My husband and I have a week in Switzerland in June. After spending some time in Luzern and in the Lauterbrunnen area, we plan to take the Golden Pass train to Montreaux in the morning, where then plan to see Château de Chillon in the afternoon. At that point, we have only one full day left in Switzerland. I am wondering about the practicality of:
1) going on from the Château de Chillon in early evening to either Bulle or Gruyere to spend the night (advice?); 2) touring the cheese factory in Gruyere the following morning and the chocolate factory in Broc in the afternoon (is this feasible? it also raises the question of what to do with luggage for the day?); We are planning to do the tours on our own - not as a package from a company. 3) I saw somewhere on this helpline that you can catch a train in Gruyere and go to Broc, where you get the bus to the Calliers but when I look at the Swiss railsite, it appears the train goes back to Bulle from Gruyere and then to Broc Fabrique. Is there something I am missing? 4) heading in the direction of Zurich to spend the night (maybe in Bern?); 5) going from Bern to the airport the following morning to catch a 10:10 flight (looks like there is a 6:30 - 7:50 train). Or should we think in terms of getting closer to Zurich and if so, is there a good place? It looks doable online but often reality is different, I know. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9109 posts
If it works with your budget I would stay overnight in Montreaux. Getting to the Gruyere area is very easy. 90 minute journey with a change in Montbovon. There are lockers available at the Bulle station. So it would be best to go from Montreaux to Bulle, store your bags, take the shuttle train to the Chocolate factory (Broc-Fabrique), head back to Bulle and catch the train to Gruyere. For your departing flight, I would either stay in Zurich or one of the airport hotels.
Posted by
OP
TX, USA
4779 posts
Thank you, Michael. That helps! It's especially great to know there are lockers in Bulle. I have searched the Traveler's Helpline extensively in planning our trip and have benefited from your replies to others, as well, since many of us have the same beginning questions.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9109 posts
You're very welcome Gwynn. There is one downside, when you arrive in Bulle you only have five minutes to catch the shuttle train to the chocolate factory. High probability you won't have time to store your bags in the lockers, and get back to the shuttle train in time; the next departure will be an hour later. When I did this route a couple years ago, I splurged for a taxi to the factory (it's not that far), took the train back to Bulle, and then the train to Gruyere.