Best home bases for Switzerland in April

Not exactly a great time to visit us here in Switzerland... the ski season will at it's end and depending on the weather it may not even be good enough to ski. While on the other hand the weather will not have been good enough to melt the winter snows to allow great hiking....

Jim, thank you for your reply. We are not skiers so that is something we do not have interest doing while in Switzerland . As far as hiking, our longest hikes may be 6 miles with an average hike of 3-4 miles. We’re not looking for anything crazy! I’ve already booked flights for April 20-May 4th that I got at a great price , plus, I would really like to spend my birthday here. We want to make Switzerland work so badly! Any cities that come to mind if you had to go to Switzerland in April?

If you only have 5 days (does that include travel days?) then my suggestion would be spending them all in Luzern. Its easy to get to and from, has a lot restaurants and shops, is beautifully situated on the cruisable lake, and easy access to a some mountain options for hiking or just viewing. So, plenty to choose from in just one place. Bern is not in the mountains.

The significance of it still being ski season, is that accommodations in some of the mountain areas, may be harder to find.

Is that 4 nights you have planned for Switzerland? I would stay in Lucerne the whole time. Plenty to see and do there with great options for day trips.

This video might give you some ideas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2St3R344S04

Another vote for Montreax. I would split my time between here and Luzern. You can day trip from both cities and you get both the French and Swiss German excursions. Montreax has the Chateau Chillon, wine country, tons of hiking within a train ride if the weather allows, etc.

All,

I truly can not thank you enough for your replies, recommendations, and advice. I took some time to re read these comments and think more about my itinerary. I put together a rough draft itinerary with your recommendations in mind. The biggest downfall you will notice in this itinerary is a round trip through London. This is because that flight is direct for us and was only $750. Multi city flights are $1400-$1900 so this really saves quite a bit of money. I would prefer to keep this flight even though its logistically not ideal. Here is my rough itinerary so far:

Day 1 4/20: Leave MSP Airport @ 6:05 PM (sleep on plane) to LHR @ 8:05 AM
Day 2 4/21: Arrive in LHR @ 8:05 AM. option 1: Leave LHR and fly to Geneva @ 11:15AM or 2:30 PM then train to Montreux
OR option 2: Leave LHR and fly to Basel @ 3:20 PM then train to Lucerne
Day 3 4/22: Montreux
Day 4 4/23: Montreux
Day 5 4/24: Montreux
Day 6 4/25: Montreux -> Lucerne (or vice versa)
Day 7 4/26: Lucerne
Day 8 4/27: Lucerne
Day 9 4/28: Lucerne
Day 10 4/29: Depending on if we end in Montreux or Lucerne option 1: Lucerne-> Zurich airport flight from Zurich @ 8:40 AM -> Naples 10:20AM, then car to Sorrento
OR Montreux -> Geneva Airport flight from Geneva @ 12:40 PM -> Naples 2:25 PM then car to Sorrento
Day 11 4/30: Amalfi coast
Day 12 5/1: Amalfi coast
Day 13 5/2: Amalfi coast car to Naples airport. Naples -> LHR
Day 14 5/3: London
Day 15 5/4: Leave LHR @ 9:55 AM to MSP

My biggest questions are:
1. Is there anything that stands out to you or highly concerns you about this overall itinerary that you would absolutely not recommend?
2. Do you feel like the order of cities is mainly personal preference? As you can see I am not sure what part of Switzerland to go to first. None of the flight times seem that much more ideal than others. Thank you for taking the time to consider!

History Traveler,

Thank you again for your insight! It is truly so helpful to have someone else glance over things and provide me with a different perspective. Like I mentioned, I have never been to Europe, I travel a fair amount within the U.S. but NEVER plan anything! This is all so foreign to me and I am a bit regretful for not hiring a travel agent as it is a bit stressful. I am hoping once I get the main outline nailed down, things will start to come together and be a bit easier to plan.

I totally understand what you are saying about the two travel days. I spent another day thinking about it and this is what I concluded. On 4/21 land in LHR at 8AM and then take a flight to Geneva at 11:15AM. We will spend a few days there and then head to Lucerne. On 4/29 when we leave Lucerne and head to Naples, I completely forgot about the other Switzerland airport options. I found a flight from Basel airport -> Naples at 2:40 PM for $88. I feel like that is a fine option? I mostly only hear about Zurich airport but I am sure Basel airport is fine too? Also, do you know when to book inter Europe flights? Does it make a difference if you book say now or wait until closer to your trip (end of April)? Thank you again for your help!

I think if I were taking the effort to fly to a whole new location within Europe I’d want more than 2 days there. I understand the desire to see the Amalfi coast but have you considered doing something like Lake Como instead and flying home from Milan? You could just train there from Switzerland instead of having to do a whole additional airport day, which robs you of precious days of your short trip.

