Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, a land where picturesque medieval cities seamlessly blend with the awe-inspiring Swiss Alps.
This small European nation offers visitors a perfect mix of stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and modern conveniences. From crystal-clear lakes and lush green valleys to snow-capped mountain peaks and charming alpine villages, Switzerland seems almost too perfect to be real.
We’ve recently went on a 6-day 5-night trip with Klook and Switzerland Tourism to explore the best spots in the country. In this blog post, we’ll be sharing our full itinerary with you, together with some tips and tricks to make your trip to Switzerland even better!
This trip is in collaboration with Klook and Switzerland Tourism; however, all opinions expressed are entirely our own.
Getting to Switzerland
SWISS operates 1 daily direct flight between Singapore and Zurich. The direct flight means that you do not have to waste your precious vacation time in long transits!
Itinerary
Day 1
Explore Zürich’s Old Town
Begin your Swiss adventure by wandering through Zürich’s Altstadt. This historic neighbourhood encapsulates centuries of the city’s rich history within a compact, walkable area. Meander through narrow cobblestone streets, admire the well-preserved medieval architecture and soak in the atmosphere of one of Switzerland’s most picturesque old towns.
Have Lunch at the Famous ZeughausKeller
For an authentic Swiss dining experience, head to the renowned Zeughauskeller restaurant. Located in a 15th-century building that once served as an arsenal, this establishment offers a unique blend of history and gastronomy.
Zeughauskeller specializes in traditional Swiss cuisine. Don’t miss their famous Rösti (crispy potato pancake) or the succulent pork knuckle. The restaurant’s interior, with its sturdy oak beams and historic artefacts, transports diners back in time, creating a truly immersive dining experience.
Take a dip in Lake Zürich
After lunch, make your way to the shores of Lake Zürich. The city boasts numerous public bathhouses along the lake, perfect for cooling off on a warm day. One popular spot is Seebad Utoquia, where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy the crystal-clear waters.
These bathhouses offer more than just swimming – they’re social hubs where you can sunbathe, enjoy a drink, or simply relax by the water. It’s a quintessential Zürich experience that shouldn’t be missed, especially during the summer months.
Day 2
Visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate
Start your day early with a trip to the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg, just outside Zurich. This attraction is a must-visit for any chocolate lover in Switzerland.
The facility features an interactive multimedia exhibition that guides visitors through the history and production of chocolate.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore seven different chocolate worlds, appealing to all your senses. Don’t miss the spectacular 9-meter tall chocolate fountain, the world’s largest Lindt Chocolate Shop, and the chance to enjoy unlimited chocolate tastings.
Book your tickets to the Lindt Home of Chocolate here
Explore Lucerne City
In the afternoon, take a short one-hour train ride to the picturesque city of Lucerne. This medieval gem is renowned for its well-preserved Old Town, featuring historic buildings and the iconic Chapel Bridge.
The city’s stunning backdrop of majestic mountains, including Mount Pilatus and Rigi, adds to its charm. Take a stroll along the shores of Lake Lucerne, explore the city’s museums, or simply wander through the cobblestone streets to soak in the atmosphere of this beautiful Swiss city.
Use promo code SHRUGKLOOK for 10% off your first booking and 5% off your next 4 bookings on Klook.com
Day 3
Take the cable car up to Mount Titlis
Start your day early to explore one of the highest peaks near Lucerne. Begin with a short train ride from Lucerne’s main station to Engelberg, known as the “Town of Angels.”
From Engelberg, take a series of cable cars to reach the summit of Mount Titlis. The final leg of the journey is on the TITLIS Rotair, the world’s first revolving cable car, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding Alps.
At the summit, visit the Glacier Cave, where you can walk inside a 150-meter-long ice tunnel. The temperature inside remains at -1.5°C year-round, so dress warmly.
Next, test your courage on the TITLIS Cliff Walk, Europe’s highest suspension bridge at 3,041 meters above sea level. This 100-meter-long bridge offers stunning panoramic views.
After exploring the summit, descend to Trübsee Lake. Here, you can enjoy free public rowboats during the summer and early fall months.
