Switzerland’s road trip No. 1.
A virtual tour through Switzerland.
an interactive Grand Tour of Switzerland online and get a feel for the drive on your screen. The web tour ramps up the excitement for the real Grand Tour of Switzerland tenfold. grandtour.MySwitzerland.com
Road map. The perfect companion for the Grand Tour of Switzerland is the Hallwag Kümmerly+Frey road map (1: 275,000), with detailed route descriptions. swisstravelcenter.ch
895 reasons
to discover Switzerland on the Grand Tour.
Sensational curves: 5 Alpine passes soaring above 2,000 m (6,561 ft)
Freshwater heaven: 22 lakes bigger than 0.5 sq km (0.2 sq mi)
Outstanding highlights: 12 UNESCO World Heritage Properties and 2 Biosphere Reserves
Multicultural encounters: 4 national languages, countless dialects
Perfect signposting: 650 official Grand Tour signs
The world’s first electric Road Trip: 200 charging points for electric vehicles
Basel, Basel Region
San Bernardino Pass road, Graubünden
Säntis, Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein
Lavaux, Lake Geneva Region
The Grand Tour at
Fribourg
One city, two languages
Grossmünster church, Zurich
Rhine Falls
Town of Stein am Rhein
Convent of St. Gallen
Painted facades, Appenzell
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona
Heidi’s Village, Maienfeld
Mountain village of Guarda
Swiss National Park
Benedictine convent and Biosfera Val Müstair
Muottas Muragl panoramic peak
Rhaetian Railway, Albula / Bernina
Three castles of Bellinzona
Ascona lake promenade
Monte Brè Lugano
Monte San Giorgio
Tremola, old Gotthard
Pass road
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch
Matterhorn
Mountain village of Grimentz
Abbey of Saint-Maurice
Château de Chillon, Veytaux
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier
Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
Olympic Museum, Lausanne
Jet d’eau, Geneva
Creux du Van rock amphitheatre
Basel, city of culture
Town of St-Ursanne
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle,
Watchmaking Town Planning
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings: Laténium
Town of Murten
City of Fribourg
Town of Gruyères
Gstaad / Saanen chalet village
Jungfraujoch
Lake Brienz cruises
Old City of Bern
Emmental visitor cheese dairy
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
Hallwyl moated castle
Chapel Bridge, Lucerne
Pilatus
Tell Chapel, Sisikon
Einsiedeln monastery
Arriving in Switzerland.
A large number of airline companies land in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern Belp and Lugano. Swiss International Air Lines is the national carrier of Switzerland serving more than 100 worldwide destinations.
SWISS – Made of Switzerland
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) offers a fine-meshed route network of more than 100 destinations worldwide. As the airline of Switzerland, SWISS embodies the country’s traditional values, and is committed to delivering the highest product and service quality with typical Swiss hospitality. As part of the Lufthansa Group and a member of Star Alliance, SWISS remains faithful to its mission of providing quality air services that link Switzerland with Europe and the world.
International airports
Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern Belp and Lugano – these airports are the main gateways into Switzerland and are fully integrated into the Swiss railway network. Trains from the airports to Zurich and Geneva run every 10 to 20 minutes, with a travelling time of about 10 minutes. From Basel EuroAirport there are frequent bus services to Basel SBB train station and the travelling time is 20 minutes.
Contacts
Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. leisure.sales@swiss.com SWISS.COM
Zurich Airport tourism@zurich-airport.com zurich-airport.com
Davos
Bern Basel
Geneva
Lucerne
Lugano
Interlaken
Montreux Zurich St. Gallen
Zermatt
Neuchâtel Gstaad
45 highlights along the Grand Tour.
From palm-lined lakeshores to sparkling glaciers and medieval villages to buzzing cities –the Grand Tour of Switzerland packs in an incredible number of sights.
Grossmünster church, Zurich
From the top of the church tower, sensational views reach over Zurich’s rooftops and lake to majestic Alpine summits.
Rhine Falls
Stand high above Europe’s largest waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water ripple right through you.
Town of Stein am Rhein
The little town is famous for its well-preserved Old Town, adorned with lavishly frescoed facades and half-timbered houses.
Convent of St. Gallen
The city’s unmissable landmark is the Abbey of St. Gallen and its showpiece baroque cathedral.
Painted facades, Appenzell
Appenzell’s eye-catching facades are ornately embellished with frescoes.
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona
In the area around Piz Sardona the mountains stand on their heads: older strata of rock have shifted to lie above younger layers.
Heidi’s Village, Maienfeld Maienfeld inspired author Johanna Spyri to pen her famous novel Heidi.
Mountain village of Guarda
The quaint houses of this Engadin village have beautifully painted facades dating to the early 17th century.
Swiss National Park
Nature is in the spotlight at the pristine Swiss National Park in the Engadin.
Benedictine convent and Biosfera Val Müstair
This convent shelters exceptional treasures, including the world’s largest early-medieval frescoes.
