nikhilsharma

Hello friends

I have a flexible 8-day Swiss travel pass. It will be valid from 23-Dec-2017 to 22-Jan-2018. This means I would be able to travel during the 4-day Christmas holidays and during the 3-day New Year holidays.

I live in Basel and would be traveling from Basel. I would want to avoid overnight stays as this would save me hotel costs. Hence in morning I would start from Basel, and in the night would be heading back to Basel. (I am okay with staying overnight once only if it is an absolute must).

I have seen the following places in Switzerland: Basel, Bern, Titlis, Luzern, Neuchatel.

What all places do you suggest for my travel within Switzerland? Any special tips?

Thanks a lot in advance!

- Nikhil

PalenQ

I think going to one Alpine resort like Interlaken and staying there for a day or two would be great - hard to day trip and appreciate. But if cities Zurich would be nice and Montreux and Lake Geneva for a day. The Rhine Falls near Basel -Schlauffhausen a neat town near it.

Geneva is a nice large city - if interested in nuclear physics visit CERN on its outskirts.

Gruyeres is a perfectly walled medieval town and cheese center (visit a factory) - near it is Broc where trains take you right up to the Nestle Callier Chocolate Factory for Willie Wonkesque tours.

But really I'd spend a few days in an Alpine area like Interlaken or Zermatt - for lots on Swiss trains and where to go check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.sbb.ch; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

PalenQ

On your days not using the pass you could easily day trip to Colmar in France, Starasbourg (famous Christmas Market) or Freiburg in Germany (all German towns have neat Christmas markets), or Nancy in France - a really neat city.

neckervd

There are also fine Christmas markets at Montreux and Constance. But days after December 23rd would be a bit late for that.
Have a look at the weather forecast. If you would travel now, my suggestions would be Locarno, Lugano, Bellinzona, Sion, Martigny, Montreux, Bernina Express ride......

For tons of ideas: https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/home.html

PalenQ

neckervd - OP is only doing day trips or at most one-night out so many of those great suggestions are impossible as simply too far from Bern.

neckervd

Palen: I just mentioned the places where the weather is fine today. As to the notion of daytrips, all depends on how long people want to be in trains.

OW journey times from Basel:
Bellinzona 2 hrs 40 min
Sion 2hrs 30 min

RT journey times from Basel (for 2day trips)
Brig - Centovalli - Locarno: 4 hrs 50 min plus 3 hrs 20 min
Chur - Bernina - Lugano: 5 hrs 50 min plus 7 hrs 30 min

PalenQ

I would encourage OP to stay somewhere for a few days like Jungfrau Region or Zermatt or St Moritz -or spend much of time on trains.

PalenQ

Here's a great day trip by scenic trains from Bern and back:

Train to Spiez and hook up with Golden Pass Scenic train and ride it vian Zweissimen to Montreux - and Lake Geneva. Maybe visit Chateau Chillon nearby and take train to Lausanne and back to Bern.

Experience one of Switzerland's legendary scenic trains.

http://www.goldenpass.ch/en/goldenpass/offer/view?id=14

For a real treat book VIP seats that are in compartment next to driver so you can think you're driving the train!

PalenQ

Oh BTW - Swiss Passes accepted in full for Golden Pass train. Reservations optional but recommended - can easily reserve at Basel station or on official site. May want to upgrade to first class for the fanciest panoramic observation cars though I believe 2nd class has some too but book early to get a place in one of those.

nikhilsharma

Thank you very much all of you who replied! I think there was some confusion though because some of you thought I was from Bern. I am living in Basel.

So this is what I actually did. First of all, I could not buy the Swiss Travel Pass because I am a resident of Switzerland at present, and hence am not entitled to buy it. Hence, I bought a Half Fare Card (validity 1 year) and bought Saver Day Passes for 23rd Dec, 24th Dec and 25th Dec. On 26th Dec, that is today, I decided to rest myself and prepare for the 3-day holiday from 30th Dec to 1st Jan.

On 23rd Dec, I went to Schilthorn, did a boat ride from Interlaken to Spiez, and roamed around in Interlaken.

On 24th, I went on the Golden Pass train from Zweisimmen to Montreux. In Zweisimmen, I took a cable car up Rinderberg, which is much less commercial than other skiing places. Then in Montreux roamed around the Lake and went to the Christmas Market and bought lot of souvenirs. (I had to drop out of the Rochers de Naye train as I wouldn't have had time to see the Christmas Market, which was a must for me).

On 25th, I headed to Zermatt and then to Klein Matterhorn. Saw the Zermatt museum (which I would strongly recommend to everyone).

On each day, I started at 6.00am from Basel and reached back by 9.00pm. Was exhausted by the end of 25th Dec, hence decided to take an off and rest on 26th.

Thanks for your tips again!

PalenQ

Thanks for your reporting back - always learn things from yours and others experiences!