Small vs. big town--Switzerland
 

We plan on flying into Geneve (2 days there) and spending 4 or 5 days in the Interlaken/Wengren area. Going to also go to Jungfraujoch. We really like the small town atmosphere but have never been to Switzerland. Will we regret not going to Bern or Zurich or Lucern? Is there anything we should make a point of going to any of these to see?

No.

I'd say no. Interlaken is enough of a big city. When we went three years ago, we planned to go to Bern if the weather clouded up the mountains. Lucky for us, it never did! We didnt miss Bern. Our itinerary was: fly into Zurich, take train to Lucerne for 2 nts (can't remember), train to Interlaken, where there are two stations up to the summits, 4-5 nights there; train to Zermatt for 2 nts -- this destination was our least favorite; then train to Montreux for 2-3 nts -- loved this city along with Lausanne & Vevey -- then flew home from Geneva.

Lucerne maybe - a nice town on a nice lake - lake boats are fun and it's just a very beautiful town. Maybe a day in Lucerne then go back to Geneva from there? Taking trains - consider a Swiss Travel Pass since you are going to and from Geneva and around Interlaken area where Swiss Passes get you 100% covered to and from Wengen and around the area and 50% discounts off lifts and most trains to mountain tops. For lots on Swiss trains and passes check www.swisstravelsystem.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

Bern is a nice town too but nothing special you must see. What you may do is keep schedule flexibile as funky weather can always set in in Alps so a day trip to nearby Berne by train is easy and Bern has lots of covered walkways - really a neat neat town. Lucerne too - could be a nice day trip by train over Brunig Pass (Golden Pass scenic train plies this route).

I would also sugget thinking about staying in Montreux on Lake Geneva rather than in Geneva - short train ride from Geneva Airport.

It depends on your interests! I enjoyed Geneva, but preferred Bern and Lucerne, but only you cn decide what to fit into your plans.

Will we regret not going to Bern or Zurich or Lucern?>

That's the question kja - and hard to answer - I've been to all three several times and like each one - I would regret not seeing Lucerne and its pretty setting but the other two though I liked them a lot (like everyplace I go it seems) I probably would regret not going to them only because I would not know what they were like -which you can say for zillions of places.

4-5 days in Jungfrau again means probably one day of poor weather -just play it by ear and daytrip out to one if funky weather sets in in dem hills. Lucerne again would be my first recommendation - the train trip over the Brunig Pass is one of the more scenic in Switzerland alone.

Are you guys serious? Bern is easily the most beautiful city in Europe.

I've never seen such a clean river in a big city.https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f3a837aa87.png

Bern is also closer to Wengen/Jungfrau area for a day trip and be sure to see the river and the new bear pits along it.

If you are interested in roman theatres, celtic lake dwellings, medieval city centers, gothic and baroque cathedrals, all kinds of museums or some of the more than 100 castles, or even the History of Switzerland, you must stop over somewhere on your way from Geneva airport to Jungfraujoch.
If not, you can perfectly travel all the way among foreign tourists without being disturbed by Swiss culture, Swiss cuisine or Swiss people.
All depends on your interests.

Pal has the right approach: use small towns as your base (lodging is cheaper, scenery is better), and make daytrips to the cities if your schedule permits. For me, that works in the Berner Oberland and on Lake Geneva.

May I dare to ask what you do when you stay in a small town?

Meanwhile, I will also vote for Bern. I also really like Zurich, but that is probably because I have friends there who have shown me around, so it is not the same as going there and not knowing where to go and what to do.

I think a day trip to bern would be worthwhile to see the Old town city centre medieval architecture. When I visited it was a great area for a leisurely stroll and a bite to eat, but all you need is a day to see everything worthwhile in Bern.

Pal has the right approach: use small towns as your base

Nope. There is no one "right approach". Since I travel solo most of the time I MUCH prefer staying in larger city centers. Way more convenient for sight seeing, restaurants, shopping, public transportation, etc. Not sure what I'd do kicking around in a small town alone.

kerouac: hike or bicycle or ski or make excursions to other small towns to see what the mountains look like from another angle. I do it often.

suze, I also travel solo, and most often to small towns. As I noted to kerouac, I hike and bike and ski, or make excursions to other places. Yes, when staying in Wengen, I take an excursion into Bern when it's raining, or to Thun.

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Will you regret not going? That's impossible to answer. You won't know until you go.

Personally, I much prefer small towns - regardless of which country I visit. That's just who I am - big city trappings don't appeal to me (at this very minute I'm spending my fifth night in a New Zealand town with a population of 126. For keroauc - some of us need nothing more than a pair of hiking boots, a nice drop and the great outdoors).

Yet, I've visited Zurich, Bern and Lucern. Would I go out of my way to visit them? No. But I only know that because I've been.