Muottas Muragl panoramic peak
The entire Upper Engadin spreads out before you at this popular hiking peak.
Rhaetian Railway, Albula / Bernina
With Alpine views on repeat, the Albula / Bernina railway line is one of the world’s most spectacular.
Three castles of Bellinzona
The skyline of Ticino’s capital is dominated by its mighty fortifications, which encompass three of Switzerland’s best-preserved medieval castles.
Ascona lake promenade
Ascona is renowned for its mild climate and lake promenade, which is dotted with street cafés and flaunts southern flair.
UNESCO World Heritage and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Monte Brè Lugano
Monte Brè is considered to be the sunniest mountain in Switzerland.
Monte San Giorgio
Monte San Giorgio has been a mecca to fossil scientists since the 19th century. A visit to the Fossil Museum in Meride is a must.
Tremola, old Gotthard Pass road
The ride across the cobbled Tremola on the southern side of the Gotthard Pass is breathtaking.
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch
This World Heritage Property encapsulates the sublime natural beauty of the Alps. Get a glimpse at the new World Nature Forum in Naters.
Matterhorn
Rising above Zermatt, this pyramidshaped giant is supposedly the world’s most photographed peak.
Mountain village of Grimentz
This picture-book village is famous for the countless red geraniums adorning its window boxes.
Abbey of Saint-Maurice
Once the spiritual centre of the Burgundy Empire, this pilgrimage destination is now home to one of Europe’s most important ecclesiastical treasures.
Château de Chillon, Veytaux
Set on a rocky outcrop in Lake Geneva and against the backdrop of a steep wooded slope, Chillon Castle near Montreux is the vision of romance.
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier
Two of the 17 sites are located in Switzerland: La Petite maison au bord du lac Léman in Corseaux and l’Immeuble Clarté in Geneva.
Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
Lavaux is Switzerland’s largest contiguous vineyard area, with terrace after glorious terrace affording magnificent views.
Olympic Museum, Lausanne
Opened in 1993, this museum in Lausanne is entirely devoted to the Olympic Games.
Jet d’eau, Geneva
Geneva’s most distinctive icon is the Jet d’eau – a fountain with a 140-metre-high water jet.
Creux du Van rock amphitheatre
At this natural rock arena, vertical rock faces rising 160 m above a valley basin stretching four km long and more than one km wide.
Basel, city of culture
Home to 40 museums, the city of culture for those in the know has the highest concentration of museums in Switzerland.
Town of St-Ursanne
According to legend, the picturesque little town of St-Ursanne was founded by the Irish monk St Ursicinus.
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking
Town Planning
La Chaux-de-Fonds was the world capital of the watch-making industry for more than a hundred years.
Prehistoric Pile Dwellings: Laténium
The museum “Laténium” showcases examples of Switzerland’s pile dwellings.
Town of Murten
This bijou medieval town has picturesque alleyways and pleasant shady arcades.
City of Fribourg
More than 200 unique Gothic facades from the 15th century lend incomparable medieval charm to the Old Town.
Town of Gruyères
A picture-perfect medieval town on a small hill, with a castle and three totally different museums.
Gstaad / Saanen chalet village
The Gstaad-Saanenland holiday region in the Bernese Oberland attracts a charming mix of visitors.
Jungfraujoch
The majestic Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau summits, together with close-up views of the largest glacier in the Alps.
Lake Brienz cruises
Turquoise Lake Brienz and neighbouring Lake Thun are situated in the spectacular mountain setting of the Bernese Oberland.
Old City of Bern
Few cities have managed to retain their historic features as perfectly as Bern, the capital of Switzerland.
Emmental visitor cheese dairy
The show dairy is the heart of what has become a cheese village, complete with restaurant and informative displays.
UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
Switzerland’s first biosphere reserve offers natural beauty at its finest.
Hallwyl moated castle
Built in the 11th century, this historic building is one of the most important water castles in Switzerland.
Chapel Bridge, Lucerne Travellers have flocked to Lucerne since 1840 – for a stroll in the well-preserved Old Town with its Chapel Bridge and Water Tower.
Pilatus
On a clear day, this mythical mountain offers a panoramic view of 73 Alpine peaks.
Tell Chapel, Sisikon
This chapel marks where William Tell jumped ashore to flee the boat of his captor, Gessler.
Einsiedeln monastery
Overlooking a deep-blue lake and surrounded by jagged mountains, this abbey has a breathtaking backdrop.
UNESCO World Heritage and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage voucher
Free voucher for tour operators, with attractive discounts and benefits for visiting UNESCO World Heritage Properties. info@whes.ch whes.ch
12 idyllic drives.
