More about: 13 Best Day Trips from Zurich
Switzerland is a beautiful country with a very pleasant climate, and many of the experiences that you can live traveling from Zurich allow you to see special places far away from the city center. So if you are traveling to relax, this is one of the best plans to include among the best things to see and do in Zurich and also outside of Zurich.
Among the places you will be able to see on these excursions are out-of-the-way cities, such as Lucerne, and other interesting attractions such as the largest suspension bridge in all of Europe, just imagine all that you are going to find on these trips.
1. Two countries in one day tour: Heidiland and Liechtenstein
This is one of the most special tours you can do in Zurich in 3 days, according to the complete guide on how to enjoy your visit to the fullest, and that is because you will not only see a place within Switzerland, but you will also visit Liechtenstein, an independent territory bordering the Swiss country.
As you may have already noticed, Switzerland gives you the opportunity to visit its bordering countries without many protocols or problems. This makes it easy to make an excursion to neighboring territories.
Heidiland is the typical alpine countryside, a territory where you can discover flavors through cheese and chocolate tasting, while seeing what life is like in the alpine countryside. Some of the most beautiful and appreciated rural villages are located here.
Meanwhile, during your visit to Liechtenstein you will be able to walk through its historical center and learn a little about its culture and traditions.
Interesting details
- Price: From 95 euros per person.
- Duration: This is a full day experience of about 7 hours and 30 minutes approximately.
- Means of transportation: This trip is done in an air-conditioned bus.
2. Black Forest and Rhine Falls Day Tour
The Black Forest is one of the most interesting destinations in Germany, so this tour will take you not only to a fun, intrepid and interesting place, but you will have the chance to see two countries in one day. Besides, the postcards that this trip will leave you with are really extraordinary.
On the other hand, before leaving the Swiss territory, you will visit the Rhine Falls, a waterfall that is part of the most exuberant natural wonders of the Alpine landscape. Your tour guide will comment on the most important things you need to know about visiting the Rhine Falls from Zurich and its fall into the river of the same name.
Details of interest
- Price: From 50 euros per person.
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours.
- Means of Transportation: The transportation to the meeting point will be on your own, but since the adventure begins, you will go in a bus with all the comforts.
3. Excursion to Grindelwald and Interlaken
This excursion is ideal for those who love extreme and adventure tourism, because each of the experiences you will live during the tour will take your adrenaline to the extreme. One of the activities that you will like the most on this tour is the zip line launch from Mount First.
You will also have the opportunity to visit alpine villages such as Interlaken or Grindelwald. One of the most extreme experiences you will live during this tour is undoubtedly the hike along the cliffs of Tissot.
If you still want more adventures, you can't miss the scooter and the mountain cart that are offered during the experience. You will also have the option of taking the cable car to take pictures from the heights.
Details of interest
- Price: From 180 euros per person.
- Duration: Approximately 12 hours.
- Means of transport: From Zurich to Mount First you will go by bus. Afterwards you can take a mountain car, scooter or even the cable car.
4. Excursion to Jungfraujoch and Bernese Oberland from Zurich
If you are looking for a dream landscape surrounded by mountains and glaciers, this excursion to Jungfraujoch is an experience not to be missed. You will travel to the heart of the Swiss Alps and climb to the highest railway point in Europe, known as the "Roof of Europe".
The journey will take you through the Bernese Oberland, passing through picturesque alpine villages such as Interlaken and Grindelwald. Then, you'll board the cogwheel train up to Jungfraujoch, where you'll find the impressive Aletsch Glacier, an ice palace and panoramic platforms with breathtaking views.
In addition to contemplating the alpine landscape, you can tour the Ice Palace, an ice tunnel carved into the glacier, and walk along the Sphinx Platform, one of the highest viewpoints in Europe. It is a unique experience that combines adventure, nature and spectacular views.
Details of interest
- Price: from 300€ per person
- Duration: approximately 12 hours
- Means of transportation: bus and cable car to reach the top of the mountain.
5. Excursion to Zermatt and Gornergrat from Zurich
If you've ever dreamed of seeing the Matterhorn up close, this tour to Zermatt and Gornergrat will take you to one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Swiss Alps. You will travel from Zurich to Zermatt, a charming car-free alpine village surrounded by towering mountains.
From there, you will take the Gornergrat rack railway, which will take you to an altitude of 3,089 meters, where one of the best panoramic views of the Alps awaits you. From the top, you will be able to admire the Matterhorn in all its splendor, along with other snow-capped peaks and glaciers.
During the excursion, you will also have time to explore Zermatt, stroll through its streets with typical wooden houses and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this mountain village. It is a perfect experience for nature and photography lovers.
Details of interest
- Price: from 625€ per person
- Duration: approximately 12 hours
- Means of transport: bus and cogwheel train
6. Excursion to Appenzell and cheese factory from Zurich
If you want to see the authentic side of Switzerland, this tour to Appenzell is a perfect experience. On this tour, you will explore the rural landscape of eastern Switzerland, with green hills, traditional villages and one of the best cheese factories in the country.
The trip will take you through the Appenzell region, famous for its alpine farms and gastronomy. You will visit a cheese factory, where you will learn about the process of making the famous Appenzeller cheese and have the opportunity to taste it.
You will also tour the village of Appenzell, with its colorful houses and cobblestone streets, where you can immerse yourself in Swiss culture and discover artisan stores. This is an ideal trip for those looking for a relaxing day in the middle of nature, enjoying the history and traditions of the country.
