I don’t think I’ve met anyone who doesn’t want to see Switzerland at least once in their lifetime.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Personally, I wanted to visit Switzerland for its incredible scenic train views along the Alps. I also have a vivid memory of watching the cartoon show Heidi, which was set in Switzerland. I remember them talking about cheese wheels and showing rolling hills.
I finally made my childhood dreams come true, and Switzerland is just like what I imagined – I guess, minus the fact that it was truly expensive.
Switzerland is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Liechtenstein and Austria to the east, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Germany to the north.
Known for its cheese, chocolates, and the Swiss Alps, this country should be included in everyone’s bucket list of places to visit. In this list of 2 weeks in Switzerland itineraries, I will show you how to plan an itinerary, what to know, where to book, where to go, and so much more.
BASIC TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR SWITZERLAND
When is the best time to travel to Switzerland
Switzerland is a destination that you can pretty much travel to whenever you want. Your annual leave is only during winter? No problem, come and ski here and eat fondue in the afternoon.
Do you have children, or are you working as a teacher and only get summer vacation? Switzerland is fantastic in summer, where you can do toboggan runs, visit lakes, and explore hiking trails.
The peak season is during the summer, from June to August when the weather is warm, and it’s perfect for hiking, exploring lakes, and outdoor activities. Popular destinations like Interlaken, Zermatt, and Lucerne can be crowded during this time.
The winter season, from December to February, is another peak time for visitors interested in skiing and winter sports. Resorts in the Alps, like St. Moritz and Zermatt, are very popular.
Switzerland doesn’t have a rainy or typhoon season, but rain is common in the spring and fall, especially in May and September. When it does rain, it’s bearable and doesn’t usually last all day.
The shoulder season is during spring (April to June) and fall (September to November). These months offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather, making it ideal for sightseeing and enjoying outdoor activities without the peak season rush.
Are 2 weeks enough for Switzerland
Yes! Switzerland’s small land size and super efficient public transportation make this country the perfect destination for a 2-week trip.
You can honestly see all the top attractions in just 14 days and not feel like you are rushing it.
How to get around
Getting around Switzerland is so easy and convenient. The fact that it’s a small country, you shouldn’t need to sit on a train or bus or even drive for more than 4 hours.
Usually, for foreign visitors, the cities they want to see are just 1-2 hours away, with lots of options on how to get there.
Switzerland has an excellent public transport system, making it easy to get around. The fastest option is the Swiss Travel System, which offers high-speed trains connecting major cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Bern. It’s efficient and scenic, especially for longer distances.
The cheapest option is taking regional trains, buses, or trams, especially with a Swiss Travel Pass, which offers unlimited travel on public transport.
Renting a car isn’t always ideal unless you’re exploring remote areas. Swiss roads are well-maintained, but parking in cities can be expensive, and traffic is often restricted in old towns.
In cities, public transport is excellent. Major cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Basel have trams, buses, and trains that run frequently. Ride-hailing apps like Uber are available, but public transport is often more convenient. For city travel, trams and buses are reliable and easy to use.
Language and currency
Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh, depending on the region.
German is spoken in the majority of the country, especially in cities like Zurich, Bern, and Basel. French is spoken in the western part of the country, including in cities like Geneva and Lausanne. Italian is mainly spoken in the southern region around Lugano.
Tourists can generally get around with English, as it’s widely spoken in major cities, tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Most signs, menus, and transport information are also available in English, so communication isn’t usually a problem for visitors.
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the main currency in Switzerland. Tourists will need to use Swiss Francs for most transactions. While some major tourist spots or hotels may accept euros, it’s not common. Most places, especially local shops and restaurants, only accept Swiss Francs.
When it comes to payment, credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are widely accepted in cities, restaurants, and hotels, making them convenient for tourists. However, it‘s always good to carry some cash, especially for small purchases, in local markets, or in rural areas where cards may not be accepted.
Visa
Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU), it has implemented a Schengen Area visa policy. This means that it has the same visa policy as those in Schengen State.
If you’re a traveller with a passport from either New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, and most countries in the Americas, you can enter and travel around Switzerland for up to 90 days.
European visitors have freedom of movement, except the UK, who receive 90 days visa-free. Other travellers must apply for a Schengen visa through a Swiis embassy or consulate as early as 6 months prior to your trip.
