Switzerland|4 Days 3 Nights, See All These Places
⏳Recommended Duration: 4 Days 3 Nights (Essence Version)
💡Why Visit: The dreamy slopes of Grindelwald, the blue-green waters of Lungern, the cliff walk on First Mountain, the 72 waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen, and the 360-degree panoramic view from Mount Rigi—these combined sights make Switzerland irreplaceable. This guide covers all the places you'll visit without backtracking, with a relaxed itinerary pace.
📌 Pre-Trip Must-Reads|Key Updates for 2026
🎫 Swiss Travel Pass
If you plan to travel between multiple cities, the pass is almost a must-buy. Prices have increased in 2026:
· 3-day pass (2nd class): 254 CHF
· 4-day pass (2nd class): 309 CHF
· 6-day pass (2nd class): 399 CHF
The pass allows unlimited train, bus, and boat rides, free entry to 500+ museums, and 50% off mountain cable cars. The First Mountain cable car and adventure packages also offer discounts with the pass.
🏨 Accommodation Tips
Summer is peak tourist season; hotels in popular towns like Grindelwald fill up quickly and prices soar. It’s recommended to book 2-3 months in advance. Staying in a guesthouse halfway up the mountain in Grindelwald offers unobstructed mountain views.
🔌 Power Sockets & Visa
Switzerland uses Type J sockets (three round pins); bring an adapter. Chinese passport holders enjoy Schengen visa-free entry, with passport validity required to be at least 3 months beyond the return date.
🚞 Itinerary Overview|4 Days 3 Nights Without Backtracking
Arrive in Zurich, depart from Lucerne: Zurich (arrival) → Lucerne (1 night) → Interlaken/Grindelwald (2 nights) → Lucerne (return).
Lungern and Brienz are both on the Golden Pass train line, making them convenient to connect.
🏙️ Day 0: Arrive in Zurich → Lucerne (about 1 hour)
After arriving at Zurich Airport, take a train about 1 hour to Lucerne and stay overnight.
Quick Lucerne City Tour (about 2 hours):
· Chapel Bridge: Built in the 14th century, Europe’s oldest wooden covered bridge
· The Dying Lion of Lucerne: Mark Twain called it “the saddest stone in the world”
· Lucerne Old Town: Colorful mural buildings, fountains, and squares
🌊 Day 1: Lucerne → Lungern → Brienz → Grindelwald
Morning|Lungern
Take a train about 50 minutes from Lucerne directly to Lungern. Known as the “Sapphire Dropped by God,” this town lies deep in an Alpine valley, surrounded by snowy mountains, with lake waters shifting from blue to green in the sunlight.
· Lungern Lake Viewing Platform: Best photo time before 10 AM (before morning mist clears), lake colors shift from Tiffany blue to emerald green
· Recommended activities: Stroll and relax by the lake, take photos in the town alleys
· Time reference: 2-3 hours recommended
· Travel tip: If driving, park outside the town and enter on foot
Afternoon|Brienz
Take the train from Lungern to Brienz, passing through the highlight section of the Golden Pass line. Brienz Lake is one of Switzerland’s bluest lakes and less crowded.
Brienz Rothorn Steam Train: The red steam cogwheel train departs from Brienz and takes about 40-60 minutes to Rothorn Kulm, passing meadows, forests, and lake views.
· 2026 operating dates: June 6 to October 25, hourly service to Rothorn Kulm
· From May 9 to June 5, the train only runs to Planalp
· Summit views: Overlook the emerald Brienz Lake and Alpine peaks
· Ticket price: Round trip about 98 CHF
In the evening, take the train to Grindelwald (change at Interlaken Ost to the BOB mountain train, about 35 minutes), overnight in Grindelwald.
⛰️ Day 2: Grindelwald → First Mountain
Grindelwald is surrounded by the north face of the Eiger, famous for its “dreamy slopes” made up of chalets and meadows. It’s recommended to stay 2 nights here.
Morning|Dreamy Slopes
The dreamy slopes are easily accessible from town, popular photo spots include Jungfrau Lodge parking and the Grill Bar second-floor terrace. The light is best at sunrise or sunset.
