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Spend more time in Bernese Oberland?

Posted by on

Hi everyone! Y'all have been so helpful in planning my trip to Switzerland, so I'm back.

My husband and I are getting ready for our trip in September. Our may focus is hiking the beautiful countryside. We originally started with multiple locations but as time has gone on we are now doing one night in Lucerne, then 5 days, four nights in Bernese Oberland (actually staying in Wengen), then an overnight in Zermatt, and then a night in Zurich because we leave very early the next day.

As we are narrowing our itinerary we are realizing that there are just so many gorgeous things we want to do in the Bernese Oberland so we are thinking about losing either the night in Lucerne at the beginning an going straight to Wengen or losing the night in Zermatt. We can't really lose the night in Zurich because we leave to go to the airport so early and out of convienence it makes sense to stay there.

Does anyone have any thoughts on dropping Lucerne versus Zermatt? Or any other thoughts?? Thanks you :)

Posted by
4709 posts

I'd give up the night in Zermatt. You'll be IN the Alps in Wengen, and it's just so glorious!
I think Lucerne is charming and it's a great place to work thru the jet lag. Also, Lucerne is so close to the Zurich airport, just an 1+ hour train ride.
Have a great trip in this beautiful country!

Posted by
2320 posts

I would drop the night in Zermatt. The Matterhorn is notoriously elusive and may be completely shrouded in clouds. Having only one night greatly decreases your chances of seeing it.

We spent 5 nights in Wengen in June and could have stayed one more, easily. It was cloudy/rainy most of the days, with only one day where it was clear at Jungfraujoch. What you do, and the views you hope to see, are very weather dependent. Having more time there will give you greater flexibility. If it’s rainy, you could go to Lake Brienz or Trummelbach Falls. Plan your time based on what the weather looks like.

Posted by
699 posts

Agree with above. Lucerne is charming and a great place to start and get over jet lag. You will enjoy it. You have plenty of wonderful hiking options based in BO without adding Zermatt

Posted by
12 posts

Thank you!

Now, if we could skip Zurich and keep Zermatt and Lucerne would that be preferred? Thank you!

Posted by
4384 posts

I agree with the others. If your outbound flight was later (11-12), you could stay in Lucerne last night, but I would not spend extra time on the train for Zermatt when I could be literally in the mountain tops in BO! Lucerne is really lovely.

Posted by
2713 posts

I would forget about Zermatt. It is going to take maybe half a day to get there and another half day to get back. And you very well might not see the Matterhorn. Even if you do, is it worth all that time? Just stay in Wengen and enjoy the fantastic hiking opportunities. I like Jed Zermatt, but not nearly as much as the Bernese Oberland.

Posted by
8445 posts

Agreeing with Carroll: not enough time to waste a day getting to/from Zermatt.

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