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Help with 6 day Itinerary please

Posted by on

Hi everyone :)

I am planning a surprise trip to Switzerland for husband's birthday and we have never been before. I have researched different areas and there are so many beautiful places in Switzerland, I want it to be half relaxation and half exploration/sight seeing etc, so do not want to be on the go too much, especially as it is only 6 days as well.

The flights that I am currently considering are - Arrival in Zurich on Wed 19th October at 9:30am and returning Monday at Zurich 10pm, so this will give us 6 full days. Can anyone please help with recommendations and the order of which to go places?

I am currently considering going to Lucerne for either 3-4 days and then going to Lauterbrunnen 2-3 days, as I want to visit both of these places and surrounding areas. However, I am not sure whether to just stay in one place as a base and then explore other areas, any recommendations for where to stay as a base? The places I want to see are - Lucerne, Mt Pilatus, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen, Interlaken. Is this too much to also have a somewhat relaxing trip? I.e. not constantly be on the move?

Another thing I am unsure about is whether to get a hire car for the duration of our trip, from Zurich airport which will be around 340CHF and find a place to stay with free parking (I have seen a few nice airbnbs/hotels with parking available), or to get the half fare card or the swiss travel pass which will work out roughly to 730CHF which seems a lot considering we will not be using the trains too much.

Any help is really appreciated, thank you!

Posted by
6485 posts

I feel like you are at least one day short. With your days, I would be inclined to suggest that you go to BO immediately upon arrival via train. Skip Interlaken. Then head to Luzern Saturday afternoon. You don't need a car, and the Swiss train system is fabulous. Zurich is about an hour via train from Luzern.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you Jules. Unfortunately due to our work schedule we can only do 6 days. Is there anywhere specifically you recommend in BO to stay as a base and to visit? Going to Lucerne on Saturday sounds like a good idea

Posted by
8972 posts

jules has a good plan. Note that you can take a train from Luzern to the rail station at the Zurich airport in about 1.25 hours.

Posted by
6485 posts

I know what you mean in terms of the length of your vacation. It is what it is, and there were many years I had similar constraints.

People will have different opinions. I really liked being in the stunning Lauterbrunnen valley. We stayed just out of town and it was convenient to Wengen, Murren, Gimmelwald, Grindelwald, tho I felt Grindelwald was too touristy. Others will say they love staying in Wengen or Murren and I really can't argue too much with that, they are lovely.

Posted by
2023 posts

I agree that Lucerne would be great for
two nights. You can be there in one train hour from Zurich’s Airport. You can ride up to Mt.Pilatus on your second day in Lucerne. Staying in the Altstadt is convenient for arriving at Lucerne’s train station. Lucerne is relatively small, with a population of 80,000.
The advantage of taking the trains will become apparent on day three with the ride to the Berner Oberland over the Brunig Pass to Interlaaken where you change trains for Lauterbrunnen, Murren and Wengen. This route through the mountains and past turquoise glacial-fed lakes is spectacular, and one of Switzerland’s best train rides.
My favorite town in the Berner Oberland is Murren, but Lauterbrunnen in the valley of waterfalls and Wengen just on the other side of Lauterbrunnen Valley are also beautiful. Lauterbrunnen is about 3 hours by train from Lucerne.
Since your return flight from Zurich leaves at 10pm you can easily depart Lauterbrunnen by train and you will be in Zurich in 2.75 hours. Swiss trains run precisely on time.
Have a great Trip!

Posted by
6485 posts

Just to be clear, I was suggesting you go to Lauterbrunnen/Murren/Wengen immediately upon arrival in Switzerland. I would end in Luzern and you can easily make the direct train to Zurich from Luzern on the Monday.

If you end up getting the Swiss Pass for train travel, in Luzern, it covers the trip up to Mt. Rigi which includes a lovely boat ride and a cog wheel train. There are other places in Luzern that the Swiss Pass covers including a small art museum and the Panoramic painting.

I don't know a thing about the half fare card

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