Switzerland 10 Days - July 2025

Yes, starting in Basel works. You could do Bern for a day on the way to Lauterbrunnen. Basel is 1 1/2 hours by the once/hr direct train from the airport, or more frequent departures in a bit less time with a connection at Zurich HB.

The only thing I’d do is take 1 night from Basel and add it to the Berner Oberland. 4 full days. That’s all I can add. Paul

Don't forget about the Cabrio open air cable cat to Mt Stanserhorn- very close to Lucerne. Covered by the STP. The kids should love an open air cable car.
Basel is also so close to Colmar and Strasburg- so charming.
Have a wonderful family trip. Safe travels!

Thanks so much for the replies.

If my trip ends in Lucerne, is the train to Zurich Airport short and nonstop in order to make a morning flight back to US?

Train from Luzern to the airport is currently a connection at Zurich HB, but it is an easy one. Get off the train from Luzern and take the escalator on the platform down one level to the under passage, walk a few yards to the escalator marked for your airport connection (usually #33 or #34) and take that down another level and your train should right there. Luzern to Zurich airport is just over 1 hour. First departure is at 4:52 am and about every half hour from then.

Of course, this could change by next summer. There used to be direct trains from Luzern to the airport, but currently you have to connect at Zurich HB.

I did a similar trip in Sept. 2021. My trip report might give you some ideas:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/still-dreaming-of-switzerland-a-trip-report

Thank you again; wonderful feedback :)

I found a reasonably priced flight that departs Zurich at 8:30 a.m. on my way back to the US. With a flight this early in the morning, would it make sense to stay close to the Zurich Airport the night before, or would it be okay (not too stressful) to stay in Lucerne the last night?

Thanks again.

I just put in a random date in SBB and it looks like the earliest train you could take from Lucerne is 4:52, getting you to the airport at 6:12. This would not be enough time for me. I like to get to the airport at least 3 hours before my flight time. I have also been in some long passport control lines in Zurich. Although that early in the morning might not be bad.

If it was me, I would take a later flight or stay in Zurich the night before.

You haven't mentioned budget concerns, but I'll just point out that 2 of the 3 things you mention doing from Basel are outside Switzerland. Lodging in Basel will probably be much, much more costly than nearby options in France and Germany.

To save money, would it then be possible to fly into and out of Zurich and stay in one of the towns in either France or Germany? I am open making one of the bases outside of Basel (France or Germany). Where would you recommend staying?
Thanks again.

Sure, it’s easy to get to France and Germany from the Zurich airport. You most likely will change trains in Basel.

Freiberg is a good option. I like the Basel location though because it is convenient to both Freiberg and then Colmar and Strasbourg. And, I like Basel.

If you book early, like now, you might be able to find a good price on a Basel hotel. And I would compare the price to a hotel in France or Germany. Don’t just assume you will save a lot. I don’t recall my Basel hotel--Hotel Schweizerhof—being terribly expensive. And it was so convenient to the trains and trams. Sometimes a good location is worth a little more.

I wouldn't give Basel three nights, unless those places are really important to you. I would add a night to Wengen or Lucerne, or use it to stay in Zurich at the end if you need to be close to the airport.

We stayed at the Hotel Krafft in Basel after a river cruise. For Switzerland, the price was "reasonable". We had a wonderful room with a balcony and a view of the Rhine and the old town. Breakfast was excellent and all sights were in walking distance. The tram was right outside.

Thank you all again for the replies. As I continue to research, I did not realize Basel has an airport that I can fly out of (with only one stop) so that slightly changes my itinerary. Please see below, and I am definitely open to tweaking the itinerary.

Base 1: Fly into Zurich and Train to Lucerne (2 Nights): Explore Lucerne and Mt Rigi or Cabrio Open Air Cable Car to Mt Stanserhorn

Base 2: Wengen or Lauterbrunnen (4 Nights): Visit Schlithorn, Jungfrau, Murren, Gimmelwald

Base 3: Basel (4 Nights): Day Trips to Bern, Freiberg (Germany), and Colmar (France), Fly out of Basel

I like the new itinerary. With Freiberg and Colmar being so close to Switzerland, it’s not a bad idea to include them for some variety. Sure, you could spend all your time in Switzerland, but you don’t have to.

I’m not familiar with Basel airport so hopefully some else will comment on that part.