Itinerary advice for 5-6 days in Switzerland
Jul 15, 2010, 2:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 85
Itinerary advice for 5-6 days in Switzerland
We will taking the train from Munich to Switzerland. Planning to spend about 6 to 7 days.
Our initial plan:
Day 1: Arrive in Luzern in the afternoon
Day 2: Luzern to Fluelen and Zurich (day trip)
Day 3: Luzern to Murren (Golden Pass to Interlaken)
Day 4: Murren to Bern (day trip)
Day 5: Murren to Zermatt (Glasier Express??)
Day 6: Murren to Wengen
Day 7: Murren to Geneva (Golden Pass)
Day 8: Geneva to Paris
From the forums, most recommend the Bernina Express but with our departure from Munich, it seems difficult to incorporate with the Luzern-Interlaken Golden Express and nights in Murren. We would like to add another day to ride on the Bernina. Maybe Zurich -Chur - St Moritz - Chur - Zermatt with a night in St Moritz?
We will be riding on trains for our month long trip (Rome-Florence-Venice-Vienna-Hallstatt-Salzburg/Munich-Switzerland-Paris-Amsterdam-Brussels) and not sure if incorporating more train rides is advisable.
TIA
Our initial plan:
Day 1: Arrive in Luzern in the afternoon
Day 2: Luzern to Fluelen and Zurich (day trip)
Day 3: Luzern to Murren (Golden Pass to Interlaken)
Day 4: Murren to Bern (day trip)
Day 5: Murren to Zermatt (Glasier Express??)
Day 6: Murren to Wengen
Day 7: Murren to Geneva (Golden Pass)
Day 8: Geneva to Paris
From the forums, most recommend the Bernina Express but with our departure from Munich, it seems difficult to incorporate with the Luzern-Interlaken Golden Express and nights in Murren. We would like to add another day to ride on the Bernina. Maybe Zurich -Chur - St Moritz - Chur - Zermatt with a night in St Moritz?
We will be riding on trains for our month long trip (Rome-Florence-Venice-Vienna-Hallstatt-Salzburg/Munich-Switzerland-Paris-Amsterdam-Brussels) and not sure if incorporating more train rides is advisable.
TIA
Jul 15, 2010, 9:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PHL
Posts: 147
When are you planning to go?
I am in the VERY early stages of planning 5-6 days in Switzerland next March. All I know right now is that I am flying into and out of CDG from PHL and I have 12 days on the ground - and want to visit Switzerland by train.
Will be following your posts to see what you wind up deciding upon. I am completely open to ideas and have never been before.
Happy Planning!
I am in the VERY early stages of planning 5-6 days in Switzerland next March. All I know right now is that I am flying into and out of CDG from PHL and I have 12 days on the ground - and want to visit Switzerland by train.
Will be following your posts to see what you wind up deciding upon. I am completely open to ideas and have never been before.
Happy Planning!
Jul 16, 2010, 3:39 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 85
Alsacienne - It's hard to decide. If we do that, we will need either longer days or cut short our Berner Oberland stays. Would like to strike a good balance - hate to have eyes glazed over with too much train scenery but also want to use our 8-days Swiss Pass efficiently.
bluwater - Switzerland during October this year. Initially we were planning on getting the global rail pass for 21-days or 15-days. But after checking point-to-point prices, it seems that it's much cheaper buying directly due to the discounts offered for early purchases. Swiss tickets, on the other hand, are quite costly and the weather uncertainties makes it tough to plan efficiently. That's the main reason why we are thinking of buying the Swiss Pass.
Does anyone know how the Swiss Pass would work when buying advance tickets from Munich to Switzerland? Is it a hassle stopping at a town near the Switzerland/Austria/Germany border? Thanks.
bluwater - Switzerland during October this year. Initially we were planning on getting the global rail pass for 21-days or 15-days. But after checking point-to-point prices, it seems that it's much cheaper buying directly due to the discounts offered for early purchases. Swiss tickets, on the other hand, are quite costly and the weather uncertainties makes it tough to plan efficiently. That's the main reason why we are thinking of buying the Swiss Pass.
