Traveling with a 21-year-old granddaughter and planning a 2-night stay in Switzerland in between our train ride from Venice to Paris. Taking into consideration scenery, economy, and efficiency, I have narrowed it down to Lucerne, Lausanne, and Thun. Which would you recommend? Or do you have a different suggestion
Posted by
Green Bay
21150 posts
Luzern first, Lausanne second. Eliminate Thun.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11776 posts
I agree with Sam. Lausanne is like a little Paris. Lucerne (Luzern) will give you a better taste of Switzerland.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
2 nights between Venice and Paris by train
1) Jungfrau region (Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Wengen or Grindelwald). Real mountains up close and personal. See website: https://jungfrauregion.swiss/en/summer/
2) Luzern. Pretty town on a lake within range of mountains
3) Thun, on a lake, in sight of mountains, but continue further into the mountains (Jungfrau region)
Bad 4) Lausanne. It is a city, not in the mountains.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1888 posts
Another vote for the Lauterbrunnen Valley. If from your list, then Luzern.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
If Lauterbrunnen Valley, which town do you think would be easiest (fewest train changes) ?
Posted by
Castle Rock, Colorado
185 posts
My vote would be for the Lauterbrunnen Valley or even better, Gimmelwald or Murren.
Second choice would be Lucerne. Very nice, walkable small city with plenty to see and do. My 18 year old granddaughter loved Gimmelwald, but also liked Lucerne. Would rule out Thun and Lausanne.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1888 posts
Lauterbrunnen would be the easiest to get to (fewest transfers). But I prefer the view from higher up in the mountains. So I would stay in Mürren. It’s easy to get to via a gondola ride and a short train trip.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
If Lauterbrunnen Valley, which town do you think would be easiest (fewest train changes) ?
If Lauterbrunen valley, then Lauterbrunnen itself has the least changes. Grindelwald is the number same, but pedantically that is in a different valley. Mürren and Wengen are not IN the valley, but half way up the sides, and need an extra train change at Lauterbrunnen. Mürren and Wengen are also both car-free, road ends at the valley bottom.
Coming from Venice, you already have to change trains at Milan, Spiez and Interlaken Ost, sometimes Brig or Domodossola as well, one extra doesn't make much difference.
Personal preference really.