Needing recommendations for our first trip to Switzerland

Posted by HH05 (South Carolina) on 11/01/22 04:55 PM

We have started early planning for our first trip to Switzerland which will be in late August of 2023. We have a minimum of 6 nights, but could possibly stretch it to 7. Our flights will need to be in and out of Zurich, and we would like to avoid renting a car. Our interests are local culture, light to moderate hiking, beautiful scenery, and great food. We prefer smaller locally owned inns, hotels and we love B&Bs. Our ideal budget would be under $300 per night. Touring museums is not on our wish list for this trip. At this point we are giving serious consideration to visiting the Berner Oberland district and Lucerne, unless there are other areas we should consider with such a limited amount of time. My questions are:

1) Is this a viable plan without a rental car, and if so what options for public transportation are the best bet?

2) What specific area in Berner Oberland would you recommend as a home base, and are there any recommendations for inns, hotels, B&Bs etc, where you have had a great experience?

3) Any recommendations for places to stay in Lucerne and "do not miss" things to see or do; restaurants etc.?

4) How long would you suggest staying in each place?

Thank you in advance for the advice and any additional suggestions for things we may have not considered. We appreciate the help!

Posted by Suki

11/01/22 06:25 PM

11570 posts

On our first trip to Switzerland we stayed in Lucerne which we enjoyed, took boat rides on the lake. . We also took a day trip to the Berner Oberland, specifically Grindelwald and we were hooked! We stayed in a chalet in Grindelwald on our second trip, a breathtaking place, and did day trips throughout the area.

Posted by valadelphia

11/01/22 06:34 PM

4978 posts

1) No need for a car, at all--train is way to go. You may switch to cable car, etc., at end of journey depending on your choice. Get a half fare card and download the SBB app for economical and easy travel.

2) The excellent advice I received was Murren, Wengen, or Lauterbrunnen. Read up on all and the various day trips to see what appeal most to you. I went with Murren and was happy with the choice. I rented a chalet but dined at Hotel Edelweiss and Hotel Alpenruh and both looked nice.

3) Who is "we"--a couple, larger family, etc.? My rentals were a splurge for a special occasion, but you can find options at your budget. I use Booking.com and VRBO. In Lucerne, there are lovely hotels overlooking the bridge. See my recent thread for restaurant recs: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/if-you-went-one-place-in-switzerland

4) I'd do four in BO and two in Lucerne just because of the travel time involved. If your flight out of Zurich is around noon or later, no problem leaving Lucerne that morning.

ETA Because you are traveling in August, I would look at some lesser known villages. We loved Murren in October, but we remarked more than once that we could not imagine what it was like in August when filled to the rafters. I'd be concerned about crowds in August, but I'm fairly particular about hiking without tons of other people. And we never had to worry about crowded trains or cable cars (cable cars were quite full in October on many occasions).

Posted by stan

The Heartland USA

11/01/22 06:51 PM

8972 posts

Are you working with a guidebook yet? The RS Switzerland guide is worth having because it will answer a lot of questions with specific recommendations. Absolutely no need to rent a car, and some of the places you might go in the BO dont allow cars anyway. The guidebook would spur further questions like rail discount passes, how to get from one place to another, and you can compare what mountains you might go up from Luzern. IMO, Luzern is a great destination but mostly for the things outside of town (like the beautiful lake). Prepare yourself for the costs of restaurants.

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

11/01/22 11:15 PM

5617 posts

We have been in Switzerland a few times in Sept., and we not prepared for how warm it was in the cities. So pack a summer outfit or two, and then your fall mountain clothes.
Have a wonderful trip, and do spend as much times as possible in the Berner Oberland. Read the the last twelve months of posts under the Switzerland section here on the Forum, and I think you'll find that your questions have already been answered!
Enjoy!