Switzerland with small kids rush trip
 

I have to opportunity to go to Switzerland for 2 weeks. About of 5 days of work in Geneva. Rest of the time I can take off. I thought I can bring my family along.
The catch is the trip is 2 weeks away. I am paying through the nose for the tickets still am excited and anxious to take the family along - 2 kids : 2 and 6.
Any help/advice I can get from forumers will help a lot.
- In terms of travelling with small kids
- places to stay and see
- Things to do / avoid
- Should we rely on trains or rent cars
- Since the airticket is burning a big hole in my pocket would like to save elsewhere while keeping the family safe.
Thanks a bundle!

Food and accommodation in Switzerland is expensive so you can save money (and have added convenience) if you rent a short term appartment. We rented one 18 months ago for 125chf per night for 4 people and could have found cheaper if we had booked further in advance. The only catch may be availability at late notice. They can be found by using a google search on the area or town that you want to stay at.

Personally, I would use trains and buses rather than a car as the public transport is very good. You can purchase a family card for the kids for 20chf which provides whem with free travel if you buy some sort of transport pass (e.g. Swiss Pass, Half Fare Card).

Obviously, not having heaps of luggage will make your lives easier. A baby backpack may be a good idea for the 2 year old (I mean one the infant goes in, not one that s/he carries!), especially if you want to do much walking.

If you have small kids and lots of stuff to take with you when travelling, I'd rent a car. More room and flexibility.

The kids can sleep better in a car than on a train too.

Hi mahjong2010,

Yes, I vote for the trains too. In addition to being FUN and convenient, they give you and your family the chance to interact with some locals instead of being isolated inside a car. Your six-year-old may get to meet some new friends!

Also, trains are more green, so you'll leave that Swiss air as clean as it was when you got there, yaaaay!!

Many first-time visitors enjoy the Jungfrau region, which has great Alps as well as a great infrastructure that makes it easy for travellers to get around in. I personally prefer the car-free villages of Wengen and Mürren, as others tend to get overrun with tour busses and cars in the summer months. For more information on the area, see

www.myjungfrau.ch

While you are on Lake Geneva, I hope you'll get to Montreux and to the castle of Chillon. You may want to get to the Jungfrau region on the Golden Pass scenic train route that goes by Gstaad and Zweisimmen. More info at

www.goldenpass.ch

Hope you enjoy the planning!

s

I think trains are great for kids. More space, they're not strapped in, can play on the floor. And the toilet's at the end of the car. The only problem is luggage. The six-year-old could pull her own little bag. But you'd need to bring diapers/nappies for the two-year-old.

Best would to rent an apartment in some central location and do short day trips by train, bus, and boat. Public transportation in Switzerland is superb. And an apartment would allow the 2-year-old to nap in one room while everybody else is in another room. Or the adults can talk and watch TV at night while the kids sleep. Plus you can make baby meals and keep snacks in the refrigerator.

If you adaptto the kids, this will make a great trip for your family.

Just an hour outside of Geneva & easy to reach by train are the cities/towns of Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux. These are very scenic and right on Lac Leman. You could rent an apartment there. Maybe not for your entire stay but it's a great location with a lot to see and do, and very easy access to Geneva airport for flying in and out. It's also relatively flat on the quai that runs the lakefront in the three towns (assuming you'll have a stroller along?)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Just 6 days left and still planning. One question. Are there reliable ways of finding apartments/B&B to rent? Anything to be aware of?
We arrive in Zurich and take a flight back from Geneva.
Currently thinking Zurich (stay a couple of days), Jungfrau/Interlaken (3-4 days), Montreux/Lausanne (2 days), Geneva (5-6 days due to work).
Would this work?
Thanks a bundle!

What? You have not reserved your accomodation yet since your first post? It's not a low season, I hope you are aware of that. Already the choices must be really limited. One question, while you are working what do you do with your kids?

Hi again,

You can find apartments at the websites for each town you'll be visiting -- however, they normally rent for a full week, Saturday to Saturday. For the Jungfrau region, use the site I noted above; for Montreux use

www.montreux.ch

www.montreux-vevey.com

At each site, specify whether you want an apartment, a guest house, or a hotel.

To find a B&B, use

www.bnb.ch

where you can search by geography or town name.

Yes, I think your itinerary will work fine!

s

I just got back from a trip (Germany / Netherlands) with a 16 month old. We had a car, which we considered essential with luggage. I don't know if a train would have been easier or more difficult as our little one doesn't like the car that much, but we made it successful for us by keeping her busy. You can read about our trip here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...rning-long.cfm

Lavandula

"More space, they're not strapped in, can play on the floor."

Trains are not private playrooms. Everyone on the train - including families - should be considerate of other passengers. If the kids don't know how to play quietly, then a rental car is better.

Hi again,

Some trains have family cars with play areas:

http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisezeit/d...ilienwagen.htm

s

Now if only families who weren't in them would remember where they were (some, not all of course)! As I noted in my recent BO trip report, we had to throw ourselves off the train (the other option being throw ourselves under the train) to get away from a kid that was annoying the rest of the passengers (while Mom and Dad smiled on adoringly).

Thanks Kappa1 (and everyone else),
A couple of unforeseen issues almost jeopardized the trip. Now its on - tickets, visas etc. all worked out.
Realized its getting very very close.
While I'm working wife and kids will continue to sightsee in the Geneva area.

Uh oh. Do you realize that the internationally famous Montreux Jazz Fest is going on 2-17 July? I doubt you'll find a room in Montreux, but you may get lucky with Vevey.

Have fun!

s

Thanks again. We'll try to be there during the second half, may be 17th-19th before heading to Geneva for work. 20-23 I'll be working in Geneva.
I've contacted several apartment places. Many want 7-day (Sa-Sa or Su-Su) contracts. How'd be B&B or hotels with small kids.
I'm also thinking if we are out all day is there specific advantage to having an apartment? vs B&B vs Hotel with breakfast?

Hi again,

I don't have kids so don't know how a B&B would work with kids. Many B&Bs at the site I noted above give a discount for children; I think you'd want to get two rooms, but you could share one bath. I think the montreux-vevey site lets you do a search for B&B as well as for apartment or hotel.

I personally like having an apartment. I eat my major meal at lunch and then just have a picnic using the apartment kitchen. But, as you know, it's hard to get an apartment for less than a week.

s