Help with my Switzerland plan please
Mar 21st, 2013, 09:33 PM
#1
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Help with my Switzerland plan please
Hello,
I’m just starting to plan a trip to Switzerland in Sept and was hoping for feedback on my plan so far.
Some info:
I will be flying out from Australia to Zurich via Singapore. I’ll be flying back home from Rome after 2 weeks. I’d like to spend 10 days in Switzerland, ride the scenic trains and see a bit of the countryside, followed by a few days in Rome. I have been to Lucerne and Rome before. I would like to focus on the Berner Oberland region and somehow incorporate the Glacier Express and the Golden Pass trains. Buy the 15 day Swiss Pass (I haven’t actually worked out the cost of every trip) because it seems to be the most convenient way to go.
The Plan:
Day 1 Friday Arrive Zurich/rest/explore Zurich
Day 2 Saturday Train to Lauterbrunnen (via Bern)
Question – Should I explore Bern or head to Interlaken and explore Untersee? That way I can do both lakes on Day 5 or spend more time in the towns on Lake Thun?
Day 3 Sunday Jungfraujoch (Murren, Gimmelwald)
Day 4 Monday Schilthorn (Northface walk, Trummelbach Falls, Grindelwald)
Day 5 Tuesday Interlaken/Untersee/Lake Thun (I will change the plans for the days based on the weather in the Jungfrau region)
Day 6 Wednesday Train to Montreux (Golden Pass), explore Lake Geneva
Question – seems I can only reserve the VIP Panorama Golden Pass going from Zweisimmen to Montreux but not in the other direction? Is Montreux a good base or should I stay in to Lausanne?
Day 7 Thursday Montreux Chocolate train
Day 8 Friday Train to Zermatt
Day 9 Saturday Matterhorn
Question - options if the weather is bad?
Day 10 Sunday Train to Zurich (via Chur Glacier Express)
Day 11 Monday Fly to Rome
I’m just starting to plan a trip to Switzerland in Sept and was hoping for feedback on my plan so far.
Some info:
I will be flying out from Australia to Zurich via Singapore. I’ll be flying back home from Rome after 2 weeks. I’d like to spend 10 days in Switzerland, ride the scenic trains and see a bit of the countryside, followed by a few days in Rome. I have been to Lucerne and Rome before. I would like to focus on the Berner Oberland region and somehow incorporate the Glacier Express and the Golden Pass trains. Buy the 15 day Swiss Pass (I haven’t actually worked out the cost of every trip) because it seems to be the most convenient way to go.
The Plan:
Day 1 Friday Arrive Zurich/rest/explore Zurich
Day 2 Saturday Train to Lauterbrunnen (via Bern)
Question – Should I explore Bern or head to Interlaken and explore Untersee? That way I can do both lakes on Day 5 or spend more time in the towns on Lake Thun?
Day 3 Sunday Jungfraujoch (Murren, Gimmelwald)
Day 4 Monday Schilthorn (Northface walk, Trummelbach Falls, Grindelwald)
Day 5 Tuesday Interlaken/Untersee/Lake Thun (I will change the plans for the days based on the weather in the Jungfrau region)
Day 6 Wednesday Train to Montreux (Golden Pass), explore Lake Geneva
Question – seems I can only reserve the VIP Panorama Golden Pass going from Zweisimmen to Montreux but not in the other direction? Is Montreux a good base or should I stay in to Lausanne?
Day 7 Thursday Montreux Chocolate train
Day 8 Friday Train to Zermatt
Day 9 Saturday Matterhorn
Question - options if the weather is bad?
Day 10 Sunday Train to Zurich (via Chur Glacier Express)
Day 11 Monday Fly to Rome
Mar 21st, 2013, 09:59 PM
#2
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BTW I have bookmarked the following posts because they had so much information!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-5-days.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ember-2010.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...to-25-days.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-5-days.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ember-2010.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...to-25-days.cfm
Mar 21st, 2013, 10:24 PM
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Hi Ozgirl07,
I think you are moving around too much -- having five separate bases in 10 nights is far too many. Remember that you lose about half a day of "outside" time with every move because of the chores of packing up and checking out, then checking in and unpacking again. With this many moves and so much travelling (particularly after the long flight from Australia), I'm afraid your memories will only be a blur of rr tracks and hotel lobbies.
