Switzerland Itinerary: Lucerne, Wengen & Zermatt
Switzerland is one of the easiest countries in Europe to explore without renting a car. This Switzerland itinerary takes you through Lucerne, Wengen, and Zermatt using Switzerland's famous trains, scenic boats, gondolas, and cable cars. Along the way, you'll experience breathtaking Alpine hikes, charming mountain villages, the iconic Matterhorn, world-famous Swiss chocolate and cheese, and unforgettable adventures shared with friends.
Some vacations are remembered for the places you visit.
Switzerland is remembered for how it makes you feel. If you are thinking of going, I would repeat this trip tomorrow.
Switzerland train ride from Lucerne to Wengen
Published: 2026
Lucerne Switzerland
Lucerne is a beautifully preserved medieval Old Town set along the crystal-clear Reuss River and Lake Lucerne, surrounded by dramatic Alpine mountain scenery. Explore historic covered wooden bridges, medieval fortification walls and towers, the famous Lion Monument, and spectacular 17th-century churches.
Some of the best day trips from Lucerne take you high into the Swiss Alps. Ride to Mount Pilatus for dramatic jagged peaks and panoramic mountain and lake views, or spend a day at Mount Titlis, where snow, glaciers, ice, and spectacular high-Alpine scenery take center stage.
Wengen Switzerland
Rent an Airbnb in this small, quiet village at the train station. Stroll through the car-free streets of the village, admiring the traditional timber chalets, and feast on authentic Swiss food like fondue. Easy train ride/bus/cable cars to Murren across the valley, Lauterbrunnen Valley below, and Grindelwald First Cliff Walk.
Lauterbrunnen Valley
Day trip to Lauterbrunnen Valley, a small Swiss village surrounded by dramatic Alpine peaks, lush valley scenery, the White Lütschine River, and spectacular free-falling waterfalls cascading from sheer mountain cliffs. Hop-on, hop-off buses make it easy to explore the valley, or rent a bicycle from Imboden Bike Rental and ride the flat, scenic 4-mile paved bike path through the valley.
Walk behind the roaring mist of Staubbach Falls; it is Europe's highest free-falling waterfall, dropping nearly 1,000 feet right on the edge of the village.
Trümmelbach Falls is a network of tunnels, walkways, and elevators built directly inside the mountain, where massive subterranean waterfalls, fed by melting glaciers, thunder through water-carved granite
Leave the valley and head up to Mürren aboard the Schilthornbahn, which holds the world record for the steepest cable car, climbing at an incredible 159.4% maximum gradient! Wander through this historic, car-free Alpine village, with roots dating back to the Walser settlement of the 13th century and centuries-old traditional buildings. I loved exploring the shops and old buildings, then stopping for lunch surrounded by massive Alpine mountain views.
Grindelwald First Cliff Walk
From Wengen, a day trip to Grindelwald First Cliff Walk starts with a gondola from the village center, followed by several scenic cable car rides. First Cliff Walk is a tourist attraction, but it’s worth the views, lunch, walkway, and a hike to the lake. The suspended metal pathway hugs the steep rock face, offering panoramic views of the Bernese Alps and the Eiger Mountains.
Zermatt Switzerland
The last location before the train back to Zurich and home is Zermatt with the iconic Matterhorn Mountain backdrop! A very traditional Swiss resort village that’s only reached by train, so no cars anywhere, but be careful of the quiet, electric taxis! Stroll through Zermatt’s main street to browse luxury boutique shops, watch horse-drawn carriages, and eat authentic Swiss fondue. In the old section of town, the historic wooden stadels, built in the 16th century, were used as elevated grain-storage barns, and the flat stone slabs atop the support posts prevented rodents from climbing into the stored grain.
Gornergrat Railway: Take Switzerland's oldest electric rack railway up to an observation platform looking directly at the Matterhorn.
Hike to the Matterhorn Stellisee reflection lake: Take the underground Sunnegga Express funicular to Sunnegga and switch to the gondola to begin the mostly downhill walk.
Go Paragliding in front of the Matterhorn for a powerful mix of total silence, weightlessness, and jaw-dropping views! For tandem paragliding, I used and would again Fly Zermatt Paragliding, operating since 1999 and highly rated for first-timers. If it’s your first, MAKE IT IN FRONT OF THE MATTERHORN!
Because I love trip planning, here’s my Itinerary and notes:
We flew in and out of Zurich; most direct flights and easy to get a train anywhere.
Swiss Pass covers trains, buses, and discounts on gondolas; we bought the 9-day pass (expensive but just jump on a train and the conductor scans the QR code)
Day 1: fly overnight into Zurich. Train to Lucerne.
Day 2,3, 4: Lucerne Lodging: Cascada Boutique Hotel is close to the train station and within walking distance of restaurants, the river, and the old town.
Day 5, 6, 7: Wengen Lodging: Airbnb
Day 8 & 9: Zermatt Lodging: Airbnb
Day 10: Zurich Lodging: Central Plaza Hotel is across the street and river from the train station. 30 minutes to the airport.
Day 11: Fly to the US