I worry about the flight from London to Switzerland and the flight back to London from Switzerland.

I understand that the transatlantic flights are all ready booked so these others are on a separate ticket(s). That makes me worry because if your transatlantic flights get cancelled or changed any unlinked flights will be on you - and that is risky.

I would second the Lake Como suggestion.

We are not Americans, but from Australia, and have spent four nights in Lake Como at Bellagio, and also a week in Sorrento, very near to the Amalfi Coast.

Both are spectacular places, but to link in with Switzerland, it has to be Lake Como.

We are returning to Switzerland in September next year to celebate a special anniversary, and will start our journey with four nights in Varenna to relax and get over a 24 hour journey. It is then a super easy train ride over the mountains to Switzerland.

I am also reading all these suggestions here as I have a trip planned for Switzerland in the summer.:)

Hi CamMN,

The Lake Geneva area is gorgeous. I think it is a much better focus at that time of year. The lake is surrounded by mountains, there are boat rides on the lake, fabulous food, and you won’t be dealing with shoulder season issues
In the ski areas.
Between Lausanne and Montreux are lovely vineyards and lakeside towns like Vevey. There are great restaurants in Lausanne. I rented a car last year and did a drive up into the mountains to Gruyère and Gstaad. It was gorgeous. The flowers should be in bloom by then too. I stayed at this hotel with amazing views and food. https://www.prealpina.ch/en/

I’m not saying don’t go to the BO, but look closely at opening schedules up there at that time. If you like good food and beer, be sure to go up to Pension Gimmelwald for their home made brew. It would be a great pit stop on your way back from the Schilthorn.
I flew into Geneva on that last trip, with a change in London. It’s a really long day, and I was happy to stay in Geneva for a night. But the train to Lausanne is quick and easy, so keep that in mind for your first night there.

Everyone's advice has been so helpful here! I cant believe it, after dreaming and planning this trip for a few months now, I'm thinking of saving it for another year when we can go in summer and instead, spend this Late April- early May traveling all in Italy. Amalfi Coast and Florence were on the top of my want to see while in Europe for the first time and I didn't realize how difficult it would be to split the trip between seeing both Switzerland and Italy. Also, I seem to struggle a bit with planning so the thought of trying to navigate what is open and what is closed, Eurail vs Swiss pass, etc. seems quite stressful. Going in summer when everything (lifts, funiculars, higher altitude lifts, hotels, restaurants, hikes) is open and available seems like it would be easier to plan and a more worth while trip. Again, thank you for all your help, recommendations, etc. I will 100% be going to Switzerland, just maybe not late April.

I can understand that

Don't give up on your dreams of seeing Switzerland and Italy. It is very doable. I would stick to Northern Italy and Switzerland because logistically it makes more sense. I know this is your first time planning a European trip, but even for those of us who go to Europe frequently, planning a trip can be challenging but always fun! Switzerland is one of the easiest countries to navigate using public transportation. Download the sbb.ch app (swiss train app).
I often fly into London getting a better deal and then tagging on a trip to Europe using the budget airlines. Yes, there is a risk with this, but just give yourself about a 4-6 hour layover in London. The worst that could happen is you have to buy another flight. Don't become too overwhelmed with planning. I often start with big plans and then have to narrow it all down to a realistic and comfortable itinerary. You don't need a travel agent to do all this. This forum and doing your own research is the best.

You mentioned that airfare has already been purchased, but is it changeable? Even if there is a fee, it might be worth it. It could save you the cost of one (or more) separate flights, more expensive hotel night in London, etc.

Mpaulynsettle, sorry for the late reply but thank you so much for the advice and encouragement. I definitely agree that northern Italy and Switzerland make the most sense. I was dying to go to AC and Lake como just didn't tempt me as much so I just decided to make this an Italy trip and plan to do Switzerland in the summer or fall.

I am starting to agree with you that planning a Europe trip is challenging, however, fun and do able. I really appreciate the help! I am keeping the round trip London tickets because, again, they were about $750 and open Jaw Italy Tickets are $1500-$1900. We will allow a longer layover in London and hope for the best!

Hi CaMN. I want to encourage you to stick with the trip planning. I agree with mpaulynsettle - you don't need a travel agent for this.
I'm planning our first trip to Switzerland but we've been to Europe a number of times. Even after all those trips, I still find planning to be overwhelming at first. There are too many bits and pieces to make sense of it all, but as you continue, things start to fall into place. The good part about doing the planning yourself is that you really know why different choices were made.

My wife always says there are 3 fun parts to a vacation 1) the planning, 2) the going and 3) the pictures, stories and memories afterwards.
Good luck. I hope you have a great time.