Road Trip Recommendations Switzerland

Switzerland is particularly well suited for a road trip: short distances, excellent infrastructure, spectacular Alpine passes, crystal-clear lakes and charming cities are often just one to two hours' drive apart. In this guide, we present three varied road trips (5 to 10 days) through Switzerland, including concrete route suggestions, tips on hiking and skiing areas, as well as a compact overview of the vignette, special toll, heavy vehicle charge and car-carrying trains. Before setting off, secure the right digital vignette for Switzerland to comfortably use motorways and expressways.

Continue reading: Castles and palaces in Switzerland.

Before you set off: planning is everything!

The ideal route for your road trip through Switzerland depends above all on the time available, the season and your personal priorities. You can choose from cities such as Bern, Lucerne and Zurich, impressive natural landscapes such as the Swiss National Park, Zermatt with the Matterhorn or Lake Geneva, as well as numerous hiking areas and skiing regions. For a rough guide to your trip planning:

• 5–6 days: Focus on one region, for example Central Switzerland with Lucerne and Lake Lucerne, or the Bernese Oberland with Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

• 7–10 days: Ideal for combining at least one larger city such as Zurich or Bern with hiking areas such as the Bernese Oberland, Valais or Graubünden.

• 10–14 days: Especially suitable if you want to combine several regions, such as German-speaking Switzerland, Valais, Graubünden and Ticino, with side trips to lakes, passes and skiing areas.

Tips from us

Our sample routes provide you with a reliable foundation, which you can of course flexibly adapt to your wishes. A tried-and-tested rule of thumb for relaxed road trips is: plan for a maximum of 1 to 3 hours of driving per day and two activities. This leaves enough time to enjoy the trip, rather than simply driving from one highlight to the next. When planning, also take the season and weather conditions into account:

• May to October: Best travel time for road trips focused on hiking, lakes and passes. Hiking regions such as the Bernese Oberland, Valais with Zermatt, Graubünden with the Swiss National Park or Eastern Switzerland are easily accessible during this period.

• July and August: Peak season with lively cities and well-frequented hiking trails. Popular regions such as Interlaken and the Jungfrau region, Zermatt or Lake Geneva are especially in demand. Early reservations are recommended.

• Late autumn and spring: Particularly suitable for cities, thermal baths, lakes and lower-lying hiking regions. Higher passes may already be or still be closed during this time.

• Winter (December to March): Ideal for combining a road trip with skiing areas such as the Vaud Alps and the Lake Geneva region, the Bernese Oberland, Valais with Zermatt and surroundings, or Graubünden. Please note the winter equipment requirements as well as possible snow chain obligations and road closures at higher altitudes.

If you are travelling during school holidays or over long weekends, you should expect increased traffic especially on transit routes as well as around Zurich, Bern and popular hiking and skiing regions.

Switzerland by car: arrival and starting points

Your starting point largely depends on where you live. However, some places are particularly well suited as a "hub" for a road trip:

• Zurich: International transport hub and ideal when arriving from Germany or by plane. Perfect starting point for routes to Central Switzerland, the Bernese Oberland or Eastern Switzerland. (Continue reading: Zurich)

• Bern: The capital is centrally located and ideal for combinations of Bernese Oberland, the Mittelland and the Jura & Three-Lakes region. (Continue reading: Bern)

• Lucerne: Charming city on Lake Lucerne and an ideal starting point for Central Switzerland with mountains, lakes and panoramic mountain railways. (Continue reading: Lucerne)

• Lake Geneva region: Well connected when arriving from France and an excellent base for combining the Vaud Alps and the Lake Geneva region with Valais.

• Graubünden / Ticino: Particularly suitable if the focus is on Alpine passes, the Engadin, the Swiss National Park or the Italian-influenced flair of Ticino, for example in the Verzasca Valley.

As soon as you use the Swiss motorways and expressways, you will need a motorway vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 t gross weight. Especially convenient is the digital vignette, which is directly linked to your license plate. This way, you travel without sticking anything on and without the hassle of removing a sticker vignette.

