4 days in Switzerland itinerary
 

Hi! I'll be in Switzerland for the first time this August, with a few days between when i need to be in Geneva and Zurich. Here is my itinerary, what do you think?
A couple of questions I had:
Is doing both Rigi and Schilthorn worth it?
Should I just scrap Lucerne and stay in Lauterbrunnen the whole time?
Is this itinerary worth the money I'll be spending on it?

Note: I will have a 3-day swiss travel pass for days 2-4

1 - Geneva - City Tour
2 - Geneva-Lauterbrunnen Golden Pass Line + Mannlichen-Kleine Scheidegg Hike + ?
3 - Lauterbrunnen - Schilthorn + Birg + Lauterbrunnen Hike + Night Train to Lucerne
4 - Lucerne - Mt. Rigi + Hergiswil Glass Factory + Lucerne City? + Night Train to Zurich
5 - Zurich - City Tour

Thanks for your help in advance!

You're moving all the time and with just 4 days I would probably just stop in Jungfrau area and spend another day there. Anyway a Half-Fare Card may be better than a Swiss Pass for such limited time - not sure do the maths - check www.sbb.ch for fares - general info Swiss trains - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com. Yes Rigi would be anti-climatic after much more awesome Schilthorn excursion but a lake boat tour would be great.

Everything is feasible if the weather is fine:

Geneva dp 8.30 - Montreux - Golden Pass - Interlaken - Lauterbrunnen ar 13.25
Check in your hotel and continue by train Lauterbrunnen dp 14.07 - Wengen 14.19/14.40 - Maennlichen ar 14.46.
Walk to Kleine Scheidegg. Scheidegg dp by train 19.31 - Lauterbrunnen ar 20.20 (or earlier, trains every 30 min).

Day 3: the itinerary to Lucerne is very scenic. Try to arrive there before sunset (around 9pm in June and 7pm in September).

Day 4: there may not remain much time for the visit of Lucerne.
The day coud look like this: Lucerne dp 8.18 by train to Rigi Kulm ar 9.47. Rigi Kulm dp by train 11.00 - Vitznau ar 11.40, dp by boat 11.49 - Hergiswil ar 14.15 (change boat at Verkehrshaus). Hergiswil dp by boat 17.10 - Lucerne ar 17.45.

i did not find Geneva all that interesting and would put that time to Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux instead (approx. 1 hour from Geneva by train on Lac Leman)

Thanks for all of the replies!
suze, I have to be in Geneva on that day, so I might as well spend it going around the city. I plan on spending an entire evening in the chess park at Bastions Park btw.

Also, how much money do you guys think I should be spending for my time here?

Money - depends widely - but expect about $300-400 a day for nice hotel, meals, transit and chess wagers - could be bit less or a lot more.

No need to take a tour of either Geneva or Zurich unless you want to – they are VERY easy to visit on your own. Just get a decent guidebook in advance and decide what you want to see. And unlike many Fodorites, I enjoyed both cities – but then, I had enough time in Switzerland to balance my interest in the countryside with my interests in things that cities offer.

Your plan for the Bernese Oberland is entirely contingent on the weather. If you want to go there, I would think you might want to figure out, in advance, what you will do if the weather does not cooperate.

A good guidebook should also give you some ideas of how to plan your budget.

Hope that helps!

Hi I agree with Palen, I would spend more time in the Jungfrau area, just gorgeous. Also I actually do like Zurich unlike some others, altho it is quite expensive to stay there I thought. The Mannlichen is absoulutely amazing area to me, and more so than the Schilthorn. Enjoy. Sue

Thanks for all of the help! Does anybody have any more suggestions?

Do you have any questions?

what is your final proposed itinerary - then we could comment better.

Blackbird, You asked about the Schilthorn and Rigi, I've been to both, as I am sure others have been on this site. To me the mountains over Wengen area are spectacular, if you are into gorgeous scenery. the Jungfrau, Monch and part of the Eiger are over the village and the unbelieveable Mannlichen area, which has the lift right in the village. My two cents here. Sue the lift takes you right up to it, get discount at hotel.

The Schilthorn and Rigi Kulm are very very different - Rigi is relatively low altitude and is known for its views over central Switzerland but not awesome Alpine beauty like at The Schilthorn which is an isolated outpost surrounded by snow and ice.

Geneva: https://www.redcrossmuseum.ch/en/

https://www.lake-geneva-switzerland....a-switzerland/

And boat tours and cruises on Lake Geneva!

What do you guys think of replacing the day in Lucerne and replacing it with a First to Schynigge Platte hike? I could then spend the morning of the last day at Lucern and the afternoon-evening in Zurich, instead of going on the Rigi. Would the hike be too similar to the others, or worth missing Rigi?

Hike similar to what others? You just say a Lauterbrunnen hike - that is flat walking in a deep gorge.

First to S Pl may be rather strenuous going uphill? What kind of hike do you seek?

The most popular and an esy-peasy awfully scenic hike goes from The Mannlichen to Kleine Sheidegg- so-called Panorama Walk as you can see fromthis ridge walk both the Lauterbrunnen and Grindewald valleys with a frontal view of Jungfrau Massif as you walk - gently descending wide path. Best of any for novie hikers and can't beat views.

