Planning a 10 day Switzerland itinerary?
This route takes you from Geneva to Zurich by train, with stops in Montreux, Interlaken and Lucerne along the way. It's a great first-time Switzerland itinerary, combining scenic rail journeys, mountain villages, lakeside towns and some of the country's most famous attractions.
Day 1: Geneva
Day 2-3: Montreux
Day 4-6: Interlaken
Day 7-8: Lucerne
Day 9-10: Zurich
We’ve included budget-friendly hotels in each stop to help you plan a memorable, cost-effective trip across the best of Switzerland.
Where possible we have included the fastest travel times. For a trip of this length we highly recommend purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass to save you money. Make sure to check out our guide on the benefits of purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass
This 10-day itinerary begins by flying in to Geneva. At the end of the trip, you'll then fly home from Zurich. The route could also be reversed, with Zurich being your starting point.
Just a quick note before we begin- some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love or believe will be helpful in your trip planning journey.
The train station can be found within the airport, making it super easy to transfer to the city. Travel time from the airport to Geneva is just 7 mins. As you will be staying in Geneva overnight, you will receive a local transport pass from the hotel before your arrival, so there will be no charge for this train.
Stay: Hotel D Geneva - we've personally stayed here and would highly recommend it. Located just a 5 minute walk from the train station, it's perfect for exploring the city and beyond.
Spend the afternoon exploring Lake Geneva, the Old Town and the famous Jet d’Eau fountain.
Enjoy dinner in Petit-Saconnex or near the Rhône river.
Take a scenic train along Lake Geneva to Montreux. Travel time Geneva to Montreux approx 1hr 5m.
Wander the lakeside promenade and soak up the views of vineyards and mountains.
Stay: Hotel Mona Montreux sits right on the lake with panoramic views and is just a few minutes walk from the station.
Spend a second day exploring the Lake Geneva region. One of our favourite options is taking the GoldenPass Belle Époque, a beautiful vintage train that travels through some of Switzerland's most scenic countryside.
You can also visit Vevey, explore the Lavaux vineyards or simply spend more time enjoying Montreux's lakeside promenade.
Budget tip: Pack picnic snacks from a local grocery store to save on meals.
Find more things to do in Montreux here
Travel from Montreux to Interlaken. You can either take the regular service, which is slightly quicker, or turn the journey itself into part of the experience by travelling on the panoramic GoldenPass Express.
Interlaken accommodation can be pricier than Geneva and Montreux, so book early for best rates.
The 4* Hey Hotel offers mid-price rooms with breakfast included.
In Interlaken, stroll between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, take the funicular up to Harder Kulm for panoramic views, and enjoy riverside walks and cafés in the town centre.
It’s also a great base for gentle lake cruises, scenic train rides, and simply soaking up the alpine atmosphere without needing big excursions.
Lauterbrunnen is an easy day trip from Interlaken and one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland. It's famous for its dramatic cliffs and more than 70 waterfalls, including the iconic Staubbach Falls.
In the afternoon continue up to Wengen on the mountain railway for even more spectacular views over the valley.
Late evening return to Interlaken.
From Interlaken, travel by scenic mountain trains to Jungfraujoch, home to Europe’s highest railway station. Expect year-round snow, glacier views, the Ice Palace, and panoramic platforms looking out over the Aletsch Glacier. This is a bucket-list Swiss experience, but one of the most expensive excursions in the country.
Alternatively, Grindelwald First offers dramatic alpine scenery with a more adventurous feel. Highlights include the First Cliff Walk, mountain carts, trottibikes, hiking trails.
If you're visiting Switzerland on a budget, Grindelwald First can be a more affordable alternative to Jungfraujoch while still offering incredible mountain scenery.
Travel from Interlaken to Lucerne on a direct train taking around 1 hour 50 minutes.
This is one of Switzerland’s most scenic rail journeys, passing lakes, waterfalls, and alpine valleys.
For a more budget-friendly stay with unmatched views, check out Hotel Beau Séjour Lucerne
Lucerne is one of Switzerland's most popular destinations, known for its lakeside setting, historic old town and easy access to mountain excursions such as Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi and Mount Titlis.
Choose a mountain day: Mount Pilatus, Mount Titlis or Mount Rigi are iconic and accessible.
Alternatively, take a Lake Lucerne boat cruise - free with a Switzerland Travel Pass or inexpensive otherwise.
Last leg of the trip and today you're going to travel from Lucerne to Zurich by a 50 min direct train.
Spend the day exploring Zurich, wandering the cobbled streets of the Old Town (Altstadt), strolling along Lake Zurich, or riding up Uetliberg for city and Alps views.
A popular highlight is the Lindt Home of Chocolate, home to the world’s largest chocolate fountain and interactive exhibits. A great stop for families and chocolate lovers alike!
Budget-friendly stays in Zurich are hard to come by but the Crown Plaza by IHG is quite reasonable in comparison to others in the city, with rooms from around 150 CHF per night
On your final day, take the short and efficient train from Zurich main station (Zürich HB) to Zurich Airport.
The journey takes just 9 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day, making it a stress-free way to head home.
For a first trip to Switzerland, we think 10 days offers a really good balance.
This route combines lakes, mountains, scenic rail journeys and some of Switzerland's most famous destinations without feeling rushed.
If you have longer, consider adding extra nights in Interlaken or Lucerne. If you're shorter on time, our 6 Day Switzerland Rail Itinerary may be a better fit.
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