Darnwright

We will be traveling by train from Offenburg, Germany to Zurich to catch a flight to Amsterdam. Our flight is at 9 pm the next day so we'll be staying over one night in Zurich. Wondering if it would be worth a stopover in Basel for 4 or 5 hours or just go directly to Zurich. We have never been to Switzerland and didn't want pass up an opportunity to see more. Any suggestions for where to stay in Zurich? We would need a triple room. Thanks.

PalenQ

I'd suggest staying in a place a little more like the Switzerland you may well have pictured in your mind but which you will not find in Zurich, though that is a pleasant city or in Basel, another pleasant city.
I'd head to Interlaken, stay there and the next day take a 20-minute train ride up into the fabulous Jungfrau Region - the very essence of the Switzerland most folks dream of - glacier-girdled peaks rising over lush cow-dotted valleys - tiny toylike trians and thrilling aerial gondolas going everywhere - the Switzerland of you dreams.

Interlaken has direct trains to Zurich so you can easily get to Zurich and Zurich airport anytime you like.

For lots on Swiss trains and the Jungfrau Region I always spotlight these IMO fantastic sites - www.swisstravelsystem.com; http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

From Offenburg take a train to Basel and then to Interlaken via Bern - about a 4 hour trip overall - you could be in Interlaken by early afternoon - take the train to Grindelwald for a lovely view of the ice-bound Jungfrau Massif and a whole lush Alpine valley.

Pepper_von_snoot

I would stay in Luzern, not Zurich.

I would go directly to Luzern not stopping in Basel.

You can take a train directly from Luzern Bahnhof to Zurich Flughafen.

There is plenty to see and do in Luzern in a day and a half.

Luzern is much more Heidi Switzerland than Zurich.

Zurich is a banking city.

If Heidi were in Zurich she would fall dead from the prices in the shops on the Bahnhofstrasse.

Thin

PalenQ

I agree if not the Jungfrau Region - if not wanting an Alpine wonderland such as on the travel brochures then Lucerne makes a better choice to see Heidi Switzerland anyway - a gorgeous fjord-like lake to take a lake boat cruise on and a lovely (if boring IME) city - the city itself and its setting are the main attractions (after the two ancient but recently burnt down and rebuilt covered bridges - the iconic bridges.

Darnwright

Thanks so much! That's exactly the Switzerland we would love to see. I'm going to check train schedules now. Thank you both.

Darnwright

PalenQ, I'm not sure which train station in Interlaken. I put in stopover in Basel then Interlaken West. Is that right?

tipsygus

Darnwright It really doesn't matter which Interlaken station you enter, the end of the line is Interlaken Ost. It is here you change for Grindelwald,Murren and Wengen. If you alight at Interlaken West you can walk through the town to the Ost station. You get a good view of the Jungfrau from outside the casino just past the Victoria-Jungfrau hotel. If not the train raide is a few minutes between the two

PalenQ

Yes do exactly as Hpsyguys says and if heading for the hills stuff your heavy baggage in a locker at either station and retrieve it the next day - the short walk between the two stations is not more than a mile if that. And the views over the meadow of the high Alps is fantastic

Actually you may want to get a hotel near Interlaken West station - settle in and then head to Interlaken-Ost station to catch a train to Groindelwald - to me the quickest and easiest of the hill towns to reach and you will simply be floored by the majestic panorama that unfolds from anywhere in that town.

The next day as you have lots of time take a lake boat on Lake Thun - wondrously backdropped by the ice-bound high Alps of the Jungfrau Massif to Thun - this 1.5 hour or so boat ride in such stunning settings may be a highlight of your trip - Thun has frequent trains via Bern to Zurich - look around that time a bit too!

neckervd

In a full day, you can go almost everywhere in Switzerland. All depends on your interests.
You may have a look at
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html
http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/
http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en

BTW: there are some direct ICE trains from (Berlin - ) Offenburg to Interlaken: Offenburg dp 7.29, 10.29, 12.29, 16.29, 18.29, otherwise you will find connecting Interlaken bound trains at Basel SBB.

Pepper_von_snoot

Be very careful in your planning.

If you stay in Zurich or Luzern, you can get around on foot.

There is nothing in Interlaken

You must leave Interlaken to see the BO.

You are looking at spending a lot of money to take trains and gondolas about.

