Zurich, Lucerne

& Rhine Falls

3 Day Itinerary

  • Donna M
  • Concierge Uros
  • Thomas R
  • Proudly partnered with:
  • 3 Days
  • Adventure
  • Cheese
  • City
  • Family
  • Sightseeing
  • Zurich

Overview

Highlights

Zurich
Adventure
3 Days
Rhine Falls & Schloss Laufen
Experience Europe’s largest waterfall up close, including a boat ride that brings you to the base of the falls.
Appenzell Village Life
Discover one of Switzerland’s most characterful regions, known for painted houses, local crafts, and strong traditions.
Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip
Travel by cable car, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, and boat in one of Switzerland’s most scenic mountain journeys.
Take a cogwheel train ride to Kleine Scheidegg
Board the iconic cogwheel train and travel through alpine tunnels and across ridges, offering incredible views of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains.
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Reach Europe’s highest railway station and explore glaciers, ice tunnels, and panoramic viewpoints.
Lucerne & Grindelwald
Walk through two of Switzerland’s most loved destinations, each offering a different perspective on alpine life.

Full Tour Details

This 3-Day Switzerland guided tour offers a beautifully paced introduction to the Swiss way of life, bringing together cities, mountains, waterfalls, and alpine villages. Starting from Zurich, it’s designed for travellers who want to see the country’s contrasts without trying to see everything at once.

It’s an ideal choice for those seeking Switzerland tours that feel personal, well-balanced, and deeply Swiss.

Schedule

Day 1
Zurich, Rhine Falls & Appenzell

Morning: Your journey begins with a private pick-up in Zurich and a scenic drive north to the Rhine Falls for a sightseeing tour. A guided visit includes viewpoints over the cascades, followed by a boat ride that brings you as close as we can get to the falls. You’ll also explore Schloss Laufen, the historic castle overlooking the falls.

Afternoon: From here, the route continues east to Appenzell. A guided village walk introduces the region’s distinctive traditions, from hand-painted houses to local customs that remain very much alive. 

Depending on your interests, optional visits can include the Appenzell Cheese Factory, the Appenzell Beer Factory for a draft tasting, or the famous Appenzell Gingerbread Factory, known for its almond-filled speciality.

Evening: Return to Zurich in the early evening. For those who wish, an optional Zurich city night tour offers a gentle introduction to the city after dark. You’ll stay overnight at Eden au Lac Zurich.

Day 2
Mount Pilatus, Lucerne & Interlaken

Morning: After breakfast, travel to Lucerne for one of Switzerland’s most scenic mountain experiences: the Pilatus Golden Round Trip. Ascend by cable car, continue on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, and take in sweeping views across Lake Lucerne and the surrounding Alps.

Afternoon: At the summit, enjoy lunch at the mountain-top restaurant, where views stretch across central Switzerland. Optional activities include tobogganing or a short hiking adventure, depending on the season and your energy level.

Later, we descend toward Lucerne and enjoy a guided city tour covering the Old Town, Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, and lakeside promenades. A luxury chocolate tasting adds a distinctly Swiss note to the afternoon.

Evening: Continue by private transfer to Interlaken, set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Check in at Hotel Victoria Jungfrau and enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure.

Day 3
Jungfraujoch & Grindelwald

Morning: Day 3 focuses on one of the country’s most iconic alpine experiences. After pick-up in Interlaken, travel to Grindelwald for a guided village walk and time to browse local shops. A stop at the village’s best bakery offers a chance to try a regional speciality before heading higher into the mountains.

Afternoon: Ascend to Jungfraujoch via the Eiger Express and mountain railway. At the Top of Europe, explore the Ice Palace, Sphinx Observatory, and panoramic terraces overlooking the Aletsch Glacier. 

Lunch is served at the Crystal à la carte Restaurant, surrounded by ice and snow year-round. After descending, we’ll return to Interlaken for a self-guided stroll and last-minute shopping.

Evening: You’ll stay overnight in Interlaken for a final relaxing night at the Victoria Jungfrau hotel.

Ready to plan your next tour to Switzerland?

    What’s Included

    Included:

    • Expert Local Guide

      A private, local guide will accompany you throughout the trip, providing insights into Switzerland’s history, culture, and hidden gems.

    • Accommodation

      We include 3 nights of accommodation; any additional nights or upgrades can be arranged upon request.

    • Transport

      Private transport for all transfers, including train tickets for the Gornergrat, Pilatus and Jungfraujoch rides.

