Cheap 5-Day Switzerland Road Trip from Zurich traveling south to Lucerne and Interlaken

Your exciting road trip through Switzerland starts when you reach the incredible city of Zurich, where you'll stay for 2 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Zurich and begin your adventure in Switzerland.

Zurich is a popular cheap holiday destination in Switzerland with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Zurich and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Lindenhof will make your cheap holiday in Switzerland truly special. This attraction is a fascinating square that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 11,259 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Zurich. An excellent example is the popular Weisses Rössli. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 525 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Switzerland is Zeughauskeller. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 7,976 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Swiss Chuchi Restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3,383 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

The Dolder Grand is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 3,031 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Zurich we recommend is Tibits, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,746 customers.

Kennedy's Irish Pub is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 2,395 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Switzerland!

On day 2 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Switzerland, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Zurich and end your day in the city of Lucerne, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Zurich is the amazing Swiss National Museum. This travel destination is an organization that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,999 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Grossmünster. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 8,203 travelers, a visit to this well-known church building and sightseeing spot in Zurich is likely to make your vacation in Switzerland even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Zurich is the outstanding Zürich Opera House. This opera house has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 6,119 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Switzerland, drop by the popular Zürich Zoo. This attraction, an amazing zoo, has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 26,031 travelers.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Switzerland. To have the best affordable travel experience in Switzerland, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Switzerland unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Switzerland.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Lucerne. Lucerne is another cheap travel destination in Switzerland where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Switzerland can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Lucerne that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Lucerne is Grottino 1313. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 624 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Lucerne, Mill'Feuille is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,538 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is tibits Luzern. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Lucerne enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,445 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Lucerne’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Switzerland. For example, you can visit Bierliebe & Friends. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 680 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Suite small plates & cocktails. This popular bar in Lucerne has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,046 bar-goers.

You can also go to Shamrock Irish Pub as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Shamrock Irish Pub is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 833 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Switzerland!

Day 3 of your road trip across Switzerland offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Lucerne and the enchanting Harderkulm, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Lucerne and end the day in Harderkulm, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 3 of your affordable vacation in Switzerland will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Lucerne is the magnificent Chapel Bridge. Around 29,664 visitors have rated this excellent top-tier point of interest and travel destination an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Lion Monument Lucerne on this leg of your self-drive tour in Switzerland. This attraction is a well-known sculpture that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from around 19,987 travelers.

The remarkable Swiss Museum of Transport is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in Switzerland. Attracting more than 562,605 visitors in a single year, it's clear that the wonderful Swiss Museum of Transport is a perfect add-on to your itinerary. This attraction, an amazing technology museum, is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 11,371 travelers.

After capturing the beauty and rich culture of Lucerne, you’ll get back behind the wheels and continue your road trip to the fantastic hamlet of Harderkulm.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Harderkulm. This popular site is a valued mountain in Harderkulm and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,505 visitors.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Switzerland. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Switzerland. Make your cheap holiday experience in Switzerland more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Interlaken offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Switzerland. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Interlaken offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Switzerland.

Hüsi Bierhaus is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,315 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Interlaken is MAHARAJA Indian Restaurant, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,144 customers.

OX Restaurant & Grill offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Interlaken. With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,181 customers, this restaurant can get packed very quickly. Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Interlaken’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Brasserie 17 is an excellent example of a great bar in Interlaken offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 569 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at Pizzeria Horn, another of locals’ go-to bars in Interlaken. Pizzeria Horn is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 283 customers having rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Switzerland with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Switzerland!

Day 4 of your self-drive vacation in Switzerland gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day. You’ll start your day in the city of Bern and end your day in the city of Basel.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Zurich for 1 night. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in Switzerland.

While you’re in Bern, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing UNESCO - Bern Old Town. The fantastic UNESCO - Bern Old Town is a popular must-see tourist destination and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 4,711 travelers.

Travelers usually have a splendid time at the incredible bear pit, a well-known architectural structure in the area. Currently, this spectacular destination enjoys a 4.4 out of a 5 star-rating from 13,764 travelers.

Once you’ve satisfied your wanderlust in Bern, you’ll continue to your next road trip destination of the day, the city of Basel.

Make Basel Minster your first stop. This popular cathedral among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 7,367 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in Basel is the outstanding Basel Zoo. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 15,001 visitors, this remarkable zoo and attraction deserves a spot on your Switzerland travel bucket list.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Switzerland. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in Switzerland and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Zurich. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Zurich, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Babu's, one of the best restaurants in Zurich. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,949 customers.

Café Bar ODEON is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Café Bar ODEON is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,374 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at Oliver Twist, another well-loved restaurant in Zurich. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,495 guests, this restaurant is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Switzerland.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Zurich, El Lokal. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,127 bar goers.

Markthalle is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Zurich, with its average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,771 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by Rimini Bar, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,417 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Switzerland. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in Switzerland!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Switzerland as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Zurich.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Switzerland.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Zurich is the remarkable Botanical Garden. This park and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,132 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Zurich, consider a top-rated restaurant like Cantinetta Antinori. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,379 customers.

Kafi Dihei is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,129 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Viadukt. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,179 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Switzerland and your fun memories in Zurich.

You’ll then say farewell to Zurich and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Switzerland!