Switzerland in April - need advice for Lucerne and Zermatt
Dec 19th, 2016, 12:20 AM
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Switzerland in April - need advice for Lucerne and Zermatt
Hi - I am travelling with kids in early April as part of larger Europe travel and plan to spend 2 days in Switzerland (we are giving Zurich/Geneva a miss and plan to focus only on the Alps).
If we had the time and budget, we would have spent more time in Switzerland... unfortunately, we are doing this as part of a larger Europe trip so time is short and, Switzerland, expensive. Keep in mind that we want to see the spectacular Swiss Alps, glacier-fed lakes and of course the mountain scenery and iconic villages (very touristy, I know
).
We will be coming into Switzerland from Black Forest Area in Germany and heading South to Italy (prob Florence).
If I am coming into Lucerne/Interlaken area - would you advise me to make the trip to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn or - Swiss Alp for Swiss Alp - would the Jungfraujoch/view of Eiger/Aletsch glacier etc be just as spectacular? If early April, will the glacier still be covered in snow? It would certainly help me save travel time if I can stay in the Interlaken/Lucerne area itself instead of travelling to Zermatt but the Matterhorn is, after all, the Matterhorn.
If you would suggest staying in the Lucerne/Grindelwald area and forgoing the Matterhorn view from Zermatt, would you please comment on how practical the following plan is:
Day 1: Arrive Lucerne 0900; deposit luggage at station; train to Engleberg; Rotair to Mt Titlis; Return to Engleberg; Lucerne; Walk around Lucerne; Overnight in Lucerne
Day 2: Depart Lucerne 0600 for Jungfraujoch; Day at Jungfraujoch; Return to Lucerne/Interlaken in afternoon; Walk around town and catch local landmarks
Day 3: Depart 0600 for Italy
At this point I also wanted your opinion on:
a) Is Titlis Rotair plus Jungfraujoch overkill? It being early April should I focus on boating in lake, typical Swiss village touristy stuff on one of the days and take in only one of Titlis vs Jugfraujoch? Which one would you recommend?
b) Also, is it better to stay at Lucerne to get connectivity to Florence (5 hrs via Chiasso and Milan) or should I stay in Interlaken area for the second night (7 hrs to Florence via Spiez and Milan). I would like to take a train on the morning of Day 3 to get the best of the scenery - but will that really be the case in early April?
c) Will we need the whole day on Day 2 at Jungfraujoch/Interlaken or should I look for a late afternoon travel over the Alps into Italy and stay at Milan, maybe?
If we had the time and budget, we would have spent more time in Switzerland... unfortunately, we are doing this as part of a larger Europe trip so time is short and, Switzerland, expensive. Keep in mind that we want to see the spectacular Swiss Alps, glacier-fed lakes and of course the mountain scenery and iconic villages (very touristy, I know
).We will be coming into Switzerland from Black Forest Area in Germany and heading South to Italy (prob Florence).
If I am coming into Lucerne/Interlaken area - would you advise me to make the trip to Zermatt to see the Matterhorn or - Swiss Alp for Swiss Alp - would the Jungfraujoch/view of Eiger/Aletsch glacier etc be just as spectacular? If early April, will the glacier still be covered in snow? It would certainly help me save travel time if I can stay in the Interlaken/Lucerne area itself instead of travelling to Zermatt but the Matterhorn is, after all, the Matterhorn.
If you would suggest staying in the Lucerne/Grindelwald area and forgoing the Matterhorn view from Zermatt, would you please comment on how practical the following plan is:
Day 1: Arrive Lucerne 0900; deposit luggage at station; train to Engleberg; Rotair to Mt Titlis; Return to Engleberg; Lucerne; Walk around Lucerne; Overnight in Lucerne
Day 2: Depart Lucerne 0600 for Jungfraujoch; Day at Jungfraujoch; Return to Lucerne/Interlaken in afternoon; Walk around town and catch local landmarks
Day 3: Depart 0600 for Italy
At this point I also wanted your opinion on:
a) Is Titlis Rotair plus Jungfraujoch overkill? It being early April should I focus on boating in lake, typical Swiss village touristy stuff on one of the days and take in only one of Titlis vs Jugfraujoch? Which one would you recommend?
b) Also, is it better to stay at Lucerne to get connectivity to Florence (5 hrs via Chiasso and Milan) or should I stay in Interlaken area for the second night (7 hrs to Florence via Spiez and Milan). I would like to take a train on the morning of Day 3 to get the best of the scenery - but will that really be the case in early April?
c) Will we need the whole day on Day 2 at Jungfraujoch/Interlaken or should I look for a late afternoon travel over the Alps into Italy and stay at Milan, maybe?
