Switzerland with a Toddler: Our 10-Day Family Itinerary + Travel Tips

This wasn’t my first time in Switzerland, but it was my first time seeing it through the eyes of my almost 2-year-old son. And wow, what a difference that makes. If you’re planning a Switzerland itinerary with a toddler, this 10-day route covers the highlights while keeping things flexible and kid-friendly.

Traveling with a toddler is a whole different vibe. You move slower, hit every playground you pass, and sometimes dinner gets replaced with snacks in the hotel bed because someone skipped their nap. Plans shift, meltdowns happen, and you learn quickly that flexibility is your best friend. But seeing our son’s face light up on a mountain train or laugh at the sound of cowbells echoing through the valley? Worth every rerouted plan.

We only scratched the surface of Switzerland during our stay and are already dying to go back. Our 10-day itinerary included stops in Zurich, Lucerne, Grindelwald, and Interlaken. Their public transportation is exceptional so we used trains to get everywhere, stayed in hotels/airbnbs with kitchenettes so we could cook a few healthy meals to pack for our full day of exploring, and prioritized playgrounds over Michelin star restaurants.

Why Switzerland is Great for Kids

• Super clean, efficient transportation
• Playgrounds everywhere
• Scenic train rides with dedicated kid cars
• Family-friendly attractions like boat rides, mountaintop funiculars, and cheese and chocolate tours
• We used Swiss Family Fun & Laura Janela’s Pocket Guides for travel tips and inspiration!

Switzerland Itinerary

Route: Zurich → Lucerne → Grindelwald → Interlaken → Zurich
Season: May 2025
Days: 10

Day 1–2: Lucerne

We landed in Zurich but took the train immediately to Lucerne. The train station is conveniently located within the airport, and the journey to Lucerne takes just about 40 minutes. It was an easy, scenic ride and helped us get a jump start adjusting to the new time zone.

Lucerne greeted us with its charming wooden bridges, swans gliding across the lake, and colorful buildings lining the streets. It’s a picturesque city that feels like stepping into a storybook.

Where to Stay in Lucerne

We chose a family-friendly apartment with a kitchenette, which made meal prep for toddler convenient and allowed us to maintain a flexible schedule.

What We Did:

• Cogwheel train up Mt Rigi: stunning views and stroller friendly. Shout out to the tush baby for saving us (and my back) on this trip. If you are interested on how to get to Mt. Rigi, read my blog post on all the details here
• Walking along the lake and feeding the ducks
• Train tour around Old City
• Visit Mt. Pilatus and Swiss Transport Museum – we didn’t get to do these but heard great things! 

Day 3–5: Grindelwald

This was our favorite stop, no question. Grindelwald is tucked into the Bernese Alps and feels straight out of a storybook. My husband and I split up our days here: one of us would hang back with our son while the other got a few solo hours to explore.

Where to Stay in Grindelwald

We stayed at a chalet-style apartment with the kind of balcony view that makes you say “subhanAllah” (it means glory be to God and honestly, the view deserved it) every morning. The apartment was modern, super clean, and bit of a splurge but worth every penny. The host was so accommodating, had all essentials stocked in the kitchen, a laundry, and a kids playroom stocked with toys.

What We Did

• Firstbahn cable car ride up to the Cliff Walk excursion. Due to the altitude, we only took our son to the first stop, Bort, which had the most beautiful alpine playground.
• We stopped for fondue at Restaurant Alderstube, which had a great cheese fondue platter! They had highchairs and kids coloring activities. Next door, there was the best icecream stand we had in a long time!
• Scenic views, peaceful and rolling hills (keep in mind that these hills are very steep)
• The Toboggan run + Fly Line at Pfingstegg were such a highlight for me: flying down the Swiss Alps was a bucket list moment.
• Quiet evenings on our balcony watching the sun disappear behind the peaks

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Day 6: Travel Day with a Stop at Interlaken

We were making our way from Grindelwald to Zurich, but instead of heading straight there, we turned the travel day into a mini adventure. We stored our luggage at Interlaken Ost station (the lockers are super easy to use, even for large suitcases), then caught a local bus to Lake Thun.

The highlight of our stop? Renting a small motorboat from Mountain Surf Water Sports and cruising around the lake at our own pace. The water was crystal clear, the Alps were in full view, and our little guy was living his best boat life.

We planned this stop intentionally to give our son a break from the trains and a chance to nap midday. The boat ride was the perfect quiet reset for all of us. Afterward, we made our way back to the station and caught the train to Zurich to wrap up our day.

Day 7–10: Zurich

We ended our trip in Zurich and it was the perfect wind-down after the mountains. Clean, walkable, and surprisingly toddler-friendly, it offered a chill city vibe with enough green space and cozy cafés to keep everyone happy.

Where to Stay in Zurich

We stayed at Goethe House, a charming 800-year-old building located in District 1. The location was central, full of character, and walking distance to everything you could need. Be aware that there are no elevators in this building.

What We Did:

• Strolled through Old Town and admired the historic churches, cobblestone streets, and river views
• Played at Lindenhof Park, which had open space, great views, and a playground our son loved
• Took a lakeside walk along Lake Zurich and grabbed ice cream along the way
• Stop at Lindt Home of Chocolate for a tour, think Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory (make sure to book this tour in advance)
• Spent a rainy day at the Zurich Zoo, which turned out to be a great backup plan

Transportation:

One of the best things about following a Switzerland itinerary with a toddler is how easy the trains make getting around.

• We used the Swiss Travel Pass and it was 100% worth it. It covered all trains, boats, and buses, and included free museum entries and discounts on excursions.
• Trains in Switzerland are super efficient and stroller friendly. Most stations have elevators and wide platforms.
• Highly recommend downloading the SBB Mobile App, which made navigating train times and connections a breeze.
• Most Swiss trains have family friendly cars. Look for the teddy bear symbol or family zones on double decker IC trains for built-in playgrounds on the app. It’s usually located in the first or last carriage.
• Zurich Airport has a dedicated family room with toys, changing tables, and even cribs!

Final Thoughts:

Switzerland was one of our most memorable family trips. Nature, culture, and those ridiculously efficient trains made it surprisingly toddler friendly. Sure, we had our moments of chaos, like Aydin protesting naps, but the sweet moments made it all worth it. 

If you’re on the fence about traveling with little kids, let this Switzerland itinerary with a toddler give you the motivation to book the trip. Bring snacks, lower your expectations, and lean into the adventure. Our boy may not remember the details, but we will. And honestly? I swear he came back more curious, chatty, and connected than ever.

You might be interested in: Toddler Travel Toys and Must-Haves for the Plane