7 Day Switzerland Itinerary: Perfect One Week in Switzerland

Switzerland is truly one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever visited. For such a small country, it offers an incredible variety of experiences, which makes deciding where to go and where to stay a real challenge.

It’s impossible to see everything in just a week, but this 7 day Switzerland itinerary ended up being a perfect balance for our family, and I’m excited to share all the tips and lessons I picked up along the way.

For this first trip, I wanted to focus on charming mountain villages, scenic train rides, beautiful alpine lakes, and jaw-dropping mountain views. This itinerary is ideal if you’re looking for those highlights. I’m not a serious hiker by any means, so while we included a few easy hikes, there’s nothing too strenuous.

To make the trip even more special, it was also our very first international adventure with our dog, Mochi. Keep reading to see photos of Mochi in Switzerland!

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Before You Go to Switzerland:

Language

Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Which language you hear depends on the region you’re visiting. German is most widely spoken in areas like Lucerne, Zurich, and Interlaken, while French dominates the western areas such as Geneva and Lausanne. Italian is spoken in the south near Ticino. Most people in tourist areas speak English as well.

Currency

The official currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s a good idea to carry some cash for smaller purchases, markets, and rural areas.

Electrical Outlets

Switzerland uses Type C and Type J plugs with a standard voltage of 230 V and frequency of 50 Hz. Most modern European adapters work, but if you’re coming from outside Europe, be sure to pack a universal adapter like this one.

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How to Get Around in Switzerland

We did our entire trip without a car. Switzerland is super well connected by public transportation. I was honestly so impressed with the accessibility of trains, buses and gondolas. While some areas do require a bit of hiking, you can reach many mountain viewpoints and villages simply by hopping on a train or gondola and often with breathtaking views along the way.

Which Train Passes Should I Get?

Which train pass to get for Switzerland will vary depending on your trip length, destinations and preferred route of travel.

For many visitors, the Swiss Travel Pass offers a great value as it covers unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats across the country, plus free museum entries and discounts on mountain transport.

If you’re spending a significant amount of time in one area, a Regional Pass such as the Bernese Oberland Pass or Tell-Pass might make more sense.

For most travelers, the Half Fare Card is likely the best bargain as it lets you purchase all train, bus, and boat tickets at 50% off and you also get discounts on some regional passes if you hold this pass.

For this itinerary, I used the Half Fare Card (valid for one month) combined with the Berner Oberland Pass (4 day pass), and it worked out perfectly for our trip.

7 Day Switzerland Itinerary Overview

In this itinerary for Switzerland, you’ll spend 7 days in Switzerland traveling by scenic trains.

We flew into Zurich and out of Geneva for this itinerary, but you could do round trip from Zurich as well.

Our Switzerland in 7 days itinerary overview: 

• Lucerne – 1 night
• Grindelwald – 3 nights
• Montreux – 2 nights

If you choose to do round trip from Zurich airport, you could opt to stay in Bern for the last 2 nights instead of Montreux as its closer.

Day 1 – Arrive to Zurich and Travel to Lucerne

Welcome to Switzerland!

With just one week in Switzerland, we decided to skip Zurich and went straight to Lucerne. While Zurich is known for its urban energy as the largest city in Switzerland, Lucerne is a smaller city framed by mountains and full of lakeside charm. Lucerne felt like the perfect place to get settled in to start our Swiss adventures.

Getting to Lucerne from Zurich

From Zurich Airport train station (Zurich Flughafen), take the train to Lucerne (Luzern). It’s approximately a 1-hour train ride.

Explore Lucerne Old Town (Altstadt)

Once you’ve checked into your hotel and dropped off your luggage, spend the afternoon getting lost in the charm of Lucerne’s Old Town. This area feels like stepping back in time, with cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and colorful frescoed buildings.

My favorite area was around Weinmarkt Square, where every direction you looked there were buildings with colorful facades with intricate details.

You’ll also find plenty of boutique shops, as well as cafés and restaurants that are perfect for a quick coffee break or a leisurely meal.

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Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)

You can’t miss the iconic Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), one Switzerland’s most photographed landmark. Originally built in the 14th century, the picturesque bridge stretches across the Reuss River and is anchored by the Wasserturm (Water Tower), an octagonal tower that has served as everything from a prison to a treasury over the centuries.

