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Advice for 8 Days in Switzerland in August 2025?

Hello everyone - thank you for all the helpful posts and advice over the years.

I'm helping plan the itinerary for a family trip to Switzerland this summer, arriving August 9 and departing August 17. We will have 12 persons (ages 80, 65, 56, 55, 50, 49, 45, 44, 21, 20, 18, 16). Everyone is semi-active and capable of some day hiking / light adventure and city exploring.

As of now, we're likely to fly in/out of Zurich on the 9th although I initially considered flying into Zurich and out of Geneva. However, I'm not sure the added cost or effort to see the Lake Geneva area with our group is worth it. So, as of now it looks like we'll definitely try to see Lucerne (at least 1 night), Interlaken (maybe 2 nights), and Murren (for 3 nights).

I'm trying to decide how we should use our remaining 3 available nights. When I originally thought we might fly out of Geneva, I thought we might spend 1-2 nights in either Montreux / Lausanne / Geneva before flying out.

I've considered adding one more night in Lucerne, adding a night or two in Bern and/or Zurich or perhaps even venturing down to Zermatt for 2 nights.

I'd greatly appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on ways to best use our three available nights, the best order of our journey, must-see places or must-eat restaurants, and even any recommendations on accommodations (hotels, apartments, VRBO, etc) that anyone has in those areas.

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Posted by
5776 posts

Welcome to the Forum.
Just a few thoughts-
You need more time in Lucerne, and more time in Murren or Wengen. No one is ever ready to leave the BO. I'd say 4-5 nights.
Interlaken is a commercial transit center. Add that night to the BO.
With the size of your group, and eight nights, Lucerne and the Berner Oberland would be ideal. You will move as fast as your slowest person. August is usually very nice in the BO, and it's one of the most beautiful places in the world!
Note that Swiss cities can be in the 80's in August, so plan for both warm weather and cool mountain weather.
Have an incredible family trip!

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you Pat! Appreciate the quick reply and thoughts. Would you recommend Lucerne on the back end for 2 or maybe even 3 nights so we can have an easy trip to Zurich airport when leaving on 8/17?

Posted by
650 posts

No need to spend nights in Interlaken and Murren, they are in the same region. I’d recommend something like 2 nights Luzern, 4 nights Mürren or Wengen & 2 nights Montreux, flying out of Geneva or in and out of Zurich something like 5 nights Mürren or Wengen & 3 nights Luzern.

If your group likes wine, wants to experience some French influence and wants to balance cities with the mountains, then doing the 3 spots makes sense. If you’re all most excited about soaking up the alps and quintessential Switzerland, then I’d just do Luzern & Mürren or Wengen. 5 nights is a good amount in the mountains because it allows for bad weather buffer days and enough time to soak in the many activities in the Jungfrau region.

With that big of a group I’d get on lodging ASAP. Things will be getting picked over quickly.

Once you decide on your locations, you’ll find many people willing to help here with activities, hikes, restaurants, etc.

There won’t be a lot of places that can fit all 12 of you, but perhaps a couple apartment chalets would work. Luzern is notorious for not having the greatest lodging options, but there are lots of apartment chalet rentals in Wengen & Mürren. In Luzern you could also look in other villages along the water that has a boat and train stop, which would allow you to see Luzern and experience the surrounding mountains/lake. Places like Brunnen, Vitznau, etc.

Posted by
5776 posts

It is very easy to get to the Zurich airport from Lucerne. It's a 1hr + train trip, and the train goes directly into the Zurich airport.
You have a wonderful adventure planned. Safe travels!