Our family is flying in to Zurich on a Saturday night. We are planning to take the train in the morning to Interlaken on Sunday and spend a day there. On Monday, we are thinking of spending a day in Luzern, and then spend Tuesday through Thursday hiking from Lauterbrunnen, Murren, or Wengen. On Friday morning, we want to take the train to Zermatt, and then on to Milan from which we fly out of on Sunday. Does this sound reasonable? We are more interested in scenery than cities. What can we see in Northern Italy on our way to Milan? Should we spend another day there and cut out a day from Switzerland? Any advice is appreciated.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
That sounds about right except.
Luzern is between Zürich and Interlaken, only 70 minutes by train from Zürich airport to Luzern. So to avoid doubling back do it as: Zürich airport - Luzern - Interaken. Depending how late you flying in, you could probably go direct to Luzern, skip the night in Zürich. The rail line Luzern to Interlaken is over the Brünig pass and scenic.
Do not stay in Interlaken, stay in Lauterbrunnen, Mürren or Wengen. For hotels and info see here: https://jungfrauregion.swiss/en/summer/
You can look up train times on the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) website: https://www.sbb.ch/en
"What can we see in Northern Italy on our way to Milan?" - Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, is on the rail line from Zermatt to Milan. Lakeside town, islands to visit (Borromean Islands) worth an overnight stop.
Posted by
Kansas City
272 posts
Going from Zurich to Interlaken to Lucerne to the Lauterbrunnen area is a lot of backtracking. You could go from Zurich to Lucerne. Stop in Interlaken on you way to the Lauterbrunnen area.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Yes, I see that we should go to Luzern before Interlaken. Thank you.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
We arrive in Zurich at 21:45. Should we still take the train to Luzern the night we arrive? It looks like the trains are still running at this time. And I think there is more availability in accommodations in Luzern.
Posted by
Grand Rapids, MI
768 posts
To determine which hikes you might like, click on my name and you'll find a link to our dozen favorite trails in the area, with maps and pics.
Posted by
Green Bay
21150 posts
With 8 nights and 7 full days, you really don't have time to see anything in Italy. You don't say what the family make up is. That will effect how fast you can travel as you have to go at the pace of the slowest family member. 3 towns in Switzerland is plenty, with a last night at Milan airport hotel.