Zurich is a beautiful city that should be included in any Switzerland itinerary. It’s also an excellent hub for discovering nearby places that are easily reachable. From mountains to lakes and charming towns, here are the most exciting day trips from Zurich, Switzerland.
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Maybe you decided to spend only one day in Zurich. But if you stay longer—and the city is undoubtedly worth it—chances are you’ll want to explore more of Switzerland. Luckily, the country is relatively small, and there’s a lot to discover on a day tour from Zurich.
Beautiful Places to See Near Zurich
Like Geneva, Milan, Munich, and many other European cities, Zurich has much to offer and is ideally located to discover multiple superb spots nearby. Thanks to Switzerland’s capillary transportation network, you can reach many destinations by train and/or bus. If you hire a car, it will be even more manageable, allowing you to travel farther. And if you want to avoid any hassle, there are many organised day trips from Zurich to several appealing destinations.
If you’re planning your itinerary or just looking for a weekend escape, consider these fantastic day trips from Zurich. Whether you prefer cities, quaint towns, the majestic Swiss Alps, or even a brief excursion into Germany or Liechtenstein, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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Switzerland has an extensive public transportation network (trains, buses, boats), but public transport is pricey. For that reason, if you plan to visit many places, the Swiss Travel Pass is likely the best option.
There are many options (e.g. 3, 4, 8, 15 days, continuous or flexi), and the pass provides additional advantages, like free entry to 500+ museums, and free travel on panoramic trains (seat reservation excluded, when compulsory).
Best Day Tours from Zurich: Cities
Day Trip from Zurich to Lucerne
Lucerne is renowned for its stunning lake and mountain scenery, as well as its preserved medieval architecture and painted houses. First of all, stroll in the charming alleys of the old town and walk across the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), spanning the Reuss river. The iconic wooden bridge, captured in many postcards, dates back to the 14th century but was sadly largely destroyed by a fire in 1993. It was lovingly restored and still holds a unique charm. Other landmarks to visit include the Lion Monument, carved in a quarry in 1820 by Bertel Thorvaldsen, the Danish sculptor who spent most of his life in Italy and was one of the leading artists of the Neoclassical movement.
Don’t miss a boat ride on Lake Lucerne, surrounded by an idyllic landscape of verdant hills and snowcapped mountains. Mount Pilatus, Mount Titlis and Mount Rigi are very popular nearby mountain spots. However, it would be best to consider them (one or the other) as a day excursion from Zurich or Lucerne. In any case, you can visit Lucerne and Mount Titlis from Zurich with a guided tour.
How to get from Zurich to Lucerne: There are regular trains from Zurich to Lucerne, with a journey time of between 41 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of stops between the two cities. This is by far the option I recommend if you plan to take a day trip to Lucerne from Zurich on your own. You can check the timetable, prices, and buy your ticket on Omio. Once you’re in Lucerne, I suggest the Mt. Pilatus cable car, cogwheel train and lake cruise tour. Driving takes more or less the same time, and you’ll have the hassle of finding a parking place for your car.
If you prefer an organized tour, these are the best day trips from Zurich to Lucerne:
- Mount Titlis Group Tour with Ice Flyer and Lucerne
- Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour
- Engelberg, Titlis, and Lucerne Day Tour
- Full-Day Tour to Lucerne and Engelberg
Day Trip from Zurich to Bern
Often overshadowed by larger cities like Zurich and Geneva, Bern offers a unique and timeless charm. The capital of Switzerland is a beautiful city full of history, and its stunning historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bern also stands out for its lush green spaces and the green-turquoise water of the meandering river Aare.
Explore the charming old town, with its well-preserved historic houses and numerous fountains featuring ornate pillars that support statues. Admire the medieval Zytglogge clock tower, where every hour, the astronomical clock puts on a fascinating show as automated figurines bob and dance. In case you’re having an independent day trip from Zurich to Bern, you may enjoy a guided walking tour where you’ll discover the city’s must-see sights and learn about the history of Switzerland’s capital.
Stroll along the turquoise waters of the Aare River and take in the delightful surroundings. If you’re passionate about art and architecture, don’t miss visiting the Paul Klee Zentrum. The museum, shaped like a double wave, was designed by architect Renzo Piano and hosts a fantastic collection of Klee’s works of art.
Although Bear Park is one of Bern’s prominent landmarks, it always made me feel uncomfortable. I feel for those poor bears who can roam freely, but in a limited space, and must endure the summer heat. Having said that, as the bear is the symbol of the city (you can also see it in the coat of arms of the Bern Canton), many people visit the Bärenpark.
How to get from Zurich to Bern: There are regular trains from Zurich to Bern, and the journey takes about 60 minutes with the Intercity. If you prefer a guided tour, check out the day trip from Zurich to Bern and the countryside (including a visit to the Emmental cheese factory).
Rhine Falls Tour from Zurich (and Stein am Rhein)
If you’re looking for places to visit near Zurich, the Rhine Falls, combined with Stein am Rhein and possibly Schaffhausen, make for an exciting excursion.
