First trip to Switzerland in Spring

FIrst - those "scenic" trains are just trains with extra large windows (trains ALREADY have nice large windows). They travel on the same tracks/same routes as all other trains. If it fits your schedule then fine, but don't plan your vacation around a "scenic" train.

The Swiss 15 consecutive day pass is just overkill. Get yourself a Half Fare card for 160chf and pay 1/2 price on all of your train trips. 440chf for a 15 day pass is for people who ride the rails constantly. Hopefully you're not going to be sitting all every day on a train.

"one day for each: Lauterbrunne, Murren, Gimmelwald, Kline-Scheidegg, Schilthorn" no no no. Start your day by going UP to Schilthorn and spend an hour or so. As you come back down get off the the gondola in Murren and walk around the town. You can walk from one end to the other in about 10 minutes at a really fast pace. You'll want to slow down and look around so give yourself and hour. Maybe a bit more if you want to do lunch there. From Murren take the nicely paved path down to Gimmelwald (about 20 minutes at a leisurely rate). Gimmelwald is nice and you can see everything in the town in about 30 minutes. From Gimmelwald catch the gondola back down to Stechelberg on the valley floor. It's the scenery all around you that makes the destination beautiful. But you DO NOT need an entire day in just Murren or just Gimmelwald or just Schilthorn!

Kyle,

I've not traveled to Switzerland (yet), but was planning a trip for next spring so have done some research.

Having said this, I will only answer your question about the Swiss Pass (SP):

• The SP can be used for local travel, including buses, trains,
  and boats, as well as admission to most museums.

• The SP also offers 50% discount on most high mountain railways & lifts.

• The SP does cover most panorama routes (require a seat reservation and are subject to a supplementary charge)

Check these website for more detailed information:

• http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/home.html
• http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/passes/swiss-travel-pass.html
• http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/Frequently-Asked-Questions.html

Hope this helps!

EDIT: I was writing my post at the same time as Tim, and his advise makes good sense & I agree with his remark.

The Swiss 15 consecutive day pass is just overkill.

Check this website for more information about the Swiss Half Fare Card:
http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/themen/grand-train-tour-of-switzerland-panorama/ticket-overview/swiss-half-fare-card.html

And in actuality the Swiss Pass only gives you a 25% reduction to the expensive Jungfraujoch while the Half Fare Card gives you a full 50% reduction...which is almost enough in itself to pay for the purchase price of the HFC.

Keep something key in mind. April-May is the shoulder season in the Alps, when much of the infrastructure temporarily closes. There isn't enough snow left to ski (some years), but usually still to much for summertime activities. It's almost certainly too early Kleine Scheidegg. Don't be surprised if little is open during your visit. Also, if the snow pack has recently retreated, your visit may coincide with the time of year when the farmers fertilize the pastures... if you like liquified manure shot through a power hose, you'll be in luck!

You have to build your time in the B.O. to allow for weather. If you're locked into just one day to do the Schilthorn, and the weather stinks, you're wasting your time. There are many resources available to start looking at weather 2 or 3 days out and confirming the night before.

We weren't that crazy about Montreux so can't recommend spending much time there. Except that Chillon is there, so if you're gonna do that you could always just stay and then catch the Golden Pass. Montreux has just the one train station so that part is simple. It looks like the train from L to M runs every 30 mins and takes about 30 mins so depends what time your Golden Pass train leaves.

One small point to add to Tim's comments about the windows - From one further aspect you are better off without the " Panoramic " windows . They are fixed in the frames , and cannot be opened , the regular ones can be opened . If you take pictures and are captivated with the views , which are some of the best eye - candy in the world , being able to pop open the window gives a much better opportunity to eliminate glare through the glass and get better shots . As Tim says - same routes , tracks and all ,you won't miss a thing !

Kyle,

"April 26-April 30 (4 or 5 nights): Train to Lauterbrunnen (Golden Pass) from Lausanne: Explore (one day for each: Lauterbrunne, Murren, Gimmelwald, Kline-Scheidegg, Schilthorn)."

There's not really much to see in Kleine Scheidegg except for some hotels and the terminus for the Jungfraubahn. At that time of year, there likely won't be a lot happening there. Kleine Scheidegg is on the opposite side of the valley from the other places you mentioned in that paragraph.

Just to clarify, the Golden Pass or whatever will take you to Interlaken Ost, and you'll then need to transfer to the Berner Oberland train for the 20 minute trip to Lauterbrunnen.

You may get some good ideas on which Swiss Pass to choose by having a look at....

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/switzerland-rail-passes

Wow.....so much good information to work with. Half fare card is a definite and regular train to Lauterbrunnen makes sense to save $ while traveling same route. Had read that, but good to hear from those who know that a little larger window is not worth it. I'm beginning re-think trip and save Switzerland for another time when we're traveling later---a June trip sounds more desirable for hiking and less potential for bad weather. The twelve days in France is a definite....anyone have suggestions on special places you've traveled that would take us to a more predictable climate in late April/early May? Have return flight on May 6 out of Geneva so can't change that but can go to another area and end up there for return flight. Have 13 days to explore somewhere in Europe from April 22-May 5. Anyone been to Portugal? Knew shoulder season had uncertainty but the more I think about it, the more concerned I am about choosing Switzerland for this time of year. Another option is to go to Switzerland and make reservations as I go so that I can adjust according to the weather. Anyone have experience with "book as you travel" this time of year? Many, many thanks for all of your comments.

Anyone have experience with "book as you travel" this time of year?

Sort of. When I lived in Europe, I often took weekend trips, and rarely booked anything more than 2 weeks in advanced, often not even until a day or two beforehand. Didn't really matter the time of year. Sometimes, like on a good ski weekend in the Alps, or a holiday period in the summer, I had to try a couple of options before I found vacancies. But most of the time, my first choice was available.

Oh, but one important caveat... since I wasn't paying for airfare, I had a Bahn discount card and I had my own car in Europe, I was less constrained by room costs than someone traveling from overseas.

Thanks, Tom. Your comments have been helpful....giving me things to consider to travel in Switzerland in April/May. In Scotland and in Ireland, we booked a day at a time as we traveled. Think traveling so early in season will be easier to find accommodations than if traveling in June or peak tourists season. Although we may pay more, the flexibility could be worth the extra costs. Can get 10 day weather forecast as we travel and decide where we go. Thanks!