Planning surprise trip to Switzerland - feedback requested regarding 15-night itinerary

If you are coming from JFK and ending in Lake Geneva area, why not fly home from Geneva?

Wengen and Muerren are so close together that I would choose one and stay for 6 nights.

You have a way to ( discreetly) confirm her passport status for this surprise trip?

Be a shame to do all the planning and not get on the plane

Sam, thanks for the reply. Roundtrip from Zurich is less expensive by hundreds of USD. I thought about Murren or Wengen for the entire time but figured different sides of the valley and different perspective of the Alps might be nice. Still may choose just one though.

Joe32F, thanks for the reply. Yes, passport status is good to go. We just returned from Iceland about 10 days ago.

After 28 trips to Jungfrau region I highly recommend that you not change bases between Mürren and Wengen. You can easily explore both sides from one base or the other and save yourself the big hassle of picking up and moving yet again.

We have based in both, strongly prefer Wengen. Others would recommend otherwise! Personally we find Wengen more picturesque, has a much more robust selection of restaurants and food markets, and easier to get to and fro. We based in Wengen for 3 months awhile back and never ran out of fabulous things to do and see in the region.

You don't mention form of accommodation. Highly recommend renting a holiday flat v hotel in any location you are staying 4 or more nights.

Thanks for the feedback kimhawley60.

Curious why you recommend a holiday flat vs a hotel for 4 or more nights? I was focusing on hotels with breakfast for the entire trip.

I understand your comments regarding splitting time between Murren and Wengen. Do you think it would worth splitting the 7 nights in the BO with 3 or 4 nights in Wengen and the remainder of the time in Lauterbrunnen valley for accessibility to other areas/sights? Hard to choose between these locations since they all seem so nice.

about your last question, New York Traveler from Long Island

(I lived in Suffolk and then Nassau many moons ago)

I have never stayed in Wengen or Lauterbrunnen preferring Mürren, but I know the area well. I agree that switching sides, such as Wengen to Mürren does get some advantages in that side's transportation but is just taking valuable time in the relocation - at least half a valuable day - and for such a short time in the Berner Oberland may not be the best use of time.

That goes double for moving to Lauterbrunnen from Wengen. To get better access (only a little better, the frequent train to the valley takes only a short time) you give up the views and the car free atmosphere. I wouldn't trade beautiful views for traffic and shade. But everybody is different.

This is a special trip for you and especially her - whatever makes her and you happy is best.

Maybe that's the reason for hotel breakfasts - I would too, but I also completely get the apartment with the larger space, washer, fully equipped kitchen which may save money.

Again, whatever makes the two of you happy and feeling special.

I hope the surprise works out really well. You certainly have plenty of time to work on it and get it right...

I split my time between Murren and Wengen on my trip last year and it was a fabulous decision, and I’ll do it again.

It literally takes minutes to check out of a hotel and into a new one. Travel time from Murren to Wengen is 43 minutes.

I would start in Montreux and work my back to Lucerne and take the train from there to Zurich airport.

Here are the links to my last two Switzerland trip reports. They might help with your planning.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-switzerland-june-2024-my-trip-report

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-switzerland-my-trip-report

Thank you for your insight and kind words Nigel! Glad to hear from a former Long Islander!

I understand your point about using valuable time for relocating to a different area. While I have been leaning more toward Murren for the entire 7 nights, I've read different postings about the extra time it took people on public transport to get out of Murren in order to reach another area to visit. I do want to make the best use of our time while visiting so I'll have to give it serious thought.

The valuable time factor partially comes into play with the hotel breakfasts as well, which you pointed out. It has worked well for us previously and we prefer it that way. I do understand the added apartment space, washer/kitchen, etc., but neither of us have a desire to cook/do laundry while on vacation. We like to eat foods from the area we're visiting and try new dishes. We don't want to spend our time inside cooking when we could be out enjoying ourselves.

Hi Carrie, thank you for your reply and links to your trip reports. I enjoyed reading them and looking at your photos as well.

After reading your post, I am now leaning toward splitting our time between Murren and Wengen. So our revised itinerary will include the following:

Fly into Geneva airport, arriving around 9:30 AM
Vevey-3 nights
Murren-4 nights
Wengen- 4 nights
Lucerne 4 nights
Train to Zurich Airport from Lucerne, departing flight around 1:00 PM