TRAVEL4REAL · CUSTOM EUROPE VACATIONSSupplier: Travel4Real
Lucerne and Chapel Bridge, Switzerland
Lucerne and Chapel Bridge, Switzerland · Illustration

T4R-11715

12-Day Switzerland & Austria Alpine Journey

Swiss lake and mountain stays, a scenic rail segment, Hallstatt and Vienna.

Your journey

Your 12-Day Switzerland & Austria Alpine Journey combines Swiss lakes and mountain bases with Hallstatt and Vienna. Travel through Zürich, Lucerne and Zermatt before the planned scenic rail journey to St. Moritz. Continue into Austria for lakeside time and a city finish, with the longer cross-border travel day reviewed carefully during quotation.

  • Zürich · 1 night
  • Lucerne · 2 nights
  • Zermatt · 2 nights
  • St. Moritz · 2 nights
  • Hallstatt · 2 nights
  • Vienna · 2 nights

12 days in Europe and 11 hotel nights. Day 1 is your arrival day. International travel before arrival is separate. Your package brings together four-star or higher accommodations, ground transportation and the sightseeing agreed in your written proposal.

Tour reference: T4R-11715. Supplier: Travel4Real. Custom dates. Pricing on request.

Your day-by-day itinerary

This proposed route is tailored to your dates and interests. The written quote confirms which guiding, tickets, meals and transfers are included. Independent-day suggestions are optional.

Waking up at 4 am was worthwhile :)
Photo: Henrique Ferreira / Unsplash

DAY 1

Arrive in Zürich

Arrive in Zürich and meet your driver at the airport, station or other central location confirmed in your travel documents. Continue to your selected four-star or higher accommodation, check in when your room is ready and take time to settle in after the journey.

Keep the remaining hours light. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a gentle introduction to the old town and lakeside or stay close to the hotel for a quiet meal. Organized sightseeing starts after you have had time to rest. International travel before arrival is separate from the hotel-night count shown for this route.

Overnight: Zürich. Hotel night 1 of 11.

Flower-lined Chapel Bridge beside the Water Tower on the Reuss River in Lucerne
Flower-lined Chapel Bridge beside the Water Tower on the Reuss River in Lucerne · Photo © Rem Malloy

DAY 2

Zürich to Lucerne

Check out after breakfast and continue from Zürich to Lucerne using the rail service and local transfers selected for your dates. Your travel documents confirm the departure point, timing, baggage arrangements and any station or airport transfers. We allow practical time for the journey rather than adding a major sightseeing commitment before check-in.

Settle into your accommodation in Lucerne, then enjoy an independent introduction to the historic center and lake. Pause for lunch or dinner as the timing allows, and leave room to rest before the next full day of sightseeing. The final proposal confirms the transport and services included on this travel day.

Overnight: Lucerne. Hotel night 2 of 11.

The Reuss River, Chapel Bridge and Jesuit Church in Lucerne, Switzerland
The Reuss River, Chapel Bridge and Jesuit Church in Lucerne, Switzerland · Photo © Rem Malloy

DAY 3

Lucerne and the lake

Spend a full day in Lucerne, using the old town and lakeside as a comfortable base. Walk through the historic center, enjoy the covered-bridge setting and pause for lunch. The day balances sightseeing with time to appreciate the city without another hotel change.

A lake cruise or mountain outing is an option to select during planning, with tickets and transport defined in the proposal. Boats, lifts and visibility depend on the season and conditions. If no extra excursion is chosen, enjoy an independent afternoon in Lucerne.

Overnight: Lucerne. Hotel night 3 of 11.

Flower-filled balconies, shops and cafés along a village street in Zermatt, Switzerland
Flower-filled balconies, shops and cafés along a village street in Zermatt, Switzerland · Photo © Rem Malloy

DAY 4

Lucerne to Zermatt

Check out after breakfast and continue from Lucerne to Zermatt using the rail connections selected for your dates. Your travel documents confirm the departure point, timing, baggage arrangements and any station or airport transfers. We allow practical time for the journey rather than adding a major sightseeing commitment before check-in.

