Switzerland has an effortless way of enchanting visitors. From charming cities like Geneva and Lucerne to tiny mountain towns like Stoos, the country combines natural beauty with rich culture and history. If you’re short on time but don’t want to compromise on experiences, this Switzerland 3-day itinerary through Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, and Stoos offers the perfect slice of Swiss life, lakes, mountains, and charming cities all in one unforgettable journey.
We chose to spend a few days in Switzerland before driving across the border into Italy and exploring Northern Italy and the Italian Dolomites. We covered a lot of miles, but it was well worth it and a wonderful way to experience the stunning Swiss countryside.
Here’s our Switzerland 3-Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Geneva and Lausanne
Start your Swiss adventure by flying into Geneva. Here you can rent a car from the airport (recommended for this road trip although travel by train is readily available in Switzerland). Then, drive about 45 minutes along the north side of stunning Lake Geneva to the charming lakeside town of Lausanne.
Afternoon in Lausanne
Lausanne feels younger and more vibrant than Geneva, with steep streets, historic sites, and a strong connection to sports, being the home of the International Olympic Committee.
Check into your hotel in Lausanne. I recommend Moxy Lausanne for its affordability and great location. Plus, the hotel provided us with free city transit passes so we were able to hop on the metro at no cost and see the city this way.
If you’ve got the time, walk about 15 minutes from the hotel over to the Old Town, starting at Lausanne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece perched on a hill with striking views of the city and lake below. Then wander down to check out Place de la Palud, where you’ll find the Town Hall and the charming Animated Clock that springs to life every hour.
Evening on Lake Geneva
What’s better after a long day of travel than relaxing on the top of a boat and drinking wine?
For a relaxing afternoon, make your way to Ouchy, Lausanne’s picturesque lakefront district. The promenade here rivals any in Switzerland, with flower-lined paths, elegant hotels, and unbeatable lake views.
We booked a 3-hour cruise on Lake Geneva through GetYourGuide and the experience was amazing. We boarded the cruise from the port at Ouchy and found a comfortable seat on the top deck. Food and wine were available for purchase and we simply sat back and relaxed, sipping wine, as the boat took us all around the lake and past some of the lake’s post notable locations: Chillon Castle, Montreux, and Vevey. The entire time we enjoyed stunning views of the Swiss Alps and trains winding through the countryside in the distance. We also had a chance to view Lavaux Vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These vineyards, cascading down steep slopes to the lake, have been producing wine since the 11th century.
You’ll have the option to download a guided audio tour to listen to right through your phone if you choose. If you’d like to hear about every landmark you pass by and learn key facts about them, simply download the cruise app “CGN Tours” and make sure to bring headphones.
I enjoyed learning about the vibrant jazz history in Montreux as well as the rich literary history of Chillon Castle.
Dinner in Lausanne
After our cruise, we hopped back on the metro and headed towards our hotel.
We walked to dinner at Forbici and enjoyed a delicious pasta dinner on the patio before turning in early, exhausted from the long day of travel.
Day 2: Lucerne and Stoos
Morning: Drive to Lucerne
On day 2 we woke up and grabbed groceries from Lidl next to the hotel then breakfast at McDonald’s. Certainly not the most glamorous vacation morning, but Switzerland is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world to visit so you save money where you can.
Then we drove about 2 hours to Lucerne. When you arrive, park in the paid garage at Hirschmattstrasse 5 6003 Lucerne. Then explore the charming old city on foot.
Lucerne is pure Swiss postcard material: a historic city wrapped around a shimmering lake, framed by the peaks of Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi. Begin your morning by crossing the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), the city’s most iconic landmark. Dating from the 14th century, this covered wooden bridge is adorned with beautiful triangular paintings that depict Lucerne’s history.
Then stroll through the Old Town, where colorful frescoed façades and picturesque squares create an almost fairy-tale atmosphere.
Finish your time in Lucerne by visiting the Lion of Lucerne monument. This is one of Switzerland’s most moving monuments. Carved directly into a sandstone cliff in 1820–21, it commemorates the Swiss Guards who were killed in 1792 during the French Revolution while defending King Louis XVI at the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
The sculpture depicts a dying lion pierced by a spear, lying protectively over a shield bearing the French royal fleur-de-lis, alongside a shield with the Swiss cross. Above the lion is the Latin inscription:
“HELVETIORUM FIDEI AC VIRTUTI” (To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss)
American writer Mark Twain famously called it “the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.”
