In August my family and I are planning on visiting Switzerland. We want to rent a car in Zurich drive to Thun, look around then drive to St. Moritz all the same day. <BR> <BR>Is this being overly ambitious? Also, any ideas on how long a drive it is from Zurich to Thun and then to St. Moritz? What are the driving conditions for this itinerary? And finally any recommedations or good experiences with specific car rental companies in Zurich? I would appreciate any and all replies, since this is my first trip to this area and have no idea as to what to anticipate. Thanks!

I would say all of that is way too ambitious for one day. Driving time to Thun would be just about 1:45 and then another 4:15 drive after that to St. Moritz. To go to Thun is way out of your way if St. Moritz is your goal. Driving direct to St. Moritz from Zurich is 2:45. <BR> <BR>Most of the roads you would take are very good primary roads or motorways. <BR> <BR>I would recommend that if you really want to see the Berner Oberland area around Lake Thun spend at least one night there then take the scenic route over the mountain passes (Susten and Oberalp) to the other side of the country. Driving time would be about 5:30 going the scenic route from Thun to St. Moritz. Of course you should have a bit of head for heights if you drive this route.

If you are going to be in the area of Lake Thun, then I recommend not just looking around. I suggest visiting at Grindelwald. It is a small village surrounded by mountians located just 10-15 minutes from the amazing city Interlaken (Located between lake Thun and lake Brienz). I visited it last summer and i must tell you that I will never forget this place, and I hope I will have the chance to visit it again. You must see this place to believe that there is such a beautiful place. You can stay there for 2-3 days and visit the near mountains (There are many great hiking places and the view and the atmosphere is just amazing). The longest railway in Switzerland is located there (I think it was like 20 minutes from the first station to the last one). For specific details and useful information visit www.grindelwald.com <BR>Send me an e-mail if you want.. <BR>

If you are going to be in the area of Lake Thun, then I recommend not just looking around. I suggest visiting at Grindelwald. It is a small village surrounded by mountians located just 10-15 minutes from the amazing city Interlaken (Located between lake Thun and lake Brienz). I visited it last summer and i must tell you that I will never forget this place, and I hope I will have the chance to visit it again. You must see this place to believe that there is such a beautiful place. You can stay there for 2-3 days and visit the near mountains (There are many great hiking places and the view and the atmosphere is just amazing). The longest railway in Switzerland is located there (I think it was like 20 minutes from the first station to the last one). For specific details and useful information visit www.grindelwald.com <BR>Send me an e-mail if you want.. <BR>

Thank you for your replies. I wish I had more time to visit Thun, as opposed to just 1/2 day. I will be spending the whole day in Lucerne, before I take off on my whirlwind driving tour. I am basing the first 2 days of my visit in Zurich and will go to Lucerne by train. But I still wanted to see Thun before heading to St. Moritz. Hopefully 6 hours of driving won't be too much of a headache in the high mountain passes. Thank you again for your input!

Sherry, unless you have some very compelling reason to be in Zurich for 2 days I highly recommend you make it 1 day in Zurich and 1 night in the Lake Thun area. I am curious why you are so keen on Thun? It is usually the mountains around Interlaken most people go that region for, although Thun is very nearby. <BR> <BR>I must concur with the other Poster that you consider staying in Grindelwald (take the gondola to First) or Lauterbrunnen (beautiful valley and railway up the Jungfrau Joch) instead of Thun. <BR> <BR>Are you picking the car up in Luzern? If so that will cut your drive time to Thun to about 1.5 hours from Luzern, but you'll "backtrack" to St. Moritz.