45 days in Switzerland Itinerary

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Stiftsbibliothek and Wooden Bridge from Rapperswil to Hurden. Get out of town with these interesting Zurich side-trips: Lucerne (Glacier Garden Lucerne (Gletschergarten), KKL Luzern - Lucerne Culture and Convention Centre, &more), Kloster Einsiedeln (in Einsiedeln) and Schloss Rapperswil (in Rapperswil). There's much more to do: see the interesting displays at Zoological Museum, explore the activities along Limmat, take an in-depth tour of Landesmuseum, and buy something for everyone on your list at Einkaufszentrum Glatt.

For other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Zurich online sightseeing planner.

Los Angeles, USA to Zurich is an approximately 14-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 9 hours traveling from Los Angeles to Zurich. Expect colder weather when traveling from Los Angeles in November: highs in Zurich hover around 48°F, while lows dip to 37°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) to allow time to take a train to Basel.

Situated where the Swiss, German, and French borders meet, Basel is considered the hub of Dreilandereck, this "three countries corner." Its location makes Basel a center of culture and history, brimming with important theaters and museums.

Explore hidden gems such as Tierpark Lange Erlen and Porte St. Alban. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Basel: Saint-Ursanne (Collegiale, Cloitre de St-Ursanne, &more) and Delemont (Eglise St-Marcel, Musee Jurassien, &more). The adventure continues: browse the exhibits of Basel Historical Museum - Barfuesserkirche, examine the collection at Anatomisches Museum, stroll around Skulpturenweg, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sinagoga di Basilea.

To find reviews, maps, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Basel trip planner.

Traveling by train from Zurich to Basel takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In November, daily temperatures in Basel can reach 51°F, while at night they dip to 37°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Geneva.

Geneva brings the world to one small city with a huge expat population and the highest number of international organizations in any one city.

Explore hidden gems such as Maison Tavel and Parc La Grange. Change things up with these side-trips from Geneva: l'Arboretum du Vallon de l'Aubonne (in Aubonne), Eglise de Saint-Sulpice (in Saint Sulpice) and Lausanne (Parc de Mon Repos, Rue de Bourg, &more). Next up on the itinerary: admire the masterpieces at Musee D'Art Et D'Histoire, browse the exhibits of Chateau de Nyon, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Notre Dame Basilica, and don't miss a visit to Chapel of the Maccabees.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Geneva online sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Basel to Geneva in 3 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. In November in Geneva, expect temperatures between 49°F during the day and 37°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Fri) so you can go by car to Bern.

The capital and political center of Switzerland, Bern sits on a peninsula formed by the U-shaped River Aare.

Explore hidden gems such as Bundesplatz and Aare River. Change things up with these side-trips from Bern: Premier Alpine Centre (in Nendaz), Spas (in Biel) and Soleure (Einsiedelei St. Verena, Jesuitenkirche, &more). The adventure continues: see the interesting displays at Museum of Communication, learn more about the world around you at Museum of Natural History of Bern, make a trip to Ramparts Walls, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedrale St-Nicolas.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Bern holiday app.

Traveling by car from Geneva to Bern takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Geneva in December, plan for slightly colder nights in Bern, with lows around 26°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Lugano.

Located in the popular holiday region of Ticino, Lugano is the largest Italian-speaking town in Switzerland.

Discover out-of-the-way places like The Olive Grove Trail and Monte San Giorgio. Get out of town with these interesting Lugano side-trips: Centro Dannemann - Fabbrica Tabacchi (in Brissago), Ascona (Piazza G. Motta & Collegio Pontificio Papio) and Parco delle Gole della Breggia (in Morbio Inferiore). There's still lots to do: admire the landmark architecture of Palazzo Civico di Bellinzona, try your luck at Casino Lugano, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Chiesa San Rocco, and examine the collection at Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana - MASI Lugano.

To see maps, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Lugano online road trip planner.

Drive from Bern to Lugano in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Bern in December, expect nights in Lugano to be about the same, around 31°F, while days are a bit warmer, around 48°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) so you can drive to Chur.

Chur or Coire is the capital and largest town of the Swiss canton of Grisons and lies in the Grisonian Rhine Valley, where the Rhine turns towards the north, in the northern part of the canton. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Arosa Lenzerheide and St. Maria Himmelfahrt Cathedral. Venture out of the city with trips to Schloss Werdenberg (in Werdenberg), St. Leonhard Kapelle (in Bad Ragaz) and Landwasser Viaduct (in Filisur). The adventure continues: walk around Kurpark, make a trip to Obere Gasse, admire the masterpieces at Forum Wurth Chur, and relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

Planning Chur trip won't be overwhelming when you use Inspirock's itinerary maker.

Getting from Lugano to Chur by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. On the 21st (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.