Two weeks in Switzerland
 

I'm planning to be in Switzerland for 14 days (flying into Geneva, out through Zurich) and have the following planned:

Day
Day 1 - Geneva (arriving)
2 - Lausanne
3 - Lausanne - Montreaux/Vevey
4 - Lausanne - Chocolate train
5 - Train from Lausanne to Fribourg to Bern
(send luggage straight to Bern)
6 - Bern - Bern
7 - Bern - Basel
8 - Bern - Lucerne
9 - Bern - Bernese Oberland
10 - Zermatt
11 - Zermatt - Matterhorn
12 - Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St. Moritz
13 - St. Moritz
14 - Zurich

Are the plans too ambitious? Am I missing out on something? Any suggestions/critiques would be appreciated.

Are you a person who "loves the mountains"? if so, you are missing the Interlaken area. This is the area that is home to the Jungfrau (i probably didn't spell it correctly) and the Lauderbruden Valley (again, i am sure i mispelled that as well).

I have been to Switzerland 2 times and both times ended up for a couple of days in this area. If i ever went back, i would stay in this area again.

I think this region is considered "Berner Oberland". My husband and i have travellled to Europe probably 11 or 12 times over the last 13 or so years and this particular area is still our favorite. When i think "Switzerland", i always think "Interlaken".

I would blow off Bern and spend time in a smaller community like this. You really need at least 3 days in the region to do it justice as well!

Whatever you do, i envy you.

Hmmm.... I've heard mixed reviews about Bern too. Is Basel worth seeing? I'm wondering if I should revise my itinerary to something like:

Day 1 - Geneva (arriving)
2 - Lausanne
3 - Lausanne - Montreaux/Vevey
4 - Lausanne - Chocolate train
5 - Train from Lausanne to Fribourg to Interlaken
(send luggage straight to Interlaken)
6 - Interlaken
7 - Interlaken
8 - Interlaken Bernese Oberland
9 - Zermatt
10 - Zermatt - Matterhorn
11 - Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St. Moritz
12 - St. Moritz
13 - Zurich - Lucerne
14 - Zurich


Thanks for your reply.

I second the suggestion on Interlaken. It is an area not to be missed for any visit to Switzerland.

I don't see any of the Ticino lakes on that list (Maggiore, Lugano). I think you're really missing out if you don't spend a day or two there.

I love Switzerland (I'm going again this fall), but 14 days is a lot in such a small country. Keep in mind that you're within easy "striking distance" to France, Germany and Italy.

Ticino (where I live) is beautiful and really is not to be missed. It is completely different from the rest of Switzerland and would allow you to experience the third culture of Switzerland (the Switalians as I playfully refer to them). The lakes are beautiful and it is much warmer than the rest of Switzerland. There are mountains that you can go hiking in and boats to take out on the lake (Lago di Lugano or Maggiore).

As for Interlaken if you want and extremely small town packed with nothing but tourists, go right ahead. Yes Interlaken has river rafting and paragliding, but the Swiss don't really go there. I had a good time when I went river rafting for the day and visiting Hooters Interlken was slightly amussing, I wouldn't go back or want to spend much time there.

I see what you're saying.... I planned it based on the fact that we don't want to be rushing anything. Do you think it's possible to add in more cities to the above itinerary without packing in too much? I'm thinking that I could cut a day each from Lausanne and Interlaken.

I wouldn't add more destinations............if you do that then you're going to be rushing.

Think of it like this............you're going to both Zermatt and St. Moritz. I've been to Zermatt, but never to St. Moritz. But from what I can tell, you're going to get the same big Swiss ski town experience in both places..............so why not just go to one? Then use the extra days to see something different?

Its obvious you want the total Swiss experience (I can't blame you........the country is beautiful)............but you've completely left off the lakes in Ticino.
Which would be a really shame because the lakes are really beautiful.

I picked St. Moritz because that is where the Glacier Express train ride will end up. I don't have the map in front of me, but I will check later to see if there is a way to get off before then and not miss anything.

As far as senic Swiss trains............the William Tell Express runs from Lucerne down to Locarno (Lake Maggiore) and Lugano (Lake Lugano). And the Centovalli line runs from Bern to Locarno.

http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/Loet...32.0.html?&L=2

I travel to Switzerland about eight times a year for business. I am in ZRH now on my way back from St. Moritz (first time). The train ride is truly spectacular. Most times I am on my computer or reading but I basically just checked out the scenery the entire trip. I might consider another day or half day in GVA.

The trains are great and Switzerland is a gorgeous country. Not sure if you like to hike, but you may want to consider leaving some time to do a couple hikes.

In St. Moritz you can rent bikes and boats at the lake, so there are some great opportunities to get some exercise as well if you like. The air is so clean you want to just take a deep breath.

The purpose of visiting Interlaken is not for the town itself, but as a jumping off point for the little villages tucked away in the mountains close by.

We home based in Bern for two days during a trip a few years back. It's a nice city. We did a nice walk through it, fed the Bern bears, etc. I'm glad we stayed in Bern for a few days.

