A vacation in Zurich doesn't mean you just have to stay in the city. After all, Zurich sits in the perfect spot for easy day trips!
From the Swiss Alps to world-recognized vineyards, here are the best day trips from Zurich to make the most of your stay.
Marvel at the snow-capped Swiss Alps
A visit to the Swiss Alps is definitely a must-do when in Zurich! It’s not just about the Alpine scenery. It’s also about the cable cars to reach the summit, the fun activities you can do, and the kind of snow you can only feel on a mountain top.
Whatever it is you’re after, these Swiss Alps tours from Zurich are sure to make your trip memorable.
Klook Tip: Due to erratic weather, some Swiss Alps tours from Zurich might skip a few attractions and/or activities. Make sure to be prepared for such instances!
1. Grindelwald, Interlaken, and Lauterbrunnen
See the Alpine scenery from Grindelwald, Interlaken, and Lauterbrunnen.
Why not go for a warm-up first? We highly recommend going on this Day Tour to Grindelwald, Interlaken, and Lauterbrunnen to begin your tour of the Alps.
Grindelwald, Interlaken, and Lauterbrunnen are villages nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps. From their spots, you can easily take in the beautiful Alpine scenery surrounding the region.
Stroll through the Glacier Village of Grindelwald, and admire the panoramic view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau regions. You can also go on activities like the First Cliff Walk, a hike to Lake Bachalpsee, or a cableway ride to Mount First.
When in Lauterbrunnen, get your cameras out to capture photos of one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, the Staubbach Falls.
Go on a thrilling activity at the Thrill Walk.
Interlaken, on the other hand, is a famous tourist destination because of the Jungfrau region. Go on this Interlaken Day Trip from Zurich, and ride the Schilthorn cable car up to the summit! From there, you can go on the Skyline View or the Thrill Walk, or take a bite at the Piz Gloria Restaurant.
2. Jungfraujoch
Stand 3454 meters above sea level on the Jungfrau.
Speaking of Interlaken, you can also visit the town’s famous mountain saddle, the Jungfraujoch region. In this Day Tour of the Jungfraujoch from Zurich, you’ll take the gondola Eiger Express up to the Jungfrau peak.
You won’t just witness the snow-capped mountain tops - you’ll even feel it yourself! Have fun while going on various activities and spots, like the Alpine Sensation, the Sphinx Observation Terrace, and the Ice Palace.
3. Mount Titlis
Test your courage on the Cliff Walk, the highest suspension bridge in Europe.
Going to Mount Titlis from Zurich is made easy with this Mt. Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour.
You’ll begin the day by going on a Lucerne day trip from Zurich, where you’ll see Lake Lucerne, the Chapel Bridge, and the Jesuit Church.
Once you reach Mount Titlis, you’ll ride the Titlis Xpress cable car and the Rotair cable car to reach the summit. Be prepared for fun (and a whole lot of cold 🥶) when you go to the Ice Flyer, the Cliff Walk, the Glacier Cave, and the Glacier Park!
4. Mount First
Admire the Alpine scenery, while going on Mount First’s activities.
When in Switzerland, don’t miss out on this Day Trip to Mount First! It’s a minor summit that has a beautiful view of the Alps.
Mount First is also popular for its activities. 👀 After taking the cable car up to the summit, you can choose to go on the tourist spot’s thrilling activities, like the Cliff Walk, the First Flyer Zip Line, the First Glider, the Mountain Cart, or the Trottibike. You can also hike to Lake Bachalpsee, or relax at the First View Platform.
5. Mount Pilatus
Relax on the terrace when you reach the summit of Mount Pilatus.
Another mountain you shouldn’t miss is Mount Pilatus, which is known as the Mountain of Dragons. This Pilatus Guided Tour is a perfect way to discover the place!
To reach the summit, you’ll take a gondola to Fräkmüntegg, then transfer to the Dragon Ride cable car. From there, you can go on a short hike on the Dragon Trail or relax on the panoramic terrace overlooking Lucerne.
But you won’t go down the summit through the cable car again. This time, you’ll descend through the steepest cogwheel railway in Switzerland. It may sound scary, but it’s really fun!
