7-Day Switzerland Road Trip: Our Highlights and Route
If you love mountains and nature, you’re going to fall head over heels for Switzerland! This small country has an abundance of both. We spent 7 days exploring Switzerland with our Jeep and rooftop tent, and in this article, we’re excited to share our route and the absolute highlights of our journey.
As always, you’ll find our route and stops marked on the map below.
Table of Contents
1. Trip Preparation
Before you hit the road, make sure to consider the following when preparing for your trip to Switzerland:
Gear: Besides the rooftop tent, we packed camping essentials like a stove, sleeping bags, a power station, our cooler with food, and a camping table and chairs. You can find our complete packing list here.
Clothing: Weather in the mountains can change quickly. Be sure to pack clothes for various conditions, including warm layers and rain gear.
Travel Documents: Ensure you have all necessary documents, such as ID, insurance papers, and don’t forget to buy a vignette for Swiss highways.
Provisions: We packed some basic groceries and snacks for the trip but also picked up local specialties along the way. And, of course, a 6-pack of water is a must!
2. Destinations on Our Switzerland Road Trip
Day 1-2: Zermatt and the Matterhorn View
We kicked off our trip in Zermatt, a car-free mountain village only accessible by train from Täsch. Zermatt is famous for the Matterhorn, one of the world’s most iconic mountains. We stayed at a campsite in Täsch, just a few steps from the train station to Zermatt, which was super convenient. Once in Zermatt, here are the must-dos:
Gornergrat: We took the cogwheel train up to Gornergrat, where you’re treated to breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and surrounding glaciers. The ride itself is an experience, passing through spectacular landscapes. From the station, it’s just a short walk to the picturesque Riffelsee. We opted for a sunrise tour—these only run on weekends and can book up fast. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best weather that day, but the trip was still well worth it!
Zermatt Village: The village is filled with charming chalets, cozy cafés, and exclusive boutiques. A stroll through the car-free streets is highly recommended. There are also plenty of lovely restaurants where you can sample Swiss specialties. Plus, there’s a great viewpoint for the Matterhorn in Zermatt—we’ve marked it on our map above.
Day 3: Grindelwald and First
After two nights in Täsch/Zermatt, we moved on to Grindelwald, a picturesque spot in the Bernese Oberland and one of the most famous areas in Switzerland.
When you’re there, be sure to check out:
First: The gondola ride to First offers fantastic views. At the top, there are numerous hiking trails, including the famous First Cliff Walk—a walkway with a glass floor and stunning views. You can also rent e-bikes, take a zipline (“First Glider” or “First Fly”), or ride mountain carts down to the valley. Make sure to book these activities in advance, as they fill up quickly! We decided to spend a night at this Hotel right by the cable car, as we hiked to Bachalpsee at sunrise—this area is simply too beautiful for just a quick visit.
Bachalpsee: A hike to Bachalpsee is a must. The lake, surrounded by towering mountains, offers a postcard-perfect backdrop. It’s about a 45-minute walk from the gondola station to the lake.
Day 4: Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is known for its impressive waterfalls and picturesque valley.
Staubbach Falls: These 300-meter-high waterfalls are a stunning natural spectacle. A short walk takes you right to the base of the falls.
Trümmelbach Falls: These waterfalls are inside a mountain and accessible through a tunnel system. The roaring water is a fascinating sight.
Day 5: Furka Pass and Hotel Belvedere
The drive over Furka Pass was one of the highlights of our trip. The winding roads and stunning views make the journey truly unforgettable. Another bonus for us: there are plenty of parking bays along the pass, so we were able to park overnight and enjoy the magnificent view from our rooftop tent.
By the way, Furka Pass was also a filming location for the famous James Bond movie "Goldfinger."
If you’re at Furka Pass, you definitely shouldn’t miss this photo spot:
Hotel Belvedere: This historic hotel is a popular photography spot. From here, you have a fantastic view of the Rhône Glacier and the surrounding landscape.
Day 6: Fiesch: Eggishorn and Aletsch Glacier
Our next stop was the Eggishorn, where you can see the largest glacier in the Alps, the Aletsch Glacier. To reach the cable car, you need to travel to Fiesch. There are several accommodations and a campsite near the cable car, which is very convenient.
We once again opted for a sunrise tour—check ahead of time when this is available, as it doesn’t run daily and requires a minimum number of participants.
Eggishorn: We took the cable car up to Eggishorn, where you get a 360-degree view of the Alps, and on clear days, you can even see the Matterhorn. The sunrise view here is truly priceless.
Aletsch Glacier: A hike to the viewpoint offers a breathtaking view of the 23-kilometer-long glacier. The contrast between the blue ice and the surrounding mountains is simply awe-inspiring.
Day 7: Return and Final Thoughts
After seven days in Switzerland, we headed back home. Every place we visited was unique and left us in awe of its natural beauty. We were also very impressed by the high level of service in Switzerland. It’s not a budget-friendly destination, but in our opinion, it’s worth visiting at least once in your lifetime.
For us, the combination of adventure in our Jeep and the flexibility provided by the rooftop tent was truly ideal.
3. Country Info
Switzerland is perfect for outdoor adventures and offers excellent infrastructure for camping and road trips. The country also has a well-developed rail network. There are even car trains that allow you to avoid mountain roads, but they don’t always save you time, as there can be delays during peak travel times.
4. The Best Campsites on Our Trip
Camping Alphubel in Täsch (near Zermatt): A well-equipped campsite with beautiful views and a great location for trips to Zermatt, just a few meters from the train station.
Camping Gletscherdorf in Grindelwald: With views of the imposing mountains and good facilities, it’s the perfect base for hikes.
Camping Jungfrau in Lauterbrunnen: An idyllic spot in the valley of waterfalls, surrounded by stunning nature and just a few minutes’ walk from the village center.
5. The Best Time to Visit Switzerland with a Jeep
The best time for a road trip in Switzerland is from June to September. During these months, most passes are open, and the weather is pleasantly warm. May can still bring snow, so it’s a bit early in our opinion.
We visited Switzerland in July and had fantastic weather. Although tourism picks up in this month, the places we visited weren’t overcrowded—this is probably due to the early hours at which we like to explore ;-)
6. Costs – How Much You’ll Need for 7 Days with a Jeep and Rooftop Tent in Switzerland
Switzerland is known for being expensive, but every franc was worth it. We spent around 1,200 euros for 7 days, including fuel, camping fees, food, and gondola rides.
You can definitely save money by getting the Swiss Travel Pass. We skipped it because we didn’t think it would be worth it, but we regretted not having it in the end, as it offers up to 50% off gondola rides and free bus and train travel.
Here are some prices at the time of our trip:
Fuel prices: Approximately on par with Germany
Campsites: Between 40 and 60 CHF per night for 2 people
Food: Much more expensive than in Germany; 20-25 CHF for a currywurst with fries
Conclusion
Our 7-day trip through Switzerland was an unforgettable adventure. The combination of breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and the freedom our Jeep and rooftop tent provided made the journey truly special. We hope our travel report inspires you and helps you plan your own Swiss adventure!
Want more insights into our travels? Check out our Instagram channels tom_rbg_ and anna_mser. If you have questions about the routes, feel free to reach out to us through those channels!
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