16 days in Switzerland Itinerary

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Start: Dulles

Drive to Washington Dulles International Airport, Fly to Zurich

Zurich

— 2 nights

Train

Chur

— 3 nights

Drive

Lugano

— 3 nights

Drive to Laveno, Ferry to Verbania,Intra, Drive to Zermatt

Zermatt

— 3 nights

Train

Bern

— 2 nights

Train

Lucerne

— 2 nights

Fly

End: Norfolk

Sat, May 13 - Sun, May 28 Edit

S	M	T	W	T	F	S

7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31	1	2	3

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Zurich — 2 nights

Big Small Town

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

Start off your visit on the 14th (Sun): take some stellar pictures from Rhine Falls and then take a stroll through Old Town. On the next day, stop by Lindt Factory Outlet Kilchberg and then explore the activities along Lake Zurich.

For maps, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Zurich trip itinerary planner.

Dulles, USA to Zurich is an approximately 16-hour combination of car and flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 6 hours traveling from Dulles to Zurich. In May, Zurich is a bit cooler than Dulles - with highs of 65°F and lows of 47°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 15th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Chur.

Things to do in Zurich

Nature · Parks · Historic Sites · Neighborhoods

Side Trips

Lindt Factory Outlet Kilchberg, Rhine Falls

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See Switzerland Travel Guide

Chur — 3 nights

Chur or Coire is the capital and largest town of the Swiss canton of Grisons and lies in the Grisonian Rhine Valley, where the Rhine turns towards the north, in the northern part of the canton. On the 16th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: indulge your taste buds at Wine Tours Switzerland, then make a trip to Obere Gasse, and then contemplate the long history of Old Town Chur.

To find where to stay, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Chur trip planning site.

You can take a train from Zurich to Chur in 2.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Thu) so you can drive to Lugano.

Things to do in Chur

Tours · Wineries · Parks · Nature

Side Trips

Heidiland, Wine Tours Switzerland, Tamina Gorge

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Wine Tour / Tasting

Wine Tours Switzerland

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Lugano — 3 nights

Monte Carlo of Switzerland

Located in the popular holiday region of Ticino, Lugano is the largest Italian-speaking town in Switzerland.

Get out of town with these interesting Lugano side-trips: Bellinzona (Castello di Montebello & Castelli di Bellinzona). There's lots more to do: explore the activities along Lake Lugano, make a trip to Piazza della Riforma, walk around Parco Ciani, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Monte Tamaro.

To see other places to visit and more tourist information, read our Lugano travel route planner.

You can drive from Chur to Lugano in 2 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 70°F in May, and nighttime lows around 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 21st (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Zermatt.

Things to do in Lugano

Parks · Nature · Historic Sites · Museums

Side Trips

Bellinzona, Monte Tamaro

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Zermatt — 3 nights

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

Change things up with these side-trips from Zermatt: Ernen (Pfarrkirche Ernen & Hangebrucke Furgangen-Muhlebach). And it doesn't end there: enjoy breathtaking views from Gornergrat, browse the exhibits of Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis, explore the different monuments and memorials at Mountaineers' Cemetery, and tour along fresh powder with Sunnegga.

To see more things to do, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read Zermatt trip planner.

Traveling by combination of car and ferry from Lugano to Zermatt takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and tram. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) to allow enough time to take a train to Bern.

Things to do in Zermatt

Nature · Parks · Tours · Outdoors

Side Trips

Ernen, Aletsch Glacier

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Bern — 2 nights

City of Bears

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

On the 25th (Thu), take in panoramic vistas at Clock Tower - Zytglogge, admire the local landmark of Zahringerbrunnen, take a stroll through UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern, then take some stellar pictures from The Cathedral of Bern, and finally admire the natural beauty at Rose Garden (Rosengarten).

For other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Bern online travel route planner.

Traveling by train from Zermatt to Bern takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. May in Bern sees daily highs of 66°F and lows of 44°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Fri) so you can drive to Lucerne.

Things to do in Bern

Historic Sites · Parks · Shopping · Neighborhoods

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Must see

UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern

4.7

Must see

Clock Tower - Zytglogge

4.3

Lookout

The Cathedral of Bern

4.5

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Lucerne — 2 nights

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

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Fri): get curious at Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, then explore the activities along Lake Lucerne, and then take in the awesome beauty at Rigi. On your second day here, make a trip to The Nine Towers, fly down the slopes at Mt Pilatus, take an in-depth tour of Bourbaki Panorama, then get a taste of the local shopping with Kunsthalle Luzern, then appreciate the history behind Lion Monument, and finally admire the local landmark of Fontaine du Banneret.

Ask Klarna Trips to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Lucerne fast, fun, and easy.

You can drive from Bern to Lucerne in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In May, daytime highs in Lucerne are 65°F, while nighttime lows are 48°F. You will leave for home on the 28th (Sun).

Things to do in Lucerne

Parks · Nature · Museums · Wildlife

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Switzerland travel guide

4.7

Bodies of Water · Mountains · Specialty Museums

Immerse yourself in a snow-capped mountain wonderland in Switzerland's serene Alpine setting. See the world-renowned Matterhorn, Switzerland's second-highest mountain at 4,478 m (14,962 ft) tall, or zoom down the mountains on toboggan, ski, or snowboard. In the warmer seasons hike around the rolling green hillsides covered with pine trees and picturesque aqua blue lakes. Luxurious cities dotted with cozy wooden chalets and colorful flowerbeds balance quaintness with first-class cultural offerings. Indulge in the country's opulence of milk chocolate, cheese fondue, and keg-carrying St. Bernard dogs.

16 days in Switzerland Itinerary

Zurich — 2 nights

Big Small Town

Chur — 3 nights

Lugano — 3 nights

Monte Carlo of Switzerland

Zermatt — 3 nights

Bern — 2 nights

City of Bears

Lucerne — 2 nights

Similar trips

Switzerland travel guide