Help

Top things to do in Zurich

Zurich To Bern Tours

Embark on a Zurich to Bern tour. Explore medieval streets, landmarks, and taste Swiss biscuits and cheese.
Loved by over 53 million guests worldwide
Slide 1 of 5, Cheese aging room with tasting setup on Bern tour from Zürich.
Cheese aging room with tasting setup on Bern tour from Zürich.

Full-Day Guided Tour of Bern from Zürich with Biscuit & Cheese Tasting

10 hrs 30 mins
1 more

  • Travel through the stunning alpine countryside on this small-group tour. Pass through the Entlebuch Valley, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

  • Visit the Kambly Experience and learn about Switzerland’s most popular biscuit manufacturer as you taste freshly baked goods.

  • Continue onwards to Bern, the Swiss capital, and enjoy a guided Old Town walking tour.

  • Head to Emmental valley, with its postcard-perfect landscapes.

  • See the Emmentaler Show Dairy, visit the audio-visual museum 'King’s Way' and try a cheese tasting .

More details

  • Travel through the stunning alpine countryside on this small-group tour. Pass through the Entlebuch Valley, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

  • Visit the Kambly Experience and learn about Switzerland’s most popular biscuit manufacturer as you taste freshly baked goods.

  • Continue onwards to Bern, the Swiss capital, and enjoy a guided Old Town walking tour.

  • Head to Emmental valley, with its postcard-perfect landscapes.

  • See the Emmentaler Show Dairy, visit the audio-visual museum 'King’s Way' and try a cheese tasting .

from
CHF 180

Browse by themes

Nearby cities to explore

See all
Things to do in Lucerne
Things to do in Lucerne
Switzerland

Your Zurich to Bern day trip experience

About 1.5 hours by coach or under an hour by train, Bern is close to Zurich for an easy full-day trip. From biscuit tastings at the Kambly Experience and Emmental views to Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, the route blends food, scenery, and history. Whether you join a small-group guided tour or take the frequent direct trains, getting between Zurich and Bern is simple to arrange.

Overview

  • Distance from Zurich: 125 km (78 mi) by road via Entlebuch–Emmental route
  • Typical travel time: 1.5–2 hours by minibus, including non-highway routing buffer
  • On-site visit duration: 6–7 hours across Bern, Kambly Experience, Emmentaler show dairy
  • Budget category: Premium – higher per-person price for small-group, full-day guided experience
  • Best season: May–October, matching standard tour operating months and typical regional weather patterns
  • Meeting/drop-off point: Zurich Sihlquai Bus Station, designated Bern tour stand near Zurich HB
  • Key attractions: Kambly Experience, Emmentaler show dairy, Bern’s Old Town, Zytglogge, Bern Cathedral

What to expect on a Zurich to Bern day trip

Carousel image for Zurich to Bern day trip stop

Scenic small-group transfers

Travel in a small-group minibus from Zurich through the Entlebuch biosphere, with driver-guide commentary and planned comfort stops.

Things to know before booking your Day Trips from City A to City B

  • Total duration & timing: Tours run about 10.5 hours, usually 8:00 am–7:00 pm, so you’ll need a full day free with no tight evening commitments.
  • Transit & road conditions: Travel is by 16-seat air-conditioned minibus via Entlebuch and Emmental, with 4+ hours seated; consider motion comfort and legroom preferences before booking.
  • Group size options: Standard departures are small groups capped around 16 guests; private car tours exist separately, offering flexible pacing and personalized guiding if you dislike shared-group dynamics.
  • Expert guided insight: A driver-guide gives structured commentary on Swiss regions, food, and Bern landmarks; pick your preferred language departure to actually follow and benefit from explanations.
  • Customizable add-ons: This small-group tour has no paid upgrades; biscuit and cheese tastings are standard, so customization requires booking a separate private itinerary instead.
  • Accessibility & mobility note: The 10.5-hour day includes about 60 minutes walking on cobblestones; coaches aren’t wheelchair-accessible and exclude under-6s, so consider private or DIY options instead.

Which Zurich to Bern day trip is right for you

Self-guided Zurich–Bern by train day trip

Flexible, do-it-yourself day using fast SBB trains, giving you the most time in Bern with fast, frequent departures and no fixed group schedule.

  • Duration: Flexible, usually 6–10 hours including travel
  • Inclusions: Zurich–Bern return train ticket or rail pass
  • Transfers: Direct IC/IR/RE SBB trains between cities
  • Group size: Independent travel, no fixed group size
  • Food: Meals, snacks, drinks are not included
  • Best suited for: Rail-pass holders, budget-conscious, confident independent travelers

Shared coach day tour Zurich–Bern

All-in-one guided coach day from Zurich that combines narrated travel, a Bern highlights tour, and occasional countryside viewpoints in a single, low-planning package.

  • Duration: Full day, around 8–10 hours total
  • Inclusions: Return coach, live guide, Bern orientation tour
  • Transfers: AC coach from central Zurich departure point
  • Group size: Shared group experience; group size varies
  • Food: Meals not included; free time for dining
  • Best suited for: First-time visitors wanting structure, commentary, and convenience

Private Zurich–Bern tour

Fully customizable, door-to-door day trip with your own driver-guide, adjusting route, timing, and walking load around Bern to match your group’s interests and abilities.

