In June, my wife and I will be traveling to Switzerland, first time! My wife and I are right around 70 yrs old, in good shape and expect to do some mild to modest hiking, along with lots of peaceful relaxation. Here is our tentative thoughts. Fly into Zurich, upon arrival train to Interlaken. Stay one night either interlaken or Wilderswil to get over jet lag. Then train to Lauderbrunnen Valley. Stay 3 or 4 night in gimmelwald or murren. Then train to Zermatt. 2 night there. Then train to Appenzell (2 nights there ) and then back to zurich for return flight. We are very flexible with dates and nights in each town. We are looking for any modest room rx in each of those places (doesn't have to be hotel, could be b&b). Also, things you have enjoyed doing in those locations. While in Gimmelwald or murren, we can do a lot of things bec that will be where we are staying the longest. Also, when going from Zermatt to Appenzell, I would imagine the Glacier express would be the train to take. However, is there anything in between that may be worth staying at for a day or two that would still give us the peacefulness and relaxing views etc? Rather than go straight through from Z to A? Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5966 posts
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/may-1st-trip-to-switzerland
Just a few quick thoughts- ( as you have already received some great info above)
Interlaken is a commercial transit center on the valley floor, not a charming Swiss village. Don't stay there.
Gimmelwald is really tiny, not even a grocery store. It is a short hike from Murren.
I'd advise staying in either Murren or Wengen, for as long as you can. No one is ever ready to leave!
If you don't have an early return flight, spend the night ( or two or three) in Lucerne. It's an easy one hour commute right into the Zurich airport.
Enjoy my favorite country. Safe travels!
Posted by
Green Bay
21541 posts
Zermatt to Appenzell using the Glacier Express will take 8 hours.
You can get from Zurich airport to Zermatt in 3 1/2 hours, sometimes with only a single connection. I think that is a better plan than going to Interlaken first, taking 2 1/4 hours and at least one connection. Then you can go from Zermatt to Muerren in reasonable time, then Muerren to Appenzell.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
725 posts
My main piece of advise is, absolutely do not stop in Interlaken on your first night. You won't be "getting over" jetlag in one night, it will be a gradual process over the entire week. It's only an additional 50 minutes on to Murren and waking up that first morning in the mountains will be a much more enjoyable experience than having to pack up and move while you're tired. The first morning after arrival is always the worst to me and the last thing I'd want to be doing is logistics. You have to keep yourself up until a reasonable time that first night anyway, so getting the moving out of the way is well worth it.
It looks like you have 9 nights, so I'd recommend 5 nights Murren, 2 nights Zermatt, 2 nights Appenzell. The Glacier Express feels like an unnecessary detour that is going to add a lot of time. I think it might make more sense to do Zurich Airport > Zermatt (2 nights) > Murren (5 nights) > Appenzell (2 nights)
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thanks to all who gave recommendations. Very much appreciated.
Posted by
Franklin, TN
222 posts
I agree with Wanderweg. Press on to Murren, you won’t be sorry!