Switzerland in March
 

we are going to Switzerland in mid march for 4 days. we will have our base close to Zurich. we would like to have some suggestions for day trips. we are planning to have one day to Luzerne (mount pilate or Rigi). I am thinking another day in interlaken area (which may be a bit far but maybe duable). any suggestions would be great!

Why are you basing in Zurich - family or so reason - most would say Lucerne or Interlaken or Lake Geneva makes a better base - Lucerne and lake Lucerne and its panoply of sites are a short train ride from Zurich - are you going by train or car?

But though Interlaken is not so far if you want to do the classic Jungffraujoch train then it would take all day to go there and back and cost a few hundred bucks to boot (the Jungfraujoch train itself being exorbitantly expensive - much more so than normal trains.

If traveling around 4 days by train check out the 4-consecutive-day Swiss Pass, which also passes on lake boats (probably running a limited schedule on Lake Zurich and lake Lucerne in March- maybe not) and city trams and buses and gives free entry to 400+ Swiss museums such as those in Lucerne or Zurich (Zurich has some world-class museums).

For lots of great info on Swiss trains and places to go by train check out these IMO superb sites - www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. If not going as far as Interlaken then probably just regular tickets would be cheaper but if going to Interlaken the pass would take you 100% covered to places like Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, right up in the heart of the Alps - dreamy places where the dreamy Switzerland etched in your minds' eyes will be fulfilled - it won't be in Zurich or Lucerne or cities.

Though Engleberg and Mt Titlis near Lucerne are awesome places that are similar to the Grindelwald-=Lauterbrunnen areas.

In March, all those fabulous sights could well be socked in by fog. Snow and ice are also possible concerns.

Yes March weather can be fickle - but Switzerland has excellent weather forecasts and web cams everywhere so check the weather for Pilatus, Rigi, Interlaken area, etc first and if a nice day hop on it - in poor weather Bern is still a great city, one of the nicest I've been to so keep that in mind too.

I would spend the time in or near Luzern---gives you options.