Family Road Trip to Switzerland
Ever dreamed of swapping the London skyline for the majestic Swiss Alps, all by train and car with three families in tow? We just did it, and it was an unforgettable adventure! If you're planning a similar multi-stop European road trip, here’s a detailed breakdown of our 6-day journey, complete with tips, hiccups, and highlights to help you plan your own.
Day 1: The Smooth Eurostar journey
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| Eurostar St. Pancras Station |
Our adventure began at St. Pancras International. We took the Eurostar direct to Brussels, and the journey was wonderfully smooth no hiccups whatsoever. The kids were buzzing with excitement, and the adults could finally relax with a coffee, knowing the holiday had officially begun.
We arrived in Brussels around 6pm and walked just 5 minutes to our pre-booked hotel near the Eurostar station. This proximity was a lifesaver with tired kids and a mountain of luggage. A top tip: book your first-night accommodation close to the station to make life easy.
The kids’ highlight? The hotel had bunk bed rooms! They were over the moon. For the adults, we had booked three separate rooms, ensuring everyone had their own space after a long day of travel.
We had some Take away for all of us that night and went to bed early to make sure we had enough sleep. Takeaway are considerably same price as London.
Day 2: Car Collection, Grocery shopping, and the Atomium visit
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| Atomium Belgium |
The next morning was all about wheels. We had pre-booked rental cars (one for each family) for an 8 am pick-up. Getting to the car collection at airport by Taxi was dead easy. By 9 am, we were back at the hotel to load up the cars with luggage and, of course, the families.
Our plan was to stock up on groceries in Belgium, knowing things are considerably cheaper than in Switzerland. However, we hadn't factored in a local festival! It was a Friday, and every major supermarket was closed. A quick Google search saved the day, leading us to an Asian supermarket nearby. We spent an hour there and managed to get everything on our list (dry goods only, as we had a stopover in Luxembourg).
With the car boot full, we made a quick cultural stop at the Atomium. Street parking was easy, and we paid by card. It was a perfect hour-long pit stop for photos and a leg stretch before our long drive to Luxembourg. We were not keen to wait hour long queue to get into Atomium but if you are fancy visiting please plan ahead in advance.
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| Luxembourg City Centre |
The drive was smooth all the way to Ibis Hotel near airport in Luxembourg, and we checked into hotel by late afternoon. I went for a quick nap after long drive and my friends looked for the place to eat in the meantime.
Pro tip: Public transport in Luxembourg is completely free! However, with hungry kids and adults ofcourse, we were in a rush and drove to a Nepalese restaurant we’d found online, about 13 minutes away. We all found parking, and the food was fantastic (Momo and Nepali Thaali were big hits!).
After dinner, we experienced the walk to Market Square. The kids had a blast playing around the fountain and getting thoroughly wet (it’s a holiday, after all!). On the way back to the hotel, we refuelled the cars to be ready for the big drive to Switzerland.
We started with a surprisingly good and affordable hotel breakfast (cheaper than standard UK hotel breakfasts!) and hit the road for Zurich.
Tip for Switzerland: You must have a vignette (a toll sticker) to use swiss motorways. We bought ours online the night before, so we were all set. The Vignette comes with 13 months expiry date so if you have any plans to revisit within 13 months you don’t require a new Vignette.
The drive was long but beautiful. We encountered three tolls on the way, which were easy to pay by card. We used a foreign exchange card connected to our UK account and had zero issues.
To keep costs down, we avoided big meals at service station. We snacked on our groceries and treated ourselves to ice cream instead. Another great tip: Europe is great for free tap water. We filled our bottles from the dispensers in the hotel and at services over and over again.
After a final refuel and a necessary coffee and chocolate croissant stop, we crossed into Switzerland. The views instantly became stunning. We did have one navigational hiccup: one family took a wrong turn, but we all met up in Zurich eventually.
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| Zurich City |
My strong advice: Find a large, well-signposted car park on the outskirts then take public transport into the centre. I have found a parking building after a struggle and my friends ended up on street parking but they were unable to pay by card (only cash or app was available) and they decided to move the car to the place where I was parked.After parking and using the toilets, we took a brisk one hour walk through Zurich's beautiful but busy city center before continuing to our final destination.
We had an Airbnb booked in Cazis, a village hour and half away from Zurich. Finding it in the remote, dark village was a bit of a struggle, but we all arrived around 11 pm, triumphant.
A quick team effort meant we had a home-cooked dinner on the table in no time (I’m a bad cook, but I excelled at washing up!).
Day 4: Alpine Air and A Change of Plans in Cazis
After two long days of travel, we were ready to immerse ourselves in the stunning Swiss landscape right on our doorstep. Cazis is a well-known ski destination in winter, but in summer, it transforms into a lush, green hiking paradise. With no snow in sight, we were treated to rolling hills, wildflowers, and breathtaking panoramic views.
we have prepared sandwiches, drinks and snacks and started our hike that was supposed to take about two and a half hours uphill. The pace was slow and perfect for the kids. It was less about the destination and more about the journey: stopping to look at interesting bugs, breathing in the incredibly fresh air, and simply enjoying being together in nature. It was the perfect way to decompress and start our Swiss holiday properly.
