Recommendations for end of trip in late spring

Posted by CLKR (BC Canada) on 10/24/23 08:34 PM

Hello, we are planning a 3 week trip to Switzerland for the last week of May and first couple of weeks of June. We are mainly interested in hiking, natural views and riding trains! Here is the trip so far. Comments welcome especially at the end —— is 5n/4d too long in Zermatt? If so, how long and where else on way to Zurich?? Many Thanks!

Fly into Zurich and head to Lucerne for 3 nights.
Train to Kandersteg for 5 nights.
Spiez for 3 nights for Lake Thun exploration
Wengen for 5 nights
Train to Zermatt for 5 n/4d.
Then train to Zurich in morning to catch an afternoon flight.

Posted by Maureen

Vancouver BC

10/24/23 09:43 PM

57 posts

Zermatt has only one main sight the Matterhorna. Rick Steves calls a one horse town.

There are several hiking trails as you will see lots of folks with climbing gear.. 3 days would be max forw me as have been there 3 times and basically have seen it all.

The Wegen area offers much more as you can take cable cars to Murren, Piz Gloria with restaurant and trails, Gimmelwald and Lautebrunnen. Lots of trails for every level of hiker. More days here than Zermatt for sure.

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

10/24/23 09:50 PM

4719 posts

Instead of Zermatt, perhaps spend the time in the Lausanne / Montreux area. After being in the incredible Berner Oberland, I don't see the appeal of Zermatt.
And- add a day to Lucerne, especially as flights are increasingly canceled, delayed, and flight scheduled times frequently changed. It's charming and a perfect town to work off jet lag. For our last trip to Switzerland, we arrived 24 late, as out flight was canceled- right after we boarded ( mechanical issues.)
Safe travels !

Posted by Carrie

Chicago

10/24/23 10:59 PM

2678 posts

I think it would make more sense to start south and make your way back towards Zurich. I wouldn’t want to train from Zermatt to Zurich on the day of my flight.

For my June trip, I’m landing in Zurich and heading immediately to Montreux. From there I’ll head to Zermatt and then Murren/Wengen and end in Lucerne for my last few nights. That way, it’s a shorter train ride to Zurich airport for the flight.

Sounds like a great trip whatever you decide.

FYI—I’m finding flights to be almost double what I paid last year. Hopefully, that’s just from Chicago and you’ll have better luck finding a good flight price.

Posted by wanderweg

Nashville, TN

10/25/23 12:23 AM

423 posts

Kandersteg and Spiez are only 30 minutes apart. Pick one of those bases and you can do things in both areas.

Also, I’d recommend Wengen towards the end of your time to allow more time for snow to melt and trails to open up.

Maybe something like
Zermatt - 4 nights
Spiez or Kandersteg - 5 Nights
Wengen - 7 Nights
Luzern - 5 Nights

Or fly into Geneva and out of Zurich and take a day from Zermatt and Spiez to do Montreux at the beginning to recover from jet lag and do some simple activities like boat rides on Lake Geneva, visiting Chateau de Chillon, etc.