Cost of 2 weeks in Switzerland
It’s no secret that Switzerland is an expensive country and even more expensive holiday destination. But it’s one of those places where your money is so worth it.
On the other hand, what it will cost you depends on your style of travelling. For example: renting a car vs taking the bus or train, booking a 5-star hotel vs a mid-range hotel, and of cour travelling on your own vs travelling family of 4.
But to give you some perspective, here are some budget guidelines:
For an affordable trip, expect to spend around $1,500 to $2,000, covering budget accommodation like hostels, basic meals, and public transport using passes.
A mid-range trip might cost between $3,000 to $5,000, which includes staying in 3-star hotels, eating at mid-range restaurants, and using trains or renting a car.
A luxury trip could cost upwards of $7,000 to $10,000 or more, offering 5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours, and first-class train or private transport.
Plus the cost of flying to Switzerland, then back home.
Travel arrangement tips
MAP OF TOP SITES AND ACTIVITIES IN SWITZERLAND
Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google
CITIES TO VISIT IN SWITZERLAND
Switzerland may be a small country, but it truly has so much to offer. I believe that most of its major cities have unique features that many visitors would love to see.
In this part, I will show you the cities you want to consider when deciding what to visit during your 2 weeks in Switzerland.
Bern
Bern is the fifth-most populous city in Switzerland. It is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the 6 kilometres of arcade, which is referred to as Lauben by the locals. These are weather-sheltered promenades, which are considered among the longest in Europe.
Bern is a must-visit as it has an overall fairy tale vibe because of its medieval theme. The Aare water is crystal clear as it comes from the glaciers of the Alps, which makes this town so unique.
You should consider going to Bern because it is like a giant open-air museum of local food and artisans. There are also numerous day trips available from here.
Some of the things to do here that come to mind include visiting Bear Park, exploring Einstein Museum, and strolling through the Old Town.
Zurich
Another city that we included in your 2 weeks in Switzerland itinerary is Zurich. It is filled with historic churches, contemporary art museums, and cobbled alleyways.
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. Located in north-central Switzerland, this city is known for its fairytale-like setting because of the lake surrounding the area.
It is a must-visit city because of its unique setting, which is a combination of urban living and nature. Zurich also has a lively nightlife and diverse gastronomic scene, as well as an abundance of museums. A couple of iconic places to visit here are the Rhine Falls, Mount Rigi, and Lindenhof.
Geneva
Geneva is the second-most populous city in Switzerland. It is well-known for its food and infrastructure and is also called “Capital of Peace” because of numerous prominent international organizations headquartered there, such as the United Nations and Red Cross, among others.
It is the birthplace of watchmaking as well. So, for those fond of watches, not only can you browse many shops here, you can also find watchmaking classes to join.
There are numerous things to do and places to visit here, including seeing Lake Geneva by boat, strolling through Jardin de Anglais, and the Old Town, where Place du Bourg-de-Four is located.
Geneva is a city that is close to the French border, so aside from experiencing everything that this city has to offer, you can also easily go to France.
Last but not least is Interlaken, which has some of the oldest and most popular summer holiday resorts in Switzerland. You can go cruising or paragliding, and there’s even an open-air museum here.
Interlaken
Interlaken is a Swiss town and municipality in the Canton of Bern. It is a well-known tourist destination in the region of the Swiss Alps and is the main transport gateway to the region’s lakes and mountains.
In Interlaken, you’ll be able to witness Switzerland’s majestic scenery while in the comfort of a chic lakeside resort. This is also where you can do some summer toboggan run, such as at Heimwehfluh.
There are so many great places to visit here, but I’ll give you a glimpse of my top 3. First is Harder Kulm, where you’ll get to ride a century-old funicular and stand atop a Two Lakes Bridge viewing platform.
Next is Hohematte Park & the Hoheweg, which is surrounded by various vibrant flower beds. Last but not least are St. Beatus Caves & Waterfalls.
2 WEEKS IN SWITZERLAND ITINERARY
There are 2 travel itineraries for you to choose from in this post. You can also simply use these as your guideline and cherry-pick which ones you like the most.
We have an abundance of guides for Europe if you need more help or have more questions:
- 2 weeks in Europe: 6 itineraries
- 2 weeks in Southern Europe: 4 itineraries
- 2-week honeymoon in Europe
- How to plan a 2-week European trip
- Packing for a 2-week trip
- Packing for a 2-week summer trip or 2-week winter trip
Itinerary #1: first-timer (Zurich, Bern, Interlaken)
This itinerary is ideal for first-timers because you can get to experience a little bit of everything.
