Switzerland and Italy tours

Neighbouring countries don’t come much more rewarding than Switzerland and Italy. The journey between them is part of the experience, and together they cover a lot of ground – geographically and culturally.

In Switzerland, you’ll find some of Europe’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Think glaciers, chalet-style villages nestled in Alpine valleys, and epic train journeys.

Cross into Northern Italy, and the vibe shifts entirely. Sun-warmed lakes at the foothills of the Alps, Renaissance cities like Venice and Verona and fashion capitals like Milan.

Together, they offer more contrast than most trips manage in twice the distance. The kind of variety that makes every day of your journey feel exciting.

There are a few great ways to see Switzerland and Italy, but it really comes down to how you like to travel.

A rental car puts you in control – flexible, freeing, and perfect for spontaneous detours to hilltop villages and mountain lakes. On a Switzerland and Italy self-drive tour, you’ll pick up a rental car at the start of your trip, complete with Wi-Fi, insurance, and a detailed itinerary to guide you along the way.

Prefer to sit back and watch the scenery roll by? Switzerland’s rail network is world-famous for a reason – the routes carve straight through the heart of the Alps. Check out our Switzerland train tours, including the famous Glacier Express train.

We’ll pre-book your tickets. All you need to do is board.

If you’d rather travel with a local guide and a group of like-minded explorers, take a look at our guided tours of the Alps and Italy. Everything is taken care of, and you’ll get the kind of insider knowledge you won’t find in a guidebook.

Switzerland and Italy have no shortage of places worth visiting. Our local experts know exactly where to send you. Here are the highlights worth putting on your radar:

Switzerland

• Grindelwald
• Interlaken
• Lake Geneva
• Lausanne
• Lugano
• Montreux
• Zermatt
• Zurich

Italy

• Lake Como
• Lake Garda
• Milan
• Venice
• Verona

Closer than you might think. The 2 countries share a border, and depending on which Swiss city you’re travelling from, you could cross into Italy in a matter of hours. But with highlights like the Matterhorn and Grindelwald on the Swiss side, and the Lake District in Italy, most travellers give themselves at least a week.

The journey itself – over mountain passes and through Alpine valleys – is one of the highlights of the trip. Cross the Gotthard Pass or the Simplon Pass, and watch the landscape change as Switzerland gives way to Italy.

Planning a Switzerland and Italy trip doesn’t need to be complicated – that’s what we’re here for. Browse our Switzerland and Italy vacation packages to find the right fit, and your travel consultant will take care of the rest. They’ll book your accommodation, local transport, and sort all the details in between – leaving you free to focus on the exciting part.

Read our guides to planning a trip to Italy and the best things to do in Switzerland to get some inspo before you book.

Every tour includes handpicked accommodation, daily breakfast, local transport, and 24/7 support.

On a self-drive tour, you’ll also get a rental car, personalised itinerary and route map, plus a travel guide packed with local recommendations and helpful tips.

On a small group tour, an expert local guide travels with you throughout, sharing insider knowledge and stories. Entry passes to selected top attractions are included too, and group sizes are kept small so you get a more personal experience.

Yes – every tour comes with a carefully crafted itinerary, but there’s plenty of room to make it yours.

Add extra nights at the beginning or end of your trip if you want more free time to explore. Upgrade your accommodation or rental car. Build in the activities that make it feel like your trip.

You could take a day trip on the Gornergrat railway above Zermatt. The views? 29 Alpine peaks, the Matterhorn front and centre. Or tour Villa Balbianello, one of Lake Como’s most beautiful spots, with a local guide.

Add extras and upgrades when you book, or come back and tweak things later through your customer portal.

Yes. Self-drive tours run from May to October, so you can pick the dates that work best for you. Simply choose your preferred start date from the online availability calendar and go from there.

Small group tours run on fixed departures, with a set list of start dates to choose from throughout the season. If you have a specific date in mind, it’s worth booking early. Spaces are limited, and the availability calendar shows exactly how many are left on each departure.

Flights aren’t included in our tour packages. It means you’re free to choose your own airline, departure airport, and flight times that work around your schedule.

We’d recommend having flights in mind before you book your tour, but wait for our confirmation before purchasing any tickets.

What you pack depends on when you’re travelling. But with 2 countries and a range of climates, it pays to be prepared for a bit of everything.

In Switzerland, temperatures can change quickly in the mountains. So, if you’re riding the Gornergrat railway or taking a cable car above Zermatt, warm and waterproof layers are a must, even in summer. July and August are the warmest months, with temperatures around 25°C (77°F), while May and October can bring cooler temperatures and less stable weather.

As you cross into Italy, it warms up considerably. Summer temperatures around Lake Como and Lake Garda can hit 29°C (84°F), so we recommend packing light layers, sandals, and swimwear. If you’re visiting in early autumn, pack some warmer layers for when the sun goes down.

One thing worth knowing: Italians take their evenings seriously. A smart outfit or 2 is worth squeezing in if you plan to dine out or join the locals for an aperitivo.

Here’s a packing list that covers you for both countries:

• •  Waterproof jacket and trousers
• •  Insulated jacket
• •  Warm jumper or fleece
• •  Scarf, hat and gloves
• •  Comfortable walking shoes or boots
• •  Sandals
• •  Short and long-sleeve shirts
• •  Light trousers or shorts
• •  Swimwear and travel towel
• •  Sunglasses, sun hat and suncream
• •  Day bag or rucksack
• •  Reusable water bottle
• •  Two-pin EU adaptor
• •  Smart clothes and shoes for evenings out

For more details, check out these guides on what to pack for Italy and the Alps.