kja

Re: Pontresina and alternatives: As I already noted, Pontresina gives you great access options for the region as a whole. But you might consider splitting your time between the Upper and Lower Engadine, with some time in either Pontresina or somewhere in Silvaplana for the Upper Engadine and Scoul or tiny Guarda for the Lower Engadine.

Even with 35 days, you can’t see all of Switzerland’s delights, so I wouldn’t worry too much about what you are skipping. That said, I skipped Appenzell (a tough call, but a necessary one) and so I can’t speak to what you will miss if you don’t go there.

(BTW, I did NOT find RS helpful in planning my time in Switzerland. Of the half-dozen or so guidebooks I used, I found the Michelin Green and Rough Guide most helpful.)

How much time to spend at each base depends, of course, on what you want to see and do. I’m sure you’ll have to make some difficult choices – I know I did! When doing so, you might want to consider making sure you have the time you want in the areas that are hardest to reach. As just one quick example, Zurich is each to reach and so would be easier to include on a subsequent trip than some of the other places you plan to visit. Not that I’m suggesting that you SHOULD shortchange it! In contrast, getting to the Engadine isn't quite so easy, and so making sure you take the time there that you want might be worth considering.

Hope that helps!

swanny65

Thanks, kja! It sure does help. Really appreciate your input on the Engadine region. That makes a lot of sense to give ourselves enough time to enjoy some of the harder-to-reach areas, even if it means trimming elsewhere.
Thanks, too, about the guidebook feedback. I took your initial recommendation to heart and have ordered the Green Guide. I've also got holds on the Rough Guide and a few other books at the library.
Cheers!

kja

As you are learning, Switzerland may be a small country, but it offers a wealth of options. I'm glad to know that you are finding some value in my input! Your trip will be wonderful no matter what you choose.

neckervd

" Engadine region. That makes a lot of sense to give ourselves enough time to enjoy some of the HARDER TO REACH areas"
HARDER TO REACH?
Let's have a look at the timetable:

Zurich - Scuol-Tarasp (Engiadina Bassa): 2 1/2 hrs by train, 1 train change
Zurich - Muerren: 3 hrs by train, 4 train changes
Zurich - Zermatt: 3 1/4 hrs by train, 1 train change

PalenQ

Saas-Fe or Zermatt - well both are nice but you gotta see the Matterhorn and IMO for average traveler Zermatt area is easier to get around - do a day trip fromZermatt to Saas-Fe or v.v.

Sue81

Hi Swanny, Do keep Wengen on your list, it is awesome, I was there in 7/17, just a lovely spot for hiking or hanging out, great scenic beauty with the huge mtns over the village. I liked it better than Murren, as while Murren is unique, it seemed a big closed in compared to the vast area over Wengen and esp the Mannlichen area, up the lift. I also liked Zermatt, altho very touristy and very different than Wengen, the train up to the Gornergaut has great vistas, and the dining is very good in Zermatt. My two cents here. I also like Zurich but a bit pricey. Sue I can suggest hotels in Wengen or Zermatt if interested.

neckervd

" I see Rick Steves recommends Appenzell. Am I missing something life-changing by not going there? "

NO!
I lived in this area during some 5 years and know everything there. Green and rainy Appenzellerland is nice to see if one is in the wider area anyway, but it's not a must.

Melnq8

A poster after my own heart - 35 days in Switzerland!

I'm a huge fan of Switzerland - these days we primarily base ourselves in the Lower Engadine and the Surselva district in Graubunden - Scuol has been our base for four visits of 5-7 nights each, and we've also based in Ilanz a few times. These are off-the-beaten path areas for most overseas tourists. While I think you definitely need to see the Berner Oberland, because you have so much time you might consider looking at these options as well.

I don't know if you're run across my Swiss trip reports here, but here are a couple that might help with your planning:

The Engadine calls us back...again

We're here!

"Too Much Cows"

Melnq8

PS - and for what it's worth, we find the Half Fare Card the best option for longer trips, but you have to crunch the numbers to see if it works for you and your particular plans.

PalenQ

• Take Gotthard Panorama Express to Lugano. Stay somewhere smaller and scenic near Lugano? A week?
• Glacier Express to Zermatt or Saas-Fe?>

One way to work Bernina Express in and then Glacier Express is to from Lugano take the Bernina Express Bus to Tirano, Italy where you hop off the bus and onto the Bernina Express to St Moritz and or Chur and then take Glacier Express to Zermatt area - after spending some time in the wonderful Engadine area.

