4 day trip to Switzerland, need advice
Mar 24th, 2010, 04:17 AM
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4 day trip to Switzerland, need advice
Hello All,
Me and my husband are going on our 1st trip to Switzerland next month for 4 days!!
We would be flying to Geneva and would be staying at Interlaken for 3 nights. Following is our tentative iternary.
Day 1 - We reach Geneva by 11am and would be directly proceeding to Interlaken. We plan to visit Brienz lake and Thun lake and moving around Interlaken
Day 2 - Jungfraujoch, Trammalbach falls, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen if possible
Day 3 - Mt. Titlis
Day 4 - Reaching back to Geneva by 11am and moving around Geneva then flying back in the evening
I know its a kinda rushing wih everything but as we have limited time,we are trying to get the most out of it. I would like to have valuable suggestions from you all and see if we can squeeze anything else in our iternary? On Day3 can we club any other place with Mt Titlis? Any place which we shouldn't miss in Interlaken? We also would love to try and do a short hike if possible, but not sure if we can manage in the time span, any suggestions are most welcome.
I also need guidance for choosing between Half fare ticket and Swiss Saver flexi pass. I have read the other mail thread regarding this and the calculation shown, but since our trip is a short one, not sure if Half fare pass would work out better for us. Does Half fare pass gives 50% discount for trips to Jungfraujoch and Mt Titlis? Will the train journey between Geneva - Interlaken - Geneva be 100% free for Half fare pass?
How cold it would be in this region in 3rd week of April and what sort of clothing would be required.
Thanks very much in advance
Me and my husband are going on our 1st trip to Switzerland next month for 4 days!!
We would be flying to Geneva and would be staying at Interlaken for 3 nights. Following is our tentative iternary.
Day 1 - We reach Geneva by 11am and would be directly proceeding to Interlaken. We plan to visit Brienz lake and Thun lake and moving around Interlaken
Day 2 - Jungfraujoch, Trammalbach falls, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen if possible
Day 3 - Mt. Titlis
Day 4 - Reaching back to Geneva by 11am and moving around Geneva then flying back in the evening
I know its a kinda rushing wih everything but as we have limited time,we are trying to get the most out of it. I would like to have valuable suggestions from you all and see if we can squeeze anything else in our iternary? On Day3 can we club any other place with Mt Titlis? Any place which we shouldn't miss in Interlaken? We also would love to try and do a short hike if possible, but not sure if we can manage in the time span, any suggestions are most welcome.
I also need guidance for choosing between Half fare ticket and Swiss Saver flexi pass. I have read the other mail thread regarding this and the calculation shown, but since our trip is a short one, not sure if Half fare pass would work out better for us. Does Half fare pass gives 50% discount for trips to Jungfraujoch and Mt Titlis? Will the train journey between Geneva - Interlaken - Geneva be 100% free for Half fare pass?
How cold it would be in this region in 3rd week of April and what sort of clothing would be required.
Thanks very much in advance
Mar 24th, 2010, 05:30 AM
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You are cramming an awful lot into Day 2, too much IMO. Keep an eye on the weather, you might not want to do the Jungfrau if it's not clear day. If it is a clear day then I recommend taking the first train to the Jungfrau, as it's a little cheaper. I spent the better part of the day at the Jungfrau but I am not one to rush.
Personally I would do the Jungfrau on one day, then Lauterbrunnen, the falls and Wengen on a seperate day. I don't know much about Mt. Titlis, I hope someone else can advise if it's worth doing both the Jungfrau and Mt. Titlis at the expense of Lauterbrunnen Wengen and the falls.
Personally I would do the Jungfrau on one day, then Lauterbrunnen, the falls and Wengen on a seperate day. I don't know much about Mt. Titlis, I hope someone else can advise if it's worth doing both the Jungfrau and Mt. Titlis at the expense of Lauterbrunnen Wengen and the falls.
Mar 24th, 2010, 05:54 AM
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Go onto the Swiss Railway site and put your rail journeys in and you can then calculate the best deal.
www.sbb.ch/en/
I used the half fare card when I was in Switzerland as that was best for me. If I remember correctly you get a discount but it is not 50% for the Jungfraujock - don't know about Mt Titlis but would imagine it is the same. It might be 30% but I really can't remember.
