Switzerland June or July?
 

Hi All,
I am planning a trip to Switzerland. I am curious if you all think May,June or July would be a better time to visit. I plan on basing in Lucerne with day trips(flying into and out of Zurich). I feel this may be easier as I have some physical issues and moving to a new place daily will be too much for me, Lucerne looks like it is close enough to many things I'd like to see. I am a female solo traveller and photographer mostly interested in seeing the beautiful countryside, mountains and quaint villages. I understand there is a large arts/music festival in Lucerne in July, is it worth slightly higher prices and larger crowds? I am researching rail passes as I understand Switzerland train travel is quite expensive. Any thoughts or recommendations are welcome. Sorry if I am rambling.

If basing in Lucerne, fine, the railpass you may want to look at would be the Berner Oberland Pass covering the Lucerne and Interlaken-Jungfrau area but a pass may not be worth it depending on types of day trips you are doing - for lots on Swiss trains check www.swbb.ch; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.

If you are not planning to do higher-altitude hiking, I would choose either May or June. I have stayed in Luzern at end-April, with beautiful spring weather more than once.

You've probably mapped out several of your day trips already, but I would like to suggest several of my lesser-known favorites. You can investigate and see if any strike your interest!
Zug-lakeside, with a quaint core, but small old town. 20 mins by train
Einsiedeln-Rococco monastery with famed 'Black Madonna' statue inside and famous horses behind.
1 hr 10 min
Brienz-famed wood-carving town with wooden chalets climbing steeply uphill. On beautiful Lake Brienz (you could catch the boat from Interlaken Ost). Quick bus ride up to outdoor 'museum' Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg. Local mountain Rothorn. 1 hr 30 min
Rapperswil, on the southern end of Lake Zurich. Castle (now housing a polish museum) and Parish Church, Capuchin Monastery, deer park and small marina with cafes. 1 hr 20 mins.
Bern-LOVE this small city's nooks and crannies, older sections near Aar river, rosegardens above town, much to see! 1 hr 30min
Underrated local mountain trip= Stanserhorn with Open Air Cambria gondola. 45-60 minutes.
Of course, your immediately accessible Pilatus Kulm.....so many great local things to see (without travelling up to the Jungfrau ;-) ).

I was advised against May when I planned my time in Switzerland because the weather in many of the highlands would be precarious.

June worked well for me -- I encountered a very few unexpected weather disruptions, but wildflowers were abloom and waterfalls leaplingly full. By the end of the month, the wildflowers were disappearing and the waterfalls thinning.

If you haven't seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...thanks-983126/

Thanks so much!

Thank you very much! I will look into all of these, many are of interest to me. Thanks for taking the time!

Thank you, I will check them out.

As May is a down season in Alps many cable cars and chairlifts may be shut due to repair work at that slack time.

Don't expect to have no rain at all (no big difference between May and June) if you go to a rather rainy area like Lucerne.

The visits of Einsiedeln and Rapperswil can be combined:
Lucerne - Voralpen Express - Biberbrugg - Einsiedeln - Biberbrugg - Voralpenexpress - Rapperswil - Lake Zurich boat - Thalwil - train - Lucerne

If Brienzer Rothorn, then roundtrip Lucerne - Schuepfheim - Soerenberg - Brienzer Rothorn - Brienz - Bruenig - Lucerne

Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano are closer to Lucerne than most people think: just 2 hrs by (direct) train OW

If you go to Berne, go one way along the scenic itinerary via Trubschachen - Langnau im Emmental
https://emmental.ch/en/
https://www.kambly.com/en/ausflug/67...Experience.htm

In May/June the visit of the Aar Gorge is highly recommended (a lot of water from smelting snow in the mountains); can be combined with Ballenberg, Brienz or Giessbach waterfalls and historic hotel.

I personally would (and have) select (ed) May and early June over July. Fewer tourists, lower accommodation prices and plentiful flowers. And yes, the occasional closure. Best to check opening times for what interests you the most - that might be the deciding factor right there.

My trip report from our latest visit to Switzerland in May, early June.

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...-cows-1461081/

Thanks everyone! As it turns out, I had to choose dates in July due to scheduling issues. I was leaning toward June, but the decision was made for me.

Book hotels NOW

Thanks for the advice! I am booked.