- Basic preparation
Clothing preparation should take into account the changeable climate in Switzerland. The temperature in the mountains is low. Even if you go to the snowy mountain area in summer, you need to prepare down jackets and jackets; you can bring some long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, and casual pants for daily travel, which are convenient for layering according to the weather. At the same time, don’t forget comfortable sports shoes and hiking shoes.
Luggage items, toiletries, slippers, and compressed towels are more hygienic. The thermos cup can always drink hot water. Rain gear, sunscreen, and sunglasses are needed to cope with changeable weather and strong ultraviolet rays. Swiss sockets are three-round holes. Universal conversion plugs and power strips are necessary to ensure that electronic devices are always powered. - Transportation preparation
It is highly recommended to buy the Swiss Pass, which is a magic weapon for traveling around Switzerland. It allows unlimited domestic trains, buses, and cruise ships, as well as free scenic trains such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Golden Pass Express (reservation fee is paid separately), free visits to up to 500 museums and castles, and a 50% discount on most cable cars and cogwheel trains. The pass is divided into continuous and current types, which can be selected according to the number of travel days. There are also discounted fares for young people under 26 and families traveling. Download the SBB Mobile software, which is a must-have for traveling in Switzerland. It can accurately query the schedule, timetable, and platform information of trains, buses, ships and other means of transportation, and can also check delays and transfers in real time. It supports English interface, which is convenient for planning itineraries, knowing travel details in advance, and avoiding delays.
Itinerary
Day 1: First impression of Zurich
Zurich, as the largest city in Switzerland, exudes the modern atmosphere of an international metropolis and retains a deep historical heritage. Take a stroll along the world-famous Bahnhofstrasse, the “Wall Street of Switzerland” with a total length of about 1.4 kilometers. The streets are lined with the world’s top luxury brand stores and bank headquarters. At the end of the road, Lake Zurich comes into view. The lake is as blue as a gem, and swans are swimming gracefully on the lake, which contrasts with the snow-capped peaks of the Alps in the distance. Then go to Zurich Cathedral, a Gothic building built around 1100. Its twin towers are majestic and magnificent, and its church spire reaches the sky. Find a lakeside restaurant by the Zurich Lake and taste authentic Zurich veal. The beef is fried until the skin is golden and crispy, and the inside is tender and juicy. It is paired with fragrant mushroom sauce and soft potato cakes. When you take a bite, the rich meaty aroma blooms on your tongue. Then, enjoy a glass of local refreshing white wine and admire the beautiful lake and mountain scenery outside the window, which is a perfect end to the first day in Switzerland.
Day 2: The beautiful scenery of Lucerne
After breakfast, take the train to Lucerne. It only takes about 50 minutes to reach this city known as “the most beautiful and ideal tourist city in Switzerland”. As soon as you step into Lucerne, the iconic Capel Bridge comes into view. This is the oldest existing wooden bridge in Europe. There are more than 100 ancient paintings of religious themes painted on the beams of the bridge. The Lion Monument not far away is also shocking. It was designed by Danish sculptor Thorvaldsen to commemorate the 760 Swiss mercenaries who died in the French Revolution in 1792 to protect the family of Louis XVI. At noon, order a cream mushroom pasta at a restaurant by Lake Lucerne. Every bite is full of freshness and fragrance; paired with fish and chips made from fresh fish, a specialty of Lake Lucerne. In the afternoon, take a cruise to start a cruise on Lake Lucerne. The lake is sparkling, and the mountains along the way are undulating. The medieval-style towns and ancient castles on the shore are scattered, like a slowly unfolding landscape painting. After landing, take a mountain train to climb Mount Rigi. From the top of the mountain, you can see 13 lakes such as Lake Lucerne and Lake Zug like scattered pearls. You can also choose to walk down the mountain, shuttle through the lush forest, breathe fresh air, listen to the birds singing, and feel the gifts of nature up close. In the evening, return to the city of Lucerne, stroll through the lively night market, pick up some special handicrafts, or go into a warm bar.
