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From Lakeside Charms to City Wonders

8 Days / 7 Nights

Lucerne, Zurich, Munich

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If you're dreaming of a laid-back trip across some of Europe's quaintest cities, this one-week itinerary might just be perfect for you. Start your trip in Lucerne, this beyond-words charming Swiss city, known for its cobblestone streets and medieval bridges. After a quick stop in Zurich, continue your trip to Munich, one of the safest cities in Europe, famous for its unique beer gardens and gorgeous architecture.

One of our team members in Switzerland or Germany will be available to you leading up to and during your trip to answer any questions and arrange local services. You will receive access to your Guest Page, with its information on the best these two countries have to offer, including things to see and do, and other inside tips from restaurant recommendations to tipping advice. Upon request, we will provide you with an eSIM with data that you can use to reach your local JayWay contact (whom you will meet in person) throughout your trip. In all of our destinations, we offer a variety of memorable 3- to 5-star accommodation options, including boutique hotels and charming B&Bs. With our firsthand experience, we can ensure they are all clean, comfortable, and centrally located, with local ambiance.

Route for Lucerne, Zurich, Munich tour

3 Nights in Lucerne

3 Nights in Lucerne

4 days in Lucerne
4 days in Lucerne

3 Nights in Lucerne

If you only have time for one spot in central Switzerland, make it Lucerne. This charming lakeside town offers a memorable mountain panorama. The town's standout landmark is the 12th century Chapel Bridge (Europe's oldest covered bridge), which runs past the unique octagonal Water Tower. Visitors also tend to make a beeline for the Lion Monument, carved into a cliff, which commemorates the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives for the royal family during the French Revolution. Make sure to stop by the lesser-known covered Spreuer Bridge, with its Danse Macabre plaques. If you're fond of classical music, you're more than in luck, as the city offers frequent performances.

If you only have time for one spot in central Switzerland, make it Lucerne. This charming lakeside town offers a memorable mountain panorama. The town's standout landmark is the 12th century Chapel Bridge (Europe's oldest covered bridge), which runs past the unique octagonal Water Tower. Visitors also tend to make a beeline for the Lion Monument, carved into a cliff, which commemorates the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives for the royal family during the French Revolution. Make sure to stop by the lesser-known covered Spreuer Bridge, with its Danse Macabre plaques. If you're fond of classical music, you're more than in luck, as the city offers frequent performances.

Day 1

Day 1 - Arrival in Lucerne

Upon your arrival at Zurich's airport, a driver will pick you up and take you to your accommodations in Lucerne, after an hour's drive.

Our representative will then meet with you to answer any questions you have and to get you settled for the rest of your trip.

Lucerne, Love and Luxury

Suggestion to explore on your own

Stunningly beautiful, Lucerne is regarded as one of the prettiest cities in the world for a reason. After you've checked in to your hotel, waste no time to start exploring this most charming Swiss city. Take a nice and easy walk in the Old Town, across the Chapel Bridge and if you are not too tired, we also suggest to climb the Musegg Wall, providing a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding area. At the end of your walk, we suggest finding a nice restaurant for a "Apero" (aperitif) or one that serves fondue, as it is quite famous in Lucerne. We recommend for this restaurant Schiff and "Du Pont" Fondue House.

Lucerne, Love and Luxury

Day 2

Day 2 - Your First Full Day in Lucerne

City and Fondue Private TukTuk Tour

City and Fondue Private TukTuk Tour

Included in your vacation package price.

Discover Lucerne by electric tuktuk and experience the city as the locals do, with one of them as your chauffeur and guide. Be taken from the charming Old Town to the shopping district, on to Switzerland’s most famous wooden bridge, the Chapel Bridge. Have your chauffeur let you in on Lucerne’s secrets, and discover Lucerne's diversity. This tour is not only about sightseeing, as you will also stop at the Falken Fondue House to try delicious fondue, with bread, potatoes and Swiss wine.


Activity Level : Easy
Duration : 1 hour 30 minutes

A Monumental Must-See

Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

Displaying a defeated French army led by General Bourbaki being interred in Switzerland towards the end of the Franco-Prussian war, the monumental Bourbaki Panorama is a 360-degree painting with wax models in the foreground, so that the painting itself seems to be a continuation of reality. A symbol of Switzerland's humanitarian traditions and strange history with France, this display combines individual stories (explained via the award-winning My Bourbaki Panorama app) with world-spanning political events. More info here.

A Monumental Must-See

Day 3

Day 3 - Your Second Full Day in Lucerne

Mt. Pilatus Self-Guided Tour

Ascend the Hill

Included in your vacation package price.

For captivating views of Lucerne, ascend to Gütsch (Swiss German for Hill). Situated only two kilometers from the city center, active travelers can climb the steps leading to its viewpoint, but there's a more leisurely alternative. The Gütsch Funicular, part of Lucerne's transportation system, is a swift way to the top and is covered by the card provided to the city's hotel guests offering free public transportation, so there's no excuse not to visit. Looking around, you'll quickly notice the macabre Art Panorama Inferno, a sculpture exhibition that includes In Dante Veritas, originally displayed at the Venice Biennale. Just beyond starts the Gütschwald, a well-maintained beech forest criss-crossed with tracks and paths. Alternatively, you can enjoy a hike up to the region's most famous mountain, Mount Pilatus.


