April, Milan-Lucerne-Bernese Oberland-Zurich: transport availability
Jenny is planning a trip to Switzerland for 5 adults from April 1-15, starting in Milan and visiting Lucerne, Grindelwald, and Zurich. She's looking for train advice, things to do in each location, and tips for managing their luggage while traveling.
- Check the Swiss timetable for train connections and expect to change trains from Milan to Lucerne.
- Consider purchasing the Swiss Travel Pass for better value on public transport since you're staying over 3 days.
- Taxis are available at train stations in Lucerne and Zurich; just ask at the tourist information desk if you need help.
- If you miss a train connection, you can usually board the next one with standard or rail pass tickets.
- For bad weather, look into museums or local tours to stay active indoors.
AI-generated summary-
Hi there,
Planning a trip for 5 adults, flying to Milan on April 1-5, spend 4 nights. Train transfer from Milan to Lucerne (April 6-9), spend 3 nights. I am looking at a direct train to Lucerne, since we have 1-2 huge luggages per person. Stay in Wilderswil for 4 nights (April 9-13). Are all the train connections open during the first week of April? Want to see Grindelwald First, Lauterbrunnen and Harder Klum. We are not hikers, would love to walk around, be with nature. Then train transfer to Zurich April 13-15, 2 nights. Fly home on the 15th. I plan to get the half fare card.
Hope to hear from you..Thank you! Jenny
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Hello Jenny,
Welcome to MySwissAlps.
You’ll be able to research all your travel plans using the Swiss timetable (link below). All options and availabilities will be displayed, including changes when necessary. Heads up, there is no direct train Milan-Lucerne, one change is definitely required.
Great you are considering the Swiss Half Fare Card (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-half-fare-card/) However, given you are in Switzerland for over 3 days, it may make sense to purchase a different type of rail pass. Of course, this will depend on how much you think you will be actually using the public transport whilst here.
Take a look at the below link, that way you can take compare passes or carry out some calculations and the most suitable pass will be displayed:
Here’s also our handy guide for travel between Italy and Switzerland: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-guide/italy-switzerland/
Also our guides to the Berner Oberland region https://www.myswissalps.com/region/bernese-oberland/ and Lucerne https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/ Within, you’ll find lots of useful tips and suggestions for things to do.
I hope this helps. Do reach out if you have any further questions.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Yolanda,
Is it easy to get a cab from train stations? Lucerne and Zurich?
We will base ourselves in Grindelwald. Wondering how to start our itinerary from here, plan to stay for 4 days. Easy walks/ hike would be greatly appreciated. Any good restaurants recommendation please…
In Lucerne, how do we start our itinerary, lots of see, staying 4 days as well.. Will visit Bern too.
Hope to hear back from you,
Thank you!
Jenny
Hi Gofish,
Yes, you can find taxis at the train stations in Zurich and Lucerne. The taxi stand is usually located just outside the main entrance. If you need help, you can enquire at the ticket counter or tourist information centres.
You can find excursion and sightseeing suggestions in Grindelwald, Lucerne and Bern in the links below:
- Grindelwald: http://www.myswissalps.com/town/grindelwald/#activities
- Lucerne: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/#activities
- Bern: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bern/#activities
Best regards,
Anna
Hi Anna,
We are taking the train from Milan to Luzern, on the SBB website, it says “Gotthard tunnel derailment, the online timetable will change”. Is it safe to continue booking the train transfer? Milan via Lugano to Luzern? Are we going to make it with the train transfer of 4 mins, with large luggages from platform 4 to platform 3?
Hope to hear back from you,
Jenny
Hi Gofish,
Due to the closure of the Gotthard Tunnel, passenger trains now have to travel over the panoramic route (which is over the mountain). This basically means services are still running but the journey will take longer. The timetable has been adjusted to reflect this. So, in general you will be able to make the transfer. Any delays will be communicated by SBB in advance and arrangement will usually be made to ensure passengers get on the next train safely.
