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Starting to plan our trip. A few basic questions

Posted by (USA) on

We are returning to Switzerland and could not be more excited.
We are coming from Salzburg and ending in Zurich. We will leave Salzburg on May 5, 2025 and catch a flight home from Zurich on May 13th. So Salzburg to BO to Bern to Zurich. We have spent time in other cities so this is how we want to spend our time on this trip.

First question I have is…which scenic train? Hubby really wants to do this and I’m game! What we want from this trip is amazing views and the “wow” factor. Maybe that means local trains instead of a scenic touristy one. Or maybe we have to go a bit out of the way and ride back. And maybe one of these scenic trains is fabulous in July but not so great in May.
So advice is appreciated. And, yes, I have the RS book and am pouring over it. But real experience is always appreciated.

Second question; where to stay in BO? We stayed in Murren a few years ago and loved it. But we went in mid June so the area was cool but trails were all open. We love to hike! So this time I’m not sure what our best bet is for accommodation city as it may still be quite cold and trails not yet open. Should we stay lower to take advantage of valley trails? If so, where?

I’ll have many more questions I’m sure but these two will help me get started. Thank you in advance.

Posted by
35942 posts

how will you get from Salzburg to Switzerland? Train ( a fairly long ride) or plane?

As you have hinted early May is pretty early for mountain hikes

Posted by
35942 posts

I've long been an advocate of the Zentralbahn's Luzern-Interlaken Express Brünig Pass line; which I consider one of the most scenic routes in Switzerland. You'll probably get off the train in Zürich and Luzern is an easy frequent connection of about an hour.

That train is operated with modern low level regional trains with huge floor to ceiling windows. Scenery very yummy.

I have used it many times. I remember one year, early May as we were on the cogwheel section having snow all around.

Luzern itself is most attractive and worth a visit sometime.

And it isn't really out of the way.

Posted by
252 posts

So you are advocating to go from Salzburg to Zurich, then Zurich to Lucerne (which we also loved). Then maybe we would spend the night in Lucerne and next day go from Lucerne to Inter.
Do I have that right? I just want to make sure I’m reading it correctly.
Thank you for the help.

Posted by
3485 posts

I would go to the BO first, then Luzern, and go straight to the airport from there (provided your flight is not to early).
You could spend 4 nights in each that way.

Posted by
252 posts

I said to hubby this morning that we should do that train trip backwards on our way out…so I appreciate the advice.

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