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First time in Switzerland - Itinerary Review

Central Switzerland (June 7th-10th):
7th June

Land Zurich -> Check in Schwyz


8th June

Stoos Ridge (Schwyz) - 8 AM

Unterschächen - Stauber waterfall - 1 PM

Lucerne & Lake Lucerne Sunsets - 7 PM


9th June
Klöntalersee (Glarus) & Appenzell Whole Day


Jungfrau Region (June 10th-13th):

10th June

Check in Thun (Schwyz to Thun 3hrs~) - 11 AM

Oeschinen Lake (Kandersteg) - 1 PM

Sunset at Lake Thun - 8 PM


11th June

Giessbach Falls (Brienz) - 9 AM

Gelmerbahn Funicular, (Wed, 8 AM)


12th June

Brienzer Rothorn Train - 8 AM

Bachalpsee Lake - 1 PM

Explore Grindelwald - 6 PM


13th June

Lauterbrunnen, Mürren & Wengen - Whole Day

Need Activities

Leave for Geneva - 7:30 PM

Check-in Geneva


French Alps & Geneva (June 14th-15th):

14th June

Chamonix Day Trip (Fri, 9 AM): Aiguille du Midi & Mer de Glace

Visit Annecy

Return to Geneva


15th June

Chamonix Day Trip (Sat, 9 AM): Lac Blanc Hike & Brevent Cable Car

Explore Geneva


My Thoughts

Staying in Schwyz (3 days), Thun (4 Days) & Geneva (2 Days)

We are travelling as two and I am wondering if we need Swiss Full travel pass or Half travel card be sufficient? Any help with the Itinerary would be very much appreciated. I spent a lot of time researching locations and making sure I covered my favourite spots by staying near those locations. I watched a lot of videos and one of the locations I excluded was Top of Europe as I thought it would not be worth it!

The reason to stay in Geneva towards the end is to see Mont Blanc, Annecy (explore Italy) and leave for Barcelona as the flight is cheaper.

Posted by
4867 posts

I am not sure if you have fully research transit times. Have you? For example, you cannot explore Lauterbrunnen, Murren, and Wengen in one day in any meaningful fashion.

Posted by
2 posts

Yes I have no clue about the transit time. I just want to cover the most I can that day as I'll be leaving to Geneva late evening.

Posted by
4867 posts

Better scope that part out! SBB is the Swiss train service for accurate times, but even a quick Google search would give you a better sense.
I prefer seeing one places well versus seeing multiple places in a blur, up to you!

Posted by
602 posts

This schedule is extremely packed - you're just trying to fit way too much into 9 nights and you're going to be exhausted spending most of the trip just running around trying to "see it all". Basically every day you have multiple big activities that aren't necessarily all close to each other and I think you haven't really thought through the logistics of how much running around you're going to be doing.

Thun is not the best base for the activities you've listed wanting to do in the Jungfrau Region. You're staying in Geneva, but visiting Chamonix two days in a row? It's fine to have a wish list, but my guess is you're going to be able to accomplish about half of this.

Posted by
48 posts

I'd also say that the itinerary you have is very busy, with little time to actually soak in the scenery, people, culture, and food of the places you plan on going.

I know that there seems to be a need to "fit it all in because you never know when/if you'll be back," but that can lead to frustration. Definitely look at travel times and plan some buffer for things possible going wrong (e.g. delays, cancellations). Plan time to soak in a town or two. Vacations/holidays should be relaxing, not even more stressful than the regular 9-5 grind.

Perhaps prioritize your destinations and sights. Use three tiers: "must-see now," "would like to see now," and "could save it for another trip." Have a sense of humor about it and be ready to improvise here and there. I know it's not in everybody's character to go off-the-cuff with international travel but it can lead to lovely surprises - and great stories to tell when you get home.

That said: enjoy the trip!