Regards,
Anna
Hi Anna,
We are in Lucerne April 5-9, Grindelwald April 9-13. Looking for recommendations if weather does not cooperate with us..
In Lucerne , plan to visit, Mt Titlis and Bern.
In Grindelwald: lauterbrunnen, Wengen, First, Mannlichen… not sure which one to go first..
Thank you so much for all your help..
Jenny
Hi Jenny
>>Are we going to make it with the train transfer of 4 mins, with large luggages from platform 4 to platform 3?
The SBB timetable transfer times are designed to be achievable, even with luggage. That said, it’s a good idea to get your things together and move to the door of the train a few minutes before it’s due to pull into the station, so you are ready to get off once the train stops.
Getting from Platform 4 to Platform 3 at Lugano involves going down a ramp to the underpass and up to the next platform. The ramp is close to Sector F on the platforms. The platform sectors are marked by dark-blue-and-white signs above the platforms, so when you get off the train, look up to see which sector you are in, and which direction you need to walk in to get to Sector F.
If you would prefer to have a longer transfer time, you can set the transfer time to suit you. In the SBB timetable, after you have filled out the details (From, To, Date, Time) click on “Settings”, then turn on the button for “Interchange time”, select the option that suits you, then click on “Apply”. That will generate connections with a longer transfer time.
You can download a plan of Lugano station from here:
https://www.sbb.ch/en/travel-information/stations/find-station/lugano-station.html
Hope this is useful!
Alpenrose
Hi Jenny,
I hope the weather behaves for you when you visit. I always find, if it’s light drizzle and not torrential, things can still be doable. For example you may still be able to take a boat cruise perhaps on Lake Lucerne? (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/boat-lake-lucerne/)
If you like museums, there is the Glacier museum or the Museum of Transport museum (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/museum-of-transport/ ) in the city itself.
There is also a glass factory in nearby Hergiswil where you can watch glassblowers, you can even blow your own Glass ball.
If you are a fan of chocolates and cheese, you could take a chocolate or cheese tasting tour in Lucerne. More information can be found here, just use the filters to narrow down your choices: https://www.myswissalps.com/activities/culinary/
Also, if you have a railpass, you can easily plan a day trip to any of the towns in the surrounding areas or neighbouring regions where it may not be raining. More ideas here: https://www.myswissalps.com/town/lucerne/
For Grindelwald, you’ll find some options on our Grindelwald page under “Bad weather activities”
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Alpenrose,
What if we missed our connecting train, can we hop on to the next one?
Jenny
Hi Yolanda,
With the boat rides, I see the Brienz ones still closed during our stay, April 9-12 in Grindelwald, is the Thun ones open?
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Yes, boat trips on Lake Thun are available all year round. See below:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Jenny,
If you miss your train connection, depending on your ticket type you maybe able to board the next train. For example if you had a Supersaver ticket, these are time and date specific so in this case, if you missed the connection, you’d need to purchase another ticket.
If you had a rail pass or a regular ticket, you’d be fine to board the next train. More information on Swiss rail passes and tickets in the below link:
Kind regards,
Yolanda
Hi Yolanda,
Where do we buy the berner overland pass? I see swiss railway and the berner oberland pass website. On the berner overland website, advance booking starts Feb 1st. Are these official websites? It does not offer free cancellation though.
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
You can purchase the Berner Oberland Pass online: https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/berner-oberland-pass/#tickets
Regards,
Anna
Hi Jenny,
As you plan to visit Bern from Luzern / Lucerne, you might like to take the Emmental route at least one way, to see the picturesque Emmental Valley. Plan this route in the SBB timetable by filling in the from, to, date and time fields, then clicking on Settings. On the settings form, activate the button for the via field then click on Apply. In the via field, put Langnau i.E. (which is Langnau im Emmental).