Dec 19th, 2016, 01:10 AM
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There are some contradictions: you tell us that you will travel on a budget and you choose the most expensive mountain railways of Europe.
A RT ticket Lucerne - Jungfraujoch costs 277 CHF/pax (260 EUR) standard fare.
A RT ticket Lucerne - Titlis costs 130 CHF/pax (120 EUR) standard fare.
Some reductions and kids free with railpasses
http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/...-overview.html
There are also much cheaper mountain railways leading to glaciers. Bernina railway is fully covered by Swiss Pass. A cableway (gondola)ride to Eggishorn/Aletsch glacier costs 45 CHF/pax/RT resp 22 CHF/pax/RT with Swiss Travel Pass. There are many other mountain railways in this price range.
Snow will be everywhere above 2000 metres in April.
Zermatt/Matterhorn is somewhat between Basel and Milan. If you go into this area, I wouldn't waste time and money with Titlis and Jungfrau.
Early morning trains:
Lucerne - Florence is 5 hrs 40 min by train
Interlaken - Florence is 5 hrs 30 min by train
A RT ticket Lucerne - Jungfraujoch costs 277 CHF/pax (260 EUR) standard fare.
A RT ticket Lucerne - Titlis costs 130 CHF/pax (120 EUR) standard fare.
Some reductions and kids free with railpasses
http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/...-overview.html
There are also much cheaper mountain railways leading to glaciers. Bernina railway is fully covered by Swiss Pass. A cableway (gondola)ride to Eggishorn/Aletsch glacier costs 45 CHF/pax/RT resp 22 CHF/pax/RT with Swiss Travel Pass. There are many other mountain railways in this price range.
Snow will be everywhere above 2000 metres in April.
Zermatt/Matterhorn is somewhat between Basel and Milan. If you go into this area, I wouldn't waste time and money with Titlis and Jungfrau.
Early morning trains:
Lucerne - Florence is 5 hrs 40 min by train
Interlaken - Florence is 5 hrs 30 min by train
Dec 19th, 2016, 03:55 AM
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Point taken about expensive railway - will explore less pricey alternates if we continue to want to visit glacier etc. You are not saying I should give the entire Lucerne/Interlaken area a miss? Only that I can find less expensive options to see the same destinations, right? Would you have any suggestions on which areas are best visited in the morning and which in the second half at Zermatt? Cost considerations aside, should I try all of the following: Gornergrat, cable car to Klein Matterhorn and the funicular to Sunegga?
Dec 19th, 2016, 05:21 AM
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Unfortunately the weather in Switzerland that time of year is not reliable. It's all too likely the mountains will be covered in clouds and you won't be able to see much at all. Lovely clear weather is possible too, of course. Maybe you ought to save Switzerland for another trip when you have more time.
Dec 19th, 2016, 05:28 AM
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Since your purpose in Switzerland is entirely to view mountain scenery, I strongly suggest you not make any non-refundable plans due to how rainy and snowy it is there in April.
If you are in southern Germany and the forecast for Switzerland looks nice, then proceed. If it looks terrible, then skip it and spend the extra time in Italy.
On the other hand, Switzerland has some bad weather options. Bern has a good Paul Klee modern art museum and a museum dedicated to the country's most famous patent clerk. And Montreaux has the excellent Castle/Chateau Chillon.
If you are in southern Germany and the forecast for Switzerland looks nice, then proceed. If it looks terrible, then skip it and spend the extra time in Italy.