There is a lot to see and do in and around Interlaken, with only 3 days I would stick to this area.
www.sbb.ch/en/
I used the half fare card when I was in Switzerland as that was best for me. If I remember correctly you get a discount but it is not 50% for the Jungfraujock - don't know about Mt Titlis but would imagine it is the same. It might be 30% but I really can't remember.
There is a lot to see and do in and around Interlaken, with only 3 days I would stick to this area.
Mar 24th, 2010, 07:08 AM
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Hi arch5,
The Half Fare Card gives you half off almost everything that moves in the country, including the Jungfraubahn railways and cable cars.
No trip is covered 100% though. It is a discount card, not a pass of any kind. If you have a long day of travel, you can buy a "Day Pass" in conjunction with the HFC to cover your travel. It costs 64 chf in 2d class or 103 chf in first class, and you can travel anywhere (except mountain railways), all day long, on it.
I usually get a HFC for all my trips to Switzerland.
Have fun!
s
The Half Fare Card gives you half off almost everything that moves in the country, including the Jungfraubahn railways and cable cars.
No trip is covered 100% though. It is a discount card, not a pass of any kind. If you have a long day of travel, you can buy a "Day Pass" in conjunction with the HFC to cover your travel. It costs 64 chf in 2d class or 103 chf in first class, and you can travel anywhere (except mountain railways), all day long, on it.
I usually get a HFC for all my trips to Switzerland.
Have fun!
s
Mar 24th, 2010, 07:17 AM
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also need guidance for choosing between Half fare ticket and Swiss Saver flexi pass. I have read the other mail thread regarding this and the calculation shown, but since our trip is a short one, not sure if Half fare pass would work out better for us. Does Half fare pass gives 50% discount for trips to Jungfraujoch and Mt Titlis? Will the train journey between Geneva - Interlaken - Geneva be 100% free for Half fare pass?>
Half-fare Card is just what it says - 50% off never 100% so Geneva-Interlaken would be just 50%
Since you are going to be in Switzerland 4 days and moving around a bit i'd say the 4-day Consecutive Swiss Pass - Saverpass for two or more names on one pass - would be a no-brainer and greatly simplify all the calculations - Half-Fare thing could possible save a few Swiss francs or it may be more than the pass - but with the pass you just hop on the train, boat, bus, tram, etc - no waiting to buy tickets - and no thinking 'well it is worth 50% of the fare to do this' as you must consider with Half-Fare card and not the pass. Folks with passes often find they use them in ways that had not previsioned - like a rainy day in the Alps well then you could day trip to a cool city like Bern, etc. Or late afternoon in say Wengen and you on a whim want to go down to Interlaken and hop a late-afternoon lake boat ride on Lake Thun -pass covers it in full, etc.
For loads on Swiss trains, passes, half-fare cards, Swiss Card and Swiss Transfer Ticket check out these info-laden sites: www.swisstravelsystem.com - links to sbb.ch Swiss Federal Railways to check regular fares vs pass vs Half Fare pass; www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - download the latter's free 9and superb IMO) European Planning & Rail Guide that has a sweet section on Switzerland by train - maps, itineraries, etc.
Half-fare Card is just what it says - 50% off never 100% so Geneva-Interlaken would be just 50%
Since you are going to be in Switzerland 4 days and moving around a bit i'd say the 4-day Consecutive Swiss Pass - Saverpass for two or more names on one pass - would be a no-brainer and greatly simplify all the calculations - Half-Fare thing could possible save a few Swiss francs or it may be more than the pass - but with the pass you just hop on the train, boat, bus, tram, etc - no waiting to buy tickets - and no thinking 'well it is worth 50% of the fare to do this' as you must consider with Half-Fare card and not the pass. Folks with passes often find they use them in ways that had not previsioned - like a rainy day in the Alps well then you could day trip to a cool city like Bern, etc. Or late afternoon in say Wengen and you on a whim want to go down to Interlaken and hop a late-afternoon lake boat ride on Lake Thun -pass covers it in full, etc.
