Need Help With 4 Day Switzerland Itinerary
Aug 23rd, 2013, 11:44 AM
#1
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Need Help With 4 Day Switzerland Itinerary
Hello, I'm struggling to find the ideal route around Switzerland that won't have me riding the rail for a majority of my stay and taking advantage of sight-seeing and enjoying my time in each destination. I'm arriving in Zurich on Sept 28 and my original plan is to take the Golden Pass from Lucerne (the same day I arrive in Zurich) and stay over night there. Day 2, go to Interlaken - (Train 2224 departs 12:55pm, arrives 2:55pm at Interlaken), // Interlaken - Zweisimmen - Montreux - Lausanne, and overnight in Lausanne. Someone recommended Lake Geneva instead of Lausanne, but it seems to take more time and distance. Plus it's more expensive to stay overnight in Geneva. Day 3, from Lausanne, go to Berne and stay overnight in Zurich. Day 4, explore Zurich for the day.
Does this itinerary seem reasonable, or too much traveling? Are there other recommendations on where I should stay overnight instead of what I've listed? I would appreciate any help!
Does this itinerary seem reasonable, or too much traveling? Are there other recommendations on where I should stay overnight instead of what I've listed? I would appreciate any help!
Aug 23rd, 2013, 01:00 PM
#2
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why go to Interlaken if you do not go into the Jungfrau Region south of town - to me and many the ultimate Switzerland of your dreams - snow-capped peaks, glaciers you can walk to - toylike trains and thrilling aerial gondolas going everywhere - easy to rough hikes - put at least one day there - your current plan has you riding the rail all the time, something you do not want to do. A 4-consecutive-day Swiss Pass would cover trains, buses and trams in cities and lake boats on Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, the two lakes bookenidng Interlaken,
for lots of great stuff on Swiss trains check out these IMO fantastic sites - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com.
for lots of great stuff on Swiss trains check out these IMO fantastic sites - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.swisstravelsystem.com.
Aug 23rd, 2013, 01:29 PM
#3
The Golden Pass route from Luzern to Montreux is great BUT with only a few days what i would do is take a train right to Interlaken and I would SKIP both Luzern and Lausanne and the entire Lac Leman region.
Spend a couple days above Interlaken such as in Lauterbrunnen or other, ride the cableways and the trains for SPECTACULAR scenery and then go back for your ONE day in Zurich,
I've been to all of the other places and towns you mentioned more than once and believe me, the Berner Oberland will be worth every minute of your short time.
Now if you simply want to see a lot of varied scenery then sure, go to Luzern and overnight; train to Montreux and onward as necessary then back to Zurich.
Spend a couple days above Interlaken such as in Lauterbrunnen or other, ride the cableways and the trains for SPECTACULAR scenery and then go back for your ONE day in Zurich,
I've been to all of the other places and towns you mentioned more than once and believe me, the Berner Oberland will be worth every minute of your short time.
Now if you simply want to see a lot of varied scenery then sure, go to Luzern and overnight; train to Montreux and onward as necessary then back to Zurich.
Aug 23rd, 2013, 08:26 PM
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You are contradicting yourself when you write " that won't have me riding the rail for a majority of my stay" and then set out to spend entire days on trains, like Lucerne to Lausanne and back via Berne.
If you really want to spend entire days on scenic trains, then there are some that are much more scenic than the Lucerne-Interlaken-Zweisimmen-Montreux route. Many travelers find that to be a bit of a disappointment. It has its moments, especially around Brünig and in the vicinity of Interlaken where the views up to the major mountains are open, and again the descent into Montreux, but for long stretches it is nothing special. The Bernina Express, especially between St. Moritz and Tirano, packs much more incredible sights into a much shorter journey. The train up to Zermatt and then the ride up to Gornergrat, or the journey from Martigny up to Chamonix-Mont Blanc, those are much shorter and very special.
You also ask "Does this itinerary seem reasonable, or too much traveling?" In light of your earlier wish "...that won't have me riding the rail for a majority of my stay" it is definitely not reasonable.
