You have so many options for day trips to explore some of the best places in Switzerland from Zurich.
Zurich is well connected both regionally and internationally, serving as an excellent base for memorable day trips in the region.
Today, I am recommending the 5 best places you can explore from Zurich if you’re using it as a base.
Let’s explore!
Table of Contents
Basel
Basel isn’t far away from Zurich; it’s a true day trip, taking an hour by train. You can catch a train directly to Basel.
It is located at the corners of France and Germany. Basel is well-known for its museum.
It has nearly 40 museums such as the Kunstmuseum, the Tinguel Museum, the Pharmacy Museum, the Basel Historical Museum, and the Fondation Beyeler.
Additionally, you can wander through the Medieval streets of Basel’s Old Town and visit Basler Munster. Basel is kind of Switzerland’s cultural hub in many ways.
So, I would say if you are interested in museums, arts, and culture in Switzerland, Basel should definitely be a worthy destination on your day trip.
Lucerne
Lucerne is a beautiful city in the heart of Switzerland. It’s really easy to go to Lucerne from Zurich about 45 minutes by train.
It is a straight train ride, so you don’t need to change, and it is not very expensive. Lucerne is a beautiful city and a popular destination for tourists.
Compared to Zurich, Lucerne is closer to the mountains.
Some key attractions of Lucerne:
- Chapel Bridge – One of Lucerne’s most iconic landmarks.
- Lake Lucerne – It offers amazing views and various activities like lakeside walks, swimming, and boat trips.
- Old Town – The attractive cobblestone streets, painted facades and historical buildings make the Old Town a must-visit.
- Mount Rigi – Mount Rigi is known as the “Queen of the Mountains”. It offers stunning views.
- Mount Pilatus – It is accessible by the world’s steepest cogwheel railway and cable car. Pilatus Kulm offers several observation terraces with panoramic views of the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne.
These are things that you can do on your day trip to Lucerne.
Rapperswil
Rapperswil is located on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich in Switzerland. It is referred to as the “Town of Roses” in Switzerland.
Rapperswil is renowned for its picturesque old town, beautiful lakeside setting, and rich cultural heritage.
You can reach Rapperswil in two ways: the quickest and most efficient way is by train, which will take 30 minutes.
Alternatively, if you want to explore and enjoy a boat ride, there are daily boat trips from Zurich to Rapperswil that take about 2 hours.
Rapperswil is one of those cities that is really charming all year round. So, if you are there in the spring or even in the summer, you will see really beautiful rose gardens.
You can just stroll through these stunning rose gardens, and enjoy all the colors they offer. It’s totally free to access which is not something that happens in Switzerland very often.
Also, You can explore Rapperswil, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy it by the lakeside.
However, if you are in Switzerland during the Christmas holiday, Rapperswil has beautiful Christmas markets and you must visit their Christmas markets.
So, if you are not heading into the Alps or countryside from Zurich and want to experience the Swiss village charm, Rapperswil is a great option.
Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen is a cute little city and is 35-40 minutes away from Zurich by train. When you are in Schaffhausen, you really need to walk through the Old Town.
While walking, you will discover the well-preserved medieval buildings, historic landmarks, and colorful frescoes.
What makes Schaffhausen really special is the Rhine Falls. It is Europe’s largest waterfall. From Zurich, you can go directly to Rhine Falls. Also, take boat trips to go close to the falls.
So, the combination of the Old Town and Rhine Falls makes Schaffhausen one of my top five day trip recommendations.
Bern
Bern is the capital of Switzerland. It is geographically the furthest on my list from Zurich, yet it’s still only an hour away by train.
With the train, you can arrive in the city center. Bern is rich in culture, natural beauty, and history.
Bern Old Town is UNESCO World Heritage-listed, offering well-preserved medieval architecture, charming squares, and narrow streets.
Also, don’t miss the Kramgasse streets in the Old Town. Berner Munster, Federal Palace, and Einstein Museum are historical places worth visiting in Bern.
Take a leisurely walk along the banks of the Aare River or enjoy a refreshing swim in the river during the summer months.
