Trip to Switzerland on a Whim- Female Traveling Alone

Eli, its going to be a great trip no matter what you do. I'll just comment on the starting point. What time of day does your flight arrive in Zurich? If its the morning, note that you might not be able to check into your hotel until the afternoon anyway, so you might as well go a bit further than the airport rather than waste that whole day far from anything to see. There is an ultra-convenient rail station right at the airport, from where you can get anywhere in Switzerland easily. The center of Zurich is only 15 minutes by train from the airport, so no need to stay at the airport. Better yet, just keep going on to a better destination. You could be in Luzern (trains boats and mountains) in about 1 hour 20 minutes by train, or further to the Berner Oberland in a few hours. You'll want to stay up that arrival day anyway, so why not jut keep moving?

That is a great idea!

I arrive at 8:45 a.m. I only chose it because I have enough hotel points to get a free stay and can usually get an early check-in because of status. I will check further out, because you are right, I will stay up all day just to get acclimated.

Thank you!

Eli, yes, enjoy.

The 8 day travel pass is probably a good purchase for a newbe. You could argue for ages whether this or individual tickets is +/- a few CHF, but you don't have a plan yet, so it is a good way to "wing it" without stress.

My advice:
Unless your flight is really late landing (like after about 19:00), DO NOT stay at Zürich airport. That is a waste of a good day.
Instead buy your 8-day pass at Zürich airport station and head straight for Luzern (70 minutes)
Info about Luzern and hotels here: https://www.luzern.com/en/
Luzern 360° panorama here: http://tour.luzern.com/360/en/
The station is to the left of the bridge. Walk straight out and the lake is in front of you.
3 mountains to go up (Rigi, Pilatus and Titlis) plus boats on the lake.

After 2-3 nights there move on to the Jungfrau area. The three places to stay are Mürren, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and Grindelwald. Google all 4, especially for photos. Mürren and Wengen are car free. All 4 can be reached by train, and trains and cable cars go up from them higher into the mountains.
Info and hotels here: https://jungfrauregion.swiss/en/summer/

Anything I or the others here can help with, please ask.

For hiking, Swiss topo maps with paths marked (in green) are here: https://map.veloland.ch/?lang=en&bgLayer=pk&logo=yes&season=summer&resolution=5&E=2636100&N=1160855&layers=Wanderland
You can zoom and pan, and print (to PDF) in your desired scale, :50,000, 1:25,000 etc.

Excellent resources, wow!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of that. I appreciate getting pointed in a different direction than I was heading-- now that I'm looking at it, 8 days is not going to be much time, and wasting it in a hotel room would be a shame!

Great suggestion from Stan. Head to Lucerne for 3 nights. Plenty to see and do. Plus a great city to explore on the day you arrive to keep you awake and get over some jet lag. I would head to either Wengen or Murren and spend the rest of your time there. Head back to Zurich to fly home. (It is about a 3 hr. nice train ride). Skip the travel pass and save your money. Just buy the tickets you need when you travel. It is not odd to be on trails by yourself. There will be plenty of other hikers you will meet and can walk along with if you desire.

This sounds wonderful!

This May I think you could encounter snow on the hiking trails. It’s between ski season and hiking season but you can still have a great time hiking if you’re prepared for snow or mud.

Enjoy the planning and the trip!

So glad I reached out! I really haven't had much time to think about this trip, so it has felt a bit surreal. the suggestions have had me digging into maps and guidebooks and googling various lodging options. It's becoming real now!

Eli, book your lodging ASAP.

For all of the nights?

Eli,

You've received lots of great information so far. One small point to add.... be sure to budget accordingly for Switzerland, as it's an expensive country to travel in.

If you have a Library of larger bookstore nearby, have a look at the Rick Steves Switzerland guidebook, as that provides an enormous amount of information, including hotel and transportation details. If you want to pack the book along on your trip, it's available either as a paper copy or E-book in several formats. If you'll be travelling with an iPad or Kindle, you can download the E-book for a few dollars.

Have a wonderful time in Switzerland!

Yes, that's what I've been finding out! Just a hostel for two nights with a shared bath was $217.

😲 Will definitely be getting the guidebook.

Eli, I am thrilled for you! I'm also an active, solo female traveler. I've been throughout Europe, which I thoroughly love, but Switzerland has a very special place in my heart and travel memories.

