Best Day Trips from Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland - Rooftops view on Zurich city center, Switzerland. Seen from Lindenhof hill

Located at the foothills of the magnificent Swiss Alps, known world-wide for the exquisite chocolate and the tranquil lake in its centre, Zurich is a popular destination for tourists visiting Switzerland.

Yes, it is a gourmet capital known for its cheese and wines, but going to Zurich you can also expect a wide offer of cultural activities and events. Tour around the many art galleries, visit the city’s parks and wander around the cobbled alleyways admiring the architecture of Zurich’s old town.

Football fans would want to visit the FIFA Museum and avid shoppers will not be disappointed with Zurich’s boutique offer either.

With loads to explore within the city, there are even more amazing Swiss attractions waiting just a day trip away! Let us guide you through the best day trips from Zurich!

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Day trip from Zurich to the Rhine Falls

Carefully protected by the Swiss government, and since 1983 listed as natural monuments of national importance, the Rhine Falls are Switzerland’s pride and a popular tourist attraction.

It is believed that the falls are around 15.000 years old; they were created when the Rhine River was redirected into a new riverbed due to the tectonic shifts during the Ice Age. And with their height of 23 metres and a breadth of 150 meters, the Rhine Falls count as the largest waterfall in Europe!

There are boat tours on the Rhine Falls; some of them go to tourist attractions like the castles of Wörth and Laufen.

Other cruises are simply circular boat tours that allow the visitors to observe the magnificent landscape and come closer to a famous, mighty rock, a central element of the Rhine Falls.

If you want to add more activity (and some thrill!) to your day trip to the Rhine Falls, you can also look into renting canoes and try canoeing on your own!

A getaway to the Rhine Falls is one of the easy day trips from Zurich by train! Jump on a train to either ‘Neuhausen Rheinfall’ or ‘Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall’ station. In total, your train ride will not take more than one hour; both railway stations are located very close to the Rhine Falls.

Day trip from Zurich to the Rhine Falls

Rhine Falls, Rheinfall, Switzerland panoramic aerial view. Tourists boats in waterfall. Cliff-top Schloss Laufen castle, Laufen-Uhwiesen. View of Neuhausen am Rheinfall town in the background

Day trip from Zurich to Mount Titlis

Want to spend your day surrounded by the magnificent Swiss Alps, trying out a full range of fun activities and crowning your day with an exquisite meal?

We recommend a Mount Titlis day tour from Zurich. Crowning 3000 meters above sea level, Mount Titlis offers breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps and the Mount Titlis summit station is filled with restaurants and fun attractions.

Mount Titlis tours start in Engelberg (it is up to you whether you want to arrange transportation from Zurich to Engelberg on your own or join an organized Zurich to Mt Titlis day tour) where you onboard the famous revolving cable car.

Offering its passengers a 360-degrees view of the Alpine scenery, the cable car of Mount Titlis is world-famous attraction.

Mount Titlis is a year-round destination for Zurich day trips (lifts usually operate between 9 AM – 5 PM, but the opening times depend on the weather conditions). The best time for skiing is the winter season – from December to March. 

Add some thrill to your Mount Titlis day tour from Zurich and check out the Cliff Walk! One of the highest suspension bridges in Europe, it is a true nerve-tester! Close to the Cliff Walk, you will find the Ice Flyer chairlift to the Glacier Park, where you can race down the slope on special rubber tires.

Day trip from Zurich to Mount Titlis

Mount Titlis and other high mountains seen from Mount Stanserhorn, Switzerland.

Day trip from Zurich to Mount Pilatus 

Mount Pilatus is one of the most picturesque gems of Switzerland. An easy destination to reach from the nearby city of Lucerne, it is also a popular spot for day trips from Zurich. If you are looking for ideas for family day trips from Zurich to the Alps, Mount Pilatus would be a great choice too.

