Top Zurich Day Trips

There are plenty of high-quality day trips from Zurich. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen & Mürren Private Day Trip From Zurich
• Mt Titlis Glacier Paradise Tour From Zurich With Lucerne
• Breathtaking Private Hike With a Local Swiss Expert (1-Day Trip)
• Swiss Alps Panorama Tour With Private Guide From Zurich
• Crash Landing on You Private Switzerland Day Tour From Zurich or Lucerne (CLOY)

Rapperswil is less than a 45-minute journey and offers rose gardens, a medieval castle, and charismatic alleys. Stein am Rhein boasts painted half-timbered houses and Rhine vistas. You can also visit cities such as Lucerne, with its historic Chapel Bridge, Thun, with its fairytale castle, and Baden, with its medieval old town and thermal spa.

Yes—Lucerne is a popular day trip from Zurich because it’s less than an hour away and boasts historic sights including the 700-year-old Chapel Bridge. Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne, visit the Swiss Transport Museum, or ride a cable car up Mt. Pilatus for spectacular views of central Switzerland.

Yes—Interlaken is just two hours away by train and attracts adventure-seekers looking to get their heart rates up in the Jungfrau region. This resort town, surrounded by mountains, is also a popular day trip from Zurich because it’s full of spas, souvenir shops, and plenty of cozy cafés and eateries.

Liechtenstein is a 1–2-hour drive or train ride away from Zurich. The border regions of Austria and Germany are also doable in a day, especially if you book a private tour with a driver who knows the roads. Keep in mind, travel time depends on traffic, construction, and weather conditions.

Two days is about all you need to experience most of what the lakefront city of Zurich has to offer. However, because of its central location, it’s a great home base for visiting Liechtenstein and seeing more of Switzerland. Keep in mind, though, Zurich is one of the world’s most expensive cities—your budget might not allow for too long a stay.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Zurich aside from day trips. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Chocolate Tours
• Cable Car Tours
• Day Cruises
• Jet Ski Rentals
• Private Drivers

Zurich day trip prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now: 

• Rhine Falls Coach Tour From Zurich
• Small Group Day Trip to Lucerne With Optional Saphir Yacht Cruise
• Best of Zurich Tour With Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride
• Full-Day Tour to Interlaken From Zurich (KTZ361)

There are a lot of Zurich day trips to choose from—some visit nearby towns and cities like Lucerne or Interlaken, while others explore the Alps, waterfalls, or even Liechtenstein. Tour lengths and activities vary, so read each listing carefully. Check what’s included (transport, admission fees, guides) and note any seasonal or weather-related restrictions. Swiss trains are very efficient so don’t be surprised if a tour includes a rail component.

Dress in layers—the weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains. Wear comfortable shoes for walking, and bring snacks, water, and a camera (or a fully charged phone). Arrive early for departure and follow your guide’s instructions to stay on schedule. Some tours cross borders, so bring your passport if necessary.

Many travelers find the best time to book Zurich day trips is between May and September, when the weather is mild and ideal for outdoor sightseeing. Summer is perfect for mountain excursions and lake cruises, but it’s also the busiest season—book early to secure your spot. For fewer crowds, try late spring or early fall. Winter offers winter sports and snow-clad mountains.

Yes—the Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall by volume, are one of the most popular day trips from Zurich, and you can reach them in about 45 minutes. Many popular tours add a visit to the medieval town of Stein am Rhein: You can also join boat rides below the falls, including one that stops at the central rock.

Switzerland’s rail network is fast and efficient, putting many destinations in easy reach. Rapperswil and the Rhine Falls (get off at Schaffhausen) are both less than 45 minutes; Lucerne and Bern are less than an hour; Interlaken and Thun are within two hours, although you need to change trains en route.

Yes, you can visit Jungfraujoch as a day trip from Zurich, but it’s most convenient to join a guided tour as the train journey involves multiple connections. Guided trips make it easy to take the cogwheel train and cable car over the mountains from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald, with transportation to drop you off at one end and collect you on the other.

Travelers rate the Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip From Zurich, which pairs Alpine vistas with one of Switzerland’s prettiest old towns. The Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip From Zurich wows travelers with cogwheel trains and a cable car, while the Mt. Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip From Zurich With Lake Cruise pairs mountain adventures with a boat ride and pretty Lucerne.

Many Zurich day trips run throughout the year. But winter is the ideal season for snow sports and Alpine adventures. For snow-clad mountains, try Mt. Titlis, Mt. Pilatus, and Jungfraujoch, or soak up the scenery on the Glacier Express; for skiing and snowboarding, consider Hoch Ybrig or Flumserberg.