On the other hand, Switzerland has some bad weather options. Bern has a good Paul Klee modern art museum and a museum dedicated to the country's most famous patent clerk. And Montreaux has the excellent Castle/Chateau Chillon.
Dec 19th, 2016, 12:59 PM
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April is the proverbial month of changeable weather - hourly, daily, unpredictably.
Many worthwhile targets are not open in early April, so you’ll have to carefully read the details on the respective websites.
While the Titlis Xpress gondola from Engelberg to Stand (the location halfway up the mountain) and the Rotair gondola from Stand to the top of Titlis is a good idea, there is no way of telling if it will be operating on the two days you have earmarked - not just late snowfalls but also high winds can stop operation at any time. See
www.engelberg.ch
http://www.engelberg.ch/en/cable-car...titlis-xpress/
www.titlis.ch/en/glacier/rotair
So keep your options open and your eyes glued to your smartphones as you’re headed for Lucerne.
An alternative to Titlis from Lucerne is Rigi, I’m not familiar with their Winter/Spring timetables - see
https://www.rigi.ch/en/Experience-Enjoy/Winter
If the Jungfraujoch (Joch means saddle, the low point between the two peaks Mönch and Jungfrau) isn’t accessible, then you don’t have too many alternatives in the Interlaken region: Niesen doesn’t open until April 14, Niederhorn will still be closed for renovation, Brienzer Rothorn opens in May.
Zermatt is a long and expensive dead-end trip - one way in, one way out, and while there, you best make time to go up to the Gornergrat (https://www.gornergratbahn.ch/en/winter) for the best views of Matterhorn - on a good day. And that’s where the game of chance comes in...
The Montreux area often has a very different weather from those other regions (that stretch along the Lac Léman / Lake Geneva is called The Swiss Riviera for good reason).
I spent 6 months of a winter there once and never saw snow on the ground except higher up, but that “higher up” is absolutely gorgeous - look at www.mob.ch/en/goldenpass/offer/view?id=12 - the views across the lake onto the French/Swiss alps (Mont Blanc etc.) are stunning, and the area is known as a wildflower paradise, although I’m not sure about early April.
So be ready to play it by ear, don’t commit to non-refundable tickets and accommodation bookings, and be prepared to hightail it if the weather is against you.
Many worthwhile targets are not open in early April, so you’ll have to carefully read the details on the respective websites.
While the Titlis Xpress gondola from Engelberg to Stand (the location halfway up the mountain) and the Rotair gondola from Stand to the top of Titlis is a good idea, there is no way of telling if it will be operating on the two days you have earmarked - not just late snowfalls but also high winds can stop operation at any time. See
www.engelberg.ch
http://www.engelberg.ch/en/cable-car...titlis-xpress/
www.titlis.ch/en/glacier/rotair
So keep your options open and your eyes glued to your smartphones as you’re headed for Lucerne.
An alternative to Titlis from Lucerne is Rigi, I’m not familiar with their Winter/Spring timetables - see
https://www.rigi.ch/en/Experience-Enjoy/Winter
If the Jungfraujoch (Joch means saddle, the low point between the two peaks Mönch and Jungfrau) isn’t accessible, then you don’t have too many alternatives in the Interlaken region: Niesen doesn’t open until April 14, Niederhorn will still be closed for renovation, Brienzer Rothorn opens in May.
Zermatt is a long and expensive dead-end trip - one way in, one way out, and while there, you best make time to go up to the Gornergrat (https://www.gornergratbahn.ch/en/winter) for the best views of Matterhorn - on a good day. And that’s where the game of chance comes in...
The Montreux area often has a very different weather from those other regions (that stretch along the Lac Léman / Lake Geneva is called The Swiss Riviera for good reason).
I spent 6 months of a winter there once and never saw snow on the ground except higher up, but that “higher up” is absolutely gorgeous - look at www.mob.ch/en/goldenpass/offer/view?id=12 - the views across the lake onto the French/Swiss alps (Mont Blanc etc.) are stunning, and the area is known as a wildflower paradise, although I’m not sure about early April.
So be ready to play it by ear, don’t commit to non-refundable tickets and accommodation bookings, and be prepared to hightail it if the weather is against you.