Does anyone know how the Swiss Pass would work when buying advance tickets from Munich to Switzerland? Is it a hassle stopping at a town near the Switzerland/Austria/Germany border? Thanks.
Jul 17, 2010, 7:05 am
#5
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: none
Posts: 140
Just to be aware of timings, many of your trip plans might be too lengthy in reality times?!
Day two: Luzern-Fluelen, ship will take almost three hours, being the most wonderful experience, may be included in your pass??!!
But if taking the train to Zurich, why ‘Fluelen’? There is a direct one Luzern-Zuerich running every half hour and taking just 50min.
Day three: Luzern-Interlaken’Ost’!!! runs every hour starting at 6:30AM takes two hrs., then Interlaken-Ost/Lauterbrunnen about half hour, change train to cogwheel to Gruetschalp, again change to Muerren. This will take about an hour. Check schedules in Luzern at Info counter!!
Days four, five, six and seven. Looks like you are staying in Muerren. Cumbersome as all desires will need to go through Lauterbrunnen or Interlaken.
Muerren to Geneva, go to Spiez and take “Golden Pass panoramic” to Zweisimmen, and on to Montreux-Geneva
Day two: Luzern-Fluelen, ship will take almost three hours, being the most wonderful experience, may be included in your pass??!!
But if taking the train to Zurich, why ‘Fluelen’? There is a direct one Luzern-Zuerich running every half hour and taking just 50min.
Day three: Luzern-Interlaken’Ost’!!! runs every hour starting at 6:30AM takes two hrs., then Interlaken-Ost/Lauterbrunnen about half hour, change train to cogwheel to Gruetschalp, again change to Muerren. This will take about an hour. Check schedules in Luzern at Info counter!!
Days four, five, six and seven. Looks like you are staying in Muerren. Cumbersome as all desires will need to go through Lauterbrunnen or Interlaken.
Muerren to Geneva, go to Spiez and take “Golden Pass panoramic” to Zweisimmen, and on to Montreux-Geneva
Jul 18, 2010, 5:55 pm
#6
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When are you planning to go?
I am in the VERY early stages of planning 5-6 days in Switzerland next March. All I know right now is that I am flying into and out of CDG from PHL and I have 12 days on the ground - and want to visit Switzerland by train.
Will be following your posts to see what you wind up deciding upon. I am completely open to ideas and have never been before.
Happy Planning!
I am in the VERY early stages of planning 5-6 days in Switzerland next March. All I know right now is that I am flying into and out of CDG from PHL and I have 12 days on the ground - and want to visit Switzerland by train.
Will be following your posts to see what you wind up deciding upon. I am completely open to ideas and have never been before.
Happy Planning!
) would still be on winter/spring schedule--starting in May the summer timetable has far more trips. If you could go in May you would see more scenery and the full summer tourist season (less crowded) would not have kicked in.
Jul 18, 2010, 7:17 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SMF
Posts: 180
Out of the five times I have been to Switzerland, I have yet to really visit Zurich. I have used the Swiss pass on three of my trips. It is a great pass. It includes free admission to many museums, free transit on several city's local bus system and discounts on cable cars, private trains, etc.
In Luzern, we have taken a 2/3 day trip to Mt. Pilatus using the train, cog wheel train, cable car & cit bus. The view from Mt. Pilatus is fabulous on a clear day. We arrived back in town to wander around. It is such a cute town.
Skip the Glacier Express. Way overrated. It is a long journey and quite frankly I have seen better views on other Swiss trains.
We have stayed three times in the OB area...Interlaken, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen. Best place for transportation is Lauterbrunnen. From here, it is an easy train ride to Wengen and Murren. Plus, it is a beautiful town. A nice day trip is up to Murren (on to Schilthorn if desired, discount with Swiss Pass) cable car down to Stechelberg, bus to Trummelbach Falls and bus back to Lauterbrunnen.
