Switzerland 7 Days in December... We're Not Skiers
 

We (a party of 2) disembark a cruise in Basel on a Saturday in December and return back to the US on the next Friday, either from Zurich or Geneva. We’re looking for great vistas of snow covered mountains, cute little towns to shop in, etc… a very laid back and relaxing time after spending the previous 2 weeks with 6 family members visiting Germany and France. We do not ski and are not that interested in museums this trip. I think Zermatt is a must …also Lucerne (and Mt Pilatus), Bernese Oberland and Interlaken? Additionally, Chur (via Glacier Express), Montreaux and many other places are appealing. Any suggestions as to the order of cities to visit (and the best scenic trains to use) as well as narrowing down the cities to visit (I know I can’t visit them all) or suggestions as to other cities/itineraries would be greatly appreciated. Thanks !!!

With just seven days I would pick two places and one IMO for 3-4 days or so would be Jungfrau region near Interlaken - ensonce yourselves in small mountain village like Wengen or larger one like Grindelwald and be eyeball to eyeball with soaring glcier-girdled peaks from your hotel. Trains and gondolas will be running everywhere. One problem getting rooms for a few days when in peal winter season hoteliers like to rent out by week or so (or weekends perhaps for you).

Zermatt is nice too but there are far more varied things to do in Jungfrau area IMO and Matterhorn could always be clouded or fogged over.

Lucerne would be nice for a few days. Bern is a neat old city - easy day trip from Lucerne, which is a short train ride from Zurich.

Forget Glacier Express as it would eat up a few days coming and going from that area.

For a scenic train take Golden Pass train between Interlaken and Lucerne.

Zurich is a nice large modern city that is nice for a day before flight.

Trains are great and even on limited time a Swiss Travel Pass or Half-Fare Card, etc. could be a boon - check www.sbb.ch; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com for lots on passes and Swiss trains.

I'd suggest

Basel to Interlaken and head for hills
Train to Lucerne for few days
day trip to Bern
Zurich.

Whatever you miss in Zermatt you'll find more of it Jungfrau Region except Matterhorn, reason why Zermatt is so famous. It's great for hikers and skiiers but in winter has limited offerings for others except cable cars to Matterhorn.

PalenQ, thanks very much for your reply. I hadn't really thought of Bern or the possible issue of getting hotel rooms for a few nights, as opposed to a week. i will definitely look into both. One thing I forgot to ask about was the issue of luggage on the trains. As we will be away for 3 weeks in total, we will have 2 large suitcases each. Is there lots of room on the trains for luggage storage?

Yes on Swiss trains lots of room but try to board early as the train probably starts in Basel. You have luggage racks above seats and by train entrances/exits - rather keep mine near me but usually no problem leaving large bags in racks by exits. Some folks bring a small chain/lock to secure them but if so do not block others from getting theirs out. You can also send bags ahead on Swiss trains to destination station for about 15 francs a bag.

Interlaken should always have some kind of accommodations for short term and is only a 20-minute train ride from Grindelwald and a myriad of mountain trains and cableways. Try to stay in the hills but if not Interlaken is rather nice.

All depends on your dates and on the weather:
The first half of December is low season everywhere in Switzerland whereas in winter sport areas high season will begin around December 20th.
There will be no Glacier Express trains until December 8th.
The famous Pilatus cog wheel railway doesn't run in winter.
December in the Swiss midlands is often cold, foggy and rainy and will not differ much from the weather you may have had on your Rhin cruise. Above the fog, that means in the mountains, there is often sun (but not always). Last year (December 2017) was rather cold and cloudy in the Alps. If the weather will be the same this year, you might better explore medieval cities, churches, castles and museums.

Glacier Express recently cancelled few days because of huge snow blockages.

PalenQ and Neckervd... Thanks very much for all the helpful information. I will begin planning things out and probably be back with more q's. Thanks Again !

