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Itinerary Suggestions: Paris (3D/4N) - Switzerland (2D/3N) Mid-Feb.

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Itinerary Help:

My husband and I will be traveling to Paris and Switzerland for the first time and would love some assistance to ensure we plan accordingly to see the top sites and utilize our time properly.

We will be arriving by plane to Zurich and taking a connecting flight to Paris immediately after landing. We will be staying in Paris for 3D/4N and have plenty of ideas for activities and sites. Our primary planning questions come for the Switzerland portion of the trip.

We were considering flying from Paris to Zurich instead of taking the 4+ hour train to save on time. We will have two full days to explore Switzerland and would like to keep one city/town as our base (we have an early morning flight out of Zurich after our two full days of travel).

Options and looking for tours/sites, etc.:

  1. Base: Zurich and take tours from Zurich. Tour Option 1: Best of Switzerland Tours (Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe) http://www.switzerland-tours.ch/zuerich/item/13-jungfraujoch-top-of-europe.html

Tour Option 2: Viator (Mount Titlis Day Tour) https://www.viator.com/tours/Zurich/Mount-Titlis-Day-Tour-from-Zurich/d577-3885SW303BS

Looking for other ideas, verification of the above, etc.

  1. Base: Lucerne
    Looking for itinerary for two full days (Mt. Pilates, Mt Titlis, Mt. Rigi). Want to experience the Alps, Swiss Culture.

  2. Bernese Overland Area (Murren or other more populous area)
    What to see/do over the two days?

We want to get an experience of Switzerland's beauty and culture without over exerting ourselves. We will be back to the country at some point. Looking for itinerary ideas, best Mt's/Peaks to choose, train ride options, best base for site proximity, and any other suggestions for such a short amount of time (especially considering weather restrictions in February).

Thank you very much!

Posted by
8889 posts

We were considering flying from Paris to Zurich instead of taking the 4+ hour train to save on time.

If you include all the check-in time, getting to the airport etc. I think you will find the train is quicker city centre to final destination, and definitely a lot more comfortable.
Do not stay in Zürich, it is a big (nice) city in the plains. Stay in Luzern or the Berner Oberland Area. All are accessible from Paris by train (usually changing at Basel) and just as quick. Luzern is better for quick access to Zürich airport, depending on how early your flight is. I would vote Luzern as you only have 2 full days.

Titlis is a good idea, but just as easy to do it yourself, not a tour. Just go to Luzern station and say you want to buy a ticket to the top of Titlis and back again. You take a train to Engelberg, then the cable cars up the mountain.
Your other full day could be used for a boat trip on the lake.
The Jungfrau is in the Berner Oberland and too far for a day trip from Luzern.

Posted by
27132 posts

I'd be extremely leery of booking and paying for a high-mountain tour ahead of time since the weather can be so changeable. No sense in spending a lot of money to look down on clouds. The do-it-yourself Mt. Titlis option sounds like a fine idea to me.

Posted by
12040 posts

Want to experience the Alps, Swiss Culture Just so you're aware, "Swiss culture" in the Alps in February is very much centered on skiing and winter sports.

With only two fulls days, I would pick one mountain area. I don't know about the mountains around Luzern, but all of the lifts and trains operate in the Berner Oberland during the winter... and they function primarily to transport skiers up to the slopes, although non-skiers can certainly ride along. The Jungfraubahn (which is purely for sight-seeing) operates throughout the winter as well. If you're not a skier, the Berner Oberland maintains groomed winter walking trails and sledge runs. Acces to Trummelbach falls, a popular destination in the summer, is closed in the winter, however.

Posted by
262 posts

Is your departure airport Paris or Zurich? I agree with Chris F., the train from Paris is likely quicker, easier and more comfortable than flying. Lucerne is a popular destination and will give you the experience you are looking for, especially with just a two day stay. I agree with the others, no need to book a tour.

Posted by
451 posts

I agree with taking the train from Paris back to Lucerne. Given two days, you don't have time to get into the high mountains of the Berner Oberland, which is highly recommended. If the weather is clear take a self guided tour to Titlis, but go early in the mornings as clouds can roll in in the afternoon. The second day venture around Lucerne. If the weather is clear the second day so to the mountain on the second day. We went early to Schilthorn and the clouds rolled in as we were leaving and you could not see anything and we passed lots of people coming up on the lifts only to see clouds.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you all so much for taking the time to provide your expertise and various options - we truly appreciate it!

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