VIKING CRUISES • ITINERARY GUIDE
Paris to the Swiss Alps: A Viking Itinerary Guide
Twelve days, four countries, Parisian boulevards, Moselle vineyards, Rhine castles and the beauty of Switzerland. Whether you travel from Paris to Zürich or in the opposite direction, here’s what the journey includes, with practical observations from my years as a Viking Program Director.
By Rob Wheatley – Program Director & traveler | Updated October 2026
Two directions. One remarkable journey.
Choose your direction below. All 12 day descriptions and the sticky destination navigator change together.
Paris → Zürich
Paris · Reims · Trier · Bernkastel · Cochem · Koblenz · Middle Rhine · Mainz · Speyer · Strasbourg · Basel · Zürich
Zürich → Paris
Zürich · Basel · Strasbourg · Speyer · Mainz · Middle Rhine · Koblenz · Cochem · Bernkastel · Trier · Reims · Paris
Why I enjoy this itinerary
This is one of those journeys that manages to be several holidays in one: the grand boulevards of Paris, the quieter Moselle, the castles of the Rhine Gorge and the charm of Switzerland. The order depends on which direction you travel, but the pleasure is much the same. As a Program Director, I enjoy watching guests settle into the river rhythm. The suitcases stop moving for a while, and the view begins to come to you.
Your arrival day: a little practical wisdom
Whether your journey begins in Paris or Zürich, arrive psychologically prepared for a wait. European hotels often make rooms available around 3 or 4 p.m., so an early flight arrival doesn’t guarantee an immediate check-in. Where Viking transfers are included, follow the meeting instructions in your travel documents. Keep medication and essentials in your hand luggage, enjoy a coffee and ease into your first city. After an overnight flight, trying to conquer the entire destination before lunch is rarely a winning combination.
The 12-day itinerary at a glance
Choose Paris → Zürich or Zürich → Paris using the route selector above. The 12-day guide below changes to match your choice, and the linked destination guides in the sidebar follow the same direction. Hotel stays, river cruising, excursion details and transfer arrangements depend on your specific Viking departure.
Day 1 — Paris
Arrive in Paris and transfer to your hotel according to your booking arrangements. Settle in, take a gentle walk if you have energy and remember that an early flight arrival does not mean the hotel room will be ready. Check-in can be mid-afternoon.
Day 2 — Paris
Enjoy the included sightseeing programme and whatever free time your schedule permits. Paris is not a city to conquer in an afternoon. Choose one additional experience — perhaps a museum, a neighbourhood walk or an evening performance — rather than racing across town.
Day 3 — Reims, Luxembourg American Cemetery and Trier
The journey from Paris toward the ship includes Reims and the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Our Luxembourg visit is to the military cemetery at Hamm, not Luxembourg City. The cemetery commemorates 5,070 American war dead, including General George S. Patton. Continue toward Trier and the river-cruise portion of the holiday. Exact visits and timings follow Viking’s departure programme.
Day 4 — Trier and Bernkastel
Trier brings Roman history to life, especially the Porta Nigra and other ancient remains. Bernkastel adds half-timbered charm and Moselle wine-country scenery. This is where the pace changes from hotel sightseeing to the rhythm of the river.
Day 5 — Cochem
Cochem is a lovely Moselle town with a striking hilltop castle. Its narrow streets, riverfront and steep vineyard slopes reward a relaxed wander. Optional activities and excursion arrangements vary by sailing.
Day 6 — Koblenz and the Middle Rhine
At Koblenz, the Rhine and Moselle meet at the Deutsches Eck. Then comes one of the great scenic passages: the Middle Rhine, with castles above the water and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Keep your camera handy, but remember to look up from it occasionally.
Day 7 — Mainz
Mainz offers a lively Old Town, a great cathedral and a long history tied to printing, trade and wine. It’s a fine place to enjoy a little city life between stretches of scenic cruising.
Day 8 — Speyer
Speyer’s magnificent Romanesque cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town itself is pleasant to explore, with a broad main street and cafés for anyone who enjoys a little independent time.
Day 9 — Strasbourg
Strasbourg blends French and German influences, with its dramatic cathedral, canals and half-timbered streets. Alsatian food is another excellent reason to arrive hungry.
Day 10 — Basel to Zürich
The cruise portion ends around Basel and the journey continues to Zürich for the hotel stay. This is a transition day: river scenery gives way to a Swiss city with a handsome old centre and a beautiful lakeside setting.
Day 11 — Zürich
Explore Zürich’s historic streets, churches, cafés and waterfront. The Grossmünster and Fraumünster are notable landmarks, while a walk along the Limmat gives you a sense of the city’s character. Optional activities depend on your programme.
