How to Plan a Dreamy 5 Days in Switzerland Itinerary

EuropeSwitzerland in MayTravel Guide

Jan 5

Written By Ashley Federoff

LAST UPDATED: JANUARY 10, 2025 | TRAVEL DATES: MAY 2023 | EST. READING TIME: 10 MIN

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Wondering how to experience the best of Switzerland without a month-long sabbatical?

Here's a secret that most travel guides won't tell you: five days is actually the sweet spot for exploring this Alpine paradise—especially if you’ve got limited PTO to work with. With Switzerland's incredibly efficient train system and compact size, you can go from urban sophistication to mountain majesty in less time than it takes to watch The Sound of Music.

I've guided countless travelers through this exact itinerary, and they're always amazed at how much you can pack in without feeling rushed. From paragliding over Interlaken's turquoise lakes to scaling a mountain via cable car in Lauterbrunnen, this carefully curated 5-day Bernese Oberland adventure hits all the highlights while leaving room for those magical spontaneous moments that make travel unforgettable.

Snow-capped Alpine peaks towering over a lush meadow and small buildings with metal roofs in Gimmelwald, seen during 5 days in Switzerland.

5 Days in Switzerland Itinerary

In a hurry? Here’s a brief overview of the detailed Switzerland 5 day itinerary exploring the Bernese Oberland you’ll find below:

This itinerary assumes you land in Zurich in the morning and fly out in the evening on the 5th day. If that’s not possible depending on your point of origin, you will likely require 6 days away.

Day 1: Zurich to Lauterbrunnen - Your Swiss Adventure Begins!

LEARN MORE WITH A DETAILED TRAVEL GUIDE: Lauterbrunnen 2 Day Itinerary

Assuming you’re traveling from another country to Switzerland by air, you’re best suited to fly into Zurich. This is the closest airport to Lauterbrunnen, where you’ll be heading as soon as you touch down in Switzerland.

This itinerary takes advantage of the fact that you’ll be most energized when you arrive, fueled by the excitement of your upcoming alpine adventure! Use this adrenaline to commute to the furthest town in this itinerary—Lauterbrunnen—then slowly track back to Switzerland’s largest city over the remaining 4 days.

Bern is technically closer to Lauterbrunnen but has limited international arrivals, so this is likely not a possible airport for you to fly into. Geneva Airport is another international option, but it takes longer to reach Lauterbrunnen from this arrival point. As you may have deduced, there is no Lauterbrunnen airport and thus no direct Lauterbrunnen flights.

Lush green landscape with traditional Swiss chalets in Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland, under dramatic clouds with mountain backdrop.

Efficient, punctual public transportation is without a doubt the best way to travel through Switzerland, as this will save you the hassle of navigating—and parking—vehicle rentals in tiny mountain towns. Robust transit routes through Zurich mean a car is entirely unnecessary for this 5-day Switzerland itinerary. Instead, purchase the 6-day Swiss Travel Pass to save money and avoid having to secure individual tickets for every ride.

Travel from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen takes nearly 3 hours over 3 different train lines, so you’ll likely arrive in the Bernese Oberland late in the afternoon. Learn the ins and outs of commuting by train, bus, and gondola with the Swiss Travel Pass in this Lauterbrunnen transit guide detailing routes between Zurich, Lauterbrunnen, and Interlaken.

Use the remaining evening hours to explore the quaint town of Lauterbrunnen. Home to 72 cascading waterfalls, you’ll surely spot the signature waterfall of the valley as soon as you step out from the train station.

One of the highest free-falling waterfalls in Europe, you can’t visit Lauterbrunnen without snapping a flick in front of Staubbach Falls. Reaching this thundering wall of water will take you on a charming stroll through town, and even a mini hike if you’d like to walk behind the falls!

Happy young traveler posing with in front of the impressive Lauterbrunnen Staubbach Falls, surrounded by lush greenery seen during 5 days in Switzerland.

Once your stomach starts rumbling, grab a fondue dinner in town. A dish with deep cultural roots in Switzerland, where cheese has been a culinary cornerstone for centuries, this is the perfect hearty meal to warm you up after a long day of travel.

I’m partial to Hotel Oberland as one of the best Lauterbrunnen restaurants with a view, but you should be able to find this classic Swiss dish served at the majority of spots in town.

Young woman smiling while eating fondue, a quintessential Swiss dish that needs to be eaten during a 5 day Switzerland itinerary.