For loads on Swiss trains, passes, half-fare cards, Swiss Card and Swiss Transfer Ticket check out these info-laden sites: www.swisstravelsystem.com - links to sbb.ch Swiss Federal Railways to check regular fares vs pass vs Half Fare pass; www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com - download the latter's free 9and superb IMO) European Planning & Rail Guide that has a sweet section on Switzerland by train - maps, itineraries, etc.
Mar 24th, 2010, 08:06 AM
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Hi arch5,
I also think day 2 is a bit too full. It takes around 2 hrs one way from Lauterbrunnen to the Jungfrau, so if you are coming from Interlaken it will take another 30 minutes or so.
Then you have to allow at least a couple hours to roam around on "The Top Of Europe", then another two hours down to Wengen, an hour or two roaming around Wengen then take the train to Lauterbrunnen, roam around Lauterbrunnen for an hour or two and then take the bus to Trummelbach falls. Allow a couple hours to walk to the falls, walk up to the top of the falls and then back to the bus..whew I'm tired just thinking about it. We did it in two separate days.
You will love this area of Switzerland, you don't want it to be just a blur in you memory when you return home.
Have fun,
Michele
I also think day 2 is a bit too full. It takes around 2 hrs one way from Lauterbrunnen to the Jungfrau, so if you are coming from Interlaken it will take another 30 minutes or so.
Then you have to allow at least a couple hours to roam around on "The Top Of Europe", then another two hours down to Wengen, an hour or two roaming around Wengen then take the train to Lauterbrunnen, roam around Lauterbrunnen for an hour or two and then take the bus to Trummelbach falls. Allow a couple hours to walk to the falls, walk up to the top of the falls and then back to the bus..whew I'm tired just thinking about it. We did it in two separate days.
You will love this area of Switzerland, you don't want it to be just a blur in you memory when you return home.
Have fun,
Michele
Mar 25th, 2010, 07:11 AM
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Hi All,
Thanks so much for the replies. I think as most of you rightly say, 4 day Swiss pass will work out best for us.
Dukey,
Yes we plan to go to Mt.Titlis. Actually the main attraction is to take the cable car ride, i guess its a 360 degree rotating cable car. If we can get similar kind of experience in Interlaken / Jungfrau region, that would be great.. then we might skip Mt.Titlis and might utilise the time in exploring more in the area. Can anyone help?
Thanks so much for the replies. I think as most of you rightly say, 4 day Swiss pass will work out best for us.
Dukey,
Yes we plan to go to Mt.Titlis. Actually the main attraction is to take the cable car ride, i guess its a 360 degree rotating cable car. If we can get similar kind of experience in Interlaken / Jungfrau region, that would be great.. then we might skip Mt.Titlis and might utilise the time in exploring more in the area. Can anyone help?
Mar 25th, 2010, 09:52 AM
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the Schilthorn excursion can be as thrilling as Titlis or any in the Alps (Jungfrau area)- you hop the longest aerial cableway in the Alps that goes for some miles up to the remote icy outpost The Schilthorn - famous not for a revolving cablecar but a revolving restaurant - and also famed from James Bond film being part shot there - On His/Her Majesty's Service i believe.
There is a terrace to walk out on and be surrounded by a sea of ice - the views down over Interlaken are surreal.
But the cablecar ride is scintillating - first from the Lauterbrunnen Valley you go straight up the cliff to Gimmelwald - a remote farming hamlet that has gained fame in recent years - and then the cableway goes via Murren up to the Schilthorn. To vary your way back to Lauterbrunnen on the return get off at Murren, look over this famous resort, and then hop a tiny train that scoots right along the cliff overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley far below to Grutschalp where another aerial cableway plunges back down to the valley to Lauterbrunnen's train station.