Make sure to look up as you cross the bridge because the wooden beams above your head are decorated with triangular paintings depicting Lucerne’s history and legends. Although the bridge was damaged by a devastating fire in 1993, many original panels were saved, and the structure has been for the most part restored. Adding to the romantic charm, the bridge is lined with vibrant flowers that spill over its edges, framed by lake and mountain views.

After a bit of walking, we were ready for a meal and stopped by Rathaus Brauerei for some traditional Swiss dishes paired and local beer with views of Old Town and the lake.

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Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal)

After dinner, make your way to the Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal), also known as the “Dying Lion.” Carved directly into a sandstone cliff in 1821, the sculpture honors the Swiss Guards who lost their lives during the French Revolution. Mark Twain once called it “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.” The lion’s expression of sorrow is striking, and the peaceful pond and greenery surrounding the monument create a reflective atmosphere. Since we visited late in the afternoon, the area was practically empty and the quiet stillness made the experience even more powerful.

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Optional: Lake Cruise on Lake Lucerne

If you still have energy, consider ending your first day with a cruise on Lake Lucerne. For us, we had traveled a long way from the U.S. so we opted for an early night to save our energy for the rest of our Swiss adventures.

Day 2 – Mount Pilatus & Travel to Grindelwald

One of the best things about staying in Lucerne is how easy it is to access some of Switzerland’s most famous mountain peaks. Within a short ride, you can reach three incredible destinations.

Mount Titlis

Known for its snowy peaks and glaciers year-round, Titlis is a favorite for those who want a true alpine experience. At the top, you’ll find the Titlis Glacier Cave, the Cliff Walk suspension bridge, and opportunities for snow activities in any season.

Mount Rigi

Called the “Queen of the Mountains,” Rigi is gentler and more laid-back. Its rolling green slopes and panoramic lake views give it a softer, more peaceful charm compared to the dramatic peaks of its neighbors. One of the highlights here is the Rigi Kaltbad Mineral Baths & Spa, where you can soak in warm pools while gazing out at the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne.

Mount Pilatus

Towering above Lucerne, Pilatus is famous for its rugged ridges, folklore of fire-breathing dragons, and thrilling activities. It offers a mix of dramatic alpine scenery, easy-to-reach viewpoints, and the Switzerland’s longest summer toboggan run.

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Mount Pilatus Golden (or Silver) Round Trip

For us, Mount Pilatus felt like the perfect blend of adventure and scenery, so that’s where we headed.

From Lucerne, you can choose a route that combines gondolas, the world’s steepest cogwheel train and a scenic boat tour for a full-circle journey to Mount Pilatus and back. You can do this in reverse order as well. This is called the Golden Round Trip. The Silver Round Trip is the same, except instead of the boat, you take a regular train. We opted for the Silver Round Trip as it worked better for our schedule.

I’ve written a complete guide on how to get to Mount Pilatus from Lucerne here, including the differences between the Golden Round Trip and Silver Round Trip.

We left Lucerne, got on a bus and got to Kriens station. After getting on the gondola, we skipped the first station which is Krienseregg that has a ropes course for kids, and got off at the second station called Fräkmüntegg to do the toboggan ride.

At 1350 meters, the Fräkigaudi toboggan run is the longest summer toboggan run in Switzerland. The toboggan is closed on rainy days, so you can check their website for opening status. It costs 9 CHF per adult, and you can’t reserve tickets in advance so you may have to wait in line.

After an incredibly fun ride, we took the aerial cableway from Fräkmüntegg to Pilatus Kulm. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side this day. Once we passed the middle stations, the mountaintop was shrouded in clouds, and visibility was pretty poor. On a clear day, you can see 73 peaks. Due to the weather, we saw none!

We descended via the world’s steepest cogwheel train, and took the train back to Lucerne. The train from Alpnachstad to Luzern runs every 30 minutes and we had just missed it, so we grabbed quick lunch from the small restaurant located on the train platform.

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Lucerne to Grindelwald via Luzern–Interlaken Express

Once back in Lucerne, collect your bags from the hotel and board one of Switzerland’s most scenic panoramic train rides: the Luzern–Interlaken Express. This was included in the Berner Oberland Pass so no need to buy separate tickets. This scenic train winds through rolling countryside, turquoise lakes, and alpine valleys, with panoramic windows framing every view like a painting.

