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Where to stay on our last night?

We are heading back to Switzerland in late June for the first time in 6 years and are beyond excited. We have been a few times before, so for this trip we are going to park ourselves in our favorite little village, Wengen, and spend the entire trip exploring the Bernese Oberland region. Our departure flight back to the US leaves Zurich at 1:40 pm on July 3.

In the past, we have stayed at the airport hotel (Radisson Blu) the night before departure because we had early flights. Because we are not in as much of a rush with a letter deiarture time, we are deciding where to stay our final night. We could leave early from Wengen, but that’s a long 3+ hour trip before a long flight home. We were thinking of relocating to Thun for our last day, but I don’t know if that town is worth the hassle of moving hotels, luggage, etc. Is that a strong option?

Are there other places you might suggest that would be worth a visit and an overnight stay that are on the way back towards Zurich? I’ve been to Luzern a number of times, so that one is off the list. And we don’t like Zurich enough to want to spend a day sightseeing there. Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Posted by
17427 posts

Reading through, I was going to suggest Luzern, until I saw you have “been there, done that.” I have no idea what your tastes are or what you enjoy, but I will suggest a few options that appeal to me.

One is to stay on Lake Luzern (Vierwaldstaettersee) in Weggis, with cablecar access to Rigi, and a boat ride to Luzern before the one-hour train to Zurich airport. Or stay up on Rigi for wonderful views . Rigi Kaltbad has easy access to the lake by cablecar and a number of good options, including one with an infinity pool with beautiful views to the lake and mountains.

Another would be the Grandhotel Giessbach, on Brienzersee. Boat access from Brienz. I have seen this hotel from the train and always longed to go there. The decor is a bit over the top for my taste, but I love the location and the waterfall.

https://www.giessbach.ch/en/home.html

Maybe Bern? We have not been there but it gets good reports.

With a 1:40 flight, you really don’t need to be at th3e airport before 11. That means anyplace within 2-3 hours of the airport is doable. The Swiss transport system is very reliable and ASAIK they don’t go on strike. We have come from as far as Chamonix on the day of our flight without worry, although that was for a later flight than yours.

If I think of other good options I will post them. But I know nothing about Thun so cannot comment.

Posted by
11776 posts

I like the idea of Thun. It cuts your hotel-to-airport time in half and it is a pleasant little city on the lake. The Saturday we were there we found it had a nice vibe. We took what I call the Thun Castle Walk last fall on a bright sunny day, which takes you from the historic Thun castle along the lake shore to Oberhofen where there is another castle and passing two additional castles on the way. You could also take a cruise on the lake.

Posted by
1117 posts

Consider Bern. Easily connected with both Wengen and Zurich, and a wonderful city to visit in its own right.

Posted by
290 posts

Like Laurel, I enjoyed Thun. Interesting architecture in the older central area, enjoyable walks and cafes along the river (you may see people surfing the wave from the sluice); beautiful views along the lake, and two castles.

Bern is closer to the airport and also well worth a visit; the fountains and clocks are fascinating.

All the best,

Raymond

Posted by
1881 posts

For one day I would vote for Bern. Very nice city and it has a train that goes directly to the Zurich airport (72 minutes) and leaves every 30 minutes. The Hotel Savoy is a nice place close to the train station. Enjoy.