With 10 nights, I would have only three bases, and one of them at Zürich the night before you leave for Rome. I would do either the Jungfrau area and Montreux OR the Jungfrau area and Zermatt (seeing Montreux just for an afternoon while enroute to Zermatt). You'll see more and your memories will be more vivid if you slow down.
If you choose to keep this itinerary, know that the Chocolate Train will go over the same tracks as the Golden Pass, so you'll be repeating stuff on that day.
Have fun as you plan!
s
I think you are moving around too much -- having five separate bases in 10 nights is far too many. Remember that you lose about half a day of "outside" time with every move because of the chores of packing up and checking out, then checking in and unpacking again. With this many moves and so much travelling (particularly after the long flight from Australia), I'm afraid your memories will only be a blur of rr tracks and hotel lobbies.
With 10 nights, I would have only three bases, and one of them at Zürich the night before you leave for Rome. I would do either the Jungfrau area and Montreux OR the Jungfrau area and Zermatt (seeing Montreux just for an afternoon while enroute to Zermatt). You'll see more and your memories will be more vivid if you slow down.
If you choose to keep this itinerary, know that the Chocolate Train will go over the same tracks as the Golden Pass, so you'll be repeating stuff on that day.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Mar 21st, 2013, 10:32 PM
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Thanks Swandav. I was planning on 4 nights in Lauterbrunnen, 2-3 nights in Montreux, 2 nights in Zermatt and 1 night in Zurich before flying out. I am concerned about flying for 24 hours and then figuring out how to get Lauterbrunnen on the day that I land and am considering staying the night in Zurich and cutting a night in Montreux or Lauterbrunnen.
Mar 21st, 2013, 11:06 PM
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Hi again,
Well, that's a hard one. I used to arrive from the US after about 14 or 15 hours enroute, so I don't know how difficult it would be after 24 hours. However, all you need to be able to do is to read track numbers and a clock to get to the right train. You can get your train schedules ahead of time, so you'll know which track at what time you'll need.
Don't worry too much about being sleepy during the journey -- many folks are. You won't be the only one nodding off at your seat! If you are worried about missing your stop, just set your smartphone or tablet alarm to wake you about 5 minutes before your stop.
If you decide to do this, just make sure you have secured all of your valuables (pick pockets are becoming more of a problem in the big train stations).
If it were me, I would try to do it. The arrival day is a wash anyway, so spending it by continuing the travel isn't too much of a waste. Wasting an extra night in Zürich when you're too tired to enjoy it would be (imo) a waste of a precious travel day.
You can buy snacks or a prepared sandwich from the grocery stores at the airport's train station or one of the bakeries there, and you can get a hot cup of coffee from the cart that goes through the train while enroute. Have a nice breakfast and enjoy the ride!
s
Well, that's a hard one. I used to arrive from the US after about 14 or 15 hours enroute, so I don't know how difficult it would be after 24 hours. However, all you need to be able to do is to read track numbers and a clock to get to the right train. You can get your train schedules ahead of time, so you'll know which track at what time you'll need.
Don't worry too much about being sleepy during the journey -- many folks are. You won't be the only one nodding off at your seat! If you are worried about missing your stop, just set your smartphone or tablet alarm to wake you about 5 minutes before your stop.
If you decide to do this, just make sure you have secured all of your valuables (pick pockets are becoming more of a problem in the big train stations).
If it were me, I would try to do it. The arrival day is a wash anyway, so spending it by continuing the travel isn't too much of a waste. Wasting an extra night in Zürich when you're too tired to enjoy it would be (imo) a waste of a precious travel day.
You can buy snacks or a prepared sandwich from the grocery stores at the airport's train station or one of the bakeries there, and you can get a hot cup of coffee from the cart that goes through the train while enroute. Have a nice breakfast and enjoy the ride!
s
Mar 22nd, 2013, 02:35 AM
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Your first plan sounds good. However:
there is not much of interest to see at Zurich than museums: may be not the best choice after a long overnight flight.
You better board a Berne bound train at Zurich airport railway station (every 30 min). Yopu can then either stroll through the scenic mediaval city or just relax.
