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

Your exciting road trip through Switzerland starts when you reach the incredible city of Zurich, where you'll stay for 1 night. 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. More than a city in Switzerland, Zurich is also a great place to find top-rated budget accommodations. You'll find many of these accommodations close to bustling markets and cultural attractions.

When it’s time to eat, treat yourself to a lovely meal without paying more than necessary. Zurich has restaurants and bars for all budgets, perfect for cheap holiday-goers.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Zurich is Weisses Rössli. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 525 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Zurich, Zeughauskeller 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 7,976 diners.

Visit Tibits, an excellent place to enjoy a couple of drinks. This bar is one of the locals’ favorite hangout spots and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,746 customers.

Kennedy's Irish Pub serves various snacks and drinks at affordable prices, making it another great bar option for budget travelers in Zurich. Customers have rated Kennedy's Irish Pub an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 2,395 reviews.

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

Day 2 of your self-drive vacation in Switzerland will take you to the city of Lugano, where you'll be staying for 1 night. On your way to Lugano, you'll explore 2 popular cheap holiday destinations in Switzerland, including Zurich and Lugano.

Start your sightseeing with a visit to Grossmünster. This church building is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 8,297 visitors.

Zürich Opera House is another popular attraction you could visit today. This opera house has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 6,213 visitors.

Chinagarten Zürich is also highly recommended by travelers. This park has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 5,420 visitors.

Zürich Zoo is an attraction you won’t want to miss. This zoo is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 26,267 reviews.

When you’ve had your share of Zurich, prepare for your next destination. Admire the views and listen to some good music as you drive in the direction of Lugano. Your travel time is around 2 hours 38 min.

Fasten your seatbelt and make your way to your next stop. Upon arrival, we highly recommend checking out some of the top attractions.

Lugano offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Switzerland. Whether you're in need of a quick break from your activities or seeking a comfortable place to rest, rest assured you'll find a welcoming and affordable option in the city.

A cheap, budget vacation in Lugano should not stop you from enjoying incredible food. When you’re ready to have the best dining experience in Lugano, try some of our top recommendations.

You could check out Bistrot & Pizza Argentino, one of locals’ top restaurant options in the area. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,569 customers, and is a great place to enjoy a satisfying meal after a busy day of exploring.

Hotel Splendide Royal Lugano is another excellent choice for cheap holiday-goers. This restaurant serves a variety of delicious and comforting foods and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,096 diners.

If you feel like having something different, check out the menu at Ristorante Trattoria Galleria. This restaurant is known to offer good food at reasonable prices. Ristorante Trattoria Galleria has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 1,111 customer reviews.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in the city, Il Fermento. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 1,038 reviews and guarantees you a great time.

If you want to continue your night somewhere else, head to a popular bar like Trinity Irish Pub. This bar is a local favorite, with great drinks, lovely service, and an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 695 customers.

The options in Lugano don’t end there, you could also spend some time at the excellent Bar Laura. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 653 customers, this bar is one of the best places to relax after a long, adventure-filled day.

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

On day 3 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Switzerland, you’ll experience 4 charming destinations — Lugano, Melide, Bellinzona, and St. Gallen. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you. You’ll end your day in the city of St. Gallen.

When you’re ready for some sightseeing, make your way to Parco Ciani. This much-appreciated urban park is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars in 10,286 reviews.

Next up is Lugano Arte e Cultura. This museum building has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 4,055 visitors.

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.

When you’re ready for some sightseeing, make your way to Swissminiatur. This much-appreciated miniature park is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars in 6,624 reviews.

Bellinzona’s wonders await as you prepare for another journey on the road, leaving the breathtaking surroundings of Melide behind. This drive usually takes around 32 min. Bellinzona welcomes you with a multitude of unique vacation experiences.

Journey into the unknown at Three Castles of Bellinzona, a unique attraction awaiting your visit. This remarkable architectural ensemble has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 4,522 reviews.

