Switzerland, Frist time

Posted by Gina on 02/10/18 05:43 PM

I have researched different travel books and now need help with specifics. I plan on taking an overnight flight to Zurich in late Spring. From there, I would take a train to a home base to stay for 4 nights, leaving on the fifth morning for my second destination in the Alsace region of France. I am a senior citizen so hiking up mtns. would be rather difficult. I am an amateur photographer and hope to capture Sw. in all it's beauty.

1/ Where would be a good home base near a train station?

2/ Outdoor places to see?

3/ Places to stay in or around 100.00 per night?

4/ Other towns to visit for a day trip
If I could only pick one train route up the mountain, where and approx. cost? I know the euro well but not the Swiss franc. I need to plan a budget and any an all help will be most appreciated.

Posted by Edgar

Medford, OR, USA

02/10/18 05:59 PM

5837 posts

Current Interbank (wholesale) currency rate is about 1 CHF = $1.06 USD. Close enough to parity when visualizing price in American currency.

Hotels at $100 USD per night are possible if you are thinking per person double occupancy but if you are thinking $100 USD for two persons per night you could consider hostels.

If you are traveling as a single, some hotels have one person economy (small) rooms. We stayed at he Luzern Waldstatter:
http://www.hotel-waldstaetterhof.ch/en/zimmer/

Economy Single Room

14 to 17 m2, fully equipped for solo travellers.

Luzern is an hour train ride from Zurich Airport.

Posted by Jazz+Travels

Chicago

02/10/18 06:07 PM

8164 posts

1/ Where would be a good home base near a train station?
Lauterbrunnen is perfect for a senior since there are hotels right by the station
2/ Outdoor places to see?
Luzern, Lauterbrunnen Valley, Murren, Schilthorn, Staubach falls Trummelbach Falls
3/ Places to stay in or around 100.00 per night?
Hotel Steinbock Lauterbrunnen I paid $85
http://www.booking.com/Share-di4nhm

4/ Other towns to visit for a day trip
Luzern, You should start in Luzern from Zurich and work your way by train to Lauterbrunnen

If I could only pick one train route up the mountain, where and approx. cost? I know the euro well but not the Swiss franc. I need to plan a budget and any an all help will be most appreciated.

Lauterbrunnnen to Schiltorn is one gondola a train and then another gondola.
That cost me 105CHF round trip

Posted by Shoe

Grand Rapids, MI

02/10/18 06:29 PM

768 posts

Jazz+Travels said it well. I agree.

Posted by JS

Bay Area

02/12/18 07:21 PM

3551 posts

Est stay in Lauterbrunnen as noted above. But if that does not work and u decide to stay in Luzern then ck the Ibis budget hotel there.
It is 3 blocks from train station in residential area. The price is always right and for an expensive town like Luzern a god send. We stayed there 2 yrs ago and brfast was vgd.