If you have a Swiss Pass then all the travel from Interlaken (or Wengen or Grindelwald) to Stechelberg via postal busto the cablecar via Gimmelwald to Murren and the train from Murren to Grutschalp and the cable car back down to the valley is 100% covered by the pass - the portion Murren to Stechelberg is 50%- even if you go to Titlis consider doing the cableways to Murren and Shcilthorn IMO
There is a terrace to walk out on and be surrounded by a sea of ice - the views down over Interlaken are surreal.
But the cablecar ride is scintillating - first from the Lauterbrunnen Valley you go straight up the cliff to Gimmelwald - a remote farming hamlet that has gained fame in recent years - and then the cableway goes via Murren up to the Schilthorn. To vary your way back to Lauterbrunnen on the return get off at Murren, look over this famous resort, and then hop a tiny train that scoots right along the cliff overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley far below to Grutschalp where another aerial cableway plunges back down to the valley to Lauterbrunnen's train station.
If you have a Swiss Pass then all the travel from Interlaken (or Wengen or Grindelwald) to Stechelberg via postal busto the cablecar via Gimmelwald to Murren and the train from Murren to Grutschalp and the cable car back down to the valley is 100% covered by the pass - the portion Murren to Stechelberg is 50%- even if you go to Titlis consider doing the cableways to Murren and Shcilthorn IMO
Mar 25th, 2010, 09:58 AM
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In that amount of time, I'd think seriously about just staying up in the mountains above Interlaken. Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald are all lovely little towns, with truly amazing views, and the cablecars up to Mannlichen or the Schiltorn are awfully impressive. Rather than race around to places that are not (IMHO) any better, you can immerse a bit, take a hike, and spend some time on the very rooftop of Europe. If it were me (and I know it's not), I'd spend a night in Interlaken, then head up the Valley, and spend the following nights in Wengen. Just a thought.
Mar 27th, 2010, 11:16 AM
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cableways to Murren and Shcilthorn sounds great..we would be able to see the towns above Interlaken.Thanks for the info.
By the way..I was thinking if we could possibly get a 'peek' at Lake Geneva region on the day we arrive, I couldn't resist to see this region after reading the other posts. We can reach in an hour or so by train from Geneva here and then do sight seeing in 2-3 hours and head to Interlaken. We won't be doing Chillon castle but would love to stroll along the lake and enjoy the views and scenery..so which town should we visit Vevey or Lausanne or Montreux?
By the way..I was thinking if we could possibly get a 'peek' at Lake Geneva region on the day we arrive, I couldn't resist to see this region after reading the other posts. We can reach in an hour or so by train from Geneva here and then do sight seeing in 2-3 hours and head to Interlaken. We won't be doing Chillon castle but would love to stroll along the lake and enjoy the views and scenery..so which town should we visit Vevey or Lausanne or Montreux?
Mar 27th, 2010, 12:23 PM
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Schiltorn was awesome! Jungfrau was in the socked (they have monitors at the ticket window). It's very expensive even with a Swiss Card so we didn't do it. The Schiltorn gives you a fabulous view of the whole mountain range.
I'd skip Interlaken and spend all your time in Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren area. With your limited time, you are spending a precious portion of it in a city like many others when you could spend more time in some of the best scenery in the world.
I'd skip Interlaken and spend all your time in Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Murren area. With your limited time, you are spending a precious portion of it in a city like many others when you could spend more time in some of the best scenery in the world.
Mar 29th, 2010, 10:24 AM
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To me the Schilthorn excursion, entailing thrilling aerial cable car rides is the most awesome journey in the Jungfrau area - even better than the Jungfraujoch train, which goes largely in tunnels to the top - and yes Schilthorn is much cheaper.
Mar 30th, 2010, 11:36 AM
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We won't be doing Chillon castle but would love to stroll along the lake and enjoy the views and scenery..so which town should we visit Vevey or Lausanne or Montreux?>
Well for a few-hour stop it may make sense to do say Vevey - smaller town and great for walks along the lake. Vevey if i recall actually sticks out into the lake - to me it is more romantic in fulfilling old-world Europe than either Lausanne or Montreux -and from Montreux you could hop the fabled Golden Pass scenic train all the way to Interlaken-Ost. Takes a bit longer than the mainline route via Lausanne and Bern but so so much prettier.