Zurich is framed by alpine mountains and set alongside a shimmering lake.Don’t forget to take a dip at what the locals call badi, which is an open-air swimming pool.
Next stop is Bern, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its well-preserved Old Town, projecting roofs, and street-level arcades. It also has events all year around, such as Gurtenfestival and summer and winter jazz festivals, among others.
Lastly, you can go on a lot of day trips from here as well. The last stop is Interlaken, where you can ride Switzerland’s oldest steam railway, go to tons of falls, and walk to Unspunnen Castle.
Zurich for 5 days
You should start your trip for your two weeks in Switzerland in Zurich because aside from having the largest international airport and having vibrant nightlife and a fancy shopping scene.
You can visit the Swiss Mountains in less than an hour if you’re the type of person who prefers peace and quiet. For those who prefer attending events, there’s an annual street parade, which is one of the country’s biggest party events.
There are also tons of outdoor activities that you can do here, such as hiking the Schauenberg Nordic Trail or strolling around its numerous parks.
Bern for 4 days
The distance between Zurich and Bern is 121.6 km (75.56 miles). In order to reach Bern, if you’re from Zurich, the cheapest option is to ride the bus. Tickets cost between $7 and $ 18.
Other options include riding the train, using Rideshare, or driving. Flying is not necessary as the two places are near each other and can be easily reached by land travel.
Interlaken for 5 days
You can spend 5 days here because after exploring Interlaken, you can also go on a day trip to Gelmerbahn – famous for a toboggan or Naturpark Diemtigtal – for those visiting during winter.
Interlaken is 56.4 km (35.05 miles) from Bern. For those who have Interlaken as their next destination, I highly recommend that you ride the train because the tickets only cost about $10, and the travel time is less than an hour. You can also ride the night bus, taxi, or drive.
You should end your trip here because there are tons of interesting things that you can do here, such as skiing during the winter, parachuting, and hiking. The food and chocolates are also must-tries.
Itinerary #2: Busy Plan (Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Interlaken)
This itinerary is suitable for travellers who prefer to be able to visit a lot of different places within 2 weeks.
The first stop is Zurich, where you can walk along the lakeshore to Zurichhorn Park, visit the Museum of Fine Arts, and the town of Lindenhof.
Next up is Bern, where you can take advantage of a Gruyeres Cheese and Cailler Chocolate tasting tour. Check out the Bern fountains, as this city has a staggering number (100) of fountains.
In Geneva, you can immerse yourself in the Bohemian lifestyle, check out the vibrant and multicultural neighbourhood of the Bains District, and hike to the top of La Saleve.
You can also do paragliding, mountain biking, or rock climbing in that area. Interlaken is your last stopover for this vacation.
Here, you can explore Lake Brienz by boat or go to St. Beatus Caves, or if you’re adventurous, you can bungee jump, do canyoning, paragliding tandem, and discover hiking trails.
Zurich for 4 days
Zurich is a fascinating and delightful place. From its old town filled with Renaissance and medieval buildings to its lake lined with parks and promenades, you’ll be able to unwind to the fullest because of its historical and laid-back vibe.
It is also a perfect base camp because there are tons of day trips that you can avail of here, such as Lake Lucerne, Mount Titlis, Jungfraujoch, the Bernese Oberland, and even the nearby Black Forest region of Germany.
Bern for 3 days
If you’re coming to Bern from Zurich, I highly recommend that you ride the bus. It has a travel time of less than two hours, with tickets costing between $7 and $19. You can also ride the train, drive, or use Rideshare.
Geneva for 3 days
The distance between Bern and Geneva is 159.5 km (99.11 miles). The best option is to ride the bus, with a travel time of 2 hours and 20 minutes. Tickets cost anywhere between $11 and $24.
Other options include riding the train, using Rideshare, or driving. Flying is actually not advisable because it is way more expensive and will take an even longer time to reach your destination.
Interlaken for 4 days
Interlaken is 215.6 km (134 miles) from Geneva. There are tons of ways to reach Interlaken, the best of which is by driving, as it is also the cheapest. It has a travel duration of more than two hours. You can also ride the train or ride a bus.