Some routes on the Grand Tour are simply out of this world. They lead through magnificent landscapes and lush vineyards, along spectacular lakefronts and to the cinematically beautiful heart of the Alps. These experiences are the crowning glory of the Grand Tour. MySwitzerland.com/dreamroute
Lavaux, Corseaux–Lutry
Valais, Ardon–Saillon
Mont Vully, La Sauge–Sugiez
Gotthard, Airolo–Gletsch
Col du Marchairuz, Vich–Le Brassus
Lake Constance, Eschenz–Tägerwilen
drives. Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Lake Thun, Unterseen–Oberhofen
Lake Lucerne, Greppen–Beckenried
Viamala, Thusis–Splügen
Engadin St. Moritz, Zernez–Silvaplana
Morcote, Melide–Montagnola
Emmental, Burgdorf–Affoltern i. E.
Liquid happiness
Thurgau isn’t nicknamed “Cider Country” for nothing.
Made from apples and pears, “Ghürotne” is a mix of sweetand-sour cider-perry blend.
Zurich to Appenzell.
Discoveries aplenty
Lake Constance
The third-biggest lake in Central Europe unites Switzerland, Germany and Austria, and its shores are ripe for the discovery.
With lyrical landscapes, lush fruit gardens, picturesque towns and surprises on every corner, the route from Zurich to Appenzell is one of the Grand Tour of Switzerland’s unsung treasures. It’s surprising given how many highlights there are here – not least the biggest plain waterfall in Europe and St. Gallen’s Abbey Library which is among the world’s oldest and most beautiful.
Zürich Tourism trade@zuerich.com zuerich.com/trade
St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourism marketing@st.gallen-bodensee.ch st.gallen-bodensee.ch
Distance 175 km / 109 mi
Driving time 3 h 30 min.
Highlights
■ Grossmünster church, Zurich
■ Rhine Falls
■ Town of Stein am Rhein
■ Covent of St. Gallen
■ Painted facades, Appenzell
Romanshor
Zurich, Zurich Region
Picture-book romance
Strolling along Appenzell’s pedestrianised Hauptgasse, with its vibrantly frescoed gabled houses, is like stepping into the pages of a picture book.
Appenzell to St. Moritz.
It’s all happening in the east
Graubünden nut tart
This irresistible nut tart makes the perfect snack on the Grand Tour. There are so many recipes and each one claims to be the best.
On the route through Appenzell and Liechtenstein it is the little gems that impress most of all. The Grand Tour of Switzerland is packed with unforgettable encounters – from the national treasure Heidi in Maienfeld to the children’s book favourite Schellenursli in Guarda and the natural splendour of the Swiss National Park.
St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourism marketing@st.gallen-bodensee.ch st.gallen-bodensee.ch
Graubünden Tourism contact@graubuenden.ch graubuenden.ch
Distance 200 km / 124 mi
Driving time 4 h
Highlights
■ Painted facades, Appenzell
■ Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona
■ Heidi’s Village, Maienfeld
■ Mountain village of Guarda
■ Swiss National Park
■ Benedictine convent and Biosfera Val Müstair
■ Muottas Muragl panoramic peak
Appenzell to St. Moritz. Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Maienfeld
Müstair
Splügen
Passo del San Bernardino
Thusis
Pass road Schwägalp, Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein
Postcard-perfect
Lined with plane and palm trees and brightly painted facades, the lake promenade is one of Switzerland’s most-photographed attractions.
St. Moritz to Lugano.
UNESCO World Heritage heaven
Ibex
Successfully reintroduced more than 100 years ago, over 16,000 ibex now live in the Alps.
The Grand Tour through Graubünden takes in one UNESCO World Heritage Property after the next. And it is packed with unforgettable encounters like the one-of-a-kind Rhaetian Railway Albula / Bernina line, the stunning views at Muottas Muragl and the bewitching Viamala, which are all just tip-of-theiceberg stuff.
Distance 225 km / 140 mi
Driving time 4 h 15 min.
Highlights
■ Muottas Muragl panoramic peak
■ Rhaetian Railway, Albula / Bernina
■ Three castles of Bellinzona
Graubünden Tourism contact@graubuenden.ch graubuenden.ch
Ticino Turismo trade@ticino.ch trade.ticino.ch
Grand Tour of Switzerland. St. Moritz to Lugano.
■ Ascona lake promenade
■ Monte Brè Lugano
Müstair
Passo del San Bernardino
Splügen
Thusis
Alp Flix in Parc Ela, Graubünden
White giant Unbelievably big and unbelievably beautiful, the 23 -kilometre-long Aletsch Glacier is the mightiest ice stream in the Alps, with a staggering 27 billion tons of ice.
Chiasso to Zermatt.
Valley deep, mountain high
o
Rise of the chestnut The humble chestnut is no longer seen as “bread for the poor”. It’s currently experiencing a revival in Ticinese cuisine, where it appears in many different guises.
From the Mediterranean atmosphere of Ticino over seven mountains to the foot of the Matterhorn – the Grand Tour between Lugano and Zermatt offers Italian flair, medieval culture, historical pass roads, pristine landscapes, abundant nature and tremendous views of the Alps.
