One week in Switzerland

Those scenic trains aren't "express" trains despite the names. But a Flex Pass will cover the ride, and if you are going in September and can get the 2-for-1 that is a great deal. I don't think the pass covers the seat reservation fees if you want them but maybe someone knows different. You can also ride regular regional trains on the same routes. they make more stops but you could get off and walk around places you like. The Glacier Express trip is a long day and it might be good to get off somewhere and walk around or ride a cablecar up to a viewpoint. Or spend a night somewhere along the way.

Sal, for me that's too much train travel in a week. All you will see are views from the train and the hotel rooms. Are you aware that the Glacier Express takes eight hours and is marketed as the slowest express in Switzerland. If you want to see more of the coutry from outside a train stay the week in Lucerne, take the William Tell Express boat element from Lucerne to Flueln and then the train back that alone is three hours on the boat, go up Pilatus or Rigi and possibly take the train to Engelberg and if you snow and ice go up the Titlis Rotair to the top and Glacier.

Sasha, Pauline, Thank-you for your comments and advices, we have not yet made any reservation or made any final decision on our iterinary. We will consider your suggestions. Thanks again,
Sal.

Hi Sal, Just a couple of comments: We thought 2 nights in Luzern was just about right.
Glacier Express was a very long day. The trip from St. Moritz to Zermatt took about 9 hours. To be blunt, about halfway through, we couldn't wait for it to end. No time in the Berner Oberland? During our Swiss trip we stayed in St. Moritz, Zermatt, Wengen and Luzern. We also visited Appenzell. Highlight of the entire trip was Wengen and the Berner Oberland. Just some thoughts. For our trip, we had a car for 3 days (Zurich to Appenzell to Liechtenstein and dropped off in St. Moritz) and then used our 8 day Swiss Pass. It covered just about everything. Paul

I agree that is a lot of time on trains (and buses), unless you are a "train buff". The Glacier Express in particular is very long. We ride that route on the regional train just a short distance to one of our favorite places. We've seen the Glacier Express go by while waiting on the platform for our train (the Glacier Express doesn't stop at this place). At this point in the journey the passengers have been on the train for 5 + hours if they started at the beginning. Everyone seems to have a sort of glazed look on their faces, like they are ready to be done with it.

Hi Lola, Maybe you saw us! We had that glazed look halfway through. We wouldn't spend that kind of time on a "scenic" train trip again. One full day by the time we left the hotel in St. Moritz and actually checked in to our place in Zermatt. Paul

This looks like a trip for a transportation geek, which is okay if you are one. Otherwise, the itinerary doesn't make sense. You don't need to tick off every single scenic train. With one week, flying out of Genève, I'd do something like this: 2 nights in Luzern 2 nights in Interlaken (via the scenic train connecting both cities)
2 nights in Lausanne, via the scenic train And that should keep you enternained enough. You can visit Bern as a day-trip from any of three locations.

I certainly agree with the above posters. We took the Golden Pass and while nice, it is nowhere near the top of our Switzerland memories. All the trains, from city to city, are scenic. I agree with Andre's view. I would also choose the three cities, except that I would not stay in Interlaken, but would go up to the Lauterbrunnen area. I would think in terms of days and allocate the most to the Berner Oberland, 2 to 3, next Lucerne, 1 to 2, and lastly Lausanne with 1 to 2. I would suggest open jaw flights utilizing Geneva and Zurich, depending upon the route you decide to take.

Re the Bernina Express, an interesting note. If you take this train the back is part of the Bernina package w/ clear dome roof and more luxury interiors. If you just get the point a to b tix it is still the same train just linked up to the front. We saved alot of swiss francs and saw the same thing just in less luxury but still comfortable.