Day 12 — Zürich departure
After breakfast, depart according to your travel arrangements — unless you’ve wisely arranged a little more time in Switzerland. Extensions and extra hotel nights depend on availability.
A Paris video to set the scene
Before you arrive, enjoy this short Paris introduction from the official Paris tourist office, Paris je t’aime. It captures the atmosphere of a city that rewards both sightseeing and simply being there.
Viking's pre- and post-cruise extensions: why not stay a little longer?
The regular Paris to the Swiss Alps cruisetour gives you a wonderful taste of both ends of the journey. But Paris and Switzerland are rather generous destinations — neither is likely to reveal all its charms in a couple of days. My gentle suggestion is to consider one of Viking’s organised extensions if your time and budget allow.
For the Paris-to-Zürich direction, Viking currently lists these 2027 options:
Pre-cruise: Paris — 2 nights. Two additional nights before the main programme give you more time for museums, neighbourhoods, a relaxed dinner or simply enjoying the city without checking your watch. This is particularly appealing after a long-haul flight.
Post-cruise: Zermatt & Geneva — 4 nights, fully guided. An extended Swiss experience with dramatic mountain scenery and a chance to discover more beyond Zürich.
Post-cruise: Milan — 3 nights. Add a taste of northern Italy, from its magnificent cathedral to the city’s distinctive food and culture.
Post-cruise: Alpine Backdrops of Lake Lucerne — 3 nights. A scenic Swiss finale, with the beautiful lake and mountain setting around Lucerne.
Travelling in reverse, from Zürich to Paris? Viking lists the Swiss and Milan options as pre-cruise extensions and the additional two nights in Paris as a post-cruise extension. That distinction matters when arranging flights.
One practical point from me: when you arrive at a European hotel early in the morning, your room may not be available until 3 or 4 p.m. Even with an organised transfer, the first day can involve waiting and jet lag. Extra nights give you breathing room rather than a sightseeing sprint.
These are optional, separately priced extension packages, not the included shore excursions. Hotel arrangements, sightseeing, transfers, meals, availability and prices depend on the package, departure year and booking market. Review the details on Viking’s official Paris-to-Zürich itinerary or the reverse Zürich-to-Paris itinerary before booking. I have deliberately not fixed prices here because promotional fares change.
What is included — and what to check
Viking lists one included guided excursion in each port of call, onboard meals, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi and enrichment programming, among other inclusions. Hotel arrangements, optional tours, transfers and extensions depend on the specific booking. Check Viking’s official Paris to the Swiss Alps itinerary for the latest details.
The itinerary video
I’ve retained the original video from this article so visitors can see the overall journey. Individual footage may be older than the current programme, so the written day-by-day guide and Viking’s official itinerary should be used for planning.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Paris to the Swiss Alps? Viking currently lists a 12-day cruisetour.
Do we tour Luxembourg City? No. The itinerary includes the Luxembourg American Cemetery, not a city sightseeing stop.
Do we spend the whole holiday on the ship? No. There are hotel stays in Paris and Zürich as well as the river cruise.
What pre-cruise extension is offered from Paris? Viking currently lists two additional nights in Paris.
What post-cruise extensions are offered after Zürich? The listed options include Zermatt & Geneva (four nights), Milan (three nights) and Alpine Backdrops of Lake Lucerne (three nights).
What if I travel Zürich to Paris? The Swiss and Milan extensions are offered before the journey, and Paris after it.
Are extensions included in the cruise fare? No. They are optional packages with separate pricing and conditions; check your particular sailing.
One last thought
The best thing about this journey is its variety. Paris gives you the sparkle, the Moselle gives you the charm, the Rhine gives you the castles and Zürich sends you home with a little Swiss polish. Just leave some space between the photographs to enjoy the experience itself.
Your journey · Day by day
Choose a day or open a destination guide.
Paris
Days 1–2 · Boulevards, art and the pleasures of slowing down.
Read the city guide →
Trier
Days 3–4 · Roman gates, ancient streets and a remarkable history.
Read the city guide →
Strasbourg
Day 9 · Half-timbered Alsace, the cathedral and two cultures.
Read the city guide →
Basel
Day 10 · The Rhine, Swiss old town and an extraordinary story.
Read the city guide →
Zürich
Days 10–12 · Lakeside walks, historic lanes and Swiss intrigue.
Read the city guide →
A note from Rob
Our Luxembourg stop is the American Cemetery at Hamm, rather than Luxembourg City. Check your departure documents for final arrangements.