[Anonymous]

24 December 2018 at 14:41:21 #819259

Hi,

I will be visiting Switzerland in last week of May (4 adults). I will be reaching from Venice to Luzerne. I am planning to visit following places

1. Luzerne (Mt titlis)
2. Interlaken (jungfraujoch , Interlaken Lake)
3. Zermatt
4. Montreux/Geneva (Golden Pass train, chateau de chillon, etc)
5. Zurich (As I have return flight from here)

Could you please suggest how can these places be covered ?

Also, is there a way I can save on the travelling cost. I am planning to buy Swiss pass for 6 days. Is there anything else that can be done to reduce the cost?

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[User]

Reply 1 of 18 • 24 December 2018 at 19:26:34 #900841

Hi juknawanders and welcome to MySwissAlps!

A Swiss Travel Pass may save you some money on your trip yes. You can buy it for 4 or 8 days, but not 6. http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass

Read more about how to choose the best rail pass for your trip here: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass

As far as covering these places, you can use the Swiss railways timetable to plan the trips between towns and/or mountains to see what connections you need to take: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

You can also find a route description of how to get to each mountain on the mountain pages listed here: http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities/naturalsites/ mountains (click the route tab).

[User]

Reply 2 of 18 • 26 December 2018 at 13:36:42 #900842

Thanks for the response Lucas. Those links are helpful. This is a bare itinerary that I have created

1. Luzerne (2 days visit Mt Titlis and Mt Rigi)
2. On 3rd day move to InterLaken. Visit the area around
3. 4th day jungfraujoch
4. Move to Zermatt (See Matterhorn and places around it)
5. Montreux (chateau de chillon, Lake Geneva, golden pass express)
6. Move to Zurich (See rhine falls etc.)
7. Flight on 8th day from Zurich.

I am fine with all of the travelling involved. Do you suggest any changes in this itinerary ?

[User]

Reply 3 of 18 • 26 December 2018 at 16:32:02 #900843

Hi juknawanders,

I’m not clear on your days. For example is #4 day 4? Or are you moving to Zermatt on the same day you are going to Jungfraujoch?

• Day 1 and 2: Lucerne
• Day 3 an 4 Intelaken
• Day 5 Zermatt
• Day 6 Montreux
• Day 7 Zurich
• Day 8 fly out from Zurich

If that is correct, My only concern is #5.

The full Golden Pass route is 5 hours one-way though right? Are you just planning on doing a portion of it? The route between Montreux and Zweissimmen is the only part on a panoramic train and is the highlight of the while route.

http://www.myswissalps.com/go ldenpass/gettingthere

[User]

Reply 4 of 18 • 26 December 2018 at 16:43:08 #900844

Hi Lucas,

Sorry for the confusion. The itinerary that you have mentioned is exactly what I am considering.

I was only planning for Montreux to Zweissimmen. But I read that it runs from Zweissimmen to Montreux and not vice versa. So, should I move to Zweissimmen from Zermatt and then take golden pass from there ?

Also, from lucerne to Interlaken , is it worth to take Golden Pass or one can avoid it and take city train ? Is golden pass covered in Swiss Pass or do I need to buy the tickets separately ?

Thanks

[User]

Reply 5 of 18 • 27 December 2018 at 7:32:53 #900845

Not to worry – trains run both directions on any route! 🙂 So whatever works best for your schedule is fine. Some say they like the views a little better heading to Montreux rather than from Montreux (as you head down the valley to the lake).

The direct trains that run from Interlaken to Lucerne run on the Golden Pass route – so no need to avoid it (nor would you want to).

The route between Interlaken and Lucerne is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. You can see on the PDF map for the coverage area what routes are covered (virtually all routes between all towns). http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass/validity

[User]

Reply 6 of 18 • 27 December 2018 at 11:17:28 #900846

Thanks Lucas for the help. I also had a query about Montreux. Since. I am planning to stay there. How can I see places in Geneva or I can totally skip it.

[User]

Reply 7 of 18 • 27 December 2018 at 15:36:17 #900847

You can train to Geneva from Montreux in about an hour (http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable).

So if there is something in Geneva you want to see you totally can. If you are looking for things to do there we have a few listed here: http://www.myswissalps.com/ge neva

[User]

Reply 8 of 18 • 28 December 2018 at 7:16:13 #900848

I am thinking of skipping mount rigi and add Lugano in the itinerary. It appears that for that I will have to start my journey from Lugano and then move to Lucerne

Day 1 :Lugano

Day 2: Lucerne (Mt Titlis only)

Day 3 and 4 Intelaken

Day 5 Zermatt

Day 6 Montreux

Day 7 Zurich

Day 8 fly out from Zurich

[Danielsan]

Reply 9 of 18 • 28 December 2018 at 15:13:42 #900849

Hi Juknawanders,

You can go from Lucerne to Lugano also. The scenic passes can go in either direction. Or you can take any local train routes in either direction. As long as you have the STP, you can pretty much go where you want. From Lucerne, you may want to consider the Gotthard Panoramic Express. That can be done with a 3-hour boat ride through Lake Lucerne, to Fluelen, and a two- and a half hour train to Lugano. I don’t know the weather in late May (as I did it in September) but it is a beautiful trip. If you do this, you will need to make a reservation on the train leg of the trip. I believe it was 14 Francs. (If you do this, take train through Goschenen, for the scenic journey.) The boat departs from Lucerne right outside the train station, I believe at 1005. Be aware though, that you arrive in Lugano about 1600 and not a lot of time to do things there, but a beautiful city to see. I wish I had spent more time there. Unfortunately, time goes by quickly and one runs out of time to see places in Switzerland. From Lugano, you can take a train back towards Andermatt, and catch train to Zermatt, and work your way back to Zurich, via Montreux, Interlaken, and Lucerne. Pretty much in a circle. You can view any of the scenic rail routes on this site to get your bearings and schedules and such. Hope you have a great trip.