And if you’re visiting from May 11, 2026 to October 18, 2026, you’ll even get to go on a cruise on Lake Lucerne! Now that’s a beautiful way to end your day trip. 🛳️
6. Mount Rigi
See the lakes of Switzerland from a different point of view.
End your tour of the Swiss Alps with this Guided Tour of Mount Rigi, which includes a tour of Lucerne, too!
You’ll ride a cable car to Rigi Kaltbad, one of Switzerland’s car-free villages. Then, you’ll board Europe’s first ever mountain railway to Rigi Kulm, the highest peak of Mount Rigi. Hailed as the Queen of the Mountains, Rigi Kulm has beautiful views of the Alps and Lake Lucerne.
Speaking of Lake Lucerne, you’ll also get to enjoy a 1-hour boat ride on the said lake after your trip to Mount Rigi.
Walk through Switzerland’s beloved towns and villages
Famous day trips from Zurich aren’t just the Swiss Alps. You can also go on day trips to Switzerland’s famous towns and villages to discover the country’s history and culture.
1. Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein
Admire the Rhine Falls up-close on the panoramic lift.
Marvel at the natural beauty of Rhine Falls, Europe’s biggest waterfall, in this Tour of the Rhine Falls & Stein am Rhein.
View Rhine Falls from the panoramic lift, or walk the Belvedere Trail to a platform above the falls itself. Up for more fun? You can also go on a boat ride to make the most of your trip.
Round off your day with a guided walk in the medieval village of Stein am Rhein. Art enthusiasts will enjoy walking through Old Town and discovering Switzerland’s oldest Renaissance mural.
2. Zermatt Village
See the mountain that inspired Toblerone’s chocolate design.
If you want to escape the tourist crowds, you can go on this Zermatt Village Matterhorn Day Tour from Zurich.
The tour guides you through Zermatt’s history beyond its mountaineering and ski resort reputation. As you walk through the village, you’ll get a stunning view of the Matterhorn, the mountain that inspired Toblerone’s chocolate design. 🍫
You’ll end the day with a quick trip to Mount Gornergat, where you’ll have the best view of Matterhorn.
Visit the iconic spots from your favorite media
Switzerland has become the filming location and inspiration for a lot of today’s media - whether those be films, TV shows, or literature. Luckily, some of them now offer tours of their filming sites for the fans!
1. Piz Gloria
Dine at Piz Gloria, the secret allergy clinic featured in a Bond movie. | Photo from Yesuitus2001 on WIkimedia
James Bond fans will recognize the Piz Gloria anywhere - it’s the Blofeld’s secret allergy clinic in the 1969 James Bond movie, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
But in reality, this Bond pilgrimage site is a restaurant that serves amazing Western food! If you’re visiting, definitely order the 007 Burger 25. 🍔
Apart from a trip to Piz Gloria, this James Bond Location Private Tour brings you to an interactive Bond World exhibition where you can experience the Thrill Walk at Birg. You’ll also gain insights into Switzerland’s culture, while discovering hidden gems.
2. Giessbach Waterfalls, Iseltwald, Lake Brienz, Lake Lungern
Feel like a K-Drama lead when you visit the filming sites of Crash Landing on You.
K-Drama fans, this one’s for you! This Crash Landing on You Tour brings you to the show’s filming locations in Switzerland.
Stand on the Iseltwald Pier, where Ri Jeong-hyeok played the piano. Travelling with your romantic partner? Take couple poses in Lake Lungern, where the series filmed its epilogue scene.
To top it all off, you’ll even feel like Yoon Se-ri as you travel in style in a luxurious Mercedes VIP, and have professional photos and videos taken.
3. Heididorf
Explore the real-life setting of Heidi in this Heidi-themed tour.
Exploring Heididorf, the village that inspired Johanna Spyri’s Heidi (1880), is one of the perfect family day trips from Zurich!
You’ll go on the Bad Ragaz gondola up to Pardiel, where you’ll take a family-friendly hike. You’ll then have lunch at Panorama Restaurant Edelweiss, and later on explore the Heidipfad Cable Car, Heidi’s House, and the Marketplace.
You’re sure to have fun on this magical Heidi-themed trip!
