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Switzerland Itinerary Tips

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Hello, my wife and I plan on visiting Switzerland in early September this year, we want to explore Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelberg, Zermatt. We have about 4-5 nights to spend in Switzerland and we are trying to figure out an ideal base since we are flying out of Zurich. We are doing a multi-city 12 days by landing in Paris where we will be spending 6 days and the rest in Switzerland and fly out from Zurich. I have some questions as follows:

  1. What would be an ideal suggestion to keep as a base when we visit Switzerland keeping a goal in mind to visit more of Berner Oberland?
  2. Is Swiss Travel Pass really necessary for the amount of days we are spending in Switzerland?
  3. Would it be viable to include Geneva as a short visit?
  4. Do I have to pre-book activities at Grindelwald First or any paragliding/sky-diving in Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen?

We would appreciate any tips and advice since it will be our first time visiting the region.

Posted by
7031 posts

I'd go to the BO first, spending the majority of your days, and staying in either Wengen or Murren. No one is ever ready to leave. Then maybe two nights in Lucerne, from which you can easily commute to the Zurich airport; no need to stay in Zurich.
Skip Geneva, your is Switzerland for the Alps, not the cities, right?
The Half-Fare card will probably meet your needs. No one understands the various Swiss rail passes. Watch a few u-tube videos which explain the pass options, make a decision, and don't overthink the issue.
Secure lodging asap, as this is late for booking in the fall.
Enjoy this incredible country!

Posted by
2279 posts

Pat nailed it all. Also, Zermatt may be difficult for this trip. Enjoy.

Posted by
1372 posts

You can't do the BO, Engelberg, Zermatt & Geneva in 4-5 nights. Pick one area and enjoy it. Since it seems the BO is your highest priority, stay in Wengen or Grindelwald for the full 4-5 nights and enjoy from there. You'll want either the half fare card or the BO pass for your trip. Paying full price for everything is a bad idea. No you don't have to and cannot pre-book First activities. Paragliding should be booked a couple days in advance once you know the weather.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you for all the responses.

Where exactly would you all recommend to stay in BO that would be a less of a travel time from Gare de Lyon in Paris? We will be carrying 1 piece of a large suitcase with a carry-on and a backpack each and we don't want to drag it around more often than needed. Considering the fact of skipping Geneva and Zermatt, we were hoping to find one home base in Switzerland that will keep us closer to BO area and make it seamless to travel to Zurich airport on the day of.

We thank you all in advance for your responses.

Posted by
23484 posts

I'd say you would have difficulty making your flight from Zurich from the BO. What time would your flight from Zurich be? You should arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight departure time. There is a direct train from Interlaken Ost to Zurich airport at 6:59 am, arriving at 9:14 am, So any flight leaving before noon is out of the question. Luzern would be easier if you wanted to spend 1 day there. Luzern is only a bit more than 1 hour to Zurich airport.

Assume your luggage is 1 large suitcase, 1 carry-on size suitcase, and 2 backpacks. Should be doable.

Posted by
2279 posts

Where exactly would you all recommend to stay in BO that would be a less of a travel time from Gare de Lyon in Paris?

Wengen, Murren. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are all about the same in travel time. I prefer Wengen as a top choice, but any of the four will not disappoint.

Posted by
23484 posts

If you want to do activities at Grindelwald-First, stay in Grindelwald. You can do paragliding from Grindelwald as well.

PS To get to all of these from Paris Gare de Lyon, first you take a train to Basel, then change to a train to Interlaken Ost. From there, train is about the same to all of these (Wengen, Murren. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald).

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