My husband and I will be spending 2 weeks in Tübingen, Germany in June. During that time we’d like to take a train into Switzerland for a 2-3 day stay and would appreciate suggestions for a destination within a 4-5 hour train ride from Tübingen. We prefer a smaller city with hiking opportunities and easy access to dining. This is only our 2nd trip to Europe, so we’re not seasoned travelers. Any suggestions for location as well as hotels, AirBnBs, and hiking would be much appreciated!
Posted by
Green Bay
21160 posts
Luzern is a larger city, but plenty of hiking opportunities outside of town. Its 4 hours from Tuebingen on the train.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks so much Sam! We’ll check into it.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6485 posts
Ditto Luzern!! Love it and there is lots to do. It is scenic and has a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. We did the boat ride/train to Mt. Rigi where the views were phenomenal and there appears to be a lot of hiking (it was January). We also walked around town and the river a lot. We took a day trip to Bern for the Einstein museum and then spent the rest of the day walking around Bern.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks for the helpful advice! Any suggestions for lodging?
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6485 posts
We liked this place in Luzern. https://www.drei-koenige.ch/de
It was relatively inexpensive in an expensive city in an expensive country, that is.
It was clean, simple with exceptionally pleasant staff. Included breakfast was extensive. It wasn't city center, but within a couple blocks to river and attractions. We like to walk and didn't use the bus much (even though its free with the hotel reservation).
Posted by
Southeast US
4046 posts
I stayed at Hotel des Alpes in October. Excellent staff. Good restaurant on the level below reception and good breakfast. Slightly dated rooms but right on the lake. Lakeside rooms have wonderful views, and many have balconies. I would definitely stay there again.
Edit: Added link to hotel
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks Dave! That’s helpful.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I second the recommendation for the Hotel des Alpes. If you don't see availability on their website for the room you wanted, be sure to e-mail the hotel directly. In my case, I needed a single and the online booking did not offer this for my dates, but an e-mail to the hotel got me the room with no difficulty.
Posted by
Green Bay
21160 posts
Now that you're sold on Luzern, I'll muddy the waters by suggesting another spot with summer hiking and a bit more low key but more "alpine". This comes courtesy of Tom from Lewiston, who we have not heard from lately. Flumserberg. It is about 4 1/2 hours from Tuebingen by train. The lifts open daily on June 9. You'll see, you get the first lift up right from the Unterterzen train station on the Walensee connecting up to village of Tannenboden.
https://www.flumserberg.ch/Summer/Home