4-5 Days in Switzerland before Paris? Is Berne the place to go?
 

Hello, I am planning on arriving in Europe on December 24 and departing from Paris on January 4th.

I am currently thinking of going to Switzerland for the first half of my trip and would love some advice.

I would like to be in Paris by December 29 (arriving via train from Switzerland), so I have a few days to spend exploring Switzerland, where I've never been. I am not looking to ski, but would be happy hiking or exploring a city or two, or doing an easy train day trip (no car rentals). I haven't bought my plane tickets yet, so I could fly into Paris or into Zurich.

Right now my plan is to fly into Zurich on December 24th and stay in Berne 5 nights. But, this is totally flexible.

What I'm looking for advice on is how should I spend those 5 nights in Switzerland? I would only want to move hotels maximum of two times, but am also happy staying in one hotel and doing day trips especially because we'll probably just be recovering on the first day/sleeping in etc and are okay having a low key recovery day.

I'm looking for a "traditional" swiss experience, so, fondue, great views of alps, cute/picturesque town, maybe a hike or two. Overall, I'd say not too many requirements.

Is Berne the place I'm looking for? I admit I have very little knowledge of Switzerland or what towns would be best to visit, which is why I am looking here for advice. Ideal hotel budget would be $200-$300 per night max, which seems do-able based on the little research I've done. I'd also be open to Airbnb, but haven't looked at this much yet since I'm unsure of what town we'll be in.

Any advice, suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you, and if I can answer any more questions just let me know!

Personally, Luzern and Grindelwald would be better than Bern IMO.

I say that without taking time of year into account. (I have never been there in the Winter Months).

Grindelwald is a short train ride from Interlaken which will give you some city life, but Grindelwald will give you the views of the Alps (and fondue!). You can ride gondolas and cog-wheel trains to some smaller beautiful towns up on the mountain.

We stayed at the Hotel Belvedere in Grindelwald. Pricey but outstanding (as is there restaurant). I know that dress it up real nice for for Christmas!

That's what I would do!

I'm looking for a "traditional" swiss experience, so, fondue, great views of alps, cute/picturesque town, maybe a hike or two.>

Agree with Manhattangal - if you want the traditional Switzerland perhaps etched in your minds' eyes it ain't in Bern, as lovely and nice as they town is - to me none nicer in Switzerland - but as a town.

The dreamy Switzerland you indicate you want to find is yes more in Lucerne and IMO much much more in the fantastic Jungfrau Region around Interlaken and Grindelwald at the time of year would make a perfect base - lots of easy hikes right near town and a panoply of toylike trains and thrilling aerical cable cars going off in all directions towards the glacier-girdled soaring Jungfrau Massif with such famed rugged peaks as the Monk and the Eiger - yes from your hotel balcony you can just drink up those majestic peaks looming high above meadows - you can walk from Grindlewald to a nearby glacier!

Yup I'd base there for the whole time or split it with 3 days here and 2 in Lucerne, certainly one of the most gorgeous cities in Europe - mainly because of its setting on lovely fjord-like Lake Lucerne - but there are no awesome snow bounds peaks like in the Jungfrau - to me the absolute highlight of Switzerland for the first timer.

It is easy to get to Grindelwald by train from Interlaken and Bern - you may want to do a day trip to Bern even if nasty weather sets in.

Trains are the best way to get around those areas of Switzerland, especially in winter - check out the 4-consecutive-day Swiss Pass that covers most conveyances in full (trains, alke boats - not an option really at that time), postal buses, city trams and buses and gives 50% off most trains and cables to mountain tops.

For lots of great info on Swiss trains, passes, etc I always spotlight these superb IMO sources: www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

From Paris take a TGV to Bern, the closest TGV portal to the Interlaken area. www.voyages-sncf.com has nifty discounted tickets if you book far enough in advance and can put up with the restrictions against changing from the specific train booked or refunding - not alloweed I think.

Another vote for Luzern as a base with daytrips to Interlaken, Brienz, etc

Wow-you guys are quick! Thank you for the great responses and advice.

So, if we wanted to fit in Bern, Lucerne and Grindelwald, would this be the best order of cities/towns? I do also like exploring cities which is why I definitely want to see Bern as well.

December 24-Arrive in Zurich Airport and take the train to Grindelwald. Night in Gringelwald
December 25-Grindelwald
December 26-Grindelwald--Day trip to Bern
December 27-Travel to Lucerene
December 28-Lucerne
December 29-Take train from Lucerne to Paris


Also, the wikitravel page for Grindelwald is lacking in information, and my Switzerland guide book is still in the mail-- I assume there are more restaurants in Grindelwald than one chinese restaurant, right? And it's possible to get around on foot?

Thank you!

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you may have to eat in a hotel restaurant in Grindelwald. Could be spendy.

It's 90 minutes each way between Grindelwald and Bern. It won't be fully light until 8:30a, and sunset will be shortly after 4:30p

If you plan to walk around Grindelwald and the surrounding area, you'd best have extreme weather gear as the highest daytime temps will most probably be well below freezing. And that's without any possible wind-chill factor. Overnight temps may be in single digits. Luzern and even Bern would be more comfortable.

Agree not to stay in one of the larger cities - get out into the mountains. But be aware that this will not be the swtiz of belled cows in the meadows, wildflowers, Heidi and alpenhorn blowers - it will be snow. Possibly massive amounts of snow and real cold. If you intend to do any walking be sure you have proper clothing and winter boots - don;t expect weather anything like Paris.

