5 Days in Switzerland
My friend and I toured around Europe in Paris, Munich, and ended with Switzerland. It was a short stay in each country, but we got a good feel for each one we visited and now know what else to add or what we would pass on next time.
Switzerland is arguably the most beautiful country to exist and I felt so blessed to simply be there. We traveled there in late September and our first full day happened to be on my golden birthday. I was on such a high and felt so grateful and loved at the same time. 5 days is definitely not enough to fully experience the country in its fullness, however we checked off the major bucket list items I had been dreaming about for years.
How to get there
The two major airports to fly into and the airline I fly for goes to both Geneva (GVA) and Zurich (ZRH). I had an old middle school friend living in Zurich so we flew from Munich to Zurich where he picked us up. We found it simple to get back from interlaken area to Zurich via train ride!
How to Get Around
We splurged on the Swiss travel pass since we knew we would be using the train system a lot to make the most of our stay. You also get half off of some other activities with the Swiss pass so I think it was worth the investment. Our hostel friends had the Eurail travel pass and had to book each ride through an app before they got on.
Trainline is another great option if you’re staying in one area for long periods of time and only need to book a few big train rides. I found them to be one of the most affordable options and it’s also very easy to use with their app! Use code GOEURO10 for 10% off!
Do some research as to how many places and trains you will use to see the costs. Since we had such a short amount of time, stayed in Bern, and wanted to go to Interlaken area almost every day it was going to be worth it for the Swiss travel pass. There’s also the Eurail pass, renting a car and splitting with a group of people, or just book the train when you need it especially if you’re staying in one place for a few days.
Where to Stay - Mainly Hostels
Zurich
Zurich Youth Hostel - 50-60 for one night a little outside city center
Meininger Zurich Greencity 50-60 per night
Hotel Stoller - 150ish per night
Interlaken
Balmers Hostel - I’ve heard amazing thins and would have loved to stay here for a few nights, but it was sold out!
Bern
Bern backpackers and Hostel - this is where we stayed and had the best experience! It was a little annoying to train in and out an hour and half three days in a row, but we saved money with this hostel.
Lauterbrunnen
Valley Hostel - my sister stayed here and loved it!
What to Pack
Solid Backpack - I use a 32L Osprey bag to carry everything while I travel
Hiking Gear - I use the women’s moabs from merrell for hiking shoes, outdoor voices for workout clothes (I for real went on their website to grab the link and ordered more clothes, someone help), and smartwool for socks
Cute dresses for instagram - I thrifted dresses from goodwill beforehand and they’re easy to pack
Water - I had a hydropack in the back of my osprey bag and used a hydroflask, you can drink the water from pretty much anywhere!
Camera gear - canon 5d mark iv and a wide angel lens and a zoom lens is perfect for the trip. I brought my drone, but most areas had strict drone laws.
How to save money
Grocery stores - we found some gems at the grocery store and ate most our meals sifting through Migro’s! Still get some fondue while you’re there, but pick and choose which meals you want to spend the big bucks on cause it’s not cheap to eat out.
Hostels - stayin at Bern Backpackers was one of my favorite hostels solely for the people we met from there! The bells in the morning are so annoying, but for under 50 euro a night it was worth it.
Hike more and splurge less - there are so many paid excursions you can easily spend money on, however I found hiking to be one of my favorite activities
Day 1: Arrive in Zurich
Head to Old town Altstadt
Walk by the river
Then go to Augustinergasse to shop, eat, and explore the cute swiss streets
Lake Brienzersee
Day 2: Interlaken
Early start to Bern - check into hostel
Take a train to Interlaken
Get off at Interlaken ost
Boat ride to Lake Brienzersee (free with swiss travel pass)
Stop at and hike the around Giessbach waterfall
Harder kulm for sunset - make sure to try and get up there an hour before sunset because the line to the top was long. You can make a reservation ahead of time! (half off with swiss travel pass)
They also have a restaurant called Harder Kulm Panorma Restaurant at the top if you want to indulge in some fondue and drinks
Stop for dinner at Asllanis if you didn’t get food up at the top! It’s a burger place that was hoppin when we walked by. Be sure to have reservations before because it was booked out! They also are vegetarian friendly!
Head back to Bern after an adventure packed day
I heard Lake Thun does have more stops to offer however we wanted to fit in the sunset and walk around town and heard the boat tour to Lake Brienzersee was still stunning and much shorter
It’s also right by the funicular to the harder kulm
Top of the Harder Kulm
Day 3: Lauterbrunnen
Start at Flavour’s Cafe for a cappuccino and breakfast
Take a stroll around the town and take lots of photos of the picturesque fairytale town! Make sure to get all angels of Staubbach falls
Take a short buss ride to Trummelbach Falls
The bus ride is free with Swiss Travel Pass
underground waterfall unlike anything I’ve experienced
it cost about 10 CFH to enter
Gondola to Murren (free with Swiss travel pass)
Fondue for dinner
Head back to Bern or wherever you are staying
If you have more time and are staying closer to Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen check out Wengen, the car free village
Hike some trails in Männlichen
The Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Tour looks incredible if you have the budget for it!
Cable Car to Murren
Day 4: Grindelwald
Lake Balchaspee
My friend I was traveling with headed out so I got to spend some time with new hostel friends!
Explore the mountain town and grab some snacks for your hike! Of course we stopped at Migros (paprika chips and another iced coffee was my go to)
Buy a gondola ticket unless you are brave and want to hike to the top, but we wanted an easier hiking day
There are a ton of paid acitivies such as ziplining, mountain scooter, mario karts, and much more when you get to the top
Paragliding also would be the most epic adventure if you have more time and money to spend
if you are going at peak tourist times reserve the adventure in advance
My recommendation is to choose one fun adventure - mario karts
Hike to lake Balchalpsee lake
As soon as you get off the gondola there’s signs for the start of the hike
it was pretty crowded but so worth it!
Explore the town itself
Head back to hostel and go out for your last full night
We went to a cuban bar and danced the night away
Top of First
Day 5 - Bern and Head back to Zurich
Explore Bern in the morning
if you have a later flight go to Lucerne on the way out
Head back to Zurich to fly out
If You Have More Time
Lucerne
Jungrau forest
Zermatt
I would go back to Switzerland just to see Zermatt
Matterhorn looks so unreal!
Glacier Express ( if you are going to the Dolomites after I would recommend ending here)
Geneva
More hiking / trekking
Next time I want to do more backpacking and there are endless hiking to choose from
Schilthorn
