More about: 7 Best Day Trips to Swiss Alps from Zurich
The villages of Bern and the top of Europe are just some of the places in the Alps that you can enjoy on these experiences. A visit to the Alps is a must-do activity among the best things to see and do in Zurich.
One of the most spectacular experiences of this type of excursion is to take a cog railway train through the glaciers and snow-capped Alps to the highest mountains in Europe and see some of Switzerland's most incredible scenery.
1. Jungfraujoch and Oberland Day Trip
On this full day experience you will get to see the highest peak in all of Europe which is also known as Jungfraujoch. You will visit the Jungfrau region, and the towns of Interlaken and Grindelwald, as well as the Bernese Oberland, a high alpine region noted for its colourful landscapes, lakes and green hills.
An expert tour guide will accompany you throughout the trip and will be giving you commentary in English on each of the places you stop at. You'll be able to take the cable car and one of the best scenic trains from Zurich to appreciate the scenery, as well as have the opportunity to enter an ice palace and go up to the Sphinx observatory to take stunning photographs of the scenery.
Interesting details
- Price: - from ₹30,969
- Duration: 12 hours from the time you leave the hotel until you return.
- Means of Transport: You will need to make your own way to the meeting point in the city of Zurich, right at the bus terminal. From there you will board an air-conditioned and fully equipped vehicle that will take you to the station to board the rack railway. The next ride will be by train to the cable car station where you will board the funicular railway.
2. Day trip to Zermatt and Gornergrat in small groups
On this tour you can go to the Gornergrat as well as see the snow-capped peaks of the Matterhorn. On this trip you will have the opportunity to depart from Zurich to Bern and then on to these impressive Swiss landscapes. To get to the Gornergrat you will board a cogwheel train which will take you through beautiful scenery along the way.
With this combined excursion to Zermatt and Gornergrat, you will get to know the historical and cultural centre of the Zermatt area. The tour guide will help you to know a bit more about the geography of this area, while telling you about the different cultural characteristics of Switzerland and its traditions.
Interesting details
- Price: - from ₹62,253.
- Duration: it lasts approximately 11-12 hours.
- Means of Transport: Bus ride to the train station. Train ride up to Zermatt and up to Gornergrat. Part of the tour is on foot.
3. Excursion to Grindelwald and Interlaken
Almost every Alpine sightseeing experience includes a train journey that will leave you with beautiful postcards, especially if you choose to visit Zurich in winter.
On this 12-hour combined tour to Grindelwald and Interlaken, you'll start your journey from Zurich by air-conditioned vehicle to Interlaken where you'll board the train. From there you will continue your journey to the next stop at the Grindelwald terminal. There you can change transport again and take the cable car to the top of Europe.
Accompanied by an expert guide, you will be able to enjoy incredible panoramic views of the mountains and take home an unforgettable souvenir.
Interesting details
- Price: - from ₹19,487.
- Duration: it has an approximate duration of 12 hours.
- Means of transport: equipped vehicle to the train station. Then intercity train, cable car and if you want you can jump on a zip line or drive a mountain bike.
4. Excursion with helicopter flight over the Jungfraujoch
If visiting the Jungfraujoch area by cog railway and cable car, as well as having the opportunity to walk in the snow, is already a unique experience, imagine getting into a helicopter and flying over the Alps. One of the biggest advantages of this flight is that you can do it alone with your group.
This tour includes a limousine transfer to the heliport where you will board the helicopter with your group to climb to the top of Europe and see the incredible scenery up close.
It is important to note that the flight may be cancelled due to weather conditions, often due to wind or snow, regardless of the time of year. In this case, the experience can be exchanged for a train ride to the top of the Jungfraujoch.
Interesting details
- Price: Approximately €8,980 per adult, although this may vary according to the size of the group.
- Duration: a full day experience of between 8 and 10 hours.
- Means of transport: private transport from your hotel in Zurich.
5. Excursion with ascent of Mount Titlis and the city of Lucerne
This full-day excursion is one of the best excursions in Zurich because it takes you to some of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, such as Mount Titlis and the city of Lucerne.
