Discover Switzerland: A 3-Day Adventure with the Swiss Travel Pass
Got 3 days to explore Switzerland? This itinerary offers a blend of famous landmarks and lesser-known "hidden gems". These are some of my favorite places to visit when time is limited.
Lucerne and its Surroundings
Lucerne is a well-known destination, one of Switzerland's most popular cities. While Zurich might be considered by some to be even more beautiful, Lucerne boasts unique advantages beyond its iconic and picturesque bridge. Situated on the shores of one of Switzerland's most stunning lakes, it's also a gateway to a breathtaking alpine region. From Lucerne, you can easily access famous peaks like Rigi, Pilatus, and Titlis. Moreover, the area around Lake Lucerne is dotted with charming villages and equally impressive mountain viewpoints.
Bauen: A Hidden Gem
Bauen is a small village nestled on the shores of Lake Lucerne, located in the southern part of the lake. The easiest way to reach Bauen is by taking a scenic boat trip on Lake Lucerne from Brunnen or Flüelen. You can take a boat directly from Lucerne through Brunnen to Bauen, but to shorten the travel time, consider taking a train from Lucerne to Brunnen or Flüelen and then transferring to a boat.
Bauen stands out for its surprisingly mild climate compared to the surrounding regions. The village is lush with Mediterranean plants and flowers, creating the feeling of being in a charming village by Lake Lugano or an Italian lake. A hiking trail behind the village leads uphill, offering stunning views overlooking the lake.
Bauen is also the birthplace of Alberik Zwyssig, the composer of the Swiss national anthem. His birthplace now houses a quaint restaurant. I considered stopping by, but the balcony seats were full, and I had already had lunch in Brunnen. If you have time, consider enjoying a coffee while soaking in the beautiful lakeside views.
3-Day Itinerary: A suggested plan
Day 1: Rigi and Lucerne City
Start your day early with a visit to the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) to capture photos before the crowds arrive. Then, embark on your journey up Mount Rigi as early as possible.
One popular route is to take a boat from Lucerne to Vitznau and then switch to the cogwheel train up to Rigi Kulm. For the descent, take the train one stop to Rigi Kaltbad (or walk), and then take the cable car down to Weggis. From Weggis, a boat will take you back to Lucerne. The lake views from the cable car and the boat rides are magnificent.
This journey takes approximately 6 hours, including travel time. Dedicate the remaining time to explore the city of Lucerne.
Day 2: Fronalpstock and Bauen
In the morning, take a train to Schwyz, then the funicular to Stoos, and finally the cable car to Fronalpstock. The panoramic view from Fronalpstock is breathtaking.
When descending, follow the path down to Morschach and take a bus back to Brunnen.
From Brunnen, catch a boat to Bauen. If you have to wait for the boat, take a walk or have lunch in Brunnen. Brunnen has a lovely promenade along the lake and many restaurants and cafes. Brunnen also offers hotels with direct views of Lake Lucerne.
From Bauen, take a boat back to Brunnen and then continue to Lucerne. If you want to see the last part of the lake, take the boat to Flüelen, where you can catch a train back to Lucerne. Be sure to check the boat schedule in advance as departures are not frequent.
Day 3: Lauterbrunnen + Grindelwald or Iseltwald, and Lungern
From Lucerne, it takes only 2 hours by train to reach Interlaken. The route from Lucerne to Interlaken is incredibly scenic. Along the way, you'll pass through Lungern, the filming location for the final scene in the K-drama "Crash Landing on You." Feel free to stop here if you wish, but if you're short on time, admiring the village from the train is sufficient.
Once in Interlaken, choose to visit two of the following villages: Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, or Iseltwald. If you choose Iseltwald and want to take a boat trip on Lake Brienz, visit this village first, as the boat tours are primarily for sightseeing and therefore less frequent. The other four villages are located in the Jungfrau mountain region. Each village is unique, but the differences are subtle. Choose two villages to visit. Visiting a maximum of three places in one day is best, especially if you need to travel back to Lucerne.
And that concludes your 3 days in Switzerland! Feel free to change the order of the days or choose 2 out of the 3 days if you have less time.
Accommodation
For this itinerary, staying in Lucerne or somewhere nearby is recommended. The area offers local hospitality options if you prefer a more intimate stay.
Transportation Tickets
You can use the Swiss Travel Pass (STP) or Saver Day Pass (SDP) for the entire itinerary, only paying extra for the cable car from Stoos to Fronalpstock (31 CHF round trip).
The STP and SDP are valid for trains, boats, and buses. Upgrading to 1st class on boats is highly recommended. You can purchase the upgrade at the ticket office at the pier or on the boat. Second class on trains is sufficient. Upgrading to 1st class is expensive and doesn't offer significant differences.
If you book your travel dates early, purchasing an SDP for each day might be cheaper. If you book closer to your travel date, an STP may be more economical than buying SDPs for all 3 days.
The Lake Lucerne region offers countless other mountain peaks and charming villages to discover. On Day 2, consider replacing Bauen with the nearby village of Sisikon or visit Rütli – the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation. With Lucerne as your home base, the possibilities for your Swiss adventure are endless. Enjoy your travels!
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