Hello fellow travelers! I'm overwhelmed with all of the beautiful sights to see in Switzerland and need some help planning. We are arriving to Zurich around 11AM on 8/26 and are planning to spend 4 nights in Switzerland before taking a train down to Florence. I have been debating staying in Lucerne all 4 nights or going to Interlaken first for 2 nights then Lucerne for 2. I'd prefer not to hop around a ton (we have a bit of hopping in Italy as well), but I also feel like we'll be missing out if we don't stay in Interlaken and see that area. We at least want to be in Lucerne 1 night before we head to Florence to minimize the train time (5.5 hours from Lucerne, would be 7+ from Interlaken). If we stay in Lucerne only, is it possible to do a day trip to Lauterbrunnen/Murren from Lucerne? If we did that as one full day would be missing out by not seeing Interlaken? If we do stay in Interlaken any suggestions on where? We're open to staying in smaller towns as well if it's easily accessible and picture perfect :). Top on my to do list is Lauterbrunnen/Murren or similar quintessential mountain towns and Mt Pilatus.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
I'd stay in the Interlaken area the whole time, but not Interlaken itself; Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mueren or Grindelwald are better choices.
Sure, the trip to Florence will be longer than from Luzern, but not by that much, and it minimizes the total time spent on trains.
There is a lot to see and do in the Interlaken area and weather does not always cooperate, so it is good to have three full days.
Posted by
Franklin, TN, USA
920 posts
We found Interlaken to be way too touristy…especially when you can stay in the heart of those gorgeous mountains in Lauterbrunnen or Wengen…I would prioritize those places…we also loved Lucerne!
Posted by
Los Angeles
4853 posts
I would say, as much as people LIKE Lucerne, they LOVE the B.O.
Posted by
1 posts
We’re in a similar spot planning a 12-day trip in October flying in and out of Zurich. We know we want to go to Berner Oberland for 3 nights at the start and then head to Florence for 3 nights and then Cinque Terre for 5 nights - debating whether to stop at Como or Lucerne for last two nights on way back to Zurich or perhaps 1 night in each? It’s a fun puzzle! From everything I’m reading you wouldn’t want to limit Interlaken/Berner Oberland to a day trip. Appreciate any further recommendations
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks everyone! We’ve decided on 2 nights in Wengen followed by 2 nights in Lucerne before making our way to Florence.
@ gott0098 we’ve got almost identical trips planned! After 4 in Switzerland we’re doing 3 nights in Florence, 2 in Riomaggiore (Cinque Terre) and 2 in Varenna (Lake Como) before flying home from Milan. A bit more jumping around than we’d typically do but we have friends in Lake Como so we want to make it a point to meet up with them. Solely based on pics that I’ve seen I’d probably do Lake Como for your last stop but they both look amazing so I’m sure you can’t go wrong either way. Happy travels!