15484 posts
Hi RC,
Well, I can come up with an itinerary. Itโs a suggestion that you would have to review to see whether it fits your ideas. If you want to see snowcapped mountains in summer, you would have to visit the highest peaks. So therefor I would suggest this route:
โ Day 1: Bernina Express: Lugano โ Tirano (bus), Tirano โ St. Moritz (train)
โ Day 2: Glacier Express: St. Moritz โ Zermatt
โ Day 3: Zermatt
โ Day 4: Brig โ Kandersteg โ Spiez โ Interlaken (Jungfrau region)
โ Day 5: Jungfrau region
โ Day 6: Interlaken โ Munich
Itโs lots of trains and mountains in a few days ๐
72625 posts
Hi Arno
Thank you for your advise.
Although like you I think itโs lots of train travel. Considering we will be continuing our train travels from Munich to Salzburg to Prague.
I really want to go to Zermatt but not sure how to fit it in if we are coming from Lake Como. Just seems like the Glacier Express is an long journey and not sure if I will enjoy being on a train for that long.
Also do you know if we focus on the Eastern part of Switzerland what the nicest places are and the easiest (cheapest) way to get to Munich should we decide to stay in the area?
Always grateful for any advise ๐
Cheers
RC
7121 posts
Hello RC. If you want to spend less time in the train, you may consider to skip either Zermatt or the eastern part of Switzerland/the Glacier Express trip. Itโs possible to get from Lake Como to Zermatt in a more direct way as well, using the connection via Bellinzona, Gรถschenen, Andermatt and Brig. This is part of the Glacier Express route too, but you wouldnโt have to make the entire trip all the way from St. Moritz. The timetable shows all connections and will help you plan your itinerary.
As for places in the eastern part of Switzerland: the Engadine in the south-east is absolutely beautiful. St. Moritz is a bit touristy and expensive, but nearby towns such as Celerina, Samedan or Bever are wonderful. Further to the north Iโd recommend Walenstadt or another town along the Walensee.
When traveling to Munich from the eastern part of Switzerland, you can best get to Zurich first, where direct train connections are available. If you have a Swiss rail pass, it will be valid up to the Swiss border and offer either free travel or discount for the Swiss leg. Additionally, you would have to pay for the German leg of the trip. Prices can be found through the timetable as well (just choose a connection, click Fare/Buy and follow the steps in the process until prices are mentioned).
72625 posts
How lucky you are to have seven weeks to explore Europe! I, too, was asking a lot of questions and felt overwhelmed trying to plan a long trip, until I bought a Rick Steves guide. Rick Steves Europe will be a fantastic resource for you. If you are particularly interested in a certain city there are special guides. I was going to Switzerland and Venice. After getting his guides for these areas I got totally clear on what I wanted to see and how to focus on what I really wanted out of my travels. It is very enjoyable reading and pretty much answers all your questions. He gives you different itineraries depending on how long youโll spend in an area, what to see if you only have one days, etc. Plus budget eating and sleeping options and all your transporation options between places. Reading this guide will give you a lot of confidence about your travel choices and put you at ease.
Colleen
72625 posts
Thank you kindly for you your replies.
We have decided on the following:
Travelling from Varenna
2 nights in Murren
2 nights in Luzern
1 night in Zurich
Tavelling to Munich afterwards.
I have tried to use the sbb website and although I donโt think its user friendly I have managed to get the following prices:
Varenna โ Murren 90CHF pp
Murren โ Luzern 48CHF pp
Luzern โ Zurich 24CHF pp
Zurich โ Munich 95CHF pp
So just to get to our destination without any other transport its will cost approx 455CHF for the both of us.
Could this possibly be correct. Iโve been reading that Switzerland is expensive but boy I wasnโt expecting to spend that much.
Can anyone advise a cheaper alternative please? We are only in Switzerland for 5 days but Iโm starting to think I may need to cut it out altogether. I have flights booked out of Prague on 1 Aug.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated please.
Rcorso
15484 posts
Hi RC. Those prices look like theyโre fine. Have you reviewed the rail passes on our website? The 3-day Swiss Saver Flexi Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card could very well fit your needs.