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First time to Europe: Switzerland 6-day itinerary

First time to Europe: Switzerland 6-day itinerary

Old Apr 26th, 2014, 05:07 PM
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First time to Europe: Switzerland 6-day itinerary

Our family of 4 will be in Switzerland on 06/12-06/18. We already booked hotels, 2 nights each in Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt.
Here's the plan(I know that we are cramming a lot in short time)

06/12 Paris - Lucerne: Arr in the afternoon - Lion monument, Lake Luzern, Old Town Lucerne, Chapel Bridge
06/13 Lucerne: Plan A - Mt Pilatus Golden RT, Plan B - Mt Titlis
06/14 Interlaken: Plan A - Jungfraujoch, Plan B - Schilthorn
06/15 Interlaken: Plan A - Jungfraujoch, Plan B - Bern day trip
06/16 Zermatt: Plan A - Glacier Express, Plan B - Short hike ??
06/17 Zermatt: Plan A - Glacier Express, Plan B - Short hike ??
06/18 Zermatt to Venice

My questions are:
1. How's the plan?
2. Is 3 mountain trip tour too much? I think Jungfrau is a must, I can let go the other 2 if it's about the same.
3. We plan to get 4 day Swiss Flexi pass w/ family card, would this be the best deal for us?
4. Our inbound train is from Basel. How do we use the swiss pass?? 1st day is from Basel - Lucerne, since it is not that much, I think it is better to not use the pass, and just pay regular ticket, am I correct? So our pass would start 2nd day?
5. Can we use the outbound to Venice using the pass? will this cover all the way until domodossola?
6. For swiss pass family card, is the kids travel free on all of the tours above?

Thank you very much
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Old Apr 26th, 2014, 09:12 PM
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Hi jujuba,

Yes, it really is cramming in a lot in a short time. You'll be on the move a lot. Remember that every time you move bases, you lose about half a day of "outside" time because of the chores of packing up and checking out, then checking in and unpacking again. So, you need to consider the time it'll take to do that at each of your stops. And it may take even longer if your children need motivation or supervision to get going every day.

Yes, you're seeing quite a lot of mountain peaks and not much else in Switzerland -- which is fine, if that's what you love. Remember that enjoying a trip to the mountains depends so much on having clear weather -- you don't want to ascend the Jungfraujoch, the Schilthorn,or Titlis if it's cloudy. The longer you stay in an area, the better are your chances for good weather. Also, the longer you stay in an area, the better you are able to get out to see and experience the area for yourselves. You'll be able to explore and discover more rather than just seeing the main tourist site then moving on.

Also, the Glacier Express is an 8-hour train trip, and you'll also have to get back to Zermatt, so that's another 8 hours. Truly, you'll be better off getting into the countryside.

To get the best deal for your train travel, someone just needs to do the math. Get the fares for each of your travel days and excursions, add them up, then compare to the various passes and discount cards that are available.

Have fun as you plan!

s
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Old Apr 27th, 2014, 06:21 AM
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Definitely too much time in the mountains, especially since everywhere you look in that part of Switzerland it's a mountain scene.

If you're considering Bern, perhaps you could think about Fribourg and/or Gruyere. Gruyere is too cute by half, but then that's Switzerland, and Fribourg is a sweet little medieval city with deep gorges and a pretty river. Just 30 minutes from Bern. Or Murten on the way to Neufchatel. Too cute.
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Old Apr 28th, 2014, 01:36 PM
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Thank you very much swandav2000 & nononora!
The hotels were booked few months ago by my husband since we are travelling with family friend, and want to ensure we stay together. So can't change the accomodation part.

I have modified the itinerary below:
Day 1 Lucerne: Lion monument, Old Town Lucerne, Chapel Bridge
Day 2 Lucerne: Mt Pilatus Golden RT
Day 3 Interlaken: Murren
Day 4 Interlaken: Jungfraujoch
Day 5 Zermatt: Gorgernaut - short hike
Day 6 Zermatt: Exploring Zermatt
Day 7 Zermatt depart to Venice

Is this itinerary better? I understand that weather play a big role here, so I'm hoping for the best.
How do I buy the pass? Can I get the Swiss Flexi Pass in Basel? or in Paris station?
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Old Apr 28th, 2014, 01:46 PM
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Oh forgot to add, my kids are pretty good as we are used to fast-track-walking-for-a-whole-day kind of trip.
For the luggage, I was thinking to store it in the train station, and just bring what we need or ship it to the next station, if it's too inconvenience.
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Old Apr 28th, 2014, 04:57 PM
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Don't think you need a full day for Murren which is a small village. Think about going to the Schnygge Platte. Fantastic "Alpine Garden" - Big open spaces to walk about, hear cow bells and see and be in the middle of the mountains. Cog wheel train up to the area which is great fun (and spectacular). I thought it was all awe inspiring.
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Old Apr 28th, 2014, 05:24 PM
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For your two days in Interlaken: make the decision on your first morning, if the weather is clear, to go up to Jungfrau.

Jungfrau and Murren do not take an entire day each. You can add the Mannlichen to KS walk after one of them and the Lauterbrunnen Trummelbach Falls after the other one.
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Old May 3rd, 2014, 03:36 PM
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Thanks Michele & Kenav... I have never heard/read about Mannlichen. Thank you!
So here's the revised itinerary.. all of this assuming it is a good clear weather.

Day 1 Lucerne: Lion monument, Old Town Lucerne, Chapel Bridge
Day 2 Lucerne: Mt Pilatus Golden RT
Day 3 Interlaken: Murren, Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg & Trummelbach Falls
Day 4 Interlaken: Jungfraujoch & Schnygge Platte
Day 5 Zermatt: Sightseeing, short hike, Matterhorn Museum
Day 6 Zermatt: Gornergrat; Klein Matterhorn
Day 7 Zermatt depart to Venice

Is this better?
I plan to get the 4 day Swiss Flexi pass. Assuming I will buy in Basel, can I start using it as half fare for Basel - Lucerne train?
And for the outbound train to Venice, until where would the pass cover? I need to get the train ticket to Venice.

Thanks!!
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Old May 3rd, 2014, 04:37 PM
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I have never heard/read about Mannlichen

That is because Mannlichen is nothing more than the beginning of the hike to KS. You ride the cable car from Wengen up to Mannlichen and from there you begin your walk, so no need to alot any time in Mannlichen for sightseeing.

One of my favorite sights and sounds in the area are the 'chocolate milk' cows: brown and white cows with cowbells around their necks. You can hear the cling cling of the bells everywhere in the area.
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Old May 4th, 2014, 08:55 AM
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Yes, Love the sounds of the cow bells.
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Old May 10th, 2014, 07:19 PM
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I need to figure out my pass which days would be the free day and which days would be the half price.
My question on the Murren area.
How would the route from Interlaken OST be?
Interlaken OST - Wengen - cable car to Mannlichen (hike to KS in Wengen) - KS train to Murren (lunch) - Lauterbrunnen Valley - walk to Falls - catch train back to Interlaken OST.

Is that correct?

For Jungfraujoch with Flexi Pass, is that considered a free day or half price?
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Old May 14th, 2014, 04:07 PM
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In Zermatt, there is a lovely walk to the village of Zmutt. There are just a few buildings, but there is a little restaurant to reward yourself with a little wine and a glorious view of the Matterhorn and wildflowers. I love just thinking about it. Enjoy.
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