We daytripped to Gimmelwald (another Rick Steves destination). If we had more time on that trip, a stay in Gimmelwald or a small village would have been nice. We also did a enjoyable cruise on a lake (I forget which one) which was free as part of our Eurail pass.

Hmmm, I'm wondering if I should take the Glacier Express to St. Moritz, then take the Palm Express bus to Lugano the next day. Stay one day in Lugano, then take the William Tell Express to Lucerne. Spend a couple days in Lucerne, then take the train to Zurich for the flight home. So my revised itinerary would look like....

Day 1 - Geneva (arriving)
2 - Lausanne
3 - Lausanne - Montreaux/Vevey
4 - Lausanne - Chocolate train
5 - Train from Lausanne to Fribourg to Interlaken
(send luggage straight to Interlaken)
6 - Interlaken
7 - Interlaken
8 - Interlaken Bernese Oberland
9 - Zermatt
10 - Zermatt - Matterhorn
11 - Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St. Moritz
12 - Palm Express bus to Lugano
13 - William Tell Express train to Lucerne
14 - Lucerne

Would that be too much time on transportation rather than on sightseeing?

That looks like a lot of time on trains and busses over 2 days.

While I'm sure the Palm Express bus ride is pretty, its definitely not necessary in order to get from Zermatt to Locarno/Lugano. All you have to do is take the train to Brig and change trains there in order to get to Locarno. Lugano is just another hour on the train from there.

Heres a great resource for figuring out train schedules.

http://www.railpass.com/new/infocent...timetable.html

That is alot of travel. I would cut one day from Interlaken (yes I understand the point to see the villages around the area) and spend that extra day in Lugano. I also suggest taking the normal trains as it will be faster are you still do get a beautiful view.

If you do come to Lugano send me a PM.

How about this revised itinerary? The difference is that I cut a day from Interlaken. One question.... should I cut one day from Lausanne and see Zurich? Am I missing out on much by not going to Zurich? (other than to catch a flight?)

Day 1 - Geneva (arriving)
2 - Lausanne
3 - Lausanne - Montreaux/Vevey
4 - Lausanne - Chocolate train
5 - Train from Lausanne to Fribourg to Interlaken
(send luggage straight to Interlaken)
6 - Interlaken
7 - Interlaken Bernese Oberland
8 - Zermatt
9 - Zermatt - Matterhorn
10 - Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St. Moritz
11 - Palm Express bus to Lugano
12 - Lugano
13 - William Tell Express train to Lucerne
14 - Lucerne

Sorry.........never been to Zurich or Lausanne.

In my opinion, you should focus on these things that make Switzerland, Switzerland. The big cities just don't seem to fit into that picture.

We'll be in Switzerland this October.............3 nights in Lauternbrunnen and 4 nights on Lake Maggiore. To me that is "Switzerland"............but everyone has their own opinion.

You'll love Zermatt. Check out the Swiss Chalet restaurant...........awesome Fondue. You should also check out Zum See, which is a little "town" on the slopes just outside Zermatt.

In Zermatt you MUST take a helicopter flight around the Matterhorn. The flight takes 20min and costs 210 swiss francs. You won't regret spending a cent. It was the most amazing experience and an absolute highlight of my month in Europe. The flight leaves from Air Zermatt which is at the end of town, but if you head to the information centre at the train station they'll give you directions. Try and book a day before you go because they like to fill the helicopter up.
Enjoy.

I like your revised itinerary alot better. As for Zurich, it is a big city but is still a part of Switzerland. i have never been to Lausanne so I don't know how it compares or if it is worth dropping a day for. The old town is fun to take a walk around in and then there is also the big shopping district. If I were you I'd either just stick to Lausanne or stop in Zurich for a few hours while connecting trains (old town is maybe a 15 minute walk from the train station).

Remember you do have alot of traveling that you are doing and it might be nice to relax in one place for a few days.

Just got back from Lausanne. Flew into Geneva on Tues. nite, train to Lausanne (45 mins) then left Thursday morning. I was staying 5 minutes from the train station at Hotel Angleterre right on the lake. It was my first time in Switzerland and here is my quick impression of Lausanne:

1.) Idyllic and clean (think Hansel and Gretel storybook) with beautiful architecture that is very well maintained
2.) Friendly with a small town feel
3.) Beautiful to walk around the lake on the paved path and just take in the scene
4.) I have never seen so many fit people jogging, not even in Germany :D

I really think you could do this town in a day very easily. I didn't do the Chocolate train so I can't comment. I imagine Montreux is similar to Lausanne?

I appreciate everyone's input. One more question. If I have an early flight out of Zurich (9:30AM), would it be better to stay in Lucerne and take an early train, or take the train the night before into Zurich?

