5-Day Switzerland Road Trip from Zurich traveling east to Lugano and St. Gallen

Your road trip adventure in Switzerland begins as soon as you reach Zurich and pick up your car. You’ll stay in Zurich for 1 night and explore the best things to see and do, sample the local cuisine, and choose from a curated selection of the best hotels and places to stay in the city.

Zurich is a beautiful city with plenty to discover. Soak in the lovely atmosphere and sit down for a bit to eat or drink.

Make your way to your chosen hotel. Check-in typically starts between 2 and 4 PM in Zurich. Make yourself at home and enjoy some downtime before heading out again.

As dinnertime approaches, it's time to head out for a bite to eat in Zurich. If you are looking to dine at a popular restaurant in the city, it's often a good idea to reserve a table in advance.

Enjoy an outstanding Bib Gourmand dining experience at Widder Restaurant. Holding an impressive 2 Michelin-star rating and a remarkable menu, Widder Restaurant consistently impresses both foreign and local guests, earning praise for its exceptional modern french and contemporary cuisine.

Another renowned restaurant is IGNIV Zürich by Andreas Caminada, one of the best Bib Gourmand 2-star Michelin fine dining venues in Zurich. Take your pick from the sharing and modern menu, where each dish is a masterpiece meticulously crafted to delight your senses.

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable dining experience at The Restaurant in Zurich. With its prestigious 2-Michelin star rating, the menu is crafted to delight your palate and take you on a culinary journey. This acclaimed restaurant with a Bib-Gourmand award, serves creative and modern dishes that have garnered numerous reviews from satisfied guests.

If you're in the mood for an after-dinner drink, Tibits is our number one recommendation. Around 2,746 customers have rated this bar 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Kennedy's Irish Pub also has a great drinks menu. This bar is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,395 reviews.

El Lokal is another popular place to spend the evening in Zurich. This bar is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,127 customers.

Raise a toast to the start of your 5-day road trip in Switzerland!

Experience an unparalleled adventure on day 2 of your road trip in Switzerland. This exciting part of your journey invites you to discover the renowned landmarks in 2 vibrant destinations - Zurich and Lugano. After a day filled with exploration and new experiences, you will retreat to the hotel of your choice in Lugano. You will spend 1 night here for some well-deserved relaxation.

Make Grossmünster your first stop of the day. Previous visitors have rated this church building an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 8,297 reviews.

Next up, make a stop at Zürich Opera House. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,213 visitors, it's easy to understand why so many people visit this opera house every year.

Chinagarten Zürich is another attraction you can visit on this day of your vacation. This park has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 5,420 visitors.

When you’re finished at Chinagarten Zürich, the perfect next stop is Zürich Zoo. This zoo is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 26,267 reviews.

Once you're ready to continue your road trip, it's time to buckle up and drive, eagerly anticipating your arrival in Lugano. This drive usually takes around 2 hours 38 min, without any stops or traffic disruptions.

At the end of the day, you will drive to Lugano, where you'll have a room waiting for you at the perfect place to stay. Check in and enjoy some downtime.

After a day of adventure, treat yourself to an exquisite dinner at one of Lugano's best restaurants.

Reserve a table at Flamel, a luxury dining establishment in Lugano. This epicurean hotspot’s delicious contemporary and seasonal offering makes it a crowd favorite. Flamel is highly regarded in the culinary world and boasts an impressive track record of satisfied customers.

Another dining place you should visit in Lugano is Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano, which boasts a variety of tasteful dishes that cater to different palates. It has earned a commendable 4.7 out of 5 stars, demonstrating the positive feedback from 1,096 satisfied customers.

Locals and visitors alike recommend Lugano’s Ristorante Trattoria Galleria for the delightful dining experience it gives. The establishment has garnered positive reviews for its tasty dishes, holding an admirable score of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,111 satisfied diners.

After your meal, we recommend you get a drink at one of the best bars in Lugano, Il Fermento. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,038 customers.

Travelers and locals alike also recommend Trinity Irish Pub. This bar has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 695 customers.

Bar Laura is another popular place for a drink, considered one of the best in the city. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 653 customers.

Raise your glass to another unforgettable day in Switzerland!

Dive into day 3 of your remarkable road trip in Switzerland. Today you will jump into the car and make your way to Lugano, Melide, Bellinzona, and St. Gallen, where you will have the opportunity to experience all the top things to see and do. At the end of the day, you’ll unwind at one of the finest accommodations in St. Gallen. You’ll stay here for 1 night.

Seize the day by visiting some of the best attractions in the area, like Parco Ciani. This extraordinary urban park has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 10,286 visitors.

Next, make your way to Lugano Arte e Cultura. This museum building is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 4,055 reviews.

When you’re ready to jump back into the car and say goodbye to Lugano, you’ll hit the road in the direction of Melide. This drive usually takes around 8 min. When you arrive, enjoy some sightseeing.

Be one of the day’s first visitors at Swissminiatur. This miniature park is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 6,624 visitors.

