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Switzerland Trip Itinerary Suggestions (8 Nights)

Hello,

We are planning on travelling to Switzerland in September 2019 and would appreciate your itinerary suggestions. We are flying into and out of Zurich, but are not interested in exploring the big city. We are look forward to enjoying the natural scenery/hiking and maybe some beautiful towns/lakes as well to relax. We enjoy great food/restaurants as well!

So far, we have identified Wengen as a base to hike throughout the region, but would greatly appreciate any suggestions for the remainder of the trip. Friends have highly recommended Annecy (France)--would you recommend or will it be too crowded in September? We've also read about Lucerne and Montreaux as well. Gruyeres also sounded interesting but not sure if it is very touristy, and similar to Wengen-area. We are not planning on driving, if possible.

Here is what we've booked and many thanks for any suggestions you may have!

Day 1: Fly into Zurich (early morning arrival). Travel to and stay overnight in Wengen.
Day 2: Stay in Wengen
Day 3: Stay in Wengen
Day 4: Stay in Wengen
Day 5: Wengen to ---> [stay overnight where? Gruyere/Montreaux/Lausanne/Annecy?]
Day 6: [stay overnight where? Gruyere/Montreaux/Lausanne/Annecy?]
Day 7: [stay overnight where? Gruyere/Montreaux/Lausanne/Annecy?]
Day 8: [leave from destination in evening --> ZHR]
Day 9: fly home from ZHR (morning)

Thanks again.

Posted by
1450 posts

Luzern or Bern would be good places for your last two nights. Both are worth two days on their own, but they also have a direct rail link to the Zurich airport which saves you from having to spend a mostly pointless day in Zurich before your flight home. Those trains leave about every half-hour and take about 70 minutes.

Montreux or the adjacent town, Vevey, are delightful along Lake Geneva. Montreux has a great castle to explore, Chateau Chillon.

So, maybe Wengen (3 nights), Montreux (2), Bern or Luzern (2).

Posted by
1586 posts

Hey Tikki,

On Day 5 of your Itinerary, you can take the train from Wengen to Lausanne and set up a base there then on Day 6 and 7, do day trips to Montreux and Gruyeres via train. Apart from that, your itinerary looks pretty good. Fast Eddie is right about Lucerne, you should give that a thought.

Wengen 4 nights

Lausanne 2 nights

Lucerne 2 nights

From Lucerne take train direct to ZHR on Day 9

Posted by
6462 posts

The problem with Switzerland is that its all so beautiful. It's not that any place is a bad choice, its that certain places are phenomenal, and the rest pretty darn nice, too. I liked Bern (actually quite a bit), liked Montreaux and Chateau Chillon, Geneva was nice enough, Basel is quite nice. . .Berner Oberland and Luzern are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! You could end your trip in Luzern and unless your flight is early in the morning, just take the train from Luzern to the Zurich airport. So you'd do Wengen (BO), Montreaux/Lausanne, and then Luzern.

Oops, so pretty much like RJean said.

Posted by
4 posts

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful suggestions! Just to confirm, it sounds like Annecy is not recommended (or not as highly recommended compared to Lausanne and Luzern)?

Really appreciate your advice.