Look to see what trip you want to take from the BO and price accordingly.

For example, if you want to take the Mannlichen gondola from Wengen it will cost about 21 CHF per person.

Something to think about.


Thin

LSky

It depends upon if there is anything you personally want to see in Basel.

PalenQ

You are looking at spending a lot of money to take trains and gondolas about>

not necessarily - train to Grindelwald take 20 mins or so and cost about $25 or so round trip and IMO you need not go any farther than Grindelwald to be awed - do some simple hikes there - like hiking to a glacier is easy and free right from town.

there is in actuality a lot in Interlaken for anyone who has ever gotten off the tourist schlocked main street (except Swandav who has and still thinks Interlaken to be total pits.

nytraveler

IMHO the simplest way to get into the mountains is to head for Lucern and from there ascend either Pilatus or Titlis - plus take a boat around the lake and stop at one or more cute villages.

Zurich is a banking city and IMHO only to be visited on business - or to see your money. (Actually is has a cute town center, a couple of nice museums and lots of expensive shopping - but it's not really what most people go to Switz for - which is the mountains.)

The train from Lucerne to Zurich airport is only about an hour

Pepper_von_snoot

So now people who were once planning on spending the day in Zurich are suddenly going to hike to a glacier?

I was going to suggest an easy trip up to the Schynige Platte if the OP can't pass up a trip to the BO.

As anyone who has ever been to the Bernese Oberland can attest to, public transportation costs are very expensive.

I also think you need at least 4 days to see the BO properly.

Did you tell the OP that there is a Hooters next to the Hotel Victoria in Interlaken?


Thin

Darnwright

As much as I would love to see the best of Switzerland I don't think it fit's the budget right now. The train from Offenburg to Interlaken is about the same price as Lucerne. The train from Interlaken to Zurich airport is 3x's the fare from Lucerne. I think we'll check out Lucerne and the trip up to Pilatus and/or boat trip around the lake. Any suggestions as to where to stay in Lucerne? Thanks for all the suggestions!

Pepper_von_snoot

I like the Hotel Montana in Luzern.

It is expensive.

It sits high on a hill above Lake Luzern. Stunning views.

The Hotel Schweitzerhof is right opposite the bridge.

The Hotel Royal is fine, with nice views, but it is a 15-minute walk from the bridge.

Are you fit??

The most expensive hotel in Luzern is the Palace.


If you do decide on Zurich, however, I most adamantly recommend the Pension St Josef.


Thin

DAX

I think you made a good decision to overnight in Lucerne. All the hotels Pepper said are good if you want to spend that much money. If not, you can also stay in the more reasonable hotels like Waldstaetterhof across the street from the nice train station which has a very nice first class restaurant and symphony hall attached. While I also like the amazing lake view rooms in Hotel Montana, it is quite a long walk from old town /train station. You can enjoy almost the same views from having a drink at the restaurant/ outdoor lounge balcony in Hotel Montana. The lakefront Hotel National also has great views and right at the gateway into old town. You must disclose your budget to get proper hotel recommendation, remember Switzerland is expensive so you have to streeeetch up your budget.

DAX

I just read your post about budget concern, so you may consider staying at the Ibis Style or Ibis budget, both are in good safe areas, ibis style is close to the gletscher garden, cathedral & Schweizerhof. The budget is in a boring non touristy area away from the nice lake, but it's definitely walkable. I visit alucerne often and have checked out at least 20 hotels inside out for coworkers & friends. Most hotels in Lucerne has very disappointing rooms unless they are 4-5 stars, so you may as well stay at Ibis, at least they are relatively new and somewhat tastefully done.

neckervd

Compared with the fares of Swiss mountain railways (like Titlis or Pilatus) the standard fare train ticket Interlaken Ost - Lucerne - Zurich airport (53 CHF) is dirty cheap!

Darnwright

I did notice that my budget of $250-$300 might have to be stretched for a triple room in Switzerland! So the palace is definitely off the list at $2400 a night. The Waldstaetterhof doesn't have anything available for Aug. 3. . I'll check the other hotels too.

When I checked the fare for Interlaken - Zurich it was quite high but maybe I had the wrong website. Is it SBB for Swiss trains? Still think we'll stay in Lucerne considering the travel time altogether.