Ticino Turismo trade@ticino.ch trade.ticino.ch
Valais/Wallis Promotion info@valais.ch valais.ch
Distance 300 km / 186 mi
Driving time 6 h
Highlights
■ Monte San Giorgio
■ Monte Brè Lugano
■ Ascona lake promenade
■ Three castles of Bellinzona
■ Tremola, old Gotthard Pass road
■ Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch
■ Matterhorn
Chiasso to Zermatt. Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Passo del San Bernardino
Thusis
Chiass
Tremola, the old Gotthard Pass road, Airolo, Ticino
Chaplin’s World
Inspired by the humanist values and avant-garde genius that made him an international icon, Chaplin’s World in Vevey reveals the private life of the man and of the artist.
Zermatt to Lausanne.
Wonderful waterway
After leaving the wild Matter Valley crowned by the mighty Matterhorn, the route shadows the course of the Rhône through Valais to Lake Geneva. There are plenty of water-based attractions en route – from underground lakes to healing springs and a gigantic reservoir dam. The region is also famous for its wine, which reaches its peak in the UNESCO-listed vineyards of Lavaux.
Valais/Wallis Promotion info@valais.ch valais.ch
Office du Tourisme du Canton de Vaud marketing@lake-geneva-region.ch business.lake-geneva-region.ch
Lausanne.
Distance 178 km / 111 mi
Driving time 3 h 40 min.
Highlights
■ Matterhorn
■ Mountain village of Grimentz
■ Abbey of Saint-Maurice
■ Château de Chillon, Veytaux
■ The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier
■ Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
■ Olympic Museum, Lausanne
Martigny
Valais Wine Route
The 66 -kilometre wine route threads through the vineyards of Valais from Leuk to Martigny.
Lavaux, Lake Geneva Region
Watchmaking industry
In and around Geneva and Jura, Switzerland ticks more reliably than ever – this is home to the Swiss watchmaking industry.
capital
collegiate
Distances
Lausanne / Geneva to Neuchâtel.
Enchanting discoveries
Like something out of a fairytale, Lavaux is almost too beautiful to be true. After climbing to Chexbres, the Route de la Corniche leads straight through the vineyard terraces. What an incredible contrast: on the one hand there is Geneva with its multicultural flair, on the other the Vallée de Joux with its wildly romantic landscapes and historic villages nestling between Jura mountain ranges.
Office du Tourisme du Canton de Vaud marketing@lake-geneva-region.ch business.lake-geneva-region.ch
Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation sales@geneve.com geneve.com
Lausanne–Neuchâtel: 170 km / 106 mi
Geneva–Neuchâtel: 190 km / 118 mi
Driving time
Lausanne–Neuchâtel: 3 h 30 min.
Geneva–Neuchâtel: 3 h 50 min.
Highlights
■ Olympic Museum, Lausanne
■ The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier
■ Jet d’eau, Geneva
■ Creux du Van rock amphitheatre
Jura & Three-Lakes info@j3l.ch j3l.ch
■ Prehistoric Pile Dwellings: Laténium
Lausanne / Geneva to Neuchâtel. Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Vallon de Noirvaux, Jura & Three-Lakes
Culture
Neuchâtel owes its unique charm to its medieval centre, castle and
church dating to the 12th century.
The Swiss cultural capital, Basel, Basel Region
Tête de Moine
Attractive and appetising, Tête de Moine (Monk’s Head) cheese isn’t sliced, but pared using a special grater called a Girolle to make delicate rosettes.
The Doubs
The mighty river creates a natural border to France between Soubey and Les Brenets –its landscapes are lyrical.
Basel to Neuchâtel.
Switzerland’s wild west
Basel is full of surprises: rising proudly above the Rhine, it is an endless source of fascination, with its famous museums, outstanding architecture, magnificent Old Town and idyllic bathing spots. Beyond the city gates lies the wild expanse of the Jura and Franches-Montagnes. Open meadows and forests and the mystical Doubs Nature Park on the French-Swiss border shape the heights between Saignelégier and La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Basel Tourism sales@basel.com basel.com/traveltrade
Jura & Three-Lakes info@j3l.ch j3l.ch
Distance 158 km / 98 mi
Driving time 3 h 25 min.
Highlights
■ Basel, city of culture
■ Town of St-Ursanne
■ La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking
Town Planning
■ Prehistoric Pile Dwellings: Laténium
On the road between La Tine and Rossinière, Pays-d’Enhaut, Lake Geneva Region
Swiss chocolate
The secrets around the origins and manufacturing of chocolate can be experienced at Maison Cailler in Broc.
11,674 steps
The world’s longest single-staircase shadows the funicular from Mülenen up to Niesen – reaching the top is the challenge at the Niesen Treppenlauf race.
Neuchâtel to Bern.