After dinner, check into your accommodations and call it a night. While you could stay directly in town, I discovered the most magical youth hostel in Lauterbrunnen prior to my Swiss adventure and quite literally planned my whole trip around lodging there. Their common areas are perfect for connecting with other adventurous souls.

If the Mountain Hostel in Gimmelwald sounds like your cup of tea, you’ll need to add two more legs to your commute, as this secluded cabin can only be reached by cable car—which you inconveniently need to take a bus from town to get to.

Cozy Mountain Hostel in Lauterbrunnen against a backdrop of cascading waterfalls, the perfect budget accommodation for a 5 day Swiss trip.

Staying in Gimmelwald comes with the added benefit of being able to use the last few hours of daylight to explore this fairytale car-free village full of traditional Swiss chalets. Listen to the twinkling sound of cowbells floating over green pastures before grabbing a nightcap at cozy Hotel Pension.

Day 2: Lauterbrunnen - Ascend the Schilthorn!

Spend your second day in Lauterbrunnen working your way from the mountaintop all the way back down to the valley. And yes, there’s a method to the madness here.

The Schilthorn is the summit of the highest mountain in the Bernese Alps lying north of the Sefinenfurgge Pass. Traveling down from the peak, stop at Birg, Mürren, and Gimmelwald in that order until you reach the final Stechelberg cable car stop at the base of the valley.

Breathtaking view of the snow-capped Swiss Alps from the Piz Gloria restaurant window, highlighting the natural splendor encountered while exploring Switzerland for 5 days.

Visit this panoramic peak in the morning to ensure you have clear views of the Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau summits. Pack warm layers for this chilly altitude since these mountains remain snow-capped even in the summer.

Brunch can be acquired in the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, which retains substantial 007 themed attractions today after being originally featured in the Bond classic "On Her Majesty's Secret Service."

View of the Schilthorn Piz Gloria observation deck with ongoing construction against a snowy backdrop and cloudy skies summited during 5 days in Switzerland.

After breakfast descend to the next cable car stop at Birg, where the Thrill Walk serves as the main attraction.

Overcome your fear of heights on this depth-defying cliffside walk strung over the valley below, with a tightrope walk and glass floors emphasizing just how far above the ground you are.

A young woman walks on a tightrope gazing at the Alpine scenery on the Birg Thrill Walk included in a 5 day Switzerland plan.

Mürren is the next stop along the cable car route, where I recommend you interject some activity into your itinerary with an easygoing hike.

The Northface Trail is quintessential Switzerland—stunning mountain vistas, tiny villages with rustic cabins nestled in the hills, and flowery alpine meadows are found along this entire route.

Depart from Mürren and complete the full 4.6-mile loop complete with a final funicular ride, or detour to the Sprutz Waterfall and finish the hike in Gimmelwald. I did the latter and would highly recommend this route, since waterfalls are specifically what this area is known for!

Big on cascading water? Discover how to find the three top waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen, including the Sprutz Waterfall, you need to see to believe.

A rustic wooden Swiss mountain hut surrounded by vibrant wildflowers with the majestic Lauterbrunnen Alps in the background observed during 5 days in Switzerland.

Even if you’re not staying there, grab a pint and slice from the Mountain Hostel for lunch. Choose-your-own-topping wood-fired pizza is their speciality, and the jaw-dropping mountain views served up on the side are completely complimentary.

If you haven’t stepped foot in Gimmelwald yet, take this time to peruse the family-run B&Bs and sheep farms dotting this charming chalet community. The Honesty Shop is a personal favorite of mine, which depends entirely on your integrity to leave correct payment for any souvenirs you take.

Lush green meadow overlooking the picturesque Lauterbrunnen Valley explored during a 5 day Switzerland guide with snow-capped mountains in the backdrop and traditional Swiss houses dotting the landscape.

At this point, we were exhausted and hit the hay after lounging around the property playing cards with fellow Lauterbrunnen travelers.

If you have some fuel left in the tank, head back down the cable car and hop on the bus to Trümmelbach Falls. These 10 glacial subterranean waterfalls roar through a network of tunnels and caverns you can explore for the low fee of 16 CHF.

Tourists spending 5 days in Switzerland on a viewing platform inside the Trümmelbach Falls, witnessing the raw power of water sculpting through the mountain.

Day 3: Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken - Cruise Around the Lake

LEARN MORE WITH A DETAILED TRAVEL GUIDE: 2 Days in Interlaken, Switzerland

Begin your third day in Switzerland with a quick breakfast to prepare for the commute to Interlaken. This will luckily be a much shorter ride than your initial trek to the Oberland, with 20 minute train routes running between the two towns all day.

