I'm planning a trip to Switzerland next March. For a variety of reasons, I'll be spending most of my time in Zurich and Basel, but I'd like to see some mountain scenery as well. Is a day trip to, say, Grindelwald feasible? Or is the countryside around the northern cities (almost) as impressive?

I've been trying to figure this out through various guides and web sites but can't seem to get the answer. Thanks!

SZ, you can see the Alps in the distance from Zurich, but not from Basel. However a day trip is certainly an option. Grindelwald is a bit far (over 3 hours each way from Zurich, plus whatever cable car/train you'd want to take from there), but doable. Popular choices are:
* Luzern w/train to Pilatus (www.pilatus.ch)
* Engelberg w/cable car to Titlis (www.titlis.ch)
* Appenzell area w/cable car to Saentis (http://www.saentisbahn.ch/pages/Saen...o_englisch.pdf)

You can get train schedules to reach all these places on:
www.rail.ch

The Saentisbahn cable car leaves from Schwaegalp.

Hope this helps,
Andre

I would second the idea of taking a day trip to Lucern. You can leave the Zurich Bahnhoff and be in Lucern in about an hour. The train ride is lovely, as is Lucern! Trains in Switzerland run very often... as in one just about every hour from Zrh to Lucern, and the same on the return.

Forgot to add that I also enjoy Basel. It's an interesting city as it is in an important location (Germany/France/Switz all come together here). And the Rhein runs right thru it.
simpsonc510 (Carol)

I agree with Andre that Grindelwald, although doable, might be a bit far for a daytrip. His suggestions are good alternatives. I'd like to add Mt Rigi (www.rigi.ch) and Mt Stanserhorn (www.stanserhorn.ch). Both are in the Lucerne area. All of the mountains mentioned offer a nice panorama (depending on the weather...). If you want to be in the thick of the mountains, Titlis is probably the best option as the others are generally more free-standing. My personal favorites are Pilatus and Rigi.

A lovely train trip to Lucerne is on the VorAlpen Express. The nearest departure stop to Zürich is Rapperswil. This train travels from Romanshorn (near St Gallen) to Lucerne and return of course. It is a delightful trip from Rapperswil through gorgeous Swiss farmland, lakes and mountain views. You could do this one way and take the other direct Lucenre-Zürich.

I like Bern as a day trip from Zürich, I think the old town is lovely and the views around the River are splendid.

Another nice day trip would be to take the train to St Gallen. Altho not quite as scenic, there is a lovely abbey there and nice restaurants and shopping.

LynnP, one of my fondest train memories is taking the voralpen express (or at least that route) from Rapperswil to Lucerne via Biberbrugg, Rothenthurm, and Sattel. You describe it beautifully. There was one little stop with farms on the green hillside that has woven a spell in my heart. But I don't recall the name of the village. Thanks for bringing it back. J.

jmw, you might be thinking about Schindellegi, although many of the stops are wonderful. In the winter I can see people cross country skiing from the train window and the whole country side is white and shining. Lovely. I live in Rapperswil and work three days a week in Lucerne. This is my daily commute! Imagine how hard it is to get any work done on that train!

Yes, I can. How delightful to see the seasons change along that route. Many years ago, friends and I spent seven nights in Rapperswil and never ran out of places to visit by train. I understand that Rapperswil is now much busier than it was then, but I do have fond memories of it as a place to stay awhile. I think I might do an AltaVista image search for Schindellegi to see if anything comes up. J.

p.s. LynnP, should you ever feel like sharing inconsequential but nurturing thoughts of Switzerland, please feel free to drop in at the SGFTWLS thread. We'd love your input, I'm sure.

Thank you all! I am quite encouraged by all the possibilities, especially the VorAlpen Express (I love trains).

and Swiss trains are the best. Also their lake boats. J.