Dec 19th, 2016, 01:46 PM
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How old are the kids? Can they take marathon days starting at 6am?
If they are under 16 they can get a free Family Pass (or small charge) at any station ticket window and they never pay anything for anything the accompanying parent(s) do -has to be a parent not just any adult.
I would go to Interlaken just do that area - to me the most awesome of all three places you mention. But any would do -but point is one area is enough - the high Alps are similarly awesome.
In any case Interlaken is only 5.5 hours from Florence if you leave about 7 am -change at Spiez.
For lots on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com, and www.ricksteves.com.
If they are under 16 they can get a free Family Pass (or small charge) at any station ticket window and they never pay anything for anything the accompanying parent(s) do -has to be a parent not just any adult.
I would go to Interlaken just do that area - to me the most awesome of all three places you mention. But any would do -but point is one area is enough - the high Alps are similarly awesome.
In any case Interlaken is only 5.5 hours from Florence if you leave about 7 am -change at Spiez.
For lots on Swiss trains check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com, and www.ricksteves.com.
Dec 19th, 2016, 07:39 PM
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Kids are under 16, @PalenQ - and I have so far considered opting for a Eurail 1 month continuous global pass (haven't done a cost-benefit analysis yet, though I will have to ensure all the connections I am planning are from participating train companies in each country! (but more on that in a separate post after I do some additional research as well as explore if there any apps helpful in doing that...).
Thanks for that @ michelhuebeli - more research earlier should have showed me that some places don't open until mid-April... I applied the "open year-round" marketing to everything, I guess... @Edward2005 and @mimar, I think if there is one thing I am sure about - it is not to make any non-refundable bookings... with April very late for winter sports and still too early for the vacationing crowds, hopefully, making decisions based on weather and landing up at Zermatt or Interlaken won't leave me lodge-hunting....
Will consider the museum and old town visit in Bern if bad weather prevents us from enjoying Lucerne/Interlaken area - seems like less than an hour's train ride away too! Perhaps, if we have more bad weather in the high Alps, we might include Zurich - and the FIFA museum and the Tram museum should keep the football-crazy older one and the younger one amused...
So here is what I think I should do (do please comment/suggest):
Day 1: I arrive at Basel either from Karlsruhe/Freiburg/Titisee Neustadt and based on day's weather either continue on to Zurich or get off and take a train from Basel to either Bern or on to Lucerne/Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen etc.
If I don't take a separate Swiss pass and continue with the Eurail global pass, is it still valid for the cheaper mountain railways to glaciers you mentioned, @neckervd? Will have to explore these more, I guess.
Day 2: Again based on weather, I could decide to go to Zermatt/Matterhorn or take a day trip to Montreaux/Lausanne area (do you think that is doable? with travel time being 4 hours total?).
Also, do you think I might have larger number of less expensive stay options if I stay overnight on Day 2 at Brig (vs Interlaken or Zermatt)? This way I can also can get out to Florence early on Day 3?
Thanks for that @ michelhuebeli - more research earlier should have showed me that some places don't open until mid-April... I applied the "open year-round" marketing to everything, I guess... @Edward2005 and @mimar, I think if there is one thing I am sure about - it is not to make any non-refundable bookings... with April very late for winter sports and still too early for the vacationing crowds, hopefully, making decisions based on weather and landing up at Zermatt or Interlaken won't leave me lodge-hunting....
Will consider the museum and old town visit in Bern if bad weather prevents us from enjoying Lucerne/Interlaken area - seems like less than an hour's train ride away too! Perhaps, if we have more bad weather in the high Alps, we might include Zurich - and the FIFA museum and the Tram museum should keep the football-crazy older one and the younger one amused...
So here is what I think I should do (do please comment/suggest):
Day 1: I arrive at Basel either from Karlsruhe/Freiburg/Titisee Neustadt and based on day's weather either continue on to Zurich or get off and take a train from Basel to either Bern or on to Lucerne/Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen etc.
If I don't take a separate Swiss pass and continue with the Eurail global pass, is it still valid for the cheaper mountain railways to glaciers you mentioned, @neckervd? Will have to explore these more, I guess.
