3 week Switzerland itinerary April or September
A couple from Australia is planning a scenic trip to Switzerland, looking at April or September. They seek advice on the value of 1st class tickets for the Swiss Travel Pass, whether they can use regional trains without reserving seats, and if attractions like Jungfraujoch are worth visiting.
Consider buying the Swiss Travel Pass for flexibility, but 2nd class is also a good option for scenic trains. Regional trains on the same routes as panoramic trains usually don't require seat reservations. September generally has better weather for sightseeing, while April may have more snow but fewer open services.
AI-generated summary-
Hi all, we are an Aussie couple wanting a relaxing and scenic tour of Switzerland. At the moment we are looking at April 2019 but could change to September.
On reading previous forums, we’re thinking of getting 1st class tickets on STP flex.
- Zurich to Bern – 2 nights – sightsee town
- Bern to Interlaken – 3 nights – Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, Murren, Schilthorn, sightsee town, Lake Brienz.
- Interlaken to Montreux – 2 nights (Golden Pass) – Chocolate train,Gruyere,Chateau de Chillon, Rochers de Naye, sightsee town.
- Montreux to Zermatt – 2 nights – Gornergrat, sightsee town.
- Zermatt to St.Moritz – 2 nights (Glacier Exp) Sightsee town, Muottas Muragi.
- St.Moritz to Bellagio (Italy) – 3 nights ( Bernina Exp to Tirano) – Sightsee, Lake Como.
- Bellagio to Lugano – 2 nights – Sightsee.
- Lugano to Lucerne – 3 nights – Mt.Rigi, Mt.Pilatus, sightsee, Lake cruise.
- Lucerne to Zurich – 2 nights – Sightsee, Rheinfall, St.Gallen.
- Fly home.
Q: Are 1st class tickets for 15 day STP flex worth it (chf 890)?
Can we ride normal regional trains on same routes as panoramic trains and not pay for reserve seats?
Do the regional trains have 1st class?
Is Jungfraujoch worth it ?
Is Belle Epoque part of the Golden Pass train?
Thanks
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Hello Arctic Wolf,
Q: Are 1st class tickets for 15 day STP flex worth it (chf 890)?
My wife and I had a 15 day 2nd Class Pass and found it perfectly fine. We upgraded to 1st Class for the Glacier and Bernina Express.
Can we ride normal regional trains on same routes as panoramic trains and not pay for reserve seats?
Yes.
Do the regional trains have 1st class?
Most do.
Is Jungfraujoch worth it ?
That’s a very difficult question to answer. Many people do it just because it is famous. We gave it a miss and went to Schilthorn instead. http://www.myswissalps.com/sc hilthorn
Is Belle Epoque part of the Golden Pass train?
Yes, between Zweisimmen and Montreux.
April is very much between the Winter and Summer tourist season so in many places things will be quiet with some hotels and restaurants closed and some mountain excursions (cable cars) out of action for maintenance. You will see more snow in April but September is a perfect time of year to visit.
Hi Arctic Wolf,
The best way to find out which rail pass is most economical for your trip is to do the math once you’ve set your daily itinerary. Have a read here for detailed help: http://www.myswissalps.com/tr ain/ticketspasses/prac tical/chooserailpass
You can read our thoughts on the best times to visit Switzerland here: http://www.myswissalps.com/be sttimetovisit – I agree with Rockoyster on September being the best choice (unless you are wanting to ski or do winter sports in early April).
The timetable (http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable) will also give details on the type of train you will travel on with any route. Search Zweisimmen to Montreux for example and it will show you which departure is on the Belle Epoque (or MOB Panorama which is the modern panoramic train as opposed to heritage style).
Hello Arctic Wolf,
I echo rockoyster in so far as the weather. While I have not been to Switzerland in the spring, I chose to spend 2 weeks in September and the weather could not have been better. I don’t ski, and chose September because of that, and it was just past the busy season. I bought a 15-day STP (http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass) and pretty much hit all the places you mentioned, save a couple. I toyed with the idea of a first-class ticket, but ultimately decided on the second class. Being it was September, and just past the busy season, I was happy with the second class, as it was somewhat less busy. I up-graded to first-class only for the Glacier Express (http://www.myswissalps.com/gl acierexpress), only because it was a long ride and wanted to spread out and not worry about it. Just a note on St. Moritz, the town is very desolate and quiet after the season ends. Not much to do in the town itself. Beautiful town, very picturesque, but no one there. Surrounding area’s may be interesting though. Enjoy your trip.
Danielsan
Thank you Rockoyster, Lucas and Danielsan for your imputs. In regards to the 2 night stay in St.Moritz, we feel that after the long 8 hr journey from Zermatt, we might find it difficult to rise early for next day excursion. Speaking of St.Motitz, does the Bernina Exp run through there or do we have to catch a local to Pontresina?
Also can someone provide a link for the Italian side of things i.e. Tirano to Varenna and Como to Lugano.
We still can’t make up our minds yet re- April or September. How far down the mountains will there still be snow in September?
We used to be indecisive, but now we’re not so sure 🙂
Many thanks guys
Hi Arctic Wolf,
There are Bernina Expresses to Tirano departing from St. Moritz. But there’s also a through train from Chur via Pontresina to Tirano. As you said you can take a short ride on a local train to connect to it in Pontresina. All details are in the timetable Lucas referred to, and here: http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress.
There won’t be much snow in September. Only at the highest peaks.
Here’s a link for the Italian speaking part of Switzerland: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti cino.
Thank you Arno.
Hi Arctic Wolf-
If someone asks me “What is the best time to visit Switzerland” without specifying exactly what they want to do, the answer is “September.”
April doesn’t work well in the high Alps…between ski and hiking seasons, so, many places ( but not all) are closed. Major sightseeing trains are running. In the lower altitudes, Spring is just starting to appear in April. Usually, I make my Spring visits in mid to late May.
If your principal interest is only seeing the sights, either time will do. If you intend even the slightest bit of trekking, then April is not a good time…except in the warmest parts of the lower altitudes…in the regions westward-facing slopes that get a lot of sun.
Slowpoke
Slowpoke is right about April and trekking. I like April/May, but I always went late April, and hiking was limited to lower elevations. Still plenty of options, but the glorious high alpine trails will not be accessible. If hiking is not a priority then April can work well for various other activities. It always helps if the weather is good though 🙂
Thank you Slowpoke & Arno. Hiking is not an option ( sciatic/lower back ) just mainly sightseeing and gentle stroll through towns/cities. Also read a post about September where it is bare rocks up most of the mountains so am leaning towards April for more snowtime 🙂
I understand. In that case April might be best indeed. The amount of snow varies from one year to the other, but there will definitely be more of it in April than September. We’ve visited areas that could have been walk-able but were covered in 50 cm of snow when we were there in April.
Hi Arctic Wolf.
Thanks for your guidance about hiking.
Are there I sense that sightseeing from public transport and taking easy walks with good scenery is your goal…..?
Slowpoke
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