Picture-book perfect
The Grand Tour leads from shimmering blue lakes to classic pre-Alpine landscapes with charming traditions, culinary specialities and enchanting surprises. The legendary resort of Gstaad offers a slice of Alpine luxury. Between lakes Brienz and Thun the landscapes are like heaven on earth. Just a stone’s throw from Interlaken, you’ll find countless mountain railways, cable cars and chairlifts that whisk you up to an extensive network of beautiful walking trails, Schilthorn (James Bond’s Piz Gloria), the legendary “Big Three” of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and the local peak, Harder Kulm.
Distance 252 km / 157 mi
Driving time 5 h 20 min.
Jura & Three-Lakes info@j3l.ch j3l.ch
Fribourg Region marketing@fribourgregion.ch fribourgregion.ch
BE! Tourism Ltd. info@madeinbern.com madeinbern.com
Highlights
■ Prehistoric Pile Dwellings: Laténium
■ Town of Murten
■ City of Fribourg
■ Town of Gruyères
■ Gstaad / Saanen chalet village
■ Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
■ Lake Brienz cruises
■ Old City of Bern
Neuchâtel to Bern. Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Emmental, Canton of Bern
Jeremias Gotthelf
The pastor and writer worked in Lützelflüh and became world-famous with socio-critical novels like “The Black Spider”.
Bern to Lucerne.
120 days
That’s about how long Emmentaler AOP is aged in a cellar – more than most other varieties. The result is the cheese with holes for which Switzerland is so famous.
High in the hills
This route begins in the Swiss capital, Bern, and ends in Lucerne, the mostvisited holiday destination in Switzerland. Surprises abound in between –steeped in myths and legends, Emmental and Entlebuch are set against a fitting backdrop of hills, remote farmhouses and mist-enshrouded fields. Hallwyl’s moated castle looks freshly minted for a fairytale.
BE! Tourism Ltd. info@madeinbern.com madeinbern.com
Aargau Tourism info@aargautourismus.ch aargautourismus.ch
Lucerne Tourism Board sales@luzern.com luzern.com/traveltrade
Distance 181 km / 113 mi
Driving time 3 h 50 min.
Highlights
■ Old City of Bern
■ Emmental visitor cheese dairy
■ UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch
■ Hallwyl moated castle
■ Chapel Bridge, Lucerne
Hallwyl
Bürgenstock, Lucerne-Lake Lucerne Region
Tellsprung car ferry
The only car ferry on the Grand Tour of Switzerland, the Tellsprung (Tell’s Leap) crossing from Gersau to Beckenried takes around 20 minutes.
Lucerne to Zurich.
Straight to the heart
Switzerland’s heart beats that bit faster here – the country’s history began among these majestic mountains and lakes, and it lives on today, with William Tell playing the leading role. The surrounding peaks of Pilatus, Rigi and Titlis entice with alluring views and a superb array of activities. Take a historic paddle steamer across Lake Lucerne, marvel at Einsiedeln Abbey and fall for the romance of Rapperswil’s enchanting rose gardens.
Lucerne Tourism Board sales@luzern.com luzern.com/traveltrade
Zürich Tourism trade@zuerich.com zuerich.com/trade
Birewegge
Pear filling is spread onto pastry dough and rolled into a roulade to make Birewegge, one of Lucerne’s sweet specialities.
Distance 136 km / 85 mi
Driving time 3 h 15 min.
Highlights
■ Chapel Bridge, Lucerne
■ Pilatus
■ Tell Chapel, Sisikon
■ Einsiedeln monastery
■ Grossmünster church, Zurich
Lucerne to Zurich. Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Einsiedeln
Rapperswil
Car and motorbike rental.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland is primarily a self-drive route for exploring Switzerland by car or motorbike. The Grand Tour can also be discovered, however, with a driver guide or on a group tour. For the right rental car, we recommend our partners.
Motorcycle rentals
At Harley-Davidson ® Authorized Rentals you can carry out reservations and rentals of the latest Harley models with just a click – from the Sportster ® to the new Rushmore touring bikes. 13 Authorized Rentals locations in Switzerland offer best service and an open ear for your personal needs.
Car rentals
Europcar is the leading car rental company in Switzerland. As many as 5,500 vehicles are available to you at over 90 stations: from small cars to vans, and from luxury limousines to off-roaders, convertibles and 4×4 all-wheel-drives. In other words, the right car for all needs.
Mobile home and camper van hire
Europcar now has two campers in its fleet as well, the VW T6 California Beach and the California Coast. The compact but nevertheless comfortable camper has room for four or five persons and is the perfect companion for an exciting holiday along the Grand Tour of Switzerland with family or friends.
“The vehicle has been rented – the experience lasts forever!”
Contacts
Harley-Davidson
Switzerland GmbH
info@harley-davidson.com harley-davidson.com
Europcar AMAG Services AG info@europcar.ch europcar.ch
Distance and driving time
With a driving time of at least five hours a day, we recommend you plan at least eight days to complete the main route (1,643 km /1,021 mi). Depending on your entry point from the border, you may even need more time. The effective duration depends on whether you tend to speed along or travel at a leisurely pace to enjoy the many sights en route.
