Switzerland
 

Hi

I am travelling to Switzerland for the first time and am looking for a genuine Switzerland experience - meaning not necessarily cities and museums but wow moments with mountains and scenery. We only have five nights and will be coming from Paris by train? I have been doing a lot of research and am thinking of maybe doing three nights in Wengen and two nights in Lucerne before we leave for Amsterdam. It seems that there are a few easy hikes from Wengen and Lucerne looks like a beautiful place. Is it easy to get to Amsterdam from Lucerne and would you suggest train or plane. Any guidance is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

There are many trais daily Luzern-Amsterdam. The quickest train connection Luzern-Amsterdam takes 8:02, involves two changes of trains, one in Basel and one in Mannheim.

Others, via Basel and Frankfurt, take 8:32, yet others take a bit longer still.

Your nearest airport from Luzern is Zürich ZR, direct trains take 1:03

Trains at www.sbb.ch, flights at the usual suspects, http://matrix.itasoftware.com and google flights and kayak and www.skyscanner.net and whichbudget.com

If you use the search feature on this site you get dozens of recent posts extolling the virtues of Switzerland, no need to recap them all yet again. And there is always www.myswitzerland.com/‎


Happy research.

Zürich airport is ZRH

Thank you for your help - I forgot to mention that I will be travelling in the second week of June

Wengen - Amsterdam

fastest way:
Wengen dp 8.33 - Berne airport ar 10.54, change at Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken Ost, Spiez (same platform) Thun and Belp.
BRN dp 12.00 - AMS ar 13.40

cheapest way:
Wengen dp 9.33 - Basel Euroairport ar 12.51, change at Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken Ost and Basel SBB
BSL dp 14.45 - AMS ar 16.10

Thanks neckervd for your detailed reply - that makes it easy. Could I have opinions on Wengen and Luzern as destinations for a first time visitor please keeping in mind I only have 5 nights - is that enough time to do two destinations?

3 nights in Wengen and 2 in Luzern is fine.

Paris - Lucerne by train:
You need not waste a whole day for this journey. Board the 18.23 TGV (after a full day of visit) and leave it at Olten at 22.00. You can order (and pay) full meals served at your seat in 1st class or buy sandwiches from the bar in second class.
discounted webfares Paris - Olten start at 29 EUR/pax. Standard fare 130 EUR. http://ch.voyages-sncf.com

Sleep at Olten in a hotel a few steps from the railway station (Hotel Amaris, Hotel Olten, Hotel Oltnerhof).
Reach Lucerne the following morning and deposit your luggage at the hotel reception (as your room will most probably not yet been ready). Olten - Lucerne trains about every 20 min; 40 min journey.

even a few days in two areas can merit a look at a Swiss Pass- covers travel to Wengen in full - for lots of info on Swiss trains and passes and things like Half-Fare Card - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com.

the Jungfrau area to me is the best place to experience the Alpine wonderland -mountain trains and aerial gondolas go off in all directions - there are easy walks near Wengen.

http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/top...ikes-in-wengen

Yes and no hiking gear or boots needed for these.

discounted webfares Paris - Olten start at 29 EUR/pax. Standard fare 130 EUR. http://ch.voyages-sncf.com>

and they may sell out really early -sold in limited numbers so book (in stone however -no changing no refunds I believe on cheapest tickets) ASAP to save a bundle. At Olten start your Swiss Pass if you have one - also check Paris to Wengen at www.voyages-sncf.com.

Thankyou everyone for your help. I will spend 3 night in Wengen and 2 nights in Luzern and head to Amsterdm from there. I'm looking forward to my first trip to Europe very much ��

Excellent choices - you can take the Golden Pass scenic train or regular trains over the scenic Brunig Pass rail line Interlaken-Ost to Lucerne!