    • Activities / Attractions

      • Rhine Falls boat tour
      • Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip
      • Jungfraujoch excursion
      • Guided city and village walks

    Not Included:

    • Food & Drink

      Meals outside the ones listed (e.g., breakfast, dinner) and drinks are not included. Optional dining experiences can be arranged.

    • Other

      Any additional personal expenses, such as souvenirs or extra activities, are not included.

    Quick Facts About This Swiss Tour

    1

    Zurich consistently ranks among the world’s most liveable cities

    2

    The Rhine Falls carry up to 600,000 litres of water per second in summer

    3

    Appenzell maintains its traditions through open-air town meetings

    4

    The Jungfrau Railway has been operating since 1912

    Ready to plan your Swiss adventure?

    Your private Switzerland trip awaits. Whether it’s a multiday Switzerland tour package or a special experience, our team is here to craft the perfect itinerary for you.

    Why Book With Us?

    1. 100% local expertise, tested first-hand

    Every itinerary is designed by Swiss locals who live and breathe their regions – we’ve tested every route, restaurant, and hidden lookout ourselves.

    2. Exclusive top-rated Swiss guides

    Our guides aren’t just professionals – they’re storytellers and insiders, available only through Luxury Tours Switzerland.

    3. Hidden gems beyond tourist routes

    We open doors to secret spots, from private lakeside picnics to heritage chalets, that no typical private tours Switzerland itinerary could offer.

    4. Special access through trusted networks

    From after-hours museum tours to private vineyard dinners, our connections unlock Switzerland’s most exclusive moments.

    Our Reviews

    Our goal was to see as much as possible in 6 days while maintaining an unhurried approach. From the first contact, our experience was detailed perfection. Marc and his team managed everything from airport pickup to hotel and restaurant recommendations.

    We hoped to relax and not worry about anything — this expectation was exceeded. The team clearly listened to our preferences.

    Our main stops included Zurich, Appenzell, Liechtenstein, Lake Lucerne, Interlaken, Thun, Zermatt, and the vineyards around Montreux.

    The best element of our time was our top-tier guide, Manuel. His personality, knowledge, energy, and pride in his country were exceptional.

    Clinton E Clinton E - May 2025

    Thanks to Luxury Tours Switzerland, our group of ten had an unforgettable experience. Everything was seamless.

    They created an itinerary that felt ambitious yet perfectly paced, giving us an extraordinary glimpse into Switzerland without feeling rushed.

    The booking process was clear, well-organized, and attentive.

    We can’t thank Luxury Tours Switzerland enough for crafting a journey that blended culture, nature, and relaxation. Switzerland exceeded every expectation.

    Donna M Donna M - October 2025

    I regularly book tours with Luxury Tours Switzerland for our hotel guests, and I can’t recommend them enough. Guests always come back happy. Josh and Marc are super knowledgeable and easygoing.

    I recently went on a tour with coworkers, and we were blown away. They took us to incredible hidden spots far from tourist crowds. Riding mountain scooters down a secret alpine road was a highlight.

    Their tours always feel fresh and tailored, like exploring Switzerland with friends.

    Concierge Uros Concierge Uros - October 2025

    My family visited Switzerland for ten days and had an unforgettable trip. I dealt primarily with Jana but also received assistance from Joshua and Fabienne. We had an idea of certain places we wanted to see but also received invaluable guidance on beautiful places and hidden gems.

    Starting with a tour of Old Town Zurich, we went on to enjoy Appenzell, Lucerne, Mt Titlis, Jungfraujoch, Gimmelwald, the Schilthorn, Interlaken, the Goldenpass Express, Thun and Bern.

    Our guides Bruno and Elia were personable, knowledgeable, and professional. They ensured we saw as much as possible at our preferred pace.

    They also provided excellent lodging and dining recommendations, and the drivers were professional and safe. We never had to think about logistics. I can’t recommend Luxury Tours Switzerland enough.

    Thomas R Thomas R - September 2025

    We had the good fortune of selecting Luxury Tours Switzerland for our two-week visit to Switzerland. Our first communications with Joshua, Jana and Fabienne set the stage for an impeccably curated trip. We collaborated with the team to develop a customized trip.

    The itinerary was prepared with amazing detail and provided on a great app.

    The most impactful element of our holiday was our tour guide Manuel. He took us to places we would have never seen on our own and prepared delicious snacks daily. Manuel’s love and enthusiasm for his country made him an incredible ambassador and a pleasure to travel with.

    John A John A - September 2025

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