We were still tired from our adventure up Mount Pilatus and the lingering jet lag, but I refused to let myself fall asleep because I didn’t want to miss a single moment from the beautiful scenery.

There are several ways to travel from Lucerne to Grindelwald, but in my opinion the best way is to take this Luzern–Interlaken Express to Interlaken and then continue on a short train ride from Interlaken to Grindelwald. This way you not only reach your destination but also experience one of Switzerland’s most beautiful train journeys along the way.

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Evening in Grindelwald

Arriving in Interlaken, make a quick connection onward to Grindelwald, a village nestled at the base of the mighty Eiger.

For the best experience, I recommend staying in a chalet-style hotel. The traditional wooden balconies, flower boxes, and sweeping mountain views create the quintessential Swiss alpine atmosphere and make you feel fully immersed in the charm of mountain-village life. Waking up to the sight of the snow-capped mountains towering above the rooftops is an experience you will not forget.

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Day 3 – Lauterbrunnen, Winteregg, Mürren, and Gimmelwald

If there’s a place that feels like stepping into a fairytale, it’s the Lauterbrunnen Valley. With sheer cliffs, alpine meadows, and waterfalls cascading from above, day three is dedicated to exploring some of the most charming mountain villages in Switzerland.

Lauterbrunnen

From Grindelwald, it’s easy to reach Lauterbrunnen by train. The journey takes about 35 minutes with a quick connection in Zweilütschinen, and the ride itself is incredibly scenic.

Often called the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls,” Lauterbrunnen is one of the most picturesque spots in Switzerland. As soon as you arrive, you’re greeted by steep cliffs, alpine meadows, and the constant sound of rushing water. The highlight is Staubbach Falls, the highest free-falling waterfall in Switzerland which plunges nearly 300 meters from a sheer rock face right at the edge of the village.

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Train to Winteregg

From Lauterbrunnen, take the cable car up to Grütschalp and then board the mountain train toward Mürren.

Here’s where I found a pleasant surprise. There is one single stop along the way between Grütschalp and Mürren, and its called Winteregg. I had never heard of it, and had zero intentions of getting off here but when I caught sight of the scenery, I couldn’t resist. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip!

The Winteregg mountain restaurant, built in 1989, offers incredible views from its sun terrace and has a small playground that makes it perfect for families. From here you can also hike in summer or ski in winter, making it a versatile stop. We got a quick snack on the sunny terrace, soaking in the alpine serenity before continuing our journey to Mürren.

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Mürren: Car-Free Alpine Village

Continue your journey on to Mürren on the mountain train from Winteregg.

This car-free village sits perched high above the valley, with sweeping views in every direction. We wandered its wooden chalets, flower-filled balconies, and narrow lanes, soaking up the calm mountain charm.

One of the excursions you can consider is a visit to Schilthorn, one of the region’s most famous peaks. You can reach it by a series of cable cars, and once you’re at the summit you are rewarded with panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, along with more than 200 other peaks on a clear day. At the top, you’ll find the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, made famous by the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. There’s also an interactive Bond World exhibition and a Skyline Walk platform that lets you step out over the dramatic cliff edge.

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Gimmelwald

From Mürren, a cable car ride (or a short walk downhill) will lead you to Gimmelwald, an even smaller and quieter village. Here, life feels frozen in time, with traditional homes and gardens overlooking dramatic cliffs.

One of the quirky highlights here is the honesty shops. These self-service huts run on the honor system: you choose what you’d like from drinks and wine to cheese, sausage, and homemade jams and leave your payment in the box. It’s a charming reflection of the village’s simplicity and trust in visitors, and it’s the perfect place to pick up a drink or snack to enjoy with the views.

Just a couple minutes away from the gondola station, there is the Pension Gimmelwald, home to the Schwarz Mönch black lager beer. The views from their terrace is absolutely breathtaking. The burgers were quite delicious!

For us, Gimmelwald was the perfect spot to slow down and savor the moment before heading back to Grindelwald for the evening.

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Day 4 – Brienz Rothorn Railway & Lake Brienz Cruise, Interlaken

On your fourth day of 7 day Switzerland itinerary, set out to experience two of Switzerland’s most scenic highlights: the historic Brienz Rothorn Railway and the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz.

Brienz Rothorn Railway

Take a train to Interlaken from Grindelwald, then to Brienz, a charming lakeside town famous for its woodcarving tradition.