(Täsch)
E-Grand Tour:
The world’s first road trip for electric vehicles
A brand-new highlight awaits on the Grand Tour of Switzerland at the start of the summer season 2017. The Grand Tour will become the world’s first route doable entirely by electric vehicle. The network is extensive, with some 200 charging points and quick charging points – at hotels, restaurants and sights – making for a hassle-free, exciting and eco-friendly journey. The Grand Tour is, incidentally, the world’s first driving route that is completely accessible for electric vehicles.
For more information, please visit: MySwitzerland.com/e-grandtour
E-Grand Tour launch
The official launch of the E-Grand Tour will take place in June 2017 to tie in with Switzerland hosting the WAVE (World Advanced Vehicle Expedition). The WAVE is the largest 100% electric vehicle (EV) rally in the world and globally the most important event for electric mobility. It is a platform for all companies and universities that are active in the electric mobility domain, with an aim to increase awareness for electric mobility. Every WAVE event is different and follows a new route every year. The WAVE will take place for the seventh time in 2017 and from 9 to 17 June exclusively on the Grand Tour of Switzerland. wavetrophy.com
Special packages
Special packages featuring the E-Grand Tour available from April 2017.
STC Switzerland Travel Centre AG touroperating@stc.ch stc.ch
E-Grand Tour charging station at Hotel Suvretta House in St. Moritz, Graubünden
Travel planning.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland is 1,000 mi (1,643 km) of pure joy. The road trip can be done by car, motorbike or bus, visiting the best of Switzerland and hidden gems on one single route. We recommend at least three days to enjoy parts of it and up to around eight days for the whole tour.
Signposts and direction of travel
The Grand Tour can be travelled in both directions, but Switzerland Tourism recommends you make the journey clockwise. This is especially true in cities with one-way streets – and for motorway access roads. Signposts along the route are limited to the clockwise direction of travel on the main route, and to access roads to the main route from abroad.
Road map
The perfect companion for the Grand Tour of Switzerland is the Hallwag Kümmerly+Frey road map (1: 275,000) with detailed route descriptions. swisstravelcenter.ch
Travel guides
A dedicated Grand Tour travel guide from renowned publishers such as Hallwag Kümmerly+Frey, ADAC, Le Routard and Green Guide Michelin is available in more than 10 countries.
A virtual road trip through Switzerland
Vehicle suitability
The Grand Tour of Switzerland route is fundamentally aimed at cars and motorcycles. Other larger vehicles have to reckon with restrictions. You will find a factsheet with restrictions for coaches and recommendations for alternative routes at:
MySwitzerland.com/grandtourfacts
Recommended travel period
April to October is the best time to experience the Grand Tour, as some mountain passes are only accessible during the summer months. However, alternatives such as tunnels or car-train services are available.
alpen-paesse.ch
Petrol stations
The 80 Coop Pronto shops en route are ideal pit stops for travellers seeking fast service and fresh products. Most of them feature petrol stations. coop-pronto.ch
Discover an interactive Grand Tour of Switzerland online and get a feel for the drive on your screen. The web tour ramps up the excitement for the real Grand Tour of Switzerland tenfold. grandtour.MySwitzerland.com
Digital navigation
Download the GPX data of the Grand Tour of Switzerland as a guide. MySwitzerland.com/grandtourmap
Practical information
Here you will find all the useful information and tools to make your road trip an unforgettable experience:
■ Maps
■ GPX data
■ Traffic rules
■ Parking
■ Car ferry
■ Souvenirs
■ Customs and regulations
■ Passports and visas
■ Emergency numbers
MySwitzerland.com/ grandtourfacts
Snack Box and photo spots.
So you fancy trying some local treats? The Grand Tour Snack Box doubles the enjoyment of your journey through Switzerland. And if you’re seeking great photo spots, we’ve selected the best viewpoints en route.
Fun when you’re feeling peckish
Get a taste of Switzerland while travelling. Besides revealing Switzerland’s most beautiful side, the Grand Tour will also whet your appetite for regional flavours. Thanks to the Grand Tour Snack Box, a wide range of local specialities tempt in every corner of the country. Take the Snack Box with you on your journey for when you’re feeling peckish – and top it up en route.
■ Purchase the Snack Box for CHF 25 from one of more than 40 official sales outlets on the Grand Tour, and top it up with regional specialities for two people for CHF 20.
■ Top up your Snack Box en route with snacks from the region at other sales outlets for CHF 20 (refills for two people).
■ Enjoy the regional specialities and culinary diversity of Switzerland during the journey.
MySwitzerland.com/snackbox
Once-in-a-lifetime memories of picture-book Switzerland
Majestic 4,000-metre (13,123 feet) peaks, gently rolling hills, medieval towns and the roaring Rhine Falls – you can tick off the attractions like rosary beads on the Grand Tour. We turn the spotlight on the best viewpoints en route. The number of these photo spots is constantly increasing. By the way –each photo spot also provides information on the place’s special features and gives you the opportunity to put yourself in the focus in a light-hearted way.
