Pawleys

We're arriving early on 26 Aug from the States and plan to spend two days in Zurich before heading to Pontrsina for a night and taking the Bernina Express to Italy. It seems most of the people on this forum are not very high on Zurich. I know there are a couple of good museums and the Grossmunster to take up the first day. The second day I am considering taking a train, boat to Rapperswil. Would that be a good idea? Any other suggestions?

PalenQ

Boat ride is nice but if into hiking or walking in the woods take one of Zurich's famous hill-climbing trams up to a sylvan area laced with hiking paths - very popular with locals.

You could also play with taking a day trip by train to nearby Lucerne - and doing a boat trip there on a lake a whole lot more dramatic and scenic than Lake Zurich, lovely as that one is.

Lucerne is less than an hour by train and one of Europe's most beautiful cities IMO.

For lots of great info on Swiss trains and especially the fabulous Bernina Express, to me the most awesomely scenic train in Europe and I think I've ridden all the top ones - the only north-south rail crossing of the Alps not to burrow under them in tunnels - check out these superb sites - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

There is the official Bernina Express trains as well as local trains that you can just hop on - I actually prefer the locals as they are often sparsely full whereas the official Bernina Express is often chock full with tour groups - I like to be able to get up and move around easily as the scenery dictates and this is easier on the locals which of course go over the exact same tracks as the official Bernina Express.

In summer some regional trains on that route also have open-air flat bed rail cars - the ultimate in panoramic/observation cars - feels like you are floating thru the Alps!

four_maccas

Northern Switzerland is another option for a daytrip from Zurich. We took a train to Schaffhausen and spent an hour or so following the tourist information centres's self guided walk. From here we strolled to the Rheinfalls where we spent another hour. Next it was a train to Stein am Rhein, a very pretty town on the border where we enjoyed a further couple of hours. Trained it back to Zurich.

nytraveler

Another vote for Lucerne - to me the most charming of the Swiss cities and with tons of things to do in the town, on the lake and nearby villages and (easy) mountain ascensions.

simpsonc510

I agree with others...Lucerne!

neckervd

If there is no fog over lakes/rivers (end August!), you can check:

Zurich - Rhine Falls - Schaffhausen (medieval center, castle) - Rhine river boat - Stein am Rhein (stunning tiny mediecal town) - boat - Konstanz - Unteruhldingen (Lake dwellings) - Meesrburg (castle) - Konstanz - Zurich

Zurich - boat - Rapperswil - train - Einsiedeln (Baroque Monastery) - train - Fluelen - Lake Lucerne steamboat - Lucerne - Zurich

PalenQ

Einselden, a famous pilgrimage mecca, is very close to Zurich and makes a sweet short day trip - nice town and lavish church, etc.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Eins...=1600&bih=1075

simpsonc510

I've spent time in Einsiedeln as friends live on the nearby lake. It's an interesting town but I would still consider Lucerne first. It is hard to beat the beauty of Lucerne, with the lake and the mountains and historic sites.

PalenQ

I certainly agree on Lucerne - just presenting options - you never know if someone is very religious, etc or what interests them.

simpsonc510

Very true, PalenQ.

PalenQ

In Zurich itself check out Bahnhofstrasse, which runs due west (I think) out of the main train station and is often called the world's richest street - check out the swank bank headquarters, watch shops and chic boutiques, etc.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bahn...=1600&bih=1075

Pawleys

Wonderful suggestions! Thanks so much I think we will spend our arrival day seeing Bahhofstrasse and the old section of Zurich and maybe a boat ride.(Where?)
. Neckervd, are your suggestions something that could be done in a day? I am familiar with Lucerne, visited years ago, but, the rest of my group has never visited Switzerland. If we did either of the itineraries you suggested. Would we have time to see anything in Lucerne?

mokka4

I think your idea of a boat ride to Rapperswil is tops. There is a scenic castle perched on the hill and the town's old church, making a very scenic townscape from the marina. Lots of cafes along the marina and lining the cobblestoned town square. You van easily return to Zurich by train (20-30 minute ride). Note that there are also 60-90 minute Roundtrip boatrides from the southern end of town Quai. A quick (20-30 minute) trip on the tram up to the local "mountain" Uetliberg is nice for the views. You can sit in the restaurant for a drink, or picnic on a bench, then climb the open metal spiral staircase for views of the ringing mountains. There is one (or two) daily walking tours of about 90 minutes duration, leaving from the Hauptbahnhof Tourist Info office in the HB train station, to get a quick "lay of the land". ? 11 a.m. And 3 pm daily. I very much enjoyed my three days in Zurich a few days ago. Look at my TR if interested by clicking on my name on blue (BTW, we were following a week stay in Ponttesina).Look into a 24 or 72 hour Zurichkarte to cover boats/local rail/trams and most museums.

neckervd

Plan to stay a whole day at Lucerne if you want to see EVERYTHING:
Transport Museum, Rosengart Collection (Picassos!), Art Museum, Richard Wagner Museum, Museum of History, Hans Erni Museum, Bourbaki Museum, Glacier Garden, Lion Monument, Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, Jesuit Church, Franciscan Church, Hof Church, Town Hall, Spreuer Bridge, Old City Wall, Historic City Center (usually guided tours at 10am).

BTW: If you go by boatg from Zch to Rapperswil, visit Rapperswil, go by train to Einsiedeln (visit) - Flüelen and by steamboat to Lucerne, you will of course have no time for a visit of Lucerne:
Zch Buerklipl dp 8.05 - Rapperwil ar 10.05, dp 12.09 - Einsiedeln ar 12.43, dp 14.30 - Fluelen 15.45/16.00 - Lucerne 18.47/19.10 - Zurich ar 19.56