Day 3: Interlaken, an adventure between mountains and rivers
Take the train to Interlaken. After arriving in Interlaken, stroll along the main street of the town, Herwegstraße. On one side of the street are bustling shops selling specialty goods such as Swiss Army knives, watches, and chocolates. On the other side is an open green space. In the distance are snow-capped mountains. The Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch are majestic against the blue sky. People can’t help but slow down and indulge in this tranquility. After a short stop, take the train to the Jungfrau. This mountaineering trip is a dream. The red gear train slowly climbs along the steep slope. The scenery outside the window gradually transitions from green grass to silver-clad glaciers. As the altitude rises, the magnificent snow-capped mountain panorama is presented in front of you, which is amazing. Arriving at Jungfraujoch Station, you will feel like you are in the kingdom of ice and snow. The magnificent view of the top of Europe is just around the corner. When you step into the Ice Palace, the exquisite ice sculptures emit mysterious blue light under the light, and they are in various shapes, like the crystal castle in a fairy tale. When you come to the Sphinx Observation Deck, you can see the endless glaciers, shining dazzlingly under the sun. Under your feet is a deep abyss, and the sea of clouds is rolling and surging, like a dream, and you can truly feel the majestic spirit of nature. After going down the mountain, you can return to the town of Interlaken to experience an exciting paragliding project. Accompanied by a professional coach, you can jump from a high altitude and soar like a bird, overlooking the beautiful picture of green grass, blue lakes and majestic snow-capped mountains. Or take a cruise to visit Lake Brienz. The lake is clear and deep blue-green, with steep cliffs and dense forests on both sides. The breeze is very comfortable. In the evening, find a traditional Swiss restaurant and taste the classic cheese hot pot. Put the bread cubes into the boiling cheese pot and stir gently. When the bread is full of fragrant and smooth cheese, put it in your mouth. The rich milky aroma and mellow wine flavor instantly fill the whole mouth. Pair it with a glass of hot red wine to dispel the chill of the night and end a wonderful day.
Day 4: Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, explore the fairytale town
After breakfast, take the train to Grindelwald, accompanied by snow-capped mountains and colorful flowers along the way. After arriving in Grindelwald, the dreamy hillside unfolds like a scroll, the tender green grass undulates in waves, and there are exquisite cabins scattered around. Flowers are blooming in front of and behind the houses. In the distance, the snow-capped mountains are towering into the clouds. The white snow, lush grass, and colorful flowers form a beautiful pastoral landscape. Any shot is a postcard-level blockbuster. Enjoy lunch in the town at noon. It is recommended to try the Swiss grilled sausage. The skin is grilled until crispy and tender and juicy when bitten. Paired with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes, the salty and sour flavors are perfectly balanced, and you will feel full. In the afternoon, go to Lauterbrunnen, which is a veritable waterfall town. More than 70 waterfalls cascade down from the cliffs. Among them, the Staubbach Falls is the most spectacular. The waterfall has a drop of more than 300 meters, splashing water, and the momentum is like a rainbow, like the Milky Way falling from the sky; Shuttle through the town, the roar of the waterfall is endless, and the fresh water vapor fills the air, as if you are in a fairyland. Along the way, you can also enjoy the quaint Swiss traditional wooden houses, with exquisite and delicate wood carvings, showing the folk customs. Falling asleep at night with the sound of waterfalls, it seems to be integrated with nature and enjoy this rare tranquility.
Day 5: Zermatt, meet the Matterhorn
Take the train to Zermatt. Snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands appear alternately along the way, and the scenery is beautiful. Zermatt is a famous “Glacier City” and a world-class car-free mountain tourist destination with exceptionally fresh air. After arriving, you will be immersed in the magnificent scenery of the Matterhorn all day. Its iconic triangular cone shape is like a sharp sword piercing the sky. Under the sunlight, the mountain presents a unique light and dark light and shadow, with clear edges and corners, showing its coldness and majesty. You can choose to hike around the Matterhorn, embark on a number of clearly marked hiking routes, shuttle between alpine meadows and primeval forests, watch alpine flowers blooming at close range, and occasionally encounter smart mountain sheep; you can also take a cable car to the top. As the cable car slowly rises, the valley under your feet gradually disappears, and the Matterhorn becomes more and more shocking. After reaching the top, overlooking the surroundings, the continuous glaciers extend under your feet, and the ice cracks crisscross like the veins of the earth. Surrounded by peaks in the distance, the sea of clouds rolls, as if you are on the roof of the world. When you are tired of shopping, you can visit the specialty shops in the town and pick up some Matterhorn-themed souvenirs, such as exquisite refrigerator magnets, postcards, and hand-painted paintings; then taste a Zermatt grilled cheese. Heat the cheese on a special grill, wait for it to melt and soften, and then dip it in bread. The milky aroma and mellow taste add a touch of warmth to this encounter with the Matterhorn.
