Bern is a must-visit city in Switzerland, and it’s the perfect “home base” for exploring more of Central Europe. So I’ve rounded up the best day trips from Bern, Switzerland.

Switzerland Travel Guide

To plan the rest of your trip, check out my Switzerland budget tips, the best Bern hotels, and the top vacation rentals in Bern.

Here are the best day trips from Bern, Switzerland!

Mount Pilatus

Known For: the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, aerial cable cars, hiking, stunning views.

Distance From Bern: 1 hour 30 minutes by car, 2 hours 15 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: Start by taking the aerial cable cars up to the top of Mt. Pilatus, then hike around the peak. Go back down via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, and take a scenic boat ride back to Lucerne.

Known For: stunning scenery, local shops, hiking, summer tobogganing.

Distance From Bern: 1 hour by car, 2 hours and 30 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: Ride the cable car to Grindelwald First and walk the Cliff Walk. Next, have lunch and shop in town and ride the Alpine toboggan. Then on your way back to Lucerne, do a helicopter tour to see the Alps from above.

Known For: glacial waterfalls, hiking trails, dramatic cliffs, and quaint villages.

Distance From Bern: 55 minutes by car, 1 hour and 30 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: See Staubbach Falls from the village and the man-made grotto that leads behind the falls, hike to Trümmelbach Falls, drive to the end of the valley, and take the Stechelberg Gondola to Mount Schilthorn. On your way back to Lucerne, do a helicopter tour to see the Alps from above.

Lucerne

Known For: its stunning medieval architecture, lakefront location, the famous Chapel Bridge, and the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.

Distance From Bern: 1 hour and 10 minutes by car, 1 hour and 20 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: Do a walking tour of the historic City Center, go boating on the lake, walk on top of the original city walls, have a traditional fondue meal, and marvel at the Chapel Bridge.

Zurich

Known For: being one of the most expensive cities in the world (so it’s perfect for a day trip), its Old Town, and water activities.

Distance From Bern: 1 hour and 20 minutes by car, 1 hour by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: Walk along the Lake Zürich promenade, do a walking tour of the Altstadt (Old Town), see the city from the Lindenhof viewpoint, tour the Swiss National Museum, visit the Grossmünster, shop (or window shop) on Bahnhofstrasse street, visit the Fraumünster.

Known For: being the capital of one of the smallest countries in the world, vineyards, castles, Alpine landscapes, and outdoor activities.

Distance From Bern: 2 hours and 20 minutes by car.

Top Activity Recommendations: visit the Gutenburg Castle and Vaduz Castle, stroll along the pedestrian street in the city center, walk across the Old Bridge, and have a wine tasting at The Prince of Liechtenstein Winery.

Known For: being the “Adventure Capital of Switzerland,” water activities, Swiss chocolate, fondue.

Distance From Bern: 45 minutes by car, 1 hour and 30 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: Ride the funicular to the Harder Kulm viewpoint, stroll through Höhematte Park, hike the Schynige Platte trails, walk across the Panoramabrücke Sigriswil, see the St. Beatus Cave and waterfalls, and do a helicopter tour.

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