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Paris to Switzerland: Advice for short 4 day Switzerland experience that must include Panorama train

We are two couples in our early 60s. Spending 6 nights in Paris (9/15/25 – 9/21/25) and then 4 nights in Switzerland (9/21/25 – 9/25/25), flying home out of Zurich at 1:00 pm on 9/25. We are looking for advice on what to do for our 4 nights in Switzerland.

We are very interested in a panoramic scenic train (this is at the top of our list and a must), and some lite hiking/walking/exploring etc. We would probably want to do 2 nights in two different cities/towns instead of 4 nights in one. Or perhaps stay in one town/city if it is a good home base.

Our initial thinking is that we should take Rick Steve’s advice for first time visitors to Switzerland who only have 3 – 4 days to visit Berner Oberland's Lauterbrunnen Valley but open to suggestions. Also interested in Lucerne perhaps. We are planning to take a train from Paris to Swizerland on 9/21. We cannot seem to figure out the best itinerary for this short 4 night visit to Switzerland so open to all suggestions on Berner Oberland or other areas as well that will provide panoramic train experience. I read so much helpful advie on this site so thought i would give it a try!

Posted by
22217 posts

While going to the Jungfraujoch is certainly an option, don't waste your time and money if it is socked in by weather, as happens frequently. Here is the simplest itinerary.

Train from Paris to Basel, then change to a train to Interlaken Ost (possibly with a train change in Bern), then train to Lauterbrunnen, then train to Wengen to stay 2 nights. From Wengen you have several options, including going to th Jungfraujoch, but also taking the cable car to Maennlichen then a moderate hike down to Kleine Scheidegg, then the train back to Wengen.

Then take the train back to Lauterbrunnen, then Interlaken Ost, then the Interlaken-Luzern Express train to Luzern. This counts as one of the classic scenic train journeys in Switzerland, along the Brienzersee, past the Reichenbach Falls and over the Brunig Pass through the Swiss countryside to Luzern. Stay 2 nights in Luzern, taking a boat ride on the lake and one of several mountain top excursions, Mt Pilatus, Mt Rigi, My Stanzerhorn. From Luzern, it is just over one hour direct to Zurich airport for your flight home.

Posted by
894 posts

Personally with only 4 days in country I'd recommend picking one spot and enjoying it. If the Berner Oberland looks interesting to you, you can very easily fill up 4 days there without spending almost an entire day moving. You'd basically lose 1 of your 4 days by moving to another region.

If you like the BO, Wengen is a great choice. It's a car free village up in the mountains with good transportation connections and lots to do (mountains, lakes, villages, adventure activities, day trips to cities, castles, etc.) Another good option is just doing Luzern. From there you can visit mountain tops like Rigi, Pilatus, Titlis, etc. as well as do a lake cruise, explore the historic old town, take day trips to cities like Bern or Lugano - plenty to fill up 4 days.

Posted by
5247 posts

I would NOT recommend the link above, as it is a link to an expensive Viator day trip from Zurich.