Tripcuro
Sample Itinerary · Tripcuro
Family - 6 travellers

Matterhorn Alpine Crossing: Milan to Lucerne by Cable Car &
Rail

Cross the Alps by the world's highest cross-border cable car, Italy into Switzerland

9 Nights · May 2026 · Italy · Switzerland

View Day-by-Day
Trip Overview
Duration
9 Nights
May 2026 · Family - 6 travellers
Where
Italy · Switzerland
Matterhorn Alpine Crossing: the world's highest cross-border cable car, Italy to Switzerland · Car-free Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn's iconic pyramid peak · Jungfraujoch, the Top of Europe, at 3,454m by cogwheel railway
Budget
INR 1,500-2,500 per person per day in Switzerland
Accommodation for the 9 nights runs approximately INR 3,20,000-3,50,000 for the group depending on hotel choices; where breakfast is not included, budget roughly INR 1,500-2,500 per person per day in Switzerland.
Where You'll Stay

ibis Milano Centro

Milan · 1 Night
Central, no meals included

Hotel Petit Palais

Breuil-Cervinia · 1 Night
Mountain view, breakfast included

Hotel Ambassador Zermatt

Zermatt · 1 Night
Mountain view, breakfast included; Schweizerhof Zermatt a premium alternative

Hotel Weisses Kreuz

Interlaken · 3 Nights
Traditional Swiss hotel, breakfast included; Essential by Dorint a modern alternative

AMERON Luzern Hotel Flora

Lucerne · 3 Nights
Central, breakfast not included, free cancellation
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
DAY
Day 1 of 10
Arrive Milan
  • Land at Milan Malpensa and clear customs
  • Transfer to the city centre by Malpensa Express train or airport bus
  • Check in and rest ahead of the Alpine journey
  • Optional evening stroll through central Milan
2
DAY
Day 2 of 10
Milan to Breuil-Cervinia
  • Early train from Milan to Turin, then coach to Chatillon
  • Local mountain bus up to Breuil-Cervinia (about 5 hours total)
  • Arrive at 2,006m at the foot of the Italian side of the Matterhorn
  • Walk the village and the Plan de Mayen area
  • Dinner of Aosta Valley fonduta, polenta and Valdostan beef
  • Early night before the highlight crossing
3
DAY
Day 3 of 10
Matterhorn Crossing to Zermatt
  • Board the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing cable car from Cervinia
  • Ascend through glaciers to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe's highest station
  • Explore the ice palace and four-country panorama, then descend to Zermatt
  • Settle into car-free Zermatt (electric taxis only)
  • Browse Bahnhofstrasse and the Matterhorn Museum Zermatlantis
  • Fondue or raclette dinner beneath the Matterhorn
4
DAY
Day 4 of 10
Zermatt to Interlaken & Harder Kulm
  • Scenic train from Zermatt to Interlaken Ost (about 2h20, two changes)
  • Check in at Interlaken
  • Ride the Harderbahn funicular up to Harder Kulm (1,322m)
  • Take in the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau panorama over the two lakes
  • Evening walk along the Hoheweg promenade and dinner
5
DAY
Day 5 of 10
Lauterbrunnen & Schilthorn
  • Short train to Lauterbrunnen, a valley of 72 waterfalls
  • Visit Staubbach Falls, Switzerland's tallest free-falling waterfall (297m)
  • Ascend via Stechelberg to the Schilthorn (2,970m)
  • Explore the 007 Walk of Fame and Bond film sets
  • Lunch at the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant
  • Free evening back in Interlaken
6
DAY
Day 6 of 10
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
  • Early train to Grindelwald, then Eiger Express gondola to Eigergletscher
  • Cogwheel railway through the Eiger and Monch to the summit (3,454m)
  • Sphinx Observatory views across the Aletsch Glacier
  • Walk the Ice Palace carved from glacial ice
  • Allow five to six hours at the top; seat reservations essential
  • Return to Interlaken for a celebratory dinner
7
DAY
Day 7 of 10
Interlaken to Lucerne
  • Morning panoramic train to Lucerne along Lake Brienz (about 1h51)
  • Check in and explore Lucerne on foot
  • See the 14th-century Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrucke)
  • Walk the Museggmauer medieval walls with nine climbable towers
  • Visit the Lion Monument and Baroque Jesuit Church
  • Lakefront dinner in the evening
8
DAY
Day 8 of 10
Rhine Falls Day Trip
  • Train toward Schaffhausen (about 90 minutes)
  • See the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall by volume
  • View from Schloss Laufen castle and panoramic lifts
  • Ferry out to the rock in the centre of the falls
  • Explore Schaffhausen old town and the free Munot fortress
  • Afternoon train back to Lucerne
9
DAY
Day 9 of 10
Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip
  • Lake Lucerne paddle-steamer cruise to Alpnachstad (90 minutes)
  • Ascend the world's steepest cog railway to Pilatus Kulm (2,132m)
  • Walk the Dragon Trail with up to 73 peaks in view
  • Lunch at the Pilatus Kulm summit restaurant
  • Descend by gondola and cable car to Kriens
  • Free afternoon for souvenir shopping in Lucerne
10
DAY
Day 10 of 10
Lucerne to Milan & Departure
  • Morning train from Lucerne to Milan (about 3 hours, two changes)
  • Ride the scenic Gotthard Panorama Express section
  • Transfer from Milano Centrale to Malpensa or Linate airport
  • Onward flights home
Good to Know

Swiss Travel Pass

An 8-day consecutive Swiss Travel Pass (2nd class) covers all SBB trains and the Lake Lucerne boat cruise, with discounts on Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, Pilatus and Harder Kulm. Buy before departure.

Book the crossing early

The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing (Cervinia to Zermatt) needs a one-way ticket booked in advance at matterhornparadise.ch.

Jungfraujoch reservations

Seat reservations are mandatory from May to October and must be booked online in advance. Aim for the first train up from Grindelwald for the clearest views.

Car-free Zermatt

No private cars enter Zermatt; only small electric taxis operate. Drivers must park at Tasch and take the shuttle train into the village.

Pack for altitude

Bring layers, waterproofs and sturdy shoes. High sites like Jungfraujoch (3,454m) are far colder, so pack a warm jacket even in late May. Italy uses the Euro, Switzerland the Swiss Franc.

Make this trip yours

Every Tripcuro itinerary is planned from scratch around your dates, pace and budget — this sample shows the level of detail you'll get.

Plan my tripMore sample itineraries

Reading up first? Italy travel guide · Switzerland travel guide