firstswisstrip

Hi,

We are planning our first trip to Switzerland during first week of July. It will be two adults with 2 kids (11 and 6). Needed some advise on our planned itinerary so we can finalize our plans. Our current thinking is to fly into Zurich and take the train from Zurich airport to Lucerne. We also plan to use trains for transportation and not rent a car.

Day 1: Fly into Zurich, train from airport to Lucerne. Dinner in Lucerne and get rest. Stay in Lucerne
Day 2: Explore Lucerne (lake and old town, etc.). Take the afternoon/evening train to Interlaken. Stay in Interlaken
Day 3: Excursion to Jungfraujoch, stay in Interlaken
Day 4: Explore Interlaken area (Lauterbrunnen, Wengen) and maybe boat ride on Lake Thun if time permitting. Stay in Interlaken
Day 5: Train in the morning to Montreux. Visit Chillon Castle. Overnight in Montreux
Day 6: Train back to Zurich. Overnight in Zurich
Day 7: Fly out of Zurich

Had few questions on this plan:

1. Is this itinerary reasonable and doable?
2. Any suggestions on hotels or B&B in all the towns we are staying overnight (Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux and Zurich). Looking for something close to train stations if possible. Price range around $250/night.
3. There is lot of debate on where to say in Interlaken area - Interlaken vs. some of the villages close by. Thoughts on this appreciated given we are traveling with kids and bags so want to minimize moving too many times as well as want convenience.
4. Is Montreux worth a visit or we should just maximize our time in the interlaken area or add an extra day in Lucerne instead of Montreux?
5. Believe the train ride on Golden Pass from Interlaken to Montreux is beautiful - is it similar from Lucerne to Interlaken?
6. Any suggestions for a chocolate factory tour in any of the cities we are staying? Doubt we can do the chocolate train so maybe just a tour would be fine.
7. Anything else we should think of doing in this trip?

Thanks in advance for your feedback and suggestions.

swandav2000

Hi firstswisstrip,

I think you've got too many bases in too little time. Remember that every time you move bases, you lose about half a day of outside time due to the chores of packing up and checking out, then checking in and unpacking again. Unless your children are totally independent and instantly obedient, I imagine those chores will take even longer.

Yes, I would say that you need to choose between Luzern and Montreux as your other base. Either one is wonderful -- Luzern is a city in a beautiful setting, with mountains-spilling-into-lakes scenery. Montreux sits in the French sector, so it will be more different than your Oberland base; it has more of the look and feel of the French Riviera than mountain chalets. Just FYI, the Montreux Jazz Fest starts on 4 July this year, and Montreux will be a real madhouse. But if you want to see Lake Geneva, you can also stay in Vevey or in Lutry, both also on the lake.

I'm one who wouldn't stay in Interlaken even if you paid me. It is filled with tourist shops and tour busses and the off-loaded day-tripping passengers. In July, I would definitely stay in Wengen or Mürren. You can send one or two of your suitcases on the train separately to make your transfers more easy -- it costs 22 chf per bag to get same-day service.

Have fun as you plan!

s

kleeblatt

Skip Chillon for another trip. Add another day to Lucerne.

kleeblatt

Or on your first day in Switzerland, go directly to Interlaken for a few days and then come back to Lucerne for the rest. Depending on your flight out, you won't need to stay in Zürich the evening before because the train connections are reliable and efficient.

firstswisstrip

Thanks for all the feedback, this is really useful. Based on the feedback we have revised the itinerary and dropped Montreux and added an extra day in Lucerne. Also instead of staying in Interlaken we will not stay in Wengen. Following is what we are thinking now:

Day 1: Fly into Zurich, train from airport to Lucerne. Dinner in Lucerne and get rest. Stay in Lucerne
Day 2: Explore Lucerne (lake and old town, etc.). Maybe Mt. Titilis or Pilatus (any suggestion?). Stay in Lucerne
Day 3: Leave for Interlaken in the morning. Explore Lauterbrunnen and other villages. Stay in Wengen
Day 4: Excursion to Jungfraujoch, stay in Wengen.
Day 5; Explore Interlaken area and maybe boat ride on Lake Thun. Stay in Wengen
Day 6: Train in the morning to Zurich. Explore Zurich or place nearby (Basel or Stein-am-Rhein). Stay in Zurich
Day 7: Fly out of Zurich in the afternoon

Please let me know if this makes sense or there are other suggestions.

kleeblatt

Basel and Stein am Rhein are not that close to Zürich.

You may find you'd rather leave Wengen later on Day 6 so keep that day open for flexibility.