The tour starts with a short city tour of Lucerne, where you will be guided by a guide who will give you an orientation of each place you will see on the tour.
After leaving Lucerne behind, you will continue your way to the town of Engelberg, which is located at the foot of Mount Titlis, which you will also have the opportunity to climb during the tour. Once at the top, I invite you to take lots of photos of the spectacular views of the Alps that you will only be able to see from this special place. You will also take a chairlift, weather permitting.
Interesting details
- Price: from 179 euros per person.
- Duration: it lasts approximately 9.5 hours from the time you leave your hotel to the time you return.
- Means of transport: you will have to get to the meeting point in Zurich by your own means, where you will get on the bus with all the comforts. You will also take the cable car.
6. Excursion with private guide on board the Glacier Express to the Alps
On this scenic ride you will have the opportunity to see spectacular scenery while on board the Glacier Express. Included in this experience is a walking tour of the entire town of Chur, one of the most beautiful towns in the Swiss Alps. You'll also get to visit the Grand Canyon and the highest snow-capped peaks in the country.
On this trip, which I would include in my complete guide of things to do in Zurich in 3 days, you have the possibility to board a luxury bus in Zurich and then travel in comfort to the train boarding site. On the private tour you will have the opportunity to take multiple photos to remember the trip.
Interesting details
- Price: approximately 530 euros per person.
- Duration: it lasts approximately 10 hours, so it is a full day trip.
- Means of Transport: this trip is by train, but to get to the station you will have to take a bus with all amenities in Zurich.
7. Self-guided tour of Zermatt and Mount Gornergrat
On this self-guided tour you are offered a complete step-by-step guide on how to have an amazing experience through the Gornergrat mountain and the alpine village of Zermatt. This is one of the best experiences for independent travellers who want to have time to see each place on their own.
One of the most interesting things to see in the village of Zermatt is that this is a completely car-free alpine area. In addition, you will always have the Matterhorn in front of you, which will give you postcard-perfect views to take all the pictures you want. Emergency communication with the travel agency is guaranteed throughout the tour.
Interesting details
- Price: this experience costs approximately 378 euros per person.
- Duration: you can do this tour in approximately 8 hours from the time you leave the train station in Zurich until you return home.
- Means of Transport: you will board a cogwheel train, but to get to the train station, you will have to make your own way by public transport.
Tips for a trip to the Swiss Alps
- Wear closed-toe shoes suitable for winter, so that you can cope with the cold temperatures and snow.
- Wear warm enough clothing, as these tours regularly take place in winter, so it's important to keep your body warm.
- Check the weather before venturing on such an experience, as in some cases experiences are cancelled due to bad weather.
- If you have any food limitations, you should tell your guide beforehand, in case the tour includes cheese or other food tastings.
Which villages should I not miss on a trip to the Alps?
The Bernese villages in particular are not to be missed, and places like Interlaken and Grindelwald are the most special in the entire Alpine region. During your tour through the Alps you will pass through some villages in the Swiss countryside, at least just passing through, so I recommend that you take lots of photos here.
Of course you will visit the Jungfraujoch area, a cosy village that you will have the opportunity to photograph from the heights and among its streets. You will also be able to visit or perhaps see some other villages on the way, such as Coira and Lauterbrunnen.
What are the advantages of taking a guided tour vs. visiting the Alps on my own?
- Taking a guided tour to the Alps
- You'll know which are the most interesting places to visit
- You'll have everything covered in terms of safety and taxes
- Listen to expert commentary and learn all about the Alps
- You'll have all the equipment you need to hike in the snow and climb the heights
- You'll always have someone on hand to tell you how to use everything you don't know.
- Go on your own in the Alps
- You will visit places but you might miss many others because of ignorance
- You will have to pay all taxes and entrance fees, among other things, at each place.
- You won't have the opportunity to listen to comments and answer any questions you may have.
- You will have to rent or buy the necessary equipment for walking in the snow.
- You will have to ask at every moment what to do, where to go and what to do next.