Pilatus consists of several peaks; Tomlishorn is the mountain’s highest. Apart from its magnificent mountain tops, Mount Pilatus is also famous for the cogwheel railway – the steepest of its kind in the world!

Until today, the railway has remained unchanged; it is still the same as in 1889 when it opened and was exhibited during the World Fair in Paris.

Apart from the cable car ride, Mount Pilatus offers loads of fun activities. Try the popular snowshoeing or join one of the “Astronomy Evenings” organized from March through November. Gaze through professional equipment and learn more about stars and planetary systems of our own and other galaxies!

Mount Pilatus is also a… gourmet food spot! You will find exquisite restaurants and you can book special food tours like the “Fondue Fun” or brunches!

Sunday brunch on Mount Pilatus could be a fun family activity. The cable car ascent and descent are included in the price, and after your meal, there will be time for a stroll too!

Day trip from Zurich to Mount Pilatus 

Mount Pilatus aerial cabelway above cliffs and Lake Lucerne landscape, Switzerland

Day trip from Zurich to Lucerne 

One of the easiest day trips from Zurich by train is a getaway to Lucerne. This atmospheric Swiss town is only 52 kilometres (48-minute-long train ride) away from Zurich. Start your explorations in the charming old town.

Free of cars, the cobbled alleyways invite to leisurely meander around and admire the painted houses. On Kornmarkt you will find the old town hall. The “Altes Rathaus” (in German) dates back to the 17th century and it is mostly associated with its renaissance arcades. 

Lucerne is also home to the most-visited museum in Switzerland: the Swiss Museum of Transport! Get ready to see Switzerland’s first diesel locomotive, an astonishing collection of vehicles (commercial and military) and even aircrafts!

The museum is more than vehicles though; the site now houses Switzerland’s first IMAX cinema and a planetarium. Foodies will not be disappointed either, as there is a new “Swiss Chocolate Adventure” to explore!

If Zurich’s vibrant art scene is not quite satisfying your creative cravings, head straight to Lucerne’s Rosengart Collection. Founded by Siegfried Rosengart and his daughter Angela, the collection houses artworks by masters like Monet, Picasso, and Miró.

Another must-visit from/around Lucerne is Lake Lucerne – nestled where the Swiss Alps begin. To get the most out of your tour, we recommend a separate Lake Lucerne day trip from Zurich; read more below!

Day trip from Zurich to Lucerne 

Beauty old building near the Lucerne city in central Switzerland

Day trip from Zurich to Lake Lucerne

Often described as “The Heart of Switzerland”, Lake Lucerne is bordered by the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Swiss Alps. Boat tours on Lake Lucerne are some of our most recommended day trips from Zurich in summer.

During high season, the boats sail several times a day. If you join the morning or afternoon cruise, you will have the chance to admire the stunning landscape of the majestic Swiss Alps with natural sunlight.

If you choose the evening cruise, you can catch stunning views of the setting sun or join a special dinner cruise and enjoy an exquisite meal onboard. (Even if you do not book a meal with your cruise, it is always possible to buy refreshments from the onboard bar.)

For the best views, you can take a seat on the upper deck and listen to your audio guide to learn about the areas, cities, and places of interest that you will see from the boat.

Located at the Northwest shore of Lake Lucerne, the city of Lucerne is only a train ride away from Zurich, so you can even arrange this day trip on your own.

From Pier no. 7 you can jump on a 1-hour-long panoramic sightseeing cruise or you can join one of the daily sailings to Fluelen, located at the Southeast tip of the lake.

Day trip from Zurich to Lake Lucerne

Lucerne, Switzerland - Cityscape of Lucerne along Lake Lucerne and the Reuss river. Lucerne is a city in central Switzerland, the capital of the canton of Lucerne.

Day trip from Zurich to Bern 

Did you know that Bern Old Town is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site? The stunning historic city centre is not the only tourist temptation in the Swiss capital though. Make sure not to miss Bern Cathedral – the tallest church in Switzerland.

