My switzerland trip 06
 

My famiy and i (husband and 2 sons) will be leaving for switzerland on 5th Oct arriving Zurich at 6.15 the next day.We will have 12 full days ie up to 18th Oct departing from Zurich 12 noon.Here is my plan and all switzerland fans please give your advise.

Day1 from airport will train to the city for a few hours perhaps have breakfast relax abit before taking the train to Lucerne.Intend to spend half a day in Lucerne before taking train again to Lauterunnen.Overnite at Lauterunn and also for the next 4nights

Day2.Visit Murren and if the weather is good will go up to Schilthorn as well as some hiking aroung there.Have read many of the wonderful reports and sharing so will hope tocover as many aspossible.

Day 3 4 and 5 To do more hiking like to Grinderlwald, waterfalls,First wengen KS and to Interlaken area visiting thun and Brienz

Day6 Will leave Lauterbrunnen for Lugano.Here is where I find it takes almost 6 hrs train journey.The fastest way is to Malino 4hrs. I don't mind staying in Menaggio as we intend to spend a few days in lake Como area.But abit difficult ...here is where I need help and advise from all of you..any suggestion.I read Pal writing on the Gotthard pass is it possible for me to do that and how is it a special train or....please enlighten I have no idea
After 2nites in lake district will move on to St Moritz by post bus ..the Palm Express.Can we get on at Meneggio instead of Lugano if we stay in the Italy.Just advise which is better of the two.

Day 8 to 11 wil be in the Engadin,Pontersina as my base.Again hope to cover as much as what I know from this board..towns like Soglio Slis and of course the Bernina Exp.Question...is it possible for me to do upper and lower engadin in a day.Will it take me the whole day to to the bernina exp. Intend to take regular train and stoping Alp glum and maybe Poschiavo.How long interval is the next train where we can board again to continue to our next stop.A little not sure how this train run or there is only one train a day.

The one big question...what type of pass.At first thinking of Swiss Pass 4 days and that means I will probably use up all the days in Lauterbrunne..right.How about getting two regional pass the Bo and engadin? with 3 days unlimited travel and the rest half price.My sons are still under 26.This is to much for my mind need all swiss fans to think for me.

day 12 will leave for Chur and overnite.Next day totake an early train straight to Zurich airport.My sons will contiune their europe going over to southern Germany for 5 days and then back to Venice where they will meet up with their sister.After another 5 days all of them will go to Berlin, Dresden Hamberg and on 5th Nov fly out of Frankfurt. Read Pal and also Ingo sharing too about Berlin and Dresden..great help for planning.

Finally, let me hear all your wonderful suggestions,please feel free to correct and thanks for reading,for helping for giving for sharing a BIG thank you to all.

I am confused--I think you meant Milano. If so, get off in Lugano and bus to Menaggio---about an hour trip.

>Exp.Question...is it possible for me to do upper and lower engadin in a day.<

The answer is No. Stay in the area around your base of Pontresina (upper Engadin) and take one of the beautiful hikes - from a cable car - nearby...

Re: Day 1. You will be arriving after an overnight flight in Zurich airport and even though you have the rest of the day, you will be exhausted. Certainly some time can be used to explore but both Zurich and Lucerne before getting to Lauterbrunnen? Having just visited Zurich and arriving your same time, I can attest to the fatigue. You want to stay up as late as possible to acclimate to the jet-lag but consider simplifying your first day schedule. Zurich and Lucerne are large cities and "relaxing" on foot and on the run is pretty impractical (especially with luggage secured or otherwise).
Have a good trip. Paul

My comment also has to do with your first day.

If I understand correctly you are getting off an overnight flight, taking your luggage and yourselves touring downtown Zurich(?), then catch train to Lucerne and sight-see still with your luggage for another few hours(?), and another train ride to reach Lauterunnen(?) ALL before you check into a hotel?

That sounds extremely stressful to me for a first day, short on sleep, and fighting jet lag.

