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Where to base

Hello,
I am going to Switzerland in mid may and am trying to figure out where I am staying (trying to do cheap airbnbs and hostels) and I don't have a ton planned out. All I know is that I'll be there from the 14th to 22nd and I am seeing a concert in Geneve the night of the 16th. I am hoping to see some stuff in the Berner Oberland and go to Zermatt on a sunny day but want to stay somewhere I can easily pivot plans as May whether can be wild in the mountains :). I have been looking at staying in Thun all 8 nights, do yall have any suggestions on places to base out of or if 8 nights is too many in one place? My one condition is it has to have good mountains access as I am planning on doing some big muddy/snowy hikes as when I get back I am climbing a pretty major peak and need to stay in shape.

Posted by
8158 posts

Stay in Montreux 3 nights (since you say you are going to a concert in Geneva) and in Luzern or Bern the rest of the time. These two towns are good hubs to explore the Berner Oberland other parts like Zermatt (I went to Zermatt on a day trip from Bern); but it depends on where you are arriving and leaving from.

I have been looking at staying in Thun all 8 nights

How did you come up with Thun? I'd only stay in Thun if you have free lodging.
Thun is very small (not many options kind of boring if you are not with someone) not central enough to explore other parts of Switzerland by train..

Posted by
2 posts

@jazz,
First Thank you for the extremely fast reply!
Second, I was thinking Thun as it has really cool looking old town with castle and church, seems quieter, and is very close to the mountains while having decent connections to some of the low land areas for when the weather is bad. I have also seen it recommended in a couple places, but didn't know about 8 days.

Posted by
8158 posts

I've been to Switzerland 4 times since 2017 and went to Thun (that old town is tiny) based on photos and recommendations also and was disappointed.
Bern is not that big and is at low land and has better connections to the rest of Switzerland and more to see and do.