9 days in Switzerland Itinerary

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.

On the 13th (Tue), hit the slopes at Grindelwald-First, take in the awesome beauty at Lauterbrunnen Village, and then fly like a bird with a parasailing or paragliding tour. Here are some ideas for day two: admire the sheer force of Trümmelbachfälle and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Harderkulm.

To see where to stay, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Interlaken itinerary app.

San Francisco, USA to Interlaken is an approximately 14-hour flight. The time zone changes from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a 9 hour difference. In June, daily temperatures in Interlaken can reach 72°F, while at night they dip to 53°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Wed) early enough to take a train 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 15th (Thu): enjoy breathtaking views from Gornergrat, stop by Laderach, then go for a walk through Hinterdorfstrasse, then stroll the grounds of Mountaineers' Cemetery, and finally see the interesting displays at Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis. Here are some ideas for day two: hike along 5 Lakes Walk, take in the dramatic natural features at Gorner Gorge, then take in the awesome beauty at The Matterhorn, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Trockener Steg.

For photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Zermatt online journey planner.

You can take a train from Interlaken to Zermatt in 3 hours. Another option is to drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) so you can drive to Lucerne.

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

Attractions like Lake Zurich and Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich) make great kid-friendly stops. Explore Lucerne's surroundings by going to Zurich (Uetliberg Mountain, Limmat, &more). Next up on the itinerary: explore the activities along Lake Lucerne, see the sky in a new way at Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, take in the views from Chapel Bridge, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Rigi.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Lucerne road trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Zermatt to Lucerne takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. In June, daytime highs in Lucerne are 74°F, while nighttime lows are 56°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) so you can fly back home.