This is a great forum which continues to prompt questions regarding our upcoming trip to Switzerland. Our itinerary is as follows and we have purchased Half Fare Passes:
July 24: Arrive in Geneva and move on to Montreux
July 24-26: Montreux
July 26-28: Montreux to Murren (we have reservations on the Golden Pass to Interlaken)
July 28-30: Murren to Bern
July 30-August 1: Bern to Lucerne
August 1-3: Lucerne to Salzburg, Austria
August 3-6: Salzburg to Munich
Are there particular train routes you would recommend that would be more scenic vs fastest? Also open to suggestions on activities, side trips, or other recommendations in these locations. Thank you!
Posted by
Switzerland
383 posts
Just fyi, August 1st is the Swiss national holiday. Generally museums will be open, but most shops will be closed. In Bern (as capital city) there will be a lot of stuff going on both the 31st and 1st and the city will be decorated with tons of flags. https://www.bern.com/en/news-events/detail/1-august-swiss-national-day
I don't think Lucerne itself has too much happening. Most other events on the 1st itself take place in the smaller towns or mountain villages and the big tradition is to have brunch at a farm. Anyway, just mentioning it so you are aware that it's a national holiday!
Most of the train journeys you list don't have much in the way of alternatives. However, between Bern and Luzern, if you have time I would recommend taking the "slow" train (BLS Regio Express at :36 past the hour, via Langnau and Entlebuch) as it's much more scenic and goes through the countryside (Emmental and the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch) rather than on the main lines. Takes about 1 1/2 hours instead of the normal 1 hr.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
5695 posts
From Salzburg, look for the Bayern ticket, which is a great deal if you can travel in the specified time period, which is quite generous is my recollection. The Bayern ticket can be purchased the day of travel.
If you could still consider change to your itinerary, I think your time in Murren is short. You could consider doing Bern as a day trip, and add the days to Murren or Lucerne. We did Bern on a day trip from Lucerne and felt we had adequate time. It's a pretty and interesting city, but we found a day was enough, even with the considerable time we spent at the Einstein museum.
If its too late for a change, happy travels, you can't go wrong in Switzerland.
Posted by
San Diego, California
4865 posts
I agree, use Bern as a day trip from Murren, especially a good day trip for a rainy day in the mountains. Maximize your time in Murren, you won't regret being in that beautiful area for as long as you can.
Lucerne is scenic and charming, and you can ride the boat out to Mt Rigi and the cogwheel train, so two full days would be great.
Enjoy your trip. Safe travels!
Posted by
4473 posts
Agree with the others (if it is possible)--it's a slog to get up to Murren, but absolutely so worth it--to turn around after only one full day would be shortchanging it. You have a lot of short stays, so I would really want a breather in there somewhere also.