Settle into your accommodation in Zermatt, then enjoy an independent introduction to the village and its mountain setting. Pause for lunch or dinner as the timing allows, and leave room to rest before the next full day of sightseeing. The final proposal confirms the transport and services included on this travel day.

Overnight: Zermatt. Hotel night 4 of 11.

The Matterhorn above forested slopes near Zermatt, Switzerland
The Matterhorn above forested slopes near Zermatt, Switzerland · Photo © Rem Malloy

DAY 5

Zermatt and the Matterhorn setting

Enjoy a full day in Zermatt, choosing a pace suited to the altitude, season and weather. Spend time in the village and consider the mountain viewpoint experience selected for your program. Clear mountain views depend on conditions, so flexibility matters.

Your travel expert will confirm any mountain railway or lift tickets before booking. Longer walks and higher viewpoints require a different plan from a gentle village day. Return to the same accommodation tonight, leaving time for a relaxed meal and preparation for the scenic rail stage.

Overnight: Zermatt. Hotel night 5 of 11.

Ein roter Zug mit Panoramawagen Glacier express fährt durch eine verschneite Landschaft der Schweizer Berge
Photo: Karin Hugentobler / Unsplash

DAY 6

Scenic rail from Zermatt to St. Moritz

Travel between Zermatt and St. Moritz on the scenic rail service confirmed for your dates. The journey is a major part of the day, with time to enjoy the changing Alpine scenery from your reserved seat rather than fit in another substantial excursion.

Service dates, route availability, class, seat reservation and any onboard meal will be checked before booking. If the named panoramic service does not operate on your dates, we will agree an alternative rail plan before quotation. Settle into your St. Moritz hotel after arrival.

Overnight: St. Moritz. Hotel night 6 of 11.

Sunrise Switzerland
Photo: Philipp Düsel / Unsplash

DAY 7

St. Moritz and the Engadin lakes

Spend a full day in the Engadin, with St. Moritz as your base. Enjoy the lake setting, take a gentle walk or follow the local sightseeing suggestions agreed for the season. The pace stays flexible after the longer scenic train journey.

Mountain transport, boat services and walking routes vary through the year, so additional excursions are selected around your actual dates. Your proposal confirms any included tickets or guiding. Otherwise, use the day independently for scenery, lunch and time to relax before the next transfer.

Overnight: St. Moritz. Hotel night 7 of 11.

houses near body of water and mountain during daytime
Photo: Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson / Unsplash

DAY 8

St. Moritz to Hallstatt

Check out after breakfast and continue from St. Moritz to Hallstatt using the rail and road connections selected for your dates. Your travel documents confirm the departure point, timing, baggage arrangements and any station or airport transfers. We allow practical time for the journey rather than adding a major sightseeing commitment before check-in.

This is a substantial journey from Switzerland into Austria. We will compare practical connections, transfer points and luggage handling before quotation, with time for breaks and a hotel arrival suited to the actual timetable. The final proposal confirms the transport and services included on this travel day.

Overnight: Hallstatt. Hotel night 8 of 11.

I was going to Hallstatt, known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. When I got this view, I knew everything was true.
Photo: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos / Unsplash

DAY 9

Hallstatt and the lakeside villages

Enjoy a full day around Hallstatt, with time to walk through the village and appreciate the lake setting. A slower start gives you room to explore beyond a brief viewpoint stop, with a relaxed lunch and time to return to your accommodation.

Any additional attraction, boat trip or wider lakes excursion will be selected during planning and confirmed for your dates. The draft does not assume seasonal services or unconfirmed access. Your travel expert will discuss walking distances and the practical arrangements around your hotel location.

Overnight: Hallstatt. Hotel night 9 of 11.

Vienna State Opera with its green roof above the surrounding city streets
Vienna State Opera with its green roof above the surrounding city streets · Photo © Rem Malloy

DAY 10

Hallstatt to Vienna

Check out after breakfast and continue from Hallstatt to Vienna using the rail and road connections selected for your dates. Your travel documents confirm the departure point, timing, baggage arrangements and any station or airport transfers. We allow practical time for the journey rather than adding a major sightseeing commitment before check-in.