Located in a quiet park near Lucerne’s old town, the monument is a powerful symbol of Swiss history.
Afternoon: Up to Stoos, Switzerland’s Serene Secret
After exploring Lucerne, it’s time to journey into the mountains. Drive about 40 minutes to the Stoosbahn, the world’s steepest funicular railway. This engineering marvel ascends at a gradient of 110%, whisking you up from the valley to the peaceful car-free mountain village of Stoos in just seven minutes.
Park your car in the Stoosbahn garage and pay at the kiosk (about 10 Euro/night) before hopping on the funicular.
Purchase your lift pass at Stoos.ch for 2 days. Your ski lift pass is good for unlimited rides and works for the funicular to the town as well as the lifts up the mountain (Klingenstock and Fronalpstock).
Once atop the plateau, you’re greeted with sweeping Alpine views, the constant ding of cow bells, and an atmosphere of pure tranquility. Stoos feels worlds away from the bustle of the cities, a hidden gem ideal for hiking, nature photography, and quiet reflection.
Check into your hotel in Stoos. I recommend Stoos Lodge which is stunning and luxurious with incredible views, cozy modern rooms, and buffet breakfast daily.
Plan to get into Stoos on a Saturday afternoon so that you can take the Fronalpstock chairlift up to enjoy dinner and sunset on the mountain at Gipfelrestaurant. Lifts run 9am-4:30pm daily except on Saturday when the last lift comes down the mountain from Fronalpstock at 10pm allowing you to stay on the mountain longer and relax as you watch sunset from the most spectacular view and sip a hot chocolate or beer.
Day 3: Stoos Ridge Hike and Drive Through Swiss National Park
On day 3, enjoy a buffet breakfast at Stoos Lodge before taking the Klingenstock Chair Lift (open from June to October) up to the start of the famous Stoos Ridge Hike. From the top of the lift, you’ll hike 2.8 miles along the ridge. The trail is easy to follow. Expect to climb about 1000 feet of elevation point to point. The hike will take you about 2 hours although you won’t want to rush – the views are some of the best in the entire country. From the ridge you’ll see bright blue lakes and awe-inspiring views of the Swiss Alps. At the end of the hike, you’ll reach Gipfelrestaurant where you can enjoy a beer, lunch, and if you’re lucky, the sweet sounds of an alphorn being played atop the mountain. Then bid farewell to these incredible views and take the Fronalpstock chair lift back down to Stoos.
Then take the Stoosbahn funicular back down to the parking garage and retrieve your car.
From here, we continued our trip by driving about 7 hours through east Switzerland to the Italian Dolomites. The drive was long was incredible. We drove through the stunning Swiss National Park which is one of Europe’s oldest national parks and is free to enter and then past Liechtenstein, the 6th smallest country in the world. It was a long day of driving but an absolutely unforgettable experience. If you’d like to read what we did next, check out the rest of our trip here: The Ultimate 5-Day Dolomites Road Trip: Your Adventure Guide.
Trips Logistics & Tips
Transportation:
I personally love travel by car for the freedom and spontaneity it allows, but if you prefer to travel by train, Switzerland’s rail system is one of the best in the world. Buy a Swiss Travel Pass, which offers unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats and even covers many mountain cableways.
Trains between Geneva, Lausanne, and Lucerne are frequent and scenic, making this itinerary both efficient and relaxing.
Best Time to Go:
- Summer (June–September) is ideal. The weather is mild, the skies are clear, and mountain excursions are fully accessible. Winter travelers can modify the itinerary slightly to include skiing in Stoos or Pilatus.
Language & Currency
- English is widely spoken, especially in cities. You’ll hear French in Geneva and Lausanne, and German in Lucerne and Stoos. The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the currency, and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Packing Essentials
- Comfortable hiking boots, a reusable water bottle, a warm jacket even in summer, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a power adapter for European outlets.
Final Thoughts
In just three days, this itinerary captures the spirit of Switzerland. From Geneva’s lakeside elegance to Lausanne’s vineyards, Lucerne’s storybook charm, and Stoos’s tranquil peaks, each destination reveals a distinct side of the Swiss identity.
You’ll experience everything that makes Switzerland so beloved: glittering lakes, charming old towns, fresh alpine air, and trains that run as smoothly as the country’s famous watches.
In three short days, you’ll collect memories that will linger long after you’ve left the mountains behind.