From Frankfurt to Lake Maggiore: Our 6-Day Alpine Road Trip
Switzerland, Germany & Northern Italy | 6 Days | Road Trip
Some road trips are about the destination. This one was about everything in between (and the destinations).
We drove from Frankfurt, Germany all the way to Lake Maggiore in northern Italy and what unfolded over six days was one of the most stunning driving routes we experienced in Europe. We’re talking waterfalls tucked into Alpine gorges, mountain passes that feel like the edge of the world, medieval castles rising out of Swiss hillsides, and a lakeside town so underrated it almost feels like a secret.
Here’s exactly how the trip came together, and links to the full guides for each major stop.
The Route at a Glance:
📍 The Full Route
Frankfurt, Germany
Start here
Freiburg im Breisgau
Lunch & stretch — medieval old town
Merligen / Interlaken
Night 1 — Lake Thun & the Alps arrive
Oltschibachfall Waterfall
Hidden gem — worth every minute
Reid-Brig
Alpine village — valley views deepen
Simplon Pass (2,005m) & Simplon Hospiz
Crown jewel of the drive — panoramic peaks
Lavertezzo, Verzasca Valley
Turquoise water & ancient stone bridge
Lake Maggiore
Nights 2 & 3 — the destination
Bellinzona
Day trip from Lake Maggiore — 3 UNESCO castles
Lucerne
Nights 4 & 5 — Chapel Bridge & Mount Pilatus
Frankfurt, Germany
~4 hrs north — scenic almost the whole way
Total Duration: 6 days (5 nights)
Total driving time: ~10–11 hours spread across 6 days. We thought it was very manageable. Giving us plenty of time to enjoy our stops, enjoy the scenic drive, and soak in the beauty of these regions.
Best For: Road trippers, couples, adventure seekers, anyone who thinks the Alps deserve more than a ski trip.
Need To Know Before You Go
Check These Items Before Your Trip
Motorway Vignette
~CHF 40 sticker required for Swiss highways. Buy at the border or a gas station.
Currency
CHF in Switzerland, Euros on the Italian and German sides. Bring both or use a no-fee travel card.
Rental Car
Confirm your rental covers Germany, Switzerland, and Italy before you book.
Best Season
Late April – October. Simplon Pass can be closed or restricted in winter.
Booking Resources:
Flights (to Frankfurt)
Take a tour: Viator or GetYourGuide
Steal This Itinerary: Full Day by Day Road Trip
Day 1: Frankfurt to Interlaken (with a Lunch Stop in Freiburg)
We left Frankfurt early and made our first stop in Freiburg im Breisgau, a beautifully preserved medieval city just across the German border from Switzerland. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs, grab a coffee or a quick lunch, and soak in the old town atmosphere before crossing into the Alps. The Münsterplatz (cathedral square) alone is worth 30 minutes of wandering.
From Freiburg, the landscape transforms dramatically as you push south into Switzerland. We overnighted in Interlaken, a beautiful town connecting the shores of Lake Thun and Brienzersee. If you’re landing in Interlaken, we also recommend a stop in Merligen, which is a worthwhile detour for the scenery alone as well as stop at the St. Beatus Caves.
We spent our first full Swiss night in the Interlaken area. For the complete breakdown of things to do, where to stay, and what not to miss in Interlaken, check out our full guide about how to spend 24 hours in Interlaken.
View of the turquoise waters in Interlaken
Day 2–4: The Drive to Lake Maggiore (The Best Part of the Whole Trip)
Honestly? The drive from Interlaken to Lake Maggiore might be the highlight of the entire road trip. Here’s where we stopped along the way:
Meiringen- A small detour brought us to a jaw-dropping waterfall tucked into the hillside. We made a quick pit stop to see the Oltschibachfall, totally worth the 5-10 minutes to stare at the falls!
Reid-Brig — A quiet Alpine village worth a brief pause as you wind deeper into the mountains. The valley views start getting serious here. The views here are incredible with towering mountains and, if you are lucky, catching a glimpse of the largest glacier in Eurasia.
Before the pass, there are a ton of hiking trains, pull offs, and a few gondolas along the way. We highly recommend stopping at any of these that catch your attention and staring out at the incredible scenery.
Simplon Pass & Simplon Hospiz — The crown jewel of the drive. At 6,578 feet or 2,005 meters above sea level, the Simplon Pass is one of the great Alpine road crossings. The old hospiz building at the top has been welcoming weary travelers since the 1800s and on a clear day, the panoramic views across the peaks are genuinely breathtaking. We pulled over and stared in amazement just soaking in the beauty of the region. Be sure to stop and take a picture or ten.
After Simplon Pass, it’s a short drive into Lake Maggiore and the arrival doesn’t disappoint. Cresting the hill and entering Italy is absolutely beautiful. We absolutely love the confluence of Swiss and Italian culture in this unique area. Once you drive down the mountain and see the Lake, the view is simply breathtaking.
Simplon Pass
Get ready for an amazing few days exploring one of Italy’s most underrated lakes.
Check out our Full Lake Maggiore Travel Guide: Italy’s Underrated Gem
Day 4 (afternoon): Day Trip to Bellinzona
With Lake Maggiore as your base, Bellinzona makes for an effortless half-day or full day trip. Just across the Swiss border, it’s one of the most under visited cities in all of Switzerland plus a UNESCO World Heritage site with three remarkably preserved medieval castles dominating the skyline. The old town is walkable, the gelato is excellent, and the contrast between northern Italy and Swiss-Italian culture makes for a fascinating few hours. Feel free to spend the night here or continue on a few hours to Lucerne.
Check out our Full Bellinzona Day Trip Guide: A Hidden Gem Just Beyond Lake Maggiore
Day 5–6: Lucerne (48 Hours Well Spent)
We closed out the trip with 48 hours in Lucerne and it was the perfect way to end. Switzerland’s most iconic city doesn’t disappoint: the medieval Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, Lake Lucerne stretching out before you, and a half-day trip up Mount Pilatus that reminded us why we travel in the first place.
Lucerne is easy to love and is truly a town you want to get lost in. Our full guide covers exactly how to structure your time, where to stay, and how to squeeze in Mount Pilatus without the crowds.
Check out our Full Lucerne 48-Hour Itinerary (with Mount Pilatus)
From Lucerne, it’s roughly a 4-hour drive back to Frankfurt and scenic almost the entire way.
Full Guides to Help You Plan Your Own Trip
This route works because it doesn’t try to do everything. Six days, a handful of iconic stops, and a lot of Alpine scenery in between. Follow the links above for the deep dives on each major destination and if you’ve done this route or are planning it, drop us a note. We’d love to hear about it. Whether you want to copy this exact route or map your own, we hope this guide helps you to plan an epic European adventure through some of Europe’s most beautiful mountain regions!
Safe travels.
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