Sorry can't help with train pass advice. I love the trains in Switzerland but don't move around as much as you plan to do. So simple point-to-point 2nd class tickets bought at the train station are the way I do it.

Have you checked climate data in Switzerland for this time period? Will you be prepared for sub-freezing weather and snow in the mountains? This is shoulder season in Switzerland -- after the summer, before the ski season -- so many attractions will be closed.

You might consider shifting more travel to southern Switzerland, where it doesn't get cold so early.

October can offer the best sightseeing weather of the year with clear blue skies and an indian summer.

It can also bring rain and snow.

Make sure you check the weather sites before packing.

Thanks for reminder of weather and jetlag will make some adjustment.

> Will leave Lauterbrunnen for Lugano

For Lauterbrunnen to Lugano...

Lauterbrunnen
Interlaken Ost
[Change train]
Interlaken Ost
Luzern
[Change train]
Luzern
Lugano

Will get you to Lugano via the Gotthard Pass route in about 5h45m or so.

If you are prepared to leave Lauterbrunnen at 07:20, you can be in Lugano by just after 13:00.

If you want to leave later, the same basic connection pattern works every hour thereafter up to 11:20. After that many of the journies using those connections will take half an hour or so longer.

> will be in the Engadin, Pontersina as my base.

We spent 3 days based at Tiefencastle in 2002 and we were able to travel over the whole RhB rail system in that time, including the Bernina Express trip, and Chur-Arosa. That was mostly riding trains and some walking around at terminal points.

Cheers,

Bill

I would suggest you take advantage of the direct train from the Zurich Airport to Luzern, and then see what you want of Zurich at the end of your trip, prior to flying home. After the little villages, 2 days in the big city would be sufficient and the airport is a short train ride from downtown (about 15 minutes if I recall correctly, but check. The train from the airport to Luzern goes through beautiful countryside; I remember looking up at waterfalls, little streams, gorgeous stuff AND trying to keep my eyes propped open after a long, overnight flight. It was a little like riding through an enchanted forest. Consider staying in Luzern or returning from your base for a day of sightseeing when you are rested. It's a lovely city with a nice transport museum, the ride up Mt. Pilatis (sp?), shopping etc.

Victoria, thanks I have been thinking of spending all the time in Luzerne on our first day.I love taking train rides with lovely secenery all the way.

Bill your info about the train to Lugano via the Gotthard Pass route is great thanks

Re: Swiss Pass - i believe at least a three-day flexipass (out of 1 month period) would be better than two regional passes and a whole lot cheaper (BOB regional pass is almost as much as a 3-day Swiss flexi) - would cover you in full to Lauterbrunnen, Murren, Wengen and to Lugano (best route via Brig and Simplon tunnel then Centovalli to Locarno and Lugano, then postal bus to St Moritz - very scenic route and all covered in full by Swiss Pass.
And Swiss flexi pass gives you 50% off everything that moves in Switzerland - boats, buses, trams in cities, trains, even trains to mountain tops like Jungfrau Bahn. Covers Centovalli and Bernina in full.
You just need to judge from the minimum 3 day flexi ($150 p.p. on a saverpass - more than one name on one pass in 2nd class) what three days of 100% covered travel you want to use it on - obviously the most expensive days and then if 50% on other days does not warrant purchase of a 4-day flexipass just do the 50% thing. I think your long days are Zurich Flughafen to Lauterbrunnen - Lauterbrunnenn to Lugano and St Moritz back to Zurich - everything else i think would be cheaper at 50% off.
That said i'm fairly sure the 3-day flexi is best for you - you can buy Swiss Passes in Switzerland but for some reason they are currently more expensive than in the U.S. thru RailEurope and their agents - i always recommend BETS (800-441-2387),(www.budgeteuropetravel.com), a RailEurope agent, for Swiss Passes - i've used them for years and they are Swiss rail experts. On their home page you can request the excellent free European Planning & Rail Guide that has a great chapter on Swiss rail travel including details on Bernina, Bernese Oberland, etc. Rick Steves also has good Swiss transit info - www,ricksteves.com. The 3-day Swiss Flexipass is probably best for you but sometimes a consecutive day - 8 or 15 days can be more cost effective as the price increment over the flexi can be fairly small.
Keep in mind that a Swiss Pass this year is also a free Museum Pass good for free entry at over 400 Swiss Museums - but only on the days of 100% coverage - not in the month period of the flexipass. So if going to Ballenberg Open-Air museum in Interlaken area or smashing new Paul Klee museum in Bern - both at about $15 a crack - then these are factors for the Swiss Pass.

