
Joselito Hortelanp says April 1, 2020 at 3:49 pm Thank you for the insights. It is so inspiring, coz am planning to visit Switzerland very soon with my whole family for 3 days and two nights stay. Is 500K enough for this? Just asking… Reply
Stephanie says March 21, 2021 at 2:42 pm Hi Marcos, nice share. Switzerland is a very beautiful country. I have this country on my dream vacation destination list. However, this itinerary guide is very inspiring for a first-timer like me. Reply
Kristine Balbido says January 7, 2023 at 7:51 pm Hi. This is very informative. Mind If I ask how much does it cost you in peso? Reply