Road trip 1: Cities, lakes & Bernese Oberland (7–10 days)

This route is particularly suitable if you are discovering Switzerland by car for the first time and are looking for a combination of city, lakes and mountains. It connects Zurich, Lucerne, the well-known Jungfrau region and Bern.

• Zurich: City, culture and the Limmat (1–2 nights)

• Lucerne & Lake Lucerne: Old town and panoramic mountains (2 nights)

• Bernese Oberland (Interlaken region): Lakes and peaks (2–3 nights)

• Bern: Federal capital and old town flair (1–2 nights)

Zurich (1–2 nights)

Start your road trip relaxed in Zurich. The old town, Lake Zurich, the lakeside promenades as well as the diverse culinary scene and numerous shopping opportunities make the city ideal for one to two days. You can find more information in our guide on Zurich.

For arrival by car, it is advisable to plan your arrival outside of peak hours, as heavy traffic can occur on access roads and in inner-city districts, particularly in the morning and evening. Many hotels have parking garages or parking spaces. Alternatively, you can use park-&-ride car parks on the outskirts of the city and take public transport into the centre.

Lucerne & Central Switzerland (2 nights)

From Zurich, the route continues to Lucerne. The Chapel Bridge, the Musegg Wall and the city's immediate location on Lake Lucerne make it a special highlight. Combine your stay with a boat trip and an excursion to one of the surrounding mountains.

In our article on hiking areas, you will find suggestions for popular excursion destinations.

Bernese Oberland (2–3 nights)

Next, continue towards the Bernese Oberland, for example the Interlaken region between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. From there you can reach well-known places such as Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen or the Kleine Scheidegg. Depending on the season, you can choose between hiking, mountain railways, paragliding or winter sports.

In our guide on hiking areas and on skiing areas in Switzerland, you will find further suggestions.

Bern (1–2 nights)

To round off your trip, a stay in Bern is a good option. The medieval old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Aare loop and the view from the Rose Garden provide a relaxed conclusion to your road trip. Use one day for a stroll through the city and cultural sightseeing, and the other for an excursion into the Mittelland or the Jura & Three-Lakes region. You can find more information in our article on Bern.

Road trip by car

The driving times between the individual stages are usually 1 to 2 hours. Many routes run along motorways, for which a motorway vignette is required. Alternative routes along country roads are particularly scenic. These take more time but offer deeper insights into smaller towns and valleys.

Road trip 2: Lake Geneva, Vaud Alps & Valais (6–9 days)

This road trip is aimed at anyone who wants to combine vineyards, lakes and high peaks. It is ideal if you prefer to change location less often while still experiencing a varied mix of nature, enjoyment and alpine panorama.

• Lake Geneva region (e.g. Lausanne/Montreux): Lake and vineyards (2 nights)

• Vaud Alps: Mountains and panoramic views (1–2 nights)

• Valais (Zermatt & surroundings): Glacier world and the Matterhorn (2–3 nights)

• Fribourg region or Mittelland: Return journey with city trip (1 night, optional)

Lake Geneva region (2 nights)

Start in Lausanne or Montreux. The Mediterranean-like atmosphere, the lakeside promenades and the vineyards of Lavaux offer an ideal start. Take a boat trip on Lake Geneva or a relaxed panoramic hike through the vine terraces. You can find further ideas in our article on hiking areas.

Vaud Alps (1–2 nights)

From the cities on the lake, the route leads up into the Vaud Alps. Well-known destinations such as Les Diablerets or Leysin offer hiking trails, viewpoints and, in winter, attractive skiing areas. Depending on the season, you can combine mountain railways, easy altitude trails or days of skiing.

Valais with Zermatt (2–3 nights)

Next up is the Valais, a particularly appealing region for mountain lovers. Zermatt with the Matterhorn is an outstanding destination. Plan enough time for panoramic hikes, glacier experiences and mountain railways. In our articles on hiking areas and on skiing areas, you will find concrete suggestions.