Pre-purchase your Mount Titlis tickets here
Have Dinner at the Iconic Bürgenstock Hotel
To end your day, head to the Bürgenstock Hotel for dinner. Located high above Lake Lucerne, this iconic hotel offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape
Enjoy an international fusion dinner at one of the hotel’s restaurants while watching the sunset over Lucerne.
Day 4
Romantic Cruise on Lake Lucerne
Book your cruise on the Saphir Yacht here
Lucerne-Interlaken Express
After your cruise, embark on one of Switzerland’s most scenic train journeys. The Lucerne-Interlaken Express connects these two beautiful cities with a two-hour ride through the heart of central Switzerland.
Settle into your comfortable seat and marvel at the ever-changing landscape outside your panoramic windows. You’ll pass by five crystal-clear mountain lakes, waterfalls, and charming Swiss villages, all while traversing the famous Brünig Pass.
This Golden Pass route is a feast for the eyes and a perfect transition from Lucerne to Interlaken. Pro tip: Sit on the right side of the train for the scenic view.
Have a Romantic Dinner at Harder Kulm
Cap off your day with a memorable dining experience at the Harder Kulm Panorama Restaurant. Take the funicular from Interlaken to reach the summit.
The restaurant, resembling a small castle, offers breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, as well as Lakes Brienz and Thun. You’ll be able to see most of the most famous peaks in the region on a clear day.
Enjoy a delicious meal featuring Swiss and international cuisine while watching the sunset paint the Alpine peaks in golden hues.
Book your ride on the Harder Kulm funicular here
Use promo code SHRUGKLOOK for 10% off your first booking and 5% off your next 4 bookings on Klook.com
Day 5
Take a Day Trip to Mount Schilthorn
For an unforgettable alpine experience, embark on a day trip to Mount Schilthorn. Rising 2,970 meters above sea level, this iconic peak offers breathtaking 360-degree views of over 200 mountain peaks.
Start your journey with a scenic cable car ride from Stechelberg, stopping at the charming village of Mürren along the way. At the summit, visit the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, made famous by the James Bond film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”.
Thrill-seekers shouldn’t miss the Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk at the Birg Intermediate Station, where you can test your nerves on cliff pathways with heart-stopping views. For Bond enthusiasts, explore the interactive Bond World 007 exhibit.
Book your ticket to Schilthorn here
Day 6
Paraglide over Interlaken
Interlaken, known as the adventure capital of Switzerland, offers a thrilling way to experience the town – from above! Paragliding here is world-renowned for good reason.
On a clear day, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges, including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, as well as the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun below. This exhilarating experience is sure to be one of your most unforgettable memories of Interlaken.
Book your Paragliding experience with The Golden Eagle here
Explore Interlaken on an E-bike
While Interlaken is a compact town nestled between two lakes, exploring it on an e-bike allows you to cover more ground efficiently. You can easily visit nearby attractions like local farms and scenic viewpoints that might be too far to reach on foot.
Dinner Cruise on Lake Thun
Complete your Swiss adventure with a romantic dinner cruise on Lake Thun. Departing from Interlaken West, you’ll sail across the emerald waters towards the historic town of Thun.
For the best experience, opt for the evening cruise to enjoy a stunning sunset while savouring a delicious 3-course dinner. It’s the perfect way to bid farewell to Switzerland’s natural beauty.
Book your Boat Cruise in Interlaken Unlimited Day Pass here
Use promo code SHRUGKLOOK for 10% off your first booking and 5% off your next 4 bookings on Klook.com
Tips for Travelling Around Switzerland
Be Prepared for All Weather Conditions
The weather in Switzerland can change very rapidly, even in the summer. This is especially so in the mountains where the temperature is close to freezing all year round.
Before your trip, make sure to check the weather forecast at the specific location that you’ll be visiting.
In addition, remember to pack sufficient layers and wet weather necessities if you’re planning to visit the Alps.
Get a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card
As we know, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to visit in the world! With the right planning and budgeting, it doesn’t have to be. One of the best ways to save money is to get a Swiss Travel Pass or a Swiss Half Fare Card.
