We will be in Lucerne for 3 days of our trip in mid-March (the other 4 days will be in Lausaunne with a very set itinerary). My 13yo son requested to take a day and visit the Jungfraujoch from Lucerne. I know this is doable. Husband wants to hire a private guide--is that worth it? Also is there a better alpine experience for me to suggest to them? Neither of them want to just do a long scenic train ride instead. We are not skiiers but would like to ensure we have a memorable experience. Thanks!
Posted by
San Francisco area
1804 posts
Not clear if it’s better but there’s Mt Pilatus. The route via train and ferry seems popular on the forum.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16313 posts
The Mt. Pilatus cogwheel train does not run in March—-it is too steep. It opens in May.
But you could do some adventurous things at Mt. Titlis, at Engelberg, 43 minutes by train from Luzern. Here is the website, showing some of the non-skiing activities on offer:
https://www.titlis.ch/en/activities
https://www.titlis.ch/en/activities/titlis-cliff-walk
https://www.titlis.ch/en/activities/tobogganing
https://www.titlis.ch/en/activities/glacier-cave
I believe this is a much better alpine experience that the Jungfraujoch, especially if they are not interested in a “long scenic train ride”. That one involves a (scenic) 3-hour train ride to Kleine Scheidegg, then another (non-scenic) train which spends 40 minutes in a dark tunnel before reaching the elevator up to the Sphinx building. There is limited snow play outside there, nothing like what is on offer at Mt. Titlis. And then it’s another dark tunnel and 3-hour train ride back to Luzern.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4743 posts
I like Mt Rigi, and I've been there both in summer and winter (December). The boat ride is beautiful, about an hour from Lucerne, then the cogwheel train to the summit. On the December day that we went, Lucerne was clouded in, but we rose above the cloud cover to a spectacular blue sky and fresh, powdery snow.
I believe there are web cams to check the weather at the various summits.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Wengen
1684 posts
Note that it is not needed to hire a private guide for any of those trips suggested. That is just a waste of money. Also do not book organised tours.
Just go to the station, buy a ticket, and go. Switzerland has an easy to use nationwide mass transit system, and those mountain railways are integrated in to it.
Go to the ticket office in Luzern, tell them you want to make an excurion to eg. Titlis, or Jungfraujoch, and they will sell you the needed tickets, and will explain the schedule.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
There is also the Schilthorn, which I naively did as a day trip from Bern ...
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2324 posts
Absolutely no need for a guide for Jungfraujoch. Download the SBB app and get familiar with it. You’ll be using it a ton for trains anyway.
Once you get to Jungfraujoch, there is a route they want you to take through the various areas. There’s an ice cave, different educational displays, the observation tower, several outdoor areas, etc. Watch some videos and you’ll see what I mean. Once you get there, you’ll just follow signs along the route.
Just FYI as far as how long you stay there: we were based in Wengen and arrived by 9:15. We left by 11:45. We did the full route, plus some shopping. We didn’t eat there, but there is a restaurant. We didn’t hike to the glacier fields, but we did have some hot chocolate in the snow and lounged in the chairs outside. I guess some people go hiking and stay there all day. But less than 3 hours was good for us.
An option for the return would be to take the Eiger Express down from Eigergleischer to Grindelwald Terminal (15 minutes), then the train to Grindelwald. Then walk or bus to the First station. Take the gondola to the top and do the First Thrill Walk. Then train back from Grindelwald.
Posted by
OP
Tampa, FL, USA
121 posts
Thank you all; this gives us plenty to consider! Since we don't do winter where we live, I have one more naive questions--will we need snow gear to visit the caves or toboggan if we choose?
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2324 posts
We visited in the summer, and the temps at the top were in the 40s. In the spring, I’m sure it will be colder. You’ll want to bundle up. Staying dry is the key to staying comfortable. So either wear snow gear if you’re going to tobaggan, or bring a change of clothes. I was glad to have a jacket, gloves and a beanie in the ice caves.
In the summer, we wore extra layers up to the top and brought a foldable tote bag to put them in afterward. We took the Eiger Express down to Grindelwald Terminal and stored the bag at the train station, then went to First. Then we picked up the bag on the way home. Most train stations have lockers or luggage storage. It cost us 5 CHF per bag.