Hi there! I wanted to thank all of you that helped me with my husband and I’s Switzerland itinerary for this summer. Unfortunately he had a hernia while we were in Italy so we had to fly home before we made it to Switzerland. Thankfully we had travel insurance but we were so disappointed. Surgery is behind us so we are thinking we will try for it again next year. Due to work we can go early June or early September. Would love your feedback on traveling to Switzerland over these timeframes!
Posted by
Chicago
3619 posts
Sorry you had to cut your trip short.
The problem with early June is a lot of the hiking trails may not be open yet depending on weather. I have been early June and everything I wanted to do was open and I have been early June when many things were still closed. And unfortunately, we have to book way ahead of time with no idea of what the weather will be like. So, for that reason, I would go in Sept. It will be more crowded than early June but at least everything should be open.
Posted by
OP
Orlando FL
235 posts
Thanks Carrie! Yeah it is a total bummer. It was his 50th birthday trip too. At least we got a week in Italy before it all went pear shaped. I had a feeling that September would be busier. It had almost become just as busy as summer sans kids but I think it might be wise. I knew this June a lot was going to be closed. Thanks again!
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1020 posts
The entire year is busy if you visit the touristy areas. It used to be that places like the Jungfrau Region were really only busy for skiing and then July-mid August. Now there are packed trains in May, September, etc.
If you want to hike and focus on the mountains - September. If you want to see the cities and aren’t solely focused on nature - June.
Posted by
Switzerland
267 posts
Now there are packed trains in May, September, etc.
That's actually not true. Once the ski season is over it is really nice and quiet, trains not full at all, gondola often not even half full. It was not until around the Pentecost long weekend (June 7-9) that it started to become really busy again, before then I could get on the train and have all four seats to myself. Last week when I went up it was standing room only - packed in like sardines. July and August are still the worst and in September it starts to become more bearable once again.
Posted by
OP
Orlando FL
235 posts
Thanks SwissNomad! Looks like September it is.
Posted by
West Michigan
391 posts
My wife and I love Switzerland in September, weather seems to always be nice, less crowds. Don't know about the hiking, though.
Posted by
Switzerland
267 posts
One really helpful thing you can do to beat the crowds is to go to locations that are not constantly mentioned in forums like this. For people to always get the same recommended itineraries only serves to reinforce overcrowding in a few specific areas.
Near, but not in, the Lauterbrunnen Valley are three other wonderful mountains that have far fewer visitors.
Niederhorn - hiking, scooter bike rental, small alpine playground and marble run, a ridgeway that is easily walkable, beautiful views of the Lake of Thun, Interlaken and many mountains including Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. I have gone up twice this season so far, the most recent time with a guest from out of town and we practically had the place to ourselves (early June). Extremely peaceful and enjoyable.
Niesen - the hiking options here that I am aware of are for more experienced hikers. There is a fun alpine playground, like all the others a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and multiple viewing platforms - this is one that I like to just go up and enjoy the view. It is accessed by funicular.
more photos here
https://www.interlaken.ch/en/experiences/poi/niesen-funicular-railway
Stockhorn - my favourite of the three. There is a short uphill walk from the train station to access the gondola. At the mid station there is a lake that you can fish in, walk around, have a picnic, stop at the farm stand, etc. This is an easy walk, if you have more energy you can continue on to a second lake a bit higher up. Lots of other hiking options of various levels. For thrill seekers there is bungee jumping off of the gondola.