MySwitzerland.com/fotospots
Share your memories by using the following hashtags:
#INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND
#SwissGrandTour
Photo spot, Affoltern im Emmental, Canton of Bern
Snack Box, Zurich Region
STC Switzerland Travel Centre.
No one gives you more Switzerland!
STC Switzerland Travel Centre is the leading Swiss Destination Management company, owned by Swiss Hotel Association, Switzerland Tourism and Swiss Federal Railways. Established in 1998, with offices in Zurich, Stuttgart and London, STC provides services to tour
operators worldwide. STC’s product range includes a booking engine with 500+ Swiss hotels at net rates, group tours (ad-hoc and series), FIT packages with self-drive on the Grand Tour of Switzerland and panoramic trains.
Contact
STC Switzerland Travel Centre AG
Binzstrasse 38
CH-8045 Zurich
Tel +41 43 210 55 94
touroperating@stc.ch stc.ch
Swiss Coupon Pass
The Swiss Coupon Pass offers 100 vouchers with 50% discount on restaurants and attractions in 11 destinations on the Grand Tour of Switzerland. swisscouponpass.com
Lavaux, Lake Geneva Region
STC sample itineraries.
The whole Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Zurich–St. Gallen–Davos–Lugano–Zermatt–Montreux–Gstaad–Lucerne–Zurich
Daily stages
Day 1 Arrival in Zurich
Day 2 Zurich–St. Gallen (approx. 150 km / 93 mi)
Day 3 St. Gallen–Davos (approx. 160 km / 99 mi)
Day 4 Davos–Lugano (approx. 290 km / 180 mi)
Day 5 Lugano–Zermatt (approx. 215 km / 133 mi)
Day 6 Zermatt–Montreux (approx. 150 km / 93 mi)
Day 7 Montreux–Gstaad (approx. 330 km / 205 mi)
Day 8 Gstaad–Lucerne (approx. 315 km / 196 mi)
Day 9 Departure Lucerne–Zurich (approx. 140 km / 87 mi)
Included services
■ 8× overnight stays with breakfast and city tax in Zurich, St. Gallen, Davos, Lugano, Zermatt, Montreux, Gstaad and Lucerne
■ 1× Europcar rental car VW Golf 5, Audi A3 or Audi A4 (5 door, manual, A/C) for 9 days with pick-up and drop-off at Zurich Airport
■ 1× free parking at all hotels (except in Zermatt/ Täsch and Montreux 3* hotel)
■ 1× train ticket Täsch–Zermatt–Täsch in 2nd class
■ 1× Grand Tour of Switzerland Hallwag road map
■ 1× Grand Tour of Switzerland travel guide
■ 1× Swiss Coupon Pass – 2-for-1 dine & discover deals
Price per person from CHF 1,204 in 3* hotel from CHF 1,839 in 4* hotel from CHF 2,411 in 5* hotel
Three different 6-day tours along the Grand Tour.
1. Eastern & southern tour Zurich–St. Gallen–Davos–Lugano–Lucerne–Zurich
2. Western & central tour Basel–Neuchâtel–Gstaad–Lucerne–Zurich / Basel
3. Western & southern tour Geneva–Gstaad–Lucerne–Zermatt–Montreux–Geneva
Included services
■ 5× overnight stays with breakfast and city tax
■ 1× Europcar rental car VW Golf 5, Audi A3 or Audi A4 (5 door, manual, A/C) for 6 days
■ 1× free parking at all hotels (except in Zermatt/Täsch and Montreux 3* hotel)
■ 1× Grand Tour of Switzerland Hallwag road map
■ 1× Grand Tour of Switzerland travel guide
■ 1× Swiss Coupon Pass – 2-for-1 dine & discover deals
Price per person from CHF 850 in 3* hotel from CHF 1,255 in 4* hotel from CHF 1,890 in 5* hotel
* Travel agent commission between 10% and 20%
6 day trips
9 day trip
Incoming operators.
Are you looking for local operators to assist you in setting up tours or dealing with special client requests? The following incoming tour operators will be delighted to support you.
Tailor-made and pre-packaged products for individual and group tours along the Grand Tour of Switzerland.
STC Switzerland Travel Centre AG
Binzstrasse 38
CH-8045 Zurich
Tel +41 43 210 55 94 touroperating@stc.ch stc.ch
Guided coach trips from Zurich and Lucerne along the Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Best of Switzerland Tours AG
Webereistrasse 55
CH-8134 Adliswil
Tel +41 44 710 50 50 info@switzerland-tours.ch switzerland-tours.ch
The Travelkit offers an individual and flexible way to plan and book tailormade trips along the Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Travelwell
Alte Landstrasse 25
CH-8600 Dübendorf
Tel +41 44 299 32 10 switzerland@travelwell.info travelwell.info
Official travel partner of Harley-Davidson ® Authorized Worldwide Tours. Tailor-made or pre-packaged, guided or self-guided motorbike tours for individuals and groups along the Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Edelweiss Bike Travel
Sportplatzweg 14
AT-6414 Mieming / Austria
Tel +43 5264 5690 worldtours@edelweissbike.com edelweissbike.com
Individual self-guided and guided group motorbike tours along the Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Toeffreisen.ch
Sägemattstrasse 11
CH-3097 Liebefeld BE
Tel +41 26 419 23 22 info@toeffreisen.ch toeffreisen.ch
San Bernardino Pass, Graubünden
Contact list is not exhaustive. Other incoming tour operators also offer the Grand Tour of Switzerland.
