My husband and I are flying in to Geneva Airport toward the end of August. We'll go to Laussanne for 4 nights for his work conference. Then we will be going to Murren for 3 nights. We will be flying home after that. I can't decide if we should fly out of Geneva or Zurich. Either way, we can get a flight out that leaves in the afternoon and the prices aren't much different. We would need to stay one night on the way to, or near, the airport. I know that there won't be time to do much, so does it really matter where we stay if we only have one night? We like history, hiking, and just exploring, but we may just want to relax at that point. I don't know what to do. What do you think?
Posted by
Maryland
907 posts
SBB website says it is 4 hours from Lauterbrunnen to the Geneva Airport and three hours from Lauterbrunnen to the Zurich airport. Why backtrack? I would suggest that you take the shorter train trip to Zurich and explore a bit there that night and in the morning before getting your afternoon flight. Lucerne is only an hour from Zurich airport so you could stop overnight there too.
Have fun.
Posted by
Green Bay
21142 posts
End in Luzern. Only 1 hour and 10 minutes by direct train to Zurich airport.
Posted by
Chicago
3125 posts
I would fly out of Zurich and spend your last night in Lucerne. From Lucerne, you can take the train right inside the Zurich airport. That will give you a chance to see Lucerne for at least part of a day.
Posted by
OP
US
50 posts
Thank you! You helped me make up my mind.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17418 posts
We have done both.
Would you rather speak French or German that last night? For French, a nice place to overnight is Morges, right on the lake about 40 minutes from Geneva airport by direct train. Morges would be about 3.5 hours’ travel time from Mürren. There is a nice lakefront promenade to walk, and some Audrey Hepburn history to explore if you are a fan.
https://www.morges-tourisme.ch/en/V1243/in-the-footsteps-of-audrey-hepburn
If German, I suggest Luzern, 3 hours from Mürren and just over an hour from Zurich airport, again by direct train. My husband and I enjoyed a nice afternoon and evening in small city on the lake (Vierwaldstättersee) last September. After dropping our luggage at a hotel just 2 blocks from the train station, we headed out to explore and became curious about the “castle” we could see perched above town. Chateau Gütsch is not actually a castle, but apparently was designed to resemble Neuschwanstein when it was rebuilt after a fire.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Château_Gütsch
We decided to take the hiking path up there to see it up close, then discover an extensive trail network through the shady forest. After an hour or so of walking, we returned to the hotel to check in and change into swimwear for a swim in the lake. —- there is a park with small beach on the lake, east and then south of the train station).
https://www.badi-info.ch/lu/strandbad-aufschuette.html
It was a nice way to relax and unwind as a break, as this was day 2 innEurope, after flying from Seattle to Frankfurt on our way to the Dolomites. For dinner we found tables by the river, separated from, but part of, the Swiss restaurant Wirtshaus Taube.
https://www.taube-luzern.ch/en/
I
Edit: I see you got lots of answers while I was busy writing. It seems the majority favors Luzern, and in case you can’t tell from what I wrote, I agree.
Posted by
OP
US
50 posts
We've decided on Luzern. I haven't done any research on it yet, but I feel like I need to get a hotel asap. I assume that we would want to stay in the old town? Do you have any suggestions for a hotel under $300? Under $250 would be even better. Thank you all!
Posted by
Chicago
3125 posts
I’ve stayed at the hotel des alpes in the old town. Not sure about price or availability this late. I always book 10-11 months in advance. I had 3 nights for 528 CHF last June. Oh, and this hotel as no A/C, but they do provide fans for the room.
https://www.desalpes-luzern.ch/en/
I’ve also stayed at the Renaissance (across the river from the old town), but I think it will be more than you want to spend unless you happen to have marriott points to use. This hotel does have A/C.
I’d check booking.com and then book with the hotel directly.
Good luck!!
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1632 posts
Definitely Zurich. It's nicer, bigger, and more efficient. Also, the airport lounges are newer and better.
Posted by
Freedonia
16273 posts
I have twice stayed at the Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora.
It's a five minute walk from the train station and one block to the Chapel Bridge (the famous one you want to take across the river). On the other side of the bridge is old town.
I''ve also taken the direct train from Zurich Airport. Its the same going back. No changes. Easy.
Posted by
OP
US
50 posts
Thanks again everyone!
Frank II - That's good to know because I found a good deal for that hotel on agoda.com & booked it a few minutes ago!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17418 posts
Good choice. The Ameron Hotel Flora is where we stayed as well. It is a nice small hotel in a very convenient location for train travelers.
Posted by
Maryland
907 posts
Hotel des Alpes for us.