You’ve already gotten some great advice. Let me just add: please get a good guidebook or two! The cost will be nominal in comparison to the cost of your trip, you will end up with a wealth of information at your fingertips, you will learn things you don’t even know to ask, and you will be MUCH better positioned to make choices that match your personal interests than you could ever be by relying on strangers on a forum (no matter their expertise). Good luck!

Kja, I totally agree about guidebooks. I actually have 2 that I am going thru each night. I am actually a HUGE traveller and have seen most of Europe (and a large part of the other continents) and planned the trips out myself from mostly reading guidebooks and researching things on the internet. Switzerland seems to be giving me some problems and that's why I reached out thru this forum. The extensive use of railways as well as all the gondolas and such seemed to throw me off a bit. As well as the time of year, it could be wintery but then again maybe it won't. Additionally, I am huge history buff and love old things...towns, castles, museums, etc... but I won't be doing them on this trip so, I am out of my comfort zone a bit. I think I should have my itinerary planned in the next few weeks and would love any additional suggestions after I post it. Thanks !!!

Hi I did that exact same cruise in july with son. We ended in Basel, took took the Swiss rail to Zurich, one hour, and to hotel for the night, left big bags there (at hotel in their locked room) train next day (and small bags) down to Zermatt from Zurich, about 4 hrs if I recall correctly, spent 2 nights (no cars in Zermatt, very touristy, and had an avalanche about a week ago and no trains were going in/out, so check on that), then up to Wengen by train, 2 nights about 4 hrs, some changes, no big deal, lovely village, lift up to Mannlichen a must, Monch, Jugfrau, Eiger over the village, gorgeous spot, check on weather. Check out Schonegg Hotel/Wengen great meals/ BF/ Dinner and views. Right in village and close to lift . Back to Zurich, 4 hrs or so, for a night to get bags, fly back out. Only helicopter in/out of Zermatt about a week ago so check that out. Sue

Re: your luggage -- Most train stations will have either luggage desks or luggage lockers or both; you can find costs, hours, and sizes on the Swiss Rail (sbb) website. And you also have luggage forwarding options; again, the information is available on the sbb website.

You might find some useful information in my trip report. Be sure to look at post # 28 and following, in which I detail some of what I did and didn't do in the western parts of Switzerland.
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...thanks-983126/

HI again, we got the Swiss Rail Pass 3 or 4 day flex pass, which paid fully for trains in country, and for mtn lifts, some small ship/Zurich, and seemed to be well worth it when you check the in country rail costs for place to place. As I recall we used it for Gornegaut in Zermatt, Very easy to use and can be purchased at Swiss train station, but I got mine over Internet to avoid any hassle from Swiss Rail. They are very responsive for answering questions. I did like Wengen much more than Zermatt, but depends on your likes/dislikes. Each has it merits, but the Mannlichen is unlike anything I've ever seen......such scenic beauty.....Sue

" Switzerland seems to be giving me some problems and that's why I reached out thru this forum. As well as the time of year, it could be wintery but then again maybe it won't"
You will have this problem along your whole Rhine cruise, not only in Switzerland.

Anything north of Alps pretty much is true of what neckervd says IME - could be really nice but cool and dreary -usually not cold enough for snow outside of Alps.

Sue81... thanks very much for both of your replies. They have been very helpful. I had thought Zermatt was a "must" but based on the replies of others and yourself, I will be replacing it with Wengen. I appreciate the hotel suggestion and will look into it Regarding the Swiss Pass, I was looking into the various routes and prices earlier today.Thanks !!!

kja... thanks for the think. I will definitely take a look

For some reason the idea of bad weather on the cruise doesn't bother me that much. However, bad weather in Switzerland would be a bummer... I will keep my fingers crossed !!!

I will definitely keep that in mind when planning things out

Swiss Travel Pass - I always end up doing more than I thought so if pass is even close to other options go for it - many museums also free and just jump on train - no need of getting tickets.