Day 6: Bern, a historical and cultural tour
Coming to Bern, the capital of Switzerland, this city listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO is like a huge open-air historical museum. Stepping into the old town, you are instantly enveloped by the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The streets are paved with cobblestones and are winding. On both sides are arcades built in the 15th to 18th centuries. The red-tiled and white-walled buildings are elegant and simple. Walking among them, it is like traveling through time and returning to ancient Europe. Visit Einstein’s former residence, where the great scientist lived from 1903 to 1905. The house is simply furnished but retains the style of the time. Exhibits such as manuscripts and books allow people to peek into his life during the creation of the theory of relativity and feel the genius of his thought. The clock tower not far away is a landmark of Bern. Every hour, the mechanical figures on the clock tower will start to perform, accompanied by the crisp bells, interpreting the story of the Middle Ages, attracting many tourists to stop and watch. At noon, taste the traditional Bern meat plate in a restaurant in the old town. The carefully selected beef and pork are paired with a variety of vegetables. The local cooking method is used. The meat is tender and the vegetables are refreshing and greasy. The original Swiss flavor is satisfying. In the afternoon, continue to explore Bern’s lesser-known attractions, such as the Rose Garden, where hundreds of rose varieties are planted. In spring and summer, the rose garden is in full bloom and colorful, providing an excellent viewing platform for overlooking the beautiful scenery of Bern’s Old Town and the winding Aare River. Take a stroll in the Bear Park, watch the cute brown bears playing, learn about the historical origins of Bern and bears, and feel the unique cultural charm of this city, which will bring your trip to Switzerland to a successful conclusion.
Switzerland has strict traffic rules. Vehicles drive on the right and must use low beam lights during the day. Vehicles have the right of way in roundabouts. Vehicles on the right have priority at intersections and secondary intersections. Vehicles on the main road have priority over secondary roads. Vehicles on the uphill road have priority. Large vehicles have priority over small vehicles. Special vehicles such as police cars and ambulances and trams have absolute priority. Overtaking must be done from the left, and trams must be overtaken from the right. The speed difference when overtaking is at least 20km/h. Overtaking is prohibited in certain circumstances. The speed limit on highways is 120km/h, 80-100km/h on national roads, and 50km/h in urban areas. There are clear speed limit signs on different sections of the road. The speeding fine ranges from 20 to 260 Swiss francs. When turning at a green light, you must give way to vehicles and pedestrians coming from the opposite direction. You should not go forward even if the green light is blocked ahead. Some resorts strictly prohibit motor vehicles from entering, and you must stop outside the resort to transfer to public transportation.
The business hours of Swiss shops, restaurants, and public places vary. Banks are usually open from 8:30 to 16:00; large stores are open from 8:00 to 18:30, until 21:00 on Thursdays or Fridays, and close early at 16:00 the day before holidays; post offices are open from 8:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 18:00, and on Saturdays from 8:00 to 11:00; supermarkets are generally open from 8:00 to 19:00, and some are open until 20:00 or even later; restaurants are open for lunch from 11:30 to 14:00, and for dinner from 18:00 to 22:00, depending on the restaurant; most museums are open from 10:00 to 17:00, and closed on Mondays or Tuesdays; cafes are open from 8:00 to 18:00, with longer hours in tourist areas.
Switzerland is like a big box full of surprises. With every layer you open, there are new wonders waiting for you. I hope everyone can step on this dreamy land, see the breathtaking scenery, taste the delicious food, and create their own unique and unforgettable memories. When you come back, you may become an expert on Switzerland and share your wonderful stories with others! What are you waiting for? Let’s go!
