Hi!
I’m planning a trip in August with my active 18 year old son to the Swiss alps flying into Zurich. We plan to get a Swiss travel pass and take trains and public transportation everywhere we go. I would like to either stay in one or two hotels as a homebase and stay more in the mountain areas. We definitely want to see Zermat and see as much landscapes as possible, with a combination of trains, gondolas, boat trips and hikes. We would love to see the waterfalls, go paragliding, do the coaster and toboggan. I would love help with an itinerary which would help us see as many places as possible. We will wake early and travel where we need to go each day. I would also love suggestions of r hotels , restaurants and exactly which train passes I should buy. I know five nights is not enough to see Switzerland, but it’s the only time I have as I teach summer school and the day I finish teaching we will fly out that night and return back to Nyc the day before he leaves for college. Any help would be so very appreciated as all I do is watch Instagram and TikTok reels and look at forums regarding Switzerland. It’s so overwhelming and I really want to plan a great trip but not get caught up in touristy lines and we want to see as much as nature as possible.
Posted by
Chicago
8448 posts
Land in Zurich
Take the train to stay wherever you can afford to stay in either Wengen, Murren or Lauterbrunnen
Stay 3 nights in either of the 3
Then take the train to Luzern
Stay there 2 nights.
Then on the day you fly out take the train from Luzern to the Zurich airport.
This is just an out line so you can book somewhere to stay first and then fill in the excursions from your bases.
Your excursion from your bases should be only be made the night before after you see the weather report.
For example, my last trip I was based in Bern looking to take a trip into the mountains above Lauterbrunnen.
When I saw that it was going to be raining I took a day trip from Bern to Montreux and up to Rochers de Naye the mountain range overlooking Lake Geneva. After that I took a boat ride on Lake Geneva and then on the way back to Bern I stopped off in Gruyeres. Similarly I managed a daytrip from Bern to Zermatt and up the Gornergratt which overlooks the Matterhorn. However the clowds eventually rolled in and I could no longer see the Matterhorn.
I really want to plan a great trip but not get caught up in touristy lines and we want to see as much as nature as possible.
but the bottom line is first secure some place to stay since you are going during peak travel time and space is limited.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Do you have hotel suggestions or train pass suggestions? Since you advise not to book activities or excursions until the day before… Do you advise that I got the train pass before or anything else?
Posted by
Chicago
8448 posts
Lodging is your biggest concern; trains and passes don't sell out.
Some here only buy the passes online in advance if they happen to be on sale, otherwise a few days before leaving inorder to avoid any kind of line at the Swiss Rail office; some buy on arrival at the airport.
I have been 5 times and have only felt comfortable buying when I get there (twice at Geneva Airport twice at Zurich once at Bern). I have only gotten Swiss Travel Passes which allows you to just jump on any train and show the pass while giving you discounts on certain mountain excursions it does not cover; a Half Fare Card comes out cheaper but you have to buy more tickets either from your phone, a kiosk or live person.
You may want to wait until you get there to talk to a live person at the Swiss Rail office. They are the best at recommendations based on what you say you want to do. Look at Booking.com for what is available as far as hotels are concern asap in the towns I mention and just read the reviews.
The key to excursions is to get up early, out the door by 7am, to avoid crowds spoiling your photo ops; moreover the visibility (less hazy glare) at higher elevations has been better in my experience that time of day.