Settle into your accommodation in Vienna, then enjoy an independent introduction to the historic center and coffeehouses. Pause for lunch or dinner as the timing allows, and leave room to rest before the next full day of sightseeing. The final proposal confirms the transport and services included on this travel day.

Overnight: Vienna. Hotel night 10 of 11.

Hofburg palace courtyard and green dome in Vienna
Hofburg palace courtyard and green dome in Vienna · Photo © Rem Malloy

DAY 11

Vienna's historic center

Meet your local guide for an introduction to Vienna, connecting the historic center with the city's imperial and cultural history. The route follows your interests, with time to appreciate the streets and public spaces instead of moving continuously between separate attractions.

Afterward, pause for lunch or a coffeehouse visit and enjoy the remaining hours independently. Your proposal confirms the guiding, admissions and transport included. The evening is open unless a music performance has been selected, giving you room for an unhurried dinner.

Overnight: Vienna. Hotel night 11 of 11.

Equestrian statue and visitors on the Albertina museum terrace in Vienna
Equestrian statue and visitors on the Albertina museum terrace in Vienna · Photo © Rem Malloy

DAY 12

Depart from Vienna

Enjoy breakfast as your departure time allows, check out and meet your driver at the location confirmed in your travel documents. Continue to the airport, station or onward connection specified in your proposal, leaving appropriate time for check-in and departure procedures.

Your stay ends after the hotel nights listed for this route. If you prefer a later departure, extra night or extension, discuss the arrangements before booking so we plan the accommodation and transfers together. International flights, meals after check-out and additional services are separate unless expressly included in your written quote.

Departure day. No additional hotel night included.

Your complete package

Your written proposal confirms the hotels and services selected for your dates. The daily itinerary describes the planned experience, with optional additions identified separately.

Planned package

  • 11 nights in selected four-star or higher accommodations.
  • Arrival and departure arrangements at the locations agreed in your proposal.
  • Intercity travel and local ground transfers listed in the confirmed program.
  • Selected guided visits, sightseeing and admissions as quoted.
  • Travel4Real planning and coordination of the confirmed itinerary.
  • Meals, tastings, ferries and domestic flights only where expressly listed in the quote.

Separate unless listed

  • International airfare and travel insurance.
  • Local hotel and visitor taxes payable at the destination.
  • Meals, drinks, gratuities and personal purchases.
  • Optional activities and unlisted admissions or transfers.
  • Rental-car fuel, parking, insurance and excess charges unless the selected rental terms include them.

Hotels, transport and pace

We confirm hotel names, room categories and transport before booking. Tell us about mobility needs, luggage and preferred walking distances during planning. Seasonal boats, mountain services and weather-dependent activities require date-specific checks.

Planning your trip

Is this a scheduled group departure?

This is a customized package with dates and services agreed for your party. Your proposal specifies whether individual activities use a private guide, a shared tour or independent time. No fixed group size or guaranteed departure is implied.

What does the price depend on?

Your travel dates, party size, room requirements, hotel choices and confirmed services determine the quote. Pricing is on request. We do not present historical client costs as current rates.

When should we contact you?

Contact us at least two months before departure. Six to eight months gives more choice for accommodation and popular experiences. We arrange complete packages of at least seven nights rather than individual services.

Are museums, cruises and special visits guaranteed?

Tickets and seasonal services depend on availability. We confirm the chosen visits and transport before booking, and agree alternatives when a service does not operate on your dates.

Where do we meet our guides and drivers?

Meeting points are your hotel lobby, the arrival terminal, station or a central location specified in your final travel documents. Exact meeting details follow the confirmed arrangements.

Read our trip-planning FAQs for the planning process, payments, travel insurance and cancellation information.

Plan your 12-Day Switzerland & Austria Alpine

Share your preferred dates, number of travelers, room needs and any changes you would like. Please include reference T4R-11715 so our team matches your request to this route.