Day 7 I would take the train from the OB area to Montreux. Visit Chateau De Chillon (free with Swiss Pass). Local buses are also free in Montreux with the Swiss Pass. The town represents Switzerland so much better than Geneva. I have stayed in Montreux and used the Swiss Pass to train to Geneva in the early morning to connect to the train to Paris.
Switzerland is my favorite European country. I am already planning to return.
In Luzern, we have taken a 2/3 day trip to Mt. Pilatus using the train, cog wheel train, cable car & cit bus. The view from Mt. Pilatus is fabulous on a clear day. We arrived back in town to wander around. It is such a cute town.
Skip the Glacier Express. Way overrated. It is a long journey and quite frankly I have seen better views on other Swiss trains.
We have stayed three times in the OB area...Interlaken, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen. Best place for transportation is Lauterbrunnen. From here, it is an easy train ride to Wengen and Murren. Plus, it is a beautiful town. A nice day trip is up to Murren (on to Schilthorn if desired, discount with Swiss Pass) cable car down to Stechelberg, bus to Trummelbach Falls and bus back to Lauterbrunnen.
Day 7 I would take the train from the OB area to Montreux. Visit Chateau De Chillon (free with Swiss Pass). Local buses are also free in Montreux with the Swiss Pass. The town represents Switzerland so much better than Geneva. I have stayed in Montreux and used the Swiss Pass to train to Geneva in the early morning to connect to the train to Paris.
Switzerland is my favorite European country. I am already planning to return.
Aug 5, 2010, 1:57 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
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For day 7 I can also recommend two smaller lines:
- the "Train Des Vignes": a 7km-ride between Vevey and Puidoux-Chexbres
- a rather unknown regional line between Morges and l'Isle-La-Ville: very scenic and no tourists.
- the "Train Des Vignes": a 7km-ride between Vevey and Puidoux-Chexbres
- a rather unknown regional line between Morges and l'Isle-La-Ville: very scenic and no tourists.
Apr 5, 2019, 3:23 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
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I'd like to resurrect this thread, hoping for advice. We have 4 nights in Wengen in July (a 5th night elsewhere yet to be determined). Arrive around 1 PM on Day 1 and leave whenever on Day 5 (so 3 full days and 2 half days). Will have our teen kids with us. I am completely overwhelmed with all the hike and day trip options. Can someone recommend some easy hikes (up to 2 hours) and day trips/activities that are <$50pp not including transport? I know there are towns like Grindelwald, Murren, and Interlaken, but can they fill a day? Is there a combo that would be feasible: hike + day trip?
Seems like B.O. regional pass is the easiest and most economical for getting around, but if anyone has better suggestions, please let me know!
Seems like B.O. regional pass is the easiest and most economical for getting around, but if anyone has better suggestions, please let me know!
Apr 7, 2019, 1:59 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Helvetia
Programs: AS; BA Silver; UA; HH Gold; Sprüngli Connaisseur
Posts: 2,912
I'd like to resurrect this thread, hoping for advice. We have 4 nights in Wengen in July (a 5th night elsewhere yet to be determined). Arrive around 1 PM on Day 1 and leave whenever on Day 5 (so 3 full days and 2 half days). Will have our teen kids with us. I am completely overwhelmed with all the hike and day trip options. Can someone recommend some easy hikes (up to 2 hours) and day trips/activities that are <$50pp not including transport? I know there are towns like Grindelwald, Murren, and Interlaken, but can they fill a day? Is there a combo that would be feasible: hike + day trip?
Seems like B.O. regional pass is the easiest and most economical for getting around, but if anyone has better suggestions, please let me know!
Seems like B.O. regional pass is the easiest and most economical for getting around, but if anyone has better suggestions, please let me know!
You have more than likely seen many pictures of this lake. It's well worth the trip on a nice day.
Apr 7, 2019, 8:36 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2013
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You can take the gondola up from Grindelwald to First and then walk over to the Bachalpsee. https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/grinde...ke-bachalpsee/
You have more than likely seen many pictures of this lake. It's well worth the trip on a nice day.
You have more than likely seen many pictures of this lake. It's well worth the trip on a nice day.
