suze

< If never been to Switzerland you are short-changing yourself by basing only in Montreux >

I disagree 100%. I have based there all 5 of my Switzerland trips. I certainly did not feel "short changed".

PalenQ

But did you use it as a base to go all over Switzerland. No one can dispute that Lake Geneva area has enough for weeks. But as a base for Jungfraujoch and other far-flung things?

kja

@ neckervd: Sorry – and thanks for providing the correction.

irynacanada

Thanks again, i am now seriously considering hanging around the lake and take short train rides daily ( have to put a Swiss Pass to use, right? )
One more question ( if you are not sick of me already ) - where is the best place to try a good fondue? Looks like cheese train might be booked ( only running on the weekends in April) .

PalenQ

You can still make Swiss Pass a good deal- though to do to Jungfrau train takes 3-4 hours each way Lucerne is probably just a couple of hours. And Zermatt and Matterhorn are probably about 2.5 hours each way, etc.

don't think Cheese train would have any better fondue than regular restaurants anywhere. 'Best' is hard to say but any fondue in Switzerland IME is great - don't worry about 'best' - you can easily do Chocolate Train on own - Gruyeres is a wonderful walled medieval town and the Callier Nestle chocolate plant neat too - again trains go right to its gates.

There are Alpine excursions near Monreux - Rochers de Naye train for one - not winter wonderland of others but neat.

Sue81

Hi, There is great fondue all over Switzerland, has to do with the lovely cheese and contented cows, I think. Had great fondue in Zurich at a Italian restaurant recommended by our hotel and in Zermatt, just ask at any hotel where you may be staying. Ejoy. Sue

neckervd

" You can still make Swiss Pass a good deal- though to do to Jungfrau train takes 3-4 hours each way Lucerne is probably just a couple of hours. And Zermatt and Matterhorn are probably about 2.5 hours each way, etc."

Journey times (OW):
Vevey - Lucerne: 2 1/2 hrs
Montreux - Zermatt: 2 1/2 hrs
Montreux - Eggishorn/Aletsch Glacier: 2 3/4 hrs
Montreux - Mittelallalin revolving Glacier restaurant: 2 3/4 hrs
Montreux - Mont Fort (11000 ft): 1 3/4 hrs
Montreux - Aiguille du Midi: 2 1/2 hrs
Montreux - Glacier 3000: 2 hrs
Montreux - Visp - Jungfraujoch: 4 1/2 hrs
Vevey - Bern - Jungfraujoch: 4 1/2 hrs
Montreux - Gstaad - Jungfraujoch: 5 1/2 hrs

PalenQ

Zermatt would be more realistic than Jungfrau. Very possible. Go for it. At least a taste of high Alps at their highest glory.

ashwinb

I wouldn't travel all the way to Bern. I would keep myself restricted to the Vaud and Valais regions.
You should go to Gruyeres, Lutry vineyards, walk around them, you could also go to upto Verbier, the valley is really beautiful.
Do have a look at my blog page: https://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com...es-and-murten/
I had a pretty good fondue at Restaurant Le Museum, some of the cafes on the waterfront were great, on one of the holidays, the only affordable place open was Cafe Du Globe.
Gruyeres had excellent cheese dishes and desserts. Plus the chocolate I bought from Gruyeres was great.

Dianedancer

When you buy your railpass make sure you are charged in Swiss Francs and not US dollars. You would be charged more with choosing US dollars. I am guessing that you will buy the railpass when you land in Geneva and go to the rail.

PalenQ

Actually Swiss Passes IME sold in U.S. in dollars have often been cheaper than buying the same pass in Switzerland in francs - why? don't know but have been tracking for years and maybe not currently but often cheaper here than there. always check both sources. Check for specials that pop up for off-peak travel. Check www.ricksteves.com, Rail Europe - Rail travel planner Europe - Train travel in Europe (Eurostar ? TGV ? Eurail ? Eurorail) and BETS-European Rail Experts for pass prices here and great personal phone service with experts. RailEurope is part owned by Swiss Railways and wholesales the passes in U.S. and Canada - all agents have to sell at same price -prices change constantly due to currency fluctuations - and sometimes cheaper here and sometimes there - if c c has 3% fee for foreign purchases factor that in. If prices about the same buy at any Swiss station.

irynacanada

anyone knows how to check if the entrance to the museum coved by swiss pass? swiss pass website has pdf in NO English.

PalenQ

neckervd? She/he will know.

kja

I urge you to check again. I find an English website into which one can enter the name of specific museums, but I don't want to link it here in case I'm looking at the wrong pass.

PalenQ

participating museums ? SWISS MUSEUM PASS

PalenQ

Seems the site above gives all museums covered - museum/sight names are in local language but easy to figure out. Nearly all museums are covered and other things too.

kja

I wasn't referring to the Swiss Museum Pass -- I was referring to access to museums through the Swiss Pass.

irynacanada

finally found time to read all the posts, WOW , thank you , thank you thank you!!! So just to be clear , i already booked my stay and have no plans of changing it ( it is very complicated set up) , i already bought the swiss rail pass for 8 days ( paid in US dollars using swiss rails offical webside and emailed to me) . I do not mind spending 4/5 hours a day on a train , my home base is 3 bus stops from the train station. i googled all nearby grocery stores. . i was NOT clear on my last questions , i have the list of all the museums covered by the swiss pass. I was asking HOW would i know if the museum i see covered by my pass without looking at the list all the time? i mean do the museums have some sign saying it is part of swiss pass? Great info on the boat schedule , did not realise my options are limited by sunday . HAve to get creative Read about the "cheese boat" on the weekends only 2 hours and departing from Lausanne on the weekends only. Might take this one instead of restaurant . MAy be revolving glacier restaurant in Saas Fee?

PalenQ

kja - The Swiss Travel System is part of the Swiss Pass thing I believe so holders of Swiss Travel Passes also get a Swiss Museum Pass. Think you would have to consult list to know what is covered unless at entrance there is a sign. That said nearly all museums are and some sights. Only valid on days of 100% covered pass travel - not on days in between flexi pass days.

suze

Then you'll have to allow some extra time for each thing you do. Because being 3 stops away by bus from the Montreux train station is going to add time (obviously) on to your going & returning each day!