Nadeem_Iqbal

I will travle to Switzerland from Paris. I have plan to stay 4-5 nigths in Switzerland . I have plan to go Lucerne, Interlaken Jungfrau in May.

Day-1. Travel from Paris to Basel from TGV train.I am thinking to buy Swiss Travel Pass and it will use from Basel to Lucerne and plan to stay 2 nights here.

Day-3: Travel from Lucerne to ...... Help on this for destination

Day-6: Travel to ? (Which airport) to return to US.

Please guide and thanks in advance.

PalenQ

I suggest you go first to the Jungfrau -Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen are all cool mountain villages with tons of accommodations and views to kill for.

Train Basel to Interlaken-Ost then take tiny train to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen -change in latter for tinier quieter totally car-free Wengen.

Then take a scenic train route over the Brunig Pass to Lucerne- part of the Golden Pass scenic train route.

Lucerne is much closer to Zurich, the best airport for you to fly out of than is the Jungfrau area. If doing Lucerne first you have to pretty much backtrack near it to get to Zurich so less time on trains.

Your pass will be valid to reach all the mountain towns and all inter-city trains.

For lots on Swiss trains and passes, etc check www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com.

Nadeem_Iqbal

Thanks for the suggestion. This is what I wanted.

Is it Ok if I stay all "4 nights" in Lauterbrunnen and move to Jungfrau -Grindelwald and Wengen and return back to hotel in the evening.

OR I need to split some nights in Lauterbrunnen , Wengen and Jungfrau -Grindelwald. I will stay 1 night in Lucerne and then go to Zurich to fly.

neckervd

Once you know which day trips you will do, compare Swiss half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass and Bernese Oberland Pass.
Paris - Bernese Oberland: you may get the best TGV fares if you book the direct Interlaken bound TGV leaving Paris after 6pm and arriving at Interlaken towards midnight. In May, it will get night after 9pm (European Summer time).

if you are looking for a scenic Paris - Interlaken train ride, however, travel via Dijon - Lausanne - Montreux - Gstaad and sleep at Montreux (Chillon castle, Lake Geneva cruises, etc.).

PalenQ

I would base all the time in one base - transports are so good that you can be anywhere fairly quick from one base - relocating is a pain.

Mimar

Lauterbrunnen is kind of in a hole at the base of a cliff. Places like Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald have broader views of Alpine peaks, more what you think of as typically Swiss views.

Nadeem_Iqbal

Hi, If transport is very good then I will stay only in Lauterbrunnen for all 4 nights. I will stay 1 night in Lucerne at the end.

Is Swiss Travel Pass is OK for me in my case and according to these travel areas?

PalenQ

Is Swiss Travel Pass is OK for me in my case and according to these travel areas?>

Some kind of pass will be useful but maybe not a Swiss Pass -if you go to www.voyages-sncf.com - French Railways site and get a really good discounted fare say Paris to Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen-you would not use the pass until you got to Lauterbrunnen

and from there all your travels would be in the Berner Oberland area so check out the Berner Oberland Pass -also valid in Lucerne area -Lucerne to Zurich is a fairly cheap fare.

But if you need to use the pass from Basel to Lauterbrunnen then a Swiss Pass may be best.

Clear as mud, right!

Namaste!

Nadeem_Iqbal

So should I ONLY buy Berner Oberland Pass for this Switzerland visit? This pass will cover all cost for the following travel.
My plan is that I will travel with family from Basel to Lauterbrunnen and stay all 4 nights in Lauterbrunnen and will visit Wengen and Jungfrau -Grindelwald area. Then return back to Lucerne for one night and then will go Zurich to fly.

neckervd

As said above, all will depend on your travel itineraries, the fares you will get for international trains and the peaks you plan to visit.
Bernese Oberland Pass: http://www.regiopass-berneroberland.ch/home-en

PalenQ

So should I ONLY buy Berner Oberland Pass for this Switzerland visit? This pass will cover all cost for the following travel.>

won't cover Basel to say Bern but point is that on www.voyages-sncf.com you can get discounted Paris to Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen fares -then start the BOB pass - if you can't get discounted fares to Interlaken area and have to pay Basel to there then the Swiss Pass may be a better deal.

It would also cover you to Zurich when leaving.

PalenQ

first thing you should do -go to www.voyages-sncf.com and see what you may get a Paris to Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen ticket for - too early to buy but put in a date say 2-3 months out

and do the same for Paris-Basel

you may find that for little or nothing more you may find Paris to Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen the same as to Basel.

IF so - book a discounted ticket to Interlaken area and use BOB Pass if it is cheaper than a Swiss Pass -if not do the Swiss Pass.

Clear as muddy chai?

PalenQ

In any case do not buy any pass now - Swiss Passes often have a free day special for travel in May -there was one that just expired but I suspect it will pop up again - may make the Swiss Pass a better deal, especially if you have to buy a ticket from Basel to Interlaken area.

Nadeem_Iqbal

I want to stay 4 nights in Lauterbrunnen. Please advise for the hotels in Lauterbrunnen / Wengen area. Thanks in advance.

Nadeem_Iqbal

I want to stay 4 nights in Lauterbrunnen. In which should I stay which is good in Lauterbrunnen. I can afford $<=300/night for my family. Please advise for the hotel in Lauterbrunnen / Wengen area. Thanks in advance.

PalenQ

$300/night you could have the best hotel in those towns - no problem but hotels are not my bag.

I'd take Wengen for a more romantic atmosphere and views -lots of family-friendly hotels - Lauterbrunnen attracts a younger crowd I think.

Nadeem_Iqbal

Please recommend any hotel in Wengen so that I can book hotel. Thanks

PalenQ

You would want to make a new post with that in the title - it is lost here and several Fodorites will respond to that - I have never stayed in Wengen but IMO you just can't go wrong - check TripAdvisor too.

If you want to pay $200 a night or more in Switzerland it will be a great hotel - Swiss wrote the book on hospitality and quality for the money.

If going in May don't be in a rush -that is off-season and buyer's market.

Nadeem_Iqbal

OK- I will make new post. Thanks.

PalenQ

Wengen at higher altitude than say Grindelwald will be cooler and perhaps cold - consider Grindelwald as an alternative if wanting warmer clime with still scintillating views.