Day 2: Again based on weather, I could decide to go to Zermatt/Matterhorn or take a day trip to Montreaux/Lausanne area (do you think that is doable? with travel time being 4 hours total?).
Also, do you think I might have larger number of less expensive stay options if I stay overnight on Day 2 at Brig (vs Interlaken or Zermatt)? This way I can also can get out to Florence early on Day 3?
Dec 19th, 2016, 10:04 PM
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A day trip to Montreux in early April just doesn't make much sense to me. An overnight stay in or near Montreux (Glion, Caux, Clarens etc.) with a trip up to les Rochers de Naye and a visit of the Chillon castle would make more sense.
Dec 20th, 2016, 02:13 AM
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Ok, so it seems I had better stick with earlier outline unless I can squeeze in an additional day in Switzerland, in which case will try to include the gorgeous Rochers de Naye and Chillon Castle/Montreaux etc.
Am posting separate query threads for other destinations on my trip - viz, Black Forest and Bavaria in Germany, Italy, Austria, Benelux... sure hope I get as confident and helpful suggestions and advice as I did here...
Am posting separate query threads for other destinations on my trip - viz, Black Forest and Bavaria in Germany, Italy, Austria, Benelux... sure hope I get as confident and helpful suggestions and advice as I did here...
Dec 20th, 2016, 03:08 AM
#11
I've been to ALL of the places you have mentioned, some more than once, and IN April.
You want scenery? Two days? I would forget Luzern and go directly to the Berner Oberland and I would not do the trip to Engleberg or the Titlis ascent (as great as it is and it can easily be done in a HALF DAY from start to finish).
I would also NOT go to Zermatt with some hope of "seeing" the Matterhorn which is frequently shrouded in clouds. The Monet Rosa Massif which you can also view will have ice and snow for sure. If you want scenery and spectacular view, after view, after view and in a short time I would go above Interlaken and do a circular trip, the Jungfrau, etc.
It is hard to decide I know that since there are so many possibilities. I would not spend any more time INDOORS than I was absolutely forced to, either.
You want scenery? Two days? I would forget Luzern and go directly to the Berner Oberland and I would not do the trip to Engleberg or the Titlis ascent (as great as it is and it can easily be done in a HALF DAY from start to finish).
I would also NOT go to Zermatt with some hope of "seeing" the Matterhorn which is frequently shrouded in clouds. The Monet Rosa Massif which you can also view will have ice and snow for sure. If you want scenery and spectacular view, after view, after view and in a short time I would go above Interlaken and do a circular trip, the Jungfrau, etc.
It is hard to decide I know that since there are so many possibilities. I would not spend any more time INDOORS than I was absolutely forced to, either.
Dec 20th, 2016, 04:25 AM
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Ok @Dukey1 - I guess I asked for confident suggestions - so now I am back to rethinking my 2 days in Switzerland!
I know that a couple of the posters in thread above have pointed out the problems with planning for the Titlis Rotair (too expensive and uncertainty) and your comment seems to back that thinking.
There have also been comments backing your suggestion to just do one thing - Interlaken.
But if the whole Jungfraujoch experience runs into 100s of euros per person, I will have to look at what is covered on my Eurail global pass - maybe the Harder Kulm Top of Interlaken Round-Trip Journey From Interlaken that comes to USD 100 for a family or alternate less expensive options to get the most out of the Interlaken area, before I freeze on this option.
Of course, the Bern and Zurich trips still remain options incase of very bad weather up in the mountains...
I know that a couple of the posters in thread above have pointed out the problems with planning for the Titlis Rotair (too expensive and uncertainty) and your comment seems to back that thinking.
There have also been comments backing your suggestion to just do one thing - Interlaken.
But if the whole Jungfraujoch experience runs into 100s of euros per person, I will have to look at what is covered on my Eurail global pass - maybe the Harder Kulm Top of Interlaken Round-Trip Journey From Interlaken that comes to USD 100 for a family or alternate less expensive options to get the most out of the Interlaken area, before I freeze on this option.