As you’ve unraveled the marvels of Bellinzona, it’s time to gear up for the next part of your road trip adventure. Under favorable conditions, your drive to St. Gallen may take around 2 hours 32 min. Upon your arrival in St. Gallen, you’ll be greeted with the opportunity to do some sightseeing and exploring.

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

Indulge in the culinary wonders of St. Gallen, where exceptional dining and drinking experiences await at unbeatable prices. Explore the city's diverse venues, ensuring a memorable culinary journey for every visitor.

For the best dining experience in this affordable destination, eat at the highly recommended GRECO. This restaurant is sure to satisfy your hunger as it has an impressive average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,083 customers.

Tibits St. Gallen is another local-favorite restaurant in St. Gallen. Tibits St. Gallen serves delicious and affordable meals, and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 1,004 reviews.

Known for its good food and service, focacceria St. Gallen is also popular among locals and cheap holiday goers in Lugano. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 of 5 stars from around 851 customers.

One of travelers' and locals' favorite bars in the city is HANS IM GLÜCK - ST. GALLEN Kugelgasse. This claim is supported by 747 customers who have rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

If you want to continue your night somewhere else, head to another popular place like Süd Bar. This bar is a local favorite, with great drinks, lovely service, and an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 721 customers.

The options in St. Gallen don’t end there. You could also spend some time at the excellent Blumenmarkt. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 557 customers, this bar is one of the best places to relax after a long, adventure-filled day.

A road trip vacation in Lugano can’t get any better than this! Toast to another amazing day in this cheap holiday destination in Switzerland!

Day 4 of your road trip across Switzerland offers you the chance to visit 5 popular cheap holiday destinations in the country, including Neuhausen, Winterthur, Sellenbüren, Aathal, and Zurich. You'll conclude your sightseeing and exploration in Zurich.

After soaking in St. Gallen’s unique atmosphere, jump into the car with a full heart and drive in the direction of your next destination: Neuhausen. Expect your car journey to take a minimum of 1 hour. When you arrive in Neuhausen, it's time to take a break from the road.

Kick off the day at Rhine Falls, a top pick for today’s sightseeing. This waterfall is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 70,505 reviews.

Set your GPS to Winterthur and hit the road. Expect a journey of approximately 29 min without stops. Soak in the beautiful landscapes as you drive and look forward to exploring your next destination. Winterthur beckons with new experiences!

After soaking in Winterthur’s unique atmosphere, jump into the car with a full heart and drive in the direction of your next destination: Aathal. Expect your car journey to take a minimum of 29 min. When you arrive in Aathal, it's time to take a break from the road.

Journey into the unknown at Aathal Dinosaur Museum, a unique attraction awaiting your visit. This remarkable natural history museum has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3,092 reviews.

While exploring Switzerland is a refreshing experience, don’t forget to rest to regain your energy. Zurich has plenty of top-rated accommodation options in all price ranges. Travelers visiting Zurich on an affordable vacation can easily find a comfortable place to stay in the city.

Going on cheap, budget vacations in Switzerland shouldn’t stop anyone from dining at top-rated restaurants and bars. More than just an affordable travel destination, Zurich is also home to a variety of excellent dining spots. When it’s time for a meal, we recommend you try some of the city's best places to eat and drink.

We recommend a local favorite like Babu's. This restaurant serves delicious dishes at surprisingly cheap prices and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,949 customers.

Kronenhalle is another excellent restaurant we recommend for budget travelers in Zurich. This restaurant offers good food at even better prices and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,764 customers.

Another popular restaurant in Zurich you might want to check out is Markthalle. Markthalle is a local favorite with a variety of value-for-money dishes on their menu. Customers have rated this fantastic restaurant an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 1,771 reviews.

Many locals go to Rimini Bar to have a good time. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,417 customers.

If you feel like going somewhere else, another popular option is Café Bar ODEON. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,374 customers.

Oliver Twist is another great option in Zurich. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,495 customers.

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

Your budget road trip vacation in Switzerland is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Zurich.

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.

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.

Metropol 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 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,341 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. 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!