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4 or 5 days in Switzerland

My husband and I are planning a River Cruise next June that will end in Basel, Switzerland. We would like to spend a few days in Switzerland before heading home; I'm thinking 5-6 days. We love being outdoors and away from tourist attractions; do enjoy smaller towns. With the research that I've done, I'm thinking of traveling to Lauterbrunnen for maybe 1 or 2 nights, then on to Lucerne for 1 or 2 nights, then flying home from Zurich. How much time would you recommend spending in Zurich, if any?
I saw that there are several waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen area that interest me.
Does this sound doable? Would 1 or 2 nights be better in each of the towns? Should we allow more time?
Can this itinerary be done using train and public transportation or should we consider renting a car?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Cindy

Posted by
1888 posts

I would spend 3 nights minimum in the Berner Oberland which would mean 2 full days there. More would be better to offset potential weather issues. 2 nights in Lucerne gives you about 1.5 days there. Skip Zurich. Lucerne is only a little over an hour away from Zurich airport and the trains run frequently.

Posted by
4 posts

Lauterbrunnen is amazing. Stay at Hotel Staubach, in one of the south balcony rooms for a view of the valley and waterfall.

Posted by
1131 posts

Yep, spend as much time in the BO as you can, either in Lauterbrunnen or higher up in the mountains (e.g. Murren/Wengen). I've never heard anyone say they wished they had done less BO, more Zurich. Trains are perfect, skip the car.

Posted by
7209 posts

1) You do not want or need a car in Switzerland
2) Some of the most beautiful places in Switzerland like Murren and Wengen are only accessible by public transport...no cars
3) there are many wonderful nice hotels in Lauterbrunnen. Hotel Staubach is only 1 of them
4) stay as many nights as you can high in the alps
5) Zurich is a nice enough city but definitely not a tourist destination

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you so much for the advice. Sounds like we will have just the trip what we want in the BO.