Activity Level : Light
Duration : 6 hours approx.

Day 4

Day 4 - Traveling to Zurich by Train

Today you'll head to Zurich. Your driver will pick you up from your accommodations and take you to Lucerne's train station. We have included second class train tickets, but you can upgrade to first class for an extra fee. The journey takes about an hour.

Zurich by Train

You can upgrade your transfer

Upgrade to Zurich by Private Transfer

Zurich by Private Transfer

Upgrade for an additional cost
We also offer the following excursions in Lucerne

Bernese Oberland Pick and Mix Private Tour
Moderate10 hours
Bernese Oberland and Jungfrau Private Tour
Moderate10 hours
Chocolate, Mountains, and Medieval Towns Private Tour
Moderate8-9 hours
Lake Lucerne Panoramic Group Sightseeing Cruise
Easy1 hour

1 Night in Zurich

1 Night in Zurich

2 days in Zurich
2 days in Zurich

1 Night in Zurich

Switzerland's largest city and main hub, Zurich is where many of the nation's bankers and scholars bump shoulders. This cosmopolitan city ranks highly in terms of livability, but for all its wealth and global prestige, the Old Town remains charming, if almost spotless. The ridges flanking Zurich's river valley offer romantic views, but the best way to hit the ground running in Zurich is to follow the river itself as it cuts through the Old Town, then meets Lake Zurich. Along the way, indulge in detours, from upscale chocolatiers to low-stress beaches.

Switzerland's largest city and main hub, Zurich is where many of the nation's bankers and scholars bump shoulders. This cosmopolitan city ranks highly in terms of livability, but for all its wealth and global prestige, the Old Town remains charming, if almost spotless. The ridges flanking Zurich's river valley offer romantic views, but the best way to hit the ground running in Zurich is to follow the river itself as it cuts through the Old Town, then meets Lake Zurich. Along the way, indulge in detours, from upscale chocolatiers to low-stress beaches.

Day 4

Day 4 - Arrival in Zurich

Upon your arrival to Zurich's main train station, you'll be picked up by a driver and taken to your accommodations.

Day 5

Day 5 - Traveling to Munich by Train

At the Zurich train station you will board a train to Munich, a four-hour journey. We included second-class train tickets in your package but an upgrade to first-class is possible for an extra fee.

Munich by Train
We also offer the following excursions in Zurich

Bernese Oberland Pick and Mix Private Tour
Moderate10 hours
Bernese Oberland and Jungfrau Private Tour
Moderate10 hours
Chocolate, Mountains and Medieval Towns Private Tour
Moderate8-9 hours
Lake Lucerne Private Tour
Moderate8-9 hours

3 Nights in Munich

3 Nights in Munich

4 days in Munich
4 days in Munich

3 Nights in Munich

With its traditional beer halls, designer shops, trendy restaurants and international business, Munich is a mix of old and new, German and cosmopolitan. Largely rebuilt after World War II, the city still retains its old world charm, even in the midst of expansion and modernization. You’ve probably heard of the city’s world famous Oktobertfest, a once-in-a-lifetime party dedicated to that incredible Bavarian beer along with some of the local delicacies, including tasty schnitzel. But there’s much more to Munich than drinking, and on your holiday you’ll have the chance to discover the best this charming city has to offer. Don’t miss out on the beer halls and the breweries, but be sure to get off the beaten path to discover a Munich of your own. Much of the city’s past centers around World War II, and there are several ways you can explore this chapter of Munich’s history, including a day trip to the Dachau concentration camp and a special tour focusing on Hitler and the local activities of the Third Reich. Munich is also a center of industry and there is nowhere better to experience this than BMW World. Moving slightly farther afield, Neuschwanstein Castle makes the perfect day trip, perched high in the hills over a verdant valley. Munich’s variety means there’s more than enough to satisfy even the most diverse groups of travelers. Let your curiosity guide you as you explore this unique German city.

With its traditional beer halls, designer shops, trendy restaurants and international business, Munich is a mix of old and new, German and cosmopolitan. Largely rebuilt after World War II, the city still retains its old world charm, even in the midst of expansion and modernization. You’ve probably heard of the city’s world famous Oktobertfest, a once-in-a-lifetime party dedicated to that incredible Bavarian beer along with some of the local delicacies, including tasty schnitzel. But there’s much more to Munich than drinking, and on your holiday you’ll have the chance to discover the best this charming city has to offer. Don’t miss out on the beer halls and the breweries, but be sure to get off the beaten path to discover a Munich of your own. Much of the city’s past centers around World War II, and there are several ways you can explore this chapter of Munich’s history, including a day trip to the Dachau concentration camp and a special tour focusing on Hitler and the local activities of the Third Reich. Munich is also a center of industry and there is nowhere better to experience this than BMW World. Moving slightly farther afield, Neuschwanstein Castle makes the perfect day trip, perched high in the hills over a verdant valley. Munich’s variety means there’s more than enough to satisfy even the most diverse groups of travelers. Let your curiosity guide you as you explore this unique German city.

