[Anonymous]

15 June 2019 at 18:04:00 #822285

Hi,

Need some guidance on itinerary planning please. We have planned to visit Switzerland from 6-10 Sep but could potentially extend till about the 12th, if the itinerary calls for it. At the end of the Swiss leg, we proceed next to Paris next by train.

We fly into Geneva on the 6th and we are a family of 4, with 2 kids, one of whom will be almost 6 and the other 22m, at the time of travel. This is our first time to Europe, so our primary focus is to get some great views of the Alpine region plus actually visit them if possible (I say this because of the 22m Old in tow) and engage in kid/family friendly activities.

Right now on the itinerary, I have the following:

Gruyeres – cheese factory

Broc – chocolate factory

Ballenberg open air museum

– Rochers de Naye

Visit some of the mountains but this I haven’t planned yet. Need to get more info before we finalize.

Few questions I have please:

1) What’s a good area to stay in where we can cover these?

We also want to see some of the Alps with the kids. Which ones do you recommend especially with the baby of 22m and should we change location to cover this?

2) Can all of this be done without a guided tour? What kinds of things would require a tour guide?

3) What are the other activities can you recommend given our kids ages and period of stay?

4) Is there a good funicular we can attempt with the kids?

5) Is it going to stifle our trip traveling into Geneva as opposed to Zurich?

TIA! Hope someone can help with the above.

Regards,

Desh

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[User]

Reply 1 of 16 • 16 June 2019 at 11:07:23 #915239

Hello Desh and family and Welcome to MySwissAlps,

Nice to hear you’re all coming to Switzerland!

Please read the following links to provide you with valid input about planning your trip in Switzerland, about the ways of travelling (Switzerland’s train system is among the best worldwide) and also about Switzerland, generally. You won’t need a guided tour for this trip, as traveling by train is easy and comfortable, you can of course, look at a customised itinerary for your family, if this is convenient for you.
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ge ttingstarted
– http://www.myswissalps.com/tr avel
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ab outswitzerland
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities
– http://www.myswissalps.com/cu stomholidays

One of the advantages of Switzerland is that it’s relatively small allowing to explore quite a part of the country within acceptable traveling times and that children up to 6 years of age travel entirely free on any train in the country.
Use the timetable provided below to calculate exact traveling times and connections for any journey in Switzerland. Make sure you read how it works, it’s a fabulous tool for planning.
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

Find input about Geneva and the area around Lake Geneva in below links. Make sure you check all the tabs per link:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ge neva
– http://www.myswissalps.com/la kegenevawest
– http://www.myswissalps.com/la kegeneva
– http://www.myswissalps.com/mo ntreux

It doesn’t make a great difference where you start your journey, if in Zurich or Geneva, you can make this dependant on the best flight offer you find, as again, you can quite easily reach any area of Switzerland from both airports, please use the timetable again.
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ai rports/geneva
– http://www.myswissalps.com/ai rports/zurich

Regarding rail tickets or passes for the adults (kids travel for free) as well as for your departure towards Paris please check below link:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses
– http://www.myswissalps.com/tr aintickets/france

I hope this provides enough information to set you off planning. Feel free to get back to us anytime for further input .

Best,
Steph

[User]

Reply 2 of 16 • 16 June 2019 at 12:07:12 #915240

Thanks very much Steph! I will go through the links provided..

[User]

Reply 3 of 16 • 23 June 2019 at 17:36:48 #915241

Hi Steph,

Since your message, I’ve put down a very tentative initial plan. Appreciate some thoughts.

So in terms of activities, what we’d like to do are:

– Visit some of the Alps… ones I had in mind Pilatus, Titlis, Stanserhorn, Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch, Matterhorn, Rigi .
– Kid/Family friendly activities. I noted the – Ballenberg Museum – Gruyeres Cheese factory, chocolate factory which one Broc or Cailler. We also end the trip in Germany, so I’m not fussed if we can’t do this since I read this is possible there too – I read Mürren has a nice adventure trail for kids. Is this worth doing? – Rochers de Naye – Geneva, city tour
– Visit a picturesque lake(s)

So my questions are:
– Since this is our first time to Europe/Switzerland, what would you say are the must-dos from the list or maybe you have other suggestions? I know everything is obviously not possible given time and kids in tow. Also, which peaks can we visit which wouldn’t be a problem for the 22m toddler – subject to doctor clearance of course.
– For that agenda, would you recommend 1 base or 2?
– Which area would you recommend we stay? I was thinking 1st base to be Montreux or Lausanne (for Montreux activities + day trip to Jung) and maybe 2nd base Lucerne (do the activities in that areas; Travel to Paris from Lucerne. What do u think?
– How can I plug in a funicular into any of these activities? Is it safe with a toddler?