Yes the Lucerne Gotthard route to Lugano is one of Europe's most spectacularly scenic main rail lines - be sure to watch for the Wassen Church to pass by your eyes three times, at different levels and with the train going in different directions as it does two whole loops inside a mountain before coming out to glimpse the same exact church three times. Deja vue!

PalQ,
Yes,I am just waiting for your advise.Thank you so much.My appreciation

Thanx BelBel - any questions? I've traveled Swiss trains practically annually since too long to mention - Switzerland is one country that's best seen by rail - they say there is a rail station within five miles or so of any Swiss village - and postal buses fan out from them - a very sophisticated system and a fun system of cog-wheel trains, panoramic dome cars, funiculars, etc. Thanks for your nice comments.

PalQ
One more question about this swiss flexi pass...you mean we will get to travel on 50%dicounted fare on all the other days that we are not using the pass.Is it? I thought I have to buy an extra half fare card for those days that I am not using the flexi pass.Please confirm thanks

No definitely 50% off for the whole one month validity period of the Swiss Pass - this year the Swiss Pass acts also as a Half-Fare card so don't buy that with a pass as they duplicate each other.
And the 50% is on everything that moves in Switzerland, except cows (I didn't say moos - this line may be getting old by now but what the heck...it's fun to use)
Even Jungfrau like trains - 50% off - city trams, buses, boats, funiculars - everything i believe in the whole country transport wise.
And if kids are involved those under 16 get a free Family Pass as long as traveling with parents and they go free on everything for the month - even Jungfrau Railway as long as parents use a 100% day of travel or buy a 50% off ticket.
The 50% policy will be printed on conditions of the pass you get with the pass when purchasing.

I live in Zurich and have been here for 15 years. It is a beautiful city so why not spend your first 2 days in the city to get over your jet lag and just enjoy and relax. The main train station has a wonderful tourist center that can help you with any last minute questions and concerns they all speak perfact english. If you do decide to come to Zurich you should take the walking tour of the city done in English. This tour starts from the tourist center but is not done every day. The lake and the city have so much to offer and you will be a wreck with the jet lag so i really suggest to stay here for a few days. Log on to www.zuerich.com As for the trip in general you have good plan but really plan to spend a few days in Lugano and that area becuse it is beautiful. Not to mention the food is wonderful.Lucerne is beautiful but very touristy. As for the weather there is no other country that has more unpredictable weather than here. Come prepared!! There are tons of other places that I like but all in all it is a beautiful country and you will enjoy it no matter where you go........just make sure you are not so rushed that you forget to take it all in. As for your train reservations go to www.sbb.ch/en/ this the Swiss railway web site in english it should be a good source to book tickets and answer any questions you may have. ENJOY!! Viel Spass!!

PalQ,
Thanks now I clear understanding of this flexi pass you recommend.Will purchase it in the next few days.

Lorig,
thanks for your recommendation too. It is the best to hear from someone that stay there.I think I will cut down 1 day in Lauterbrunne.I maybe too rush in Lugano area as would like to cross over to Lake Como.Will make Zurich my last stop.Yes we all will defenitely enjoy this trip.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advise.

BelBel - about the 50% off aspect this year - literature from 2005 and before would say that the discount is 25% and only offered on days of 100% travel - none at all on other days in the month flexible period.
But as of Jan 1, 2006 it was changed to 50% off everything for a month, making the Swiss Flexipass a much better deal than it was before. You still may consider a consecutive day pass if the increment is not so great.