13 days in Switzerland Itinerary

Geneva brings the world to one small city with a huge expat population and the highest number of international organizations in any one city.

Visiting Lake Geneva and Franck Ollivier Golf Pro will get you outdoors. Kids will appreciate attractions like Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre and Plage de Celigny. Step out of Geneva with an excursion to Bazar d'Ouchy in Lausanne--about 1 hour away. There's still lots to do: test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, see the interesting displays at Patek Philippe Museum, and admire the local landmark of The Geneva Water Fountain.

To find other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Geneva road trip tool.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Geneva is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of car and ferry. The time zone difference when traveling from Riyadh to Geneva is minus 2 hours. Plan for much colder temperatures traveling from Riyadh in November, with highs in Geneva at 11°C and lows at 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sat) early enough to drive to Zermatt.

Best known as home the Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt serves as a chic ski resort town of the Swiss Alps.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Sun): enjoy breathtaking views from Gornergrat, then look for gifts at Laderach, and then enjoy the views from Scenic Railroads.

To see where to stay, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Zermatt online journey planner.

Getting from Geneva to Zermatt by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sun) so you can take a train to Bern.

The capital and political center of Switzerland, Bern sits on a peninsula formed by the U-shaped River Aare.

Visiting Creux du Van and Barenpark will get you outdoors. Kids will enjoy UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern and Galerie Rigassi by SOON. Change things up with these side-trips from Bern: Les Bains de Lavey (in Lavey-les-Bains), Tourbieres des Ponts-de-Martel (in Les Ponts-de-Martel) and Ambra Minerals (in Murten). There's lots more to do: browse the eclectic array of goods at Federal Building (Bundeshaus), browse the different shops at Central Railroad Station, make a trip to Bundesplatz, and get engrossed in the history at Einstein House (Einsteinhaus).

For photos, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Bern trip planner.

Traveling by train from Zermatt to Bern takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. In November, daytime highs in Bern are 10°C, while nighttime lows are 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Wed) so you can go by car to Interlaken.

Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the heart of the Jungfrau region, Interlaken became popular for its proximity to the mountains and lakes of the Bernese Oberland region.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Thu): fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour, then admire the verdant scenery at Lauterbrunnen Village, then get great views at Harderkulm, and finally look for gifts at Whiskyness.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Interlaken online sightseeing planner.

Getting from Bern to Interlaken by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In November, daytime highs in Interlaken are 8°C, while nighttime lows are 0°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) so you can go by car to Lucerne.

In north-central Switzerland, Lucerne represents a small city boasting a well-preserved old town.

On the 2nd (Fri), take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Rigi, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Lucerne, and then examine the collection at Museum Rosengart Collection. Here are some ideas for day two: snap pictures at Chapel Bridge, appreciate the history behind Lion Monument, then stroll through Mt Pilatus, then don't miss a visit to The Nine Towers, and finally wander the streets of Altstadt Luzern.

For more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Lucerne trip builder tool.

Getting from Interlaken to Lucerne by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a train. When traveling from Interlaken in December, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Lucerne: temperatures range from 5°C by day to -1°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Sat) so you can drive to Zurich.

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Sun): explore the world behind art at Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich), then don't miss a visit to Bahnhofstrasse, and then wander the streets of Old Town. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: admire the sheer force of Rhine Falls, then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Zurich, and then look for gifts at Glen Fahrn 'the Pearl' Zurich.

For maps, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Zurich trip planner.

Drive from Lucerne to Zurich in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Zurich are 5°C, while nighttime lows are -1°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight back home.