Switzerland in May & July

Some of the mountain resort towns have not yet re-awoken from their shoulder season slumber by early May, but most businesses return to full schedules by the end of the month. Even if the businesses are closed, you can still visit the towns.

The temperature depends on the elevation and the proximity to the mountians. Except on the mountain peaks, the temperatures are usually pretty mild in May. Heat waves can occassionally strike in July, but this area of Europe doesn't usually experience extended periods of truly hot weather. July temps, particularly in the morning, can sometimes even be suprisingly cool.

Having been to Zermatt and the Interlaken area ( Wengen) in July and August,, it can still be cool up in the mountain trails , make sure you still bring a jacket. Our hotel clerk said the some of the trails were still snow covered in areas in June, and we could see that would have be so as some areas still had little pockets of snow in areas.

Switzerland is so pretty,, I would go in June or July myself.

flp: as you are "outside" Europe i suspect you have become interested in the "titled" Swiss rail routes, Bernina express, William Tell express, Glacier express, plus i would add the Golden Pass express. Do NOT purchase a ticket or "tour" on these routes outside or inside Switzerland !!!!! These rail routes are the SAME routes the normal trains run on !!! The only thing different about these "expresses" are the double, triple or QUADRUPLE rates charged !!! You can buy an ordinary class2 ticket or use a railpass and be on the EXACT SAME routes, same scenery etc. The "expresses" are a tourist ripoff and public relations efforts buy agencies and ticket sellers to charge you a terribly high price for what you can buy by yourself (railpass or point-to-point tickets).

Tom and pat,

Pardon my poor English, I guess from your replies, it don't make a very big difference between the 2 months ? Anyhow, Switzerland sceneries are my anticipated highlights for my Europe trips, so I will visit it in all my 3 planned trips.

Joe,

Thanks for your advice. I cannot afford European luxuries :) Being from a poor country, I guess 2nd class Swiss train is already luxury to me.

I am still trying to check whether I should buy P2P tickets or get a 3 or 4 days Swiss Pass for my May trip. I will get a Eurail Global Pass for my July trip.

I was in Berner oberland area this July. It was perfect. 5 nights was right for us. we hiked,rode the gondolas, funiculas etc. relaxed at breakfast and took loads of photos of the swiss alps. One day was rainy (expected), the rest were perfect. We stayed 2 night in Lauterbrunnen Valley hostel on the valley floor and 3 nights in Muerren and took gonndola out ea AM or hiked down to Gimmelwald. It was easy. However only go to Jungfrau if weather is perfect, it is very expensive to take the private rail there.

The hostels in Switz are an excellent deal, they are very clean and cheap, that was the best deal I found in Switz. Also the rail pass is great, gets you into and onto almost everything, well worth the money.