Switzerland 3-wk itinerary (fly into and out of Amsterdam)

Thanks for the suggestion JB but Munich is actually more expensive. And yes, it is a few weeks away I am planning for. That's why we are able to get last min ticket into AMS. But our plan only works if there is an economic way to get from Zurich to AMS or somewhere near Zurich to AMS (as most itinineries ends in Zurich). Thanks.

Just a suggestion. Fly in and out of Munich. It is certainly cheaper than in and out of Switzerland. Is this Sept 19, 2012? Certainly cost more if you do not already have your tickets. There are last minute tickets to be had....others are more knowledgeable about those.

Craig. You are about to spend 3 weeks in the most incredibly expensive country I have ever visited. What's a few more dollars to fly into Zurich?

I don't know what the RS 2-week Switzerland itinerary looks like, but you can always reverse it. Start in Geneva, head to Montreux to start (Neuchatel, chocolate Train, Chateau du Chillon, Gruyeres, etc.), then follow the Golden Pass route to the Berner Oberland, then Luzern. You don't even need to go to Zurich at all.

I think I might have found a train on SBB.CH from Zurich back to AMS. Could someone please kindly confirm? Outward journey Zürich HB - Amsterdam CS Wed, 10.10.12, 20:42 Hour - Thu, 11.10.12, 08:56 Hour
Duration: 12:14, 0x Change(s)

That's an overnight train. Is that what you want? It takes 12 hours to take a route that in day time is only 8.5 hours if you are willing to do a couple of easy train changes along the way.
If you want a sleeping compartment, that's a lot more, BUT if that is something you think would be neat to do, go ahead. I've done it just for the experience.

I second Judy's comments. Have you looked a the cost of food and lodging in Switzerland? Trying to save a little money on transit will be the only a small fraction of your costs. Especially given that your trip is on short notice, don't expect all of the cheapest options to be available.

Craig, Judy makes an excellent point. But, beyond that, I suspect that getting from Amsterdam to Zurich will be more expensive that the air fare savings. Train tickets can get expensive at this late date. Also, depending upon you luggage and other considerations, the price you see for carriers such as Easyjet may be far more than you anticipate. Further, if you look at train schedules, you will have such issues as getting from Amsterdam airport to Station Centrale and switching between Paris train stations. All in all, I doubt that you will save anything, and even if you do, "what a lousy way to save a few bucks".

What about the philosophy that the journey is the desination? Heck, there are so many interesting stopovers and side trips between Amsterdam and Zurich, that you may never even make it to Switzerland.

Hi Craig - We're leaving tomorrow for three weeks, and will follow Rick's two week plan somewhat. We fly to Zurich and will head straight to Appenzell, then Luzern, then Locarno rather than Lugano. Near Locarno is Lavertazzo (google it and look at some images!), then we're probably going to give Zermatt a miss altogether. We'll spend time in Berner-Oberland, Bern, Fribourg & area, etc. Have fun!

Oh, and by the way, we're buying 22 day swiss passes. Yup, expensive; the whole thing will be. We intend to stay in B&Bs and hope to spend between CHF 120 - 160 total per night. Once in a lifetime. We do not have bags of money. Believe me! But instead of sweating the cash, I've decided to suck it up and enjoy the trip. I'll have to be reminding myself of that while we're there. . . And we don't intend to wild either, but will not cheap out.

Karen if you find B & B's in Switzerland for between 120 - 160 euros per night, can you please let me know!!!! Having said that, this may be possible in smaller towns/villages???

Judy, most hotels, B&Bs, and other accommodation in Switzerland will be priced in Swiss Francs - abbreviated CHF - rather than Euros. The Euro is not the official (or even unofficial) currency in Switzerland.