Depending on the route, it may be worth using a car-carrying train, for example at the Lötschberg or Furka. Here, your vehicle is loaded onto a train while you remain comfortably seated in the car and travel through tunnel sections. Tickets for car-carrying trains are not covered by the vignette and must be paid separately. You can find more information on car-carrying trains in our guide.

Fribourg region or Mittelland (1 night, optional)

On the way back, a stay in the Fribourg region or the Swiss Mittelland is a good option. Historic towns, rolling hills and lakes provide a pleasant conclusion. You can find further suggestions in our article on hiking areas in Switzerland.

Road trip by car

The distances between the individual stops are usually 1 to 3 hours of driving time. You will likely use both motorways and mountain roads. In alpine regions, you should always take gradients, tight bends and possible winter closures into account. You can find information on the vignette and other types of tolls in our detailed overview on tolls in Switzerland.

Road trip 3: Graubünden, National Park & Ticino (8–10 days)

The third road trip is aimed at nature lovers who want to get to know Eastern Switzerland, Graubünden and Ticino more intensively. Alpine valleys, passes, lakes and a Mediterranean flair ensure plenty of variety.

• Eastern Switzerland (e.g. Appenzell region / Lake Constance): Hills, cheese and views (1–2 nights)

• Graubünden (e.g. Engadin): Mountains and lakes (2–3 nights)

• Swiss National Park: Pristine nature and hiking trails (1–2 nights)

• Ticino (e.g. Locarno, Verzasca Valley): Southern flair (2–3 nights)

Eastern Switzerland (1–2 nights)

Start your trip in Eastern Switzerland, for example in the Appenzell region or on Lake Constance. Gentle hills, traditional villages and scenic peaks offer ideal conditions for easy hikes. You can find further ideas in our article on hiking areas in Switzerland.

Graubünden (2–3 nights)

Next, the route leads to Graubünden. Well-known places such as Davos, Arosa or St. Moritz offer alpine panoramas, lakes and, in winter, attractive skiing areas. Depending on the season, you can choose between hiking, mountain biking, winter sports or scenic train rides. Our guide on hiking areas in Switzerland will help you with your planning.

Swiss National Park (1–2 nights)

A particular highlight is the Swiss National Park, the oldest protected area of its kind in the Alps. Here you can expect marked hiking trails, strict nature conservation requirements and good opportunities to observe wildlife. Plan at least one full day for this. You can find detailed information in our article on the Swiss National Park.

Ticino with Verzasca Valley (2–3 nights)

Finally, the trip leads to Ticino. Around Locarno, Ascona or Lugano, a Mediterranean flair, palm trees and bathing lakes await you. An excursion to the Verzasca Valley, with its turquoise water and traditional stone villages, is particularly recommended. You can find concrete tour suggestions in our article on hiking areas in Switzerland.

Road trip by car

Driving times are usually between 45 minutes and 2.5 hours and often run along winding mountain roads. Car-carrying trains such as the Vereina Tunnel can also be a sensible option for getting from one valley to another more quickly and regardless of weather conditions. Please note: car-carrying trains are subject to a fee and must be paid separately from the vignette. In addition, some Alpine pass roads and tunnels, such as the Munt-La-Schera Tunnel, are subject to a special toll and must be paid for separately.

Toll guide Switzerland

Are you unsure whether you need a vignette for your road trip through Switzerland, or what additional fees may apply? In Switzerland, four points in particular are relevant: the motorway vignette, the heavy vehicle charge (HVF), the special toll and car-carrying trains.

• Motorway vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 t gross weight: For cars, motorcycles and most motorhomes up to 3.5 t gross weight, a vignette is mandatory on motorways and certain expressways. It is available as both a sticker vignette and a digital vignette. Get your digital vignette for Switzerland from us now.

• Annual vignette only: Unlike many neighbouring countries, Switzerland offers only an annual vignette. Short-term or 10-day vignettes are not available.

