7 Day Autumn Magic in Switzerland

Itinerary created by

Olivia

What you’ll do

Discover the breathtaking allure of Western Switzerland in autumn over seven days! This itinerary takes you from the iconic peaks of Zermatt to the serene vineyards of Lavaux, the thermal baths of Lavey-les-Bains, and the historic splendor of Lausanne Geneva. You will visit the charming post-card village of Gruyères, and even get the chance to witness the alpine descent in the mountains, a unique Swiss cultural event that takes place only during the fall.

This itinerary is perfect for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and gourmet aficionados, this journey promises a magical Swiss escape during the golden fall season!

Highlights

Day 1: Arrival and Zermatt Old Town
- Transfer from Zurich or Geneva to Zermatt
- Explore the quaint streets and charming architecture of Zermatt Old Town
Day 2: Zermatt (Gornergrat)
- Witness a incredible sunrise at a secret spot
- Take the scenic train to Gornergrat
- Enjoy a stunning autumn hike with views of Riffelsee and the Matterhorn
Day 3: Transfer to Lausanne
- Transfer to Lausanne
- Explore Lausanne's historic Old Town
- Visit the stunning Lausanne Cathedral
Day 4: Lavaux and Lausanne
- Stroll through the terraced vineyards of Lavaux (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore the Olympic Museum in Lausanne and the lakeside Ouchy district
- Optional: Relax at the thermal baths of Lavey-les-Bains
Day 5: Daytrip to Charmey and Gruyères
- Experience the traditional Alpine descent in Charmey
- Wander through the medieval town of Gruyères and the Gruyères castle
- Visit the Maison Cailler chocolate factory and the HR alien bar!
Day 6: Daytrip to Montreux
- Discover the beauty of Montreux
- Tour the historic Chillon Castle
- Enjoy an interactive experience at Chaplin's World
Day 7: Geneva
- Admire the iconic Jet d'Eau fountain
- Explore the historical Geneva Old Town
- Savour an evening gourmet cruise on Lake Geneva
Day 8: Departure
- Depart from Geneva with unforgettable memories
A A 4x4 car is NOT necessary for this trip.
Recommended Season: September - November
Note that this itinerary is focused on the French region of Switzerland (Lausanne, Montreux, Geneva, Zermatt).

Upon arrival at Geneva or Zurich airport, we will be heading to the French-side of Switzerland, towards Zermatt, home to the Matterhorn!

Since the journey from the airport to Zermatt will take about 2.5 hours, you will likely reach at mid-afternoon. Hence, we will keep the day light today with...

some shopping, cafe-hopping and sight-seeing around Zermatt village,
an optional history tour at the Matterhorn Museum,
a really easy and scenic hike along the Gorner Gorge.

In the evening, we will conclude with a dinner at Restaurant Julen, where you will enjoy traditional Swiss fondues, meat & local lamb specialities.

Transport card option

Specifically for this itinerary, I would recommend the Half-Fare Card.

in summary, you will pay 120CHF for the half-fare card (it is valid for a month), and every subsequent tickets for trains, buses, cable-cars will be half the price with 50% off the purchase value. Take note that you need to buy the tickets ON TOP of your half-fare card. You can purchase them either directly on the SBB app (for regular bus,trains,trams) or at the physical counters. For special mountain excursions, go to the website to book online.

However, if you prefer a more fuss-free experience not having to buy train tickets all the time, you can get the 6 day Swiss Travel Pass which covers you for unlimited transportation on the entire Swiss transport network. Take note that special cable cars and mountain excursions are excluded, but comes with 25-50% discounts.

Choose the option that fits you the best