9 Night/day Itenerary

This is not a bad itinerary, given the short duration of your trip.
It seems to me that you want to see mountains, correct? If so, cut Montreux/Vevey and replace it with more time in Zermatt.

Lauterbrunnen to Montreaux is about a 3 hour one way trip. Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt is about the same. So, both of those as a day trip doesn't leave you much time in either.

I would stay 2 nights in Luzern, 2 nights in Bern or Zermatt and 4 days in BO.

I would not bother staying in Bern at all. I was recently there as a day trip, and I hate to say this as I was so looking forward to Bern, but I was disappointed. We had a nice time for a few hours, but I would not take away time in the mountains to go to Bern. If you really want to see Bern, you could do it as an easy day trip from Wengen.

I’m going back to Switzerland in June and am staying in Montreux and plan a day trip to Zermatt. So, I suggest staying in either Montreux or Zermatt, but not both.

What time are your flights? You could arrive in Zurich and head straight to Montreux or Wengen. Spend your last 2 or 3 nights in Lucerne as it is a quick 1.1 hour train ride directly into the Zurich airport.

For a trip of your length, I’d try to pick just 3 locations as home bases. Switzerland is so fabulous you don’t want to waste too much time checking in and out of hotels. For my June trip, I’m basing in Montreux, Wengen, and Lucerne. When I was there in Sept. I stayed in Basel (to see France and Germany), Lauterbrunnen, and Lucerne. The 3 stays worked great for us and we had 16 nights.

As far as passes, I am a huge fan of the Swiss Travel Pass. But to see which works best for you, you need an idea of all your train tips and activities so you can add up the cost.

Regarding luggage, that was our least favorite part of the trip. The three of us had 26 inch suitcases. On all the trains we were on, the only place for luggage was the racks above the seats. So, make sure someone in your group can lift the suitcases. I’m downgrading to a 21 inch suitcase for my June solo trip for this very reason. So, that’s another reason to limit the times you change hotels. And I prefer to find hotels near the train stations so I can walk just a few minutes and drop off the luggage.

This looks like a reasonable itinerary that will allow you to enjoy several regions. It looks as if you’re staying in Bern the night before your flight, so you’ll be close to the airport without staying in Zurich, so that makes sense. I enjoyed Bern, especially the clock towers and water fountains. It’s a nice city to end your stay and be close to the airport; I preferred it to Zurich.

If you want to see Chillon Castle and tour the Gruyeres cheese and Cailler chocolate factories, then spending two days in Montreux makes sense. The cheese is great; check to see if there is a farmers’ market in one of the towns while you’re there. I came across a great one in Lausanne and samples cheese and fruit before purchasing some of each.

The one day to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn involves a long train ride, and there is a chance that the weather won’t cooperate for the view, but it is spectacular.

Spending several days in Wengen to enjoy the B.Oberland is always a great idea. There are numerous hikes and scenic rides. Have a list of priorities, including getting to views that require clear days and watch the weather when you get there. For example, I wanted to ride to the Schilthorn, but the first day was rainy, so I took the bus to Trummelbach Falls, viewed them, and then hiked back to Lauterbrunnen. The next day was cloudy, so I hiked some lower elevation trails, and on the third day, enjoyed clear skies at the top of Schilthorn. If your first day is clear, go for a top priority, etc.

Here's a link to some cloudy day activities in the region.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/rainy-day-cloudy-day-things-to-do-in-jungfrau-region

All the best,

Raymond

We have visited all the places you have considered in Switzerland and can speak from experience. Our first 3 trips were for 30 days each and at that time, we used a month Swiss Pass which is no longer available. For shorter trips, we used the Half Fair Card and I'd recommend that for you and your family. Check on the website, but I think it helps with trains and also excursions.

You don't really have the time for the Glacier Express this trip, but regional trains usually take the same track. As for suitcases, pack as light as you can. I never needed dress clothes, have something for a restaurant and/or museum, and think casual and hiking. We never had an issue on the trains with our luggage. We had 2 suitcases around 24"x16"or so.

Now for the sights:
You have 9 days, the first of which you will be dealing with lack of sleep and jet lag. When you make it to Luzern and check in, you'll probably be able to take a good walk around town, check out the boats and the schedules for the next day, and find a place to eat. We think the restaurants in Switzerland are the most expensive in all of Europe. A tip- the Manor department stores in all of Switzerland have cafeterias, The Manora, that serve good food for good prices and could help the budget. If I were you, I'd stay in Luzern for 3-4 nights and use this as your first base. One day, do the Rigi trip. When you get up there, when you're ready to leave, take a walk a little ways down to take the cable car down, rather than the train. It's UNBELIEVEABLE! When you get down to the town, Weggis, you can get lunch or hop on the next boat back to Luzern. Take a daytrip to Bern from Luzern. We do it every time we're there. And, since Montreaux is really too far for a daytrip from Luzern, I'd recommend a daytrip to Bellinzona to see the 3 Castles they have there.