In Vevey I would certainly recommend the funicular to Mt Pelerin - what a great method of public transportation and excellent views from the top end of the line!
http://www.funimag.com/suisse/Vevey-MtPelerin01.htm

In Lausanne, I thought this exhibition was pretty interesting:
http://www.artbrut.ch/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsider_art

Lausanne / Montreux
 

A few suggestions for when you are in the Lausanne/Montreux area:

1. From Lausanne, take the boat over to Evian in France (a 30 minute crossing on Lake Geneva). It's a charming (albeit touristic, but what is not?) town where the famous Evian water is tapped.

2. If you want to see the most postcard-like view I have ever seen: Take the train to Montreux and then switch trains and take the mountain train up to Rochers-de-Naye. The ride takes an hour and when you get to the end station at 2,000 metres, you will have such a stunning view not only of Lake Geneva, but also the Swiss/French alps, including a mountain lake.

3. If you are interested in sports, go to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (also the headquarters of the IOC). They have an exhibition that it is definitely worth spending an hour or two on.

I would stay in Zurich. It will put your mind at ease if you don't have to worry about missing/the train being late (yes it does happen on occassion in CH). You will also get to sleep in slightly longer too. ZRH isn't a hard airport to navigate but do allow ample time for check in and security.

Stay in Lucerne..........its only 30-ish miles from Zurich.

I'd stay in Montrose or Vevey. I went in the spring and it was lovely. Second the train up the mountain there. I see you've dropped Berne, but it has the best chocolate in the world. Tschirren. It's a small store near the train station. There are several streets with covered side walks (with arches to the street). The store is on the first or second street from the river (on the river side). I didn't see the brand anywhere else in Switzerland, but it may be.

You should overnight in Zurich. The train ride between Lucerne and Zurich is approx. 1 hour and you might need a connecting train from Zurich main station to Zurich airport. Plan for sufficient time at the airport - although it is small and easy to navigate, security lines can be long in the morning!

Enjoy your stay in Switzerland!

I certainly wouldn't miss out on the opportunity to see St. Moritz, I thought it was so beautiful. The air is so crisp and lovely! You have to go there.

Some suggestions
 

Hi, your trip is looking nicer with every change :)
I didn't find information on what time of year you plan your trip. In Switzerland that's important of course.
If you consider Day 5 to be a travel day, this will be rather light. Or do you plan to walk around in Fribourg ? Indeed a nice town, but not really a must-see in my personal view. As an alternative, if you manage to get the luggage to Interlaken, get off the train in Thun, take a boat on the Thunersee, make a stop at Oberhofen Castle (forget the castle, visit the gardens) and continue on the boat all the way to Interlaken. In Interlaken I presume you'll go to Grindelwald and take the Jungfrau express train ? Not cheap but worthwhile. You could also (or as an alternative) mount in Grindelwald on the First gondola line. I don't know if you really need day 6 and 7 both in Interlaken if you used day 6 for the Grindelwald trip. You could choose to use 7 for the Aletsch area. Spend a night in the Riederalp or Bettmleralp area, and don't forget to go all the way up to the Eggishorn to see the Aletsch !

Now for some more comments which hopefully won't confuse you more than help. I've been to Switzerland several times (with & without teenagers) and love it. Why? For the hiking -- no bears but wonderful infrastructure and inns & restaurants in the most unlikely places -- and casual cycling, primarily. The foods okay (nowhere near as good as French except in top $$ restaurants), the people are friendly & helpful (much as Canadians), everything works and everything is clean. Despite being from Alberta with the Rockies being at my doorstep before I moved, I prefer the Bernese Oberland and other parts of Switzerland. Because of the tremendous infrastructure, especially the aerial "railways", you can get to spectacular places very easily and quickly.

Regarding your proposed itinerary, I would not stay in Interaken. I would pick a village and use it as a base. My suggestions would be Grindelwald, Wengen or Lauterbrunnen. Grindelwald is a bit like Banff in that has its touristy parts and can be busy. Wengen is very peaceful in comparison as it is car-free, and has the best views in my opinion. I've not stayed in Lauterbrunnen but is well located as well. If you really want to be close to Interlaken, I would stay in Wilderswil, just south of Interlaken. I used to think it was just a stop on the BOB train, but the old center of the village is away from the train and very pleasant as we stayed there 2 nights this June, although not "in the mountains" as much as the other 3. The ships that ply the lakes -- Thunersee and Brienzersee -- are very pleasant, especially the old steam paddle-wheelers. When we were cycling last month, we even took the bikes on a ship (and up funiculars & aerial trams).

Ticino is also very beautiful and very different from the rest of the country. Italy without the strikes (and a bit costlier).

Check out Rick Steves's site for info on the various rail passes. You wil definitely want one, but there are many options.

I echo the comments re Lausanne -- nice but one day max. I'd probably skip it and change locales less often. As for Zurich, we flew out of ZRH last month, but spent the last night at an arty, new hotel overlooking the lake (or the train station if you are on the other side) 10-15 minutes south in Thalwil. There are a couple of direct trains to ZRH each hour.

In summary, I'd spend less to no time in the big cities. With 14 days, you will really gain an appreciation for the country.