After about an hour of hiking, we stopped for a water break and got chatting with some friendly passers-by (a tip: always say hello to fellow hikers!). We mentioned our plan, and they highly recommended a detour. They told us about a shorter trail leading to a village called Oberurmein, which had a series of small, natural ponds and a fantastic park specifically for kids. The best part? It was only a further 40-minute hike from where we were.
The kids’ ears pricked up at the mention of a "park" and "ponds." A quick family (and friends) conference was held, and the decision was unanimous: new destination, Oberurmein!
The hike to Oberurmein was every bit as beautiful as promised. The trail wound through meadows and forests, and the anticipation built with every step. When we arrived, it was like finding a hidden gem. The village was picture-perfect, and the park area was a natural playground. The kids immediately raced towards the ponds to skim stones and dip their hands in the cool, clear water, while the adults found a spot to sit and simply absorb the stunning Alpine scenery.
It was a brilliant reminder that sometimes the best travel plans are the ones you don't make. Being open to suggestions from Proffesioinals can lead you to the most magical, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
We spent a lazy afternoon there, eating the picnic we’d packed from our Belgian supermarket haul, before making the much easier (mostly downhill!) journey back to our Airbnb, tired but utterly happy.
On the way back, I shot some incredible drone footage of the area. Here's one of the clips!
Somehow, on the fifth attempt, the payment went through. A collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the Airbnb! But our relief was short-lived. We checked the train schedule: Our train from Interlaken Ost to the Jungfraujoch was departing at 14:15. Our GPS estimated our arrival at the station at 13:56 a nerve-wracking 19-minute window to park three cars and get 13 people onto the platform.
We pulled into Interlaken with hearts sinking, the massive car park at Interlaken Ost station was completely full. The pressure skyrocketed. With time ticking away, we made a split-second decision: we dropped all the kids and adults with the luggage at the station entrance while the three drivers went on a desperate hunt for parking.
This was the most stressful hour of the entire trip. I eventually found a spot at a local gym about a 10-minute walk away. My friends had slightly better luck; after circling the main car park for 15-20 minutes, two spaces finally opened up. Our partners, meanwhile, had gone to the ticket counter to explain our situation, but there are no refunds or exchanges for missed trains on this route. The stakes were high!
A ten-minute walk brought us to the viewing area, where spectacular panoramic vistas unfolded before us. As we ate our meals and took photos, my trip reached a personal highlight when my loved ones surprised me with a birthday muffin Cake. This unexpected and touching gesture made the moment truly unforgettable. Afterwards, we explored the Ice Palace for fifteen minutes to admire the finely carved ice sculptures, and finally visited the shop to buy souvernirs before heading back via train and cable car.
The long day concluded with a 3.5-hour drive back to Cazis. We took a new, scenic route suggested by Google Maps, enjoying hills and waterfalls, and arrived late at the apartment. Fortunately, a pre-prepared meal from the previous night meant no cooking was needed, and we finally went to bed around midnight.
Upon returning to our Airbnb, our evening routine began. The adults divided into two groups: one team started preparing dinner in the kitchen, while the others relaxed on the balcony, chatting and enjoying a drink against the backdrop of an incredible view. To keep the children entertained, I was prepared with a USB stick filled with their favourite movies from home. They happily alternated between watching films and playing board games. Adults enjoyed until late night (infact midnight) with plenty of wine to drink!
Day 5: A High-Pressure Race to the Top of Europe
Our plan for the day was the grandest of our trip: a journey to the Jungfraujoch- the Top of Europe. Despite our late night, adrenaline (and several alarm clocks) got everyone up before 8 AM. The mission was clear: secure our train tickets online before the long drive.
The Morning Ticket Panic
The morning started with a high-pressure scramble. I had researched the Swiss Half-Fare Card before leaving home, but unsure if I could activate it instantly online, we decided to buy standard tickets. This is where the hiccups began. My credit card was declined three or four times in a row on the official website. The pressure was immense, knowing we had a three-hour drive from Cazis to Interlaken Ost and that train tickets for a group our size are both expensive and can sell out.
Somehow, on the fifth attempt, the payment went through. A collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the Airbnb! But our relief was short-lived. We checked the train schedule: Our train from Interlaken Ost to the Jungfraujoch was departing at 14:15. Our GPS estimated our arrival at the station at 13:56 a nerve-wracking 19-minute window to park three cars and get 13 people onto the platform.
