Zürich offers international travelers a little bit of everything when it comes to visiting Switzerland. Indulge in the culinary delights of Swiss chocolate and fondue. Experience the culture up close and personal with world-class museums. Enjoy the beautiful scenery. But why limit yourself to just one city? Explore more areas of Switzerland with these convenient and fun day trips from Zürich.

  • overview of city and bridge

BERN

Bern is the capital city of Switzerland and can be reached independently by train, car or private driver from Zürich. Old Bern, the medieval city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with Renaissance architecture that is considered a jewel of medieval charm in Europe. Traveling to Bern from Zürich will take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours depending on your preferred mode of transportation.

  • swans on a blue lake

LUCERNE

Lucerne is nestled in the snow-capped Swiss Alps and overlooks Lake Lucerne. The breathtaking panoramic views are stunning enough that we recommend spending at least one night in the area. It’s very easily accessible as a day trip from Zürich by train or car as the travel time is typically one hour. A myriad of activities will keep you occupied for hours including shops, museums and restaurants. Medieval architecture is a sure-to-please bonus.

HEIDILAND

A family-friendly area, Heidiland is an easy day trip from Zürich — about 1 to 1.5 hours of travel time. Located in Eastern Switzerland, this region gets its name from Johanna Spyri’s Heidi story. In typical Swiss fashion, it is complete with towering mountains, serene lakes and picturesque villages. We recommend our travelers to tour Heidiland on a public or private tour to make the most of your time sightseeing.

  • person overlooking the city from a mountain top

LIECHTENSTEIN

Out of all the day trips from Zürich you could take, nothing will be as off-the-beaten path as a trip to Liechtenstein. It’s one of the smallest countries in the world with only 62 square miles and 38,000 residents. Accessible by bus or car, there are plenty of touring options whether you want to explore independently, with a group or with your own private driver. This country is further than the others on this list but still doable at 1.5 to 2 hours travel time.

Keep in mind that a current valid driver’s license is required to rent a car in Switzerland. An international driving permit (IDP) is not required, but recommended for foreign drivers, especially if you plan to drive the car outside of Switzerland. Ask about transportation options when you request a quote from our team.

Switzerland is located right in the heart of western Europe, which means it is very easy to reach other neighboring countries such as France, Germany, Austria and beyond. Download our free guide to Switzerland to learn more.

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