I am going to Switzerland in June with my teenage son and daughter. We are novice travellers and not extremely high energy. We have reservations in Lauterbrunnen for the whole time and plan to make day trips getting up early and enjoying train rides etc. The timetables look like you could do day trips clear to Geneva, to Basel, to Appenzell and to the Zermatt area if you started early and traveled late in the day.
Is this practical.....one hotel and just day trips?
Mary
It would totally depend on how far each of these places from Lauterbrunnen are. You don't want to spend 6 - 8 hours a day in the train. I know you can go to Jungfrau and all the towns on either side of the valley. Also, a lot of hiking can be done here.
Day trips to Lucerne and Interlaken are feasible, maybe to Bern too.
We are going to Switzerland end July and staying in Lauterbrunnen as well, so feel free to send me a private msg, if you need to know my iten.
Happy travels.
Hello Mary,
You are staying in one of the most beautiful regions in Switzerland and can do some things there in addition to doing day trips further away.
I am not sure what you mean by not high energy but I am not too energetic myself (anaemic) but quite enjoyed a walk along the valley floor and some walks in the higher areas. There are a lot of waterfalls and a river and its very cool and scenic in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. I like that it was cool because the heat really saps my energy.
You should do a day trip to the Jungfraujoch. The scenery alone is magnificent.
The schilthorn is another nice way to spend a few hours, and in June the meadows at Allmendhubel should have wild flowers. I can also recommend a visit to the Trummelbach waterfalls. And a day trip to Lucerne should be nice too. You certainly won't run out of things to do or be bored. Have a great time. My turn there comes up in August. I can't wait. You and your kids will love it.
Well they are all reachable by train - but the longer distances may take 3-4 hrs or more each way. In between you may catch the fast trains but the distant valleys take time. I agree with some of the others - devote 2-3 days in the Laurterbrunnen, a day in Zermatt and stay over nite and do some hiking, Then to to Geneva. Appenzel is in the farther north east so its in the opposite direction. Maybe you can do that before going back to Zurich. Try to make a route that is less back tracking (maybe Zurich - Appenzel - Lucerne/Lauternrbunnen, Zermatt and Geneva - then back to Zurich (via Bern - stop to check to out too !)
Mary, keep in mind that Lauterbrunnen is not a hub town. It is at the end of the line and located in an isolated valley. That means every train excursion from Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken is an in-and-out trip over the same route you've already travelled. I most certainly would not consider day trips to Geneva, Basel, or Appenzell--too much time on trains and switching trains to make it worthwhile. Lucerne, as Nadine suggested, might be worth it; but even that would make for a long day trip.
As others have said, there is lots to do in the Lauterbrunnen area, not just in the valley itself but going up to Jungfraujoch and the Schilthorn. You could also go over to Grindelwald in the valley to the east, up to Murren, Wengen and Schynigge Platte. These would give you lots of train rides. Also, you could easily backtrack into Interlaken and do a variety of activities. For example: boat cruises on either Lake Thun or Brienz, go to a castle (e.g., Thun or Oberhofen), go to the Swiss Open-Air Museum (at Ballenberg). Teens would enjoy all these activities.
Also remember that one mistake novice travelers often make is thinking they can go farther afield on day trips than is reasonable because they underestimate the travel time and energy involved. Just because timetables show something is possible does not mean the possible is worthwhile. I suggest enjoying and savoring all there is in the spectacular Lauterbrunnen area and forget about the long day-trips that will be too exhausting and rushed to be of any value other than chalking up "I've-been-there merit badges." I frankly think that once you see the Lauterbrunnen valley you will not want to stray far.
I totally and completely agree with Dwayne. Even in the iten. I have sent you I am spending 6 full days in Lauterburren and then heading to Luzern for 2 days.
Thanks to all!
