Switzerland grand tour by electric car

Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access before flying direct to Zurich airport - in the north of Switzerland - where your adventure begins. Alternatively, choose our no-fly option, with a Eurostar departure from London to Paris and onward connection to the Swiss capital. On arrival into Zurich you'll check into your centrally located hotel, perhaps spending the rest of the day exploring the colourful cobbled streets of its delightful old town, known locally as Altstadt. Alternatively, pick from a number of fascinating museums that the city has to offer, most notably the FIFA museum, dedicated to showcasing the rich heritage of football through the 20th and 21st centuries.

Stay: Zurich accommodation

After breakfast, pick up your specially selected electric hire car, heading in the direction of the traffic-free old town of St. Gallen. Make sure to take a leisurely de-tour and witness the largest and most powerful waterfall in Europe; the Rhine Falls - your first taster of the abundance of world-class scenery you will enjoy over the coming week. Continue through the lush green landscapes of eastern Switzerland, arriving in St. Gallen this afternoon, greeted by the impressive Abbey of St. Gall, the eighth century monastery which dominates its skyline.

Stay: St.Gallen accommodation

Today, journey through the spectacular Alpstein region, offering jaw dropping vistas and picture-perfect chocolate-box villages in equal measure. See the rolling hills gradually transform to rocky alpine terrain as you continue through this scenic region. The highlight of today’s drive is unquestionably the breath-taking Flüela Pass; running alongside the Flüela mountain, its winding bends and dramatic ascents and descents make for an epic and thrilling mountain drive. After a gentle descent, arrive to the sophisticated and cosmopolitan alpine town of St. Moritz. With an average of 320 days of sunshine per year, it is an ideal place to enjoy one of the many summer activities on offer.

Stay: St. Moritz accommodation 

This morning, enjoy a filling breakfast ready for an epic driving day, as you descend from the heights of the Southern Alps towards Italian-speaking Lugano. Situated right on the Swiss/Italian border, Lugano is notable for its Italian influenced architecture and cuisine, which is trumped only by its alluring glacial lake which goes by the same name. After checking into your centrally located hotel, take a short stroll to discover the calm and pristine waters of Lake Lugano. We recommend riding the cable car up Monte San Salvatore for grandstand views of the beautiful cityscape.

Stay: Lugano accommodation

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning by the lake before journeying from Lugano to Täsch via the towns of Ascona and Bellinzona, the latter boasting three of Switzerland’s best preserved UNESCO world heritage listed medieval castles. Continuing on, you will drive through the stunning passes of St. Gotthard and Furka en route to Täsch, where you swap car for train as you board the short 5km shuttle to the car-free Zermatt. Nestled below the iconic and imposing Matterhorn peak, Zermatt is a lively mountain town. If the picture-postcard backdrop of Matterhorn doesn’t blow you away, perhaps the abundance of superb dining options and atmospheric restaurants will.

Stay: Zermatt accommodation

After check-out, take the shuttle train back to Täsch and reunite with your car before continuing on along the River Rhône, towards Lausanne. Your journey today will take you through the Canton of Valais via Sion and Martigny all the way through to Lausanne in this French-speaking part of Switzerland. This particular part of the country is spoilt by the beauty of its nature, none more so than the Lavaux district – recognised by UNESCO not just for the sheer beauty of its scenery, but also for its vineyards which stretch 30km along the south facing shores of Lake Geneva. Once checked into your hotel in Lausanne, we recommend spending the afternoon exploring the Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame, or reliving great sporting moments in the Olympic museum.

Stay: Lausanne accommodation 

From Gothic Lausanne to medieval Fribourg, today’s drive will take you the scenic route through the Gruyère region. With plenty of quaint villages en route, take your pick for a picturesque lunch spot, or perhaps just pause to appreciate the fresh mountain air and awe-inspiring summits in the distance. This afternoon, arrive at the town of Interlaken, surrounded completely by the magnificent Bernese Alps with the Jungfrau easily seen from the town centre. For further fresh mountain air, the 50-minute train ride to Schynige Platte is highly recommended, with breath-taking views of the soaring peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Stay: Interlaken accommodation

Benefit from an early start today, navigating your way from Interlaken through varied highways and deep blue mountain lakes on your way to Switzerland’s capital, Bern. Spend the best part of your day getting lost in its charming UNESCO-listed old town, with its attractive sandstone buildings and atmospheric markets ripe for exploration. From here, it is just over an hour drive to your hotel for the night, in the picturesque town of Lucerne. Once checked in, make sure you head to the town’s most famed landmark, and the world’s oldest surviving truss bridge – Chapel Bridge.

Stay: Lucerne accommodation

Following a leisurely breakfast, set off for one last drive back to Zurich where you will say farewell to Switzerland after a short journey to the airport. Drop off your hire car and check into your onward flight back to the UK. Otherwise, take the train from Lucerne to Zurich where you'll join a connecting train to Paris for your Eurostar hop back to London.