Hello! I have written on this forum quite recently, asking for advice on my first trip to Switzerland this summer. We have finalized everything (family of four, husband and I, two boys ages 22 and 14). We will be traveling from Zurich airport to Luzern for two days, Wengen for three days, and then Montreaux for three days, and then leaving from Geneva's airport. We are seriously considering renting a car. When checking, we got a sweet deal thats about the same in cost as the half pass. It's an SUV, which would be great for our luggage since Switzerland is just our first stop in a month long Euro trip. Two out of three of the airbnbs we have gotten are offering free parking, and the third (Wengen) is saying we would have to park in Lauterbrunnen and take a train to Wengen. Does anyone have experience with this? How is driving in Switzerland? Are there any issues we might run in to? We thought of this because we were more concerned about getting our luggage on the trains. We don't plan on visiting museums, just hiking, sight seeing, and possibly a boat trip. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Posted by
NW England
791 posts
" Are there any issues we might run in to? " you just did -some places in Switzerland are car free!
Things you need to check about the car deal: Does it include Swiss taxes? Does it include the compulsory insurance? Who exactly will be allowed to drive the car at the quoted price?
The bit that confuses me is that you are flying out of Geneva but still have about 3 weeks left in Europe? So where are you going to?
Posted by
Green Bay
22314 posts
the third (Wengen) is saying we would have to park in Lauterbrunnen and take a train to Wengen. Does anyone have experience with this?
No, but there is a large parking structure at Lauterbrunnen station. You might need an advance reservation to insure you will have a spot. https://james.jungfrau.ch/en/products/lauterbrunnen-car-park
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Hi, we are returning the car at the Geneva airport, sorry if that wasn’t clear. We are then catching a flight there to our next destination. We researched how much parking would be in Lauterbrunnen, and it’s 55 USD for three days. Not terrible. I would love to hear from someone who has both driven and taken the train to see what the advantages and disadvantages of both are.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
We are also being insured through American Express. The price we were quoted included all taxes.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3176 posts
Renting a car is not going to resolve the issue of luggage during your trip because Wengen can not be accessed with a car. You still will need to get your luggage from the Lauterbrunnen Valley up to the town of Wengen on the cogwheel train. Wengen is on the mountain ridge above the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
And, without a train pass or half fare card, you’ll be paying the rack rate for every ride you take throughout the Berner Oberland ( Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg, Muerren, Gimmelwald), which means the car rental may not save you money in the long run. The train ride from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg alone costs about $44.
SBB, the Swiss train company, has luggage transfer service where you can have your luggage transferred for you by train. That would work for your transfers between all destinations. With a Swiss Travel Pass sold by SBB, luggage transfer to your accommodation is included
The train ride from Luzern to Lauterbrunnen via the Brunig Pass is one of the most scenic in Switzerland. If you rent a car, you will miss that.
Keep in mind that gas is currently about $10 per gallon in Switzerland.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1507 posts
We have rented a car and used the train. Driving in Switzerland is probably quite easy now with google just be familiar with how roundabouts work on the lesser roads. In my opinion though, after traveling by train and auto, I would use the train. It’s a lot easier, the trains go everywhere, in the long run it was less expensive and everyone gets to enjoy the scenery. The relatives that live in a small town outside of Zurich use the trains more than their small car if that tells you anything.
Posted by
San Diego, California
6529 posts
If you want to "live like a local", use the trains. The Swiss have built a wold- class rail system, that is a pleasure to use. Have a great trip!
Posted by
NW England
791 posts
"We are also being insured through American Express" - let's get something straight here, third party driving insurance is taken far more seriously in Europe and although American Express may be offering to cover you there is still the need to check whether Swiss law and the rental company will accept that offer. Because if either say no the price will go up signficantly!