Now you have 4-5 days left. I know it's tough, but you just can't fit all of Switzerland into 9 days! I'd move to Bernese Oberland for all but the last night. THIS IS Switzerland. We have spent weeks there. We prefer Lauterbrunnen Valley as a base. It is a destination of its own. One whole day can be spent walking the Valley, visiting the Trummelbach Falls, a visit up to Murren, and maybe Schilthorn. If you stay there, take a daytrip to First in Grindelwald and hike to Lake Bacalpsee(2 hours in and out) or hike longer to Grosse Scheidegg and take the Post Bus back to Grindelwald(2 hour hike). The reward is a restaurant to have drinks and a snack and the second is "that" ride on the Post Bus to Grindelwald. To say this is beautiful for scenery is an understatement. Another day could be the Excursion to Schynige Platte. You also have the trip to Mannlichen or the great excursion to Jungfrau. We also could recommend the boat from Interlaken to Thun or Spiez. (Both have castles.)

Zermatt and Montreaux are really too far to go on a first trip. You'll spend too much time getting there and back for the payoff. It took us a 3rd and 4th trip to get them in. Zermatt is tacky tourist and wasn't one of our favorites. Also, you could make the whole trip and not see the Matterhorn because of the weather. We have been to Appenzell and enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say it makes the first cut of places to stay. Staying in any of these three takes away a day or more from the great stuff.

I'd stay at least the last night in Zurich. We love it. It will be easy to get back to the airport. I highly recommend Zeughauskeller for dinner. If they have it, try the venison and they always have the veal in gravy over noodles. If you stay in Zurich more than one night, you could take the boat to Rapperswil, a quaint town at the end of the lake, and take the train back. It'll be quicker.

This plan would be in keeping with your desire not to be moving all the time and you would have plenty to do and see, especially with the daytrips recommended.

Have a great trip!

Thank you everyone for your advice. It's very much appreciated. After seeing the comments, I think I have decided to try to squeeze another day to the trip. We do like the mountains and would like a real Switzerland experience so I was thinking about adding Appenzelle to the trip and putting Lucerne at the end of our trip. I was also thinking about adding in the Glacier express from St. Moritz to Zermatt. Maybe staying in Pontresina in lieu of St. Moritz. I was also really wanting to try to get a Swiss/Italian experience in and Lugano seems like a really neat area. I just don't know how to fit that in. I think I would be pushing too much in to go to Appenzelle to Lugano for one night, then on to Pontresina for one night and on to the Glacier express. Not sure if trying to fit Lugano in is worth it. Any planning advice would help. Below is my updated itinerary (or an attempt at it):

Day 1: Arrive in Zurich at @10:30 am, travel to Appenzelle
Day 2: Appenzelle to Pontresina (or Stay in Appenzelle)
Day 3: Explore Pontresina (or travel from Appenzelle to Pontresina - Either 2 nights in Appenzelle or 2 nights in Pontresina)
Day 4: Glacier Express to Zermatt
Day 5: Zermatt-Matterhorn
Day 6: Travel to see the castle Chillon then on to Bernise Oberland (Wengen). Too long of a day???
Day 7: Bernise Oberland
Day 8: Bernise Oberland
Day 9: Travel to Lucern
Day 10: Explore Lucern, boat ride, vist Mt. Rigi
Day 11: Travel to Zurich, depart

Hit me with your thoughts!

Also, I have looked at the pricing and decided to go with the Swiss Rail Pass. It will help me with the Glacier express and we have a 15-year old which seems like she will be free through the Swiss family pass with a paid adult pass! Also, any chocolate factory tours or experiences that may be good to visit?

Thanks.

I would go straight to Montreux from Lucerne. Then, you have 3 days to figure out which day to see the Matterhorn. You could go for the only day you have planned and see nothing, and then will have had to make the trip over with luggage and then leave the next day with luggage and check in and out of a hotel. You CAN do a day trip from Montreux to the Matterhorn, but it will be a long day. However you will have any of those three days to check the weather the night before and jump on the day trip the next day. You would need to take a very early train, then do the trains up to see it, then have lunch, do a small walk and then back to Montreux. I would estimate maybe 7 in the morning until about 9 at night but then you are back in your hotel in Montreux where your luggage is! From Montreux it is an easy train (you could even do Golden Pass) and spend the rest of the time in Wengen. Wengen to Zurich isn’t far, I would skip Bern unless it is rainy in the BO and then do a day trip. If you have an early flight from Zurich go the night before but it’s not hard to get there from the BO, you will just experience re-entry syndrome! After the Alps.

We love Wengen, Montreux and even Zurich.

I was also really wanting to try to get a Swiss/Italian experience in

We did a day trip from Lucerne to Bellinzona and had a fabulous day.

If it was me, I would try to cut out one of the locations from your new plan. I really think you’ll want more time in Wengen. 3 nights there only gives you 2 full days.

any chocolate factory tours or experiences that may be good to visit?

If you stay in Montreux, instead of Zermatt, you could visit the Maison Cailler chocolate factory.

https://cailler.ch/en/maison-cailler

You could also go to Gruyères.

I know, it's hard with so many great choices.