May be it's cheaper to buy your Swiss Pass at ZRH railway station (it takes a few minuts). Check fares!
There si nothing to see at Unterseen. Gems in the area (google for them): Oberhofen castle, St. Beatus caves, Ballenberg Village Museum, Historic Giessbach Hotel, Aar Gorge, http://www.grimselwelt.ch/grimsel-ex...mer-funicular/ attractions like Gelmerbahn, Triftbridge...
You don't need to book Golden Pass and Chocolate train long in advance: any Swiss railway station will do that for you. Otherwise check: http://www.goldenpass.ch/goldenpass_..._zweisimmen_en
If you have been at Jungfraujoch (only 25 per cent discount with Swiss Pass!), Schilthorn will bring you nothing more.
Montreux is the most scenic place on Lake Geneva. Trains to everywhere at least every 30 to 60 min. Lake Geneva boats. It's mega easy to visit Lausanne, Geneva, Prangins castle national Museum, Lavaux vineyards, Vallorbe caves, Yverdon cstle and menhirs or what ever you like in day or half day trips.
Zermatt: if you like to hike a bit, Gornergrat might be the better choice than Matterhorn Paradise.
Zermatt - Rome: if you take the Glacier Express, don't go back to ZRH, unless the multileg ticket AUS - ZRH - FCO - AUS doesn't cost more than AUS - ZRH plus FCO - AUS.
It's much more scenic to continue from St. Moritz by Bernina Express to Tirano - and to continue from there by train to Rome: St. Moritz dp 9.29 - Bernina Exress - Tirano 12.02/13.10 - Milan 15.40/16.00 - Rome 18.55. Skip 1 day at Bernese Obeerland and add 1 day at St. Moritz.
http://www.rhb.ch/Video-Glacier-eng.784.0.html?&L=4
http://www.rhb.ch/Video-Bernina-eng.782.0.html?&L=4
http://www.rhb.ch/UNESCO-Clip-eng.1061.0.html?&L=4
there is not much of interest to see at Zurich than museums: may be not the best choice after a long overnight flight.
You better board a Berne bound train at Zurich airport railway station (every 30 min). Yopu can then either stroll through the scenic mediaval city or just relax.
May be it's cheaper to buy your Swiss Pass at ZRH railway station (it takes a few minuts). Check fares!
There si nothing to see at Unterseen. Gems in the area (google for them): Oberhofen castle, St. Beatus caves, Ballenberg Village Museum, Historic Giessbach Hotel, Aar Gorge, http://www.grimselwelt.ch/grimsel-ex...mer-funicular/ attractions like Gelmerbahn, Triftbridge...
You don't need to book Golden Pass and Chocolate train long in advance: any Swiss railway station will do that for you. Otherwise check: http://www.goldenpass.ch/goldenpass_..._zweisimmen_en
If you have been at Jungfraujoch (only 25 per cent discount with Swiss Pass!), Schilthorn will bring you nothing more.
Montreux is the most scenic place on Lake Geneva. Trains to everywhere at least every 30 to 60 min. Lake Geneva boats. It's mega easy to visit Lausanne, Geneva, Prangins castle national Museum, Lavaux vineyards, Vallorbe caves, Yverdon cstle and menhirs or what ever you like in day or half day trips.
Zermatt: if you like to hike a bit, Gornergrat might be the better choice than Matterhorn Paradise.
Zermatt - Rome: if you take the Glacier Express, don't go back to ZRH, unless the multileg ticket AUS - ZRH - FCO - AUS doesn't cost more than AUS - ZRH plus FCO - AUS.
It's much more scenic to continue from St. Moritz by Bernina Express to Tirano - and to continue from there by train to Rome: St. Moritz dp 9.29 - Bernina Exress - Tirano 12.02/13.10 - Milan 15.40/16.00 - Rome 18.55. Skip 1 day at Bernese Obeerland and add 1 day at St. Moritz.
http://www.rhb.ch/Video-Glacier-eng.784.0.html?&L=4
http://www.rhb.ch/Video-Bernina-eng.782.0.html?&L=4
http://www.rhb.ch/UNESCO-Clip-eng.1061.0.html?&L=4