From here, you can board the Brienz Rothorn Railway, a steam-powered cogwheel train that has been climbing the mountain since 1892. The ride takes you to over 2,200 meters, puffing through forests and alpine meadows with sweeping views of Lake Brienz below. At the summit, you can enjoy a light alpine lunch of cheese and bread while soaking in the panorama of peaks all around.

The Brienz Rothorn Railway is one train that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you reserve in advance, because it sells out. While other scenic trains leave seats for passengers on the day of and allow standing passengers, the Brienz Rothorn Railway has limited seating and no extra capacity.

At the station, many people were turned away as the tickets were completely sold out for the day and even the following day. You’ll also need seat for the return to be guaranteed departure (unless you want to hike 5 hours down from the summit), so while this train is fully covered by the Berner Oberland Pass, I would suggest spending the extra 8 CHF to guarantee your spot. Book your seat here.

It was absolutely worth the ride and the views, and I would have been so sad to have missed this experience.

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Brienz & Lake Brienz Cruise

After descending, we walked over to Brungasse Street in Brienz, known as one of the most beautiful streets in Switzerland. To be honest I thought it was beautiful, but perhaps not THE MOST.

Next I recommend taking the Lake Brienz cruise. This was also covered by our passes. I still can’t believe how turquoise the water of Brienz was.

The boat ride stops at small villages along the way and we even got a glimpse of Giessbach waterfalls (you could get off here but we didn’t). There is a restaurant section in the boat and you can enjoy some drinks or a meal here.

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Evening in Interlaken

The cruise ended in Interlaken, where we spent the evening wandering the town and shopping.

If you are adventurous, paragliding is a very popular activity in Interlaken.

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Harder Kulm

A popular activity in Interlaken is riding the Harderbahn funicular up to Harder Kulm, known as the town’s “local mountain.” The funicular railway station is about a 5 minute walk from Interlaken Ost Station which is where you would get off from the boat.

The trip itself is scenic, and takes about 10 minutes to reach the top. At the top you’re rewarded with panoramic views over both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz (Interlaken literally means between lakes and the town sits between the two lakes). The highlight here is the Two Lakes Bridge, a viewing platform that juts out over the valley and makes you feel like you’re floating above Interlaken.

There’s also a restaurant at the summit where you can enjoy a meal or a drink with the panorama right in front of you.

Day 5 – Grindelwald-First, Lake Bachalpsee, Travel to MOntreux

Get your comfy shoes on today because you’ll be in for a day of adventure and a short hike.

Known as the “Top of Adventure,” Grindelwald-First is a mountain destination that attracts many visitors with its thrilling activities, both in summer and winter time.

Grindelwald First & Cliff Walk

Start early and head to Gridelwald Firstbahn Station. You’ll take a gondola up to First (pronounced Feerst).

It’s important to know that the gondolas for First are not covered by Berner Oberland Pass. It is covered by the Jungfrau Travel Pass. However you still get a discount if you hold the Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card and this is what we used.

There are 4 paid activities on Grindelwald First, and they are the Flyer, Glider, Mountain Cart and Trottibikes. You choose how many activities you want to do prior to going up.

We didn’t do any of these mountain excursions because we had our dog, but if you have enough time I highly recommend it. Once we got up to the mountain and saw the flyers and gliders, I was pretty bummed about missing out.

Aside from the thrilling paid activities, there are free things you can enjoy on First. First Cliff Walk is a metal suspension bridge that clings to the mountainside. It makes your knees wobbly, but totally worth it to see the Eiger towering above and the valley stretching below you. The cliffwalk is at the top just after you get off the gondola.

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Hike to Bachalpsee

From there, set out on the hike to Bachalpsee, one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Switzerland. The trail is moderately easy, and it takes just about an hour.

When we finally reached the lake, there were cows roaming around the lake. We didn’t see clear reflections of the mountains on the lake like it is known for (I think it depends on lighting and time of day?), but nonetheless it was quite a breathtaking sight. Bring some snacks as this makes a great picnic break!

You take the same trail back to First gondola and from here you can ride the gondola down, or if you had activities booked you can use them to get down as well.

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Travel to Montreux

After returning to Grindelwald, collect your bags and head to Interlaken to board the scenic GoldenPass Line. This was another bucket list train on our itinerary. The route from Interlaken to Montreux is included in the Berner Oberland Pass and offers a stunning transition from alpine peaks to vineyard-covered hills.

