What are your favorite day trips you have taken in Switzerland? This was a question I was considering posting before I left, and although your answers are too late for me now, they're probably helpful for others who have been asking this recently. I wanted to share my answer in hope that it can help some of the other RS posters (see the first comment below.)
Posted by
OP
Ballwin
833 posts
I had one of the most wonderful days of my life, just amazing and beautiful, in Switzerland last week. And it's possible to get all the transportation (would be over 200 CHF) for 33 CHF instead. I was staying in Baden, Switzerland, so I took trains from Baden to Lucerne via Zurich. I explored the city for a bit, and then took the ferry from Lucerne to Vitznau which provides a lovely view of the lake and surrounding mountains, even on a cloud-covered day. From here I took the tram halfway up Mount Rigi to Kaltbad. It was a beautiful view, when the sun came out it was beautiful and warm. We took the aerial cablecar from Kaltbad down to Weggis and back up (though you could exit the ferry at Weggis and go up to Kaltbad that way). When arriving back at Kaltbad we walked around some more, took more photos (I love photography and it's a wonderful setting). Then we took the tram up to Rigi Kulm, the top of the mountain. You can walk up to the summit, get some soup or coffee and a few little restaurants at the top, more photos. You can return back down the mountain to Weggis or Vitznau, but since we were returning to Zurich it was easier (and provided a new route down the mountain) to take the other tram from Rigi Kulm to Art-Goldau and take a train from there to Zurich/Baden. The day was beautiful and gorgeous and outstanding. The scenery is wonderful, the air so crisp and clean. I highly recommend it. For the more adventurous (or just well-packed with hiking clothing/boots, we had none) you could hike up parts of the mountain, take the tram up the rest of the way.
Posted by
OP
Ballwin
833 posts
Best of all, of course, was the price. 33 CHF is around 36 USD or so right now. We paid only this because of the Tageskarte Gemeinde. These are day passes that only Swiss citizens can purchase, but anyone can use. So if you have a Swiss friend or can get in touch with someone to reserve and purchase one for you in advance (only a limited number, usually 3 to 6, per day are available in each locale) it will save you an incredible amount of money. These day passes cover most trains, trams, buses, ferries, etc, even the transportation up and down Mount Rigi. They provide the opportunity for great savings. A day pass for the mountain alone would have been 64 CHF otherwise, in addition to the trains and ferries. Anyone traveling around Switzerland should look into buying a tageskarte gemeinde for one or two of their days, it is cheaper than Swiss passes and is very helpful.