Sue81

Only problem is that with one big bag of luggage, you are schlepping the big bag all over Switzerland, but if you have a second small bag, just dump the big one for free at a good hotel with a locked luggage room, and then return to the same hotel for a night if possible, to reclaim luggage, and to fly out....I also have good locks on my suitcase, and secure with the little plastic locks so you know if opened. You have to arrange this when you book the hotel, but I would only do this at certain hotels that I have some knowledge of........... Sue

Dianedancer

The OP said they have TWO BIG bags a piece!

cheyness

Diane... thanks for the info about your Zermatt visit last January. Regarding luggage, yes we will have 2 large bags when we arrive in Basel at the tail end of a journey that would have begun 2 weeks prior to getting to Basel. We will also have a small roller bag that we will be using as carry on... yes, it's a lot of luggage for a 3 week trip but we also do like to shop along the way The large bags will be dropped at our hotel in Zurich (where we will be staying the night before we fly back to the US) and picked up when we get there later in the trip. Zurich is not that far from Basel and it's a simple "drop and dash" at the hotel and then our vacation will begin. No biggie. For us, its what we feel most comfortable with. The small roller bag is what we will be taking with us thru Switzerland. We actually did this last year when we went to Machu Piccchu. Once we landed in Cusco, we left our bags there and only took a small bag with us to Machu Picchu and a few other places and got our luggage from the Cusco hotel when we checked in a week later. It worked great. As long as the hotel is reputable, it's quite a nice way to travel. Sue has been kind enough to give some hotel recommendations and I think we will use them.

PalenQ

With lots of luggage you may want to go first class on trains as there is more room for luggage as there are less seats in same car size and often fewer travelers in first class with ample empty seats.

But do not put bags on an empty seat if the train is full!

Sue81

Hi Necker, I thought they were starting in Basel to Zurich and coming back there/Zurich, before they leave a week later? I don't think they are going to Berne? but Zurich/Zermatt/Wengen, I think. So drop big bags in Zurich and return 5 or 6 days later. Maybe I did not understand this or did I? Sue

Sue81

Also hotels/ nicer ones, generally do not charge for holding the bags if you start there and return, but you have to be careful a bit on the hotels you use. This is why I use the little plastic locks on my bags/Travel Mags, esp with Delta Airlines, who loves to go thru my bags and take things. This way at least you know if they got into the bags, but it doesn't stop Delta unfortunately. Got some of my new nice tee shirts last trip. Sue

neckervd

TO SUE:
"Hi Necker, I thought they were starting in Basel to Zurich and coming back there/Zurich, before they leave a week later? I don't think they are going to Berne? but Zurich/Zermatt/Wengen, I think. So drop big bags in Zurich and return 5 or 6 days later. Maybe I did not understand this or did I? Sue "

Hi sue,
frankly, after 66 posts I don't know any longer where the OP will go eventually. He spoke about Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Zermatt, that means places in the Western half of Switzerland which have nothing to do with the Basel - Zurich itinerary. But if he wants to go to Zurich twice (a waste of time IMO), he can deposit his luggage there, of course!

PalenQ

just send luggage by train to your hotel in Zurich and save making an extra trip.

cheyness

Sue is correct with the itinerary, she has it down pat: Get off cruise in Basel, then, Zurich/Zermatt/Wengen/Zurich Yes, I had originally thought of maybe Bern and Lucerne also but I really want to go to Zermatt. And Wengen was picked due to Palen's and Sue's suggestion. I was thinking Interlaken originally but really liked Wengen when i began to look into it.

cheyness

Palen...I just don't feel comfortable sending luggage by train without me with it. I know many say it's a waste of time but it's what we're comfortable with. And about your earlier post regarding trains, we are defintitely doing 1st class and I would never take up a seat with luggage it someone needed somewhere to sit..

PalenQ

Many here think first class a waste of money but if doing passes it's not that much more really - especially in light of hotel expenses, etc. Agree about sending luggage ahead.

PalenQ

To find lggage space eaiser on trains board as early as possible - if a train originates in your departure city get on as soon as it rolls in

neckervd

Among the trains of interest for the OP:
Interlaken bound trains originate all at Basel SBB.
Visp (Zermatt) bound trains originate either at Basel SBB or at Romanshorn
Zurich bound trains originate at Basel SBB, Brig or Geneva
1st class wagons are usually not crowded, except those between Zurich and Berne resp vice versa

cheyness

Palen and Neckervd ...thanks for the train tips !

Sue81

hi Cheyness, One last thought, we found the Zurich train station a bit difficult to find our train. so allow a bit more time to find the train to Zermatt. There was a very long line for the one info place, maybe 25 people in line, so go early. This may be our own stupidity but it was very busy and confusing for us. Go early, pick up food for train? Sue

PalenQ

No trains from Zurich to Zermatt but have to change at Brig-Visp to narrow-gauged trains to Zermatt. www.sbb.ch I believe gives platform numbers of your Swiss trains.

but Zurich train is very big.

PalenQ

Zurich train station is very big - not trains though they can be very long.

Sue81

Hi Cheyness/Palen.... Cheyness when reading my emails, Palen is more familiar with this than I am, so if something differs, listen to her, OK? Sue

neckervd

Zurich isn't a small station, but it's almost impossible to get lost. There are tons of panels leading you to the right track. Visp (Zermatt) bound trains start all at track 31 or 32 (same platform), every hr from 7.02 until 19.02.
Only exception: the train Zurich dp 6.02 leaves from track 15

Sue81

Pallen, I think I could have lost a day use on the Swiss Rail train use if I used my rail pass for the street cars in Zurich. I had a 4 day rail pass for 7 days in Switzerland. It is pretty confusing for individuals with the flex pass, or at least for me. Sue