Although Switzerland is mostly renowned for its mountains, quaint villages, and lakes, the Rhine Falls are one of the country’s most notable attractions. Indeed, the Rhine Falls are the largest waterfall in Europe, boasting a width of 150 meters (492 feet) and a height of 23 meters (75.5 feet). There are plenty of things to do over there: admiring the roaring water from the viewing platforms, enjoying a boat ride, or experiencing a thrill at the Adventure Park.
To make your day trip from Zurich even more exciting, I suggest you combine the excursion to the Rhine Falls with a stroll in Stein am Rhein, a delightful town whose finely painted houses will steal your heart as they stole mine. If time allows, you could also envisage a short stop in Schaffhausen, a lovely little city near the Rhine Falls.
How to get from Zurich to the Rhine Falls (and further, Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein): There are regular trains connecting Zurich to the Rhine Falls (the station is Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall) and the journey takes about 50 minutes. You can check the timetable and prices and buy your ticket on Omio. By car, you’ll need approximately 1 hour to get there.
A day trip from Zurich to the Rhine Falls is easy to organize on your own, but if you prefer a guided tour, there are a few interesting ones:
- Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls afternoon tour
- The Rhine Falls, Stein am Rhein and Titisee Private Trip also allows you to discover the pretty Titisee in the German Black Forest.
- If you’re short on time, consider the half-day tour to the Rhine Falls by coach.
- Another exciting day tour from Zurich combines the Rhine Falls, a visit to chocolate and cheese factories, and some time to explore the charming little city of Appenzell.
Exciting Day Trips from Zurich to the Alps
Although Zurich is a fantastic city, I doubt anyone would visit Switzerland without seeing the mountains. Geneva is undoubtedly closer to the Alps, but you can also discover enchanting alpine scenery and quaint villages from Zurich.
Day Trip to Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen
There are so many charming mountain villages in Switzerland and breathtaking alpine panoramas that you could easily stay for months to explore them. However, some are more famous than others, and Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken are among them.
If you’re looking for a fantastic day trip from Zurich to the Alps, look no further. The day tour to Grindelwald, Interlaken, and Lauterbrunnen allows you to discover the beautiful Bernese Oberland region, savour the charm of a few charming villages, and enjoy spellbinding mountain views, including the famous Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch. Get ready for a long but enriching day and keep your camera at hand. You’ll undoubtedly want to capture some of Switzerland’s most gorgeous areas.
Day Trip to Interlaken from Zurich
For adventurous souls, another exciting option is the day trip from Zurich to Interlaken, including a tandem paragliding flight. You’ll miss Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, trading them for a thrilling activity. I went paragliding in Interlaken a few years ago and LOVED it! Furthermore, if it’s your first time and you wonder what paragliding feels like, read my dedicated post.
Zurich to Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is arguably one of the most popular attractions in Switzerland. Being the highest railway in Europe, hence the nickname “Top of Europe“, it’s not surprising that tourists from all over the world visit it. Additionally, it’s one of the most exciting UNESCO Heritage Sites in Europe.
Organising the trip to Jungfraujoch from Zurich by yourself is highly challenging due to the multiple transportation means to reach the destination. For that reason, it’s a much better option to book a day tour from Zurich to Jungfraujoch, which includes the train ride to Europe’s highest train station, sufficient time to admire the snowcapped peaks and the Aletsch Glacier and even the cable car ride from Grindelwald to Eiger Glacier.
I had a wonderful time when I visited Jungfraujoch a few years ago, and I’ll never forget those amazing views.
Day Trip from Zurich to Zermatt (and Gornergrat)
I love alpine scenery, and there are a few mountains that are my absolute favorites. The Matterhorn, almost perfectly shaped as a pyramid, is one of those mountains that makes me feel in awe. Furthermore, the views from the Gornergrat, as well as the ones from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, are nothing short of breathtaking. You’ll admire snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and many of Europe’s highest alpine summits.
How to get to Zermatt from Zurich: It takes 3h 15min by train from Zurich to Zermatt, and on the last stretch, from Visp to Zermatt, you’ll board one of the most scenic trains in Switzerland. On Omio, you can check the schedule, price, and buy your ticket. Unfortunately, seat reservations are not possible on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn. If you’re traveling by car, don’t forget that Zermatt is car-free, so you’ll have to park in Täsch and catch the shuttle train to reach the alpine town.
If you prefer to avoid the hassle, the small group tour from Zurich to Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat is a great option to discover one of the most beautiful mountain sceneries in Europe (and, in my opinion, the world). It’s a long journey, though. Additionally, it’s essential to consider the altitude at the Gornergrat, which is 3,100 meters/10,171 feet. Also, be sure to wear appropriate clothing, as it can be very cold even in Summer.
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There are so many exciting day trips from Zurich that it’s hard to choose. All the places mentioned above are gorgeous, each in its way. I suggest you select a trip based on your interests, budget, and the season. As for me, I loved all these destinations, as every one gave me strong emotions.
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