If you are planning to take a boat trip on the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne) all the way to Flüelen (highly recommended), note that there are only two departures a day during your stay: at 10:12 and 12:00. The 12:00 departure requires a change of boats at Vitznau. You can get the train back to Luzern from Flüelen – the station is adjacent to the boat dock at Flüelen.
Grindelwald First – the gondola will be operating. Were you planning on doing any of the adventure activities? If so, check here, as not all of them will be operating during your stay.
https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/grindelwaldfirst/
Trümmelbach Glacier Waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen are open from 9 am to 5 pm daily from the beginning of April, so they should be open when you are there, but you might want to check with your hotel reception or the local tourist office before going there.
From Lauterbrunnen, you should not miss going up to the villages of Mürren and/or Wengen. You would probably also enjoy a walk along the path on the floor of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, even if just up to the Staubbach Falls. Just walk as far as you like, then turn around and go back to Lauterbrunnen. At certain places there is a path across the fields to the road on the other side of the valley, where you can catch the bus either to Stechelberg or back to Lauterbrunnen.
https://www.myswissalps.com/blog/hike-lauterbrunnen-stechelberg/
In Wengen, there’s a spot next to the Swiss Protestant church, where you get a stunning view over the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It’s about a 10 minute walk from Wengen station.
From the station, head left up the main street lined with shops and hotels, past the Hotel Silberhorn on the right, Männlichen cable car on the right, Hotel Bernerhof on the left, Hotel Schönegg on the right then take a path to the left – you will see the church. From outside the church you have a wonderful view towards the Jungfrau massif and down into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. There are seats there. I have attached a map showing the walking route.
Neither of the Männlichen cable cars (i.e the cable car up from Wengen or the gondola up from Grindelwald) will be operating during your stay, but you could take a ride on the Eiger Express cable car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher.
As far as the Berner Oberland Pass goes, they do not sell out. So you could easily wait until closer to your trip before buying it.
Have a great trip!
Alpenrose
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Hi Alpenrose,
Wow, I really appreciate the detailed info…how about the lake by Grindelwald first? Can we explore that area? Will it be muddy? Snow covered? We are a group of 5 in our 50s…Planning on our gears..
Thank you so much!!!
Re Emmental, might take us longer to get to Bern and limit our day trip visit to old town.
How about restaurants? Are they open during our stay? Lucern April 5- 9, Grindelwald April 9-13?
Hi Alpenrose,
How about the Schilthorn cable cars? Will they be operating? Is it worth a visit?
Jenny
Hi Gofish,
The gondolas to Grindelwald First operates almost year round. You can find the operating information here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/grindelwald-first/#dates. In April the trail to Bachalpsee might still not be groomed or open. You have to check on the website. The village Grindelwald itself is accessible all year round. It might be a little quiet though but the supermarkets, shops and some restaurants will remain open.
Schilthorn is generally accessible year round too except for a few days in April and November. You can check out the details here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/schilthorn/#dates
Regards,
Anna
Hi Jenny
>>How about restaurants? Are they open during our stay? Lucern April 5- 9
You won’t have any problem finding restaurants open in Luzern during your stay. Some might have a rest day or two though (usually Monday and/or Tuesday).
A favourite of mine, which is open every day during your stay, is the Rathaus Brauerei on the waterfront in the old town:
https://www.rathausbrauerei.ch/en/food/
For other options, see the link below. Many of them will be pricey, and may require a reservation. You can filter the list by type of cuisine and location, and check opening hours and menus/prices on individual websites of any that take your fancy:
https://www.luzern.com/en/things-to-do/eating-drinking/restaurants/sent/1/
If you have your main meal in the middle of the day, wherever you happen to be, you can grab some takeaway food in the evening from one of the many food outlets in Luzern station:
Alpenrose
Hi Alpenrose,
Thank you so much for all the restaurant recs. How about what to do in Zurich for 24 hours? What restaurant would you recommend for our last dinner with friends?
Jenny
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