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Weekend trip help needed!

Posted by on

Hello,

I need help planning two weekend trips. I looked at many options but it is still confusing...

  1. First weekend traveling from Zurich on Saturday morning to either Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen, sightseeing Saturday and Sunday, stay one night on Saturday at either one of these locations (I can't decide), and travel to Basel Sunday night. This would be when we first arrive to Switzerland so we have all the luggages with us.

  2. Second weekend traveling from Basel to maybe to Lucerne on Saturday morning, sightseeing on Saturday and Sunday, travel back to Basel on Sunday night. This will be traveling from home base in Basel.

  3. Just found out my husband really wants to see the Jungfraujoc...so which city is best to stay so we can possible take a day trip there? Grindelwald, Interlaken or maybe even Bern?

Can anyone suggest any places to stay for a family of 7 (2 seniors, 2 adults, 3 kids)? Which one is a better city to stay for end of April? Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen? I was thinking Murren because it is close to Gimmewald but I read it is pretty quiet at that time.

What are some short trips that can offer the best experience for us out of Lucerne, Interlaken, or Lauterbrunnen? We can see the Alpes from any of these locations, right?

Thanks.
Susan

Posted by
20094 posts

Look at any 3-bedroom apartments. Lauterbrunnen would be preferred as it is right at the base of the mountain with easy transport either to Muerren/Schilthorn or Wengen/Jungfraujoch. Interlaken would be a back-up only if there is more apartment availability there. There is a nice waterfall just a short bus ride up the valley, as well as the Schithorn and Jungfraujoch excursions.

Luzern has boat rides on the lake, Mountain excursions to Pilatus, Rigi, and Titlis. And the lion monument in Luzern. Memorial to the massacred Swiss guards of Louis XVI.

Since you will be there over 2 week ends, Look at getting Half fare cards for all the adults and srs. Assuming the kids are under 16, get a free Family card and they can travel with you for free. The half fare cards cost 120 CHF each, but with all the travel, mountain excursions, boat rides, and bus trips, good chance it will save you money. Are the sr's the kids' grandparents? If so they can also be used in Basel if the adults have to attend some functions, Oopa and Ooma can take them on outings in Basel.

Posted by
20094 posts

I was just reading your other thread, "Short hops within and outside of Switzerland". That answered some of my questions and brought up some other ones.

How late is your arrival at Zurich airport? You can get a train from the airport to Luzern. It is only an hour, so that should be your initial weekend in Switzerland. Stay Friday and Saturday nights and do your Luzern things, then it is just an hour train ride to Basel. You should be able to find a weekend 3-bedroom apartment there.

Since hubby wants to do the Jungfraujoch, do that the following weekend. Stay in Lauterbrunnen if at all possible Now I know you will want Half Fare Cards, It will save a ton of money for your wish list. Hope for a nice weekend.
http://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/holidays--short-breaks-in-switzerland/swisstravelsystem/swiss-halffare-card.html

Posted by
38 posts

Hi Sam,
Yes! That is just what I was planning tonight as I look closely into my schedule. I was just thinking of doing day trip from Zurich to Lucerne. I haven't decided if I want to stay in Lucerne or not because my husband actually arrives later than we do. We might just tour Zurich locally for a day and also to get some rest from the flight.
I just booked a place to stay in Interlaken the weekend after for two nights, hopefully enough time to visit Jaunfraujoch.

I will look into the half fare tickets also, that might help us out with such high expenses over there!
Thank.

Susan

Posted by
451 posts

I would stay in Wengen. It is on the same side of the mountain as Jungfrau. Just ride further up the mountain.

Posted by
38 posts

Can anyone tell me if it is cheaper to buy the Swiss half fare ticket in the US or at the train station in Switzerland? Does the price change buying the tickets at different train stations? I seem to recall someone mentioning that.
Thank you.
Susan

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