MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial 2 weeks across Switzerland by train in Sept-part 1
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Trip report, September 2023 (Part 1)
Hello forum folks,
I just returned from my second two week journey to Switzerland in the last five years. Unfortunately for me, the weather this time around wasn’t what it was last time, which was near perfect. More on that as we go along.
I love this website and have spent a lot of time on it the last five years since going, gathering information, reading countless posts, and the answers from not only the experts/moderators, but other members as well, and lending a helping hand when I can. For that, I thank you all.
As I have mentioned in some recent posts, I am not at all tech-savvy, and basically, I just do a lot of ”ad-libbing”, (if you will), which essentially leads to why I chose the Swiss Travel Pass. (This time and last). In the last five years, (pandemic….) I have looked up prices for many travel passes, as well as mountain excursions, and ultimately came to the conclusion that the STP was the easiest and basically the best way to go. I don’t do spread sheets, and spent many hours looking up and comparing these (mountain top) prices, prices of the different regional passes, etc, and again, just went with the STP. For me, being a solo traveler, it worked out just fine. As we go on, this will make more sense (hop on-hop off).
On this trip, I spent 2n Montreux, 2n Zermatt, 4n Wengen, 3n Lucerne (on the ground, 1n on Mt Pilatus), and the last night in Zurich.
I did take advantage of the luggage-forwarding service. When packing for the trip, I packed two bags. The big one, and a backpack which had two days worth of needs, as well as a smaller backpack which contained a pair of sweatpants, a pair of gloves, a compact rain coat, a ski hat, and sweatshirt. This went everywhere I did in case of need. After landing in Zurich, I went to the SBB office at the airport and sent the big bag to Zermatt, exchanged $1000.00 into Francs, and bought my 15-day STP. When in Zermatt, I sent the big bag to Wengen. When in Wengen, I sent it to Lucerne. And when in Lucerne, I sent it to Zurich. All were to the train stations. It worked flawlessly and gave me so much more freedom to move around without being bogged down by luggage. Each time, it cost 12Chf. So for spending approx $5000.00 on my trip (I have not added up yet, but it’s in that ballpark) it ran just under $50.00 to do so, and, again, have the freedom to not be encumbered by luggage. Well worth the $50.00. Also, one need not pick it up right away, as one has up to 5 days to pick it up. (Another added bonus, should one stay longer than expected in one place.)
Tips:
>>In Zermatt, the luggage pick-up is down along platform 5, and to send it from there, it too is along platform 5, but only about half way, at the ticket purchasing office which will be on the right. One can slso enter from the street side, directly across from the CASA MIA cafe. They’re open til 1900 hrs.
>> In Wengen, both pick-up and drop-off are right behind the “Kiosk” store at the station.
>> In Lucerne, both pick-up and drop-off are on the upper level at the SBB office. (Lucerne has 3 levels. Downstairs is mostly shops/stores, the main level is the trains, and the upper level is the main SBB office, and some restaurants/cafes.) There is also a “quick” SBB kiosk near platform 12 that won’t issue tickets, but will answer questions one may have about travel. Also, there is a tourist info office adjacent to platform 3, right next door to Burger King.
>> In Zurich, well, that place is huge. Just look for the tourist “Info” or the SBB office office, and they will direct you to the pick-up/ drop-off office. It’s sort of on the outside part of the station on the main/street level.
I did have the SBB app on my phone, and I agree with many folks that it is invaluable. I did not have any SIM cards or anything due to my not wanting to deal with the frustration of it not working. (Not tech savvy) Plus, I used the WiFi at my hotels. Other times, I just used the internet, and it pretty much worked all over. Many bars, cafes, and the like had free WiFi as well, so things worked out fine in that respect, save for a few remote spots here and there.
I did, as previously mentioned, get the STP. I went with the first class, and to be perfectly honest, I didn’t find a huge difference, except maybe for the longer trips of, say, two plus hours. On the local level, very rarely were there any inspectors, especially during what I believe were the rush hour times.