Sip wine amidst beautiful scenery
Did you know that Switzerland produces high-quality wine? But it’s barely made for export, and is mostly just enjoyed domestically, making it a best-kept secret among the locals.
Seems like it’s now time to do as the locals do when you indulge in that best-kept secret. 🤫
Klook Tip: If you want to experience the best wine and grapes, choose to visit during harvest season from late September to October!
1. Lausanne and Lake Geneva
Begin your culinary journey on a gourmet cruise along Lake Geneva.
This day trip of Lausanne and Lake Geneva begins with a tour of Lausanne. You can choose to go on a classic-city tour, an art-focused excursion, or a trip to the Chateau de Chillon.
Afterwards, you’ll go on a culinary journey aboard a cruise along Lake Geneva.
You’ll end the trip with a visit to Domaine Dillet, a renowned Swiss winery celebrated for its outstanding wines. Learn about winemaking and the wine history of Switzerland, as you go on a wine tasting of four exquisite wines. 🍷
2. Lavaux
Go on a day trip to discover and taste Switzerland’s best-kept secret.
Want to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site? In this Private Wine Tour of Lavaux, you’ll discover the finest Swiss wines in Lavaux, one of the best wine regions in the world that’s even hailed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You’ll get to visit famous vineyards, like the Blaise Duboux and the Cave of the Crausaz, where you’ll have wine tastings and insights into winemaking. This tour will also give you your first taste of the famous Swiss dry white wine.
Now that’s how you learn about Switzerland’s best-kept secret. 😉
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the most popular day trips from Zurich for first-time visitors?
First-time visitors usually like exploring famous villages and towns like Lucerne and Interlaken. Zurich day trips to the Swiss Alps are also popular, with tourists preferring the Jungfrau Region, Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, and Mount Titlis.
2. How easy is it to travel from Zurich to Rhine Falls?
It’s certainly easy to travel from Zurich to Rhine Falls! All you have to do is take the train. 🚞
If you’re coming from Zurich Oerlikon, take the train to Schaffhausen, then get off at Neuhasen Rheinfall. Rhine Falls will be a 5-minute walk from there.
If you’re coming from Zurich HB, take the train to Schauffhausen, then alight at Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall. Rhine Falls will be a 14-minute walk away.
But then again, if you want to travel in comfort, you can opt to go on a join-in tour instead! Meet up with the group at the Sihlquai Bus Station, and enjoy the trip via bus with a local expert to guide you. 🚌
3. What are the best Swiss Alps tours from Zurich?
The best Swiss Alps tours from Zurich include Jungfraujoch, whose railway station is the highest in Europe. Other mountains include Mount Titlis and Mount Pilatus.
We also recommend visiting Bernese Oberland, which houses the villages of Grindelwald, Interlaken, and Lauterbrunnen. These places offer beautiful Alpine scenery along with their own hidden gems.
4. Is a Lucerne day trip from Zurich worth it?
Definitely! If Zurich is more known as Switzerland’s business hub, then Lucerne is that classic Swiss city.
It has breathtaking views of the Alps, perfect for photos and strolls. Speaking of strolls, a walking tour of Lucerne is also a must-do to explore the city’s Old Town and Chapel Bridge. You can also explore the city’s nearby mountains, Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi.
5. How do I plan a visit to Mount Titlis from Zurich in one day?
To get to Mount Titlis, you’ll have to take the train from Zurich to Lucerne. At Lucerne, change lines and ride the train to Engelbert. Once at Engelbert, take Bus No. 10, which will take you to the Titlis Valley Station.
You’ll then have to ride the Titlis Xpress cable car and the Rotair cable car to reach the summit. At the summit, you can enjoy tons of activities like the Ice Flyer, the Cliff Walk, the Glacier Cave, and the Glacier Park.
If you’re not up for a commute, you can go on a guided tour instead, or rent a car with a local guide!
Found your perfect day trips from Zurich?
Zurich puts some of Switzerland’s best experiences right at your door step. With so many destinations to choose from, each day can feel like a new adventure!
And guess what? You can definitely explore all the day trips from Zurich that you like using the Swiss Travel Pass! Read about what destinations and activities the travel pass offers in this Klook Guide to Switzerland article, so you can have a fuss-free vacation. ✨
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