21 days in Switzerland & Austria Itinerary
Created using Klarna Trips Europe holiday maker
Start: Zurich, Switzerland
1
Zurich, Switzerland
— 3 nights
Drive
2
Bern, Switzerland
— 3 nights
Drive
3
Geneva, Switzerland
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Interlaken, Switzerland
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Lucerne, Switzerland
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Innsbruck, Austria
— 2 nights
Drive
7
Zell am See, Austria
— 2 nights
Drive
8
Hallstatt, Austria
— 2 nights
Drive
9
Vienna, Austria
— 2 nights
End: Vienna, Austria
Fri, Dec 24 - Thu, Jan 13
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Zurich, Switzerland — 3 nights
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Big Small Town
The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.Get in touch with nature at Lake Zurich and Uetliberg Mountain. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Zurich: Rhine Falls (in Neuhausen am Rheinfall) and Rotiberg-Kellerei (in Wilchingen). There's still lots to do: wander the streets of Old Town, see the interesting displays at Augusto Giacometti Entrance Hall, kick back and relax at Strandbad Tiefenbrunnen, and get a taste of the local shopping with Bahnhofstrasse.
To see more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Zurich travel app.
If you are flying in from United Arab Emirates, the closest major aiports are Zürich Airport, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport and Bern Belp Airport. In December, daytime highs in Zurich are 5°C, while nighttime lows are -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Mon) to allow time to take a train to Bern.
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Bern, Switzerland — 3 nights
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City of Bears
The capital and political center of Switzerland, Bern sits on a peninsula formed by the U-shaped River Aare.Visiting Jeunes Rives and Creux du Van will get you outdoors. There's lots more to do: wander the streets of UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern, admire the landmark architecture of The Cathedral of Bern, take in nature's colorful creations at Rose Garden (Rosengarten), and take in panoramic vistas at Clock Tower - Zytglogge.
For other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Bern trip builder.
You can drive from Zurich to Bern in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Bern are 5°C, while nighttime lows are -3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Geneva.
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Geneva, Switzerland — 2 nights
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Capital of Peace
Geneva brings the world to one small city with a huge expat population and the highest number of international organizations in any one city.Kick off your visit on the 31st (Fri): cool off at Bains des Paquis, then admire the landmark architecture of Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre, and then examine the collection at Patek Philippe Museum.
To find maps, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Geneva trip planner.
Traveling by car from Bern to Geneva takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 6°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Interlaken.
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Interlaken, Switzerland — 2 nights
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.Get in touch with nature at Parasailing & Paragliding and Golf Club Interlaken-Unterseen. Explore Interlaken's surroundings by going to Grindelwald (Alpiglen, Grindelwald-First, &more). Next up on the itinerary: enjoy the sand and surf at Schwimmbad Merligen.
To find maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Interlaken journey website.
Traveling by car from Geneva to Interlaken takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Geneva in January: high temperatures in Interlaken hover around 2°C and lows are around -3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to go by car to Lucerne.
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Lucerne, Switzerland — 2 nights
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In north-central Switzerland, Lucerne represents a small city boasting a well-preserved old town.Kick off your visit on the 4th (Tue): stop by Altstadt Luzern and then hit the slopes at Mt Pilatus.
To see other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Lucerne online journey planner.
Drive from Interlaken to Lucerne in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. In January, daily temperatures in Lucerne can reach 4°C, while at night they dip to -2°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) so you can drive to Innsbruck.
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Innsbruck, Austria — 2 nights
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Nestled in a valley between snowcapped peaks, Innsbruck evokes visions of a winter wonderland.On the 5th (Wed), get your game on at Bergisel Ski Jump, then take an in-depth tour of The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), then take in panoramic vistas at Town Tower (Stadtturm), and finally buy something for everyone on your list at RathausGalerien. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 6th (Thu): stroll through Stubaier Gletscher and then relax and rejuvenate at Aqua Dome - Tirol Therme Laengenfeld.
For other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Innsbruck trip itinerary planning app.
Getting from Lucerne to Innsbruck by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. January in Innsbruck sees daily highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Zell am See.
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Zell am See, Austria — 2 nights
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Despite its small size, Zell am See is a well-visited tourist destination known mostly as a ski resort town, and it serves as an important transportation hub for the region.Kick off your visit on the 7th (Fri): take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Schmittenhohe, stroll through Kitzsteinhorn, and then take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour. Keep things going the next day: fly down the slopes at Zell Am See, then explore the activities along Lake Zell, and then indulge in some personalized pampering at Tauern Spa.
To find maps, where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, read Zell am See holiday planner.
Getting from Innsbruck to Zell am See by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a train. When traveling from Innsbruck in January, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Zell am See: temperatures range from 0°C by day to -5°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sun) so you can drive to Hallstatt.
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Hallstatt, Austria — 2 nights
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Pearl of Austria
Historically known for the production of salt, Halstatt's fine architecture reflects the small village's salt mining legacy.Kick off your visit on the 9th (Sun): take in the spiritual surroundings of Beinhaus, Karner, Ossuary, enjoy the sand and surf at Badestrand Hallstatt, and then don't miss a visit to Central Square Marktplatz. On the 10th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: go for a walk through Old Town, then take in the awesome beauty at Hallstatt-Dachstein - Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Parish of the Assumption.
Discover how to plan a Hallstatt trip in just a few steps with Klarna Trips's itinerary builder.
Traveling by car from Zell am See to Hallstatt takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Tue) so you can go by car to Vienna.
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Vienna, Austria — 2 nights
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City of Dreams
The cultural, economic, and political center of the country, Vienna has developed from its early Celtic and Roman roots into a medieval and Baroque city, with an old town that was designated a World Heritage Site in 2001.Kick off your visit on the 11th (Tue): step off the mainland to explore Donauinsel and then admire the landmark architecture of Historic Center of Vienna. On your second day here, see the interesting displays at Hofburg, then admire the masterpieces at Albertina, and then explore the world behind art at Belvedere Palace.
To see maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Vienna trip itinerary builder website.
You can drive from Hallstatt to Vienna in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Expect a daytime high around 3°C in January, and nighttime lows around -3°C. On the 13th (Thu), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.
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Switzerland travel guide
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.
Austria travel guide
Situated in the Central European Alps, Austria combines an alluring bundle of elegant urban architecture, cultural centers, and dramatic landscapes. This German-speaking country of 8.5 million residents is known for its rich history, dating back to the Hapsburg Empire, as well as its art, music, and scenery. Along with the neighboring country of Switzerland, Austria serves as the winter sports capital of Europe and is home to some of the continent's most popular ski resorts. This landlocked nation draws visitors from across the globe to its mountains, historical villages, and culturally rich cities. Experience trekking in the Alps one day and drinking regional wine at a crowded pub after a day of sightseeing in the capital Vienna the next.