>>TIp: On the monitors on each track, there is a designation as to where the first class and second class can board the train to make it easier to board on the correct carriages. (It at times could be confusing, but just look for the sectors, designated by letters. For instance, Platform 6, sector C. Sector “C” is where you want to be standing when the train arrives) Most of which have more 2nd class than 1st. Also, this info can be found on the SBB app as well. After tapping on the “connections” tab, there will he a “train info/train journey” tab. The “train info” tab will give the info for the different classes of trains.
>>>Another tip: being not tech savvy, I used google Maps a lot in conjunction with the SBB app since I have trouble with buses and boats on the SBB app. Google Maps is a wealth of info for such things. For those unaware, every little tiny circle on the map is an icon. Click on it, and whatever you click on will be info on that business. Very, very helpful.
>>>Day 1) Zurich to Montreux. Switched trains in Bern, headed for Lausanne. Stopped in Friebourg. After getting off the train, I realized I was nowhere near the village and got right back on. Beautiful green low lying pastures with mountaihs in the distance. When nearing Lausanne, Lake Geneva came into view, and so did the vineyards. Absolutely beautiful. It was very hazy on the lake itself but still very pretty. I switched in Lausanne and headed for Montreux, but not before stopping off at Lutry to see some vineyards. (Again, not having my big bag allowed me to do this.) I walked down a long, faily steep hill along a vineyard towards the water. Beautiful charming village with cobblestone streets, cafes, and the like, very much like being across the lake in France. I had a sorbet along the water, and after seeing that the next boat into Montreux wasn’t for another two hours, I hoofed it back to the train and was in Montreux 15 minutes later. I checked into the Hotel Parc et Lac and explored the promenade, the Freddy Mercury statue, and the casino/museum featuring Queen. Took some photos, had a crepe near the boat terminal, and headed for my room, but not before having a few beers at the Barrel Oak pub.
- Part 2: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/tripbreport-part-2
- Part 3: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/2-weeks-in-switzerland-trip-report-part-3
- Part 4: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/2-weeks-across-switzerland-part-4
- Part 5: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/2-weeks-across-switzerland-by-train-in-september-5
Regards,
Danielsan
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Arno, Anna, Yolanda. Help! I am trying, with no success, to attach pictures. I have tride everythin and an going in circles. Somehow one pic webt through. I am trying to to attach 7 more. What am I doing wrong? I keep tapping on the “Add files tab”, then “gallery” and no natter what I do from there,xabsolutrly jothing will work. Please, guide me. Thank you very much in advancea
Regards
Danielsan
Hi Danielsan,
Thank you for this information about the luggage transfer and can’t wait for your Part 2.
More pics please.
Karen
Hi Danielsan,
Firstly many thanks for part 1 of your trip report.
Happy to hear you are a fan of the website, your contributions and insights are always incredibly helpful. We certainly appreciate it!
The SBB luggage service sounds so convenient, so practical and definitely worth considering I would say.
I agree with you, the Swiss Travel Pass makes sense for so many reasons.
Lovely photo of the sunset by the way, the french part of Switzerland is magical. I really appreciate that Switzerland has all these contrasting regions in such a ‘small’ area.
For your photos: it could be your additional photos in total, are too large capacity wise, to add? You should be able to read underneath “Maximum file size is 20 Mb. You can shrink your images here”. The ‘here’ is highlighted so the images can be reduced and added.
Perhaps give that a try and let us know?
Likewise, we look forward to part two of your trip.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
HI Yolanda,
Thank you for all your kind words.
“Maximum file size is 20 Mb. You can shrink your images here”.
Does this mean each individual picture is a file, or all pics as a whole? Each pic is no more than 5. Mg. I can’t understand why I can’t post more than one pic. I see so many posts where people post multiple pics and I just can’t do it. It is very frustrating. I don’t want to continue w/ a trip report that I can not post pics. Again, very frustrating.
Thank you for listening. I don’t know what to do. Sincerely.
