Any suggestions on whether to spend an extra day in Lucern vs. Interlaken? Which city has better sights? Is there a train that runs between Lugano and Interlaken? Thanks for your help.

Rocky, will you aleady be in these places or just going to spend one day? As far as cities go, I would pick Lucern over Interlaken. However, if you want to see the mountains, you would have to get out of Interlaken and up the valley towards Wengen, Murren, Grindlewald, etc. It could be done in a day but you really need more time.

We took the train from Interlaken to Lugano. We went into the train station and the clerk printed out a schedule for us giving us the best times and connections. Have you looked at the Swiss Train site? We went through Arth Gould (sp?) or there is a Milan route. Took approximately 5 1/2 hours.

Not much to do in Interlaken, don't know why everyone thinks about going there. I 2nd the views of Rhonda, much better to head for Wengen, Grindelwald or Murren, but only if you've got more time. So - spend an extra day in Lucern (are you already there for some time, or is it just a matter of staying one day?). You can either do the scenery-thing by going on a lake boat or wandering along the Vierwaldstattersee; or, take in what the city has to offer - a nice old town, new modern opera/concert hall, transportation museum, etc. Mind, Luzern is also a major stop for tour buses, etc., but it's kept its charm...

I'm going to be in Interlaken and Lucern for 2 days each and wondering if I should extend my stay in either. I plan on staying in Lugano for 3 days and Murren for 3 days. Can I get down to Lauterbrunnen easily from Murren? Should I spend another day in Murren?

Good afternoon, Rocky Lauterbrunnen is accessible going from Murren on its<BR>Bergbahn and then the funiculare down<BR>to the Railway station in Lauterbrunnen..about a 30 min trip...<BR>Also you can go down by Cable car from<BR>the cablecar station on the south end<BR>of Murren and down to Stechelberg and<BR>then a short bus ride to the station in<BR>Lauterbrunnen, about the same time...<BR>From Murren you can go up to the top<BR>of the Schlithorn, one with exceptional<BR>good views of the Alps (on a clear day only). By going down to Lauterbrunnen<BR>and changing trains to the Wengelalpbahn<BR>you can go up to Wengen, Kleine Schediff, the Jungfrau and down to Grindelwald. Also you can walk from<BR>Kleine Scheidigg to the cable car going<BR>back down to Wengen or the very good<BR>Gondola trip down to Grindelwald. On<BR>also plus is going up to Grindelwald<BR>First via Gondola about 2 blocks from<BR>the Grindelwald station for the BOB.<BR><BR>Richafd of LaGrange Park, Il..<BR>

Rocky, definitely stay another day in Murren in that case but skip Interlaken. Do a search for the following thread: Postcard From Switzerland and you will find the answers to your questions on Murren. Murren was my favorite spot I stayed in Switzerland this summer. When are you going?

If you can extend your stay and you are in Lugano it's not far to Lake Como in Italy. Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggagio I prefer over Lugano.

Good morning, Rocky. The Swiss Rail site is sbb.ch , and you can plug in combinations of towns and see what your options are. <BR><BR>Ronda is correct in saying that, if you are staying in Murren, you can skip Interlaken. So what to do with what is now three extra days (assuming you take her advice and my math is correct). I'd add one day to Lucerne for sure (besides the lake, there are easy daytrips possible to Rapperswil, Zurich, and Altdorf) and one to Lugano if you plan to venture to Lake Como as a daytrip. If you're a mountain person, perhaps you'll add the remaining days to Murren and really soak it up. BTW, if you decide to eliminate Interlaken in favor of a longer stay in Murren, please do come down the mountain to visit some of the towns on the two little lakes -- Thun for sure, maybe the castle at Oberhofen, or the outdoor museum at Ballenberg, or Brienz if you can catch it when it's not crowded, or maybe even the lovely city of Bern. <BR><BR>Or here's an alternative (I'm surprised that I've beaten S' to it): If eliminating Interlaken does result in three extra days from your original itinerary, let me suggest that you give French-speaking Switzerland a look and get yourself over to the lavaux region of Lac Leman as fast as you can. The vineyards and the lake towns are marvelous.<BR><BR>Any decisions you make are really very personal -- if you love mountains, well that's that. If you are bored in small towns, well that rules out most of my suggestions. Good luck and keep in touch. J.

Here's a nice little complication: if you're thinking of staying in Murren, then reconsider and seriously consider staying in Wengen. Why? It's: <BR>- Also car-free.<BR>- Less "sleepy" than Murren, though not more touristic.<BR>- Easy access to the Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch - Grindelwald area<BR>- You stay in the Hotel Caprice and get a Jungfrau-view room, you will be in 7th heaven<BR>- There's another neat hotel there, in the Belle Epoch style, name escapes me right now...<BR>- There are fabulous chalets all around; it's great to walk around the small streets and up slightly above Wengen<BR>- Wengen has mystique: the film "The Eiger Sanction" with Clint Eastwood and George Kennedy was shot in the region, concentrating on the imposing Eiger Mountain. Just standing below it on Kleine Scheidegg will raise the hair on your neck.<BR>- Every year there's one of the most famous and demanding World Cup downhill ski races held there, the Lauberhorn. You can walk along it's trails if you like to hike. (Sure, they shot some scenes from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", but this is very old James Bond stuff...)<BR>- Speak of hiking: a trail with some of the best views ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD is the one between Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen, facing the Lauterbrunnental. Either walking up or walking down.<BR>- Wengen is of course Swiss-German but every so often you'll notice a touch of U.K/British influence (the British are largely credited with creating alpine tourism in Switzerland, hats off to them!)<BR><BR>Sorry Rocky, but it's nice to have something to think about...

I found Wengen Hotels to be more expensive. Check into renting an apartment if you will be there 5-7 days to save money.

Lucerne for sure. just got back from there. very beautiful. we took a ferry and then climbed mt rigi--excellent time. we stayed at hotel alpha right near the train station. very clean and quiet. only 98 francs for two of us.

LUZERN!!!! (Swiss spelling) - it is sooooo beautiful - we go once per year - stay at the hotel krone - very cute, right in the pedestrian are - near the river - friendly staff great coffee - go and enjoy!!!!!!

Lake Luzern is lovely, and taking the paddle boat down to one of the villages deep in the mountains, like Brunnen, is a wonderful experience. There are also some great hikes in the Luzern area. I agree with the above posters... skip Interlaken (boring and in the "lowlands" compared with Wengen adn Murren) and stay a couple of extra nights in Wengen and a couple of extra nights in Murren. Different perspectives, surprisingly different feelings in the towns, and both wonderful. Wengen is busier than Murren, so I would do that first. Fabulous hiking all around there that will have you breaking out in song like Maria (whether you want to or not, I think it's inevitable! . The Bernese Oberland is one of G*d's gifts to Earth. Absolutely stunning. HAve a wonderful trip!

Amen, xxx. And rather than Luzern, why not stay in Weggis or Brunnen (some nice hotels on the lakeside there, particularly in Brunnen...); if anyone likes to walk, believe Der Weg der Schweiz goes through the area. Luzern, frankly, is on EVERYONE's list, it's getting too typical. Go there for a day trip perhaps...