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Switzerland Itinerary location, activity, and pass recommendations

Hello. My husband and I will be in Switzerland at the end of October and I’m looking for a few recommendations. We will be spending the first 4 days in Lausanne for my graduation then I’d like to go east to the mountains. My original plan was to spend the next 4 days in Lauterbrunnen and take day trips from there but the more I read about locations, the more questions I have. After Lauterbrunnen, we will go back to Geneva to fly home. So my questions are as follows:

  1. What is the best location in the Wengen/Lauterbrunnen area (I’m open to other towns) to stay for a base camp?
  2. Which mountains/activities do you recommend? We love outdoor/nature activities. We’re in our mid 40s-50s and are looking for low to moderate risk activities.
  3. Which passes do we need?
Posted by
5602 posts

There is no "best." Everyone is different.
There is ongoing animated debate here regarding Wengen vs Murren. It's a personal decision. You may enjoy the discussion.
Check which lifts and trails will be open the end of October. You're coming into the end of the season, businesses shutting down and taking a break before ski season, and lifts closing for maintenance.
You don't mention your age or level of fitness or risk regarding outdoor activities. Parasailing in Murren maybe?
It's hard to recommend passes if we don't know all the traveling you'll be doing in Switzerland. Where are you going after the BO? Most folks recommend the half-fare card and one of the summit passes, but it's always a confusing decision.
Congrats on the graduation, and have a wonderful adventure in this beautiful country.

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Ps
Could you pls add Switzerland in your title? After I leave your post I have trouble finding it again. Thanks so much.

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Posted by
923 posts

I would recommend Wengen; our stay at the Edelweiss Hotel was terrific. Daniel and his staff were terrific and a wealth of information. After doing a lot of research on the various mountain excursions, we determined that the Half Fare Card and the Berner Oberland Pass provided the most economical transportation options for us. During my planning, I used the free resources offered on the "Aplins in the Alps" website. You may find that helpful.