Regards,
Danielsan
Hi Danielsan,
My apologies for the upload issues. We’re looking into making this easier. You are clicking “Add another file”, right? You need to do that for each file, and then select one at the time. There’s a maximum of 10 per post. If it does not work, please feel free to e-mail a download link and I will attach the images here. You’re welcome to attach the images to your e-mail but they are probably too big for that, or try to attach only a few per e-mail at most.
Hi Danielsan,
Thank you for writing a trip report – so glad the luggage forwarding worked out well for you! Looking forward to Part 2, and more pictures once you are able to attach them.
More photos for trip report if it comes through.
Danielsan
Yippie! They came through. I shall try again. Pics from day 1 of trip report.
Danielsan
Hi Arno,
I believe I hadn’t given enough time for loading after I hit the “post this reply” button. At least I’m hoping that was it. Many thanks to both you and Yolanda.
Sincerely,
Danielsan
Hi Danielsan,
Glad it all worked out with the photos. A lovely selection by the way. I don’t think I have ever seen a solitary swan before!?
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Yolanda,
Yes, they are quite photogenic, arent they?…..lol.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and pictures, Danielsan! Glad that you managed to upload them. They sure look wonderful, even though weather wasn’t always as pleasant as you had hoped for. I’m looking forward to part 2 :-).
Thank you so much for the information on the luggage transfer. My husband and I are considering trying that in November as we travel for 8 days. Did it take 2 days for the luggage to arrive at you next destination? That is our hesitancy.
DENISE
Hello forum folks,
Many thanks to all for reading and the kind words on my trip reports. I am working currently working on part three.
To DeniseH: Don’t hesitate. If you get it it early enough, it may make it to the destination the following night. Again, use a backpack for 2 (even one) days essentials, and you’ll be fine. It was probably the best $50.00 (approx) that I spent on the trip. I had complete freedom to hop on/hop off. Again, always ask at the departing office what the pick-up hours are at the other end.
Regards,
Danielsan
Hi Danielsan,
Thanks for sharing your experience using the SBB luggage transfer service. I think 2 days is the standard delivery time but in some cases it’s possible for the luggage to arrive at the destination earlier than estimated.
Regards,
Anna
HI Danielsan,
Yeah I was looking forward to seeing your trip report. Ooh great information and I feel at ease trying out the luggage service when we travel to Switzerland In November – will be so good to be more hands free during platform changes. We will time it two days before leaving the 1st destination and collect the bags at the next base on the day of arrival.
I am sure as more visitors hear about the convenience of the luggage service, they will have more confidence using it. We will still take our bags on the day we arrive at Zurich to Zermatt and also the last leg when we return to Zurich and airport. In between, we shall try out the service. Many many thanks on the information re the drop off at Zermatt!
I think 1st Class is worth it if one has more luggage and want a quieter ride. Also if you don’t want to be facing other passengers throughout the ride due to the 4 seat configuration in 2nd Class. In terms of comfort, I don’t believe there is much difference. Out of curiosity, were there more crowds at the platforms and trains during this visit compared to your previous visit?
Hi traveljet,
I really didn’t take much notice of the crowds much as I just basically just went with the flow, with the exception of the bigger stations eg: Lucerne, Zurich, Bern. However, in Lauterbrunnen, as you well know, the crowds were insane. People with/without suitcases, going from/to Lauterbrunnen/Wengen. Once again, that was the beauty of picking up my big bag at the Wengen station. Cheers.
Danielsan
HI Danielsan,
So glad the luggage service really came in handy for you. There are now so many vlogs on Youtube by travellers giving details on where to go etc and the BO is understandably always featured.. As more are discovering the beauty of Wengen and the surrounding areas, Lauterbrunnen will continue to be crowded. Imagine the summer crowds. I remember last June when we were checking out of Wengen, the train platform in the morning was quite crowded. If ever we return (a very very big IF) to Wengen, we will make use of the luggage service. Don’t be surprised when visitors read about the luggage service and it starts getting popular😁
All the best!
Wow Danielsan, this is some good information! I look forward to reading about the rest of your trip. So helpful, thanks! Rose
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