All day|First Mountain (Core)
First Mountain stands at 2,168 meters, quieter than Jungfrau. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from Grindelwald to the Firstbahn cable car station.
· Cable car: About 25 minutes, stops at Bort and Schreckfeld, then directly to First summit
· Ticket price: Round trip usually 68-73 CHF for adults; 50% off with Swiss Travel Pass
· Operating hours: Cable car starts at 8:00 AM, activities open at 9:00 AM. The cliff walk is usually open 8:25 AM to 6:00 PM in summer
· Last cable car: Usually around 5:00 PM, be sure to note the time to descend
Cliff Walk: Right at the cable car station, a fully metal hollow suspension walkway with a glass viewing platform at the end, free of charge.
Bachalpsee Alpine Lake: Hike from the cliff walk along Trail No. 1 to the alpine lake, about 3-4 km one way, 2 hours round trip. On clear, windless days, the lake mirrors the snowy mountains.
Adventure Package: Includes unlimited cable car rides plus activities.
· 1 activity|Adult 90 CHF, half-fare card 60 CHF
· 2 activities|Adult 109 CHF, half-fare card 81 CHF
· Activities include: Mountain Cart, Trottibike, First Glider, First Flyer zipline
Queue reminder: Popular activities may have 1-2 hour waits in peak season; some visitors reported a 3-hour wait for the First Glider. It’s best to take the first cable car up and do popular activities first.
💧 Day 3: Grindelwald → Lauterbrunnen → Mount Rigi → Return
Morning|Lauterbrunnen
About 20 minutes by train from Grindelwald. Surrounded by 72 waterfalls, wooden chalets, pastures, and snowy peaks create the classic Alpine scene. Staubbach Falls drops vertically from a 297-meter cliff.
· How to explore: Walk slowly along the valley floor trail to soak in the atmosphere
· Time reference: 2-3 hours to cover the valley highlights
· Dress tip: Lots of mist, waterproof jacket essential
⚠️ 2026 Special Notice: The Grütschalp cable car will be under construction from April 13 to July 10, 2026. If planning to travel from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren, itinerary adjustments may be needed. Check the latest operation info before departure.
Afternoon|Mount Rigi
Take the train from Interlaken back to Lucerne (about 2 hours), then a boat to Mount Rigi.
Known as the “Queen of the Mountains,” Rigi has gentle slopes and easy hiking like a park. There are about 120 km of hiking trails.
How to ascend: Take a boat from Lucerne pier about 50 minutes to Vitznau, then transfer to Europe’s first cogwheel railway built in 1871, which goes straight to Rigi Kulm summit.
Classic hike (Rigi Kulm → Rigi Kaltbad): About 4.5 km, 1.5 hours, descending 300 meters. Trail surface is gravel and wooden boardwalks, stroller-friendly.
Descent: From Rigi Kaltbad, take the cable car down to Weggis, then boat back to Lucerne.
🎫 Tickets: Swiss Travel Pass holders ride all mountain transport free, 24/7 year-round.
🧾 Practical Tips|Every Word Counts
· Clothing: Big temperature swings and fast-changing winds in the mountains. Windproof jacket, sunglasses, and sunscreen are must-haves. Bright or light-colored jackets stand out against snow and grass. First Mountain activities may get you wet.
· Sun protection: Strong UV at high altitude, sunscreen and sunglasses essential.
· Booking: Book accommodations 2-3 months in advance during peak season. Buy First Mountain adventure packages online in advance.
· Weather: Mountain weather changes quickly; check real-time weather before departure.
🌅 The dreamy slopes of Grindelwald, the blue-green waters of Lungern, the cliff walk on First Mountain, the 72 waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen, and the 360-degree panorama from Mount Rigi—these combined sights make Switzerland irreplaceable.
💬 Which corner of Switzerland do you like best? Is it Grindelwald’s dreamy slopes, Lungern’s blue-green lake, or First Mountain’s cliff walk? Feel free to share in the comments~