My husband and I are planning our trip to Switzerland next September. Is there a central city we could stay for 5 or 6 nights and do day trips. We plan on being in Switzerland for 12 days, 2 or 3 cities would be ideal. We are in our 70’s and it’s getting harder lugging our luggage around. We are not group tour people, we like planning our own trips. Any ideas would be appreciated! TIA
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
207 posts
We went five years ago and stayed a week in Interlaken and day-tripped all over central Switzerland. It was terrific! This past summer, we flew into Geneva and stayed in Montreux, focusing this time on day trips around western Switzerland. I'd highly recommend both places!
Posted by
City of Seattle
1951 posts
Split between Lucerne and Berner Oberland area.
Mountain stuff takes time, so better to be in the places you want to do things, and Lucerne and BO are awesome.
If you want to see a bunch of different places, scenic train rides are a nice idea. I don't have a lot of experience but many of the posters here do.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5604 posts
Hank's suggestion is a good one!
Sept is a great time to visit this spectacular country.
The Swiss train system is very efficient and user- friendly. Stay as long as possible being IN the Alps ( Murren or Wengen). Secure lodging asap for the best prices and choices.
Travel as light as you can, carry-on only, which makes hopping on/ off trains much easier.
Have a fantastic time!
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/lucerne-62eb4d28-60ab-4837-b4b4-91a2486eb732
Above is my 2021 Trip Report. Thankfully, you can ignore the COVID references.
Posted by
Indiana
923 posts
On our recent September trip we split the time between Lucerne and Wengen. We flew into Zurich and immediately took the train to Lucerne. For our needs, we found the Half fare card and the Berner Oberland Pass to be the most economical. The temperature was in the 80's so I was happy that I had researched and booked a hotel in Lucerne that had air conditioning. Sleeping without A/C would have been miserable. In Wengen the A/C was not necessary due to the elevation.
Posted by
11569 posts
Lucerne and Grindelwald will give you a good
start to explore Switzerland. Lots of charm and charm in both.
Posted by
Minneapolis
77 posts
Interlaken is central to several valleys. We stayed there for a week and never spent more than a few hours in the town. Several restaurants choices within walking distance or a short bus ride. This is what we did for a week. All train/bus rides were under an hour. No serious hikes - left the work to the trains and cable cars
Birg Thrill walk, Murren
Jungfraujoch (top of Europe) Eiger Express up and train (Kleine Scheidegg, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen),
Schynige Platte - Harder Kulm
Grindelwald and First Mountain
Brienzsee boat tour, Giessbach Falls
Mieringen - Aare river gorge, Lungern
Blausee , Kandersteg. Gondola to Oeschinensee
I would stay in one of the mountain towns if you are spending your time in only one valley area and immerse in the views.