Your Alps Travel Agency

The Alps stretch for 1,200 kilometres (746 miles) across 8 countries in Western Europe.

Beginning in France, the mountain range runs east through Switzerland before coming to an end in Austria and Slovenia. The Alps also cross into Germany and Italy at their widest point.

Listed from west to east, the 8 countries in the Alps are: France, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany and Slovenia.

Depending on the itinerary you pick, you could visit Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein and Switzerland with Nordic Visitor.

When you think about the Alps, spectacular scenery is probably one of the first things that comes to mind. In fact, there are 82 mountains over 4,000 metres (13,123 feet) here, including Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe.

As well as snow-capped peaks, you’ll also find dazzling glaciers, chalet-style villages, and medieval cities brimming with old-world charm. Not to mention lakeside castles, mountain railways, and idyllic wildflower meadows.

Meanwhile, thanks to the region’s rich heritage, there’s fascinating culture to delve into and historical sights for you to visit. For instance, you could check out famous castles like Neuschwanstein and Château de Chillon. Or head to Salzburg where you’ll uncover the city’s connection with legendary composer Mozart.

With so much to explore in the Alps, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Thankfully, there are plenty of hearty local dishes to try, like fondue and strudel. Plus, visit Switzerland and treat yourself to some of the country’s world-renowned milk chocolate.

Learn more in this round-up of fun facts about the Alps. 

May to October is the best time of year for sightseeing and taking road trips in the Alps.

Travel during spring, summer or autumn, and you’ll have lots of daylight – perfect for soaking up those breathtaking views. Plus, there’s the bonus of warm temperatures at this time of year.

If outdoor activity is what you’re after, summer brings endless opportunities for hiking, biking and other thrilling ways to enjoy the Alps’ wide open landscapes. But don’t worry if hopping on a mountain bike isn’t for you.

This time of year is also ideal for more laid-back pursuits. You could stroll around enchanting castles, swim in turquoise lakes and dine alfresco on centuries-old city streets. And of course, there’s no bad time for year-round activities like soaring high in a cable car or riding a mountain railway.

When planning your trip, it’s also worth considering that the summer months of June, July and August are a popular time to visit the Alps. So, if you’d like to travel at this time of year, make sure to book early to avoid missing out.

During winter the Alps are a much-loved snowsports destination. They’ve even been a frequent host of the Winter Olympics. From December to April, people come here to glide down pristine pistes in Alpine ski resorts. But with cold temperatures and fewer daylight hours, this time of year isn’t as well-suited to sightseeing.

There’s no shortage of amazing places to go on a summer trip to the Alps. One of the wonderful things about this region is having vibrant towns and cities within easy reach of natural wonders.

Here’s a round-up of top spots to check out on your summer getaway in the Alps:

Austria
• Salzburg
• Innsbruck

Germany
• Munich
• Neuschwanstein Castle
• Lake Constance
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Italy
• Lake Como
• Lake Maggiore

Switzerland
• Bern
• Züruch
• Lucerne
• Interlaken
• Grindelwald
• Zermatt
• Locarno

But this is just the beginning. The Alps are also home to gorgeous national parks and plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Find out which iconic peaks you could glimpse along the way in this guide to mountains in the Alps.

For more inspiration on what to do and where to go during summer in Switzerland, check out this blog.

The easiest way to get to the Alps is by flying to one of Europe’s many international airports. The best one for you will depend on where you’re travelling from. Munich and Zürich are two of the most convenient large airports to fly into for these Nordic Visitor tours.

Once you arrive in the Alps, you’ll find that the public transportation links are excellent. This means it’s possible to get around by train or bus during your stay.

But if you’d like the freedom to go at your own pace, renting a car is the best way to explore the Alps. This way, you’ll be able to make spontaneous detours and stop whenever you like to take photos and visit attractions.

If you decide to take the wheel on a self-drive tour of the Alps, choose Nordic Visitor, and we’ll organise everything for you. So you’ll enjoy all the convenience of travelling by car with none of the hassle of planning a road trip yourself.

Nordic Visitor’s Switzerland and Germany-based experts have travelled the routes and visited the attractions you’ll experience during your tour of the Alps.

When you book with us, you’ll get a dedicated travel consultant who’ll use their insider insight to plan your trip. With the details taken care of, such as your accommodation, local transport and excursions, all you need to do is look forward to your trip.

What’s more, they have plenty of local knowledge to share with you. Let your travel consultant know what your interests are and they’ll be happy to recommend experiences you won't want to miss.

