3 days trip to Switzerland
Dec 30th, 2015, 09:58 AM
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3 days trip to Switzerland
Hello,
I would like to visit Switzerland for a 3N/4D day trip. My origin is London. I am willing to travel during easter holidays(may be end of Mar 2016).My main areas of interests are snow , breath taking views and other natural beauties(no museums and shopping) . I heard that Mt.Jungfrau is a must. However, I also found Mt.Titlis to be quite exciting. I am looking for few directions to plan out my trip.
1) If I visit Mt.Titlis, should I still go for Mt.Jungfrau?
2) I want to travel by public transport. In that case, should I buy swiss travel pass or any equivalent? Would that help? If say I buy it, should I still buy seperate ticket for Mt.Jungfrau? Can I get any approximate estimate of travel cost per person?
3) I heard Grindelwald is also a nice place with great views and close to Mt.Jungfrau. So for a 3 day trip, would it be wise to stay at Lucerne for 2days (Cover Mt.Titlis & near by Lucerne) and say grindewald for 1 day OR Lucerne 3 days OR grindewald 2 days & Lucerne 1 day.
Thanks--Raj
I would like to visit Switzerland for a 3N/4D day trip. My origin is London. I am willing to travel during easter holidays(may be end of Mar 2016).My main areas of interests are snow , breath taking views and other natural beauties(no museums and shopping) . I heard that Mt.Jungfrau is a must. However, I also found Mt.Titlis to be quite exciting. I am looking for few directions to plan out my trip.
1) If I visit Mt.Titlis, should I still go for Mt.Jungfrau?
2) I want to travel by public transport. In that case, should I buy swiss travel pass or any equivalent? Would that help? If say I buy it, should I still buy seperate ticket for Mt.Jungfrau? Can I get any approximate estimate of travel cost per person?
3) I heard Grindelwald is also a nice place with great views and close to Mt.Jungfrau. So for a 3 day trip, would it be wise to stay at Lucerne for 2days (Cover Mt.Titlis & near by Lucerne) and say grindewald for 1 day OR Lucerne 3 days OR grindewald 2 days & Lucerne 1 day.
Thanks--Raj
Dec 30th, 2015, 10:59 AM
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Mt Titlis is neat but it is a mini Jungfrau Region - the latter having so many varied things to occupy three days - Titlis' area is much much smaller - no comparison IME of doing both.
Stay in a mountain town like Grindelwald or Wengen - easily got to by train from Interlaken and be eyeball to eyeball with majestic soaring peaks looming high above lush cow-dotted meadows with toylike trains and thrilling aerial gondolas going off in all directions. Lovely boat rides on the two lakes bookending Interlaken too - hiking paths for all degree of energy - no special gear needed.
I would stay in Grindelwald the whole three days or 2 days there and one in Lucerne - the 4-consecutive Swiss Pass could be a great deal - covering trains in full to Grindelwald and Wengen and then giving 25% off the very very expensive Jungfraujoch trains from there. But the Swiss Transfer Ticket could be your best bet - it gives you a train trip from any airport or border point in Switzerland to any place in Switzerland - like Grindelwald and then back to any border point or airport and you can buy along with it a Half-Off Card for 50% off it and ethen get 50% off on all trains and gondolas and lake boats and even teh Jungrfraujoch train for the time between your arrival journey and departure journey - the 25% more savings on the expensive Jungfraujoch train can be a lot!
For lots of great info on Swiss trains and passes check www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com.
Stay in a mountain town like Grindelwald or Wengen - easily got to by train from Interlaken and be eyeball to eyeball with majestic soaring peaks looming high above lush cow-dotted meadows with toylike trains and thrilling aerial gondolas going off in all directions. Lovely boat rides on the two lakes bookending Interlaken too - hiking paths for all degree of energy - no special gear needed.