The journey winds past mountain villages, lakes, and rolling meadows before arriving in Montreux, located on the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva).

By evening, we were strolling the palm-lined promenade, a completely different vibe from the alpine villages we had left behind. Due to its proximity to France, we heard more French being spoken here than German.

Day 6 – Gruyères Day Trip, Vintage Belle Epoque Train

You could easily spend this day exploring Montreux, but there was one town that had been on my radar since I began planning: Gruyères, the medieval hilltop village best known for its world-famous cheese.

From Montreux, the fastest train routes to Gruyères will be via a stop in Montbovon. The train that gets you here is the GoldenPass (same one from yesterday) or the GoldenPass Belle Epoque. It’s the same route, but the Belle Epoque only runs in each direction twice a day. We took the regular GoldenPass and after getting to Montbovon, took another short train to Gruyères.

Gruyères

Arriving in Gruyères feels like stepping back in time. The medieval town is perched on a hilltop, with cobblestone streets winding past chalets, flower-filled balconies, and little shops selling local specialties. Even just wandering through the village is an experience in itself.

Some of the main things to do in Gruyères include:

• Maison du Gruyère – An interactive cheese-making museum located next to the train station.
• Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory – Technically not in Gruyere but a short bus ride away in Broc.
• Gruyères Castle (Château de Gruyères) – A castle that has stood here since the 13th century.
• HR Giger Museum – Honestly felt so random but this is a sci-fi museum of surreal paintings & sculptures by the artist known for the “Alien” movies.

Unfortunately it turns out that all of the places above didn’t allow dogs inside so we weren’t able to tour the insides. But honestly, the charm of the small town itself was enough. Strolling the cobblestone streets and enjoying the views made it worthwhile, and the highlight of our visit was actually what’s written below.

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Fondue in Gruyères

No trip to Switzerland would be complete without a fondue experience, and Gruyères is a great place to have it. We ate on the terrace at Chalet de Gruyères, overlooking the village square. I wasn’t sure if our parents, who had never tried fondue before, would enjoy it, but they absolutely loved it! The bubbling pot of melted Gruyère cheese with bread, potatoes, and grilled meat was a hit. Sharing fondue in the town that gave it its name was the perfect way to wrap up our time in Gruyères.

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The Belle Époque Train

On our way back we took one of my bucket-list trains that I had saved on my Instagram inspiration folder for ages: The GoldenPass Belle Époque.

The GoldenPass Belle Époque train feels like stepping into the glamour of early 20th-century travel. With polished wood interiors, plush turquoise seats, and large picture windows, it is easily one of the most photogenic trains in Switzerland.

A quick tip: this train shares the same route as the regular GoldenPass line, so when booking, make sure your ticket specifically says “Belle Époque”. It only operates twice a day in each direction between Montreux – Gstaad – Zweisimmen.

We managed to ride this beauty on the return leg from Montbovon to Montreux. From Gruyères, you take a regular train to Montbovon, then transfer to the Belle Époque for the final stretch. While this is just a short portion of the full Belle Époque route, I was so glad we got to experience it because it truly lived up to the hype!

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Chillon Castle in Montreux

Just outside Montreux sits Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon), a 12th-century fortress on the shores of Lac Léman or Lake Geneva. Once home to the Counts of Savoy, the castle is famous for its medieval halls, underground vaults, and the dungeon where Lord Byron carved his name.

You can reach it by bus, a lakeside walk, or even by boat for a scenic approach.

Day 7 – Departure from Geneva (Or Zurich)

This is the last day on the 7-day itinerary.

Depending on your flights, you can head to Geneva Airport or return to Zurich by train.

Montreux – Geneva: 1 hour 15 minutes by train
Montreux – Zurich: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes by train

Depending on your flight times, if you have time you can take time to explore Geneva or Zurich. We had a morning flight out of Geneva, so we decided to save exploring Geneva for another trip.

Final Thoughts

This 7 day Switzerland itinerary gave us a taste of everything that makes the country so magical, and left us already dreaming of a return.

I hope this guide helps you plan your own trip. Think of it as a flexible outline. You can swap activities, slow down in one region, or add more days depending on your travel style. However you choose to follow it, Switzerland’s beauty and efficiency make it an unforgettable destination.

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