Tips for a Family Adventure in Switzerland: From Must-See Destinations to Kid-Friendly Activities

For our two weeks in Switzerland vacation this summer, we have just returned! (Yay!) I can’t wait to share all the details with you! It’s about a month since we returned from Switzerland and I’m still thinking about it every day! We have so many pictures from our vacation that I decided a blog post would be the best way to recap our full itinerary in Switzerland. So, let’s talk about our destinations in Switzerland, food, budget tips, a day-to-day itinerary in Switzerland, and so much more. So much goodness where do we even begin?! Here’s a small sample of all the things we saw this summer.

Destinations We've Explored:

Weggis: Tucked along Lake Lucerne, Weggis welcomed us with its tranquil beauty and jaw-dropping views of the Swiss Alps.

Zurich: This lovely financial hub was full of cosy nooks, not to mention modern wonders in the Old Town, where the very best shops can be found. Not only did we wander through the Zurich zoo, we also saved the best till last – chocolate wonderland at the Lindt factory!

Rheinfall: The awe-inspiring Rhine Falls left us speechless its immense waterfalls in a surreal setting and scenery – it was simply majestic, a sight not to miss in Northern Switzerland.

Geneva: Known for its diplomacy and stunning lakeside scenery, Geneva offered us a taste of Switzerland's cosmopolitan flair. Tea time and café hopping here were delightful stopovers.

Bern: The capital city stole our hearts – with its winding medieval streets and medieval architecture – we wasted no time heading to the bear park to get face-to-face with these beasts. It was completely magical walking through the old city.

Lucerne: Ensconced between the mountains and Lake Lucerne, what a picturesque place with its quaint bridges and convivial atmosphere. We drunk in the lakeside pubs!

Mount Rigi: Perhaps the highlight of the holiday was ascending Mount Rigi; as the Fairy Queen cable car whisked us up we were treated to breathtaking views from the summit! After that, we indulged ourselves with a luxury Swiss massage and a splendid fondue meal.

Burgenstock: This luxurious resort offered us unparalleled views of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains. We enjoyed world-class amenities.

Attractions and Activities Costs:

• Budget: Many outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing are free or low-cost.

• Mid-range: CHF 20-50 for entry to museums, tours, and attractions like the Rhine Falls boat ride.

• Luxury: CHF 100+ for experiences like spa treatments, private tours, and special activities (e.g., paragliding, helicopter rides). You can book these activities in Klook use my promo code "Bacalso18".

Food and Dining:

Switzerland has treated our taste buds to a delightful array of culinary experiences. From traditional Swiss fondue and raclette to delectable chocolates and pastries, every meal has been a culinary adventure. While dining out can vary in cost depending on the location and restaurant type, we found that embracing local cuisine and dining at charming cafes and bistros offered the best experiences.

Food and Dining Spending Budget

• Budget: CHF 15-25 for a meal at a casual café or fast food.

• Mid-range: CHF 40-70 for a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant.

• Luxury: CHF 100+ for fine dining or specialty restaurants.

Food Tip: Go to grocery store to save on meals by buying food from grocery stores like Coop or Migros. Pre-made meals, snacks, and drinks are more affordable than eating out.

Transportation:

Getting around Switzerland has been a breeze thanks to our trusty personal driver/tour guide haha YKWYA—what a luxury! The country offers a fantastic and efficient transportation system. Trains, buses, and boats make it easy to travel between cities and explore the scenic countryside.

One invaluable resource we've found is the Swiss Travel Pass. This pass offers unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System network, including trains, buses, and boats. It's a great way to simplify your travel logistics and ensure you can hop on and off transportation as needed.

We also highly recommend downloading the SBB Mobile app. It’s incredibly user-friendly and provides all the information you need, such as which platform your train departs from and the exact departure times. This app has been our go-to for navigating the Swiss transportation network seamlessly.

Tip: Transportation

• Buy Swiss Travel Pass: CHF 232 for a 3-day pass, CHF 359 for an 8-day pass, and CHF 418 for a 15-day pass. This pass covers unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System network, including trains, buses, and boats. ratherthan buying indiviual ticlet taht could Vary depending on the distance and type of transport. For example, a train ticket from Zurich to Geneva might cost around CHF 50-90 one way.