I definitely would visit Bern. I spent 8 nights there last October (click on my name in blue for TR.) And it IS true that this small city 'may' have more options to offer on Dec 24-25-26, but I'm not certain. Luzern as a home base would likely also have more open on the holidays, and is certainly closer to the ringing mountains, and more central to daytrips. From Luzern, you could ascend Mt. Rigi or Pilatus. Luzern has a great TI in the Bahnhof to help with viable hiking options. Personally, I would THEN move for two nights to Grindelwald.

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. The note about things being closed on Xmas day is very astute.

So would it be better to flip my tentative itinerary:

December 24-Arrive in Zurich Airport and take the train to Lucerne. Night in Lucerne
December 25-Lucerne
December 26-Lucerne--Day trip to Bern?
December 27-Travel to Grindelwald
December 28-Grindelwald
December 29-Take train from Lucerne to Zurich. Maybe fly to Paris instead of the train. How much does the train cost, as the flight is $100 pp.

The other question is, because of the weather Jean mentioned, should I not go to Grindelwald at all? Is there a better, less cold mountain town to visit? Or is that just what I'm signing up for?

Thank you!

Hotel recommendation for Grindelwald is Hotel Bodmi. Just slightly above the hustle and bustle of the town and right on the bus stop. They have tasty and interesting cuisine in their restaurant and also a health spa with sauna. I suspect they really do it up at the holidays and if the weather is at all sunny, there is a spectacular deck overlooking the Munch/Eiger/Jungfrau.

Hi travelgal86,

The tourist site for the town of Grindelwald is

www.mygrindelwald.ch

and you may find all you need there.

I would NOT fly from Zürich to Paris; it will be too long. You'd have to take the train to Zürich, get there 90 minutes early, get through security, fly, then collect your bags, then get from the airport into Paris. All together, taking the train will be quicker.

If you haven't already found it, the Swiss rail site is at

www.sbb.ch

where you can get the schedules and the fares. Compare the fares with the French TGV system

www.voyages-sncf.com

The best fares go on sale 90 days early, so you should get ready to buy right away!

The trip from Luzern takes 4h30. Right now, the schedule only goes up to 13 Dec; fares for that date are 128 chf on the SBB site.

The Voyages-SNCF site doesn't recognize a departure from Luzern but rather from Basel. The fares from Basel are 25€ for 13 Dec (departing Basel at 12.34, and the trip takes 3h03).

Hope all that makes sense -- have fun as you plan!

s

What are your interests:
famous museums?
concerts, theatres?
medieval cities, cathedrals, castles?
prepared panoramic winter hiking trails in the Alps?
trails with no snow through vineyards or along water irrigation channnels (hundreds of km)?
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

And it IS true that this small city 'may' have more options to offer on Dec 24-25-26>

Well Bern ain't no small city but a largish city but still over Xmas weekend in this normally somnolent country it will be deader than a doornail I would suspect - get out into the countryside for any semblance of activity.

I would consider the fact that it will be ski season in the villages like Grindelwald. That means higher prices which is acceptable if you are going to ski but I consider it unnecessary if you are not going to ski.

Switzerland is small and the train service the best in the world. I would suggest you stay your entire 5 nights in Lucerne and day trip to other places of interest. Bern and Grindelwald are easily done as day trips from Lucerne.

Depending on the weather conditions, it is quite easy to do a day hike on the Rigi if you wish or just do a day using the train/cable car to go up/down for that up in the mountains experience.

I also agree with swandav, take the train from Lucerne to Paris.

Cold (but IMHO, not extreme), IS what you signed up for. Snow in the higher elevations, perhaps none in the cities and lower altitude towns, but certainly at most hikes outside of the towns.

I don't have PERSONAL experience as to whether a mountain ski town or small city is better for the holiday proper. Thats what you need.
Examples of transit times, for whichever order you end up with:
Luzern-->Bern 1:30 Luzern-->Grindelwald 2:30
Luzern-->Interlaken Ost 2 hr
Luzern-->Lauterbrunnen 2:22
Luzern-->Brienz 1:30
Luzern-->Rapperswil ***LOVE this town** 1:17
Luzern-->Rigi Kulm (top of mtn) 1:30
Luzern-->Pilatus Kulm 1 hr
Grindelwald-->Bern 2:30
Of course, there are other quaint mountain towns beyond Grindelwald....

Bern and Grindelwald are easily done as day trips from Lucerne.>

Bern is but Grindelwald is a long day trip just to get there not to mention then do anything that requires getting out of town to the natural beauty. But if 3 hours each way on trains is OK then it is a doable day trip.

I'd say base in Lucerne and Interlaken - a town with lots of inexpensive accommodations and warmer weather as it is at low elevation and do day trips from there to various parts of the Jungfrau Region and also stay a few days in Lucerne and do things like Mt Pilatus or Mt Rigi from there.

Lucerne and Interlaken would also be my two picks for your base cities. Many options for day trips from these two.

Hi All,

Thanks for all the feedback, it's been so helpful. I will definitely take the train from lucerne to paris. Also, I definitely understand that it will be cold and will bring the appropriate, boots, clothing, gear etc.

While I do like the idea of just staying in Lucerne the whole time and doing day trips, I worry that if we are trying to make it back to Lucerne every night, we wont get to experience the mountain town at night, which is why I'm considering 2 nights somewhere not in Lucerne. Maybe 3 nights in Lucerne and 2 nights in Interlaken? Re: things being open on the 24, any thoughts on if Interlaken would be better to do first, and Lucerne second?

With the 4-consecutive-day Swiss Pass, do we still need to make our train reservations in advance? As someone mentioned 90 days before travel is the best bet, so that would mean us buying tickets in the next week or two.

Thank you!

With a pass, reservations are not needed except for the longer-haul trips, to guarantee a seat, on heavy traffic days.
I would look at the Luzern to Paris trip 90 day sales.