Switzerland & Italy Tour Package from India: First Europe Trip Guide (2026)

Schengen visa for Indians

Both Switzerland and Italy are in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa covers both. Apply to the country where you will spend the most nights (or enter first if nights are equal) through its VFS Global centre in India. The visa fee is €90 for adults (€45 for children aged 6–12), plus the VFS service charge.

You can apply up to six months before travel; apply at least 6–8 weeks ahead, and earlier for summer and December. Typical documents: passport, recent bank statements, income tax returns, leave letter or business proof, confirmed hotel bookings, flight reservations and travel insurance with at least €30,000 medical cover. We prepare a clear day-by-day itinerary and hotel confirmations to support your application.

Best time to visit

• Switzerland: June to September for green valleys, lakes and mountain excursions; December to March for snow and winter activities. May and October are quieter shoulder months.
• Italy: April–June and September–October are ideal – pleasant weather and fewer crowds than July–August.

For a combined trip, May–June or September works beautifully for both.

A 10-night itinerary

1. Zurich (1 night): arrive, lakeside walk and old town.
2. Lucerne (2 nights): Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne cruise, Mt Titlis or Mt Pilatus.
3. Interlaken (3 nights): Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Lake Brienz.
4. Venice (1 night): scenic train via Milan, gondola ride and St Mark’s Square.
5. Florence (1 night): the Duomo, Uffizi and a day trip to Pisa.
6. Rome (2 nights): Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and Vatican City.

See our Switzerland packages and our Italy packages – we can combine them into one trip.

Getting around

Trains are the best way to travel – the Swiss Travel Pass covers most trains, boats and buses in Switzerland plus discounts on mountain excursions, and Italy’s high-speed trains link Venice, Florence and Rome in two hours or less. Our rail tours include the right passes and seat reservations.

Budget tips for Indian travellers

• Book flights and hotels 3–4 months ahead for the best rates.
• Pick hotels close to railway stations to save time and taxi fares.
• Indian restaurants are easy to find in Zurich, Interlaken, Lucerne, Rome and Florence; many hotels offer vegetarian breakfasts.
• Mountain excursions are the biggest Swiss expense – choose one or two signature peaks rather than all of them.

What to pack

• Layers and a light waterproof jacket – mountain weather changes quickly, and it can be cold at Jungfraujoch and Titlis even in summer.
• Comfortable walking shoes for Italy’s cobbled streets.
• Clothes covering shoulders and knees for St Peter’s Basilica and other churches.
• A universal adapter (Switzerland uses Type J sockets, Italy Type L and C).

Getting there from Delhi

There are direct flights from Delhi to Zurich and to Milan and Rome, so a classic “open-jaw” trip works well: fly into Zurich and home from Rome (or the reverse) to avoid backtracking.