My husband (71) & I (67) plan a trip to Switzerland in September via rail at the end of a Viking Rhine River cruise. We have navigated Europe on our own a few years ago but this is our first trip to Switzerland. We are in overall good health and like to walk although we are not real hikers. We would like a non-hectic trip but at the same time are trying to be mindful of budget. We are planning to buy a Swiss Travel Pass. If you are familiar with getting around Switzerland we would love some input on the timing of this itinerary. We are also open to any other suggestions. Thanks so much!
Start in Basel at departure of cruise.
Train to Bern - 3 nights
Train to Lucerne - 3 nights
Train to Interlaken to stay in Murren - 3 nights
Train to Zermatt - 1 night
Glacier Express Zermatt to Chur then train to Zurich (We only want to do the most scenic part of the Glacier express which is why we end in Chur).
Zurich - 2 nights. Then fly home
Posted by
San Diego, California
5604 posts
You have a wonderful trip planned. However, I'd take one of the Bern nights and add it to Murren. The Alps are SO beautiful, and you want as many days as possible to give you better chances of clear mountain weather. It's hard to ever feel you have had enough of the Alps!
Safe travels!
Posted by
Chicago
3125 posts
I would take all 3 of those Bern nights and split them up between Murren and Zermatt. I really think you need at least 2 nights in Zermatt. And you can never have enough nights in Murren. You could always do a day trip from Murren to Bern. But, once you see the mountains, you might not want to leave.
The Swiss Travel Pass is a great idea as it will make traveling so easy.
I was in Switzerland this past Sept. It is a great time of year to go. Plan for weather being anywhere from cold in the higher elevations and possibly warm to hot in the cities.
Posted by
Granite Bay, CA
95 posts
My wife and I, almost the exact same age as you and your husband, are doing almost the exact same trip, this June, but in a different order. We end a cruise in Basel and are renting a car and driving to Bern for 2 nights, then Murren for 4, Lucerne for 3, and Zurich for 2. We have been to Murren before and loved it. We are still rather athletic, so plan on hiking many of the trails around Murren and those near Wengen. We're also planning to hike on Mt. Pilatus and Mt. Riga near Lucerne. All of the trails we plan to hike are rated easy or moderate. If you are in good health, I suggest you pick a few near Murren and you will be rewarded with unbelievable views and memories.
Enjoy your cruise and Switzerland.
Posted by
El Dorado Hills, CA
69 posts
Bern is really only worth a day trip in my opinion. Instead of Bern, I would stay in Montreux or Vevey on Lake Leman. Montreux is a beautiful town in the French region of Switzerland. It is known for the Chateau Chillon (free with Swiss Rail Pass) and Queen's Studio Museum. Plus, the lakeside promenade is beautiful. You can take a day trip to Lausanne to visit the Olympic Museum (free with Swiss Rail Pass) and visit the beautiful Lavaux wine region or Gruyeres (free cheese factory) and Broc for the Maison Cailler Chocolate factory (free with Swiss Rail Pass). Then on to Lucerne via the the Golden Pass train route.
Hubby and I (both your ages) will be visiting Switzerland for the sixth time this December to visit the Christmas markets. We have purchased the Swiss Rail Pass each time we visit. So easy to use.
Have a wonderful time in Switzerland!
Posted by
California, USA
121 posts
My husband and I (84 & 83) will be doing a similar trip in June, minus the cruise but our hiking days are over. We’ll have 16 days in Switzerland prefaced by 4 days in Varenna, Italy. (we loved it more than 30 years ago) I’d suggest you plan on Bern for just a day trip from Interlaken and instead use those 3 days elsewhere, ideally one more day in Mürren and 2 days in Montreux or Vévy. Hope the weather is good for all of us.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you All! We have increased our time in Murren and Zermatt based on your suggestions!