Realize that Lucerne itself is a nice town, but what makes it extra special is the region - the mountains like Rigi, Pilatus, Titlis, all providing spectacular views, and the oddly shaped lake Lucerne with the public boats that take you around and also offer fabulous views that change as the lake changes shape. So staying a few days in Lucerne and making half-day and full-day excursions is the way to go - you'll never sit in the same seat on the same train for long, because, as PalenQ said, it's the variety of trains, boats, funicular, cograils, gondolas, and - if you're fit - some hiking that make the Switzerland stay special.
Interlaken is in a similar situation. A useful town with hotels and restaurants and two train stations and between two lakes with boats going up and down. Located prettily beneath the major peaks of the Bernese Oberland region. But Interlaken itself is not the target, it's a handy base from where you go on day trips that make it special. Research Bernese Oberland and you'll see.
If you really want to spend entire days on scenic trains, then there are some that are much more scenic than the Lucerne-Interlaken-Zweisimmen-Montreux route. Many travelers find that to be a bit of a disappointment. It has its moments, especially around Brünig and in the vicinity of Interlaken where the views up to the major mountains are open, and again the descent into Montreux, but for long stretches it is nothing special. The Bernina Express, especially between St. Moritz and Tirano, packs much more incredible sights into a much shorter journey. The train up to Zermatt and then the ride up to Gornergrat, or the journey from Martigny up to Chamonix-Mont Blanc, those are much shorter and very special.
You also ask "Does this itinerary seem reasonable, or too much traveling?" In light of your earlier wish "...that won't have me riding the rail for a majority of my stay" it is definitely not reasonable.
Realize that Lucerne itself is a nice town, but what makes it extra special is the region - the mountains like Rigi, Pilatus, Titlis, all providing spectacular views, and the oddly shaped lake Lucerne with the public boats that take you around and also offer fabulous views that change as the lake changes shape. So staying a few days in Lucerne and making half-day and full-day excursions is the way to go - you'll never sit in the same seat on the same train for long, because, as PalenQ said, it's the variety of trains, boats, funicular, cograils, gondolas, and - if you're fit - some hiking that make the Switzerland stay special.
Interlaken is in a similar situation. A useful town with hotels and restaurants and two train stations and between two lakes with boats going up and down. Located prettily beneath the major peaks of the Bernese Oberland region. But Interlaken itself is not the target, it's a handy base from where you go on day trips that make it special. Research Bernese Oberland and you'll see.
Aug 24th, 2013, 06:36 AM
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"Does this itinerary seem reasonable"
NO!
But may be I don't understand what you really mean. I read that you will leave Lucerne for Interlaken on Sept 28th and sleep at Lucerne after having left this place.
You cannot avoid Lake Geneva (a real gem, BTW) if you visit Montreux and Lausanne.
I don't think that accommodation at Geneva is necessarily more expensive than at Lausanne http://www.cityhostel.ch/english/
If I had only 4 days, I would never waste my time "exploring Zurich"
You may have a look at
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html
http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/
http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en
NO!
But may be I don't understand what you really mean. I read that you will leave Lucerne for Interlaken on Sept 28th and sleep at Lucerne after having left this place.
You cannot avoid Lake Geneva (a real gem, BTW) if you visit Montreux and Lausanne.
I don't think that accommodation at Geneva is necessarily more expensive than at Lausanne http://www.cityhostel.ch/english/
If I had only 4 days, I would never waste my time "exploring Zurich"
You may have a look at
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/home.html
http://www.swisstravelsystem.ch/en/
http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en
Aug 24th, 2013, 08:10 AM
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Yup for just 4 days head to the Jungfrau Region and Interlaken and stay there - go to Lucerne for one day and take the train from there to Zurich airport - about an hour all told.
You do not have time to do justice to other parts in such a hurried fashion.
You do not have time to do justice to other parts in such a hurried fashion.
Aug 28th, 2013, 01:49 PM
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Dukey1 took the words right out of my mouth - well said - dwell in one place - the most fantastic region in Switzerland and you'll be glad you did - less travel and more nature, hiking, thrilling aerial gondolas - the Ice Grottoes, glaciers, flower bedecked guest houses with views from balconies to kill for...
