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Looking for advice for centralized location for train adventures

Posted by on

We visited Switzerland last year and are returning this year for my 60th birthday. I love trains and would like to ride the regional trains so that we can get off where ever we choose. The issue with this is luggage as we will be in Europe for 21 days total. The wife will not pack light so we will have two big suitcases. What I'm considering is establishing a base in a relatively cheap AirBNB and travel out. We have a week to 10 days to explore. We've did Luzern, Lauterbrunnen, and Zurich last year, so not much interest in those areas.

I'm thinking of basing in Andermatt to see Zermatt, Lugano and St Moritz. Would spend a night or two in each. I know this sounds a bit ridiculous, but the money isn't really an issue in exchange for the convenience. We really don't want to drag luggage around and could pack a small hiking backpack for the overnights.

Thanks for any thoughts or alternate suggestions.

Posted by
1669 posts

Well, besides convincing your wife to pack light, here are a few foods for thought.

If your base is in Andermatt......

Travel to Zermatt is about 7 hours round trip, so that is a 2 night stay over. Next, travel to St. Moritz one way is 4.5 hours, this would be another 2 night stay over. Lugano is 2 hours. So far, this is about 6 nights you will be paying for a place in Andermatt and somewhere else. I know you said money isn't an issue, but can you really stomach paying for a place just to store a suitcase(s)?

I would base myself in Montreux. From there you can visit, Montreux, Zermatt, Gruyeres, Lausanne, Gstaad (Skip St. Moritz) and Bern. Most of these can be day trips if you like.

You could also show the Mrs. this video: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks/packing-skills

Good luck and enjoy.

Posted by
977 posts

Well if you are coming for up to 10 days and the objective is a good train location, then Olten would be a good option. It is one of the main switching points in the train system and you can get to locations like Zermatt, St. Moritz, Montreux etc in about four hours or less.

It is off the tourist trails, so you should be able to get a good AirBnB location for about 60 Francs within walking distance of the train station. With those prices you should be able to do mini trips for two days and stay over a night before returning.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Posted by
31 posts

Thanks St Moritz will probably get skipped. Just too far out of the way. I want Zermatt just to see the Matterhorn. Not sure there is a lot else to see/do there.

To clarify, no real interest in Montreux or Geneva.

Posted by
4684 posts

If you have an interest in trains, don't write of Montreux. Nearby is the chemin de fer Blonay-Chamby, the main preserved museum railway in Switzerland, which has both steam and vintage electric trains.

Posted by
31 posts

Thank you Philip, it is a great idea. Strangely I don't find as much interest in vintage European railroads as I do American. Just such a different style I suppose.

Posted by
5835 posts

SBB has luggage services:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/services/luggage/luggage.html
Options from "door to door" to "station to station". We didn't use the luggage service but saw passengers dropping off/picking up baggage.

SBB door to door:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/services/luggage/luggage/door-to-door.html

Luggage door to door. We collect your luggage from your address in
Switzerland and deliver it to your destination address the following
day. You can choose one of three time windows for collection and
delivery. Alternatively, you can opt for express delivery, in which
case we send your luggage to your destination address on the same day.
Please note that the order must be placed by no later than 8 p.m. two
days before collection.

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