The White-Knuckle Drive to Interlaken
We hit the road in a convoy, our WhatsApp group call was on for the whole journey. This was a lifesaver, allowing us to coordinate lane changes on time, warn of traffic, and ensure no one got lost. The drive was stunning, tracing blue lakes and winding through, tunnels and valleys, but our minds were fixed on the clock.
We pulled into Interlaken with hearts sinking, the massive car park at Interlaken Ost station was completely full. The pressure skyrocketed. With time ticking away, we made a split-second decision: we dropped all the kids and adults with the luggage at the station entrance while the three drivers went on a desperate hunt for parking.
Mission: Impossible Parking
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| Interlaken OST station |
Interlaken OST to Jungfraujoch
Despite a frantic start where we arrived at the station an hour after our scheduled train departure, flushed and out of breath from running, we managed to board. Initially told we were on a waiting list, a helpful customer service agent advised us to simply take the next available train without needing special permission. in our expereince as long as you have a ticket time rule doesn't apply but please do check this before boarding.
The journey was seamless from there. We boarded a cable car in Grindelwald by scanning our QR code tickets, which weren't checked for a specific time. After a scenic cable car ride for 15 minutes we arrived at Eigergletscher to explore and fill our water bottles from the fresh spring. The final tunnel train then ascended to the Jungfraujoch.
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| View from Jungfraujoch |
The long day concluded with a 3.5-hour drive back to Cazis. We took a new, scenic route suggested by Google Maps, enjoying hills and waterfalls, and arrived late at the apartment. Fortunately, a pre-prepared meal from the previous night meant no cooking was needed, and we finally went to bed around midnight.
Day 6: The Long Return Journey to Brussels
We began our long direct drive from Cazis to Brussels early, with everyone up by 7 AM. After preparing lunch for the road wraps, sandwiches, and boiled eggs, we checked out of the Airbnb by 9:30 AM.
We made a brief stop to appreciate Cazis's village scenery before refueling the cars and setting off. Our first major stop was Lake Zurich, where we found free access to the beautiful blue water at a lovely cafe, avoiding a paid entry fee elsewhere. After an hour of enjoying the views and watching swimmers, we continued our drive.
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| Lake Zurich |
We passed through France, stopping only to eat our packed food, refill water bottles, and fuel the cars. A quick leg-stretch and toilet break in Luxembourg broke up the journey before we headed straight to our familiar hotel in Brussels.
Dropping off the rental cars at the airport turned into a misadventure; navigating the wrong parking areas resulted in two of us paying unnecessary parking fees before finally locating the correct drop-off point and depositing our keys in an after-hours box via a helpful phone guide from a friend who had already succeeded.
We took a cab back to the hotel around midnight. While the rest of the group had kebabs, as a vegetarian I was grateful to discover a guest kitchen where I could prepare my instant ramen noodles. We all gathered to eat, sharing fries and tiramisu, before finally retiring for the night.
Day 7: Brussels to London
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| Eurostar to London |
The next morning, we were in bed till 10 AM, I opted in for late-checkout for one of the room when booking our hotel to store our luggage while we can go out and enjoy our breakfast. All three families gone out around 11AM for exploring the area and decided to have pasteries and hot drinks. We did some last-minute souvenir shopping at the station before all families checked out at 2 PM, bought food for the journey, and caught the Eurostar.
We arrived back at London's St. Pancras at 4:30 PM, said our goodbyes to each other, and departed for our respective homes, concluding an incredible six-day adventure.
Final Thoughts & Tips for Travellers:
1. Book Proximity: Stay near major stations on arrival nights.
2. Groceries: Check local public holidays and opening times! Our Asian supermarket saviour was a lucky find.
3. Swiss Vignette: Buy it online in advance to avoid stress at the border.
4. Payment Cards: A fee-free foreign exchange card is an absolute must for every payment necessary.
5. Parking: Research your city parking options before you arrive. Zurich is not a place to wing it.
6. Teamwork: Travelling with multiple families is amazing, but clear communication and a flexible attitude are key.
7. Roaming: make sure everyone’s roaming is On before arriving to first destination.
8. Group call: if you are Travelling together then stick on group call for better navigation and guidance. it really works.
Preparation Tips:
- Google map offline download for entire Journey.
- Powerbank
- First Aid Kit
- Universal plug and one extension plug (if you have space).
- enough movies and books for kids to keep them entertained during long drive.
- Neck travel Pillows
- Driving licence if you are renting a car
- Abroad using bank cards or activate your bank cards and check no fees are applicable while using your card abroad.
- Some local currency in cash.
- Car window shades for kids
- Warm clothing and shoes for Jungfraujouch visit.
- Tablet holders to use on passenger seats so kids can sit free.
- Kids and adult paracetamol just in case.
- Car seats for kids. We Purchased light weight car seats from amazon which can easily fit in suitcase. it is expensive to hire car seat with car rentals.
It was a whirlwind six days of travel to get to our Alpine paradise, but every moment even the wrong turns was part of the adventure. Happy travels!!
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