My husband and I are landing in Basel after a cruise on the Rhine. We have 5 days (10/30--11/3) in Switzerland before flying out of Zurich in AM on the 4th. We were thinking about visiting the Lauterbrunnen Valley but am concerned about the weather. What about Lake Lucerne and do day trips from there?
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Lisa, October/November is between seasons, the summer season is over, and the winter (skiing) season does not start until mid-December. It would be very quiet in the Lauterbrunnen area, and a lot of places (hotels, restaurants) will be closed, staff taking well deserved breaks. And the weather can be changeable (cloudy, rainy, not good for going up mountains); or, you could get luck and get lovely weather.
Therefore I agree with staying in Luzern, as it gives you options. It is a bigger place and does not close down to the same extent. A day on the lake, a day looking around Luzern, a day taking the train to Interlaken and back via the Brünig pass railway (good scenery, and if it is wet, you are looking at it from inside a dry train).
If you fancy a ½day in Bern, do a loop Luzern --> Brünig pass route to Interlaken --> Bern --> direct train back to Luzern.
And, if you wake up one morning and the weather is wonderful, go up one of the local mountains (Titlis, Rigi Pilatus).
Plus, Basel is worth an overnight before you move on.
Posted by
OP
Grapeview, WA, USA
5 posts
Thank you. A night in Basel and 3 nights in Lucerne. Sounds good.
Posted by
Washington DC
27202 posts
Bern has a lot of arcaded streets, so it's a good choice for a day-trip if you hit bad weather.