My wife and I will be working our way from Rome to Paris in July and plan to stay in Colmar France as one of our stops. I know it sounds crazy but is it possible to do a day trip it Murren/Gimmelwald as a day trip to get a taste of Switzerland?
Posted by
Florida
1443 posts
It looks like Gimmelwald is about 4.5 hours by train from Colmar, or 9 hours round-trip. While not an impossible day-trip, it is a poor use of your time.
If you want a taste of Switzerland consider Bern or Basel, as both are less than 2 hours by rail from Colmar. Luzern is a little over 2 hours away.
Posted by
Green Bay
20103 posts
If you are indeed making your way from Rome to Paris, make Lauterbrunnen one of your stops and you can visit Gimmelwald from there.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
bd,
Gimmelwald is not a good choice for a day trip from Colmar, due to the travel times involved. It's just over four hours each way with 5 / 6 changes, so somewhat of an arduous trip. I agree with Sam that it would be a better idea to work a stop in Switzerland into the Itinerary between Rome and Paris. It's somewhat "on the way" so easily done.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks to all for the help. Looks like we should shave some time off of Colmar and stop a few days in the alps. Looks like a super location!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Travel from Rome to Interlaken via Milan, then travel to Colmar via Basel.
Perhaps even look for a flight from Rome to Zurich.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
if you want to see the Alps, it would be silly to be there and not do so. Plenty of ways to do it.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
For stays in that area, you could also consider Mürren or Lauterbrunnen. Gimmelwald is very small and not as much to do in the evenings, although the quiet atmosphere is nice too.
Posted by
13 posts
I'm going to have to disagree with FastEddy. Bern and Basel are larger cities and you will not get a taste of the Alps in either location. You definitely need to stay a night or two if coming from Colmar. It will be well worth the change in your itinerary.
Posted by
Florida
1443 posts
True, but he asked about a taste of Switzerland, not specifying the alps. I agree it's a good idea to carve out a few nights for Lauterbrunnen to scratch his alp itch.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
The Lauterbrunnen Valley area (Gimmelwald, Murren, Wengen) is ALWAYS a fabulous place to spend some time. The scenery is drop-dead stunning.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
Even if (gasp) you only make it to Interlaken and can't/won't go up into the Lauterbrunnen area, you're still near the Alps.