I'm trying to decide which order to travel. We fly in to Zurich June 9th at 9AM and begin a river cruise in Basel on June 14th. I'm thinking of spending three nights in Murren and two nights in Lucerne. Is there any benefit to travelling to Murren first or should we go to Lucerne first?
Also, is there a web site to calculate whether it is beneficial to purchase a Swiss Pass or Half Fare Card for this itinerary?
Thank you for your assistance.
I would go straight to Luzern first---it is only an hour from the Zurich, so an easy journey even after a long flight. Plus, the journey from there to Mürren goes via the scenic Brünig Pass.
I do not know of any website that will aid with the calculationson the various Swiss Pass options. Are you planning on going up the Jungfraujoch? If so, a Half Fare Card will almost pay for itself in savings on that journey.
I always think a map helps. A map of the Swiss rail network is here: https://www.swisspasses.com/railpass/overviewmap_en.pdf
I vote Zürich to Luzern, it is a short leg (1½ hours), and easy train from the airport after a long flight.
Do 2 nights in Luzern, to chill out, look round the town, do a boat trip on the lake, and a one day trip up Titlis to get up close and personal with a glacier ( http://www.titlis.ch/en my favourite).
Then by train over the Brünig pass to interlaken and Mürren. Unbelievable scenery. From there it is a straight run back to Basel, with a few hours in Bern if you have the time.
A day (or ½ day) in Basel is also worth the time. But the cruise company may provide this. Groups of people with guides from the cruise companies walking round Basel have become commonplace.
Lola, Zürich Flughafen (Zurich airport) to Mürren is 3h18 with 4 changes and does not go over the Brünig pass (that is the Luzern to Mürren route). Zürich Flughafen to Luzern is 1h02 with no changes. Was that perhaps a typo?
See: http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
I believe that Lola also meant to say Luzern first. See price comparisons in a quick overview at https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/switzerland-rail-passes. www.jungfrau.ch will show you ticket prices around the Berner Oberland in chart form – click on English, then Travel Information.
Yes, a mistake. I did indeed mean to go to Luzern first ( which is the only way my comments about the short journey time and the Brünig pass route make sense). Thanks for catching that. I have corrected it.
Thank you all for your comments and links to maps and web cams. Based on your feedback I think we will reverse the order and stay in Luzerne before Murren. It sounds like we won't want to leave Murren once we get there!
