Your curated Alps stay
Swiss lakes, two easy bases
Split your stay between Lucerne and Interlaken, keeping a slower rhythm and just one hotel change.
Lucerne → Interlaken
- Suggested length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Overnight bases
- 2 · 1 hotel changes
- Getting around
- Car optional
- Best season
- May–September
Your base-by-base plan
Nights are a suggested allocation. Swap outings around the weather and your own pace.
Days 1–2 · 2 nights
Lucerne
Old Town walks, lake scenery and a choice of mountain outings from one base.
What this base is good for
- Old Town and waterfront walks
- A lake outing when services operate
- A mountain day chosen around the weather
Plan the details
Days 3–4 · 2 nights
Interlaken
A practical base for the lakes and the Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald valleys.
What this base is good for
- Choose a lake day or a valley day
- Use local rail for the main valley outings
- Keep a weather backup in your plan
Plan the details
Day 5 · Departure
Check your onward connections before fixing the final night. This plan does not assume a particular airport or transfer time.
Guides for this trip
- 5-Day Swiss Lakes Road Trip
- Train vs Car in Switzerland
- 3-Day Lucerne Itinerary
- 3-Day Interlaken Itinerary
- Where to Stay in Lucerne
- Where to Stay in Interlaken
- Day Trips from Lucerne
- Day Trips from Interlaken
Curated from the linked PlanTheAlps guides. Source review: 2026-09-16. This is a planning outline; current schedules, access and availability need checking with the operator.
Official planning sources
- Lucerne has rail arrival and onward rail travel options toward Interlaken and Zermatt.
- Lake Lucerne offers boat outings and connections with mountain railways.
- The Lucerne region lists family mountain experiences including walks, play and relaxation.
- The Bernese Oberland Railway connects Interlaken Ost and Grindelwald.
Planning is free. Some booking links are affiliate links, which means PlanTheAlps may earn a commission from the provider at no extra cost to you. Bookings remain with independent providers. About our guides and disclosure.