Sorry about the long message! Advanced apologies if questions are basic. Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Deshani

[User]

Reply 4 of 16 • 24 June 2019 at 10:13:17 #915242

Hi Deshani,

One or two bases would be fine I’d say, depending on the final length of your stay.

I think Montreux and/or only Lucerne would be perfect as base(s) for your stay, check out below links to find out about activities in both areas, I’m quite sure your days will fill up quickly, both places offer lots to do and see:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne/activities
– http://www.myswissalps.com/mo ntreux/activities

Alternatively you can also look at the region of the Bernese Oberland, which also offers lots of attractions and especially mountain experiences:
– http://www.myswissalps.com/be rneseoberland/activiti es

I personally would not go over 3’000 meters with a toddler, I’ll attach the “Medical Recommendation” of the Jungfraujoch for you to read.

However you will find lot’s of lower mountains to visit, accessible with different modes of SAFE mountain transportation for everyone, cable cars, funiculars and cogwheel trains.

Don’t forget to use the timetable provided in my first answer to plan day trips, etc. in detail.

Happy planning.

Best,
Steph

Attachments:

1. 821a08fd-0c84-49b1-9b4f-c24ceb0df053.pdf

[User]

Reply 5 of 16 • 3 July 2019 at 15:24:09 #915243

Hi,

Itinerary is slowly coming together. Would appreciate some input to fine tune it better… Please see below.

Family of 2 adults and 2 kids (5y & 22m)

6 Sep – Land in Geneva; Transfer to hotel in Montreux (have kept this day to settle after an 18hour flight)

7 Sep – Gruyeres Cheese factory & La Maison Caillers

8 Sep – Chillon Castle & Lake Geneva

9 Sep – Move to next base????? (Considering GOlden Pass depending on location of next base)

10-12 Sep cover:

Rigi & Lake Lucerne

Schilthorn

Stanserhorn (if possible)

13 Sep – Lucerne to Basel to Paris

We have 2 half days on 9 & 13 Sep and will cover Ballenberg Museum on one of them. The other potentially, Brienz Rothorn.

Few questions:

What’s a good base after Montreux for us to cover Schilthorn & Rigi/Stanserhorn? I’m looking for something with nice views and hopefully not exorbitantly expensive. Have found some beautiful places in the middle in Brienz but it involves 2-3hour travel each way to each of the places we want to visit and with 2 kids, I don’t know if it’s feasible. Was looking in Lucerne but couldn’t find anything with nice views at a reasonable price. How should I be doing this…. Which area should we staying in? Is Brienz practical? Any surrounding areas to Lucerne with nice views but not totally out of the way? How is Rothenburg?

Is the above itinerary too ambitious? Anything I should skip?

Anything I can add on to the itinerary?

Your feedback would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Deshani

[Annika]

Reply 6 of 16 • 4 July 2019 at 12:38:12 #915244

Hi Deshani!

It’s a challenge indeed to find a good base that allows for day trips to Schilthorn, Ballenberg, Brienzer Rothorn, Rigi and Stanserhorn. These destinations are pretty far apart, so even if you stay somewhere in the middle (e.g. in Brienz), you’ll still have to deal with quite some traveling. I did stay in Brienz for a couple of weeks and definitely liked it: myswissalps.com/brienz. But you’re right, it takes a couple of hours to get to most of your preferred destinations, although the Ballenberg Museum and the train up to Brienzer Rothorn will practically be on your doorstep.

If you don’t like the idea of longer day trips, you’d better focus on one base town and the day trips that can be made from there, and skip some of the destinations in your original plan. Both the Lucerne area as well as the Bernese Oberland offer enough to enjoy yourselves for days (even weeks!):

• myswissalps.com/lakelu cerne
• myswissalps.com/bernes eoberland

Our accommodation tips can be found at myswissalps.com/accomm odation: If you need specific help, please post your questions in the accommodation forum: myswissalps.com/forum/ topic/how-to-get-help-finding-accommodation. A stay in Rothenburg would add some travel time to your daily trips. That doesn’t have to be problem if you focus on the Lake Lucerne area. It’s less convenient if you aim to reach destinations further south such as Schilthorn, Brienzer Rothorn or Ballenberg though. You’best study the timetable and decide what you’re comfortable with: myswissalps.com/timeta ble.