I would stay in Grindelwald the whole three days or 2 days there and one in Lucerne - the 4-consecutive Swiss Pass could be a great deal - covering trains in full to Grindelwald and Wengen and then giving 25% off the very very expensive Jungfraujoch trains from there. But the Swiss Transfer Ticket could be your best bet - it gives you a train trip from any airport or border point in Switzerland to any place in Switzerland - like Grindelwald and then back to any border point or airport and you can buy along with it a Half-Off Card for 50% off it and ethen get 50% off on all trains and gondolas and lake boats and even teh Jungrfraujoch train for the time between your arrival journey and departure journey - the 25% more savings on the expensive Jungfraujoch train can be a lot!
For lots of great info on Swiss trains and passes check www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com.
Dec 30th, 2015, 12:06 PM
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Dec 30th, 2015, 05:02 PM
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You need to be aware that the weather can be really bad in the mountains - as in totally lost in clouds and unable to see anything - so you can't assume you can do any mountain on any specific day.
We were in Interlaken 3 days (but day tripping to other places by car) before we got a day that was clear at the top of the Jungfrau.
You are definitely still in ski season so you must be sure you have warm/proper clothing and boots so you can deal with the snow and ice.
I don;t see where you are coming from or going to - or if you willbe arriving by train or plane. Wwe really need to know that to make useful recos.
As for cost - Swtiz is VERY expensive. But exactly how much will depend on how simply you want to live. Train and mountain ascensions will not be inexpensive and there is info above where you can find that info. (For some idea full price for ascension of the Jungfrau is more than $200 per person.)
We were in Interlaken 3 days (but day tripping to other places by car) before we got a day that was clear at the top of the Jungfrau.
You are definitely still in ski season so you must be sure you have warm/proper clothing and boots so you can deal with the snow and ice.
I don;t see where you are coming from or going to - or if you willbe arriving by train or plane. Wwe really need to know that to make useful recos.
As for cost - Swtiz is VERY expensive. But exactly how much will depend on how simply you want to live. Train and mountain ascensions will not be inexpensive and there is info above where you can find that info. (For some idea full price for ascension of the Jungfrau is more than $200 per person.)
Dec 31st, 2015, 09:47 AM
#5
The OP states he's coming from London. Is doing this as a 3 night trip from London, end of March.
No matter how you look at it, it's really off season and will be a very expensive trip regardless if you get to see the scenery or not.
$265 for a 4 day Swiss Pass for one person
Easily $120 a night = $360
Jungfruajoch for one person is $183
No matter how you look at it, it's really off season and will be a very expensive trip regardless if you get to see the scenery or not.
$265 for a 4 day Swiss Pass for one person
Easily $120 a night = $360
Jungfruajoch for one person is $183
Dec 31st, 2015, 11:30 AM
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The Swiss Transfer Ticket I think would cut about $100 p.p. off that total though have not done the maths. 50% on Jungfraujoch trains vs 25% with Swiss Pass - offhand I would say the Swiss Transfer Ticket is what cost comparisons should be done with. (STT not sold in Switzerland TMK, only outside the country like thru RailEurope or its agents in the U.S.; U.K. etc.)
Jan 1st, 2016, 09:09 AM
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Sounds like Swiss Transfer Ticket is the one to go with. But as suggested will do the maths 
and take a call. It also sounds like March is off season. I think I have the flexibility to shuffle it till end of June,but not sure if that would make things any better(or the other way..eeesh!). I am also tending towards extending my trip to 5 days with 3 days in Grindelwald (no skiing/hiking) and 2 days in Lucerne. Not sure if that sounds like a wise plan OR would it be better to stick with 3 days in Swiss and probably visit to Germany/Rome for another two days .Open for your valuable suggestions.
and take a call. It also sounds like March is off season. I think I have the flexibility to shuffle it till end of June,but not sure if that would make things any better(or the other way..eeesh!). I am also tending towards extending my trip to 5 days with 3 days in Grindelwald (no skiing/hiking) and 2 days in Lucerne. Not sure if that sounds like a wise plan OR would it be better to stick with 3 days in Swiss and probably visit to Germany/Rome for another two days .Open for your valuable suggestions.
Jan 1st, 2016, 09:50 AM
#8
hi,
June would be so much better if possible. 5 days in the Berner Oberland/Jungfrau Region would be ideal. 3 days there and 2 in Luzern is good also. I wouldn't consider adding another country. You would have barely scratched the surface in the places you would be staying in Switzerland.
