Tentative Itinerary: I would love some input. RS suggest picking one area and spending most of the time exploring that area. We will have a 8 day swiss pass, I'm a little confused about the half price fare pass that I keep seeing mentioned.
Day 1: Arrive in Zurich am: Sept. 26th. Take train to Luzern and spend afternoon, night in Luzern.
Day 2: Sept. 27 Spend most of the day in Luzern, take afternoon train (2 hour train trip) arrive in Murren late afternoon.
Day 3: Sept. 28: Explore area: Hike, see sights depending on weather: Schilthorn
Day 4: Sept 29: Explore area: Hike, see sights depending on weather: Jangfraujoch
Day 5: Sept. 30: Explore area: Hike, see sights depending on weather
option: Spend one more day here or head to Lausanne........ thoughts!
Day 6: Oct. 1: Take the Golden Pass to Lausanne and spend 2 nights in Lausanne
Day 7: Oct. 2: Take boat on Lake Geneva to Chateau de Chillon, Am, afternoon in Gruyerres, return to Lausanne via train: time permitting visit Olympic museum or visit it the next am before catching train to Basel.
Day 8: Oct. 3: Take train to Basel to catch Viking Cruise: Need to be on boat late afternoon.
We could spend one extra day in Murren and skip the Chateau but spend Am in Lausanne prior to catching train up to Basel which is about a 2 1/2 hour trip.
Thanks Everyone, I really value your input.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
An 8-consecutive-day Swiss Travel Pass will fit your trip very conveniently and offers pretty comprehensive coverage for transportation and most museums, plus 50% off most high-mountain rides, except only 25% off Wengen-Jungfraujoch and return. With that pass, you have prepaid ($406 per person in 2nd class) and can hop at will onto any fully-covered type of transport; some people find that convenience to be worth paying more.
The one-month Half-Fare Card (same link) for $134 is a separate product and you don't need both. It allows you to pay half price for all transport tickets as you go (including 50% off Wengen-Jungfraujoch and return) but not museums. Whether your total expense adds up to more or less money can only be determined by adding up all your anticipated ticket costs (which I have not done), and also partly depends on whether your plans and weather go as hoped.
Since you don't have to buy either one yet, keep an eye on http://ricksteves.raileurope.com/special-deals/featured-deals.html for any fall travel specials that could crop up.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33813 posts
Don't shortchange Basel, and the area around Basel.
It is much more than a wide place in the river where you can board your cruise.
It has a really attractive centre, both Basel on the one side of the Rhine and Kleinbasel on the other. There is really easy transportation by a network of modern trams, some really great museums, especially in kinetic art, the metal fountain has to be seen to be believed - you will be rolling on the floor with laughter - a different museum once had a room with a window on the street full of moving Roombas with dolls sitting on top like they were driving them, the Basel sense of humour is wonderful.
A great modern art museum, just out of town a design museum and more modern art. Villages nearby that haven't changed for hundreds of years.
I know that Basel doesn't get much play, for whatever reason, in the Blue RS books, but trust me that it is a real world class city. There is enough to do there to occupy you for several days.
Oh yes, the ancient tower, the walks along the banks of the river, the Rheinfalls (Europe's Niagara Falls) is just up the river, the bridge museum, the zoo, I could go on.
Oh yes, much more than just a landing stage...
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
168 posts
Nigel - can you elaborate on the villages nearby Basel that you'd recommend? We'll be in Basel for our second visit for several weeks this summer and I'm trying to figure out daytrips. We have a day planned for the Black Forest and we may return to the Alsace region for a day but I'd like to visit a few villages close to Basel in Switzerland. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Redding, California
244 posts
We did this almost same itinerary after our River cruise! We had an amazing time! I would spend more time in Murren if I were to do it all again. We stayed in Montreaux with an amazing view of Lake Geneva! I absolutely loved Chateau de Chillon! Oh, you will have an amazing adventure! The river cruise was wonderful too!