Six days to go from Zurich to Budapest via Geneva

Posted by linda (Wayne, pa, usa) on 10/12/24 07:51 PM

Last minute trip to Switzerland to meet up w/ my daughter who's coming from Lyon. I arrive in Zurich on 10/21 and fly home from Budapest on 10/27. Daughter to meet me in Zurich and we'll begin our journey to Geneva where we catch a flight to Budapest. Flights cannot be changed.

We want to visit some mountaintops and cute villages - where do we stay and get the best bang for our few days in the Swiss Alps?

Possible itinerary:
10/21/24: Arrive in Zurich and take the train to Lucerne or rent a car (I have a credit to use up and I like driving!)
10/21-24 Lucerne - 3 nights
10/24-25 Drive to Geneva - one night
10/25-27 Fly to Budapest - 2 nights
10/27/24 fly home.

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

10/12/24 08:15 PM

21188 posts

Is your daughter flying from Lyon to Zurich? Is your daughter accompanying you to Budapest?

Despite your desire to drive, trains in Switzerland are so convenient that driving can be a bit of a burden when it comes to parking in cities.

Posted by Mr É...............(Пан E ►)

Magyarország / Rep of Texas

10/12/24 08:28 PM

20301 posts

Too bad the flights are set I would say skip Budapest and stay in Switzerland. Best of all there is a Krispy Kreme in Lausanne.

For Budapest stay at the Intercontinental or Marriott or Four Seasons on the river.

Posted by linda OP

Wayne, pa, usa

10/12/24 09:58 PM

10 posts

Not sure how or where my kiddo will meet me. She kind of wings it. So I'm thinking perhaps she should just take the train and meet me in Lucerne. Checking for flights to Budapest from any airport near Lucerne...

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

10/12/24 10:11 PM

21188 posts

Zurich airport is closest in just over 1 hour. Basel airport is about 1 1/2 hours and is an EasyJet hub with flights to Budapest.

Don't suppose you want a night train, but it is an option. Looks like it is nonstop from Feldkirch to the Hungarian border, so you will not get woken up by frequent stops and starts for 9 hours.

Posted by WengenK

Wengen

10/13/24 12:16 PM

2509 posts

If you take a train from Lyon to Switzerland you enter the country via Geneva. So that would be a better place to meet up I think.

Posted by Mr É...............(Пан E ►)

Magyarország / Rep of Texas

10/13/24 01:27 PM

20301 posts

Sorry, I am no good for you other than to glance at Google Flights and maybe help once you get to Budapest. If your flight out is from Budapest and you have to go for that, then you can do quite a bit with 2 full days. With less, its still okay but post in the Hungary forum for help. Staying on the river would be the thing. It allows you to see a lot with out feeling like its some sort of rushed death march. Or possibly Andrassy ut if the 3 river front hotels are too expensive (but after Switzerland you will think the Hungarians give everything away for free). If nothing else just relax in a limited area and enjoy the atmosphere and views. The atmosphere? https://youtu.be/0nd9DuDGCz0?si=aa0c19KaJHEtabkX (Anthony Bourdain describing how visually pleasurable Budapest is) And what you probably wont have the time to do more than scratch the surface of: Favorite Tourism Video of Budapest: https://youtu.be/1nd5AtZIrTk?feature=shared But you will have an evening or two: https://youtu.be/9oFIkNHsTBs?si=e5dtSYOGaNVTq5jc