Your new itinerary almost doubles the time you will be traveling from place to place. You will be spending a lot of your vacation riding the train. I know it can be tempting to try and see a lot of Switzerland, but you really do not have enough days to fully experience the areas you have listed.

I suggest something like this:

Day 1: Arrive in Zurich at @10:30 am, travel to Montreaux (Might as well train on this day because this will be jet lag day)

Day 2: Stay in Montreaux (Check the weather in Zermatt, if clear, head there and see the Matterhorn) If not, explore Montreaux)

Day 3: Stay in Montreaux (If you didn't get to Zermatt, check again, if not clear skies, explore Gruyeres or another day trip)

Day 4: Stay in Montreaux, (Check Zermatt again, if its still a no go, do another day trip (Bern) or see more of Montreaux.)

Day 5: Travel to and Stay in Berner Oberland-Explore the town you are staying, Murren for example.

Day 6: Stay in Berner Oberland-Explore and hike in another area, Wengen for example.

Day 7: Stay in Berner Oberland-Explore Lauterbrunnen Valley

Day 8: Stay in Berner Oberland and enjoy another day in the Alps. Like hiking on the Murren side.

Day 9: Travel to Lucerne and explore the city, Stay in Lucerne.

Day 10: Explore Lucerne, boat ride, visit Mt. Rigi, etc.

Day 11: Travel to Zurich, depart

When you get back home, start planning your next trip to Switzerland to see the what you missed.

Threadwear put together a great itinerary for you. It’s very similar to what I have planned for my June trip. It will give you a nice variety with so many options in all 3 of those locations. And, you won’t be wasting so much time moving around.

Another vote for Threadware’s itinerary.

Ok, threadware’s itinerary does look good. It will be nice to have just three stops and it sounds like we’ll get a good Swiss experience. You all probably saved me from running everyone into the ground. Should be much more relaxing and enjoyable. Thanks everyone for your input.

Now that I’ve settled on those areas, any great places we should look into to stay-Airbnb, hotel in those locations? I’m thinking abut Hotel Alpenrose in Wengen. No idea right now for Montreux and Lucerne areas.

Any other tips for our trip?

Appreciate all the help.

I really think you’ll be super happy with those 3 locations. For hotels, I have hotel schönegg booked in wengen, the grand hotel swiss in Montreux, and hotel des alpes in lucerne. I’d suggest looking for hotels fairly close to the train stations and check for ratings on booking.com.

Here are some ideas for Montreux:

Chillon castle

Saint-Saphorin walk through vineyards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieFwmKNncL8&t=156s

Rochers de Naye; daffodils near mid-station Haut de Caux

Train to Vevey, cog railway from the Vevey railway station via Blonay
to Les Pléiades

Funicular to Mont Pelerin

Zermatt; Gornergrat Bahn

Gruyeres; Maison Callier chocolate factory

Lausanne; Colline de Montriond / Cantonal Botanical Museum and gardens

For Wengen, I love, love the cable car up to mannlichen. You can head over to murren and go up to Schilthorn and/or walk down to gimmelwald. You’ll want to walk down in Lauterbrunnen to see the waterfalls. Here is a great hiking guide for the area put together by shoe:

https://lauterbrunnenhiking.wordpress.com/

For lucerne, you already mentioned rigi, which I loved. Try to sit towards the front of the boat and when on the train up to rigi, you want to be on the left side (when looking in the direction the train will be heading). You might want to also look into the Stanserhorn, Pilatus, or Titlis.

You are going to love it!! When going to Mt Rigi, take the cogwheel from Vitznau, then hike down to the cable car station and ride that to Weggis. That's a nice daytrip, I believe it's still covered by Swiss Travel Pass. Put together an Excel Spreadsheet to compare the Swiss Travel Pass vs the Half Fare Card, there is no other way to do a comparison. Callier chocolate is top shelf, but also try Laderach chocolate, it is amazing!!

These have been very helpful comments. On top of these places to stay and see, any great local places to eat that you think we need to try to fit in? I know it's expensive and we do have a family of five so it doesn't need to be exceptionally nice, just a great local feel.

Honestly, the only restaurant that stands out for me is the Hotel Baren in Wengen. It isn't cheap, but the food is excellent and has a great local feel and views. If you have an apartment in the BO, you can save a great deal of money by cooking at your place. Very nice Coop grocery in Wengen. Lots of ready to eat foods and bakery. Less expensive for a family of 5.

can anyone help with a 9 day itinerary to switzerland in april. have been in 2019 to Bern/ Murren / Luzern/ Zurich. Just my husband & I, would like to go to Lausanne/Montreux and Basel. Would like to know should we stay in Lausanne or Montreux and is Basel worth going to or should we go to Appenzel from Zurich for a few day. We have used swiss rail past the last time and it was great. ANy suggestions would be helpful . (Helen charlotte nc)

Hi helen, you will get more responses if you start your own post. Just go back to the Switzerland forum and click on “start a new topic.” I’m staying in Montreux this June and was in basel this past sept. and really liked it.