Definitely prepare for the price shock. My last trip I ate from the Coop grocery stores for many meals. Trail mix, yogurt, cheese, bread, and the occasional "splurge" on a premade sub/sandwich (always vegetarian options), plus cold Starbucks-like cappuccino drinks. Water is available at the faucet-fountains in every village and town for your travel waterbottle. If your hostel offers meals they are often a good idea, for a hot (simple) meal at a comparatively reasonable price. Definitely get and read the Rick Steves guide--more money-saving tips there, as well as advice of all kinds that I highly recommend.

I recommend the Swiss Pass, even if it costs a bit more than point-to-point because of the incredible freedom it gives yo to hop on any train at any time, no reservations/ ticket buying, planning of any type!

Sunrise cellular company has very fair SIM card deal, about CHF 20 for 8 days unlimited, high-speed, extremely reliable (it's Swiss, naturally) service, even in the high mountain villages. Make sure to unlock your cell before travel (see Rick's guide, or search on this site for his thorough article on the topic.) They probably have an office in the Zurich airport/station. Both shops I've used have been staffed by very helpful, efficient workers.

Don't sleep until early evening on your arrival day, don't stay in Zurich (and def. not airport area) if you can help it, like everyone has said, because Switzerland is so easily and quickly (and beautifully) traversed in their lovely trains. Luzerne is good.

If you happen to be in Bern, do the Aare river float (again, on this site, and in the guidebook). And the Via Ferrata in Murren is spectacular.

I could run on for hours, but if you have more questions please post them. I'm happy to advise and am vicariously enjoying your pre-trip planning euphoria! It sounds like a great match for your travel personality!

A 2 night hostel stay with shared bath for $200+?? That sounds unreasonable even for expensive Switzerland.

Eli, if your travel is next month, then yes you should tie down all your lodging now, IMO.

Eli,

"Yes, that's what I've been finding out! Just a hostel for two nights with a shared bath was $217."

That sounds a bit steep, even for Switzerland. Which Hostel is that?

The RS-recommended Eiger Guesthouse in Murren is 110sf/night and includes breakfast. There are also cheaper rooms than that in Murren via Booking.

But yes as others have said book your lodging now, esp. as a solo traveler.

You might like the Klettersteig ( via Ferrata) at Mürren. The guided traverse was around 90 CHF when my husband did it last summer, including the equipment. He really enjoyed it.

Chalet Fontana in Mürren is perfect for a solo traveler. Denise is a delightful hostess, and you may meet other travelers at breakfast. A single room with shared bath is 60 CHF a night. It is right close to the Coop grocery where you can buy lunch supplies. The Asian restaurant up the street ( Tham's) offers a nice array of vegetarian dishes to eat in or take out.

http://www.ferntree.ch/chalet/fontana_summer.htm

Thank you, thank you! Dumped the expensive hostel, have two nights in Lucerne, two in Bern (free with points, couldn't resist!), last night in Zurich (but not at airport) and going for middle 4 in Murren or Lauterbrunnen I hope!

Seriously, you all are wonderful and generous! Hope I can pay it forward! 🌈

where are you staying in Bern on points?

If the Holiday Inn Westside I have some hints for that location.

I second the recommendation for Holiday Inn Bern Westside. We stayed there a few years ago (and have booked a return trip next year). Good location, and the tram and train is literally steps in front of the hotel. It’s attached to a mall and entertainment complex and is a good location. I stayed there on points too 😊

I also stayed at a random Marriott Courtyard in Zurich, on an arrival day, that was close to a train stop. Also using points 😊. It was clean and easy, with a close by grocery.

Money saving tip for Switzerland is to dine in the department store restaurant. In Luzern I really like the restaurant in the Manora department store. Great selection at lunch. If you go for dinner go early as the choices become limited as they sell out. They have precooked food or they will cook things like chicken or fish to order.

For a treat stop by a Laderach shop for the chocolate. Yum!!

Oh and for Murren. Get up early and if the weather is nice head up to the Schilthorn for a beautiful view of the mountains. You can check the view from the lift station’s monitor before you buy your ticket. Also there’s a coop grocery store in town where you can pickup stuff for a picnic meal.

Have a fun trip!

Tremendously great tips! I'm all about eating cheap and that sounds like an excellent suggestion!

