Switzerland has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember and when I finally manifested it, I couldn’t believe it happened. I am not sure if it is a coincidence or just timing, but when I got invited by the Swiss Tourism Board in October, I completely flipped, especially because I had noted it in my manifestation journal back in August 2024. Such a full circle moment, for me indeed.
I tried really hard not to turn this into a love letter to Switzerland – even though it honestly deserves paragraphs of dramatic praise. It was easily one of the best trips of my life, and I loved it more than I expected. I definitely want to visit again in summer, but for now, I’ve kept this post short, focused, and practical, with all the details you’ll actually need if you’re planning your own trip.
Moving on…I’ve been getting a lot of questions and DMs about my Switzerland trip, so I thought I would share a detailed day-by-day guide of how the complete journey unfolded! Before I share the itinerary, I’d like to share some tips.
Switz Travel Tips
- Cabs in Switzerland are expensive, so a Swiss Travel Pass (from AED1,000) is essential. You can find all info here – Swiss Travel Pass – the All-in-one-Ticket for Switzerland | SBB gives you Unlimited travel by train, bus and boat. It definitely makes commuting easy, cost-effective, and most importantly, scenic.
- Unlimited travel on premium panorama trains (seat reservation fees and/or surcharges apply)
- Unlimited use of public transport in more than 90 towns & cities
- Free admission to more than 500 museums
- Mountain excursions included: Rigi, Stanserhorn and Stoos
- All round-trip boat cruises are approx 2h, unless you would like to get down at another stop
- Switzerland is factually the most expensive country in Europe. So yes, save up for it. But also, don’t hold back where it matters, because it’s absolutely worth every bit.
- Switz winters has its own charm while summer is lush and green. But, if you want to experience the festive spirit, witness snow, and ski, then winter is the right time to visit Switzerland.
The total cost of this trip (itinerary mentioned below) is approximately AED 25,000.
For packing tips, winter clothing advice, and ways to handle some common issues you may face, tap my Instagram post above.
Day 1: Arrival in Zurich
Zurich is a polished, modern financial city, and if you’re coming from Dubai or another big metropolitan place, it won’t feel wildly unfamiliar. Think clean streets, global brands, efficient transport, and a pretty old town wrapped around a lake. It’s not mind-blowing in a “new city discovery” way, but it’s genuinely beautiful, especially around the lake and the historic center.
Upon landing we took the train directly from the airport, and then a short tram ride to our hotel Sorell Hotel Seefeld (from AED1,400 per night, no food included). It was convenient as we had help to carry luggages.
We spend our first day in Zurich! We instantly felt festive with Christmas lights, markets, music, and the chic European winter vibe. If you have a winter trip to Zurich in late November or December, don’t miss out on the epic Swiss Christmas markets with the beautiful Christmas decorations that take place from late November until Christmas.
These markets are some of the best in all of Switzerland and offer everything from mulled wine and delicious food to unique handcrafted gifts and festive decorations.
We then went on a short boat ride on Lake Zurich (included in the pass), followed by lunch at Brunch de LUX” at the restaurant LUX directly next to lake Zurich. The restaurant Is located near the Bürkliplatz.
We then spend the rest of the afternoon wandering through Zurich’s Christmas markets, exploring Sechseläutenplatz, Niederdorf, and the streets around Bahnhofstrasse and Münsterhof. Later, We also walked through the old town! We checked a couple of Christmas markets out and our favorite was Sechseläutenplatz. We also really wanted to visit the Lindt chocolate factory, but it was fully sold out by the time we checked. Please book your tickets in advance!
We spent the evening at the Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar, tucked above Bahnhofstrasse on the top floor of Globus. French-Mediterranean plates, thoughtful cocktails, and that kind of view that makes you sit back and stay a little longer. Our bill was CHF120 for 2 (AED 555) without drinks.
PS: On our last day, we stayed at the Renaissance Zurich Tower Hotel in Turbinenstrasse, while Sorell Hotel is in Seefeldstrasse. After staying in both areas, Seefeldstrasse was easily the better pick, right in the heart of Zurich, with restaurants, shops, even Christmas markets. Turbinenstrasse felt very tech-zone and kind of dead, so I wouldn’t recommend staying there. Seefeldstrasse just had more soul.
Day 2: Zurich to Lucerne via St. Gallen
Next afternoon, we boarded the scenic Voralpen Express to Lucerne (covered in the pass). I highly recommend this experience! It is (or will be) in your bucket list that you would definitely want to tick off!
The train journey is breathtaking, with lakes, forests, and mountains unfolding along the route.
Arriving in Lucerne, the city felt cozy and magical. We were in total awe of the beautifully lit buildings and quaint squares! We stayed at Grand National Hotel (from AED 1,200 per night) which was stunning! We had the most beautiful view from our balcony.
Lucerne is a smaller, very walkable city built around a lake and an old town that feels more intimate than Zurich. You can cover most areas on foot, and the charm is in the medieval bridges, waterfront, and mountain backdrop. It’s also the base for Mount Titlis (actually in Engelberg, about an hour away by train) which is a major day trip for visitors, but Lucerne itself isn’t only about Titlis – the Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Lake Lucerne cruises, and Mount Pilatus are all part of the picture.