Discover the Alps with Nordic Visitor, and as part of your tour package you’ll get:

• Accommodation
• Daily breakfast
• Local transport as detailed in your itinerary
• Activities included in your tour package (with the chance to add optional excursions)
• Personalised itinerary
• Printed travel guide with information about attractions and practical travel tips
• Access to our 24/7 helpline for on-trip support should you need it

Depending on the travel style you pick, your tour will also include:

Self-drive tours
• Car rental with a trusted supplier
• Unlimited mileage
• CDW insurance
• Authorisation for 2 drivers

Yes, Nordic Visitor offers optional cancellation insurance which protects your payment. If you need to cancel your trip before you arrive, you won’t lose any money you’ve already paid us. Depending on the terms and conditions, you’ll be given a partial refund along with travel credit you can use with us in the future.

What’s more, with our cancellation insurance we’ll rebook your entire tour once if you need to change dates, without additional fees. Learn more about this risk-free, flexible booking policy in our Book with Confidence terms.

If you don’t have cancellation insurance with us, check out our normal booking terms. And we always recommend taking out personal travel insurance to cover you on your trip.

Book with Nordic Visitor and we’ll save you time and effort by planning your getaway for you.

If you organise your Alps trip yourself, you’d need to do all the research and book each part of your tour. And if you need to adjust your itinerary, you’d have to make all the changes yourself.

With travel consultants based in Switzerland and Germany, the Alps are on our doorstep. In other words, when you book with us you can be sure you’re getting an authentic travel experience organised by local experts.

Our travel consultants have designed your itinerary to ensure you take the most convenient and scenic route between stops. They’ll also book your accommodation, and share their insider knowledge with you. You can rely on them to recommend top sights and hidden gems you might not know about.

What’s more, during your trip you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline. So if something unexpected crops up, you can contact us at any time.

Why not let us take care of everything on your behalf? This way you’ll be free to relax and look forward to exploring the Alps.

We understand that having somewhere relaxing to stay after a day of exploring is important. That’s why our travel experts use their local knowledge to select hotels and guesthouses that meet our high standards of comfort and cleanliness.

When you arrive at your accommodation, you can also expect a warm welcome and a good location for sightseeing.

Plus, you’ll be able to choose between Comfort Plus and Superior level accommodation when you book online.

Of course! Choose one of these self-drive tours of the Alps, and you’ll be able to travel anytime from May to October.

If you’d like to travel at a specific time of year, make sure to secure your spot by booking early. To find out what dates are available, check the online calendar for the tour you’re interested in.

Flights aren’t included in Nordic Visitor tour packages. This means you’ll have more flexibility around your travel plans. For instance, you won’t be restricted to certain airports, and you can pick the flight times that suit you.

We recommend checking what flights are available before picking your dates and booking a trip. But it’s best to hold off on purchasing them until you’ve received a tour confirmation email from your travel consultant.

The Alps have a continental climate, meaning summers are warm and winters are cold. But you’ll also find that the weather in the Alps varies depending on where you are.

For instance, some areas of the Alps are known for their high number of sunshine days throughout the year. This includes places like the town of Locarno in the southern Swiss Alps.

On the other hand, if you’re exploring at high altitudes, the temperature is usually cooler than in the lowlands. So head into the mountains and you’ll want to be prepared for changeable weather. This means spare warm and waterproof layers are essential.

Nordic Visitor tours of the Alps run from May to October, spanning late spring, summer and autumn. Visit in summer – June to mid-September – and you’ll enjoy the warmest weather of the year.

For an idea of what to expect, here’s the average summer temperature in a few places across the Alps:

• Zürich, Switzerland: 21.5–23°C (71–74°F)
• Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland: 12–15°C (54–59°F)
• Zermatt, Switzerland: 7.5–10°C (46–50°F)
• Munich, Germany: 21–23°C (70–73°F)
• Salzburg, Austria: 21–23°C (70–73°F)
• Como, Italy: 24–26°C (76–79°F)

Travel to the same places in May, September or October, and you’ll experience average temperatures around:

• Zürich, Switzerland: 14.5–19°C (58–66°F)
• Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland: 7–11°C (45–52°F)
• Zermatt, Switzerland: 2–7°C (36–44°F)
• Munich, Germany: 14–18°C (57–67°F)
• Salzburg, Austria: 14–18°C (57–67°F)
• Como, Italy: 16–20°C (60–68°F)

What you wear in the Alps in summer will change based on where you’re going each day. Wherever you are, you’ll probably be spending a lot of time outdoors, so we recommend being ready for rain and sunshine.

If you’re travelling through the lowlands or soaking up sights in the city, the temperatures will tend to be warmer. Meanwhile, venture to a mountain village, or take a cable car up to higher altitudes, and you’ll want to have warm layers to hand.

Here’s a list of essential items to get you started:

• Comfortable walking shoes or boots
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Insulated jacket
• Warm jumper or fleece
• Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
• Short and long-sleeve shirts
• Light trousers or shorts
• Sunglasses, sun hat and suncream
• Day bag or rucksack

You might want to bring a reusable water bottle to refill each day. And don’t forget a European plug adapter for your electrical items.