[Anonymous]

20 September 2018 at 17:30:46 #818457

What can be done in 7 days if at all possible to fly into Zurich, train to Lucerne and venture around Lucerne and try to see and stay more cities while enroute to Milan via the Bernina Express?

Thanks for any suggestions.

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[User]

Reply 1 of 10 • 21 September 2018 at 6:58:50 #896603

Hi Ladynbrown and welcome to MySwissAlps!

There is a lot to see and do in Switzerland. For our general recemmended activites around the country look here: http://www.myswissalps.com/ac tivities

and for activities in and around Lucerne specifically look here: http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne/activities

Depending on how long you stay in Lucerne, I might then head to St. Gallen (direct Voralpen Express train) and then move on to Chur and/or St. Moritz (http://www.myswissalps.com/st moritz) before heading to Tirano on the Bernina Express (http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress).

To find train connections between any town or mountain use the Swiss Railways timetable here: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

You’ll also want to look at a rail pass, like the Swiss Travel Pass (http://www.myswissalps.com/sw isstravelpass) for your your train travel (Bernina Express reservations are extra and mandatory: http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress/packages

[User]

Reply 2 of 10 • 24 September 2018 at 3:30:06 #896604

Thank you for your suggestions.

I have come up with an itinerary and I would like to find out if this is a feasible, not too crazy itinerary.

Fly into Zurich then travel directly to Lucerne or just walk around Zurich town if there is time (1st night);

while in Lucerne see Mt. Pilatus and Lake Lucerne (2nd night); Jungfraujoch (3rd night);

travel to St. Gallen (direct Voralpen Express) to Chur and pick up the Bernina Express and stay overnight in St. Moritz or somewhere else you might recommend (4th night),

continue via Bernina Express to Tirano to Lugano (5th night);

travel to Milan (not sure what transport to take) and stay 6th and 7th night.

Return home from Milan.

I would really appreciate any comments and suggestions anyone can provide. I am not very clear yet as to the actual travel times in between cities. Please let me know if I am cramming too much in a day.

Thanks again.

[User]

Reply 3 of 10 • 24 September 2018 at 12:08:31 #896605

When are you traveling? The express trains don’t run all year.

Generally speaking the itinerary can work. Lucerne to Jungfraujoch is a very long day but can be done.

Use the timetable link from my last reply to check travel times on the trains between any town or mountain. The timetable always gives you the most direct routing options.

I’d be tempted to do 2 nights in Lugano, but it depends on your plans in Milan and if you need two nights there more.

Reservations must be made on the Glacier, Bernina and Gotthard Express trains:

• http://www.myswissalps.com/gl acierexpress/packages
• http://www.myswissalps.com/be rninaexpress/packages
• http://www.myswissalps.com/go tthardpanoramaexpress/ packages

[User]

Reply 4 of 10 • 26 September 2018 at 4:09:48 #896606

We are planning to travel (2 seniors) first week of June next year.

What do you suggest about the trip to Junfgraujoch? Can I travel to Jungfraujoch and instead of going. back to Lucerne maybe travel towards St Moritz with a stay overnight in some city along the way?

I was thinking of taking the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano and to Lugano by bus. Per your suggestion, we plan to stay 2 nights in Lugano. The Bernina Express should be OK during this month, I hope?

From Lugano, we take the Cisalpino-Lugano to Milan. I am still debating if it is worth to stay an extra night in Milan or just head home the next day.

Thanks again.

[User]

Reply 5 of 10 • 26 September 2018 at 8:20:55 #896607

Traveling on to St. Moritz from the Jungfraujoch would be just as long as going back to Lucerne unfortunately.

With only 5 nights in Switzerland, I’d pick between Lucerne (http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne) and the Jungfrau region (perhaps a town like Wengen (http://www.myswissalps.com/we ngen) for 2 days then

On day 3 do 1 night in St. Moritz (http://www.myswissalps.com/st moritz) and then the Bernina Express to Tirano and on to Lugano for 2 nights.

I’ve done Milan over a weekend before (from Zurich) and thought that was fine. 1 night and 1 full day is ok (to me). Especially if your priority is the landscapes of Switzerland. Milan is good for shopping (good Italian food can be found in Lugano too).

Lots of time to decide though! Reservations on the Bernina Express open up 3 months in advance only.

[User]

Reply 6 of 10 • 6 October 2018 at 13:31:41 #896608

I think I may have narrowed my itinerary to the following:

1. Travel to Switzerland via Zurich;

2. Walk around Zurich town if there is time

Stay in Luzerne (4 nights)

3. Depending on weather, either stay explore town or go up mountains

4. Pilatus; Lake Lucerne

5. Jungfraujoch

6. Travel to Pontresina 4H35 min. (5th night) via Chur; visit St Moritz ?

7. Travel to Tirano via Bernina Express; then to Lugano 6H (6-7th night)

8. Lugano

9. Travel to Milan by Cisalpino – Lugano to Milan >1H (8th night)

10. Fly home from Milan

Questions:

Is it better to stay in Pontresina or St. Moritz?

How do I best spend my one day in Lugano?

Thank you again!

[User]

Reply 7 of 10 • 7 October 2018 at 7:53:08 #896609

I think it comes down to personal preference on St. Moritz vs. Pontresina. I don’t think one is better than another. St. Moritz is a high-end resort town – some people love it or hate it. Pontresina will be quieter but it also a popular town with members. For one night I’d probably go with St. Moritz if it was in my budget.

For ideas on Lugano, see our page here: http://www.myswissalps.com/lu gano and read about my trip report to the town and region here for ideas: http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/ticino-region-trip-march-31-april-2

Be sure you also reserve seats on the Bernina Express bus to Lugano as well as the train.

[User]

Reply 8 of 10 • 13 October 2018 at 14:19:03 #896610

Thank you Lucas for all your guidance. I am still undecided.

I ran into an 8 day rail trip with Tripadvisor which starts in Zurich and ends in Zermatt. What is the best route to take to fly back to the US? Is it Milan, Zurich or Geneva?

Thanks again. Linda

[User]

Reply 9 of 10 • 13 October 2018 at 14:56:24 #896611

Well all three towns are about 3.5 to 4 hours form Zermatt so any of the three towns can work as your departure point without much difficulty. You can check the Swiss railways timetable here for details: http://www.myswissalps.com/ti metable

I’d base you decision on either a town you want to see, or flight prices.

[User]

Reply 10 of 10 • 13 October 2018 at 18:00:16 #896612

Hi Ladynbrown –

<<” think I may have narrowed my itinerary to the following:

1. Travel to Switzerland via Zurich;

2. Walk around Zurich town if there is time”>>

What time of day do you arrive in Zürich?

Early June is nice in and around Luzern. A bit ahead of the tourists. I usually go in late May, for the same reason.

It’s a bit early for many tourist facilities in the Jungfrau Region. Usually there is still a lot of snow at higher altitudes, so not much hiking, but the snow is not good enough for skiing. Summer season begins in late June. A base in Luzern makes sense in early June.

Jungfraujoch is accessible all year every day.

Have you checked the timetable linked by Lucas. It is invaluable for checking travel times.

Slowpoke