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13 day itinerary to Switzerland and one more country?

Hello, first time planning a trip to Switzerland and feeling a bit overwhelmed with the planning so am here to look for some advice!

Am flying in and out of Zurich at the end of August and am thinking of combining Switzerland with one more country. Probably Switzerland for 9 days (main focus) and another country for 4?
The flights are already booked, and top priorities for my group (oldest 60y/o) are nice scenic nature places, hikes (easy to moderate are ok), museums aren't really our thing.

I found it a bit tough to plan a round trip with another country but was either thinking Austria (Innsbruck)/ Milan or even Liechtenstien?

Was planning to:

  • Day 1: travel from Zurich to Interlaken (explore both lakes) and base ourselves at Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen for the first 4 days
  • Day 2: hike around lake oeschinen
  • Day 3: Grindelwald + Jungfrau
  • Day 4: explore Lauterbrunnen

(base at Zermatt)

Day 5: Zermatt for 2 days?

Day 6: Zermatt

Day 7: Head to the east go explore Engadine valley??

Day 8: hike at mottas muragi?

Day 9-12: Austria??

Day 13: Back to Switzerland, maybe Lucern for half a day and back to Zurich to catch our flight at night

Am in a dilemma to either explore the east and head to Austria? Is it worth the long travel to explore the east? As I don't think we're too keen on the Glacier Express.
Or skip the east and head down south to possibly explore Milan. Am not too picky about the other country we explore.
Or solely focusing on Switzerland is an option too ><

Any inputs would be really useful, thank you!

Posted by
6170 posts

Switzerland has more than enough incredible destinations for two weeks. You are going at a great time of year. Enjoy all that the Alps have to offer. Safe travels,

Posted by
797 posts

With less than 2 weeks, just focus on Switzerland. You’ll see more that way and places like Liechtenstein & Milan don’t fit your wish list, while Austria is cumbersome to add if you have to come back to Zurich.

Perhaps something like one of these two suggestions:

Day 1: Zurich > Jungfrau Region (stay in Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or Grindelwald)
Day 2: Wengen/Mannlichen/Kleine Scheidegg/optional Jungfraujoch
Day 3: Mürren/Schilthorn/Gimmelwald/Lauterbrunnen
Day 4: Oeschinensee or Schynige Platte
Day 5: Lake Brienz or Lake Thun
Day 6: Jungfrau Region > Zermatt
Day 7: Zermatt/Gornergrat
Day 8: Buffer for weather to do Zermatt/ Gornergrat
Day 9: Glacier Express scenic train ride to Pontresina
Day 10: Engadine area
Day 11: Engadine area
Day 12: Pontresina > Luzern
Day 13: Luzern > Zürich Airport

Day 1: Zurich > Jungfrau Region (stay in Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or Grindelwald)
Day 2: Wengen/Mannlichen/Kleine Scheidegg/optional Jungfraujoch
Day 3: Mürren/Schilthorn/Gimmelwald/Lauterbrunnen
Day 4: Oeschinensee

Day 5: Lake Brienz or Lake Thun
Day 6: Schynige Platte
Day 7: Jungfrau Region > Zermatt
Day 8: Zermatt/Gornergrat
Day 9: Buffer for weather to do Zermatt/ Gornergrat
Day 10: Zermatt > Luzern
Day 11: Day trip to Lugano/Morcote via Gotthard tunnel to experience Italian culture

Day 12: Luzern/Rigi
Day 13: Luzern > Zürich Airport