Itinerary Help in Switzerland Needed!

For Switzerland, not a good idea, All those places are well served by rail. Check out the "railpasses" section of this website for discounts you can get on the Swiss Transport system. For example you can get a 4 day-two person Swiss Pass which covers all inter city trains, municipal transit, and free entry to most museums for $189 USD; this include 50% discounts on the Jungfrau train, and Schiltorn Cable Car. There is also a Half-Fare card for $99USD; valid for one-month it gets you 50% off most all modes of transport in the entire country

This has really been condusing for me. I have loked at the WEB pages and am still confused.

In summary, we will be driving by car and stay in Lauterbrunnen for three days. Should we buy some type of rail pass just to take advantage of the expensive cogwheels, etc to the peaks around the valley?

Dean, it depends on what you want to see while in Lauterbrunnen. It currently costs $177 for a round trip to the Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen. It costs $90 for a round trip up to the top of the Schilthorn from Stechelberg (you get there by bus from Lauterbrunnen). Fares to Murren, Gimmelwald and Wengen can be $12-$16 each for a round trip. A 30-day Swiss 1/2 fare card cost CHF99. So, if you are planning on visiting these places, the 1/2 fare card will save you money. Plus, it's good throughout Switzerland for 30-days so you can use it for all of your Swiss train, bus and boat travel. You could even turn in your rental car and save more money. It's only 2hrs by train back to Zurich from the Berner Oberland.

Just a clarification from the OP... we do plan to go from place to place within Switzerland by train. I'm wondering where we should hit in addition to Lucerne. Have heard mixed things about Bern, for instance. What about Lausanne? Are there places in the Berner Oberland that would be appealing for non-hikers?

The reason we're flying out on Day 6 is because we're going to Israel (long story, don't ask). After Israel, we're going to spend a few days in Lake Como, so I thought we could see Lugano at that point, if we felt like it. We don't need to include Lugano on the original 5 days in Switzerland.

Thanks!

I just got back from a similar trip, but I went by car from Geneve to Zurich, and then to Munich and the Black Forest.

I think traveling by car is much better than by train, because it gives you the opportunity to stop in any cute village you drive by - and there are lots of cute villages near the lakes!!
With lots of nice hotels!!

Schilthorn is also a must-see.

I´d also recommend you the Black Forest, it´s amazing! The best part of my trip.

Thank you Michael and Larry. I just purchased a 4 day two person pass for our trip. We are leaving in a few days so the timing was great. Thank you again.

We will be picking up our car in Paris, tour parts of France, stay two nights in Brugge before going to Switzerland. After touring Switzerland, we will be returning our car in Paris.

The pass will primarily be used in the Berner Oberland area. We will park our car in Lauterbrunnen and use the pass there for the trips on both sides of the valley.

This discussion is really confusing to me. Did a few of the answers got misplaced and were not meant for the OP? What is not a good idea, Michael? and what's the talk about the Black Forest. It's NOT in Switzerland. And with 5 days in Switzerland I would not loose time to drive that far into Germany.

Some more places to see in Switzerland:

• The outdoor museum in Ballenberg is pretty AND gives a great historical and cultural background to Switzerland. One of my favourite places during our trip.

• Bern is a very interesting city to see. We went into the Munster and up the tower, got to see Einstein's house (which dispelled some of the myths surrounding his life!), took pics of dozens of fountains, spent hours in the historical museum.

• Thunersee (Lake Thun) is not far from Bern and very picturesque. You can take the funicular up the Niesen for exceptional views. The lakeside castle in Oberhofen is beautifully furnished and set in a colorful garden.

• Basel is another interesting city if you more into culture than adventure. It's THE place for museums with over 30 to choose from including the largest art collection of Switzerland in the Kunstmuseum. And the most amazing Rathaus (town hall) I've ever seen.

Personally, I much preferred the Switzerland guide book by DK Eyewitness over the Rick Steves one. You'll find some great tipps in there, especially if historical/cultural sights are more interesting to you.

I suggest you get a 4-day Swiss Rail pass. This will get you on all the trains, boats and buses in Switzerland. I think Zurich is worth 1/2 day but no more. Lucerne is nice but no more than 1/2 day either. I'd take the train to Interlaken or, better yet, Lauterbrunnen, and then spend some time going to the top of the Schilthorn, taking the gondola and cog-railways to various other places. Lauterbrunnen is a good home base and the Hotel Staubach is great - albiet not high end. You can also take the ferry boats on the lakes on both sides of Interlaken or even take the train to Bern for 1/2 day.

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Zurich. You said that you "enjoy pretty scenery, cute towns, and historical/cultural sights." If that's the case, Zurich is definitely worth your time. There are museums, amazing churches, and cute areas to shop and eat--the scenery along the river is quite enjoyable. Either way, enjoy!

Hi Amy,

With 5 days(nights?) I'd head straight for the Berner Oberland first for 3 nights, we LOVE Wengen, but Muerren or Lauterbrunnen would be good also. You don't need to be a skier to enjoy one of the most beautiful area's in all of Europe! Then 2 nights in Luzern and if your flight isn't too early in the am, go straight to the airport (about an hour ride) from Luzern.

My opinion is that using the trains is the best way to see Switzerland.

Hope this helps.

Paul

I'm no expert on Switzerland but I loved Interlaken -- http://www.interlaken.ch/index.php?id=53&L=3 -- and the cog railway up to the high peaks > http://www.jungfraubahn.ch/en/DesktopDefault.aspx

We got off at Kleine Scheidegg and hiked to the next station -- maybe 2 hours and mostly level or slightly downward. The high peaks are nearby and the waterfalls and mountain goats are charming. We didn't go to the top of the Jungfrau by train because its pricey and we wanted to hike instead.

Grindelwald, where the cog railway begins, is a great little town. I am looking for the best park bench in the world and one I found in Grindelwald is at the top of my list right now.

Geneva is a fascinating city particularly if you like Calvin, French Switzerland, fondue, the UN and League of Nations and Red Cross. It's truly an international capital. We took a narrow gauge train from Nyon on the north shore of Lake Geneva which brought us up to St Cergue a nice little village famous for cross-country skiing. A short hike brought us to a splendid view of Lake Geneva and the Alps including Mont Blanc. Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemin_de_Fer_Nyon-St.Cergue-Morez

Nyon is a great little lakeside town about 20 miles NE of Geneva.

The trains in Switzerland are as modern and efficient as trains get.