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Initial itinerary for train trip.

Posted by (Melbourne Australia) on

So much to see, so much to do...where to begin???

I thought I'd try this (below) for an initial itinerary. I suspect there will be many revisions, both on my part and from the learned folks here, and the beauty is that I've got plenty of time to do just that! We are not constrained by time, although of course the longer we are in Switzerland the more $$$ we need to outlay. The conversion to AUD$ makes my hair stand on end! But never mind, we have watched our fill of "train shows" to know that we really want to tick off those that make us want to experience them in person. I doubt if we will be in this part of the world again as there are a few other of Rick's tours that we have on the "must do" list!

We will be coming off a Danube river cruise in Budapest mid to end of August '24, so no jet lag issues. Our plan is to take the night train across to Zurich, being the closest main station, (realise it's not that close).

Now the plans begin...

  • Arrive Zurich - 1 night - Get bearings, City sights, Rhine Falls
  • Lucerne - 3 nights - town sights, Mt Pilatus, Lake trip, Mt Rigi, Tiltis, Bern?
  • Grindlewald - 4 nights - Jungraujoch, Wengen, Murren, First, Harder Klum, Laterbrunen
  • Lausanne or Geneva - 3 nights - Bern (if not before) Gruyere, Olympic Museum, Laveux area, Lake trip, Chateau de Chillon
  • Annecy - 1 night
  • Zermatt - 2 nights - Matterhorn Glacier, Gornergrat, Sunnegga

Here is where the journey gets a little perplexing....We want to do the Bernina Express route which appears to be from Tirano. Unsure whether to stop over in Tirano between Zermatt & Pontresina or just chug on.

  • Pontresina - 2 nights - Piz Muragl, St Moritz

-Another unsure is the journey from Pontresina back to Zurich.

ORdo we do the route clockwise? Benefits either way????

I would be very grateful if you can please chime in the fashion of a very loud Swiss cuckoo clock (maybe I'm the cuckoo one??) and guide us with experience and suggestions.

Many thanks,

Lynn

P.S. The daily plans are just that, and not meant to be see everything on the list.

Posted by
20247 posts

I don't think there is any advantage to go clockwise or counterclockwise. Counterclockwise is fine.
You might consider stashing your bags in lockers at Zurich HB, see the town, then on to Luzern in the evening. One less 1-night stand.
Grindelwald to Lausanne use the scenic Golden Pass rail line between Interlaken and Montreux.
Zermatt to Pontresina use the Glacier Express, getting off one stop short of St Moritz at Samedan and take the short connector train to Pontresina.
You get to Tirano and back in one day using regular trains and not the named Bernina Express, which requires reservation fees. Same train tracks, same scenery. Its is only a 2 1/4 hour journey each way.
Back to Zurich from Pontresina is easy. Connector train to Samedan, train to Chur, train to Zurich.

Since it is a year away, one more idea. From Pontresina, take the actual Bernina Express to Tirano which connects to a bus to Lugano along the north shore of Lake Como. stay in Lugano a night or 2, then take the Gotthard Panoramic Express to Luzern, the last leg includes a boat excursion from Fluelen to Luzern. Luzern is just a 1 1/4 hour direct train to Zurich airport. Then you will have done all 4 of the featured scenic train journeys in Switzerland, the Golden Pass, the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, and the Gotthard Panoramic Express.

Posted by
20247 posts

I would be very grateful if you can please chime in the fashion of a very loud Swiss cuckoo clock

Have you seen "The Third Man" and especially this speech by Harry Lime, played by Orson Welles and adlibbed by him?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cydkTy6GmFA
Graham Greene said later: "It was the best line in the movie and i didn't write it."
Orson Welles also later said: "All of my Swiss friends were at pains to gently inform me that cuckoo clocks were from the Black Forest of Germany and not from Switzerland."

Posted by
32903 posts

Swiss cuckoo clocks made in Germany and for counterpoint, German Black Forest carvings are made in Switzerland (Brienz among others).

Posted by
6920 posts

You might find that getting to Annecy will be too time consuming for just one night. I would skip Annecy, after all you will see several cute lakeside cities during your trip already, and stay closer to Lausanne (personally I like Vevey) rather than in Geneva.
I also think the Rhine falls can be skipped. They are pretty, but not that spectacular as waterfalls go, and late August means low water.

As for getting from Zermatt to the Bernina Express...the obvious choice here would be the Glacier Express, direct from Zermatt to St Moritz.
From St Moritz or nearby Pontresina, you can then travel on the Bernina railway as a round trip: a lovely excursion. You could go all the way to Tirano and back, or turn around at Poschiavo which is worth exploring (you'd miss the Brusio spiral viaduct if it matters to you).

Posted by
36 posts

Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge, and to Sam & Nigel for "chiming" in on the cuckoo clocks. I must watch that movie again, been many years.

Back to planning...lucky I've got a long runtime!

Toodooloo,

Lynn

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