Day 5

Day 5 - Arrival in Munich

You will be greeted at Munich Hauptbahnhof when you arrive and brought to your central accommodations.

See the City from Above

Suggestion to explore on your own

Although not a city of skyscrapers, Munich offers numerous wonderful viewpoints. The best panoramic views of the Old Town are available from the St. Peter's Church (or "Old Peter," as the locals call it) viewing platform, which is climbed by thousands of visitors every day. Climb the 300 stairs (no elevator available) for the breathtaking views of the Frauenkirche and the Town Hall. Munich's highest point, the Olympic Tower, offers views over the whole city and on a clear day the Alps beyond. You can even enjoy a unique perspective on the city via a modern zeppelin, although these rides are offered rarely, and book up quickly (the zeppelin is generally used for tours of Lake Constance, on the Swiss border).

See the City from Above

Day 6

Day 6 - Your First Full Day in Munich

Munich City Group Walking Tour

Munich City Group Walking Tour

Included in your vacation package price.

Munich has a lot to offer when it comes to history, culture, art and of course, beer. Explore this magnificent city during your walking tour and get involved in the daily life of the locals as well. During your tour, you will see the most important historical sights, the busiest streets, and the most amazing beer halls too, while learning about the rich history of the city.


Activity Level : Light
Duration : 2 hours

Beautiful Machines

Suggestion to explore on your own

If you love cars, or just want to approach Munich from a different point of view, we recommend immersing yourself in all things BMW.

With their campus in a suburb of the city featuring a museum, a car plant and BMW World, this museum offers a unique, interactive presentation of the history of the brand
Containting around 125 automobiles, motorcycles, and engines on display, BMW World is the grand location for car handover presentations and possibly the largest BMW showroom in the world.. Read all about the whole BMW experience here. We recommend taking the English-language tour which starts each day at 2 pm.

Beautiful Machines

Day 7

Day 7 - Your Second Full Day in Munich

Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Small Group Tour

Wait a Minute - That's the Disney Castle!

Included in your vacation package price.

Combine tthe Neuschwanstein Castle with the nearby Linderhof. This small group tour starts early enough to see two majestic royal buildings. Your excursion will start with a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle and its environs. The scenic ride to Linderhof will take you through Oberammergau and to the Wieskirche, which still draws pilgrims. The number and style of the visited sites makes this day trip a truly romantic experience. UNESCO sites, palaces, churches, villages...you'll see many of Bavaria's bright facets!


Activity Level : Light
Duration : 12 hours

Day 8

Day 8 - Departure Day

Based on your departure time, a driver will pick you up from your accommodation and take you to Munich's airport.

We also offer the following excursions in Munich

Bavarian Alps Private Hiking Tour
Moderate8 hours
Bavarian Beer Group Tour
Moderate3 hours 30 minutes
Bavarian Food & Beer Private Tour
Light3 hours
Best of Munich and Haidhausen Private Tour
Light3 hours

What's Included

Here are all the services provided as part of your complete vacation package. See what every JayWay trip includes.
Please let us know if you'd like to upgrade any transfers or add any additional tours or excursions to your itinerary.

Lucerne

3 Nights Accommodation
Breakfast (hotels only)
Zurich Airport - Lucerne Private Arrival Transfer
City and Fondue Private TukTuk Tour
Mt. Pilatus Self-Guided Tour
Lucerne Train Station Transfer
Lucerne - Zurich Train

Zurich

1 Night Accommodation
Breakfast (hotels only)
Zurich - Munich Train

Munich

3 Nights Accommodation
Breakfast (hotels only)
Munich Train Station Transfer
Munich City Group Walking Tour
Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Small Group Tour
Munich Airport Transfer

package excludes:


  • Flights to and from Europe.
  • Tips for Tour Guides, Drivers and Local Reps.
  • Meals (other than breakfast if included in room rate and meals listed as included in food tours and excursions, unless explicitly stated otherwise).
  • Parking fees for your Rental Car (if you are booking one with us) unless otherwise indicated. Some hotels provide free parking facilities.
  • Travel Insurance. See the insurance link on our website
Benefits of Traveling with JayWay

A JayWay vacation is more than the sum of its parts. Our team work tirelessly to ensure your experience is memorable for all the right reasons. Your trip is personalized to maximize your enjoyment. You're taken care of every step of the way.

A Travel Advisor who speaks your language

We will make sure that all your requirements and interests are taken into account in preparing your itinerary.

A totally tailored itinerary for your vacation

Your trip is customized for you by  an experienced trip planner and an expert on the region.

A choice of hand-picked hotels and excursions

We've personally inspected and tested all the hotels and local tour providers we work with to ensure quality.

Detailed pre-trip preparation to make the most of every day

Your Europe-based Tour Manager will be in touch by email and phone a month before you arrive to finalize timings.

On-trip Concierge Service to smooth out any bumps in the road

Your tour manager is at your service throughout your journey. We'll provide a local SIM so you can stay connected.

Personalized Guest Page to make sure you're not missing out

Packed with detailed information and recommendations curated by locals on the best things to do, see and eat.
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