Let us explore “a week in Switzerland : Glacier express and Bernina Express Adventures”
. Here is a perfect travel plan for you to explore everything smoothly.
Day 1: Arrival in Zurich and Transfer to Lucerne
About Lucerne: Lucerne is a picturesque city known for its preserved medieval architecture, sitting amid snowcapped mountains on Lake Lucerne. Key sights include the Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, and a vibrant old town.
- Arrival: Arrive in Zurich.
- Transfer: Travel directly to Lucerne (approximately 1 hour by train).
Activities:
- Chapel Bridge and Water Tower: Walk around 10-15 minutes from the train station.
- Lion Monument: Walk around 20-25 minutes from the Chapel Bridge.
- Lake Lucerne: Relax by the lakeside (Leisure time: 1 hour).
Night Stay in Lucerne:
- Budget: Backpackers Lucerne, $80-$120 per night, 2 stars
- Regular: Hotel des Balances, $250-$350 per night, 4 stars
- Luxury: Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne, $500-$700 per night, 5 stars
Popular Dishes: Cheese Fondue, Rösti (potato dish), Luzerner Chügelipastete (meat pie)
Day 2: Explore Lucerne
About Lucerne: Lucerne offers stunning lakeside views, the iconic Chapel Bridge, the poignant Lion Monument, and opportunities for boat trips and mountain excursions, such as Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi.
Activities:
- Boat Trip on Lake Lucerne: 1-2 hours.
- Swiss Museum of Transport: 15-minute bus ride from the city center.
- Mount Pilatus Excursion: Half-day trip including cogwheel railway and cable car rides.
- Leisure Time: Enjoy a leisurely lunch or coffee by the lake (1 hour).
Night Stay in Lucerne:
- Budget: Backpackers Lucerne, $80-$120 per night, 2 stars
- Regular: Hotel des Balances, $250-$350 per night, 4 stars
- Luxury: Hotel Schweizerhof Lucerne, $500-$700 per night, 5 stars
Day 3: Lucerne to Grindelwald
About Grindelwald: Grindelwald is a charming village in the Bernese Alps, known for its stunning scenery and outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and breathtaking views of the Eiger Mountain.
- Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours by train from Lucerne.
Activities:
- Cable Car to First: Spend a few hours enjoying the views and activities.
- Hiking Trails: Various trails from 1-3 hours.
- First Flyer Zip Line: For an adrenaline rush.
- Leisure Time: Relax at a mountain café (1 hour).
Night Stay in Grindelwald:
- Budget: Hotel Lauberhorn, $120-$160 per night, 3 stars
- Regular: Hotel Belvedere, $300-$400 per night, 4 stars
- Luxury: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof, $500-$650 per night, 5 stars
Popular Dishes: Raclette (melted cheese dish), Berner Platte (meat and sausage platter), Alplermagronen (Swiss macaroni and cheese with potatoes and onions)
Day 4: Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren
About Wengen and Mürren:
- Wengen: A car-free village offering stunning views, excellent hiking trails, and proximity to the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains.
- Mürren: Another car-free village with panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and the Schilthorn summit, known for its appearance in the James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.”
- Travel: Take a day trip to Wengen and Mürren.
- Grindelwald to Wengen: Approximately 30 minutes by train.
- Wengen to Mürren: Approximately 1 hour by train and cable car.
- Travel: Take a day trip to Wengen and Mürren.
Activities:
- Wengen: Explore the village and take the train to Kleine Scheidegg (2-3 hours).
- Mürren: Cable car to Schilthorn and visit the Thrill Walk at Birg (2-3 hours).
- Leisure Time: Relax at a mountain restaurant (1 hour).
Night Stay in Grindelwald:
- Budget: Hotel Lauberhorn, $120-$160 per night, 3 stars
- Regular: Hotel Belvedere, $300-$400 per night, 4 stars
- Luxury: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof, $500-$650 per night, 5 stars
Day 5: Grindelwald to Zermatt
About Zermatt: Zermatt is a car-free village located in the shadow of the Matterhorn, offering year-round skiing, mountaineering, and hiking opportunities, along with scenic train rides.
- Travel Time: Approximately 3 hours by train from Grindelwald.
Activities:
- Gornergrat Railway: Scenic train ride with views of the Matterhorn (2-3 hours).
- Exploring Zermatt: Walk around the village, visit local shops and restaurants (1-2 hours).
- Leisure Time: Enjoy a coffee or lunch with a view of the Matterhorn (1 hour).
Night Stay in Zermatt:
- Budget: Hotel Alphubel, $100-$150 per night, 2 stars
- Regular: Hotel Butterfly, $200-$300 per night, 3 stars
- Luxury: The Omnia, $600-$800 per night, 5 stars
Popular Dishes: Walliser Raclette (local raclette cheese), Zermatter Roggenbrot (rye bread), Fondue Chinoise (meat fondue)
Day 6: Zermatt to St. Moritz via Glacier Express
About the Glacier Express: The Glacier Express is a scenic train journey across the Swiss Alps, connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz, known for its panoramic views, including deep gorges, picturesque villages, and high mountain passes.
- Travel Time: Approximately 8 hours by Glacier Express.
Activities: Enjoy scenic landscapes, viaducts, and Alpine beauty on the Glacier Express.
- Leisure Time: Relax on the train and enjoy the onboard dining service (1 hour).
Night Stay in St. Moritz:
- Budget: Youth Hostel St. Moritz, $80-$120 per night, 2 stars
- Regular: Hauser Hotel St. Moritz, $200-$300 per night, 3 stars
- Luxury: Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, $700-$1000 per night, 5 stars
Popular Dishes: Capuns (Swiss chard-wrapped dumplings), Pizzoccheri (buckwheat pasta with potatoes and cheese), Engadiner Nusstorte (nut tart)
Day 7: St. Moritz and Bernina Express
About the Bernina Express: The Bernina Express is a scenic train route from St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy, renowned for its stunning Alpine scenery, passing through the Bernina Range and along the route of the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Morning: Board the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano (approximately 4 hours each way).
Activities: Experience the scenic Bernina Express route to Tirano, enjoy the picturesque journey through the Alps, and return to St. Moritz.
- Leisure Time: Enjoy a leisurely lunch in Tirano (1 hour).
- Travel Time: Approximately 3.5 hours by train from St. Moritz to Zurich.
Night Stay in Zurich:
- Budget: Hotel Bristol Zurich, $150-$200 per night, 3 stars
- Regular: Hotel St. Gotthard, $300-$400 per night, 4 stars
- Luxury: Baur au Lac, $700-$1000 per night, 5 stars
Popular Dishes: Zürcher Geschnetzeltes (sliced veal in cream sauce), Rösti, Bircher Muesli
Day 8: Departure from Zurich
- Departure: Depart from Zurich.