We are spending 4 days in Switzerland prior to joining a tour. We are landing in Zurich at 8am and spending that first night in Lauterbrunnen. Since we will be pretty tired from a long flight we thought we'd try to get a driver/guide to take us to Lauterbrunnen instead of taking train. We were hoping to also see Lucerne on the way. Any recommendations driver or guide in the area?
Posted by
Green Bay
23590 posts
Since we will be pretty tired from a long flight
I fail to see how being tired would prevent you from taking a relaxing train trip. There are direct trains from the airport to Interlaken. They are every 2 hours, so maybe the timing is not right for you. I think riding in a car would be less relaxing than a train.
But here is an option to get a quote.
https://swissncc.com/
Posted by
226 posts
I'm confused....
You will be too tired to take the train but you want to make the transfer longer by adding a tour of Luzern....? If you simply go by car non stop you won't see Luzern at all because the fast road goes via tunnel under pretty much the whole city, if you add a diversion to use the old main roads you'll see little more than glimpes through the busy traffic. To see anything of note will need the car to be parked and you to be walking - which will keep you awake but you could do that on your own by train - amyhting involving personla service in Switzerland is expensive.
The direct trains to Interlaken don't go near Luzern so aren't a solution to this either. You would need direct train to Luzern, time for a walk and then a second train to reach Interlaken, via very scenic line.
Posted by
Wengen
3969 posts
Are you hoping that a driver could take in some sights in Luzern on the way? That is not going to happen, as the only way to really see the sights in Luzern is on foot.
If you just want to relax take the very relaxing train from the airport to Interlaken, and continue to Lauterbrunnen. Then just have a day trip to Luzern on another day.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9720 posts
IMO, the most interesting things to see in Luzern are the surrounding mountains and the lake. If you cant stay there, it's not worth a stop on the way to somewhere else for a few hours.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36804 posts
if you want to see the scenery on the Brünig Pass from the car you may be disappointed - it is nowhere near as scenic from the car as from the train. The highway uses a lot of tunnels, and most of it is only 1 lane each way with a solid line down the middle of the road so your driver won't be able to pass if you get behind a slow truck, bus or tractor. Voice of experience here.
Usually a car might be easier in many places, BUT here where the station is directly at the airport and the seats are large and comfortable with big windows, yet you can walk up and down the train for exercise and there are toilets in every carriage, I think the train's the winner.
Your trip of course, and you do as you wish. I would have thought a stuffy car for the duration would be a recipe for sleep - the last thing you want to do if you want to beat the jetlag.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Wow - thank you all so much for these wonderful replies. I so appreciate you sharing your experience and expertise with us. We will definitely be taking the train first to Lucerne then another train or two onto Lauterbrunnen. We had already decided on getting the rail pass so we are all set. Thank you thank you!!! We are so looking forward to this trip!