Hi,
I’m in the beginning stages of planning my first trip to Switzerland and Germany in September 2020. I am planning to flying into Zurich and out of Munich. I need assistance try to figure out aspects of my Swiss travel, specifically, which train passes I might need to compare for my trip. From the day of arrival to the day of departure, I will be in Switzerland 11 days. See my tentative Switzerland itinerary below.
3-Sep-20 - Depart Los Angeles for Zurich.
Day 1 (4-Sep-20) Arrive in Zurich, then transfer to Lucerne, by train, for the night.
Day 2 (5-Sep-20) Take the Gotthard Panorama Express from Lucerne to Lugano (Boat/Train combo - Lucerne–Lake of Lucerne–Flüelen–Gotthard–Bellinzona–Lugano). Spend the night on Lugano.
Day 3 (6-Sep-20) Take the Bernina Express from Lugano to St. Moritz (Bus/Train combo - Lugano - Tirano – St. Moritz). Spend the night in St. Moritz.
Day 4 (7-Sep-20) Take the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt. Spend three nights in Zermatt.
Day 5 & 6 (8-Sept-20 & 9-Sept-20) Explore Zermatt: Take the Gornegratbahn, visit Gornergrat, take the Kleine Matterhorn Cablecar, visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, do the 5 Lakes hike, walk around the town, etc.
Day 7 (10-Sep-20) Take the train from Zermatt to Wengen. Spend four nights in Wengen.
Day 8, 9 & 10 (11-Sept-20, 12-Sept-20 & 13-Sept-20) Explore the Bernese Oberland region. Take the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, explore Wengen, Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Interlaken. Visit to Schnyige Platte, Grindelwald First, do the First Cliff Walk, First Flyer, First Glider, First Mountain Cart, First Trottibikes, do the luge (toboggan) track at Pfingstegg, paragliding, view the waterfalls, etc.
Day 11 (14-Sep-20) Take the train from Wengen to Interlaken to Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany). From Freiburg im Breisgau, rent a car and drive to Schwangau, to continue my trip in Germany.
Since I will be in Switzerland 11 days, will I be able to make an 8-day Swiss pass, flex or continuous, work with use of the Bernese Oberland pass in the middle or by using Supersaver fares and/or buying a German Railways advance-purchase sparpreis ticket to Freiburg in Breisgau on the end days? It seems there might be a way to do it but I’m not sure how so I can start to compare pass prices. If not, I can compare the half-fare card with a 15-day continuous.
My next question has to do with the luggage service. I’m thinking it might be best to send my larger bag on from the airport to Zermatt and just take my carry-on bag for the first few days of travel in Switzerland since I will be going from scenic train to scenic train. How exactly does the luggage service work? Do I collect my bag at the airport and check it back in somewhere within the airport to be delivered to my hotel in Zermatt? It appears there is a luggage special going that states, “Free luggage transport applies to bookings made between 4 September and 31 December 2019 up to one year prior to departure.” Would I be able to purchase the luggage transport online before 31 December 2019 and use in in September 2020? Looks like the luggage transport is half off but I’m not sure how I might be able to take advantage of the special. Also, would I be able to send my bag from Wengen to Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany and pick it up at the train station on arrival or have it shipped to my destination address in Schwangau? I’m new to this luggage transportation thing but feel it might be less cumbersome as I switch trains.
Any advice on the Swiss Train passes, luggage transportation and my itinerary would be greatly appreciated. I would also appreciate any advice on adventurous things to do in Zermatt and the Bernese Oberland region near Wengen. I want to make the most of my time and money and experience the best Switzerland has to offer while I am there.
Thank you in advance for your time.