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Perugia, Italy to Switzerland

Hi everyone!

My partner and I will be traveling to Perugia, Italy, this May (2025) for a wedding. Due to the Roman Jubilee, we're flying out of Zurich to save on flight costs.

We'll be leaving Perugia on the morning of Monday, May 26, and making our way north to Zurich by Thursday, May 29. Since we’ll have about 24 hours in Zurich before flying home, we’d love to make the most of our journey by experiencing a bit of Switzerland along the way!

Our main dilemma is choosing a stop (or stops) in Switzerland as we travel north. We considered Lucerne, but the journey could take 7–10 hours depending on transportation, making it a long travel day. While staying in Italy might be the easiest option, we've both explored Italy quite a bit and are eager to experience Switzerland since we're heading to Zurich anyway.

We're open to either:

  • Visiting multiple towns over the three days
  • Staying in one spot with the option for a day trip or two

We’d love recommendations on which Swiss towns or cities to visit along the way from Perugia to Zurich. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

Posted by
21543 posts

You can get to Lugano in under 6 hours with only 2 train changes. Spend 1 night there, then take the Treno Gottardo after a train to Bellinzona or go whole hog and take the Gotthard Panorama Express that includes the last leg by boat to Luzern. Spend 2 nights in Luzern, then take a direct train in the morning to Zurich airport for the flight home.

Posted by
2678 posts

but the journey could take 7–10 hours depending on transportation,
making it a long travel day

Its a long day, but it is not like you are driving it. Train travel is very different, and I often travel 10 hours or more by train, and do not see it as hardship at all. On a train you can move about. You can eat, drink. Look at the landscape, read...