Planning our first adventure to Switzerland in probably the first or second week of October. Is this a good time to visit? I know weather is dynamic, but what kind of weather should I expect?
This sight: http://www.alscher.ch/contact/visit_us.html somewhat says October isn't a good time to visit due to the weather and closed accommodations etc. Do you agree? Would you rent a car or stick with the trains. We'll be coming from France and moving on to Italy or Germany. Any other tips would be appreciated.

Joe

We visited all parts of Switzerland a couple of years ago in mid-October and I was just there in 2002 in late November. We experienced slightly chilly mornings but for the most part the weather was still quite mild...a bit cooler up in the mountains around Zermatt but certainly not bone-chilling cold. This past November I used a down-filled nylon shell jacket and wore Levis...the jacket was perfect and the advantage of its being totally crushable and easily stuffed into a backpack was helpful, too.
I would suggest you might consider investing in some of the silk underwear readily available from places like Magellan's or, as an alternative you can wear light sweats under trousers, either nylong running trousers or Levis..although I find the silks easier to deal with and just as warm..much more compact, too. That way you'll be ready for about anything.

Good Morning, jfilla
Have been into the BO three times in stays of four or five nights and feel
that the weather was at least 50% clear
the other in rain. Naturally it was fairly kool in the upper elevations and
did use a sweater and fleeced lined jacket and cap. Carried the ponchos in
the backpak and did not go to the top of the Jungfrau, Schlithorn or First
on a cloudy day, did on a clear and it
was wonderful. Richard of LaGrange PARK, il

Just looked at the second part of your message re car vs. train. I prefer train travel in Switzerland myself but unless some of the mountain passes are already closed you might prefer driving...even if they are closed the main passes can be traversed using the car-carrying train services...just a thought. I think you will definitekly appreciate the fact that a lot of the places are less crowded with visitors at this time of year since the ski season doesn't really begin in some places until December.

Trains, of course! And as for the weather, it's so hot in Switzerland now, do you folks think there's a chance that the months which were very cold in 'the old days' are now just pleasantly cool?