Well for a few-hour stop it may make sense to do say Vevey - smaller town and great for walks along the lake. Vevey if i recall actually sticks out into the lake - to me it is more romantic in fulfilling old-world Europe than either Lausanne or Montreux -and from Montreux you could hop the fabled Golden Pass scenic train all the way to Interlaken-Ost. Takes a bit longer than the mainline route via Lausanne and Bern but so so much prettier.
Mar 30th, 2010, 11:51 PM
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Hi again,
I personally don't much care for the Vevey lakeside promenade -- it's a bit short imo. However, I love the promenade just to the east of Vevey, in the town (suburb really) called La Tour-de-Peilz. It'll take about 30 minutes or so to walk from the market square to the lake, then go east under the big trees to the harbor at La Tour. It's really lovely.
But my favorite of all time is the Montreux flowered lakeside promenade, which is about 11 km long. It's really long enough to just indulge and love it. You'll see the whole world as you go -- eastern European punk rockers, Asian travellers, Aussie backpackers, American families, Middle Eastern businessmen, all shoulder to shoulder with the Chanel-draped Swiss matron walking her pug. Because Montreux is a resort town, you see more of the world there. In Vevey, you'll see more residents.
Here is my "review" (w/photos) of Montreux's promenade:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html
But I love either. Have fun!
s
I personally don't much care for the Vevey lakeside promenade -- it's a bit short imo. However, I love the promenade just to the east of Vevey, in the town (suburb really) called La Tour-de-Peilz. It'll take about 30 minutes or so to walk from the market square to the lake, then go east under the big trees to the harbor at La Tour. It's really lovely.
But my favorite of all time is the Montreux flowered lakeside promenade, which is about 11 km long. It's really long enough to just indulge and love it. You'll see the whole world as you go -- eastern European punk rockers, Asian travellers, Aussie backpackers, American families, Middle Eastern businessmen, all shoulder to shoulder with the Chanel-draped Swiss matron walking her pug. Because Montreux is a resort town, you see more of the world there. In Vevey, you'll see more residents.
Here is my "review" (w/photos) of Montreux's promenade:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html
But I love either. Have fun!
s
Mar 31st, 2010, 08:02 AM
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But I love either>
Ah yeh - love em both too - Vevey or Montreux two of the nicest most romantic towns in Switzerland - if you were to hop the Golden Pass to Interlaken then Montreux would be a natural as this scenic train starts in Montreux - throw your bags in a station locker and stroll the promenade and drink up its charms that swandavso aptly portrays - BTW swandav is a real expert on this part of Lac LeMan as i believe she lived there a spell.
Ah yeh - love em both too - Vevey or Montreux two of the nicest most romantic towns in Switzerland - if you were to hop the Golden Pass to Interlaken then Montreux would be a natural as this scenic train starts in Montreux - throw your bags in a station locker and stroll the promenade and drink up its charms that swandavso aptly portrays - BTW swandav is a real expert on this part of Lac LeMan as i believe she lived there a spell.
Apr 1st, 2010, 02:04 AM
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Hi,
Thanks ALL for all the wonderful insights...
I just came across informtaion on Tulip festival in Morges during April..any ideas if its worth going there and whether it would fit our travel plan if we happen to do just Morges and Montreux and skip Vevey?
Thanks ALL for all the wonderful insights...
I just came across informtaion on Tulip festival in Morges during April..any ideas if its worth going there and whether it would fit our travel plan if we happen to do just Morges and Montreux and skip Vevey?
Apr 1st, 2010, 05:55 AM
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Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html
Hi again,
Yes, I love Morges; it's a delightful and beautiful little town. Here is another of my "reviews," this time of Morges:
Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html
I was there one year a little after the tulip festival, and there were still some flowers in the lakeside park. It was beautiful.
Have fun!
s
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html
Hi again,
Yes, I love Morges; it's a delightful and beautiful little town. Here is another of my "reviews," this time of Morges:
Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html
I was there one year a little after the tulip festival, and there were still some flowers in the lakeside park. It was beautiful.
Have fun!
s
