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June 2026 – Switzerland

Having an early start to summer, mild weather, and the thrill of beating the crowds have quietly become our yearly cue that it’s officially roadtrip season. So when June arrived, we didn’t hesitate – we asked our friends to keep our garden alive and hit the road! 🙂

We’d only had a brief taste of Switzerland during the pandemic, just enough to leave us completely hooked. That first glimpse stayed with us, so this year we decided to go back properly and give the country the long, slow drive it deserves.

ROADTRIP IN A NUTSHELL

We crossed Switzerland from the peaceful shores of Lake Geneva, where Queen and Freddie Mercury spent some of their most creative years, then continued toward our favorite Interlaken region with its turquoise lakes and subtle Italian edge, and finally drifted into the polished calm of Lucerne countryside.

And since teleporting from the Netherlands isn’t an option, we stretched the journey on both ends – warming up with a quick taste of France before the mountains kicked in, and winding down with a stop in Germany once the peaks were in the rearview.

If you’re curious to follow a similar route, here’s how our epic summer roadtrip to Switzerland unfolded. Three weeks, endless adventures!

ROADTRIP MAP

ROADTRIP ITINERARY: WHAT TO VISIT, WHERE TO STAY

VALKENBURG (1 night)

We start in hilly Valkenburg, our favorite region of the Netherlands, using it as a gentle kick‑start before the real roadtrip. We’d already checked off the major attractions on previous visits, so this time our one‑night stop is all about relaxing.

The only dilemma? Choosing which new restaurants deserve our attention.

What to visit:

Where to stay:

• De Heek, Valkenburg

STRASBOURG (3 nights)

After a five‑hour drive, Strasbourg welcomes us in style, even surprising us with a former castle as our accommodation.

We wander the streets in awe, jumping from perfectly preserved timber-framed houses to quiet canals under a flawless blue sky.

What to visit:

• Cathedrale Notre Dame
• Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg
• Boat trip Batorama

Where to stay:

• Château de Pourtalès, Strasbourg

MONTRUEX (4 nights)

We reach Montreux on a rainy day, cars almost floating on the highway. Over the next couple of days, the mist rises little by little, and as soon as the sun breaks through it reveals an incredible postcard view of the lake.

No wonder so many artists found refuge here – it feels like heaven on earth. And for a few days, as we drift over the lake and check the nearby villages, we catch ourselves thinking we could retire here too. 🙂

What to visit:

• Queen Studio Experience
• Montreux Museum
• Castle Chillon
• Riviera Boat Tour
• Musée Suisse du Jeu, Vevey

Where to stay:

• Hôtel de Chailly, Montreux

GRUYÈRES (day trip) 

Proof that the unexpected stops are worth saying yes to, Gruyères does not disappoint. As soon as a majestic castle appears on our navigation map, there’s no way to unsee it.

Castle walk checked, wrapped in the unmistakable smell of gruyère cheese drifting through the village, we’re ready to see what comes next.

What to visit:

• Castle Gruyeres

THUN (5 nights)

Reaching Thun finally gives us that real holiday feeling. Being close to Interlaken (the only part of Switzerland we’ve seen before) adds a cozy, familiar touch. Woo-hoo, no more unpacking for a week!

Just mountain peaks outside the window, chilly air drifting in, and perfect weather pushing us outdoors. Every day becomes a new adventure from dawn till dusk.

What to visit:

• Thun Castle
• St. Beatus Caves
• Funicular + Cable Car to Niederhorn
• Boat Trip Lake Thun
• Spiez Castle

Where to stay:

• Italian Lifestyle Hotel Osteria Chartreuse, Thun

WEGGIS (4 nights)

Reaching Weggis makes us realise we can still be surprised after Thun. The moment we arrive, our villa perched above the lake – with its transparent wall – opens up a full panorama of Lake Lucerne and the surrounding mountains. Everything feels suddenly wider, brighter, more spectacular.

And as if that wasn’t enough, we’re meeting our friends here for a slow, quality‑time weekend. The perfect finish to an already amazing roadtrip.

What to visit:

• Cable Car + Train to Rigi Kulm
• Boat Trip Lake Lucerne
• Lucerne

Where to stay:

• Hotel Friedheim Weggis

BAD KREUZNACH (1 night)

Leaving the mountains behind isn’t easy after getting used to the view. But somehow, the longing for home starts setting in. Combining the perfect mid‑way distance, an inviting inn and a couple of cool museums, Bad Kreuznach becomes our last stop.

The next morning we head home, just as a heat wave takes the whole Europe by surprise. Well, at least we had a cool holiday, we can face anything now. 🙂

What to visit:

• Roemerhalle Museum

Where to stay:

• Landhotel Kauzenberg, Bad Kreuznach

BUDGET

• Fuel: ~230 EUR (2000 km)
• Swiss Vignette: 43 EUR
• Accommodation: ~200 EUR/night for a double room
• Food: ~100 EUR/meal at a restaurant
• Activities, parking: variable depending on what you choose (we spent ~1000 EUR)

*Prices as of June 2026, for 18 nights/2 persons;

*Due to fuel shortages in the Middle East, prices were unusually high, so the final cost may vary depending on where you fill up and what fuel you use;

*Switzerland is expensive: funiculars, cable cars, and boat trips were the most costly part of the activities, and castle or museum entries add up quickly. A part of the total budget highly depends on what you choose to do.

ADVICE FOR THE ROAD

• Purchasing a Vignette – is a must before using the Swiss motorway. You can buy it at border crossings, gas stations, or online (linked to your license plate) if you prefer the digital version.

• Ask for the Reduction/Guest card from your accommodation in Switzerland. Besides free or discounted entrance to major attractions, it includes free public transport in the region, which is a life saver for everyday trips.

• Restaurants typically open only around 6 or 7 PM, and lunch options can be surprisingly limited. Some places also take days off that aren’t necessarily on weekends, so checking schedules in advance is essential. The supermarket will be your best friend.

• Tap water – Swiss tap water is some of the cleanest in the world, fill your bottle anywhere.

This holiday reminded us why we keep chasing the open road. Roadtrips have a way of stretching time. Days feel longer, skies look wider, thoughts become clearer, and even the smallest detours turn into long‑lasting memories.

Switzerland didn’t just meet our expectations, it pushed them forward, the way every great roadtrip should. And with autumn on the way, it feels like the perfect time to start brewing the next journey. 🙂

Until next time – travel well!