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Itinerary Input for Alps Starting/Ending in Zurich

Posted by (TX) on

Could anyone share if this itinerary is realistic or am I trying to fit too much into a 10 day trip in mid-late May? For cost reasons we will be flying in and out of Zurich and I'd like to fit in the Glacier Express, otherwise I would not have included Chur. I was hoping to spend 3 nights in Lucerne, Zermatt and Fussen and do day trips to other locations but it would require quite a bit more train time than expected. Any feedback or recommendations would be appreciated.

  • Arrive in Zurich - 1 night
  • Lucerne - 2 nights
  • Zermatt - 2 nights (day trip to Annecy, Glacier Express to Chur)
  • Chur - 1 night
  • Fussen - 2 nights
  • Salzburg - 2 nights
  • Salzburg to Zurich - 1 night
Posted by
594 posts

This would be a very exhausting itinerary and I think you'd feel at the end like all you did was spend your time packing up and moving. For 10 days I highly recommend picking 3-4 spots max to enjoy them. Trying to see 3 countries in 10 days and not doing an open jaw flight is going to just be way too much, as some of your commutes between places are going to be 7+ hours, which means 1 of your "days" is gone. I'd go back to the drawing board and really think about what's most important to you. If you're stuck with a flight in and out of Zurich, then I think you'll get the most out of your trip by just focusing on Switzerland. You can see an amazing castle at Chateau de Chillon instead of going to Fussen and Luzern has a great old town as a replacement to Salzburg.

Posted by
8863 posts

What time of day does your flight arrive in Zurich? If AM, I'd skip that one night in Zurich and take the train from the airport to Luzern. I'd use that extra night in Luzern or one of the other places.

Posted by
5470 posts

I agree, spend all your nights in Switzerland. This is an incredible country with a world-class train system and amazing beauty. However, May is a little early for all the lifts to be open, so I would push it to late May into June, if possible.
As for Fussen, IMHO, it's a complete tourist trap. You can Search for opinions here. I was sorry I spent so much energy there, and so much time waiting in lines, even with timed tickets, which can be difficult to get.
I think you really have the outlines for two separate trips proposed.

One option would be fly into Milan,
to Varenna, Lake Como
To Tirano, Italy to pick up the Bernina Express,
Night in Chur or Pontressina,
To the Berner Oberland,
And onto Lucerne.
If you don't have an early flight, stay in Lucerne the night before.

So lots of options, but please discard the itinerary that keeps you on long train rides. Have fun planning.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you all so much for the responses. I'm definitely going to rescope the plan and try to limit it to Switzerland - I do not want to spend 75% of our trip on trains. You've been a great help!

Posted by
5470 posts

Carolt,
have fun planning and come back with your revised itinerary if you need additional feedback. Have a great trip. Safe Travels!

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