Where to base for several day trips in Switzerland ?

Posted by Boosterjm (US) on 03/04/24 07:06 PM

We are 2 families planning on visiting Switzerland for the first time for 7 days total during end of May. Our ideal plan is to do following as day trips
Mt. Titlis, Zermatt-Gornergrat, Murren-Schilthorn, Lucerne-Rigi, Golden Pass Express, Grindelwald First
Can you please recommend an optimal base to stay? I understand that on couple of days we have to start early in the morning to be able to do the day-trips. Below are the two options I am debating
(1) 2 nights in Lucerne followed by 5 nights in Wengen
Pros: able to do Lucerne-Rigi and Titlis in first 2 days without any stress
Cons: have to change locations with the luggage. What if weather is not conducive on those 2 days? Is it feasible to do Zermatt-Gornergrat from Wengen?

(2) All nights in Interlaken
Pros: convenience of not changing locations but not sure if everything is possible
Cons: Not a 'nice' place like Wengen

Kindly suggest an optimal solution. Being able to do the trips I listed above is more important than anything else. Thanks.

Posted by all2alb

03/04/24 07:18 PM

464 posts

I would prefer your “number one”! Love love them both! Interlaken is good also and many will say it allows for more travel options? I was in Wengen and Lucerne (did Rigi) in Sept….perfect weather. May weather is possibly a different scenario?

Posted by Dave A

Minneapolis

03/05/24 03:21 PM

48 posts

You have a long list for one week and to keep alignment with two families. You aren't going to be spending a lot of down time wherever you stay and hit the sites on your list. Interlaken has a personality just not the proximity to the mountains. It provides more convenient travel to the surrounding attractions that are not around Wengen (nothing wrong with Wengen). Consider alternatives for rainy days.

You can find 7 days of adventures within 30-50 minutes transit from Interlaken. Switzerland is for decompression, keep the itinerary simple and stress free.

Posted by wanderweg

Nashville, TN

03/05/24 03:43 PM

415 posts

No matter what you do, I think your list is unrealistic for a week as day trips. Specifically Zermatt & the Golden Express really aren’t Day trips. They would require changing hotels again to avoid spending 7-8 hours in one day on a train doing a round trip.

For example, doing the Glacier Express roundtrip from Interlaken would be almost 7 hours of train and while it’s not a bad way to relocate if you’re moving hotels from the Jungfrau Region to Montreux, I don’t think it’s breathtaking enough to spend a day just sitting on a train. You’ll get more majestic views on the train ride from Luzern to Wengen.

A Day Trip to Zermatt from anywhere is never a good idea. The Matterhorn is known for clouding over easily and when you’re 2.5-3.5 hours away from it, it could look ok when you leave in the morning on a Webcam and by the time you get there it’s in the clouds and you’ve again spent 6+ hours roundtrip on a train to see nothing. If the Matterhorn is important to you, 2 nights in Zermatt is the realistic option. Otherwise, skip it and enjoy all the things to do in the Luzern & Wengen areas. There is plenty!

In May I’d probably recommend 3 nights in Luzern (Titlis, Rigi, Lake Cruise) & 4 Nights in Wengen (Murren/Schilthorn, Grindelwald First, Lake Thun or Brienz Cruise, if May 25 or later - Männlichen)