Danielsan

[User]

Reply 10 of 18 • 8 January 2019 at 6:50:17 #900850

Thanks Danielsan. I had few more questions

1. Is it possible to do Mt Titilis and Mt Pilatus on same day ?
2. I will move to Interlaken from Lugano and then Zermatt or should I do Lucenre -> InterLaken and then Lugano -> Zermatt.

Thanks

[Danielsan]

Reply 11 of 18 • 9 January 2019 at 1:24:48 #900851

Hi juknawanders,

I believe you can do both Mt. Titlis and Pilatus on the same day, but it is a lot to take in, and you would have to start out very early. I would do Mt. Titlis first and do Pilatus on the way back. Look at the train schedules, and you may not have to go all the way back to Lucerne.

< I will move to Interlaken from Lugano and then Zermatt or should I do Lucenre -> InterLaken and then Lugano -> Zermatt.>

To travel this way is backtracking a little bit. (Perhaps you can stop in Lugano on your way in from Venice, if you haven’t already booked those travel plans.) Then you can just go in one direction instead of doubling back, like you would be in going from Interlaken, Zermatt, Montreux. As I mentioned in my first post Lucerne/Lugano/Zermatt/Montreux/Interlaken/Zurich is all in one directional circle. (Except for going to Andrematt for a switch to Zermatt.) If you do Lugano first you can follow to Zermatt/Montreux/Interlaken/Lucerne/Zurich in one flowing direction. Look over a map and you’ll better be able to see what I’m saying. Also look at the links Lucas has posted and call back If you have more questions. People will help you out. Have fun planning,

Danielsan

[User]

Reply 12 of 18 • 9 January 2019 at 9:53:34 #900852

Hi Danielsan,

Thanks for the detailed help. It really helps. I checked the map and understood what you have mentioned in the last post.

So the best itinerary which I am also thinking now to do is

Venice -> Lugano ->Andermatt->Zermatt->Montreux->Interlaken->Lucerne->Zurich.

Also I assume from Andermatt -> Zermatt I can take Glacier Express. I suppose it is included in Swiss pass.

Besides this from Montreux -> InterLaken I can take Golden Pass Express via Zweisimmen when I leave from Montreux.

Juknawanders

[Danielsan]

Reply 13 of 18 • 9 January 2019 at 14:46:17 #900853

Hi juknawanders,

I’m glad you are able to see what I’m saying as far as direction. The Glacier Express is included in the STP, yes, but you do need to make a seat reservation on it. There is an extra cost to do so. You can also take the local trains if you don’t want to pay the extra charge. Look over the time tables for schedules and such, especially to see if you have to switch trains on the locals if you choose that route. As far as the Golden Pass, yes, you can take that from Montreux to Interlaken via Zweisimmen. There is no need for reservations on that line. I took the classic (Belle Epoque) I believe it departed around 1400 hrs. That was a nice ride, but again, the locals follow the same route. It’s very beautiful to see Montruex and the lake as the train leaves and climbs the hills switching back and forth. Hope this is of some help. Happy trails.

Danielsan

[User]

Reply 14 of 18 • 10 January 2019 at 5:39:07 #900854

Hi Danielsan,

Thanks for the advice. I did check the timetable. Glacier Express is taking 5 hours on Andermatt-> Zermatt journey, whereas the local train takes around 3 hour. So I guess local train is much better.

Though this way I will miss on Gotthard Panoramic Express but I assume that’s most logical way to travel.

I need advice on Montreux as well. I wish to see chateau de chillon and some places in Geneva. Will the boat ride be the best way ? I will catch Golden Pass express when I leave from Montreux the next day.

Thanks

[User]

Reply 15 of 18 • 12 January 2019 at 9:39:03 #900855

I’d take a boat ride on Lake Geneva but maybe not Montreux to Geneva (a long trip).

Read more about the boat options here: http://www.myswissalps.com/bo atlakegeneva

[Danielsan]

Reply 16 of 18 • 13 January 2019 at 21:14:42 #900856

Hi Juknawanders,

The Gotthard Panoramic Express runs from Lugano to Lucerne (the train part, to Fluelen) via Andermatt. (Check the time tables, you may be able to swithc at Hospental). The train to Andermatt will be on the same line weather it’s the panoramic line or the local line. As far as the Chateau Chillon, you can take the boat, yes, but it is just a slower way to get there. You can take the train down to it, (and the bus) or you can even walk to it also from Montreux. It is a beautiful walk along the lake’s shore but it is the slower way to get there. It all depends on what/how much you want to do/see when you’re there. I understand the train to Geneva is about an hour ride (one way). You are running into the same issue I had with only spending one night in Montreux, it appears. I will be spending 2 or maybe even three nights there my next time. Hope all goes well.

Danielsan

[User]

Reply 17 of 18 • 16 January 2019 at 18:00:07 #900857

Thanks Danielsan and Lucas. I have now finalized my itinerary.

Venice-> Lugano->Zermatt->Montreux->Interlaken(Via Zweisimmen )-> Luzern->Zurich

I need to finalize how to reach Zermatt from Lugano (either via Andermatt or via Locarno)

SBB mentions that the train is a golden pass train. But how does one make seat reservation as SBB only allows for booking the ticket

[Arno]

Reply 18 of 18 • 16 January 2019 at 21:25:48 #900858

Hi Juknawanders,

Information and links regarding Golden Pass seat reservations can be found here: http://www.myswissalps.com/go ldenpass/tickets.