My family & I will be traveling to Switzerland Sept. 1 for 12 days. WE are landing in Zurich. WE have purchased a 15 day Swiss travel pass first class. WE plan to take train to Interlaken We are in Interlaken for 6 days doing numerous activities with Interlaken sports.
It appears we need to get to Chun to travel to St. Moritz by the Bernia express train. Spend day there before going to Tirano via the Bernia Express train. Then we are going over to Lugano for our last 2 days before heading back to Zurich. We would like to try and ride the Glacier Express as well if we can.
I am getting a bit overwhelmed as to how many trains and possibly buses we may need to catch to do all of this travel.
Any advice? Should I change the last few days itinerary?
Thanks,
David
Posted by
Paris
6921 posts
First, are you committed to staying in Interlaken? If you have refundable accommodation, I urge you to stay further towards the mountains! Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen all make for better bases.
Then, yes you have to travel to Chur to get to the St. Moritz area. The most scenic route that's not too long goes via Interlaken, Luzern and Thalwil. I would not stay in St. Moritz proper, but in Pontresina or Samedan, which are more charming.
The Bernina railway is great, but I would treat it as a day trip from Pontresina. Then, to go to Lugano, I would take the Glacier Express to Andermatt, then a short connecting train to Göschenen which puts you back on the main Zürich-Lugano railway.
I would perhaps take a night from Interlaken to add it to the St Moritz area, to make the trip more balanced in terms of travel time (Interlaken to St Moritz is long, and so is St Moritz to Lugano vía Glacier Express).
Edit: I just see that you had posted separately regarding the Interlaken - St Moritz train, and I am relieved to see that I agree with my own previous advice :-)
Posted by
11223 posts
Interlacken is not good place to stay. Go into the mountains to Grindelwald, Murren or Wengen not far from Interlacken but in the stunning mountains. Interlacken is a transportation hub.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4880 posts
You have a wonderful trip planned. We were there last Sept, 2021. It may sound overwhelming now, but in reality traveling in Switzerland with the STP is very easy, and the connections quite smooth. The Swiss didn't mess around when planning their public transportation: It is passenger-friendly and easy to use.
The Bernina Express from Pontresina to Campacologno[Switzerland] or Tirano [Italy] is under two hours one way; we road it out and back and every minute was a thrill. As the sun changes, the light on the scenery changes, and pix going one direction were different from pix in the opposite direction. I do recommend using the regional trains, not the panoramic trains, as the schedule offers more options, no seat reservations are required, the windows allowing for better pix, and the trains are much less crowded. I think there's agreement here that the scenery from the Bernina Express surpasses that of the Glacier Express routes.
Also note that the temps in the Swiss cities can get into the 80's in September- I had my mountain layers and did some over-heating.
Safe travels!
PS- Don't stay in Interlaken, but stay in the Alps!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32921 posts
I see that many are advising to stay up in the mountains with which I agree - but I see from your original post that you are planning for 6 days of Interlaken sports.
Could you say a little more about that please? If you are planning on mountain activities like base jumping. wing-suiting, hang gliding, Trotti, etc., they will involve starting each activity in the mountains. If flying you may land in Interlaken (near the Café Schue) or perhaps by the base of the Gimmelwald/Mürren/Schilthorn gondola.
Would it be more pleasant for you to be where the activities are and with the views and the pure Alpine air, or down on the flatland? Either is fine - I stayed in and near Interlaken for two trips before starting to stay up the hill.
On the other hand if you are in Interlaken for, let's say, a football tournament, then of course you will want to centre down in the flatland.
Posted by
OP
Massachusetts
14 posts
Good morning, we will be doing the paragliding 9/3, Canyoning Grimsel 9/4, Via Ferrata Murren 9/5, River rafting 9/6 & finally the canyon swing 09/7. Most events are in the am so we are free to explore during the afternoons & evenings.
I have reservations at the Hotel Bellevue.
Truly appreciate all of the insights being offered form kore experienced Swiss travelers.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4880 posts
Please check your trip insurance if paragliding-related injuries would be covered. I had wanted to do that in Switzerland, and just by a quirk, I discovered that such "extreme sports" are not covered. I'm sure the adventure is safe the majority of the time, but just something to consider . What a thrill!
Posted by
Paris
6921 posts
If these are organized excursions, then sure, stay in Interlaken! It's a good place. The locations we suggested further into the mountains are better if you want to hike and explore the Jungfrau range, but since you have different goals, Interlaken should work!