If you’re staying at the Mountain Hostel, breakfast is included in your nightly rate in the form of a sizable brunch spread. Wake up early to select from a greater variety of options. Lodging in Gimmelwald does mean you’ll also have to factor in taking the cable car and bus with your luggage again before hopping on the train to Interlaken.

View of a calm lake with a picturesque town nestled against lush green mountains under a cloudy sky in Interlaken during a 5 day Swiss itinerary.

Once you've dropped your bags at your hotel—I loved staying in Hotel de La Paix for those killer mountain views—head straight to Höheweg.

The main commercial street of Interlaken presents the perfect opportunity to indulge in retail therapy after spending the last two days in a relatively remote getaway, plus you can watch paragliders land in Höhematte Park.

Visitors strolling on the vibrant streets of Interlaken during 5 days in Switzerland, lined with quaint shops and Swiss architecture, a gateway to aerial adventures.

Spend the rest of the day cruising around one of the lakes which gives Interlaken its name: Brienzersee. Bistro Pistache is a cute counter service café next to the Interlaken Ost terminal where you can grab a quick bite for lunch before hopping on the ferry.

Remain on the historic steamboat for about an hour until the 7th stop at Brienz. Along the way, you’ll pass cascading Giessbach Falls pouring into the turquoise lake below.

The Giessbach Waterfalls cascade over lush greenery with a bridge in Interlaken, perfect for nature enthusiasts exploring Switzerland in 5 days.

Arrive at Brienz, an authentic wood carving village on the eastern shore of the lake. Full of picturesque streets and traditional Swiss houses, you can’t go wrong wandering through any part of this dreamy town.

For seaside strolls, public foldable chairs are stored along the shore to use at your leisure. Don’t miss the most romantic part of Brienz, fabled Brunngasse, which was awarded the title of the “most beautiful street in Europe.”

Traditional Swiss wooden houses along a cobbled street in Brienz during 5 Swiss days with mountains in the backdrop.

Train back to Interlaken instead of taking the ferry for a more efficient 30 minute ride, then grab a sweet treat from Vanini Swiss Chocolate.

When visiting Switzerland you have to try coveted Swiss chocolate in some form, and Vanini conveniently caters to all tastes selling a range of selling chocolate goodies like truffles, candies, pralines, and delicious gourmet gelato combinations.

Day 4: Interlaken - Climb Castles in Thun

Spend your fourth day exploring Thun, the most prominent town alongside the other lake flanking Interlaken.

While you could take the ferry again, it’s pretty much the same experience once you’ve ridden it once, plus the ride to Thun is even longer at 2 hours and 10 minutes. I’ll take the 30 minute train ride please!

Your first stop is Mühleschleuse, a sluice bridge which creates an epic wave that locals surf all day long. This experience is only possible in the spring—although I visited in late May and saw the water raging—when there’s enough water drainage to create this coveted surf spot.

Adventurous surfer riding the rapids in Thun's river during 5 Swiss days with historic wooden bridge and traditional houses in the background.

Afterwards, head to medieval Thun Castle where you can find sweeping views over the town below from the castle’s turrets.

Nowhere else in my travels have I had the opportunity to actually climb into the towers of a 12th century castle, so I’d say this is a pretty one-of-a-kind experience you can only find in Thun!

Overlooking the historic rooftops and church spire from Thun Castle with the lake and hills in the distance while spending 5 days in Switzerland.

On your way out, walk down Kirchtreppe to see a lovely painting of knights on the underside of this wooden pavilion. Following this walkway downhill will bring you to Obere Hauptgasse, a two-level commercial lane with bars, boutiques, and cafés for you to peruse.

If none of the restaurants here catch your eye, return to the riverside street Mühleplatz and grab a table at Del Padre to experience the best Italian cuisine in the Bernese Oberland.

Covered wooden walkway in Thun with painted knights on the ceiling observed during a 5 day Switzerland itinerary.

A visit to Switzerland’s adventure capital would be incomplete without a paragliding excursion, so head back to your hotel in Interlaken and prepare to soar through the sky.

Although we booked our experience with Paragliding Interlaken, there’s a host of companies offering this same flight around town. While these adrenaline junkie trips are a bit pricey, flying above Interlaken with the snow-capped Jungfrau massif as your backdrop is absolutely unreal, and I’d say well worth the money.

