We will be on Zurich for only two nights - arriving by plane from Venice around 4pm - group of 12. We will spend that evening in Zurich wandering around - would love suggestions for must see's while there. The following day we wanted to take a tour of Lucerne - would it be best for us to sign up for a specific tour with guide, or should we wing it and take the train on our own for the day? We plan to make it a long day in Lucerne, arriving around 10 am and staying through dinner before returning to Zurich. The day after this we are boarding a train to Strasbourg.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
If you want to make a long day of seeing Lucerne and its surroundings then why not just stay in Lucerne? Arriving into Zurich airport at 4pm still gives you plenty of time to hop on the train to Lucerne. Spend 2 nights there and train back to Zurich main station where you'll change for your train to Strasbourg.
You don't need a tour of Lucerne - it can be done easily on your own.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
I agree with Tim. Luzern is preferable to Zürich, and it is only 70 minutes from Zürich airport by train, so just stay in Luzern for your 2 nights.
Luzern is a city for wandering on foot. The centre is pedestrianised, bus tour not possible. In the afternoon you can go for a boat trip on the lake to relax.
Do not go back to Zürich to catch a train to Strasbourg. The route is via Basel, and you change trains there. But, Luzern is as near to Basel as Zürich is (the three are in a triangle), so just go Luzern - Basel - Strasbourg, cut the corner off and save ~1 hour.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6485 posts
I agree that you don't need a tour of Luzern. Swiss trains are super easy and the train station personal speak English and give amazing verbal and written instructions. There is lots to do in Luzern. Get a map and do some reading ahead of time. I also wouldn't stay in zurich. Basel is a nice little city, if you had the time you could visit the Rathaus and Munster and view the Rhine behind the Munster. Train to Strasbourg does leave from Basel