Last Minute Planning Trip to Switzerland

Don't worry about language--most everyone will speak multiple languages, including perfect English.
Have you done a trip like this before? I am trying to be cognizant that when traveling alone, some like to move more quickly. I on the other hand like to stay as long in a place as my schedule allows. If you are somewhere in the middle, I would urge you to consolidate some of these stays. It would definitely break my heart to leave the Bernese Oberland after two nights.
Tours are designed differently, so you should take only your personal interests into account. Make a list of your priorities and check to see that it is reflected in your plan.
Have you mapped everything out on the SBB website?

Thank you Valadelphia for your support! I have not quite done a trip like this before - mostly in a group - when alone it was with a volunteer company. I will take your advice - I have not mapped on SBB yet - I will do that and take it into consideration. Thank you! I think you are right and the middle ground will suit me more. I will consolidate a few of the stops.

You could just go straight to Appenzell the day you arrive at Zurich airport.
I'd cut Lugano, it looks and sounds better than it is. I would only go if I was flying out of Milan.

So I'd just stay in the following places and just take daytrips everywhere else
Appenzell
Luzern
Gimmelwald
Pontresina
Zurich (the night before the flight is all you need).

I really don't think you need that much time in Bern, unless you have a particular interest. I'd add the days to the Berner Oberland, as no one is ever ready to leave the Alps, and/or more time in Lucerne.Its always nice to have 4-5 nights in a location, to just slow down, nurse a cold, or do laundry.
The SBB train app makes it easy to move about. The Swiss train system is the gold standard, and you'll have multiple trains per hour to most locations.
Gimmelwald is tiny, ( granted beautiful), not even a grocery store, I'd suggest Murren or Wengen instead.
From Pontressina you could ride the Bernina Express to Tirano and back in a morning- we did RT in one day, and it was absolutely gorgeous!
Most everyone in tourist areas speak English, and I always feel very safe in this orderly, clean, very organized country.
Kudos for taking on this adventure by yourself, and have a great time in this beautiful country.
Safe travels!

Switzerland is great for solo travel. I was there solo in June 2022 and am headed back by myself on Wednesday. You might find my trip report from my 2022 trip helpful.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-switzerland-my-trip-report

I am doing a similar trip this June, but have added stops in Zermatt and Murren. So, my trip will be land in Zurich and take the train to Montreux for 3 nights. Then Zermatt for 3 nights. Murren 3 nights. Wengen 4 nights. And finally, Lucerne 3 nights. Train from Lucerne the morning of my afternoon flight.

Not everyone in Switzerland speaks English. I have encountered multiple people that did not speak English, including SBB employee, police officers, and store employees. The data here is a couple years old, but you can see the percentage of English speakers in the country.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/english-as-a-common-language-in-switzerland-a-positive-or-a-problem/46494332

It’s nothing to worry about. I have never had any trouble communicating as there are usually other English speakers around that can help. But I didn’t want to you to go thinking everyone speaks English.

I purchase the Swiss Travel Pass so I do not need to worry about purchasing train, tram, boat or bus tickets unless I am going up higher in elevation. Become familiar with the SBB app before you go. It is very easy to use. It will show your journey options (I tend to pick the one with the least amount of changes), what platform you can find trains, where to stand on the platform for 1st and 2nd class.

Switzerland is my favorite country. Enjoy!!

Honestly after spending a ton of time in Switzerland, his itineraries are bonkers to me, unless you're on a tour group where they are dealing with all your logistics and you're just following the leader. And even then they seem exhausting and don't leave room for bad weather, etc. Your schedule would be pretty exhausting and leaves you not many days of actual enjoyment, just a lot of travel. I suggest something like this where you have atleast 2 full non travel days in each place....

June 11-14 - Appenzell
June 14-17 - Pontresina
June 17-20 - Zermatt
June 20-23 - Montreux area (I don't love Lausanne personally)
June 23-27 or 28 - Gimmelwald
June 27-July 2 - Luzern (day trips to Bern, Zurich, etc.) + to the airport

Thank you, Jazz Travels for the suggested consolidation! - I will cut Lugano and consider going straight to Appenzell from the airport.
Thank you, Pat - I will cut Bern and consider Murren instead of Gimmelward or Wengen - thank you for the encouragement! I needed that! You help put me at ease- thank you. I'm a little panicky because I leave Monday - but I know it will all work out!
Thank you, Carrie! It looks like we will be there around the same time! Your travel posts are very helpful - and thank you for sharing your itinerary as well. I will definitely get the Swiss Travel Pass and start playing with SBB app.
Thank you Wanderweg for the suggested itinerary and for assuring me that Rick Steves one is a bit much.