If anyone else has suggestions, I’d love to hear them and add to my list.
Apr 18, 2019, 6:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
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Posts: 3,671
Are you going up to the top Junfrauroch given you are so close? There is a long walk from the ice tunnel out onto the snow. Book your times if you can to guarantee a seat on a particular train up and back.
I spent 2 nights in Interlaken and would love to go back. There is the trip up to Harder Klum that is worth it for the views of both lakes at once. Just go early as the train only takes a limited number of people and only goes ever 20/30 mins from memory. Exiting on our return at around lunch time there was a looong queue that would have taken 2 or 3 trains to clear!
I also liked walking around Interlaken, particularly over the water to Unterseen as there are some really old chalets around there, particularly on one corner where there are 3 together. We just missed some street markets nearby that looked funky from what was being packed up. There are some walks into the countryside but we didn't do it. We grabbed a quick and cheap lunch from the Co-op and sat in the park watching the parasailers coming in to land. If you go to Harder Klum, some of them pass by the observation deck there!
I spent 2 nights in Interlaken and would love to go back. There is the trip up to Harder Klum that is worth it for the views of both lakes at once. Just go early as the train only takes a limited number of people and only goes ever 20/30 mins from memory. Exiting on our return at around lunch time there was a looong queue that would have taken 2 or 3 trains to clear!
I also liked walking around Interlaken, particularly over the water to Unterseen as there are some really old chalets around there, particularly on one corner where there are 3 together. We just missed some street markets nearby that looked funky from what was being packed up. There are some walks into the countryside but we didn't do it. We grabbed a quick and cheap lunch from the Co-op and sat in the park watching the parasailers coming in to land. If you go to Harder Klum, some of them pass by the observation deck there!
Apr 19, 2019, 1:49 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,943
Are you going up to the top Junfrauroch given you are so close? There is a long walk from the ice tunnel out onto the snow. Book your times if you can to guarantee a seat on a particular train up and back.
I spent 2 nights in Interlaken and would love to go back. There is the trip up to Harder Klum that is worth it for the views of both lakes at once. Just go early as the train only takes a limited number of people and only goes ever 20/30 mins from memory. Exiting on our return at around lunch time there was a looong queue that would have taken 2 or 3 trains to clear!
I also liked walking around Interlaken, particularly over the water to Unterseen as there are some really old chalets around there, particularly on one corner where there are 3 together. We just missed some street markets nearby that looked funky from what was being packed up. There are some walks into the countryside but we didn't do it. We grabbed a quick and cheap lunch from the Co-op and sat in the park watching the parasailers coming in to land. If you go to Harder Klum, some of them pass by the observation deck there!
I spent 2 nights in Interlaken and would love to go back. There is the trip up to Harder Klum that is worth it for the views of both lakes at once. Just go early as the train only takes a limited number of people and only goes ever 20/30 mins from memory. Exiting on our return at around lunch time there was a looong queue that would have taken 2 or 3 trains to clear!
I also liked walking around Interlaken, particularly over the water to Unterseen as there are some really old chalets around there, particularly on one corner where there are 3 together. We just missed some street markets nearby that looked funky from what was being packed up. There are some walks into the countryside but we didn't do it. We grabbed a quick and cheap lunch from the Co-op and sat in the park watching the parasailers coming in to land. If you go to Harder Klum, some of them pass by the observation deck there!
Apr 19, 2019, 5:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
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Posts: 3,671
Your welcome! It may be worth contacting the Swiss Travel Centre with your plans and see if they have a cheaper train pass for you. I used them last year and they got me one that I didn't realise was available or would work for my kind of trip. This particular pass came with discounts on other train journeys including Harder Klum for example. If you don't have a look at the tourist magazines and leaflets in the hotel as I thought I saw some offering a 10% discount - or that may have been with our free Interlaken bus pass that our hotel gave us. So many tricks to cheap/free tickets. Eg, at Geneva airport you can get a free 2nd class train ticket that from a machine in the arrivals hall that lasts for transport for 90 mins.