Solo in Switzerland for 7 days
 

Hello!! I am flying into Zurich at the end of March and flying out of Zurich early April (7 days later).

I am trying to put together an intinerary that goes with my small budget. I have been to Interlaken last May and want to expand my travels within the country.

I was thinking these towns:

Geneva
Luzern
Locaro
Bern
Basel

However, I have no clue where to go. I enjoy skiing, I absolutely love to hike, and love riding the trains.

Help would be appreciated!!! Maybe an intinerary including a suggested transportation option.

Thank you!!

I would skip Geneva entirely and substitute Vevey and Montreux instead.
www.vevey.ch
www.montreux.ch

Hi kate7ann,

Uh oh, I think I'm going to rain on your parade -- I think trying to stop in five cities in seven days isn't a good idea for a good trip. Also, Locarno is pretty far from the rest of the bunch. I would advise you to decide if you want to see the Ticino (then concentrate on that region only) or else drop it.

Ok but if you MUST do this itinerary, this is how I would do it:

Zurich to Luzern (about an hour by train)

Luzern to Locarno (about three hours by train)

Locarno to Montreux (about four hours by train)

Montreux to Bern (about 1h30 by train)

Bern to Basel (about an hour by train)

Go to the Zurich airport directly from Basel (just over an hour by train).

Rail schedules at www.rail.ch.

Have fun!

s

Ok, I think skipping Geneva would be fine. Is Locarno worth the extra money?

Also, is it too snowy to hike in Switzerland at the end of March? I am from the Rocky Mountain region in the U.S., and I am a serious hiker; however, I do not want to get stuck in the snow!

I can't help with what to skip, but I think that's way too many places in such a short amount of time.

You mention 5 places, but didn't count arriving/departing Zurich. So basically you have 1 day each in 6 places, and a train trip every single day (I know you said you love riding them but still...)

Good point. So, if I could only go to 3 places (and Zurich), where would my time be best spent?

Remember, I am alone and on a budget!!

Not to muddle things, but I leave for Lugano in just a few days. The funicular to the top of Mt. San Salvatore will be running, and it looks like a beautiful hike from there through quaint villages down to the lake. Google "San Salvatore Lugano." Because of the microclimate, it is already projected to be in the 50's in the next few days and there won't be snow. (I'm only sharing this because I'm so excited to be doing this myself!)Snow is still plentiful in the higher elevations. Locarno should also be fine for hiking. What about Zurich, Lugano, Locarno, Lucerne? You'd be concentrating on one general area..central and south.

We have tons of snow so you can only hike in the mountains on snow-packed trails. Snow-shoeing is very popular and you can rent them everywhere. The snow is here to stay for awhile because the forecast has more cold weather coming in.

Skip Locarno. It's not special at the end of March. Definitely not worth it on your short time frame.

Skip Basel and go to the mountains instead.

Use the train. It will get you everywhere.

Itinerary:

Lucerne
Bern
Montreux
Wallis (Riederalp or Bettmeralp) for skiing
Glacier Express from Brig to Andermatt
Andermatt-Zürich by train

In Montreux there is a tram up the mountain Rocher de Nayes. People also hike along this same route/trail. I'm not sure about weather in March, as I've only visited in summertime.

The alone part doesn't matter to your plans, Switzerland is amazingly organized, efficient, safe, easy to deal with. It's a perfect place for solo travel.

For what it's worth, my advice is to choose two areas to stay in over your seven days, and day trip if you feel the urge to see more places. To move around more wastes time and energy unpacking/packing, getting into/out of hotels and just adding stress and that "If it's Tuesday I must be in..." feel.

I'm partial to the Luzern and Locarno areas. Both are attractive and the contrast in pace, food and general feel is very fun. From Luzern, you could day trip easily to Bern or even Basel. Geneva--unless you're into a big city, I'd skip it.