Details of interest
- Price: from 270€ per person
- Duration: approximately 11 hours
- Means of transportation: bus
7. Visit Mount Rigi in summer from Zurich
On this full-day tour of Lucerne and Mount Rigi, the independent traveler will have a great opportunity to see the city of Lucerne in all its splendor, from its buildings to its historic center and especially Lake Lucerne, where you can take a boat ride if you wish.
You can also take a cable car to the top of Mount Rigi where you will appreciate breathtaking views of the city of Lucerne and its surroundings.
One of the best things about this tour is that after visiting the attractions included in the experience, you can continue exploring the city of Lucerne on your own, for as long as you like.
Details of interest
- Price: It is priced at approximately €145 per person.
- Duration: This tour has an approximate duration of 9.5 to 10 hours.
- Transportation: Transportation is by bus from Zurich to Weggis and from Lucerne to Zurich. You will also ride a rack railway, a cable car and a boat.
8. Day tour to Bern with cheese tasting included
This is a full day tour that is especially dedicated to small groups of up to 9 people. Part of what you will see on this tour involves the making of Swiss delicacies, including Emmental cheese and traditional Swiss Kambly cookies.
During the tour your tour guide will take you to the most interesting places in Bern, and you will walk through the central part of the city, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The whole tour will take place in a minibus with all comforts, including wifi on board. You can also do this tour going up to Bern by cog railway.
Interesting details
- Price: It is priced at approximately €240 per person.
- Duration: This tour has an approximate duration of approximately 10 hours.
- Means of Transportation: The tour from Zurich to Bern is done in a minivan equipped with all the comforts.
9. Excursion to Mount Pilatus in summer from Zurich
The summer season is perfect for this tour, because the panoramic views from the top of Mount Pilatus are much clearer. Therefore, this is one of the best things to do in Zurich in summer.
Among the attractions that you can enjoy during this tour are the ride on the world's steepest cog railroad. You can also take a cruise on Lake Lucerne.
To get to the top of Mount Pilatus you will have to take a funicular cable car, while to get down you will have to take the cog railway, one of the best scenic trains in Zurich. After arriving at the cable car station, you can continue walking to the top. This route is a must-see and gives you the most beautiful panoramic views of the whole trip.
Interesting details
- Price: Around 165 euros per person.
- Duration: Approximately 9 hours and a half you will need to complete the entire route.
- Means of transport: You will go by bus with all the comforts, cable car, boat and rack railway.
10. Excursion to visit four countries in one day
If visiting two countries in one day is amazing, imagine a private tour where you travel alone with your group to visit four countries in one day. This is what this experience offers you. You will have the company of an expert guide who will accompany you and tell you the most important facts about each of the countries you will visit.
It is a full day tour that starts in Zurich aboard a bus with all the necessary equipment, and that will take you through landscapes of green hills to the border with Liechtenstein, which you will cross to reach the city of Vaduz in that country. After touring the area for some time, you will continue on your way to Austria.
In Austria you will visit the city of Bregenz, where you can admire impressive buildings before heading to Germany to visit first Lindau and then Meersburg. After finishing your visit in Meersburg, you will only have to cross a bridge to finally visit the town of Stein am Rhein in Switzerland.
Interesting details
- Price: From 1240 euros per person.
- Duration: It has an approximate duration of 11 hours, so it is a full day tour.
- Means of Transportation: All transportation will be aboard a bus with all the necessary amenities.
11. Excursion to Lucerne and Engelberg
From a monastery to a dairy farm, this pair of Alpine towns has a lot to show you. On this full-day excursion from Zurich you will see interesting attractions in these villages, such as the cheese factory in Engelberg and an open-air tour of the city of Lucerne.
After visiting different interesting places in both towns, you will be able to walk through alpine landscapes and trails where nature will leave you postcards to remember. Every place you stop on this tour is worthy of a few pictures.
Interesting details
- Price: From 74 euros per person.
- Duration: From 9 to 10 hours approximately.
- Means of Transportation: The entire tour is done by bus with all amenities from Zurich to both villages and back.
12. Excursion to the Castle of Gruyères with cheese and chocolate tasting.
During this full day tour from Zurich, you will have the opportunity to get to know the inside of the Swiss kitchens where the typical cheeses of this region are made. During this tour you will also learn about the process of making the most famous chocolate in the world, as well as taste the delicate flavor of this delicacy.
At the Maison Cailler you will taste the most delicious chocolate truffles in Switzerland, but you will also visit the medieval mansion Gruyères where you will not only taste cheeses, but also learn interesting facts about Swiss culture and history.
Interesting details
- Price: 790 euros per person.
- Duration: About 11 hours.
- Means of Transportation: Fully equipped vehicle depending on the size of the group.
13. Excursion to Basel and Colmar in France from Zurich
On this trip you will have the opportunity to see two countries in one day, or at least two cities in two different countries. In Basel you will be able to visit a well-known museum, while on your trip to Colmar in France you will be able to see the attractiveness of this French town.
What you will enjoy most about this tour is that it is completely personalized and tailored to what you want to see and discover during your trip. You will learn a bit of history, French architecture and you will sail the waters of the Rhine River.
Details of interest
- Price: From 1,200 euros per group of up to 4 people.
- Duration: Approximately eight hours.
- Means of Transportation: Conditioned vehicle with all the comforts according to the size of the group.
Tips for an excursion from Zurich
- Always wear warm clothes, and according to the climate of each place you are going to visit on excursions.
- If you are going with children, bring distracting elements for too long trips.
- Ask before booking all the conditions of transportation.
- Wear comfortable shoes that you can walk long distances in case any excursion requires you to walk.