June would be so much better if possible. 5 days in the Berner Oberland/Jungfrau Region would be ideal. 3 days there and 2 in Luzern is good also. I wouldn't consider adding another country. You would have barely scratched the surface in the places you would be staying in Switzerland.
Jan 1st, 2016, 01:34 PM
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March is the off season for railpasses too - check with www.raileurope.com to see if they have trotted out their nearly annual special deal on passes for use in spring - can be sweet deals that could make the pass better if discounted or even 2 for 1 as has been the case at times in the past.
<But as suggested will do the maths and take a call.>
to talk to someone knowledgeable call Byron at www.budgeteuropetravel.com, whom I have bought passes from for years - will answer all your questions even if not buying IME and no hard sell like at RE often itself.
The Swiss Transfer ticket would only be your best bet if going to one location from a border or airport and back, etc but if going also to Lucerne that would not work as the return ticket must be from the same destination you initially went too- not from Lucerne - I think at least not totally 100% sure.
<But as suggested will do the maths and take a call.>
to talk to someone knowledgeable call Byron at www.budgeteuropetravel.com, whom I have bought passes from for years - will answer all your questions even if not buying IME and no hard sell like at RE often itself.
The Swiss Transfer ticket would only be your best bet if going to one location from a border or airport and back, etc but if going also to Lucerne that would not work as the return ticket must be from the same destination you initially went too- not from Lucerne - I think at least not totally 100% sure.
Jan 2nd, 2016, 05:54 AM
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Thanks again pja1 & PalenQ. Thanks to you guys, I am working out on my travel pass and hope to close it soon . Mean time,I would be grateful if you can review my high level itinerary for 5N/6D. Not sure if posting it as a separate thread would be the right thing to do?
1) DAY 1- Zurich to Lucerne by train- If time/weather permits visit Mt.Titlis- back to hotel
2) DAY2 - Boat trip from Lucerne to Meggen, visit Chapel Bridge,Swiss Transport Museum, local shopping, head back to hotel.
3) Day3- Head for Grindelwald. Take train via Luzern - Meiringen - Interlaken - Grindelwald (3.5 hrs scenic???).Post check in-walk around and visit near by places (need to explore)
4) Day 4- Visit Mt.Jungfrau, head back to hotel.Evening at leisure or an evening walk.
5) Day5 -Paragliding/Trummelbach Falls,Grindelwald First ( explore other options)
6) Apr 6 - End of tour- Head back from Grindelwald to Zurich Airport. It time permits, some sightseeing in Zurich.
Hope this would cover my main interests of which are snow/ snow sports which are ideal for kids (4yrs age) , scenic train journey, water falls.
Would highly appreciate your comments/suggestions.
1) DAY 1- Zurich to Lucerne by train- If time/weather permits visit Mt.Titlis- back to hotel
2) DAY2 - Boat trip from Lucerne to Meggen, visit Chapel Bridge,Swiss Transport Museum, local shopping, head back to hotel.
3) Day3- Head for Grindelwald. Take train via Luzern - Meiringen - Interlaken - Grindelwald (3.5 hrs scenic???).Post check in-walk around and visit near by places (need to explore)
4) Day 4- Visit Mt.Jungfrau, head back to hotel.Evening at leisure or an evening walk.
5) Day5 -Paragliding/Trummelbach Falls,Grindelwald First ( explore other options)
6) Apr 6 - End of tour- Head back from Grindelwald to Zurich Airport. It time permits, some sightseeing in Zurich.
Hope this would cover my main interests of which are snow/ snow sports which are ideal for kids (4yrs age) , scenic train journey, water falls.
Would highly appreciate your comments/suggestions.
Jan 2nd, 2016, 08:51 AM
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Well definitely no to the Swiss Transfer ticket with that two-base schedule - which I find nice to keep it. Relook at a Swiss Pass and check out the Berner Oberland Pass that covers both Lucerne I believe and the Jungfrau Region but maybe not everything a Swiss Pass does?