Two flyers posing with helmets and paragliding gear, soaring over Interlaken during an action-packed 5-day Switzerland itinerary..

Day 5: Interlaken to Zurich - Chocolate Heaven

LEARN MORE WITH A DETAILED TRAVEL GUIDE: Zooming through a Zurich 1 Day Itinerary

And just like that, your Swiss adventure has almost come to a close! Spend your last day in this alpine land training back to Zurich before spending your final precious hours in the largest Swiss city.

It’s only a 2 hour 15 minute ride back to Zurich from Interlaken, and assuming you’re flying out the next morning, you’ll need one last place to spend the night. I enjoyed Hotel Limmathof for its convenient central location connected to the major public transportation routes.

Evening view of Zürich's riverfront observed during 5 Swiss days with the iconic St. Peter's Church tower against a clear blue sky.

Once you’re settled, head down one of the world's most exclusive and luxurious shopping streets: Bahnhofstrasse.

If you were hoping to procure a high-quality timepiece from one of the many prestigious Swiss watchmakers, this would be the place to do so! Otherwise, this will likely be more of a window shopping experience.

Historic architecture and colorful flags on a sunny day on Bahnhofstrasse in Zürich explored during 5 days in Switzerland.

Head towards lake Zurich to reach chocolate heaven, otherwise known as the Lindt Home of Chocolate. This state-of-the-art interactive museum offers visitors immersive experiences in the world of chocolate, educating enthusiasts on the history of chocolate, its production process, and the story of globally loved Lindt.

After you’ve reached the point of sampling so much free chocolate your stomach starts to hurt—this unfortunately happened to me—that’s your cue to return to town for some final historical sightseeing.

Giant chocolate fountain at the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Zürich with visitors exploring the modern, spacious interior during the last of 5 days in Switzerland

Fraumünster is the iconic Gothic church with the green spire, whereas Grossmünster embodies Romanesque architecture with its twin towers adorned with modern stained glass windows.

Churches are kind of the thing to see in Zurich, and the final riverside parish to add to your itinerary is St. Peter’s Church, boasting the largest church clock face in Europe.

Early morning view of Fraumünster Church in Zürich seen during the finale of a 5 day Switzerland itinerary with its iconic green steeple.

Just down the street sits Lindenhof, a peaceful green oasis to relax and revel in all that you’ve accomplished over the past 5 days in Switzerland.

Hit Mühlsteg, the bridge famous for its "love locks,” on the way back to your hotel and all within this quick day you will have discovered the most notable sites in Zurich!

Scenic city view through a love-lock covered bridge in Zürich, representing one of the cultural highlights of a 5 day Swiss itinerary.

How Much Do 5 Days in Switzerland Cost?

Following the above 5 days in Switzerland itinerary cost me $1,253.66 overall as a young college student on a budget, omitting flight costs.

While Switzerland is notoriously one of the most expensive countries in Europe to visit, I found my overall expenses to be quite reasonable considering everything we accomplished.

I spent significantly the most in Interlaken at $635.85, which can be largely chocked up to the cost of paragliding. Two days in Lauterbrunnen cost me $399.80 while budget traveling and staying in a hostel, while the single day we spent in Zurich only cost me $218.73.

Purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass was a game-changer for my travel budget, since it covered all my train, bus, boat, and gondola rides. This transit usually brought me to pristinely beautiful places I could then enjoy for free, which is how I avoided additional expenses for the vast majority of activities covered in this itinerary.

Is 5 Days in Switzerland Enough?

After five action-packed days traversing Switzerland, you'll have experienced more than most travelers do in weeks. From the thundering waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen to the turquoise Interlaken waters, and from mountain top adventures to cosmopolitan city streets, this itinerary delivers the perfect blend of natural wonders and cultural discovery.

If you’re taking PTO to embark on this journey, you can typically squeeze 9 days of travel out of a week off by departing Friday night and returning Sunday evening. Spending only 5 of those days in Switzerland makes this itinerary perfect if you’d like to spend your remaining time away in a nearby country like France (3 days in Paris anyone?), Germany, Austria, or Italy!

Remember, while this travel maximalist itinerary is packed with highlights, it's also flexible enough to adapt to your interests and energy levels. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie seeking mountain thrills or a nature enthusiast chasing the perfect shot, Switzerland's incredible infrastructure makes it easy to modify this route to curate your own perfect Swiss adventure—which I know you’ll love since it just so happens to be my favorite country I’ve ever visited!

destination ranking: 1/15

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