[Cheryl]

17 June 2026 at 0:53:24 #2797367

Hello,
We will be arriving in Zurich from the US around 6:30 am on July 7. We are headed to Lauterbrunnen for the next few days, but won’t be able to check in to our hotel until 3/4 pm, so I thought we would take a side trip for a few hours to either Bern or Lucerne, explore a bit, and have lunch before heading to Lauterbrunnen. We’ve already been to Zurich and Interlaken on a prior trip, so I wanted to do something new. I just need to visit a pharmacy for our toiletries, but other than that, no itinerary for the day.

We like art, nature, history, and don’t mind walking. We are traveling COO and will store our bags at the train station. We will have STP. Which would you choose and why? Thanks in advance.

💡 Save time and get daily forum questions & answers by e-mail

[Roger Sexton]

Reply 1 of 1 • 17 June 2026 at 6:31:44 #2797370

Hello again Cheryl

Preliminary Word of Warning
We will be arriving in Zurich from the US around 6:30 am on July 7
As you may well have heard, the new European Entry and Exit system (‘EES’) is now in force.  There MAY be long delays at immigration.

Bern or Lucerne for a few hours.
This is a very close call.  I have been visiting Switzerland for 55 years.  My three favourite cities are Bern, Lucerne and (the not relevant) Lausanne.  Given the time constraints, I would on this occasion favour Bern.  Two reasons

Journey Times
Zurich Airport to Lucerne is about 70 minutes;  Zurich Airport to Bern about 80 minutes.
However, Lucerne to Interlaken Ost (change for Lauterbrunnen) is 110 minutes; Bern to Interlaken Ost is 55 minutes.

Location of Attractions
At Lucerne, you will see the city’s biggest attraction, the wooden ‘Kappelbruck’ bridge, to your left as you leave the station.  But the other attractions are in the old city, the other side of the river Reuss from the station.  The Cathedral, the Lion Monument and the Glacier Gardens are about half a mile from the station.
At Bern, the wonderful arcaded city centre streets (UNESCO World Heritage Site) starts about 200 yards from the station.  The Bundeshaus, the Federal Parliament Building built on a promontory above the River Aare, is about a quarter of a mile form the station.

(I would suggest you make Lucerne a ‘rainy day’ excursion from Lauterbrunnen.  Total journey time is just under two-and-a-half hours..)

Best wishes
Roger