Hi,

Four of us (2 couples) are planning a trip to Switzerland between May 20 and May 24. We are landing in Zurich on May 20 at 8 AM, leaving at 2 PM on May 24 and planning to stay in Lauterbrunnen on all nights. These are the places we would like to visit/activities we want to do -

1. Lake Luzern

2. Chapel Bridge

4. Lake Brienz

5. Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfalls

6. First

7. Schilthorn ­ Piz Gloria

8. Jungfraujoch

9. Harder Kulm

10. Skydive and Hang gliding

I have a few questions -

1. We are thinking of renting a car from Zurich airport and drive to Lauterbrunnen. If we take the Swiss pass, I guess it works out to at least $250-300 (USD) per person. For four of us, will renting a car work out cheaper? With the places listed above, will we be able to drive around comfortably?

2. Can we spend an hour around Lake Lake Luzern and Chapel Bridge on our way from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen on May 20 or from Lauterbrunnen to Zurich on May 24? May be grab food around and visit?

3. Is Lauterbrunnen a good place to base ourselves and visit these places? Any other recommendations? We prefer to have good views and restaurants/bars nearby.

4. How do I split the places and visit them between May 20 and 24? Can I visit First and Schilthorn ­ Piz Gloria on May 20, Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen Valley Waterfalls and Lake Brienz on May 21 and Skydive, Hang gliding and Harder Kulm on May 22?

5. If so, I'm thinking of taking the Golden pass line to Montreux on May 23. Can I do this as a day trip?

Thanks in advance for your help.

4 people sharing a car or van rental might just be cheaper per person than rail, with or without a rail pass. You'll have to do the math yourself as it will depend on exactly what car you consider renting and what route you take. While Switzerland's rail system is superb, having a car gives you the most flexibility and capability to explore.

If you are arriving from the USA, reconsider driving on the first day. You'll be jet-lagged, tired, and driving a strange car on strange roads. It's not a good idea.

You could easily visit Luzern on the way from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen. It's about an hour away by car from the Zurich airport. Lauterbrunnen is another 1.5 hours from Luzern by car. Check routes and drive times with GoogleMaps.

Lauterbrunnen is an excellent base for the region since you'll probably have a car. Car-free Wengen and Murren are close by and would good choices as well.

Montreux as a day-trip from Lauterbrunnen would be a long day. It's about 5 hours round-trip by rail and not much faster by car.

Don't book outdoor activities or high mountain excursions in advance as the weather can ruin it. You should not have much in the way of crowds in late May, so arranging paragliding or a trip up to the Jungfraujoch a day or two in advance will not be a problem.

Check with your hotel and TI to find out hiking trail conditions. Some many not be open in late May. However, they haven't had much snow this winter so you may be in luck.

To me, you are trying to cover to much in too little time. One of the two most common mistakes that tourists make. The other is packing too much.

At best you have 2 half days and 2 full days. That's really only enough time for any one area in my opinion.

In May, the weather is iffy for any peaks. There is little point in going up to Jungfraujoch if it is in clouds when you get there. The best way to maximize your chances is to not plan ahead for it but instead to check the weather forecast each morning and if it's going to be clear, you go, if it isn't you go elsewhere that day.

You could find clouds above Lauterbrunnen every day of your stay making it kinda pointless to go up Jungfraujoch or hang glide. In that case, somewhere like Ballenberg might be a better bet to visit. http://www.ballenberg.ch/en/visiting/

Or take the boat from Interlaken to have lunch at the Grand Hotel Giessbach and perhaps a short hike up the Giessbach Falls.
https://www.giessbach.ch/en/home.html

https://www.giessbach.ch/en/giessbac...ture-park.html

Or go to Meiringen where you will find the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Reichenbach Falls where Holmes and Moriarty fell to their deaths before Holmes was miraculously re-born due to popular demand. Meiringen is also where Meringue was invented and is found in the local bakery shops.
http://www.nytimes.com/1983/07/31/tr...pagewanted=all

http://www.cloverdalereporter.com/li...408416196.html

My point is that there is plenty to see and do in the area and really, it makes no sense to consider ideas like a day trip to Montreux. Leave that for another time.

First, Harder, Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn cannot be done by car.
The Golden Pass itinerary can be done by car, however.

Standard RT train/rope railway/gondola fares:
Grindelwald - First: 58 CHF/USD
Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen - Jungfraujoch: 190 CHF/USD
Stechelberg - Schilthorn: 105 CHF/USD
Interlaken - Harder: 32 CHF/USD
Interlaken - Golden Pass - Montreux: 108 CHF/USD
Interlaken - Golden Pass - Montreux - Lausanne - Zurich airport OW: 140 CHF/USD

Half fare on all these tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card (120 CHF/USD).

Weather is always unpredictable in the Alps. It may be fine or it may be rainy and foggy during all 4 days. In the latter case, views from Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch may not exceed 50 metres.

Thanks all!

neckervd, do I need to book tickets in advance to First, Harder, Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn and GoldenPass?

We are thinking of renting a car from Zurich Airport, buying the Half fare card and taking Trains to First, Harder, Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn. Car gives us the convenience to visit Lucerne on the way and go around Lauterbrunnen for Skydive and Hang gliding activities.

Can I also drive to Montreux or is the Golden Pass line better?

Why would you rent a car to go to places from which you will use a rail pass? For the places you mention, I find it difficult to believe that a car would provide any greater convenience than public transportation. I could be wrong.

"Car gives us the convenience to visit Lucerne on the way and go around Lauterbrunnen"
so do trains: every 30 to 60 min

But if you absolutely want to reach Bernese Oberland by car, you might check the Bernese Oberland Pass rather than the Half Fare Card.
City transport and local transport (like Harder, Schilthorn, etc.) cannot be booked ahead in Switzerland.

Golden Pass: same itinarary for rail and road up to Chateau d'Oex. Then the railway line climbs up to Col de jaman tunnel and goes down to Montreux with stunning views over Lake Geneva and to the Alps.
By car, you can either go
via Col des Mosses to Aigle and then to Montreux
or via Gruyeres - Bulle - St. Legier - to Montreux, with stunning views to Lake Geneva too.
It's also possible to drive from Gstaad via Col du Pillon to Aigle - Montreus and to do a side trip to Glacier3000
http://www.glacier3000.ch/en