Hotels for every taste.
The Swiss have been looking after their guests for centuries and know how to cater to every taste. In Switzerland, stars are used as symbols for classification purposes. You’ll find hotels with different star ratings in each themed hotel group, as recommended by Switzerland Tourism.
Design & Lifestyle Hotels
Whether you’re seeking cutting-edge escapes of tranquility in city centres or authentic gems in pristine mountain landscapes, each Design & Lifestyle Hotel is unique. All hotels place an emphasis on aesthetics, interior design and firstclass service.
Swiss Deluxe Hotels
With their timeless elegance, effortless grandeur and state-of-the-art comfort in a luxurious setting, Swiss Deluxe Hotels have always formed the pinnacle of the hotel industry.
Swiss Historic Hotels
Travel back in time: each Swiss Historic Hotel is more than 50 years old and features architecture reflecting its historic importance. Even the furniture and atmosphere reveal historic origins. Each hotel is a jewel and well worth a visit in its own right.
Typically Swiss Hotels
From chic modern hideaways in city centres to historic palace hotels on lakeshores and cosy mountain inns – Typically Swiss Hotels sum up Switzerland in a nutshell, with their sublime scenery, rich history and hosts extending a warm welcome with a personal touch.
Wellness Hotels
Whether you’re looking for a sensuous spa, an enchanting bathing temple or a medicinal herb garden, Switzerland’s Wellness Hotels offer a slice of heaven on earth.
Find the perfect hotels for your clients on: MySwitzerland.com/grandtourhotels
Villa Honegg, Ennetbürgen, Lucerne-Lake Lucerne Region
A virtual road trip through Switzerland.
Discover an interactive Grand Tour of Switzerland online and get a feel for the drive on your screen. grandtour.MySwitzerland.com
Road map.
The perfect companion for the Grand Tour of Switzerland is the Hallwag Kümmerly+Frey road map (1: 275,000) with detailed route descriptions. swisstravelcenter.ch
Travel guides.
A dedicated Grand Tour travel guide from renowned publishers such as Hallwag Kümmerly+Frey, ADAC, Le Routard and Green Guide Michelin is available in more than 10 countries.
Car rentals.
Europcar is Switzerland’s No. 1 car rental company. More than 90 rental locations have up to 5,500 vehicles ready. europcar.ch
Harley-Davidson rentals.
Experience the ultimate riding adventure with Harley-Davidson® Authorized Rentals. Whatever your plans you can book the latest HarleyDavidson® models quickly and easily online. harley-davidson.com
Information and advice.
We’re here to help.
Get free advice to help plan your clients’ trips. Drop us a line when you have a lead and we’ll give you the best insider tips and all the information you need. Simply email grandtour@switzerland.com
Trade corner.
For further information and your local trade contact, please visit our trade corner, which is specially designed for your market.
Australia corner.stnet.ch/trade-au
France corner.stnet.ch/trade-fr
Germany & Austria corner.stnet.ch/trade-de
India tradecorner.stnet.ch/in Italy corner.stnet.ch/trade-it
Netherlands corner.stnet.ch/trade-nl
Russia corner.stnet.ch/trade-ru
United Kingdom & Ireland corner.stnet.ch/trade-uk
USA & Canada corner.stnet.ch/trade-us
Training for agents.
Our e-learning programme reveals how to sell unique and exceptional experiences in Switzerland. As well as boosting your sales and number of leads, you will receive ongoing training and benefit from additional sales support.
MySwitzerland.com/academy
Images and logo.
Our online image library provides you with a selection of pictures and logos for use in printed publications that promote travel on the Grand Tour of Switzerland. For access, please email grandtour@switzerland.com
Brochures.
Take a look at our brochures online, download them to your computer or order your own copy to plan and book your clients’ holiday on the Grand Tour of Switzerland.
MySwitzerland.com/brochures
Credits
Devised by: Grand Tour of Switzerland Association, c/o Switzerland Tourism, Tödistrasse 7, CH-8027 Zurich Designed and published by: Switzerland Tourism, Zurich Cover photograph: Stephan Schacher, Airolo, Ticino Photographs: Switzerland Tourism, partners, swiss-image.ch Printed by: Vogt-Schild Druck AG, Derendingen Print run: 30,000 copies Published: December 2016
Peak performer
The new Audi A4 allroad quattro with the latest quattro technology, for greater precision and performance. Welcome to the Home of quattro.
