The Grand Tour of Switzerland
From Geneva over the Alpine passes to Ticino: discover Switzerland's most beautiful panoramic route.
Everything you need to know at a glance
The Grand Tour of Switzerland is a curated circular route of around 1,600 kilometers that connects all four language regions and takes you through iconic landscapes, Alpine passes, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The route is ideal for flexible road trips in your own car or a rental car and offers more than 300 charging stations and almost 90 official photo spots along the entire route.
We recommend allowing at least seven to ten days to enjoy the stages at a leisurely pace and plan spontaneous detours. The best time to travel is between April and October, when most of the passes are open. With the official app, you can conveniently plan navigation, sights, and photo spots along the Grand Tour of Switzerland route.
Grand Tour of Switzerland: between Route 66 and educational trip
Some journeys are undertaken in order to arrive at a destination. Others are journeys where the journey itself is the destination: such as the Grand Tour of Switzerland. It is a kind of European counterpart to the legendary Route 66 and at the same time takes up the idea of the historic Grand Tour.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, young aristocrats and wealthy intellectuals undertook a grand journey through the cultural centers of Europe as the crowning glory of their education. One of the most famous educational travelers was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose Grand Tour resulted in his book "Italian Journey."
Today's Grand Tour of Switzerland combines this concept with the modern road trip: on the approximately 1,600-kilometer route, you are completely free and independent, traveling in your own vehicle or a rental car. At the same time, the journey of discovery is perfectly curated, so you can look forward to many scenic and cultural highlights.
Grand Tour of Switzerland: the most beautiful route through Switzerland
The route winds its way along the most beautiful roads through all four linguistic regions of Switzerland, connecting 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, crossing five legendary Alpine passes and passing 22 lakes. The highest point of the tour is 2,429 meters above sea level.
A minimum of seven days is recommended for the Grand Tour of Switzerland. This means driving for around five hours each day. However, it is worth planning a few extra days to allow for spontaneity, which is part of the appeal of a road trip like this.
Eight stages through Switzerland
The entire Grand Tour of Switzerland route can be divided into eight stages. However, you can of course divide the route up in a completely different way:
- Zurich to Appenzell
- Appenzell to St. Moritz
- St. Moritz to Bellinzona + access road Chiasso to Bellinzona
- Bellinzona to Zermatt
- Zermatt to Lausanne + access road Geneva to Saint-George
- Lausanne to Neuchâtel + access road Basel to Neuchâtel
- Neuchâtel to Bern
- Bern to Zurich
At three points along the route, you can take detours off the main route to visit places of interest.
Photo spots along the Grand Tour of Switzerland
There are currently almost 90 official Grand Tour photo spots along the entire route. The red and white frames are placed at particularly impressive viewpoints or locations. Instead of collecting stamps as pilgrims and travelers used to do, you can now take impressive selfies.
Under the hashtags #swissgrandtour and #grandtourphotospot, there is a lively community of Grand Tour travelers on social media who share their most beautiful moments.
The best time to take the Grand Tour of Switzerland
The Grand Tour can generally be traveled from spring to fall. Winter closures and snow clearance mean that passes usually only reopen in late spring (depending on the weather, often from the end of May to mid-June) and close again in fall.
However, the specific opening and closing dates vary from pass to pass and from year to year. Please check the current status reports before your trip. If a pass is not passable, there are alternatives such as tunnels or car transport.
Every season has its own charm on the Grand Tour of Switzerland:
- In late spring, from April to June, you can expect blooming valleys, mild temperatures, and relatively few tourists.
- In midsummer, from July to August, temperatures are at their highest and conditions are ideal for all passes. All roads, cable cars, and mountain restaurants are open. However, you should expect crowds everywhere.
- Autumn bathes the landscape along the route in colorful hues. The wine regions in particular are at their most beautiful in September and October. However, some passes may already be closed in late autumn and the weather can be changeable.
- During the winter months from November to March, parts of the Grand Tour are restricted or completely closed. Winter is not suitable for the complete tour. If you would like to experience Switzerland as a winter wonderland, choose the sections with approved access.
Travel planning: on a Grand Tour with American Express
On the Grand Tour, you will not only get to know Switzerland from its most beautiful side in terms of landscape. The route also includes cultural attractions, some of the best hotels in the country, and award-winning restaurants.
As a Platinum Card member, you can conveniently book rooms, tickets, or tables along the route through American Express's Travel & Lifestyle Service. Call the number on the back of your card to reach a team of experts available around the clock who will be happy to take care of your requests and concerns.
For example, for tickets to a top Swiss museum, a reservation at one of the best GaultMillau restaurants in Switzerland or to rebook an overnight stay on the Grand Tour of Switzerland route – contact the concierge service or use the convenient online service.
Which American Express credit card will accompany you on the Grand Tour of Switzerland?
In the members' area, you will find exquisite hotels for your road trip through Switzerland. Along the way, you will find renowned establishments such as the Mandarin Oriental Zurich, which is also a wonderful starting point for discovering sights in Zurich, visiting the opera or the Kunsthaus.
The best way to round off an eventful day is in one of the beautiful wellness hotels in the Swiss mountains: during your Grand Tour of Switzerland, stay at the Kempinski Palace Engelberg near Lucerne or the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz.
Through Switzerland in a rental car
The Grand Tour of Switzerland was designed for car enthusiasts, with panoramic roads that make driving itself an event. You can make the journey in your own vehicle or hire a car for added comfort and enjoyment.
With the Platinum Card from American Express, you benefit from special conditions at Avis, Hertz and SIXT. Depending on the provider, these include upgrades, free additional driver registration or credit. What's more, you don't have to worry about issues such as rockfall in the mountains, as rental cars booked with the Platinum Card are covered by a Loss Damage Waiver for Rental Cars. Details on the scope of services can be found in the insurance conditions.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland is optimally equipped for electric vehicles. There are more than 300 charging stations along the 1,643 kilometers. The official app shows you available charging points. Numerous hotels that are part of American Express partner programs also offer their guests e-charging stations directly on the hotel grounds.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland: the most beautiful road trip through Switzerland
The Grand Tour of Switzerland offers one of the most beautiful road trips in Europe. The carefully curated route makes traveling particularly easy, so you don't have to worry about planning your itinerary. Traveling by car also gives you wonderful flexibility.
Turn the Grand Tour into a personal pleasure trip by stopping at GaultMillau restaurants along the way, planning a city break or wellness breaks. And maybe you'll rent a car to drive the panoramic roads in your personal dream car.
However you plan your road trip, as a Platinum Card from American Express member, you can enjoy numerous benefits while traveling, from booking the right hotel to insuring your rental car.
Frequently asked questions and answers
At least seven days are recommended to drive the main route without rushing. Ten to twelve days are ideal. This leaves enough time for detours, museum visits, wellness hotels, and restaurants.
The main season is from April to October, with ideal conditions usually from June to September. There are fewer tourists in late spring and fall. But even in winter, driving on the route has its charm.
In midsummer, all passes are usually open, but in winter some sections are closed. Check the current opening and closing dates of the respective passes in advance (the status may vary depending on weather conditions).
