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Switzerland & Paris August 2026

Posted by (New York) on

Hi all,

I am planning a summer trip with my family. It’s been my mom’s dream to visit Switzerland, but we also want to include Paris since my sisters (9 and 7) are excited to visit Disneyland.

This is our tentative plan:

Day 1: Land in Paris at 11:00 am. Check in and freshen up, then visit the Eiffel Tower. Walk along the Seine River. Optional quick stop at the Arc de Triomphe. River cruise at night.

Day 2: Full day at Disneyland Paris (planning to stay for fireworks).

Day 3: Catch the RER suburban train by 8:00 to arrive early at the Palace of Versailles (before it opens at 9:00), then tour the château and explore the gardens. Return to Paris and visit Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur.

Day 4: Visit the Louvre Museum in the morning, then take the train from Paris to Interlaken (using Interlaken as a base).

Day 5: Explore Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Considering Brienz Rothorn Bahn and possibly a boat cruise.

Day 6: Visit Lauterbrunnen Valley, see Staubbach Falls, then head up to Mürren.

Day 7: Explore Grindelwald and visit First Cliff Walk.

Day 8: Day trip to Oeschinen Lake in the morning. Then head to Zurich, visit the Lindt Home of Chocolate, and explore Old Town. Spend the night there.

Day 9: Fly out of Zurich.

Does this feel too packed? Would it make sense to take a day from Paris and add it to Switzerland instead?

Also, is Paris the best choice for this itinerary, or would you recommend a different family-friendly city to pair with Switzerland?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Posted by
3012 posts

hey hey Ruka
WOW this is way overload, and 2 young kids could be so tiring and jetlag on arrival - next day. where is your hotel at?
landing in paris at 11am, how long to get through immigration/passport/get luggage and transportation to hotel? check in times 3-4pm, check out times 10-11am. too much on landing day, long walk to arc de triomphe or taxi, no to river cruise with probability falling asleep.
this looks like go go go go days without sitting to relax and enjoy the city, when do you eat and where. my opinion you really need to slow down, you are there during high high tourist season and HOT with many tourists and crowds everywhere that you want to see and do. even though august is a month for many residents take if off for holidays with places closed or shorter hours.
also check some restaurants close early afternoon and open up evenings, you may need reservations for many.
hoping all works out, enjoy & have a great fun time.
aloha

Posted by
12242 posts

It is challenging to go go go every day any time of year, but August means lots of heat and humidity in Paris. Try to thin out your wish list and be willing to drop something in favor of soaking up the city, taking the kids to a park, having a relaxing after dark dinner alfresco. A nap in the afternoon or at least a period of rest can energize you for the evening.

You could spend the entire time in Switzerland and have a great trip, less rushed. Accommodations are tight in August (high season) so get your plan together and see if you can snag places to stay.

Posted by
3981 posts

Ruka I don't have info about Switzerland, but I did take my niece to Paris and Disneyland Paris in August so I can give you some thoughts on that.

It's likely going to be hot and crowded at Disneyland as many Europeans are on vacation in August and I saw a LOT of them at Disney with their children. Jet lag is real and even your planned first day would be too much for many adults (especially the nighttime cruise). Doing a day trip from Paris is a recipe for a very long, long day especially if you want to stay for fireworks (which in August don't even start until 10:30 p.m. or later). With young kids that could turn from fun to not fun quickly. Planning to catch an 8 a.m. train the next morning means you will get very little rest and will probably have some very grumpy sisters too.

I suggest if you keep Paris on the itinerary, you instead go directly to Disneyland on arrival, assuming you are flying into CDG airport. There are many shuttle services that take you door to door in less than an hour. There are ticket and Disney hotel packages that get you to Disneyland an hour before the general admission. You could time out a two night/two ticket day that could work for your family. Then move on to Paris activities.

If you have specific questions about Disneyland Paris, feel free to PM me. That's not a venue many in this forum are inclined to visit. :)

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