We had dinner at Kanchi Indian Restaurant. It wasn’t authentic Indian in my honest opinion, more of fusion. Our bill was CHF110 for 2 (AED 500). By this time, we evidently figured that every time we dine out it would approximately within this range itself.
Day 3: Lucerne – Lake Cruise, and Christmas Market
We decided to take the Lake Lucerne cruise, gliding across calm waters with mountains on either side. We then explored the Chapel Bridge and walked along the Reuss River.
By late afternoon, Lucerne had transformed into a winter wonderland. We went ice skating at Ice Magic Lucerne and wandered through Rudolfs Christmas Market and Franziskanerplatz.
If you want to explore Mount Titlis in a guided day trip including the Ice Flyer, you can check out this tour here: GetYourGuide – Mount Titlis Day Tour (AED 730 per person).
Day 4: Lucerne to Interlaken
Before I proceed, out of Zurich and Lucerne, Interlaken has a special place in my heart. I would’ve loved to slow down and stay longer; there’s something about the place that just feels beautiful and surreal. I even missed out on paragliding due to time, which already feels like an excuse to return.
Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, surrounded by mountains, and feels very different from Zurich or Lucerne. It’s small, walkable, and has that classic “Swiss Alps” atmosphere rather than a city vibe. Bollywood fans will know this is where parts of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge were shot, and there’s even a Yash Chopra statue here because of how often he filmed in Switzerland.
Interlaken also has noticeable Indian influences. From restaurants to tour groups – and I saw a lot of Arab travellers as well. It honestly felt like a seasonal expat-holiday hub, where people from everywhere come for nature, mountains and adventure sports rather than for a traditional Swiss city experience.
The Lucerne–Interlaken Express (included in the pass) is one of Switzerland’s most scenic panoramic train journeys, taking you through mountain valleys, lakes, and snow-covered forests. Arriving in Interlaken felt like stepping into the heart of the Alps. The ride was approximately 3h.
We also did a winter cruise (my all-time favorite) on Lake Thun, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Boats operate on Lake Thun all year, even in winter.
- You’ll see green hills, castles, and the Bernese Alps.
- Choose between the 2-hour cruise Interlaken-Thun and many shorter stretches.
- All standard boat rides are free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Later, we checked into our hotel Hotel Royal-St. Georges (from AED1,000 per night), a historic hotel that was built around the late 19th century.
We then joined a chocolate workshop at Funky Chocolate Club – Chocolate & Pastry Shop and made our own chocolate bars (AED345 per person). This was our first ever chocolate making workshop! Jake & I really enjoyed getting to know about chocolate. More information on the workshop is on my Instagram post below.
Evening walks through Interlaken just hit differently. Wherever you walk, the alps are right there, wrapping around the town. Every 5 minutes I caught myself thinking, wow, is this actually real?
For dinner, we went to Layaly Beirut – and I’ll admit, I didn’t expect much from a Lebanese restaurant in Interlaken. But we were genuinely blown away. The kebabs were some of the best I’ve had, and the fattoush was unreal. The owners are Lebanese too, and they’ve been in Interlaken for over 20 years. You’ll also find quite a few Indian restaurants around Interlaken, which was honestly a nice surprise. The meal was approx AED 600.
Day 5: Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
We took an early morning train from Grindelwald Terminal and then up to Jungfraujoch, 3,454 meters above sea level. The views were breathtaking and completely otherworldly. Every activity from Jungfraujoch is not included in the pass, it is a separate tour package. However, you can avail discounts if you have the Swiss Travel Pass.
At Jungfraujoch, we experienced snow for the first time, and it was breathtaking. The temperature dropped to -15°C, the coldest we’ve ever felt, but standing there in front of those mountains brought this strange mix of calm and awe. It made us appreciate nature in a way we hadn’t before!
We also explored the Sphinx Observatory, Ice Palace, and Alpine Sensation, soaking in the incredible panorama of the Aletsch Glacier. It was cold, surreal, and unforgettable! Jungfraujoch is more convenient and cost-effective if visited from Lucerne or Interlaken.
For those interested in a guided day trip to Jungfraujoch and the Bernese Oberland from Zurich, check out this tour: Viator – Jungfraujoch Day Trip (from AED 1,370 per person).
For dinner we headed to Taj Palace where we were surprised by how authentic the Indian food was! It truly took us back to some of the dhaba food we’ve had in India.
Switzerland surprised me in the best ways. From city corners to alpine valleys, it felt like a place that deserves both slow mornings, long returns, and the kind of wandering that makes you forget about time. Every stop had its own character, and together they made the trip feel full in a way only certain places can. Switzerland isn’t just scenery, it’s a feeling – quiet, intentional, a little magical. It lingers in your mind even after you’ve unpacked your bags. I already know I’ll chase that feeling again in summer, with more mountains, more lakes, and definitely more time in Interlaken. For now, this was my Switzerland.