Rigi can compare to none of those hikes or anything in Jungfrau Region.

For the Lauterbrunnen hike, this is what I'm talking about: https://www.alpenwild.com/staticpage...72-waterfalls/ . I won't do all of it, but as much as i can fit into right after the schilthorn before it gets dark.

I'm fine with the strenuous hike, in fact I want something strenuous because I particularly enjoy that type of a trail.
There's two things I'm afraid of though:
1) The hike being too difficult to complete without any special hiking equipment, and there being too many sheer cliffs (I'm slightly acrophobic)
2) The views being too similar to the mannlich-kleine scheidegg hike

Thanks for all of your help!

Research Berner Oberland hiking sites -locally I've seen maps of hikes in Jungfrau Magazine (perhaps on line now) with three colors denoting easy, moderate and tough - 1st two no gear needed and I do not think you'd need any on those hikes but check.

Blackbird -

I've done the hike that you linked, with the exception of the Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp bit (took the cableway up from Lauterbrunnen). Are you referring to this hike as strenuous?

The walk up to Grutschalp could well be strenuous - the section from Gimmelwald to Stechelberg is a bit challenging - via a bergweg with a steep descent - and when we were there (April) - avalanche danger and the trail damaged from rock falls. The section from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen is completely flat - but long. The entire loop took us 5.5 hours, 10.25 miles.

If you're looking for something strenuous, you might take a look at the hike from Wengernalp to Wixi, Bigernalp, Mittlenap, Upper Preech, Lower Preech and over the upper Trummelbach Falls, then back to Lauterbrunnen. We hiked it years ago - yowsa - it was a doosie - not for the faint of heart.

Melnq8: I was talking about the First to Schynige Platte hike, not the Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp one

Gotcha.

Hiking Description for the First to Schynige Platte Hike in Grindelwald

gives all the details you ask for. I've walked to First from Grindelwald and though long uphill trek not really strenous - no scrambles - and walked down same day to Reichenbach Falls. but never did Firt to SP - report back SVP.

Of course from SP you can walk down or take the tiny old train down to Wilderswil, practically in Interlaken with trains back to Lauterbrunnen or wherever. SP is known of course for its Alpine Garden and Teddy Bear Land! And views, etc.

I did a hike on Schynige Platte with my 3 years old in a baby carrier. There were many hikes to choose from. It was a foggy day. But even with the limited visibility, it was fantastic.
Let us know how the hike from First to the Platte goes, if you decide to go.

I would add as many days as possible to the Bernese Oberland area. (And sacrifice Lucern).

SCHYNIGE PLATTE - FIRST
The hike is very popular with Swiss families (with kids and dogs). In August, the trail is not dangerous at all.
Well trained people do the whole hike in 4 hrs or so. Others find it too long and too strenous, however.
The mountain view is better if you walk from SP to F (towards the high mountains).
The first train arrives at Schynige Platte at 8.17 (and then every 40 min).
The last gondola leaves First at 18.30.

Oh, and another question - Is there a way to do the Schynige Platte to First hike for free with the Swiss Travel Pass? I know that the train to Schynige Platte is free, but I'm not so sure about the other side.

" Oh, and another question - Is there a way to do the Schynige Platte to First hike for free with the Swiss Travel Pass? I know that the train to Schynige Platte is free, but I'm not so sure about the other side"

With the Swiss Travel Pass, you will have to pay 15 CHF for First - Grindelwald OW

Blackbird, you say this is your first time in Switzerland, go to Wengen, with the lift to the Mannlichen right in town, or one block or less from most hotels. I am not sure what you call the flat area up there, but it is unbelieveably gorgeous, with a flat plateau spreading out with hiking trails, and the Jungfrau/Monch around. Not dangerous. There is a building out there, a hotel? restaruant? and you can hike on the trails or go back down on the lift to Wengen/choices here. It was lovely in July. I did not hike much, recent knee replacement, but son did and was overwhelmed with the beauty of this area. Allow enough time to not be rushed, this is an area to savor. Also a grocery right in town, train stops right in the small village, Much exceeds Rigi/Schilthorn/areas for me. Sue Book a hotel and stay for awhile.

Yes Swiss Travel Passes generally give 50% off gondolas and chairlifts like Grindelwald to First.

Unless changed in 2018 I think SP trains are just 50% off with Swiss Travel Pass - following the rule of thumb that 100% if conveyances link two actual towns or inhabited places and 50% off usually for trains and lifts to mountain tops.

Check the validity map for Swiss Travel Passes - 2017 shows 50% off.

Attachment 531

Swiss Travel Pass validity map with 100% coverage and discounts, etc.

For a very unique train experience check out the vaunted V.I.P. seats that have you right up front in a compartment next to driver so you can think you're driving the train. Must be reserved months in advance to get ones up front - think there are some in rear too but not sure. Book on official GP site - think you must pay upgrade to first class to get.

GoldenPass

https://www.google.com/search?q=vip+...w=1745&bih=863

VIP Seats!