Ultimate Day Trip from Zurich Ideas: Lucerne Or Adventure in Bern—A Day Packed with Swiss Charm
Discover two exhilarating day trip options from Zurich, featuring exciting activities! We'll provide you the best itineraries for both Lucerne and Bern.
If you are lucky enough to have more time to spend here, then you can totally modify it to fit your needs. These cities can also be day trips from other areas in Switzerland as well so definitely keep them on your list of must-visit! We can’t wait to share our recommendations!
Preview:
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Adventure 1: Adventure to Lucerne
Let’s embark on a whirlwind Swiss adventure with a day trip from Zurich to Lucerne, a picturesque gem nestled in the heart of Switzerland. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Lake Lucerne and explore historic landmarks!
Breakfast
Have breakfast at your hotel in Zurich or a local establishment to be fueled up for your jam-packed day!
Train to Lucerne
The Swiss transport system prides itself on running on time, so you can plan your perfect train times. Pick the time that works best for you!
Once you board a train bound for Lucerne, the scenic journey will take around one hour.
Self-Guided Walking Tour
You will be in awe of the captivating charm the city holds and can easily spend all day doing this!
Lake Lucerne
Start your adventure at Lake Lucerne, also known as the Vierwaldstättersee, and take in the breathtaking views of the water and mountains.
Consider a boat ride on the Lake for even more views!
Marvel at the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)
Europe's oldest wooden bridge from the 14th century. Don't forget to look up to admire the paintings beneath its roof!
Explore Lucerne Town Hall
You might even stumble upon local markets.
Visit the Jesuit Church
Cross the Spreuer Bridge
Musegg wall and Towers
This Musegg wall with its nine towers, offering a glimpse into Switzerland's medieval past. There are a lot of stairs in the towers, but the views are worth it!
Lion of Lucerne Monument
Pay your respects here and explore the Bourbaki Panorama.
Hof Church
Beautiful Church of St. Leodegar
Lunch
Whenever you are hungry, don’t forget to make a stop for lunch! Relish local cuisine at one of Lucerne's charming restaurants. Some options include traditional Swiss dishes like Rösti, Berner Platte, and cheese fondue.
Lucerne is so beautiful and you can spend all day here soaking up the charm of this lovely Swiss City!
Activity options:
Consider an evening relaxing boat tour, a stroll around the charming city, grabbing drinks at a brewery, or just chilling.
If you are looking for more guided tours and mountain views and experiences here are our top picks:
Enjoy a dinner in Lucerne then head back to Zurich.
Adventure 2: Daytrip to Bern
Let’s experience the charm of Bern on a fun filled day trip from Zurich. Immerse yourself in the historic Old Town, stroll along the enchanting cobbled streets, and marvel at the UNESCO-listed landmarks. Discover the rich culture, cuisine, and picturesque scenery of Switzerland's capital city in just one lovely day.
We depart on a train to Bern that is about 1 hour from Zurich.
Self Guided Walking Tour Begins!
Start your exploration at Kleine Schanze
A short walk from the train station
Parliament Building (Bundeshaus)
Admire the stunning Bundeshaus- which serves as the seat of the Swiss federal government. While tours may not be available at all times, the architecture is a sight to behold.
Stroll by the Aare River
Take a leisurely stroll along the Aare River, enjoying picturesque views.
Visit Bärengraben
Meet Bern's famous bears! Bears located in the heart of a city!
Explore the Rosengarten (Rose Garden)
A short hike up for lovely panoramic city vistas!
Bern's Old Town (Altstadt)
Discover the charms of Bern's Old Town with its historical landmarks including: Einstein House, Zytglogge astronomical clock, and Bern Cathedral (Berner Münster). The cathedral does have a tower with amazing views!
Dinner
End your Bernese adventure with dinner at a rooftop restaurant, where you can savor the city skyline.
When you are ready take the train back to your accommodations in Zurich.
Modifications/Tips
A day trip from Zurich to Lucerne or Bern offers a glimpse into the enchanting beauty and rich history of Switzerland. From stunning lakeside views to medieval architecture, and Swiss delectable cuisine, both adventure promises a day of unforgettable memories!
If your itinerary allows, you can even consider adding on a night in Lucerne instead of a daytrip from Zurich to enjoy even more Swiss Charm. We were headed to Interlaken and Zermatt for mountain excursions next, thus we skipped the mountain excursion from Lucerne. However, it is a great option if you have time! See the links above.
If you stay in Lucerne, you can also take a daytrip to Bern (also ~1 hour away via train).
There are so many options and such a great train system makes it flexible and easy to plan your perfect trip!
Both day trip options are wonderful and you can’t go wrong with either! See our 24 hours in Zurich for the ultimate things to do!
If you want to embark on our exhilarating 10-day adventure across Switzerland- Check out the linked blog posts for detailed itineraries and insights. Our journey kicked off in Zurich, where we enjoyed a 2-night stay and took a picturesque day trip to Lucerne. Next, we hopped on a train to Interlaken, spending a thrilling 4 days exploring the area and a quick getaway to Bern. Zermatt was our next stop for an unforgettable overnight stay, followed by a breathtaking train ride to Montreux, where we indulged in a delightful two-night stay. Our grand finale was in Geneva, which we explored for a day before concluding our journey with a flight back home. Feel free to tailor your time in each city to suit your preferences! Let the adventure begin! 🚂✈️🇨🇭
Thank you for reading!