Walk up more than 400 steps to the top of the cathedral spire. The stunning views of the Swiss Alps are worth every single step! Inside the cathedral, you can admire “The Last Judgement” sculpture piece and carved choir stalls that date back to the 16th century.

Add Bern Historical Museum to your itinerary too! Apart from expositions of artefacts and handcrafts (like tapestries), the institution also houses a separate museum dedicated to Albert Einstein with footage and objects that illustrate Einstein’s time in Bern.

Hungry for more museum explorations? Visit the Museum of Fine Arts – the oldest art museum in Switzerland! Some pieces date back to the middle ages, but you will also find a lot of contemporary art; from paintings and sculptures through photography and new media works.

If you are looking for day trips from Zurich in November Bern is an interesting place to be! Held annually, on the fourth Monday of every November is the “Zibelemärit” (“Onion Market”) – a traditional folk festival for which over 50 tons of onions and garlic are brought to the Swiss capital!

Day trip from Zurich to Bern 

Zytglogge is a landmark medieval clock tower in Bern city in Switzerland

Day trip from Zurich to Mount Rigi

Are you familiar with the Swiss “Queen of the Mountains”? A frequently-visited peak in the Swiss Alps, Mount Rigi attracts all kinds of visitors. From families to adventurous hikers; even travellers longing for a wellness getaway will not be disappointed! 

The first attraction will be the tour up to Mount Rigi. With its nine cogwheel railways, the peak can be accessed from different locations/bases.

Take your seat and enjoy the cable car ride; admire the pristine scenery of the Swiss Alps – photography enthusiasts should remember their cameras! Note that the cable car operating status depends on the weather conditions; check the update online before you go!

Mount Rigi is a spot where you will find SPA facilities and mineral baths; the ultimate wellness experience awaits, and if you want to make it extra special, check out the “night bathing by candlelight”!

If you, instead, want to spoil your taste buds, look into Mount Rigi culinary tours! Balance your inner foodie with your inner adventurer and check out some of the incredible hiking paths around the peaks and plateaus!

On the official website of Mount Rigi, you will not only find detailed descriptions of the paths but also see a map of the best viewpoints! Also, check the website for events’ calendar like the Carnival or special Full Moon events!

Day trip from Zurich to Mount Rigi

Panoramic landscape view of meadows, mountain ranges and snowy mountain peaks from the top of Rigi Klum, Mount Rigi in Switzerland

Interlaken Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland day trip from Zurich

Looking for an opportunity to explore the Bernese Oberland (in English also referred to as “Bernese highlands”) on a day trip where all you have to do is… sit back and enjoy the sights? We are sure you will enjoy an Interlaken & Grindelwald day trip from Zurich. 

Your tour will start in central Zurich; a comfortable mini-van will drive you through the Bernese Oberland to Interlaken, a stunning resort tranquilly nestled at the foothill of the Swiss Alps, between Lake Thun (known among sailors and windsurfers) and Lake Brienz (famous for its turquoise waters).

Your guide will give you some time to wander around, maybe stop for a tea or a snack at one of the atmospheric local cafés. The tour will then continue towards Grindelwald, known as “Glacier Village”.

Explore it on your own! There will be time to walk around but you can also choose to take the cable car up to the viewing deck at the summit of Mount First. From there you can admire the breathtaking scenery of the snow-capped tops of the Swiss Alps.

Before you venture out on your own, your guide will advise you when to meet again to onboard the van back to Zurich. This day tour is one of our suggestions for weekend day trips from Zurich – exchange the urban bustle for tranquil resort towns!

