I have a gap in my month long plan for Germany. For this leg of our trip, we will be leaving Munich September 9th by train and then heading spending the 14th- 18th in Paris. We want to hike and see historical or architectural sights. Would love to find some thrills (like being up high), and we want to see some things in Switzerland. Any thoughts for filling five days between Munich and Switzerland, then heading toward Paris? We have a Global Eurail pass.
Posted by
El Dorado Hills, CA
58 posts
My first thought is Lucerne. It takes about 4- 6 hours on the train from Munich to Lucerne and then about 4-5 hours to Paris. It really only gives you three full days to explore. Lucerne has day trips you can take to Mt. Titlis and Mt. Pilatus. The town is very walkable and is on Lake Lucerne. The old town area is very charmingly Swiss German.
https://www.luzern.com/en/
https://www.titlis.ch/en/activities/titlis-cliff-walk
https://www.pilatus.ch/en/discover/cogwheel-railway
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
Rick suggests the Berner Oberland with just 3 days. From what I've seen of Switzerland, I think he's right.
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland/itinerary
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland/lauterbrunnen-valley
Posted by
El Dorado Hills, CA
58 posts
Yes, the OB is fantastic ( visited 5 times). I was just trying to give them an option that was an easy train transfer to/from Switzerland.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
These are great ideas. I think we might have to make time to check out the cliff walk! Thank you both.
Posted by
Noblesville, Indiana, USA
1373 posts
Both Lucerne and the Berner Oberland are fabulous but I would prioritize the latter due to the spectacular mountains. Lucerne is a beautiful lakeside city and another worth consideration with rail access is Montreux.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
For this trip from September 8th to the 14th, I was not initially including the travel days. I'm seeing the links to Rick's OB suggestion, however I'm needing detail about the best train route with our global Eurail pass to get from Munich, through Switzerland and then on to Dijon, then Paris. So, coming into Switzerland on the 8th and leaving Switzerland (from Geneva?) on the 14th. We want to see the OB and also the Matterhorn. I'm not putting the train route together well enough to think through the lodging pieces.