[Shroffchetan]

Reply 7 of 16 • 5 July 2019 at 1:34:33 #915245

With 4 days you should have 1 base. With 6 days at the most 2 bases. Your sightseeing is spread and I feel not doable with 6 days. If you base in Interlaken you can cover some part of bernese oberland and can do day trips to montreux bern, lucerne or zermatt. Pl note these will be long travel days. My family stayed in Interlaken for a week and we did mix of long and short travel plans since we had parents in early 70 age. Myswissalps.com has very good information on sightseeing options region wise and my suggestion will be to read so that you will have very clear idea. Switzerland is family friendly tourist destination and I think you will find something for kids at each place. Thank you for your reading with patience

[User]

Reply 8 of 16 • 5 July 2019 at 4:44:21 #915246

Hi Annika & Shroffchetan,

Thanks very much for the feedback. I hear you… i will have to do the tough task of picking. The reason for choosing Schilthorn was cos of the 22m toddler, with its manageable height for her. If we were to base ourselves in Lucerne (which seems to be the most practical location), are there other worthwhile peaks we can visit in the area instead of Schilthorn. I know Pilatus & Titlis are there but the height and my toddler is the only concern I have. What else can you recommend? This is our first visit to Europe/Switzerland, so really keen to have a great mountain experience.

Also, do Brienz Rothorn & Rigi offer a similar experience? I have some specific questions on accommodation which I will post in the forum mentioned.

Thanks again,

Deshani

[Annika]

Reply 9 of 16 • 5 July 2019 at 17:36:36 #915247

Hi Deshani,

I agree, there’s simply too much to see and do it al!l And it’s hard indeed to skip activities that are high on your wish list. But I think your stay will be much more relaxed if you pick just one base for September 9-13 and enjoy the many options in its immediate surroundings. Lucerne is certainly a good option. Our recommendations for activities, including mountain tops, are listed at myswissalps.com/lakelu cerne/activities. Rigi isn’t that high, so perfectly suitable for your toddler: myswissalps.com/rigi. In my opinion, yes, Rigi and Brienzer Rothorn are different. Each of the Swiss peaks has its own views, atmosphere, transportation modes, and so on.

[User]

Reply 10 of 16 • 6 July 2019 at 4:13:18 #915248

Thankyou Annika.. well noted. I think we will exclude Schilthorn and include Pilatus, maybe consider Titlis (although higher).

I have already posted my accommodation questions in the relevant forum (http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/montreux-3n-lucerne-4n-accommodation) but just wanted to ask one generic thing here. What is the norm for booking accommodation with young kids. Do you mention 2 adults and 2 kids when doing searches or just stick to 2 adults since kids under 6 mostly stay free? I ask cos some places don’t appear when you add on the 2 kids, (but they say kids are allowed and stay free, etc) which can really narrow the search, as a result.

Thanks..

[Arno]

Reply 11 of 16 • 6 July 2019 at 9:17:23 #915249

Hi Deshani,

It’s best to always fill out the actual number of guests, regardless if they might be included for free. That will prevent issues like not enough beds available, or the owner who just didn’t count on providing breakfast for more guests (extra costs to them). That will indeed narrow the search results as all rooms for 2 people will be excluded.

HotelsCombined allows you to specify the age of the children: https://www.hotelscomb ined.com/Place/Switzer land.htm.

[User]

Reply 12 of 16 • 6 July 2019 at 11:26:43 #915250

Ok got it. Thanks Annika!

[User]

Reply 13 of 16 • 9 July 2019 at 6:53:29 #915251

Hi,

I’m kind of back at square one with respect to the 2nd base for 4nights….Lucerne or Lauterbrunnen? I have the tentative agenda for both. If Lauterbrunnen, then Brienz area, Schilthorn and Jungfraujoch. If Lucerne, then Brienz/Ballenberg on the way to Lucerne; in Lucerne, Mt Rigi, Pilatus and/or Stanserhorn.

Since this is our first time to Switzerland, which would you recommend we pick considering we have young kids (5y n 22m)? We head to Paris afterwards. Reason for considering Lauterbrunnen is for the views & being outdoors. We will be in Montreux, in the city itself.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Deshani

[Shroffchetan]

Reply 14 of 16 • 9 July 2019 at 9:53:30 #915252

Hi

Lauterbrunnen will be better considering that bernese oberland is the most scenic part

Pl do not cramp a lot of things in one trip. There is always next time. Since you have young children you will be required to have lot of flexibility in travel plan

[User]

Reply 15 of 16 • 9 July 2019 at 10:09:49 #915253

Hello Deshani,

I would also go for Lauterbrunnen, simply because it offers more variety after Montreux, as it’s more rural and countryside Switzerland compared Lucerne, which is again a “city” (around 80’000 population). There’s also lots to see and do in the area.

http://www.myswissalps.com/la uterbrunnen

Best,
Steph

[User]

Reply 16 of 16 • 9 July 2019 at 12:30:46 #915254

Thankyou Shroffchetan & Steph! I’m so glad I bounced this off the team… I will now plan accordingly. You might hear back from me again!:)

Shroffchetan… I hear you and thankyou. Yes it’s a constant struggle to remember not to overplan!

Regards..

Deshani