Hey guys!
We are rounding off our two weeks in Italy with 5 nights in Switzerland, May 5-10. I have always dreamed of visiting the Berner Oberland since I was a kid and am not sure when we will be back! Our last stop in Italy will be Venice for a few nights. After that, I currently have three nights booked at Chalet Fontana in Murren and two nights at Hotel Adler, before flying back to the US out of Zurich May 10 at 1PM. I did like the idea of spending at least one night in Zurich for ease of getting to the airport.
Are we crazy for visiting the BO during that time of year? I am seeing most trails will be down and some restaurants closed. I’m not too disappointed as we aren’t into extensive hikes anyways. We, of course, will be doing the Schilthorn and visiting Lauterbrunnen’s beautiful waterfalls, as long as the weather is appropriate.
As far as other activities that have peaked my interest: Swiss Open Air Mueum at Ballenburg, Harder Klum, St Beatus Caves, Lindt Museum, and alllll of the restaurants. Lol we are foodies.
All of our stops have at least two nights as I dislike bouncing around too quickly. However, I have become tempted to do one night in Luzern and one night in Zurich before flying out. Help!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32757 posts
The train (twice hourly) from Luzern to Zurich Airport station only takes about an hour.
In my opinion there is more to do for you in and around Luzern than in Zurich and it would save a relocation. Being at the airport for 11 means taking the 9:35 (arrive at the airport at 10:44 with an easy 10 minute transfer at Zurich Hb) or for more peace of mind the 9:09 (arrive at the airport at 10:12 with an even easier 13 minute transfer at Zurich Hb) and you might even wander around the Zurich station for 40 minutes window shopping until the later train to the airport came.
In any event, even for the 9:09 you would have plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast and check out in Luzern.
Posted by
Thun, Switzerland
485 posts
May is wonderful waterfall time. Walking in Lauterbrunnen, a visit to the Beatus caves with their unique waterfall will be wonderful. Perhaps consider a trip to Giessbach falls as well.
Ballenberg is also nice this time of year - much easier to explore all of the houses without lots of tourists there.
Snow covered mountains, spring flowers and cows in the fields at lower elevations. What’s not to love? Based on the list of things you like to do, and your longtime desire to visit the BO, I think it will not dissappoint!
Posted by
OP
Wisconsin
8 posts
Thank you, Nigel! That gives me a reason to reread the Luzern chapter and plan out a possible place to stay and an itinerary.
Maureen, thanks for the reassurance and the suggestion to go to Geissbach! In your opinion, is the extra time to go back and forth to Mürren worth it for these three nights? There are a few places in Lauterbrunnen with waterfall views that are catching my eye. And of course the cable car to Grütschalp closes for maintenance the day after we check in. :-)
I have one other question regarding train passes if you don’t mind! I am still deciding between the half fare and Swiss travel passes. We will be transferring in Milan en route to the Berner Oberland. Having either pass, do I book a ticket to Domodossola on Trenitalia? Then, if having purchased a Half Fare card, do I book from Domodossola to Interlaken Ost using SBB at the half fare rate? Or if we end up getting the Swiss Travel Passes, do we simply stay on after Domodossola and show the passes?
Sorry for the convoluted questions! Thank you guys so much for sharing your travel knowledge.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16276 posts
You can book the entire journey from Milano Centrale to Mürren in one transaction on SBB.ch, the Swiss rail site. If you have a Swiss Pass or Half Fare Card you enter those and it will make the appropriate adjustments in the price. Easy.
If you have the Swiss Pass and do not need tickets for the Swiss portion of the journey, you should be able to book as far as Spiez on Trenitalia, and enter your Swiss Pass in the “other fares”:section, but the Trenitalia site is buggy right now and I could not get it to show that.
What time is your flight from Zurich? In many cases it is fine to spend the night before your flight in Luzern if you prefer, and have no trouble getting to your flight.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
when is the season where they spray manure on the fields (and everywhere else)?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16276 posts
Springtime, after the manure piles accumulated from winter thaw.