Best of Switzerland vs My Way Alpine tours

We have done the Alpine My Way tour, but not the Best of Switzerland. In the My Way tour, your days are yours to plan however you want. The most obvious places for hikes are in the Dolomites—the Alpe di Suisi, where you have all day to explore; in Fussen many of us rented bikes and rode out to Neuschwanstein for a quick look around, then made use of their extensive bike paths around the lake and surrounding villages for the day. In Lauterbrunnen, there are two days to plan hikes, and in Chamomix there are trails on the Mont Blanc side and across the valley on Mount Brevant.

For this tour you receive a book which has pulled out the applicable parts of each country. Trails and hikes are spelled out pretty well. Also, the tour manager will be a wealth of information.

I can’t help with the tour part of your question, but I have my first solo trip planned for June in Switzerland. I was just there in Sept. with my sister and bro and law and everything about traveling in Switzerland was super easy and safe. I have very little travel experience—my Sept. trip being my first trip in 20 years—and am not worried about going back by myself. The Swiss Travel Pass makes traveling so easy.

I like the idea of being on my own schedule and doing only things I want to do when I want to do them. Once you decide on tour or solo, I’m happy to help in any way I can.

Thank you both for your advice. I am going to do research on both My Own and solo itineraries.

I did best of Switzerland and there were plenty of opportunities for hiking. There is almost always free time for hiking (or whatever else interests you) at each stop. I remember two optional guide led hikes in addition to individuals hiking on their own.

Have you been to Switzerland before? The Best of Switzerland is a fantastic trip that really shows a traveller how beautiful the entire county is, and plants the seeds of desire to return- several times. We did that tour in 2017. However, you do spend a lot of time in cities- beautiful cities. The tour does traverse through countryside with spectacular scenery. Do you want a Swiss country tour or a hiking trip?

If you do the BOS tour, perhaps come in a day or two early to Luzern, and go up to Mt Rigi and/or Mt Stans to hike. [The Swiss Travel Pass covers the boat and cogwheel train to Rigi, and the train to Stans.]

The Berner Oberland [and staying in Murren] is fantastic for hiking, but two nights is just not enough time, especially with mountain weather. Having been to Switzerland three times already, I'd almost recommend returning to the Berner Oberland at the tour's conclusion- it's just an hour train ride from Bern. Maybe stay in Wengen to experience both sides of the valley.

Our 2017 trip didn't include Appenzel, but I'm assuming there are many wonderful hiking opportunities in that area.
Lugano wasn't my favorite place; it's a very high-end city on a lake.
Lausaune was charming, and the wine tasting and Chateau Chillon made a great day.

You have all good options, so have fun planning an incredible trip.

Again thank you. I’m looking at seeing Switzerland and it’s countryside and attractions with the possibility to do 3/4 walks/hikes.

I’m going to look at all 3 options and make a + and - sheet.

All the wonderful advice is making it hard to eliminate and of the options.

I asked the same ? in the forum under the RS tour section. Had several very helpful responses from individuals that had been on both tours. We ended up going with the Best of Switzerland for September 2022.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/best-of-switzerland-12-day-vs-my-way-alpine-12-day

Thanks, Jill. I am one of the folks who responded last summer.

I have taken both tours and hope to participate in the My Way Alpine again. The Switzerland tour gave me an overview for which I am thankful - and also helped me decide where I do not need to return again. My Way gave me time to pretty much spend as I wanted. I was a solo traveler and probably will be again. I am also more of a rambler than hiker, but our group consisted of a wide range of folks, some of whom set off on their own in the Berner Oberland to explore hikes that were not on my radar. I really appreciated the community the tour group gave me. I was never at a loss for company if I wanted it - I always had others to eat with. There were a number of singletons on this trip. Still, I formed connections with many people, maybe more so than on the guided tours. And it was not clique-y. I got to meet and interact with lots of people or head out on my own as I chose.

So, for time to hike with the option to interact with a convivial group, I recommend My Way Alpine.