  • Duration: Typically 8–10 hours with flexible pacing
  • Inclusions: Private vehicle, driver-guide, customized Bern sightseeing
  • Transfers: Door-to-door private car or van pickup
  • Group size: Private group only; no other passengers
  • Food: Meals not included; flexible time for dining
  • Best suited for: Families, small groups, accessibility needs, comfort-focused travelers

Point-to-point private transfer Zurich–Bern

Simple, non-guided car or van transfer between Zurich and Bern, ideal when changing hotels with luggage and wanting comfort without additional sightseeing or commentary.

  • Duration: Around 1.5–2 hours each way
  • Inclusions: One-way or return private car or van
  • Transfers: Door-to-door transfer between Zurich and Bern
  • Group size: Private vehicle for your party only
  • Food: No meals or refreshments are included
  • Best suited for: Hotel relocation days and travelers with heavy luggage

Main stops on your Zurich to Bern day trip

Scenic drive stop image for Zurich to Bern trip

Entlebuch & Emmental Scenic Drive

Travel by comfortable minibus through the UNESCO-listed Entlebuch biosphere and the rolling hills of Emmental. Your driver‑guide shares stories about Swiss village life, farms, and traditions as you pass wooden chalets, green pastures, and distant alpine peaks, with occasional quick photo pauses when conditions allow.

  • Recommended duration: 2–2.5 hours (total driving across the day)
  • Included: Yes, all tours

Your Zurich to Bern day trip itinerary

Morning
Depart central Zurich by comfortable minibus, meeting your driver‑guide and settling in for a scenic ride through the Entlebuch biosphere. Arrive at the Kambly Experience to watch master bakers at work, taste unlimited Swiss biscuits, and browse for sweet souvenirs.

Afternoon
Continue to Bern and follow your guide on a relaxed walking tour through the UNESCO‑listed Old Town, passing the Zytglogge clock tower, arcades, and cathedral. Enjoy a short window of free time for photos, quick snacks, or souvenir shopping before regrouping.

Evening
Head into the green Emmental Valley to visit the Emmentaler show dairy, follow the interactive King’s Way exhibit, and savor age‑matured cheese tastings. Capture final countryside photos before relaxing on the direct minibus journey back to Zurich, where you’re dropped centrally.

Best time to visit Bern

Weather & Climate:

For comfortable day trips, May–June and September–October bring mild 15–22°C days, frequent sun, and long daylight. July–August can be warm or hot and humid; November–March is colder, with possible snow, shorter opening hours.

Events & Seasonal Highlights:

July brings outdoor events like Gurtenfestival above Bern, while late November and December feature the Onion Market and Christmas markets. Zurich–Bern countryside tours mainly operate May–October, so winter festival visits usually mean independent train trips.

Crowd Dynamics & Peak Windows:

Tour and hotel demand peaks in July–August, when Bern’s Old Town and Zurich–Bern tours are busiest. Shoulder periods May–June and September–October balance availability, costs, and comfort. Winter (November–March) is quiet, but guided Zurich–Bern countryside tours mostly pause.

How to get from Zurich to Bern

Round Trip Transfers

Join a full-day small-group tour with round-trip transfers from central Zurich to Bern. Travel in a comfortable air‑conditioned minibus, skip timetable planning, and let a professional driver‑guide handle navigation, commentary, and timings. En route you typically stop at the Kambly biscuit experience and an Emmental cheese dairy—extras that are hard to organize alone. This is the recommended option if you want a seamless “Swiss highlights” day.

  • Best for: Travelers wanting an all‑in‑one, low‑stress day with guide and countryside stops
  • Time taken: ~10.5 hours round trip (full day)
  • Approx price: Around CHF 180 per adult (transport, guide, tastings included)

Helpful Tips for a Zurich to Bern Day Trip

  • Check the tour calendar before planning other Zurich activities: This Bern day trip typically runs only twice weekly in season, so align your dates first.
  • Find your stand at Sihlquai early: Multiple Best of Switzerland coaches leave together, so allow extra time to match your voucher to the correct minibus.
  • Pace yourself at the Kambly cookie tasting: There are around sixty free samples; bring a small bag and buy favorites rather than overloading on-site.
  • Pre-choose your priority in Bern’s Old Town: With under an hour spare, decide in advance between climbing Münster’s tower, souvenir shopping, or grabbing food.
  • Dress for cobblestones and farm floors: Bern’s walking tour uses uneven stone streets, and the Emmentaler dairy has damp industrial areas unsuited to delicate footwear.
  • Treat the tastings as snacks, not lunch: The Kambly biscuits and Emmental samples are generous but light, plan a food stop in Bern or Zurich.
  • Buy edible souvenirs where they’re made: Kambly sells lightweight biscuit tins, while the Emmentaler shop offers vacuum-packed cheese blocks safe for several hours without refrigeration.
  • Prepare for winding roads through Entlebuch and Emmental: If you’re prone to motion sickness, sit near the front and bring any tablets you rely on.
  • Check age and mobility limits before booking: The standard Zurich–Bern cookie-and-cheese tour excludes under-sixes and isn’t wheelchair accessible due to minibus design and cobbled streets.
  • Keep your camera handy after leaving Bern: The Emmental farm photo stop often reveals Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks that appear suddenly if skies clear.

Frequently asked questions about day trips from Zurich to Bern

  • Most Zurich to Bern small‑group tours last about 10.5–11 hours door to door. You usually depart Zurich around 8:00 and return around 19:00. That includes the scenic drives, biscuit tasting stop, guided Old Town walk in Bern, free time, cheese dairy visit, and photo breaks.