day trips from Geneva, Lucerne and Basel
 

These are the 3 cities that we will be based in for a total of 8 days. What day trips can we take from each?

How far is Montreax from Geneva? And what other day trips can we take from there?

If we want to go to Grindenwald, can we go from Lucerne and how far is it?

Is it worth to go to Basel? Can we go to Germany from there? And what day trips? Thanks!

Merf99, last May my wife and I stayed five nights in Geneva. We enjoyed a day trip boating on Lake Geneva and visiting two ports of call, Yvoire, France, a very pretty village, and Nyon, Switzerland, where we walked along the town walls and along Lake Geneva. We boarded the boat in Geneva at the Jardin Anglais dock. You will be happier with your views from the boat if you buy tickets for the upper and lower decks rather than just for the lower deck. The price for two upper deck tickets was 96 Swiss francs.

Another day trip we took was to Mont Saleve just south of Geneva across the French border. We took a bus to the border and then just walked across the border. Walking another 1500 feet, we came to the cablecar, which we took to the top of Mont Saleve. There are some very fine views of Lake Geneva, the city of Geneva, and of Mont Blanc.

While on Mont Saleve, we met a couple from Nice. We ended up having lunch with them. They took us in their car to Evian-les-Bains where we enjoyed walking along the quay on Lake Geneva.

These suggested excursions are not that far from Geneva. We found them to be most enjoyable. Geneva itself also had a number of attractions that we found quite interesting.

From Lucerne, you can certainly make a day trip to Grindenwald, although it would be a full day.

Would you be travelling with a train or car?

If by train, Lucerne to Grindelwald is 2hours 35 minutes with one easy train change in Interlaken. If you have concerns, the train conductor will almost certainly speak English as that route is often used by tourists. Also, if you do take that route with a train, I would like to suggest to sit on the right side of the train( while facing forward) when boarding in Luzern. After the first 20 minutes or so, all the views are on that side.

With auto, I believe it is a little under 2 hours although the area between Sarnen and Interlaken can get a little curvy and if you are prone to car sickness, could be a concern.

Hi M99,
Glenn52's daytrips are wonderful especially when the wather is beautiful. From Geneva, you can see Nyon, Lausanne, Montreux, Chateau de Chillon, all easily done by train and public transport.
Basel,... depends on your interests.
Wonderful collections of modern art; Beyeler collection, city museum,...
Very comprehensive exhibition on Tutankhamon going on (till September I think, reservation is compulsory)...
Wonderful town if you are interested in contemporary architecture...
Going to Germany seems a bit odd because there is not that much to see closeby the border, maybe Freiburg-in Breisgau. But you could go to Strasbourg (2-hour train) or Colmar (1 hour).

As I live in Geneva, I try to answer your questions.

Montreaux is an hour drive by car or on the train. The city is fun to explore. Chateau du Chilion is just down the road and a worthy stop (need to take the train or by car from Montreaux).

Basel is a 3 hour car drive from Geneva. You may certainly cross the border in Germany from there and explore the Black Forest.

There are several other options that I would consider during your stay. Chamonix France is only an hour drive from Geneva. Chamonix is home to Mt. Blanc, the tallest mountain in Europe and the site of the first Winter Olympics back in the 1920's. You can spend an entire day in the town. If it is clear, taking the gondola up to Aigile du Midi is a must (3800 meters). For more information, try the web site http://www.chamonix.com.

Another good web site for ideas and planning is http://www.myswitzerland.com.

Thank you so much for your replies! Any more info is helpful!

I'm glad Montreax is so close. Is there any quicker way to get to Grindelwald?

Does it pay to go to Basel? What day trips can we get to from there?

I am hoping to visit Annecy, France, next ski season; it's just an hour or so from Geneva, and it's supposed to be a beautiful town, along the lake.

Good point, Annecy is a beautiful village. Good place to have lunch in the outdoor cafe's of the old town, then sit by the lake with the beautiful view of the Alps.

While Grindenwald is only 50 miles from Lucerne, the drive takes about 90 minutes.

I have only drivin through Basel on my way to Frankfurt. Maybe others can answer your question on this city.

I agree that the trip to Chamonix is well worth it. You can also take a day trip to Lake Thun from Genova. Great scenery.

I am very fond of Basel, having spent several weeks there in 2002 and having visited several times since. The old city is surprisingly attractive, very pedestrian friendly, with lots to see and do. Good restaurants, museums cafes, shopping. As a tourist destination, it's one of the most under-rated in Switzerland, IMHO. BUT...I don't really recommend it as a base for day trips to other places (although I think it might be closer to Luzern than Grindenwald, or at least easier to reach by train, so Luzern would be an easy day trip from Basel). If you're not interested in being based in Basel to enjoy Basel itself, I would pick another base. Actually, with only 8 days, I would pick just two cities as my base.
If you do go to Basel, be advised that air conditioning is a good idea for summer stays. It can be quite warm and muggy in Basel in the summer.

Hi--
BTilke-- Why do you think Basel is not good for day trips?
Also, do you know any good cheap places to stay. (I am asking for my 22 yr old son and friend. I have suggested Basel to them for 4/5 nights)
Thanks,
jan

jan:

If your son is on a tight budget, he may want to check these websites:

http://www.baselbackpack.ch (click on the Union Jack) and

http://www.youthhostel.ch/e/search.cfm

and there is the official tourist information (with hotel/hostel booking links) at:

http://www.baseltourismus.ch/opencms...ish/index.html

Hope this helps

Phi.

thanks very much.
I have already sent him a copy of your post.
jan

Would you still go to Chamonix even though the cable car up to Mont Blanc is broken?