Find Your Swiss Bliss On This Essential Switzerland Road Trip

Difficulty

540 km

Distance

8

Recom. Days

Culture

Trip type

Image of Indie Campers freelance travel writer Jenn Zajac, outside a cafe.
Jenn Zajac

Ice coffee-addicted, pun-loving, Oxford comma-embracing writer. Currently based in beautiful Bali after too many winters in Boston and London. Specializes in crafting content for hotels and travel.

Switzerland Road Trip Itinerary: Geneva Round-Trip

Switzerland Road Trip map itinerary
Man standing in slope
Pick-up in
Geneva Depot
1

Venture along the ‘Swiss Riviera’ to Montreux

Driving around the scenic northern border of Lake Geneva, the picturesque resort town of Montreux is found just over an hour from the campervan depot. The Alps rise sharply to Montreux’s east, bordering the town as it spreads out along the lake’s pristine shoreline.

Located just off the shore is a medieval island castle, Château de Chillon, while the town itself is dotted with grand Belle Époque buildings and a modern casino.

The many towns that form the ‘Swiss Riviera’ are well connected by local train. Leave the campground and head into Vevey, a charming little village which has long attracted artists and intellectuals from Charlie Chaplin to Lord Byron.

Treat yourself to a splurge-worthy, Michelin-starred meal at the beautiful La Véranda for an elegant start to your Switzerland road trip. Be sure to devote a full day to the nearby Lavaux wine region, featuring 30 km of terraced vineyards running along the shores of Lake Geneva.

Visiting

Montreux

3

Recom. Days

Main route

91 km

from our Geneva depot

1h

drive

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

Château de Chillon

13th-century, island castle with vast dungeons

Vevey

Lovely lakeside town, once home to Charlie Chaplin

Lavaux Wine Terraces

Take a train to Switzerland's largest wine region

Signal

Eat at

Caveau des Vignerons

€€

Authentic Swiss fare like rösti & fondue

Confiserie Zurcher

€€

Traditional tea room with a casual café

La Véranda

€€€€

Relaxed Michelin-starred Vevey brasserie

Parking

Maladaire Campground

€€

Explore the lakeside villages via train

Signal

Stay at

Maladaire Campground

€€

Close to train, between Montreux & Vevey

2

Sail away in enchanting Neuchâtel, a hidden gem

Nestled into the foothills of the Jura Mountains is Neuchâtel, an arguably undiscovered gem in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. We’re not sure why Neuchâtel isn’t on many travellers’ radar, but we’ll happily add it to this blissful Switzerland road trip itinerary.

Wander its medieval Old Town dotted with pretty, pastel mansions and numerous fountains, or indulge in some specialty shopping along its twinkling, modern boulevards.

With at least a full day to explore, get your fill of historic architecture like the Gothic cathedral Collégiale and the impressive, varied collections found at the Art & History Musem.

If you have your sea legs, a sailing excursion on Lake Neuchâtel is not to be missed. As it’s the largest of all the Swiss lakes, Neuchâtel is a popular place for sailors and boating enthusiasts. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the exciting Bol d’Or du Lac Neuchâtel regatta, held here every May.

Visiting

Neuchâtel

1

Recom. Days

Main route

89 km

from Montreux

1h

drive

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire

19th-century building with art & history exhibits

Chocolaterie Walder Sàrl

Third-generation Swiss chocolatiers? Yes, please

Signal

Eat at

Bistrot du Concert

€€€

One of the hottest tables in town

Restaurant La Crêperie

€€

Sweet and savoury crêpes, good value

Parking

Parking de la Gare de Neuchâtel S.A.

€€

Garage near main train station

Signal

Stay at

Camping La Tène

€€

Lakeside facilities close to train

3

Discover postcard-perfect Interlaken

Flick through any travel postcard rack and you’ll see photos of central Switzerland’s stunning Bernese-Oberland region. Settled between the bright blue waters of Lakes Thun and Brienz, Interlaken is the perfect base for exploring this area.

Speaking of postcards, your first road trip stop should be a visit to the fairy tale castle Oberhofen, with its dreamy turreted tower rising right out of Lake Thun.

If it’s an adventure you’re after, Interlaken’s incredible landscape makes it a popular destination for tandem paragliding. For those who prefer to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, a worthy alternative is the viewing deck Harder Kulm, accessible by funicular with panoramic views of the Bernese Alps and beyond.

Leave a day to explore the surrounding villages, many just a quick drive from your campground. Lauterbrunnen is a must, a pretty little Alpine village tucked into a green valley at the base of a gushing 300-metre waterfall. Talk about a real-life postcard.

Visiting

Interlaken

2

Recom. Days

Main route

110 km

from Neuchâtel

1h30min

drive

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

Schloss Oberhofen

13th-century castle & garden overlooking Lake Thun

Harder Kulm

Take the funicular up to this scenic lookout point

Lauterbrunnen

Valley village framed by cliffs and 300m waterfall, highly recommended

Signal

Eat at

Ox

€€€

Sleek and stylish Swiss resto with patio

Husi Bierhaus

€€€

Laidback brewery, bar, and restaurant

Little Thai

€€

Cheap, cheerful, and delicious

Parking

Parkhaus Lauterbrunnen AG

€€

Convenient to village centre by foot

Signal

Stay at

TCS Camping Interlaken

€€

Riverfront campground near train station

4

Finish on an indulgent note in Gruyères

Pulling into the medieval town of Gruyères, the first thing you may notice is a certain pungent smell wafting through your windows. The town is home to one of Switzerland’s most popular exports, the melty and delicious Gruyère cheese.

Get your fix of the good stuff straight from the source. La Maison du Gruyère offers several daily tasty tours of their cheesemaking facilities, along with a traditional cheese shop where you can load up on goodies to take home.

Between all this fondue and chocolate, you might be feeling a bit over-indulged towards the end of your Switzerland road trip. Work off some of that excess with a refreshing hike around nearby Lake Montsalvens.

Starting in Charmey, the moderate trail circuit takes about three hours and affords gorgeous views of pretty Alpine vistas, the reservoir, and dam. Best of all, the trail ends close to the luxurious Gruyère Baths, the perfect final stop on a blissful Swiss road trip itinerary.

Visiting

Gruyères

2

Recom. Days

Main route

123 km

from Interlaken

1h25min

drive

You can rent our campervans in more than 40 different destinations across Ireland and Europe

Visit

La Maison du Gruyère

Learn about and taste the iconic local cheese

H.R. Giger Museum

Art from the film ‘Alien.’ Yes, really

Lac de Montsalvens

Scenic hiking trails encircle the lake

Bains de la Gruyère

Fantastic thermal baths with modern facilities

Signal

Eat at

Le Chalet de Gruyères

€€€

The essential Swiss fondue joint

Gare à Toi

€€

Friendly breakfast spot, locally-sourced

Parking

Parking P1 Rte de la Cité

€€

Limited space in town, so arrive early

Signal

Stay at

Camping Les Sapins

Good facilities very close to town

Drop-off in
Geneva Depot

145 km

from Gruyères

1h40m

drive