Yes, the West side Holiday Inn in Bern. Was hoping you both weren't going to say it is horrible. 😁

Thank you for the continued great guidance. I feel very blessed! 🌈❤️

Eli,

There are Manora Restaurants in many locations in Switzerland. Here's an example of what they look like - https://www.manor.ch/fr/u/manora . As I recall, you can have food cooked-to-order or just get cold items. They have wine and great desserts.

For a lower price option, have a look at Coop Stores. There's are outlets for those in both Lauterbrunnen and Mürren.

If you're looking for inexpensive accommodations in Lauterbrunnen, have a look at the Valley Hostel - http://www.valleyhostel.ch/Hostel.php . As with all Hostel stays, don't forget to pack along a towel and a small but robust padlock for the lockers.

I'm about to check out of the Westside HI after yet another fun and pleasant visit.

Few things to know - the 8 tram is every 10 minutes, and starts from the front door of the hotel, the train is every 15 minutes plus or minus. The station is adjacent to the tram stop.

I prefer the tram into Bern because although it is a little slower it is more frequent and will take you closer to what you want to go to see, unless you actually just changing trains. The seats are comfortable on the tram and windows are huge, nearly floor to ceiling so you get a great view. All stops are announced by robot voice and the next three stops are on a screen with travel time.

Consider going up the Gurten, a mountain in the city, reached by a funicular from the Gurtenbahn stop of the 9 tram which intersects with the 8 at Hirschengraben (cross the tracks and go the opposite way on the 9). About 20 minutes or so from the hotel.

The trams and all trains, trams, buses and the funiculars in Bern's 2 central zones are included in the Bern Ticket which you will be given by the hotel when you check in. Use them.

Not a lot wrong with the HI Westside, attached to a shopping mall there is plenty of food and of course the waterpark which is included with your room. There is a Migros restaurant at the far end of the mall - if going for dinner get there early because the hot food goes well before closing time.

You could just get a Subway sandwich from the Subway in the mall.

Any specific questions just ask.

I actually go out of my way to stay here.

The Manor department store in Bern - in Marktgasse - reopens on the 25th of April 2019. I'm not sure if they have a Manora restaurant. Yesterday it was a real building site.

Nearby is a good Migros resaurant, upstairs.

For Luzern, there is a great vegetarian buffet restaurant in the topmost story of the train station. It's called Tidbits. It has a very wide variety of fruit and vegetable dishes. It's not cheap; I think I paid the equivalent of 17 or 18 U.S. dollars for a heaping plate of food, but I do mean heaping. If you aren't getting the right foods, definitely splurge on this. It's busy at lunchtime, but of course since you serve yourself, you can get something to eat quickly. Then I'd go down on the lowest level of the train station complex, where there are two grocery stores, and get something quite inexpensive to take with you for the evening meal.

Have I mentioned yet how awesome everyone is for taking the time to list these suggestions and tips? 😊

Seriously.

❤️

For a splurge in Bern go to Kornhaus. Beautiful restaurant in a former granary. Budget friendly option is probably to have a drink in the cafe or bar. But do take the opportunity to walk downstairs and have a look at the dining room. Bathrooms at the rear are a perfect excuse to head down.

https://www.bern.com/en/detail/the-granary-kornhaus

I second Rocket!
Here's another good drink splurge spot: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=https://www.schwellenmaetteli.ch/&prev=search
It's located literally on/over the river. The outside terrace is a magnificient place to spend an hour. I nursed a drink there (between lunch and dinner times) and nobody cared that I wasn't buying more. Walking there from the bear park is pretty along the riverbank and through some cute woods at the end.
The above link is to the restaurant website, but the link below has far better photos of the outdoor part.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g188052-d805026-Reviews-Schwellenmaetteli_Restaurants-Bern_Bern_Mittelland_District_Canton_of_Bern.html?m=19905

https://barfussbar.ch/de/
This is a neat casual bar in the during-the-day-all-female swimming pool ("bad") located in the Limmat river in the heart of Zurich. I was not uncomfortable there--it's not a "pick-up" type of bar, just a casual, barefoot (no shoes allowed) live acoustic music, colorful lights, hangout for all types. No entry fee, but they ask for a donation (few CHFs). Drinks are still pricy, but worth it for a beer, some music, dipping your feet in the pool, and people watching in generally staid Zurich.