Our independent "rail tour" starts in Zurich and ends in Lucerne. The tour only provides 1 night in Zurich (the day we fly in from the US) and 1 night in Lucerne (traveling there from Lugano we will probably only have 1/2 day in Lucerne).
Question 1: Do you suggest booking an extra night in Zurich when we arrive (we will probably arrive in the AM from the US) and/or an extra night in Lucerne before we leave Switzerland?
Question 2: Before traveling back to the US at the end of our rail tour, I was considering taking the train from Lucerne to Strasboug, France for a few days; then travel back to Zurich for the flight home. Do ou think it's worth the add'l few days to visit Strasbourg?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32825 posts
question 1 - answer b
question 2 - if it is worth it to you it is worth it. If it is on somebody else's list - maybe not. It is not a difficult trip, trains from Basel go all day every day, but it all depends on what you would have to give up and what it would mean to you. Sorry, ball back on your side of the net.
additional question - what time is your flight home?
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2329 posts
More info is needed please. Does day 1 mean the day you arrive in Zurich and day 10 mean the day you fly out of Zurich? Where (in Switzerland) do you plan to go in between? Is this some kind of organized “rail tour” or are you just using a train to get from point to point, and you choose the points? Would the visit to Strasbourg add on to the 10 days, or take away time from Switzerland? What time of year are you going? Do you prefer big cities or small towns? Do you like hiking? What about Strasbourg appeals to you? Have you already booked your flights and rail passes?
Posted by
OP
Folsom, California, usa
34 posts
Does day 1 mean the day you arrive in Zurich: YES
Day 11 is the last day of the "rail tour" which ends in Lucerne
Where (in Switzerland) do you plan to go in between? Zurich, Grindelwald, Montreux, Zermatt, Gornergrat, Chur, Lugano, Gandria, Lucerne
Is this some kind of organized “rail tour” YES
or are you just using a train to get from point to point, YES and you choose the points? NO
Would the visit to Strasbourg add on to the 10 days, YES or take away time from Switzerland? NO
What time of year are you going? April 30-May 10
Do you prefer big cities or small towns? SMALL TOWNS
Do you like hiking? EASY HIKES
What about Strasbourg appeals to you? LOOKS QUAINT
Have you already booked your flights: NO and rail passes? We'll be given our Swiss Rail Pass when we arrive in Zurich
Posted by
San Diego, California
4776 posts
Pls take in account the current airline chaos, which actually isn't so current, as our last two international flights (in the last 24 months) were significantly late ( one 24 hrs. and one 6 hrs.) It's less stressful just to plan on a huge delay leaving the US, and if that doesn't happen, you have bonus time.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2329 posts
I would add a night pre-tour in Zurich (in case of flight/luggage delays, and also to get over jet lag) and also add a night in Lucerne.
Posted by
OP
Folsom, California, usa
34 posts
That sounds like a good plan! Thank you all for your responses!
Posted by
West Michigan
157 posts
Brenda,
I will be in Switzerland during your time there. My itinerary does not include the same areas as your trip. At least not so far in the planning process. At this time I only know we fly into and out of Zurich and to the Lake Geneva area to visit friends. My husband and are are traveling independently with a Swiss Travel Pass. I wish you a wonderful trip.
Traveler Girl
Posted by
OP
Folsom, California, usa
34 posts
Thank you "Travelgirl"!. I wish you a wonderful trip as well! BTW: we visited Michigan in June 2021 for our Granddaughter's wedding and we loved your State! We traveled west along Lake Michigan up to Mackinaw Island, visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes on the way.