Fasten your seatbelt and make your way to your next stop. Bellinzona, home to many well-known sights in the region, is a lovely destination on today’s itinerary. Keep in mind that your travel time from Melide to Bellinzona may take around 32 min without traffic disruptions. Upon arrival, we highly recommend checking out some of the top attractions.

Start your sightseeing with a visit to Three Castles of Bellinzona. This architectural ensemble is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 4,522 visitors.

After soaking up all the sights of today's itinerary, you'll be ready to hit the road in the direction of St. Gallen. St. Gallen offers plenty of top-rated hotels and other places to stay on any travel budget. Check in at the hotel of your choice and take some time to relax before you head out to explore.

Indulge in a memorable dining experience at one of St. Gallen's most popular restaurants, and connect with friendly locals for an authentic adventure.

Discover the essence of culinary excellence at Netts Schützengarten, a luxury local dining experience. Renowned for its prestigious rating and impressive menu, Netts Schützengarten consistently impresses both foreign and local diners, garnering praise for its exceptional international and country cooking cuisine.

Also highly recommended is Einstein Gourmet, one of the best 2-star Michelin establishments in St. Gallen. Take your pick from the creative and modern menu, which has consistently earned Einstein Gourmet high ratings and praise from satisfied guests. This top-rated Bib Gourmand restaurant promises a culinary experience you will remember.

Experience the best local flavors while in St. Gallen and reserve a table at the 1-star Michelin restaurant, Jägerhof. Its delectable modern and international offerings have contributed to impressive reviews from numerous patrons who’ve already savored its meals.

Experience the local nightlife scene. HANS IM GLÜCK - ST. GALLEN Kugelgasse is a highly recommended bar with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 747 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar among locals like Süd Bar. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 721 bar-goers.

Blumenmarkt is another great bar that serves various drinks. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 557 customers.

As the sun sets on another day of adventure, rest up and recharge for the next leg of your road trip in Switzerland.

Embark on another extraordinary experience on day 4 of your road trip in Switzerland, where you’ll be making 5 stops. Today you will experience some of the highlights of this tour package, that is, the wonderful destinations of Neuhausen, Winterthur, Sellenbüren, Aathal, and Zurich. At the end of the day, you will enjoy the comforts of a top-rated hotel in Zurich. Zurich will be your home away from home for 1 night.

When you’ve had your share of St. Gallen, prepare for your next destination. Admire the views and listen to some good music as you drive in the direction of Neuhausen. Your travel time is around 1 hour.

Make Rhine Falls one of your first sightseeing stops in Neuhausen. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 70,505 travelers, a visit to this local attraction makes for a great introduction to the area.

Winterthur’s wonders await as you prepare for another journey on the road, leaving the breathtaking surroundings of Neuhausen behind. This drive usually takes around 29 min. Winterthur welcomes you with a multitude of unique vacation experiences.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll drive to Zurich, where you'll have a hotel waiting for you. Check in and spend some time relaxing before you head out to explore the city.

As dinnertime approaches, it's time to head out for a bite to eat in Zurich. If you are looking to dine at a popular restaurant in the city, it's often a good idea to reserve a table in advance.

Make a reservation at Babu's, a popular dining spot in Zurich. Its reputation for being a popular dining spot shines through its 4.4 out of 5-star rating from 2,949 satisfied diners.

Make a reservation at Kronenhalle while indulging in the charm of Zurich. This restaurant offers a delicious menu reflected with a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, cherished by 1,764 discerning connoisseurs.

Indulge in the flavors of Markthalle, a treasured establishment in Zurich. Its diverse menu promises to tantalize your palate and elevate your dining experience. Known for its exceptional service, it has earned a 4.3 out of 5-star rating from 1,771 satisfied guests.

If you’re up for getting a drink, consider going to Rimini Bar. Around 1,417 customers have given this incredible bar an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Locals of Neuhausen also enjoy the drinks at Café Bar ODEON. This place is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,374 customers and is one of the best you can experience in the city.

Another top-rated alternative for a celebratory drink is Oliver Twist. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,495 customers.

As the day draws to a close, take a moment to unwind and prepare for the next exciting chapter of your road trip in in Switzerland.

Day 5 of your road trip in Switzerland is your departure day. This is your chance to catch a last glimpse of Zurich before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. If you've still got time left, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing.

As you approach the end of your journey in Switzerland, take a moment for some retail therapy in Zurich’s celebrated shopping district. Thanks to your stay’s premier location, you can easily visit the city’s commercial hubs and wander through its diverse range of local shops without rushing.

Whether you’re on a hunt for an ideal present to give to your friends or family, or looking for a personal memento to remind you of Switzerland, a variety of items are waiting for you.

Before you conclude your road trip in Switzerland, drop by another restaurant for a last chance at a memorable dining experience in Zurich.

You’ll then say farewell to Zurich. Drive to the airport, return your car, and take the opportunity to get some last-minute souvenirs before you board your flight home. We wish you a pleasant journey and hope you leave with many wonderful memories of your road trip in Switzerland!