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Looking for suggestions for Switzerland itinerary

Posted by (Austin, TX, USA) on

I will be traveling with my 10-year-old daughter in Italy and Switzerland in July and August. We have 2 1/2 fun-filled weeks in Italy with my sister and her family, who live in Aviano (Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa, CT, Verona and more in northern Italy). Our flight leaves from Zurich on August 8, so I wanted to spend about a week in Switzerland.

We'll be seeing an opera in Verona on August 1, then on August 2 I will leave my sister behind and begin the journey to Switzerland. We have reservations to the Last Supper on August 2, and then no plans after that.

I know for sure we want to spend at least 3 - 4 days in Berner Oberland, probably in Murren. Other than that, I'd love to hear your suggestions!

I don't think I want to spend the night of Aug. 2 in Milan. Should we stay in th Lake Como area, or go straight to Murren, or stay somewhere in between?

I think I'd rather spend the final night (August 7) in Lucerne rather than Zurich, based on things I've read. Any suggestions on that?

Are there any other places we should stay?

In looking at the scenic train trips, the Bernina Express seems wonderful, but that may take us too far out of our way (the long way to get from Milan to Berner Oberland).

Alternatively, I speak a bit of French so it might be fun to go to the French side of Switzerland, but that seems out of the way too - not sure if we have enough time for that...

Also, our itinerary will help us decide whether to purchase the Swiss Pass or not.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Posted by
2968 posts

Hi Tracy,

If your first night in Switzerland is Aug. 2 and your last is Aug. 7 you'll have 6 nights total. I'd spend 4 in Berner Oberland and 2 in Luzern.

We loved our stay in Wengen! The scenery/views are simply spectacular! It's also on the line that goes to the Jungfraujoch.

Luzern to the airport is about an hour, so depending on your departure flight time, you could spend you're last night in Luzern.

Scenic train trips... Just my opinion, scenery can be seen through a window or while you're out in the Alps enjoying yourself.

We used an 8 day Swiss Pass which also covered our lake steamer trip on lake Luzern.

Hope this helps.

Paul

Posted by
6898 posts

For staying in Lucerne the night before your flight out of Zurich, it depends on what time your flight departs. You are 90 minutes away by train from the airport train station and the first train out of Lucerne is at 4:56am. For an international flight out, you need to arrive at least 2.5hrs early.

Posted by
8 posts

Hi Tracy,

You'll love Murren if you choose to stay there. We spent a week there two years ago and will do so again in September. If you choose to spend an extra evening in Italy I would choose Stresa or another town in the lake area over Milan. And you are right to choose Lucerne over Zurich. We spent a week in the French side of Switzerland (Villars) and enjoyed our stay but it did not at all compare with the breathtaking beauty of the Berner Oberland. And it was harder to get around by train, so I would pass. The Swiss Pass will get you to Murren and it is a great deal - you can use it on nearly all boats and most museums in Switzerland.

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