Switzerland · 650 km · 7 days · Published Jul 27, 2026

Grand Tour of Switzerland: The Highlights Drive (7 Days)

Drive the Grand Tour of Switzerland from Zürich to Lugano — Lucerne, Interlaken, the Matterhorn, alpine passes and lakes, with the best stops and real costs.

Rough estimate — fuel + nights at typical rates. Get an exact figure in the calculator.

Map of the Zürich to Lugano driving route — Route map: Zürich – Lugano · 650 km · 7 days

The route on video

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Switzerland’s signposted Grand Tour links the country’s greatest hits — glacier passes, mirror lakes and the Matterhorn — on one loop. This is the headline week from Zürich south to Italian-speaking Ticino, the scenic core of the full 1,600 km route. Buy the vignette; some tunnels and passes carry extra tolls.

Day 1 — Zürich to Lucerne (55 km)

From Zürich to Lucerne on its lake, with the wooden Chapel Bridge and Mount Pilatus above.

Day 2 — Lucerne to Interlaken (70 km)

Over the Brünig Pass to Interlaken, between two lakes under the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Day 3 — Grimsel and Furka passes (90 km)

The great alpine passes — Grimsel and Furka — past the Rhône glacier, into the Valais.

Day 4 — Zermatt and the Matterhorn (car-free)

Park at Täsch and take the train up to Zermatt for the Matterhorn — no cars allowed in the village.

Day 5 — Over to Ticino (110 km)

The Gotthard region and south through the St. Gotthard into sunny, palm-fringed Ticino.

Day 6 — Lakes Lugano and Como border

Lake Lugano and the Italian-Swiss lake country.

Day 7 — Lugano

Slow down in Lugano — lakeside promenades, a funicular and Mediterranean light before you head home.

Tolls and costs

Switzerland requires an annual motorway vignette (~CHF 40); the Great St. Bernard tunnel and some passes carry extra tolls, and mountain trains (Zermatt, Jungfrau) are pricey. Use the cost calculator for your dates.