Of course, the Bern and Zurich trips still remain options incase of very bad weather up in the mountains...
Dec 20th, 2016, 08:11 AM
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I suppose you know that in the Swiss mountains, almost NOTHING is covered by the Eurailpass.
Bernese Oberland:
Golden Pass Montreux - Gstaad - Spiez - Interlaken Lucerne is included. But you will have to pay at least 75 per cent of the standard fare if you want to go from Interlaken into the mountains (Wengen, Muerren, Grindelwald, Jungfrau)
Valais/Grischun:
Glacier/Bernina Express Zermatt - Visp - Andermatt - Chur - St. Moritz - Tirano included. Absolutely no reduction on cog wheel railways, rope railways and aerial cableways
Lucerne area:
Lucerne - Engelberg included. Half fare for Rigi and Pilatus. 25 per cent discount for Titlis and Stanserhorn.
Furhermore I think that Eurailpasses will most probably not be the appropriate tickets for Bavaria or Baden-Wuerttemberg as Laender tickets are usually cheaper if you are more than 2 people.
In Italy, railpasses are seldom a good solution neither.
May be you check which passes and discounts are available in all countries you plan to visit before running into a very expensive eurailpass adventure.
Bernese Oberland:
Golden Pass Montreux - Gstaad - Spiez - Interlaken Lucerne is included. But you will have to pay at least 75 per cent of the standard fare if you want to go from Interlaken into the mountains (Wengen, Muerren, Grindelwald, Jungfrau)
Valais/Grischun:
Glacier/Bernina Express Zermatt - Visp - Andermatt - Chur - St. Moritz - Tirano included. Absolutely no reduction on cog wheel railways, rope railways and aerial cableways
Lucerne area:
Lucerne - Engelberg included. Half fare for Rigi and Pilatus. 25 per cent discount for Titlis and Stanserhorn.
Furhermore I think that Eurailpasses will most probably not be the appropriate tickets for Bavaria or Baden-Wuerttemberg as Laender tickets are usually cheaper if you are more than 2 people.
In Italy, railpasses are seldom a good solution neither.
May be you check which passes and discounts are available in all countries you plan to visit before running into a very expensive eurailpass adventure.
Dec 20th, 2016, 09:12 AM
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covered on my Eurail global pass>
Engleberg is covered 100% but no discounts I believe on the Titlis ascent - all regular trains covered - like to Interlaken but not mountain trains usually - Interlaken to Jungfraujoch or Grindelwald or Wengen, etc 25% discount but do not have to use a day on a flexipass as it's a discount.
Visp to Zermatt no coverage - no coverage in Zermatt.
check Eurail map you get to see if any changes to these.
What is you whole itinerary - sometimes a Swiss Pass with other passes or cheap tickets in other countries may be best.
Swiss Pass would cover to Zermatt and back and give 50% off Titlis rotater and Swiss Pass would cover trains to Grindelwald and Wengen in full - 25% after that to Jungfraujoch.
Engleberg is covered 100% but no discounts I believe on the Titlis ascent - all regular trains covered - like to Interlaken but not mountain trains usually - Interlaken to Jungfraujoch or Grindelwald or Wengen, etc 25% discount but do not have to use a day on a flexipass as it's a discount.
Visp to Zermatt no coverage - no coverage in Zermatt.
check Eurail map you get to see if any changes to these.
What is you whole itinerary - sometimes a Swiss Pass with other passes or cheap tickets in other countries may be best.
Swiss Pass would cover to Zermatt and back and give 50% off Titlis rotater and Swiss Pass would cover trains to Grindelwald and Wengen in full - 25% after that to Jungfraujoch.
Dec 20th, 2016, 10:26 AM
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Eurailpass will of course cover your Switzerland to Italy train and though in Switzerland no seat reservations are required (I believe on these trains too for the Swiss part) they are required for the Italian part so make those in Switzerland or before going.
Dec 20th, 2016, 12:29 PM
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And to use any but regional trains in Italy you also need to pay a 10 euro supplement along with using a day on your pass - if you do this on the train it could be more? Not sure how they treat folks coming on trains from Switzerland.