You should finish your 2 weeks in Switzerland here because the city actually offers adventurous and stunning experiences that you won’t forget any time soon.
It is surrounded by the Alps Mountains, and you can do tons of activities here, including paragliding, skydiving, and bungee jumping. You can also board the train at one of the highest railroad stations in Europe here.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN SWITZERLAND (per city)
Bern
- Zytglogge (Clock Tower)
- Federal Palace of Switzerland
- Bear Park
- Bern Cathedral (Münster of Bern)
- Rosengarten (Rose Garden)
- Bern Historical Museum
- Gurten Mountain
- Einstein House
- Botanical Garden of Bern
- Aare River
Geneva
- Jet d’Eau
- United Nations Headquarters (Palais des Nations)
- Lake Geneva
- St. Pierre Cathedral
- Jardin Anglais (English Garden)
- Museum of Art and History
- Reformation Wall
- Parc des Bastions
- International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
- Mont Salève (via cable car)
Interlaken
- Harder Kulm
- Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe)
- Lake Thun
- Lake Brienz
- Paragliding over Interlaken
- Schynige Platte
- St. Beatus Caves
- Höhematte Park
- Trummelbach Falls
- Adventure sports (canyoning, rafting)
Zurich
- Lake Zurich
- Bahnhofstrasse
- Old Town (Altstadt)
- Swiss National Museum
- Lindenhof Hill
- Zurich Zoo
- Kunsthaus Zurich (Art Museum)
- Uetliberg Mountain
- Fraumünster Church
- Grossmünster Church
LOCAL SWISS DISHES AND DRINKS TO TRY
Personally, I’m not a fan of savoury Swiss dishes, but their sweets and desserts are just to die for. Chocolate alone is just perfect, and the cheese is heavenly and well-priced.
Swiss cuisine reflects its geography and cultural influences from neighboring countries like France, Germany, and Italy. Each region has its own unique dishes, but overall, Swiss food is known for its simplicity and hearty flavors, often using dairy, potatoes, and meats.
Like French cuisine, Swiss dishes often feature fine cheeses and breads. German influences bring sausages and rosti, while Italian-inspired dishes like risotto and polenta are popular in the southern part of Switzerland.
Make sure to try some traditional food during your trip. Here are some that I recommend:
- Fondue
- Raclette
- Rösti
- Zürcher Geschnetzeltes
- Älplermagronen
- Saffron Risotto
- Swiss sausages (Cervelat)
- Polenta
- Swiss Chocolate
- Nusstorte (Nut Cake)
- Vermicelles (Chestnut Puree)
- Rivella (Swiss soft drink)
- Swiss wine (like Fendant or Pinot Noir)
- Glühwein (Mulled Wine)
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SWITZERLAND
Bern
- Affordable: ibis Styles or Bern Backpackers Hotel
- Mid-range: Hotel Landhaus or Best Western Plus or Am Pavillion Bed&Kitchen
- Luxury: Romantik Hotel Landhaus or Prize by Radisson or Kreuz Hotel or Moxy Bern Expo
Geneva
- Affordable: ibis Budget or Meininger Hotel
- Mid-range: B&B Hotel or Holiday Inn Express
- Luxury: Hotel Longemalle or Crowne Plaza or Hotel Montana or Hotel d’Alleves
Interlaken
- Affordable: Interlaken Youth Hostel or Adventure Hostel Interlaken
- Mid-range: Hotel Central Continental or Alpenrose Hotel and Gardens or Hotel Berghof Amaranth
- Luxury: Hotel Chalet Swiss or Chalet-Gafri B&B or CityChalet or Hotel Fassbind Beausite
Zurich
- Affordable to Mid-range: Nani City Hotel or Hotel Marta or Leonardo Boutique Hotel or Hotel Bristol
- Luxury: 25hours Hotel or Hotel Adler or Ruby Mimi Hotel or citizenM
SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN SWITZERLAND
You must visit Switzerland at least once in your lifetime because it has hiking places like no other, it’s world-renowned cuisine, and it is basically a photographer’s haven because it’s considered one of the most scenic places in Europe; you’ll even see the world’s most photographed mountain here.
In this country, you’ll also get to experience train rides like nowhere else because the view is so scenic that some even remind me of the train routes in Harry Potter.
I hope that this list of 2 weeks in Switzerland itineraries helped you visualise and plan what you upcoming holiday would look like.
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