[Stormbringer11]

7 January 2024 at 19:24:13 #1050047

Hi, Just joined the forum and thanks for all the great reviews and inputs provided. It’s been really helpful! I am planning a 14 day trip to Switzerland from 11-25 May with my wife and 3 yr old which would be my first 🙂 Based on the information in the forum and videos, trip reports we have zeroed down on Zermatt, Interlaken, Zurich, Lucerne, Montreux. We love spending time outdoors and wanted to explore natural Swiss beauty (weather permitting). However we are also mindful that we will be travelling with a 3 yr old and are okay to take things easy. Also, we have taken our child to altitudes of 3200m onces w/o any challenge but happy to avoid any area based on inputs

I am providing a overview of the itinerary and key highlights that we would like to cover in each area. It would be great to get guidance and also answers to some specific questions which I had. TIA!

Day 1-3 : Zermatt (3 nights)

Day 1 : Fly into Geneva by 8 AM. Take the train to Zermatt and explore the town

Day 2 : Gornergrat, Sunnegga-Rothehorn

Day 3 : Klein Matterhorn, Schwarzee

Day 4-7: Interlaken (4 nights)

Day 4: Arrive in Interlaken by Noon. Cover Lake Thun. Lake Brienz, Harder Kulm

Day 5: Grindelwald First to Bachalpsee, Cable Car to Mannlichen, Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg

Day 6: Lauterbrunnen Valley. Hike from Stechelberg to Gimmelwald, Murren

Day 7: Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn

Day 8-9: Zurich (2 nights)

Day 8: Arrive in Zurich by mid-morning. Uetliberg, Lindt Chocolate factory, Old Town. Check into hotel

Day 9: Zoo, Boat Ride, Bahnhoffstrasse

Day 10-11: Lucerne (2 nights) –

Day 10: Arrive in Lucerne. Explore Lucerne

Day 11: Day trip to Mt. Titlis / Mt. Rigi

Day 12-13: Montreux (2 nights) –

Day 12: Goldenpass Express to Montreux. Glaicer via Gstaad. Visit Glacier 3000.

Day 13: Day trip to Mt. Titlis / Mt. Rigi

Day 14: Explore Montreux Chateau Chillon, Flower promenade etc. Depart for Geneva around 6 PM and stay for 1 night near Airport

Day 15: Fly out of Geneva by 11 AM

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[User]

Reply 1 of 3 • 7 January 2024 at 20:36:05 #1050050

Hi Stormbringer,

Very welcome to MySwissAlps.

Thank you for sharing your plans.  Happy to hear you have found the forum and website useful for your plans. Some great choices by the way.

However, I could not see your questions you had? Feel free to share and we’ll gladly assist as much as we can.

Kind regards,

Yolanda

[Stormbringer11]

Reply 2 of 3 • 8 January 2024 at 6:41:08 #1050058

Hi Yolanda,

Many thanks for your swift response. Apologies missed adding the specific questions in my excitement 🙂 These have been mentioned below. Once again deeply appreciate the help and support

1. Is the overall itinerary fine and doable with a 3 yr old?

2. Do you think the current order of places to cover is fine? Wanted to cover Goldenpass and had looked at the 1st option. Should I instead look at Montreux – Zermatt – Interlaken – Lucerne – Geneva? Also while I am cognizant that you can’t predict the weather, does it make sense to cover Jungfrau a little later?

3. Based on the itinerary what would be the right travel pass? Any recommendations for short scenic train rides (1-2 hrs)? My current assumption is that the transfers between different cities will account for the same but happy to be corrected

4. Should I use Zurich as a base and cover Lucerne in 2 day trips or stay in Lucerne for 2 nights? What would you recommend b/w Mt. Titlis and Mt. Rigi?

5. In case covering Matterhorn Glacier Paradise gets ruled out due to altitude concerns what would you recommend doing in Zermatt. The Sunnegga Rothorn lifts will only be operational from May 18

[Anna]

Reply 3 of 3 • 9 January 2024 at 12:42:18 #1058307

Hi Stormbirnger11,

Thanks for sharing your itinerary and concerns.

1. Travelling with small children is fairly challenging but could also be fun. I think what’s important is to be flexible and not to plan too many activities or excursions in one day. One or two should be sufficient. So your itinerary is definitely doable.
2. To minimise switchbacks, a practical route would be Geneva – Montreux – Interlaken – Lucerne – Zurich – Zermatt – Geneva. You might want to consider spending the last night near Geneva Airport. Or I would go with your alternative: Montreux – Zermatt – Interlaken – Lucerne – Geneva.
3. Regarding rail pass, based on your itinerary, I recommend getting a Swiss Travel Pass. You can find further information about this pass here: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/
4. Lucerne would be the best starting point for excursions to Mt Rigi and Mt Titlis. However it is possible to plan day trips to both destination from Zurich. You just have to allocate extra time for travelling. You can find useful tips on how to reach Mt Rigi and Mt Titlis in the following links:
   Mt Titlis: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/titlis/
   Mt Rigi: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/rigi/
5. For excursions to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, small children 3 years and above are allowed to travel all the way up to the top. If you are concern with altitude sickness you can ride half way to Schwarzsee or Trockener Steg. You can find further sightseeing options in Zermatt here: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/zermatt/

Hope this addresses your concerns. Let us know if you need more info.

Regards,

Anna