• Special toll: Some tunnels and passes, such as certain Alpine crossings or privately operated tunnels, are subject to a special toll. These fees are not included in the vignette and must be paid separately.

• Heavy vehicle charge (HVF): For vehicles over 3.5 t gross weight, the performance-related heavy vehicle charge (HVF) applies. It is usually collected via on-board units or registration and billing systems and replaces the classic motorway vignette.

• Car-carrying trains: Car-carrying trains such as Lötschberg, Furka or Vereina shorten driving times and bypass passes. They are convenient, but always come with an additional cost on top of the vignette or HVF.

• Checks and fines: Driving without a valid vignette or HVF payment can result in significant fines. Checks take place at the border, at rest areas and in moving traffic.

You can find a comprehensive overview in our guide on tolls in Switzerland. You will also find detailed information on the various car-carrying trains and tunnels in our article on car-carrying trains (vehicle transport). Feel free to also use our guide on vehicle classes to determine whether you need a digital vignette or must pay the heavy vehicle charge.

Validity period of the digital vignette Switzerland

In Switzerland, there is only an annual vignette. You can choose between a sticker vignette and a digital vignette. The digital version is linked to your license plate and can be conveniently ordered online, with no sticker required.

If your road trip covers several countries, you will need a separate product for each vignette country. We offer digital vignettes for 8 countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Switzerland. This allows you to conveniently plan your route in advance.

Vignettes are country-specific

Please note that the digital vignette for Switzerland is valid only in Switzerland. Different toll systems may apply in neighbouring countries such as Austria, Italy, Germany, France or Liechtenstein, some with a vignette, others with a distance-based toll.

Why our digital vignette is the right choice

DMC Digitale Maut Consulting GmbH makes your journey through Switzerland particularly straightforward:

• Fast & digital: The vignette can be ordered online in just a few minutes, with no sticker and no postal delivery required.

• License plate based: Checks are carried out digitally via the license plate; no sticker needs to be applied.

• Planning certainty: Ideal for organising your annual holiday or multiple trips to Switzerland well in advance.

• Several countries from a single source: In 2019, we started with toll products for Austria, with further countries added later. Today, our vignette flat rate covers 8 countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Switzerland. This is especially convenient for longer road trips.

• Email support in 15 languages: Our team is happy to help with questions about tolls, vehicle classes and the right vignette.

Order your digital vignette for Switzerland now and avoid unnecessary detours or fines.

Practical tips for on the road

To ensure your road trip through Switzerland is a complete success, you should keep a few practical aspects in mind:

• Timing: If possible, avoid peak traffic times on Fridays, Sundays and at the start and end of school holidays. Otherwise, traffic jams can occur on transit routes such as north-south corridors.

• Traffic rules: Observe speed limits and blood alcohol limits. Find out in advance about the traffic rules in Switzerland, particularly regarding speeds on motorways, country roads and in built-up areas.

• Parking in cities: In Zurich, Lucerne, Bern and other larger cities, parking spaces are often scarce. Where possible, use parking garages, park-&-ride facilities or hotel car parks.

• Nature and protected areas: Stay on marked trails, take your rubbish with you and observe the signage in national parks and protected landscape areas such as the Swiss National Park.

• Camping: Wild camping is restricted or prohibited in many places. Find out in advance about official campsites or pitches.

• Weather conditions: The weather can change quickly in the Alps. Pack in layers and bring a rain jacket as well as sturdy footwear.

• Winter equipment: In winter, winter tyres, snow chains and observing the relevant signage are important. Passes may be closed. Check the current situation before setting off.

• Safety on the road: Take regular breaks, use rest areas and only stop where this is explicitly permitted.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

We wish you a pleasant trip to Switzerland and lots of enjoyment on your exploration tour through the country's impressive natural scenery. Please find out about the applicable toll regulations in good time. In addition, our route planner is available to help you plan your trip optimally and to show you the appropriate toll products. Should you have any questions, we are of course happy to help. Feel free to contact us at any time by email.