The Swiss Travel Pass provides unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats in Switzerland for a set number of consecutive days. In addition, it includes free entries to 500 museums across the country.
| Days | 2nd Class Price (S$) | 1st Class Price (S$) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 374.65 | 597.29 |
| 4 days | 452.99 | 720.15 |
| 6 days | 581.95 | 924.35 |
| 8 days | 643.39 | 1,021.09 |
| 15 days | 704.79 | 1,110.15 |
On the other hand, the Swiss Half Fare Card costs S$184.25 for 30 days. With the Half Fare Card, you’ll get 50% off all transport in the country and many mountain excursions.
Depending on your travel itinerary and duration, you might find that you’ll get better value with one over the other.
If you only have a few days in Switzerland and plan to travel between cities, the Swiss Travel Pass is good for you. However, if you travel slower and stay in the country for longer, then the Half Pass Card might work out better.
Download the SBB App to Check Train Schedules
The SBB Mobile App is a must-have if you’re travelling to Switzerland and planning to take any form of public transport. This app pairs very well with the Swiss Travel Pass or the Swiss Half-fare Pass.
The App lets you check train schedules, purchase tickets, and get notified whenever there are disruptions to your journey. We used it extensively throughout our trip to plan our next ride on the rail. This is a lot more comprehensive than just using Google Maps.
Use the Right Travel Credit Card
As you’re travelling overseas, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the right credit/debit cards so that:
1. You get the best exchange rates.
2. You don’t get charged additional fees.
3. You’ll earn the most points and miles for your transaction.
In our experience, Switzerland is a cashless society and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a merchant who doesn’t accept cards. This is a list of our favourite credit/debit cards to use when we’re overseas.
| Card | Points (miles per dollar) | Fees | Note | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instarem Amaze + Citi Rewards | 4 | Foreign exchange spread of ~2-3% | Up to S$1,000 per statement month for Citi Rewards 10X bonus. | Review |
| UOB Visa Signature | 4 | 3.25% foreign exchange fee | A minimum of S$1,000 on overseas transactions in the month. | |
| HSBC Travel One | 2.4 | 3.25% foreign exchange fee | Review | |
| UOB PRVI Miles | 2.4 | 3.25% foreign exchange fee | Review | |
| Trust Cashback Credit Card | 1% Cashback | Close to spot | Review | |
| YouTrip Card | 0 | Close to spot | ||
| Trust Card | 0 | Close to spot |
There is a whole range of options to choose from when using cards overseas.
If you’re looking for the easiest and most fuss-free ways, multi-currency cards such as YouTrip and Trust Card can benefit you as they provide great exchange rates at little to no fees.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to earn points and miles towards your next big trip, plenty of credit cards out there earn additional points on foreign currency spending.
Get a travel eSIM
It is important to stay connected to your loved ones back home even when you’re out travelling. This is especially important for digital nomads like us. Therefore, we always look for the most reliable and cost-effective solutions to obtain mobile data.
When travelling, there are generally 3 options you can go with. Your home data roaming, buying a local physical SIM card, or buying an eSIM online.
The first option of using your home roaming data is typically the most expensive and can rack up a big bill at the end of your vacation. Buying a local physical SIM card usually offers the best prices, but it’s more hassle as you’ll need to visit a local store in the country you’re visiting.
These days, getting an eSIM online is our favourite sweet spot as it offers decent pricing with huge conveniences.
For Switzerland in particular, these are some options that we have found on Klook. For someone on vacation for a week (7 days) with some light social media usage and the occasional maps checking, 5GB to 10GB is typically sufficient.
| Data Capacity | Price (S$) | Price per GB (S$) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5GB | 11.50 | 2.3 | Link |
| 7GB | 12.90 | 1.84 | Link |
| 10GB | 20.50 | 2.05 | Link |
| 1GB per day high speed, unlimited with reduced speeds | 16.15 | 2.30 | Link |
| 1GB per day | 14.80 | 2.11 | Link |
Final Thoughts
Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with its picturesque nature and unique culture. You can spend a whole week or month here and it will still not be enough.
Even though Switzerland is famous for being an expensive country to visit, with some early planning and knowledge, you won’t actually have to break the bank to visit the beautiful country.