Interlaken Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland day trip from Zurich

Grindelwald, Switzerland aerial village view and autumn Swiss Alps mountains panorama landscape, wooden chalets on green fields and high peaks in background, Bernese Oberland, Europe

Day trip from Zurich to Jungfraujoch 

Welcome to the “Top of Europe”! Jungfraujoch, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site is popular for Zurich day trips. For a hassle-free experience, book the trip with an agency. Saturdays and Sundays are busy in the city, so Jungfraujoch getaways are good weekend day trips from Zurich

The tour will start in central Zurich; jump on a bus that will drive you through the Bernese highlands (also known as Bernese Oberland). Admire the scenery with the magnificent Swiss Alps! After 2 hours you will arrive in Kleine Scheidegg. From there, Jungfraujoch (with Europe’s highest situated railway station) is only a train ride away! 

Jungfraujoch awaits with treasures and attractions; make sure to visit the Ice Palace. It is open all year, and its winding corridors with ice sculptures and impressive artworks attract tourists of all ages!

The Jungfrau region is a great place for hiking, but going on an (unguided) trek around Jungfraujoch would not be safe.

Rather, carve out some time to visit the Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory (one of the world’s highest astronomical observatories!) from where you get amazing views of the Aletsch Glacier (the longest of its kind in Europe) and more snow-capped mountain tops of the stunning Swiss Alps.

The Jungfraujoch Sphinx Observatory also has a panoramic restaurant where you can buy refreshments and relax before heading back to Zurich.

Day trip from Zurich to Jungfraujoch 

Jungfraujoch, Switzerland aerial view of colorful autumn trees in Swiss Alps, Jungfrau snow mountain peaks panorama landscape, Europe

Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich

Foodies will surely appreciate this Zurich day trip recommendation! Book an experience that caters to your sweet tooth and satisfies all your gourmet cravings! Prepare to tour around the city of Zurich exploring its artisan confectioners and getting to know independent chocolate producers. 

Accompanied by a local guide, you will learn about the chocolate production processes, get to know more about Zurich’s history of chocolate manufacturing and, of course, have the opportunity to taste the exquisite, locally made chocolates.

You will be offered to taste the Swiss pralines and champagne truffles, but there will also be samples of Luxemburgerli that might remind you of the French macarons.

They are sweet meringue-based bites with soft cream filling. (They come in various colours and you will often find them carefully wrapped in beautiful gift-boxes; a great idea for a souvenir!)

A Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich is a short day trip, recommended for solo travellers, couples and families.

While walking around the city you will also see many of its architectural highlights and important landmarks like the famous Grossmünster Church and Lindehof that, of course, your guide will tell you more about.

Booking a gastronomy walking tour around Zurich is a fun (and tasty!) way of getting to know the city better and learning more about Swiss cuisine and culinary traditions. 

Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich

Lindt Chocolate Shop in Jungfraujoch Station. Lindt is a Swiss chocolatier founded in 1845.

Zurich City Highlights Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride

This guided Zurich day trip is an amazing way to learn more about the city and its history, get introduced to Zurich’s most popular landmarks and embrace the beautiful sights of Swiss Alps surrounding the city. 

Your day trip will start with a panoramic sightseeing tour with a comfortable bus. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, you will drive past some of the city’s most significant landmarks and institutions like the Swiss National Museum.

Drive through the city’s financial district towards Zurich Opera House and the Old Town. There will be time to wander around the old town centre (Zurich’s “Altstadt”) and make sure to have your camera with you to photograph Europe’s largest clock face (mounted on Zurich’s St Peter’s Church).

Next on your day trip itinerary is a cruise on Lake Zurich towards Horgen, after which the tour will continue to Adliswil from where you will onboard a cable car to Felsenegg. Located 800 meters above sea level it is a popular (and very easily accessible) sightseeing point.

Enjoy some free time on your own; admire the scenery with snow-capped Swiss Alps and Lake Zurich. Drive back and drop-off in central Zurich is included in the tour.

Zurich City Highlights Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride

scenic view of historic Zurich city center with famous Fraumunster and Grossmunster Churches and river Limmat at Lake Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland

Recommended Day Trips from Zurich

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Best Day Trips from Zurich
Best Day Trips from Zurich
Best Day Trips from Zurich

Author

  • Samantha King

    Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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