PalenQ

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...trains-571126/

A bit old but the scenic trains in general remain the same. If taking several of those some kind of Swiss Travel Pass will be a good deal - again maybe combine with Half-Fare Card (which can also be bought in Switzerland at any station - cheapest one good for one month though not for 35 days.

kja

@ neckervd: My specific comparison I made was between the Engadine and Zurich. The more general point would depend on where, exactly, the OP goes and in what order.

swanny65

Hi everyone,
More wonderful links to explore. Thank you, Melnq8, for the trip reports. I can't wait to dive into them. And so nice to get your input. You helped me immensely with my New Zealand itinerary, which worked out brilliantly. Thank you so much.
Thanks for your wonderful train report, PalenQ. I'm going to escape the rain this weekend by reading all these resources in depth. And your suggestions for including more of the panoramic journeys are much appreciated.
Neckervd, thanks for weighing in on Appenzell. Good to know. It's off the list. You really know your way around those transportation schedules. Do you mostly use the SBB site, or do you have other favourites?
Sue81, I'd love your hotel suggestions. We hope to find apartments in most places, but given the busy time of year and my late booking, pickings are slim. And, yes, thanks to all the great input from Fodorites, I'm keeping Wengen on our must-visit list.
Thanks, everybody!

kja

Wengen isn't a place to visit -- it's a place to stay when visiting the Bernese Oberland.

PalenQ

Yes Wengen is a transit point at best or lovely place to base but little there besides some stores and restaurants.

Melnq8

<Yes Wengen is a transit point at best or lovely place to base but little there besides some stores and restaurants>

Comments like these make me wonder how much time Pal has actually spent in Switzerland. Wengen makes an excellent base, especially for those who enjoy the great outdoors and hiking. There are so many beautiful walking tracks in the area, I could, and have, spent several weeks there over many visits. Same for Murren - not everyone travels fly-by - some of us actually spend quality time in the areas we visit, exploring every nook and cranny on foot.

Yes, it comes down to your personal travel style, but please be aware that there's a helluva lot more to Switzerland than the trains.

Sue81

Swanny, You mentioned Zermatt, If you want an interesting place to stay in Zermatt, check out the Omnia Hotel in Zermatt. It is pricey, but very unique with a entrance sort of into a mountain and built up high somewhat over the village, with the entrance on ground level. the little underground museum is right at ground level as is the church with the climbers cemetary. They pick up at the train and bring you by small cart right into the mountain/James Bond sort of/ or the elevator that goes up to the sign in desk. Fun place with a gorgeous pool on the ground level/ google it. Sue

PalenQ

Comments like these make me wonder how much time Pal has actually spent in Switzerland.>

I've no doubt spent much more time than you in Switzerland - I traveled the country annually for a few weeks for decades - much for research for dozens of articles I did for publication. I have been to every knook and cranny just about. I am especially familiar with the Jungfrau Region, my favorite region in Switzerland. I have visited every place there several times including Wengen - done every major hike - taken every conveyance, etc.



Now my Wengen comment was to the OP swanny65 who said they were basing elsewhere but were 'keeping Wengen in the list of places to see' - to which I responsed that it was only (for them) a transit village at most - nothing there to see per se. If you would have read that post you would have realized what I meant - to her. I should had done like kja did and added Wengen is a good base else. And I have been through Wengen several times and walked around it just to see what it was like and if you read myposts must you will not that I always recommend staying in Wengen because of what so many folks have said good about it on Fodor's. (Actually not cup of tea as it is too quiet and boring for me - I rather like the busier bigger Grindelwald or even Interlaken.)

Now I have not been to Switzerland in several years (due to physical problems beyond my control) and always keep my comments general or about things I learn from others like you - so I try to keep up with things too but that don't matter and most things I post are general and timeless in nature and will continue to do so.

Cheers!

And here are two threads I started based on my many Swiss travels:


Switzerland's Iconic Postal Buses...A Whole Different Switzerland!

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...trains-571126/

swanny65

Thanks, Sue, for the hotel choice. Thanks, PalenQ, for the additional links. And thanks, Melnq8, for the encouragement to look beyond the trains.
I've got my head deep into securing accommodation at the moment, so apologies if I don't check back as frequently as I should, but to everyone, I am so grateful for all the help so far. Thank you!

Sue81

Ok swanny, the Omnia in Zermatt was quite pricey, but I splurged to take my son on a very nice holiday. I also liked the Schonegg Hotel in WEngen, which was very near the lift up to the Mannlichen, and had great breakfast/dinner/fullboard, which I thought was wise to include in cost. Lovely views of the Jungfrau/Monch from the Schonegg which is up a bit for great views. Both hotels greatly exceeded my expectations in Zermatt and Wengen.