Swiss in 3-4 days
 

Hello All,

I have a short break from work in June last week an my husband & I plan to do a 3-4 day trip to Switzerland. Need some ideas around where to arrive in Swiss, is Zurich a better option or Basel or Geneva? Secondly, what is the cheapest way to travel around, is buying the rail pass a good option?
Also, is is good to keep our base at one city say Zurich and take day trips to Interlaken, Lucerne, Mt Titlis?

Switzerland is definitely one of the most expensive destinations and we would like try and stick to our budget. Any comments or help provided is very much appreciated :)

Cheers,
Priya

Well, what is your budget? Hard to say without knowing what your limitations are.

With that short of time I'd stick to one area - like the fantastic Jungfrau Region near Interlaken - ensonce yourselves in a lovely mountain village like Grindelwald or Wengen and you'll have so so many varied things to do in a period that will seem too short.

the Jungfrau Region is the epitome of the Swiss Alpine Wonderland perhaps you have etched in your minds' eyes -toylike mountain trains and thrilling aerial gondolas go off in all directions - there are hiking paths for easy walk to rigorous hikes - there are boat rides on the two lovely lakes bookending Interlaken - Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

for lots on Swiss trains and transports check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

If you go to one area only the Swiss Pass will not usually be a good deal - but do buy the Half-Fare Card which gives you half off everything that moves in Switzerland - if you do the famous Jungfraujoch train (to Europe's highest train station and a sea of glaciers and snow) the Half-Fare Card will be paid for just by using it on that train perhaps. Buy it at any train station in Switzerland - no need to pre-order. Costs about $130- get it at Zurich Airport's train station and use it for half-off a train to Interlaken - about 2 hours or so from Zurich Airport by train.

Thanks for the quick responses :) In terms of Budget on accomodation i would like to get something around 60-80 EUR per night for a room for 2 ppl. The main thing now is to finalize which location would be best to stay in and convenient to travel around to other places.

> around 60-80 EUR per night for a room for 2 ppl

That's hard to find in Switzerland if you're not planning to stay in a hostel. Even rental apartments are more expensive (and hardly available for only 3-4 nights. Calculate final cleaning fee!)

Interlaken has some hotels I've stayed in at a little more than that price depending on the season.

If that is your budget, I would pick somewhere other than Switzerland to travel. It is a VERY expensive country. And there are plenty of places just as beautiful.

Well with that budget it would be impossible in many countries -maybe check airbnb?

If your budget is €60-€80 per night you should pick one of the cheaper countries (mostly in southern or eastern Europe)

Portugal, Croatia etc . . .

Or go camping! (Very viable with a car or camping car - every city has camps on its periphery.