7-Day Bavaria to Switzerland Road Trip: Munich to Lucerne (2026)

This route takes you from Munich's gentle Bavarian foothills through Austria's dramatic Tyrolean valleys and across the Arlberg into Switzerland's high-altitude heartland. The scenery builds progressively — each day feels more dramatic than the last, which gives the trip a natural narrative arc.

The Munich-to-Lucerne corridor is one of the most scenic cross-border routes in the Alps, yet it avoids the crowded tourist highways. The Arlberg region and Andermatt section in particular offer quieter roads and a sense of discovery that popular Interlaken-Zermatt routes often lack.

For travelers who want to experience three Alpine cultures — Bavarian beer gardens, Tyrolean mountain huts, and Swiss lake towns — this linear route does it naturally without forced detours or artificial scheduling.

Day 1: Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1.5 hours). Visit Eibsee lake — its Caribbean-blue colour against alpine peaks is one of Bavaria's best sights. Afternoon cable car to Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. Day 2: Drive to Innsbruck (1.5 hours). Cross the Austrian border, stopping at Mittenwald (a painted-facade village) en route. Afternoon exploring Innsbruck's Old Town and the Nordkette cable car.

Day 3: Full Innsbruck exploration. Choose between a Stubai Valley excursion, the Olympic ski jump viewpoint, or a relaxed day wandering Tyrol's capital. Day 4: Drive west through the Arlberg region to Andermatt in Switzerland (about 3 hours). The Arlberg Pass itself is scenic, or take the tunnel if weather is poor. Cross into Switzerland via the eastern cantons and arrive in Andermatt — a mountain village that has become one of Switzerland's most interesting small destinations.

Day 5: Andermatt pass day. If conditions allow, drive the Furka, Grimsel, or Susten passes — Andermatt sits at the crossroads of all three. This is some of the finest driving in Switzerland. Day 6: Transfer to Lucerne (1.5 hours). Afternoon and evening exploring the Old Town, Chapel Bridge, and lakeside dining. Day 7: Full Lucerne day — Pilatus or Rigi mountain excursion, lake cruise, and final evening. Depart via Zurich airport (under 1 hour).

You cross two borders on this trip: Germany to Austria (buy Austrian vignette at the first petrol station) and Austria to Switzerland (buy Swiss vignette at the border or in advance). Total road-cost outlay is about EUR 55 to 65 including the Arlberg tunnel toll.

One-way car rental from Munich to Zurich is usually available but carries a cross-border drop-off fee of EUR 100 to 300. Compare this against the cost of driving back to Munich. For many travelers, the one-way fee is worth it to save a full day of return driving.

The Arlberg section can be driven via the scenic pass road (open June to October) or the year-round Arlberg tunnel (toll applies, about EUR 11). In good weather, the pass road is recommended — it is a beautiful drive through high meadows with Tyrolean mountain views. In rain or fog, take the tunnel without hesitation.