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Is my 18 day Switzerland itinerary okay

Posted by on

Hi there,

I'm wondering if this itinerary works for Mid-November to Early Dec. I am travelling with my husband and 2 year old toddler so we will not be doing any long scenic rides or skiing! Chrismas markets, short hikes, some snow, and museum visits will definitely be on our list. For now, I am wondering if this looks okay or do I need to add some days to specific cities which we should be spending a longer time in? Happy to hear any suggestions, especially places and activities for our toddler!

Day 1 Zurich - travel to Lucerne (start of Swiss Travel Pass)
Day 2 Lucerne - Swiss museum of transport, Mt pilatus
Day 3 Lucerne - travel to Interlaken (Lucerne Interlaken express)
Day 4 Interlaken - Jungfraujoch
Day 5 Interlaken -
Day 6 Interlaken - travel to Bern
Day 7 Bern
Day 8 Bern
Day 9 Bern - travel to Lausanne
Day 10 Lausanne -
28 Nov Day 11 Lausanne - Lake Geneva cruise, Montreux
Day 12 Lausanne - travel to Basel
Day 13 Basel
Day 14 Basel - Basel zoo
Day 15 Basel - travel to Zurich (end of Swiss Travel Pass)
Day 16 Zurich Lake Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate
Day 17 Zurich
Day 18 Fly back to SG

Posted by
7300 posts

Hi! I would make a few small changes, as follows:

  • If possible, stay in Wengen, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, rather than Interlaken which is mostly a transit hub and only at the foot of the mountains.

  • Head to the Lausanne area after that, using the scenic Golden Pass railway. Rather than Lausanne, look at staying in Vevey or Montreux, it is a bit more charming.

  • Head to Bern after the Lausanne area.

  • Bern does not deserve 3 nights. Remove a night there and add one to Lucerne (where you only stay 2 nights in your original plan).

  • Zürich does not deserve 3 nights either. Remove a night there and add one to the Interlaken area.

No experience travelling with toddlers so can't help with that aspect.

Posted by
5604 posts

Just a few thoughts. You have obviously already put some time into your planning.

The Zurich main train station has the largest indoor Xmas market in Europe. It's worth a wander.

The Bern Xmas markets are nice, and my fav is the one straight ahead of the main train station entrance, walk two blocks. The have a pond with a waterfall that is beautifully lit. The TI will provide Xmas markets map.

If you have enough time, when you're in Basel, train across the border to the Strasbourg Xmas markets. I have never seen a town that decorated so elaborately! I was in awe even as a senior, my reaction was almost child- like. Of course, Colmar is cute and a little closer to Basel, but Strasbourg is special.

Mt. Rigi is completely covered by the STP, Pilatus only partially covered. You should have snow to play in at Rigi. The boat ride to the cogwheel train is delightful.

Have a magical trip!

Posted by
3125 posts

Just adding to Pat’s comment. When I was in Switzerland last year I stayed in Basel and made day trips to both Colmar and Strasbourg. Both are very easy. Just note that those trips would not be covered by the Swiss Travel Pass and the trains to France do leave from a separate area of the main Basel SBB train station. There is a special ticket machine for those trains that we had a hard time with. So, I’d suggest that if you do decide on either or both of those places, buy your tickets from the ticket counter. You can buy the night before if it’s more convenient.

Another great day trip from Basel is Freiburg, Germany which we all loved. It looks like they also have a Christmas market:

https://www.carnifest.com/christmas-market-weihnachtsmarkt-in-freiburg-2022/#:~:text=Christmas%20market%20in%20Freiburg%20is,decoration%20to%20the%20charmed%20market.

Posted by
272 posts

Be sure to check the dates for Christmas markets. They usually open the last week of November.

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