Husband and I (mid-late60) traveling to Switzerland and the Dolomites
Fly into Geneva
Wondering to stay in Lausanne or Chamonix to get thru jet lag and ease into trip. Thoughts?
Then to Gimmewald or Murren thoughts?
Onward to Lucerne
Then Lugano
Heard mix thoughts from folks whether a Swiss trail pass is worth it with this itinerary. thoughts?
And head into Italy for the Dolomites
And our thinking right now is to use Ortisei as a base for cable cars and hikes … thoughts?
Really appreciate any thoughts and advise
Posted by
OP
5 posts
We are going around June 23 and returning around July 11
We will rent a car in Verona
Posted by
OP
5 posts
sounds like you think we should have a better or different plan. suggestions?
We were taking a 2.75 hr train from Lugano to Verona
pick up car in Verona
Drive 2.5 hrs from verona to ortisei
Posted by
Indiana
1154 posts
Why did you decide to fly into Geneva vs. Zurich? Where will you depart from for your flight home?
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Based on family pans we are flying into Geneva and leaving from Zurich
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1242 posts
Going all the way to Ortisei and then having to fly out of Zurich with a plan to rent a car in between there is going to be complicated. You're going to spend almost 2 full days getting in and out of that area, especially when having to deal with a rental car pickup/drop off. Typically I never recommend renting a car, but if the Dolomites are a non-negotiable for you, you may be better off renting a car in Geneva and drop it off in Zurich and just drive the whole route. I think trying to combine train and car is going to be more complicated than you think.
The other, less complicated plan is to skip the Dolomites and just enjoy Switzerland for 2.5 weeks, which is very simple to do. The weather can be finicky in the alps, so having a week in one spot is not at all a bad idea. You could do Geneva airport > Montreux 3-4 nights > Murren 7-8 nights > Luzern 4-5 nights > Lugano 2-4 nights > Zurich airport
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you! You have given me something to think about
Posted by
15 posts
We’re planning a somewhat similar trip for early September. Arrival in Milan, up to Lake Maggiore, then onto 9 days in the Swiss Alps, then 5 days in the Dolomites, then down to Verona in order to fly to Sicily. After looking at logistics and cost of a one way car rental, it seems that a hybrid of rail travel and private car hire makes the most sense. Considering car rental cost, fuel, insurance and tolls, vs cost of rail travel and private car hire, it is about the same, and we don’t have to stress about driving. We do lose a little flexibility without a car rental, notably not being able to enjoy some side stops on the spectacular scenic drives, but considering the scenery at our layover locations, the day trips and hiking, it seems like a worthy trade off to us. Plus in all of the Swiss villages we are staying in, we would just be parking the car the entire stay, which also adds to the cost. A car in the Dolomites is a consideration, but we’ll do just fine without by taking lifts and taxis.