Dec 20th, 2016, 04:17 PM
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Whoa! That's a whole new world to explore! Railway timetables and pricing inclusions and exclusions I mean! ��
We will be flying in and out of Frankfurt / Paris (waiting on right price and freezing vacation time at work and should know in a couple of weeks exactly when we are travelling and to where).
We want to cover Paris and Versailles in France, Southern part of Germany (Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Black Forest, Europa for the kids, then go South to Switzerland (you've seen the thread above), Florence, Rome and Venice in Italy, then possibly take the night train from Venice to Vienna and see Vienna and Salzburg in Austria, and then, swing back to Germany and see Bavaria (we thought we might fit in Neuschwanstein and Linderhof in a day trip from Munich, Munich + Dachau, but not Dresden or Berlin this time). We are thinking of then going to the Benelux area - Brussels, Waterloo, Bruges, maybe Ghent, Antwerp if possible, and in the Netherlands,, The Hague, Keukenhof gardens and Amsterdam. We might also try Cologne if we get an additional couple of days. Right now it feels like a lot to cover but we want to take, maybe a month, and cover the highlights of each of destinations. We know we won't be able to do justice to most locations - but think we can keep the immersion experiences for each region over next few years.
So, Eurail global pass for a month of (nearly) continuous travel seemed like our only option. But you are right Swiss Pass and Trenitalia/local passes do seem attractive individually - need to do a coat benefit analysis as soon as we freeze on our itinerary. Hopefully in next couple of weeks so we can get the best of early bird prices... Tempting right now though is the 20% off being offered on Eurasia global passes for purchases before Dec 31...
We will be flying in and out of Frankfurt / Paris (waiting on right price and freezing vacation time at work and should know in a couple of weeks exactly when we are travelling and to where).
We want to cover Paris and Versailles in France, Southern part of Germany (Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Black Forest, Europa for the kids, then go South to Switzerland (you've seen the thread above), Florence, Rome and Venice in Italy, then possibly take the night train from Venice to Vienna and see Vienna and Salzburg in Austria, and then, swing back to Germany and see Bavaria (we thought we might fit in Neuschwanstein and Linderhof in a day trip from Munich, Munich + Dachau, but not Dresden or Berlin this time). We are thinking of then going to the Benelux area - Brussels, Waterloo, Bruges, maybe Ghent, Antwerp if possible, and in the Netherlands,, The Hague, Keukenhof gardens and Amsterdam. We might also try Cologne if we get an additional couple of days. Right now it feels like a lot to cover but we want to take, maybe a month, and cover the highlights of each of destinations. We know we won't be able to do justice to most locations - but think we can keep the immersion experiences for each region over next few years.
So, Eurail global pass for a month of (nearly) continuous travel seemed like our only option. But you are right Swiss Pass and Trenitalia/local passes do seem attractive individually - need to do a coat benefit analysis as soon as we freeze on our itinerary. Hopefully in next couple of weeks so we can get the best of early bird prices... Tempting right now though is the 20% off being offered on Eurasia global passes for purchases before Dec 31...
Dec 20th, 2016, 05:01 PM
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Well, one thing that you will do is to see a lot of rail stations as well as a lot of scenery doing this trip. How many days do you have? I'd suggest that you plan all this out using the db rail site to see transit times between cities and to just determine the travel times required since you are using a Eurail pass.
Wow, this is a lot of travel. Be sure you can accomplish all this and to see what is important to you. I have friends like you whom just want to check off a location regardless of whether its is a visit versus a pass through.
My advise would to look at a map to see what is feasible versus your time. I have an upcoming trip to visit the southeast part of Germany in two weeks time and I don't really think that I am doing justice to some of the cities I plan to visit.
Wow, this is a lot of travel. Be sure you can accomplish all this and to see what is important to you. I have friends like you whom just want to check off a location regardless of whether its is a visit versus a pass through.
My advise would to look at a map to see what is feasible versus your time. I have an upcoming trip to visit the southeast part of Germany in two weeks time and I don't really think that I am doing justice to some of the cities I plan to visit.