Really - thank you so much everyone for responding - I was feeling a bit panicky and this has put me at ease. Now I know what I will do. Thank you.

I concur with Pat that you should consider Wengen or Murren as your base. Gimmelwald is tiny. We took the lovely, easy walk from Murren to Gimmelwald one afternoon; enjoyed the atmosphere; but one afternoon there was enough. You will love the Alps!

Thank you again all!
I booked my airbnbs and planned an itinerary that was hugely given by this thread.
Thank you jazz travels for the suggested itinerary and wanderweg for the date breakdown and pat and travel bug for the Murren/Wengen swipe. And safe travels Carrie!
Jun 11 Appenzell
Jun 14 Pontresina
Jun 17 Zermatt
Jun 20 Montreux
Jun 23 Murren/Wengen
Jun 28 Lucerne

Danke Grazie Merci!

This looks great!
I have traveled to Switzerland 5 x solo (it is addictive).
When alone, I tend to be more outgoing, especially if you hear English spoken!
Have a Wonderful trip!

I think you have wound up in a very good looking trip. I hope you have a lovely time.

I’m planning a fall Switzerland trip right now, and these ideas are so helpful to me! Thank you all!

One question, though- we are planning to stay in Mürren for a week, and I am interested to see that Carrie and others have planned stays in both Mürren and Wengen in the same trip. I’d thought it would be an either/or decision as I was planning. Now I’m considering that we could stay a little longer and spend some time in Wengen as well before moving on to France.

Can someone please help me understand the best reasons to spend time in Mürren and Wengen, rather than Mürren and a different Berner Oberland location?

Thanks a lot!
Laurie

There is no reason for a first time visitor to stay in both Murren and wengen — some prefer one over the other. Personally, I love Murren, and would never stay in wengen. There are many who disagree completely with me. But at both you’ll get beautiful views, great hikes, and a nice alp feel. I just personally think you get more of all three of those in Murren. Frankly, this is my third year going in a row, and I don’t think you need a second place to stay in Berner oberland. Just stick to Murren or wengen and it’ll be far more relaxing for you.

I glad to see you’re happy with your revised itinerary. If this were my first trip and I was trying to get the most out of it, I’d personally follow the sage advice of Rick Steves. If I knew I’d be back and I’d also wanted to make sure I had plenty of slowdown and relax time, I’d probably opt for your current plan. There is no wrong answer! Heck, spending three weeks with the only stop being in Murren sounds lovely too!

What I have noticed is that folks repeatedly come here for itinerary advice and they are given by the old pros of the forum that Rick Steves advice is bonkers. I gotta say, well, wow. Now don’t get me wrong, the folks who post 1000s of times— heck sometimes 10,000 times— here all have impressed me with their wisdom. They have clearly established their bona fides. I suspect most of them have been traveling to Europe longer than Rick Steves himself!

I noticed one the best commentators say they limit themselves to one museum a day. My limit is four— though two is my goal! Others whose knowledge far surpasses mine say the pace of RS tours has folks they have talked to say the whole thing was a blur. And I believe them. But I’ve taken 4 RS tours and no one the tour said it was too fast. I have been to Europe a couple dozen times now and I’m getting old the tooth myself but I still prefer RS pace to what is routinely advocated on the forum. I like hitting the top 3 triangle sites and covering more ground by traveling to next location to see their top sites rather than staying for days in the same place. Maybe that’s just me. I never could enjoy beach vacations and clearly I’m missing the boat there since beach vacations are widely popular. So what do I know? Not much! But that Rick Steves fellow, well, he’s an expert!

In any case, I think your new plan is fabulous! I think your old plan was fabulous! And how could you go wrong? It’s Switzerland either way!

Happy travels!

Hi Laurie. I’m in Switzerland now and head to murren tomorrow. Then on to wengen. Keep an eye out for my trip report to see how I like this. Keep in mind that it’s your trip and you can stay where you want and do what you want. It’s your time and money. Trust your instincts.

If I had listened to many here I would have skipped the fabulous Zermatt. I will be sad to leave Zermatt tomorrow as I’ve had the best time here with my new best friends. The black nose sheep.

I would say this about Gimmelwald.. yes it's small. but it's magical. I keep journals on these trips (I've been back to Lauterbrunnen 6 times) and my favorite line in ALL my journals is from Gimmelwad...

...and somewhere in the fog a cow moos...

It reminds me or just how awesome it was to spend the time in a quiet, small and "real" village. I did the full tour like you listed, and the French speaking south just wasn't my cup of tea.

Carrie, your first time in Murren. I'll be anxiously awaiting your thoughts. Safe travels!