Hi y'all,
There seem to be some very knowledgeable people in this community on trips to the Alps and was hoping for a bit of guidance. Not sure this is even possible on short notice but I'd like to arrive in Zurich via Houston on October 19 and head straight to BO. I need to be in Paris on the evening of the 23rd so will have roughly 4 full days since we'll arrive the morning of the 19th (can possibly arrive the 18th). Can you offer suggestions on where we should make our home base (Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, Wengen, etc) and hotels that y'all enjoyed? Must see/do activities for a shortish trip? Also do I need to return to Zurich to catch the train to Paris? This will be our first time visiting so any help would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
San Diego, California
7195 posts
Oct 19 may be late for Wengen and Murren. This is off season between summer and ski season, and many lifts and lodgings close for maintenance.
I'd suggest Lucerne, which is an easy 1+ hour commute from Zurich. You can access Mt Rigi, Pilatus, Stanserhorn, and Titlus.
Hotel des Alpes is a favorite hotel in Lucerne.
Have a great trip.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks Pat! I checked the schedule and it looks as though the closings don't happen until October 26th. Would this change your opinion at all?
Posted by
Switzerland
503 posts
I have gone for day trips to the Jungfrau region at the end of October many times - stunning fall colours, snow at higher elevations, and the added bonus of far fewer crowds.
Of course it is impossible to know what the weather will be like this year, but that is the case for any visit.
As far as activities - the usual popular things are still lovely in the fall. Hiking, boat on the lake of Brienz to Giessbach Falls, visit to Ballenberg…what kind of things to do you like to do?
Posted by
OP
5 posts
That's very helpful SwissNomad thank you!
I agree about trying to predict the weather that's part of traveling. Also living in Houston, I'm surrounded by millions of people so the idea of fewer crowds is very appealing to us.
We kind of enjoy doing a little of everything. We like to hike but we're not hikers (more leisurely), enjoy boat rides and walking around towns getting lost, any form of sightseeing really and at the end of the day a great meal and a bottle of wine. Simple but maybe that helps you help me...
On my initial search we thought we could squeeze in some waterfalls, visit some mountain villages, hit a few summits and maybe a couple of lakes. Too much to ask or does this seem reasonable for fall trip. Again, thanks in advance for any advice!
Posted by
California
60 posts
no need to return to Zurich for a Paris train: see https://www.sbb.ch/en?stops=Lauterbrunnen_I8507384~Paris_I198&day=2026-10-23&time=17_05&moment=arr&trip=0_3. it's Interlake to Basel to Paris. about 6 hours so you'd need to leave earlyish.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you Kevin!
We're in no rush so that sounds like a great day!
Posted by
Wengen
4082 posts
Season end is October 25 this year, so when you arrive the cable cars and railways will still be open. Most hiking paths will too. Weather may be nice, but days are starting to get short.
So nothing against doing this..
Regarding getting to Paris: One thing you have to know is that the European train network is basically "everywhere to everywhere", so you do not need to second guess yourself what the best route is, and you do not need to assume that you need to route between major cities when changing countries.
Just go to www.sbb.ch, and plan your trips there. You can book a ticket from anywhere in Switzerland to Paris there, and with "anywhere" we do mean anywhere. You can even book tickets from small hamlets and bus stops...
From the BO the route will usually be through Basel.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Fantastic thanks Wengen! I've already downloaded the app to familiarize myself. Looking forward to an amazing visit!
I think we're gonna make Wengen our home base for the trip. Don't think we can wrong anywhere honestly, but some of the pictures are stunning. I can find lots of info online but if anyone has any hotel recommendations that would be great as well. And again, thanks in advance for all the help I've received.
Posted by
Switzerland
503 posts
On my initial search we thought we could squeeze in some waterfalls,
visit some mountain villages, hit a few summits and maybe a couple of
lakes. Too much to ask or does this seem reasonable for fall trip.
Seems absolutely reasonable to me. You already know about the SBB app, that will help you plan. Boats trips are on the SBB app as well, or you can get an overview of the schedule here:
https://www.bls-schiff.ch/sites/default/files/2026-05/timetable_bls_schifffahrt_2026.pdf
There are reduced sailings in the fall, so you might need to plan this part a bit more carefully.
Two scenic, easy hikes are the Panorama Trail Männlichen - Kleine Scheidegg shown here, along with other hikes in the area and the trail status so you can be sure the trail is open:
https://wengen.swiss/en/destination/about-wengen/hikes.html
The other easy one is Grütschalp - Winteregg - Mürren, open all year round. That, and other hiking trails, can be found here:
https://muerren.swiss/en/destination/about-murren/hikes.html
These two hikes are quite flat and a really nice way to take in the mountain scenery. Waterfalls can be seen by walking the valley floor, and I think that the boat to Giessbach is also a really nice outing.
Interlaken is really pretty in the fall as is Thun, It all depends on the weather and just how the autumn colours will be this year due to our very dry, hot summer. This can have a negative impact (less colour, leaves turn brown and fall off, etc.). Of course there is far more to the fall beauty than just the leaves, but in general they do add something to the overall experience.